Veterans! Here’s your Top 10 News stories of the day compiled from the latest sources

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1.   VA defies gun statute.  Albany Times Union  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said it will not comply with the provision of New York’s new gun control law requiring mental health providers to report potentially dangerous individuals to state authorities. The Secure Ammunition and Firearms …
 
2.   VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System: No wrongdoing found yet in Legionnaires outbreak.  The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System said an internal investigation so far has found no evidence of wrongdoing at its facilities during an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease tied to five deaths, and apologized to veterans and families affected by the incident.
 
3.   Following complaints, Hagel orders review of Distinguished Warfare Medal.  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the new Distinguished Warfare Medal, a surprising reversal from the Pentagon’s insistence that the criticism surrounding the award would not change its future.
 
4.   Hagel Orders Review of Sex Assault Case, Convening Authority.  American Forces Press Service  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed two separate reviews to ensure that the U.S. military justice system is appropriately protecting victims of sexual assault as well as dispensing justice to the accused, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.  The orders are an outgrowth of a case against …
 
5.   Air Force joins Army, Marines in cutting tuition assistance.  The Air Force has been providing $250 per semester credit hour and up to $4,500 a year to airmen pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
 
6.   Bill would ban commanders from overturning court-martial verdicts.  A California congresswoman has introduced legislation to take the power to dismiss or overturn convictions and sentences away from military commanders — a response to a recent sex assault case at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

 7.   Cuts could affect Army’s mental health providers, limit soldiers’ access to care.  The Army could lose a large chunk of its mental health force to furloughs starting next month, limiting access to care for soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues.

8.   Pentagon Comptroller Outlines Budgetary Challenges.  American Forces Press Service  The Defense Department faces many fiscal challenges, but is doing what it can to reduce impacts on national security, the department’s comptroller said here today.  Robert F. Hale spoke to businessmen and women at the Newseum for the McAleese/Credit Suisse Defense Programs Conference about the “far-reaching” set of problems in fiscal year 2013, which ends Sept. 30.  “We obviously have to provide national security in …

9.Army Supports NFL Brain Injury ‘Innovation Challenge’.  The NFL yesterday announced a major research consortium with General Electric and Under Armor to study traumatic brain injuries in the latest such effort that also will involve the Army.
 
10.  Military Substance Abuse Research Progresses, Doctor Says.  American Forces Press Service:  Defense Department officials are developing research-based methods to curb substance abuse among service members, their families and veterans, a senior DOD medical official said here yesterday.  Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick — deputy director for force

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