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

We encourage you to browse our list so that you can take what you want and keep what you need

 
1.   Summit to Focus on Vets Suicides.  WJCT NEWS  According to a study released in February by The U-S Department of Veterans Affairs an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day. In Florida one out of four suicides is committed by a veteran.
 
2.   Chelsea man sentenced to 5 years probation for filing false mileage vouchers …
Bangor Daily News  A Chelsea man was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court to five years of probation in connection with his falsification of mileage vouchers to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over a nearly three-year period. Stephen John …
 
3.   NY Army veteran pleads to misdemeanors in weapon-possession case.  A decorated combat veteran whose January arrest on weapon-possession charges prompted outrage from his family and gun-rights proponents pleaded guilty Friday in Jefferson County Court to two misdemeanor counts and has been sentenced to a conditional discharge.
 
4.   Sex trauma is a big problem in military, says VA.  Sexual assaults have been a “big, huge” problem in the military that have been grossly underreported, says Dr. Cindy Keene, a psychologist who is the military sexual trauma coordinator at the Tomah, Wis., VA Medical Center.
5.   Veterans Budget Gets $63 Billion Boost From Obama White House.  Hyperlink to Story  Huffington Post: Despite growing pressure for budget cuts, the Obama administration next week will propose spending $63.5 billion for veterans services in fiscal 2014, asking for a 4 percent increase over current spending.
6.   White House Backs Shinseki’s Backlog Plan.  Hyperlink to Story Military.com:  The White House today demonstrated support for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and his plan to deal with veterans’ issues in the wake of a Time magazine column calling for his ouster and a veteran service organization’s media blitz around disability claims backlogs.
7.   VA, White House pledge to improve disability system for vets.   Hyperlink to Story  Miami Herald: The White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs say that they’re pushing hard to speed up the slow and cumbersome disability claims process and that a recent overhaul to the system should start to yield benefits soon.

8.   Obama’s VA budget boosts funds to cut claims backlog.  Hyperlink to Story  Air Force Times:   President Obama’s 2014 budget will include a 4 percent increase for the Veterans Affairs Department, with $63.5 billion in discretionary funds that will include $300 million for programs to reduce the department’s claims backlog, administration officials said Friday.
9.   Vietnam veteran to get his benefits.  Hyperlink to Story  Morning Call:  Vietnam veteran Matthew Ford had been waiting an inexcusable two years and seven months on his latest appeal for disability benefits when I wrote about his case three weeks ago. Eight days after that column, the agency granted Ford his benefits, saying a previous denial was “legally erroneous.”
10.   Good Morning Arizona.  Hyperlink to Story  KTVK-TV (Video):  Local broadcast news station discussing the recent resignation of Arizona’s Veterans Affairs head over comments made by a controversial hire.

Have You Heard?

Visit Mobile Apps Gallery to find government apps and mobile websites.
Here are just a few of the many apps you’ll find:

• Tornado – If a tornado warning is issued for your location, an alarm will sound, even when the app is closed. (available for iPhone and Android)
• CDC Mobile App – Get timely health information. (available for iPad and Android)
• Smart Traveler – Get official country information, travel alerts, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more. (available for iPhone and Android)
• NCI QuitPal – Use proven strategies to help you stop smoking. (available for iPhone)
• NPS National Mall – If you’re visiting the National Capital, you can use this app to help you explore cultural and historical sites. (available for iPhone)

You can search for apps by category (Education, Health, Business, etc.) or by platform (Android, Apple, Blackberry, etc.).
Currently, all the apps featured in the gallery are free, though charges from your mobile phone carrier may apply.