Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News – October 08, 2013

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

 
As shutdown nears second week, lawmakers point fingers.  Congressional leaders continued sniping at each other Monday morning as the federal government’s partial shutdown approached the one-week mark.
 
VA blaming claims backlog uptick on shutdown.  Department of Veterans Affairs officials are blaming the partial government shutdown for the slight increase in the veterans claims backlog this week, but critics question whether VA leaders are using the political crisis as an excuse.
 
Readout of Secretary Hagel’s Meeting with the Service Chiefs.  Secretary Hagel convened a meeting of the department’s top leadership – including the Service Secretaries and Service Chiefs – to receive an update on the impact of the ongoing government shutdown on the Department of Defense. He is pleased that most …
Prolonged Shutdown Could Mean Hard Times for Veterans.  Hyperlink to Article KCRG-TV (Video):  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, payments in the compensation, pension, education and vocational rehabilitation programs will continue through October. If there’s a prolonged shutdown, those payments would end when funding dries up.
VA to furlough 7,000 employees, close regional offices.  Hyperlink to Article Military Times:  Veterans regional offices will be closed and nobody will answer their phones beginning Tuesday morning as the government shutdown forces furloughs of 7,000 employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Prolonged deadlock could affect veterans.  Hyperlink to Article The Times:  But the longer the Washington deadlock continues, the greater the chances that some people won’t get money or services… The Department of Veterans Affairs said it has enough money to process veterans’ claims for pensions, compensation, education and vocational rehabilitation programs through late October, USA Today reports. But at some point the money will run out and when it does benefit checks may be delayed.
VA Says Progress Halted in Cutting Claims Backlog.  Hyperlink to Article ABC News (AP):  The Department of Veterans Affairs says the government shutdown has halted the progress it was making in reducing a backlog of disability and pensions claims.
VA retains the decider role over veteran-owned status protests.  Hyperlink to Article WFED-AM (Federal News Radio):  The Veterans Affairs Department decided to remain the final decider on all acquisition protests to whether a company is a service-disabled veteran small business, a veteran-owned small business or not.
Cortlandt Vets Push to Make Montrose V.A. State, Federal Landmark.  Hyperlink to Article Hudson Valley Reporter:  After learning that five unused buildings at the Montrose V.A. are scheduled to be demolished, the Town of Cortlandt and its veterans groups are applying to make it a state and national landmark.
VA’s $562,000 art purchase questioned.  Hyperlink to Article Military Times:  A Kansas senator wants an explanation why the Veterans’ Affairs Department spent $562,000 on art work during the final days of fiscal year 2013… Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., a member of the Senate veterans’ affairs and appropriations committees, says he can think of a lot better places to spend that money…

 

Have You Heard?

VA Support for Alcohol or Drug Misuse:  Too many Veterans are dependent on alcohol and drugs which can lead to physical and mental health problems. VHA has programs which assure Vets they do not have to try to stop on their own.