You Asked, We Answered: What should I know about additional
COVID-19 vaccine doses?
Loving kindness meditation proves effective for PTSD
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94416/loving-kindness-meditation-proves-effective-for-ptsd/
Caregiver shares story of support for her Veteran spouse
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94338/caregiver-shares-story-of-support-for-her-veteran-spouse/
S. 657, The Agent Orange in Thailand Act, introduced by
Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and Senator Jon Testers (D-MT), A bill to modify
the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to
herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the
Vietnam era, and for other purposes.
Introduced 03/10/2021. Cosponsors: (17).
Latest Action: Senate - 04/28/2021 Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Hearings held.
H.R.2269, The Agent Orange in Thailand Act, introduced by
Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4), To modify the presumption of service
connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in
the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other
purposes. (Introduced 03/26/2021)
Cosponsors: (49). Latest Action: House -
06/22/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs.
S. 810, The Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021,
introduced by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). (Introduced 03/17/2021) Cosponsors:
(22). Latest Action: Senate - 04/28/2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
H.R. 1972, The Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021. Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA-10) and Rep. Pete
Stauber (R-MN-8) introduced a companion bill.
(Introduced 03/17/2021) Cosponsors: (9).
Latest Action: House - 06/16/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
S.1520, The Military Justice Improvement Act of 2021,
introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). This legislation would reform
the disposition of charges and convening of courts-martial for certain offenses
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and increase the prevention of
sexual assaults and other crimes in the military. (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (65)
Latest Action: Senate - 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to
the Committee on Armed Services.
S.952, Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn
Pits and other Toxins Act "Warfighters Act". Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
(Introduced 03/24/2021). Cosponsors:
(3). Latest Action: Senate - 04/28/2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Chairman Takano Announces Hearing on Veteran Suicide
Prevention: This critical hearing comes as part of Chairman Takano's priority
to reduce veteran suicide, especially in light of the withdrawal in Afghanistan
that has deeply impacted our nation's veterans.
Chairs Takano, Tester, Wasserman Schultz, & Heinrich
Applaud Successful Committee Passage of the Build Back Better Agenda - House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, under the leadership of Chairman Mark Takano
(D-Calif.) successfully passed legislative proposals to comply with the
reconciliation directive included in section 2002 of the Concurrent Resolution
on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, S. Con. Res. 14 through the Committee. As
part of President Biden's Build Back Better agenda, this measure includes $18
billion to invest in VA's aging infrastructure.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Ranking Member of the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, delivered an opening statement, as
prepared, at the start of the Cmte's markup of the Democrats' partisan
reconciliation package - which includes an additional $18 billion dollars for
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
https://republicans-veterans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5905
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester
(D-Mont.), Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), U.S. Senators Joe Manchin
(D-W.Va.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) are urging Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to address oversight failures at medical
facilities across the country.
Tester, Moran Statement Following Reported Decrease in
Veteran Suicides Nationwide
"This report makes clear that VA's ongoing efforts to
improve mental health and suicide prevention have made a tangible, life-saving
impact on our nation's veterans. While this is a welcome step forward, the fact
is that one life lost to suicide is one too many, and veterans and their
families are relying on VA to provide critical tools and resources now more
than ever. As leaders of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, we will
continue working with VA to aggressively increase outreach efforts and
implement initiatives that will connect more veterans with the care and
resources they need to keep from falling through the cracks."
VA annual report shows decrease in Veteran suicides. New data included in the Department of
Veterans Affairs 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report notably
shows a decrease from 2018 to 2019 in the total number of Veteran suicide
deaths, and a decrease in the rate of Veteran suicides per100,000. This drop is noteworthy when compared to the
generally rising rates observed in earlier years. This latest report provides the most
comprehensive data to date regarding suicide among U.S. Veterans from
2001-2019. Specifically, the VA reported
that there were 6,261 veteran suicide deaths in 2019 - 399 fewer than in 2018.
Of the 17 veterans who died by suicide per day on average in 2019,
approximately ten of them had no recent interaction with the VA health care
system. The data also revealed that the female veteran suicide rate decreased
by almost 13 percent, which is the largest rate decrease for female veterans in
17 years.
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/includes/viewPDF.cfm?id=5713
National POW/MIA Recognition Day in the United States Sep 17, 2021
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/pow-mia-recognition-day
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Progress in Vietnam
https://www.dpaa.mil/Resources/Fact-Sheets/Article-View/Article/569613/progress-in-vietnam/
In honor of POW/MIA Day, DPAA has produced the 2021 POW MIA
poster which you can order or download:
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamWebPosters
Click on the link to order the 2021 POW MIA poster:
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaPosters
VA enhances geriatric emergency care for older Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs has
launched a Geriatric Emergency Department initiative within all of VA's 18 Veterans Integrated
Service Networks through a standardized, comprehensive care model, becoming the
nation's largest integrated health network with specialized geriatric emergency
care.
"Nearly half of the nation's 19.5 million Veterans are
over 65 years old and account for more than 45% of ED visits at VA hospitals-
more than double the rate for seniors nationwide," said VA Acting Under
Secretary for Health Steven L. Lieberman, M.D. "Our goal is to lower this
number by ensuring VA's elderly population receives age-friendly emergency
care, while improving care coordination in communities across the nation."
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/includes/viewPDF.cfm?id=5712
VA assembles Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention
Workgroup. In accordance to Title V,
Deborah Sampson, Subtitle III, Eliminating Harassment and Assault, Section 5303
(P. L. 116-315) on Thursday, September 9, 2021, the VA announced the
appointment of 16 subject matter experts to the new Sexual Assault and
Harassment Prevention Workgroup to serve for one year beginning this month.
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/includes/viewPDF.cfm?id=5714
Agent Orange What You Need to Know. On September 30, 2021, join the VA's virtual class, Agent Orange: What
You Need to Know, and learn about Agent Orange exposure, related health
conditions, benefits, and information for Blue Water Navy Veterans (P.L.
116-23) from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET. Click the link below to Sign Up
VA Extends Disability Deadline for Gulf War Vets. Effective September 14, 2021, the VA is
extending the presumptive period in 38 CFR 3.317(a)(1)(i) for qualifying for
chronic disabilities that become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more
through December 2026 (a period of five years), to ensure those benefits
established by Congress are fairly administered.
H.R.4350 - National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for
Fiscal Year 2022. Sponsor: Rep. Smith,
Adam [D-WA-9] (Introduced 07/02/2021) Latest Action: House - 09/10/2021 Placed
on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 83. The
House plans to debate floor amendments and approve its version of the FY2022
National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.4350) next week. The FRA is supporting
two amendments to the NDAA; Concurrent Receipt and the Military Retiree
Survivor Comfort Act. Members are strongly urged to use the FRA Action Center
to weigh in on these amendments. The House
NDAA Includes PFAS Chemical Provisions. As
reported in the Sept. 3, 2021, NewsBytes, the House Armed Services Committee
(HASC) marked up and approved the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act
(H.R.4350). Among the many provisions added to the bill, are provisions
requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to clean up per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances, or PFAS, contaminated sites on military installations. The cleanup
must comply with state standards. Additional PFAS requirements added to the
bill include:
• Requiring the DoD to offer PFAS exposure evaluation and
testing for service members who want that as part of their annual examination;
• Requiring the agency to publish the results of drinking and
ground water PFAS tests conducted on or near military installations or former
defense sites; and
• Requiring the DoD to report by March 1, 2022, progress it's
making identifying firefighting foams that don't contain PFAS, but can
effectively address the high-risk jet fuel and other fires with which military
bases deal.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved its version
of the FY2022 NDAA and the full Senate is expected to debate floor amendments
and approve its version later this year. Once both chambers approve their bill,
a conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the
two bills and then submit a final bill to be voted on in the House and Senate.
If the bill is approved, it shall be sent to the president to be signed into
law or vetoed.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4350/text
The FRA is a member of the TEAM (Toxic Exposure in the
American Military) coalition that is working to establish a comprehensive
framework to address past, present, and future toxic exposures in the military
at locations both domestic and abroad.
https://theteamcoalition.org/who-we-are
S.1937 - DOULA for VA Act of 2021. Sponsor:
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 05/27/2021)
Latest
Action: Senate - 05/27/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
Consistent
with DAV Resolution No. 015, to support enhanced medical services and benefits
for women veterans, DAV supports S. 1937.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1937
Veterans in watercolor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAG9rXsSIvs&t=88s
Artist Mary Whyte Honors Veterans
Creating a Welcoming VA and Building Equity for Veterans
through Legislation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3GzCSasDZ4
Please join us for Suicide Prevention Night at Citizens
Bank Park on Saturday, September 25, 2021, when the Phillies host the
Pittsburgh Pirates at 4:05 p.m.
https://www.mlb.com/phillies/tickets/specials/suicide-prevention-night
A Summary of Preaward Reviews of VA Federal Supply
Schedule Pharmaceutical Proposals Issued in Fiscal Year 2020
https://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-21-00041-250.pdf
Live Whole Health #90: Acupressure for head and neck relief
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/95203/
Nashville Army Veteran finds support in Whole Health
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/95075/
Free, online Bystander Intervention Training for Veterans
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94962/
Marine Corps Veteran climbs multiple sclerosis mountain
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/95067/
Fresh Focus S7 #35: Tips and tricks to starting a garden
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94822/
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Bernice Marie Uribe
Requenez
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/91939/
Women of the Honor Flight: Veteran-guardian duo discusses
bond, serving our country
Jeanne Holm: First of many
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/95111/
Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
https://www.va.gov/womenvet/iani/index.asp
Clinically Appropriate Anemia Care and Timing of a
Colonoscopy Procedure for a Patient at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System in
San Juan, Puerto Rico
https://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-21-01334-269.pdf
Reach Out During Suicide Prevention Month
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/bulletins/2f4da5e
Failure to Mitigate Risk of and Manage a COVID-19
Outbreak at a Community Living Center at VA Illiana Health Care System in
Danville, Illinois
https://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-21-00553-285.pdf
TUE, September 28, 2021, 6-7:30 PM - NJ Women Veterans
can participate LIVE on the Philadelphia VAMC Facebook page. The broadcast will
be LIVE STREAMED. NJ Women Veterans can post their questions/comments/concerns
via the “COMMENTS” tab below the LIVE STREAM.
https://www.facebook.com/PhiladelphiaVAMC
H.R.4732 - To establish a Global Climate Change
Resilience Strategy, to authorize the admission of climate-displaced persons,
and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep.
Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (Introduced 10/17/2019) Committees: House - Foreign Affairs;
Judiciary; Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 11/15/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee
on Immigration and Citizenship.
When a veteran’s disability is rated less than a total
100% evaluation, but he or she is unable to obtain or maintain substantial
gainful employment, VA regulations allow the veteran to apply for Total
Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (IU). Eligibility for IU is
based on the severity of the individual veteran’s unique disability picture and
its impact on the veteran’s ability to obtain and maintain substantial gainful
employment. Generally, the veteran must have a single disability rated at 60%
or a combined evaluation of 70% to be eligible for IU.
In recent years, proposals for reducing or limiting IU
has been the focus of many Congressional Budget Office and Government
Accountability Office reports—as a deficit reducing measure. In December 2018,
it was suggested to terminate and cutoff IU benefits at the age of 65 and in
December 2020, it was recommended to restrict IU once a veteran reaches the age
of 67.
H.R. 4732, the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans
Act, would provide additional protections for IU and prohibit the VA from
considering the age of the veteran or their eligibility to any retirement
benefits, including Social Security, in making such determinations. This bill
would protect IU benefits from any ill-conceived cost-saving measures in the
future.
DAV strongly supports H.R. 4732, as it would protect IU
for approximately 200,000 veterans over the age of 65 currently receiving this
benefit. This bill would ensure the availability of IU for all veterans
regardless of age or receipt of any other earned federal benefits. Consistent
with DAV Resolution No. 153, DAV supports the protection of IU as it is not a
retirement or pension program.
We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to
contact their Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 4732
to protect veterans and their families now and in the future from these harmful
proposals. Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4732
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Marlene Rodriguez
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94773/
Borne the Battle #257: Army Veteran Vincent Vargas,
Actor, Entrepreneur
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/95194/
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Hernan E. Jaso
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94748/
#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Veteran John Reyes
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94333/
America250: Air Force Veteran Sidney Gutierrez
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94545/
#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Juan Carlos Gonzales
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/94313/
Emails find Trump trio planned to sell veterans' patient
data for ‘hundreds of millions of revenues’
Obituary of Jack O. Hicks, Past National Commander, DAV
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/jack-hicks-obituary?id=6541026
For-Profit Trade School Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years for
Defrauding VA, Student Veterans
An American Aircraft Carrier was Once Sunk by the Viet
Cong Commandos: The sinking of the Card was a stunning victory for the Viet
Cong.
A VA hospital barred a veteran’s service dog. After the
vet’s suicide, it changed its policy
Hal Moore lectures on the Ia Drang Battles and Leadership
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwcGfUisKT8
Toxic Exposures Unleashed
https://www.myeloma.org/blog/dr-duries/toxic-exposures-unleashed
Colin Powell Dies From COVID Complications, Was Fully
Vaccinated (He had multiple myeloma, perhaps from exposure to Dioxin in
Vietnam)
Local Team Behind Launch of American Veterans Media
Ashau Valley
https://namwartravel.com/ashau-valley/
A Vietnam War Vet and His Story
https://www.theleadermaker.com/?s=october+29%2C+2020
Come Home Vietnam Vets
Welcome Home Veterans Radio Show
https://www.theleadermaker.com/welcome-home-veterans-radio-show/
Raeford Certified Nursing Assistant Sentenced for Elder
Fraud
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/raeford-certified-nursing-assistant-sentenced-elder-fraud
You Might Want to Know
https://johnw.substack.com/archive?utm_source=menu-dropdown
Veterans Legal Group to Offer Assistance Filing Burn
Pit-Related Disability Claims
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY
National Museum of the Marine Corps
National Museum of the U.S. Navy
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn.html
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Historian's Office
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