MilitaryVI

VA Outperforms Private Health Care in Breast Cancer Screenings

Sydney — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:23:41 +0000

WASHINGTON (Oct. 14, 2011)- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is
recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October by asking all female Veterans to talk with their health care providers about appropriate breast cancer screenings, such as regular mammograms.

"The Department of Veterans Affairs has an outstanding breast screening program," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "I urge all women Veterans to talk to their providers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month about receiving the appropriate screening."

Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, VA wants women to focus on their health all year round. For more information about women's health topics. Visit www.womenshealth.va.gov and click on "Wellness & Healthy Living."

VA Posts Online List of Ships Associated with Presumptive Agent Orange

Sydney — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:43:36 +0000

WASHINGTON (Sept. 2, 2011)- Veterans who served aboard U.S. Navy and
Coast Guard ships operating on the waters of Vietnam between January 9,
1962, and May 7, 1975, may be eligible to receive Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) disability compensation for 14 medical conditions
associated with presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

An updated list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships confirmed to have
operated on Vietnam's inland waterways, docked on shore, or had
crewmembers sent ashore, has been posted at

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/

to assist Vietnam Veterans in determining potential eligibility for compensation benefits.

Over $2.2 Billion in Retroactive Agent Orange Benefits Paid to 89,000 Vietnam Veterans and Survivors for Presumptive Conditions‏

Sydney — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:59:07 +0000

WASHINGTON (August 31, 2011)- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today that more than $2.2 billion in retroactive benefits has already been paid to approximately 89,000 Vietnam Veterans and their survivors who filed claims related to one of three new Agent Orange presumptive conditions.

The Agent Orange Claims Processing System website located at
https://www.fasttrack.va.gov/AOFastTrack/ may be used to submit claims
related to the three new presumptive conditions.

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal. They
can check the status of their claim with a premium account (confirming
their identity), and use a growing number of online services.

For more information about Agent Orange presumptives and disability
compensation, go to http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/. For questions about Agent Orange, Veterans may call VA's Special Issues Helpline at 1-800-749-8387 and press 3.

About Face can also help contact us at 340-775-6292

Air Force Airman 1st Class Joville X. Adams

Sydney — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:13:42 +0000

Air Force Airman 1st Class Joville X. Adams graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Joycelyn and Neville Adams of Sugar Estate, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands.
Adams graduated in 2009 from Charlotte Amalie High School.

Air Force Airman Troy C. Hodge

Sydney — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:58:00 +0000

Air Force Airman Troy C. Hodge graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Lubiel Hodge of Hospital Ground, Charlotte Amlie, Virgin Islands.
Hodge graduated in 2010 from Charlotte Amlie High School, Virgin Islands.

VA Creates Women Veterans Call Center

Sydney — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:17:11 +0000

WASHINGTON-Major Outreach Effort Launched

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has embarked on a major initiative to reach out to women Veterans in order to solicit their input on ways to enhance the health care services VA provides to women Veterans.

Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran population. Of the 22.7 million living Veterans, more than 1.8 million are women. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total Veteran population and 6 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care service.

The Women Veterans Health Care program has made significant changes in the last few years to enhance the health care offered to eligible women Veterans. This progress includes.

Adopting key policies to improve access and enhance services for women Veterans; Implementing comprehensive primary care for women Veterans; Conducting cutting-edge research on the effects of military service on women's lives; Improving communication and outreach to women Veterans.

Providing mental health, homelessness and other services designed to meet the unique needs of women Veterans
For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, please visit: www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth About Face, is also available to assist with your questions..

Discussions Held to Cancel Veterans Health Care

Sydney — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:16:44 +0000

Senator Patty Murray. Washington, in an effort to curb spending, is contemplating to find different ways to reduce VA’s spending. Staffers and possibly members of congress have considered the proposal to remove access to VA’s medical care for group 7 and 8 veterans.

Doing this, will save 11 percent of the Veteran Affairs budget. What is not as noticeable is the case that veterans have in actuality earned this through their sacrifices. “Veterans should not have this hardship brought to bear against them.”

Senator Daniel Akaka, a WW 11 veteran and an advocate for veterans is no longer the Veteran’s committee Chairman. Senator Patty Murray, the new Chairperson. Like her predecessor, also have strong military ties. Senator Murry is the first woman to hold that position and expectations are that she does well. This is of great importance to veterans, here in the Islands and out. To date the VA is still accepting registrations.

Air Force Airman Nathaniel Commodore

Sydney — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:59:02 +0000

Air Force Airman Nathaniel Commodore graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.He is the son of Sarah Commodore of Williams Delight, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands.

Air National Guard 1st Class Marcus S. Reynolds

Sydney — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:39:10 +0000

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Marcus S. Reynolds graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Marcus Reynolds Sr. of Estate Tutu, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Reynolds graduated in 1995 from Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.

VA Processing Applications for Family Caregivers Benefits

Sydney — Fri, 20 May 2011 19:55:28 +0000

WASHINGTON (May 18, 2011)- In the first week for open applications, the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has assisted more than 625 Veterans,
Service members and their Family Caregivers in applying for new services
under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010.

New services for primary Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11
Veterans include a stipend, mental health services, and access to health
care insurance, if they are not already entitled to care or services
under a health plan. The stipend portion of this service will be
backdated to the date of the application. Comprehensive Caregiver
training and medical support are other key components of this program.

VA began processing applications for eligible post-9/11 Veterans and
Servicemembers to designate a Primary Family Caregiver on May 9, 2011.
On top of receiving the 625 plus applications, Caregiver Support
Coordinators have also assisted nearly 1,200 other Caregivers in finding
more than two dozen other Caregiver benefits VA provides.

Applications can be processed by telephone through the Caregiver Support
Line at (855) 260-3274, in person at a VA medical Center with a
Caregiver Support Coordinator, by mail or online at www.caregiver.va.gov
with the new Caregiver Application (VA Form 1010-CG). The website
application also features a chat option that provides the Family
Caregiver with a live representative to assist in completing the
application form.