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Chattahoochee Post 251

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Welcome to the Post 251 Archived Service Officer Articles

 

Veterans can apply to upgrade discharge for PTSD

A special web page has been launched to assist veterans seeking to upgrade punitive discharges related to behavior problems caused by post-traumatic stressThe page can be found at http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/adrb-ptsd.cfm.

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Corrected Copy: Eligibility for Camp Lejeune Benefits Expanded

VA to change disability claims rules for Camp Lejeune veterans

Veterans and their families who lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 may be eligible for VA health benefits. A Dec. 16, 2014 law changed the eligibility date from Jan. 1, 1957 to Aug. 1, 1953.

Veterans: Enroll online or call 1-877-222-8387 for help.

Family members: You may be eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses for 15 conditions. Apply online or call 1-866-372-1144 for help.

Visit http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/ to learn more

Visit for latest info:  http://www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/2015/12/17/va-change-disability-claims-rules-camp-lejeune-veterans/77486076/

Update 12-September-2016

VA Proposes Rule to Consider Certain Diseases Associated with Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published proposed regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases affecting military members exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Read More at:  http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2818

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Veterans Choice Program Factsheet

Follow the link to view it

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10 Things Every Veteran Should Know About Agent Orange

1. Agent Orange was a herbicide and defoliant used in Vietnam Agent Orange was a blend of tactical herbicides the U.S. military sprayed from 1962 to 1971 during the Vietnam War to remove the leaves of trees and other dense tropical foliage that provided enemy cover. The U.S. Department of Defense developed tactical herbicides specifically to be used in “combat operations.” They were not commercial grade herbicides purchased from chemical companies and sent to Vietnam. More than 19 million gallons of various “rainbow” herbicide combinations were sprayed, but Agent Orange was the combination the U.S. military used most often. The …

The post 10 Things Every Veteran Should Know About Agent Orange appeared first on VAntage Point.

Additional Information:  https://t.co/S2c9oQ1mwD   

Just Released: Agent Orange Newsletter

Visit www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/agent-orange/agent-orange-summer-2016/index.asp to start reading today.

New Release On Agent Orange

Learn more about locations where #AgentOrange & other herbicides were used in the Agent Orange Newsletter: https://t.co/qXqSdm81g5

 

VA News Release

VA Expands Disability Benefits for Air Force Personnel Exposed to Contaminated C-123 Aircraft

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today published a new regulation that expands eligibility for some benefits for a select group of Air Force Veterans and Air Force Reserve personnel who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange through regular and repeated contact with contaminated C-123 aircraft that had been used in Vietnam as part of Operation Ranch Hand.

Follow link above to get the full details.

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Georgia Department of Veterans Service

GDVS Ready to Assist Newly Eligible Agent Orange Veterans

Last week the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a new regulation expanding eligibility to certain veterans who may have been exposed to the Vietnam-era chemical herbicide commonly known as Agent Orange.

Click this Link to view the entire article

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VA eliminates net worth as Veteran health care eligibility factor

Elimination of net worth makes more Veterans eligible for health care

The post VA eliminates net worth as Veteran health care eligibility factor appeared first on VAntage Point.

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VA extends program for Veterans with traumatic brain injury

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the award of 20 contracts for the Assisted Living Pilot Program for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (AL-TBI).

The post VA extends program for Veterans with traumatic brain injury appeared first on VAntage Point

 

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Georgia Department of Veterans Services

Veterans Nursing Home Application Requirements Eased

The governor signed House Bill 180, which amends Georgia law (OCGA 38-4-55) to relax residency requirements for applicants to the homes, which are located in Augusta and Milledgeville and operated by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

 For more information, please visit veterans.ga.gov/veterans-nursing-homes or contact the homes directly at 706-721-2405 (Augusta) or 478-445-4295 (Milledgeville).

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Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation may be eligible for a free radiation registry exam

Ionizing Radiation Registry Health Exam for Veterans

VA’s Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam alerts Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to ionizing radiation exposure during their military service. The registry data helps VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively. Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator about getting an Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam.   Additional information at: go.usa.gov/sR5T 

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New Atlanta Clinic begins outpatient care

The new Atlanta Clinic, 250 N. Arcadia Avenue, has begun outpatient services for Sleep Medicine, Women's Wellness, the Dental Clinic, Decatur Clinic and the Mental Health Bravo Team. 

Read the full story

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Learn about VA memorial benefits you may be eligible for

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ! You can visit http://explore.va.gov or sign up to get e-mailed everything we tweet at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/subscribe/

Benefits for Veterans & Their Families | Explore VA

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Court Rules for Veterans in Chemical Exposure Case

Military.comA federal appeals court says the U.S. Military must continue to alert veterans exposed to chemical and biological weapons experiments to any new information that may affect their health and provide them ongoing medical care. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the ruling recently in a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of Defense on behalf of thousands of veterans. The veterans accuse the government of failing to properly treat health problems caused by the experiments. Read the decision at cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2015/06/30/13-17430.pdf.

For more on veteran benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.

RELATED TOPICS

Veteran Benefits Veteran Health Care

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Agent Orange Update

01-Sept-2015

VA has recently updated the list of ships that operated in Vietnam to add 22 new ships. The list can help Vietnam-era Veterans find out if they qualify for presumption of Agent Orange exposure when seeking disability compensation for certain related diseases. Learn more.

AGENT ORANGE

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/index.asp

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VA announces expansion of Veterans Economic Communities Initiative

The Veterans Economic Communities Initiative brings together local and national partners to coordinate services for Veterans, Servicemembers and military families.

The post VA announces expansion of Veterans Economic Communities Initiative appeared first on VAntage Point.

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Using the Veterans Choice Program

VA offers several resources related to military exposures for VA and non-VA providers. Learn more in Post-9/11 Vet:

go.usa.gov/3Fh8e 

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VA implements the first of several Veterans Choice Program eligibility expansions

Thanks to a new law, VA is able to enhance the Veterans Choice Program in a number of ways, including expanding eligibility to all enrolled Veterans.

The post VA implements the first of several Veterans Choice Program eligibility expansions 

appeared first on VAntage Point.

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Help turn VA into one of America’s most advanced medical systems.

03/02/2016 08:49 AM EST

Secretary McDonald has initiated “12 breakthrough priorities” as the near term focus for modernizing VA. Try this on for size. By the end of this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to transform the Office of Information and Technology and implement a “holistic Veteran data management strategy.” In business terms, that tech speak translates into “seamless care.” It means that any Veteran can simply walk into any of our facilities and get care. Soon thereafter, personnel at the facility can immediately call up patients’ data on the screen, regardless of geography or the kind of facility. “Our goal is …

The post Help turn VA into one of America’s most advanced medical systems. appeared first onVAntage Point.

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Fairness for Veterans Act (H.R. 4683)

Broken down in short: To provide medical benefits for Veterans discharged less than honorable due to PTSD and/or TBI medical conditions.

Read more: http://www.smithtowntodaynews.com/a-call-for-passage-of-the-fairness-for-veterans-act/

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VA announces Community Care Call Center to help Veterans with Choice Program billing issues

Veterans can now work directly with VA to resolve debt collection issues resulting from inappropriate or delayed Choice Program billing.   Veterans experiencing these problems can call 1-877-881-7618 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET for assistance.

Read More at the following:

The post VA announces Community Care Call Center to help Veterans with Choice Program billing issues appeared first on VAntage Point.

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Veterans with incomplete health care applications receive additional year to enroll

 

VA announced today it will extend the healthcare enrollment application period for one year to approximately 545,000 living Veterans that have pending incomplete enrollment applications.

The post Veterans with incomplete health care applications receive additional year to enroll appeared first on VAntage Point.

VA helping migraine sufferers with new treatment

We’ve all experienced a really bad headache at some point in our lives. But what if you were having a real head-splitter three or four times a week?

The post VA helping migraine sufferers with new treatment appeared first on VAntage Point.

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VA plans to offer same-day access at all centers by end of year

A top official for the nation's veterans health administration Friday said that the agency expects to offer same-day access to both primary care and mental health services at all VA medical centers bythe end of the year.

Read More: http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160408/NEWS/160409897

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Top VA health care official announces initiatives and progress made

Dr. Shulkin introduced a new smart phone app called the Veteran Appointment Request App. This app allows Veterans to view, schedule and cancel primary care and mental health appointments as well as track the status of the appointment request and review upcoming appointments. It is currently available in 10 locations and has received positive feedback from the vast majority of Veterans using the app. VA expects to make the app available to all Veterans by early 2017.

The post Top VA health care official announces initiatives and progress made appeared first onVAntage Point.

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Did You Know: Get VA Prescription Shipment Notifications

To sign-up for VA Prescription Shipment Notifications, login to My HealtheVet and go to the Personal Information tab. Then select the Profiles page. There you can check your email address and select the option to begin receiving VA Prescription Shipment Notifications.  

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Surgically Implanted Prosthesis for Veteran Ampute\

Prosthesis devices for Veteran amputees took a giant step this year with the development of a prosthetic leg that is surgically implanted. A Veteran in the trial says, “I can feel the ground again.” Read the full story

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VA releases two women’s mobile health apps for VA and non-VA care team member

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offices of Women’s Health Services and Connected Care recently released two women’s health applications (apps) for VA and non-VA care team members – the Preconception Care and Caring4Women Veterans apps. Both apps provide important guidance in caring for and counseling women Veterans and are provided free of charge. Find the direct download links for Apple and Android App Stores on the Preconception Care and Caring4Women Veterans pages of the VA Mobile App Store. Since being released in December 2015, the apps have been downloaded by nearly 1,000 users. What is the Preconception Care App? The …

The post VA releases two women’s mobile health apps for VA and non-VA care team membersappeared first on VAntage Point.

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New tool launches to improve the benefits claim appeals process at the VA 04/21/2016 03:38 PM EDT

Today, we are celebrating the nationwide launch of Caseflow Certification, the first of many tools that will begin to improve the processing of benefit claim appeals at VA

The post New tool launches to improve the benefits claim appeals process at the VA appeared first on VAntage Point

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New DOD App Helps Diffuse Nightmares for Better Sleep

http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2016/05/new-dod-app-helps-diffuse-nightmares-for-better-sleep/

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VA Proposes to Grant Full Practice Authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

The Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing a rule to grant full practice authority to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses when they are acting within the scope of their VA employment. Full practice authority will help optimize access to VA health care by permitting APRNs to assess, diagnose, prescibe medications, and interpret diagnostic tests. This action proposes to expand the pool of qualified health care professionals authorized to provide primary health care and other related health care services to the full extent of their education, training, and certification to Veterans without the clinical supervision of a physician.

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VA Secretary Provides Relief for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries

http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2795

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald has granted equitable relief to more than 24,000 Veterans following a national review of Traumatic Brain Injury medical examinations conducted in connection with disability compensation claims processed between 2007 and 2015.

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VA offers Seamless Care for Traveling Veterans

If you are enrolled and receive your health care with VA, you will receive the same, consistent care, whether at your local VA treatment site or an alternate VA site of care.  In order to help VA ensure you receive consistent care while you are traveling, we ask that you notify your VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), preferably 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure, or as soon as you are aware of the trip. Early planning will allow time for PACT and the Traveling Veteran Coordinator to coordinate your care at an alternate VA facility. 

To coordinate your health care with another VA health care facility, you should inform your PACT of the following:

  • travel destination(s), and temporary address
  • a valid telephone number
  • arrival and departure dates
  • specific care concerns

Your PACT will contact the Traveling Veteran Coordinator, who will assist in coordinating your care at the alternate facility.

For more information, contact your PACT or Traveling Veteran Coordinator at your local VA facility.

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VA ADVANCE DIRECTIVE DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE AND LIVING WILL

If you couldn’t speak for yourself, who would make health care decisions for you?

https://t.co/W3k5qwoan5

https://t.co/kSN3G1zXn7

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