USA Today reports that the Department of Veteran Affairs will have to suspend the processing of veterans’ claims for pensions, compensation, education, and vocational rehabilitation if the government shutdown lasts beyond late October. Read more.
Report Calls VA and DOD Treatments Inadequate
A new report by the American Legion says that the Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense treatments for traumatic brain injury are not well defined and those for PTSD are inadequate, according to the Marine Corps Times.
Federal Government Shutdown Could Affect VA
The Washington Post reports that a federal government shut down could affect the Department of Veterans Affairs’ benefits programs and its efforts to decrease veteran disability claims backlogs. Read more.
Arizona Department of Transportation Becomes Partner Employer in Army Program for Veterans Seeking Jobs
Cronkite News Service and KJZZ report that the Arizona Department of Transportation became a part of the Partnership for Youth Success program Thursday. The program focuses on connecting Army veterans with jobs when they are finished with their service.
Is the VA Over-proscribing Narcotic Painkillers to Veterans?
CBS News reports that the number of narcotics being proscribed by the VA is up 259 percent in the last 11 years—and veterans are dying of accidental overdose of narcotic painkillers at a higher rate than non-veterans. Read more.
Survey Reveals High Levels of PTSD Among Injured Post-9/11 Veterans
Army Times reports that a survey conducted by the Wounded Warrior Project revealed that more than 75 percent of injured post-9/11 veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Read more.
iPad Apps to Help Veteran Caregivers
eWEEK reports that the VA is conducting a study to see whether iPads with apps designed to manage veteran care will help post-9/11 veteran caregivers. The goal is to provide family caregivers with better support, according to the VA director of Web and mobile solutions. Read more.
Rise in VA Malpractice Payouts
Bloomberg Businessweek reports that malpractice payouts by the VA to veterans were higher in 2012 than they have been in 12 years. Read more.
Post-9/11 Vets Unemployment Rate Increased Last Month
The Air Force Times reports that the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans increased to 10 percent in August. Read more.
Website to Hold VA Accountable Launched by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
The Washington Post reports that the chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee started a website, “VA Accountability Watch,” to educate veterans and taxpayers on accountability studies and reports on the Department of Veterans Affairs. Read more.