Veterans Affairs struggles with assistance requests, leaves hundreds in limbo The Canadian Press By LEE BERTHIAUME Jan. 5, 2017
Internal reports show just over half of veterans who applied for disability benefits between April and July last year received a decision within 16 weeks.
Internal reports obtained by The Canadian Press indicate that just over half of veterans who applied for disability benefits between April and July last year received a decision within 16 weeks.
Officials say processing times have been sped up, but the department is still falling short of its own targets and leaving hundreds of ill and injured veterans in limbo for months on end.
Many are struggling with mental-health injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
The revelation comes amid shock over the shooting deaths of four people in Nova Scotia this week, one of them the apparent suicide of a veteran from Canada’s war in Afghanistan.
Family members say retired corporal Lionel Desmond had been seeking treatment for PTSD without success following his release from the military in July 2015.
Desmond, who served in Afghanistan in 2007, was found dead Tuesday in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S., along with wife Shanna, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and his mother Brenda.
“When combined with issues that members are having with PTSD and occupational stress injuries, it becomes overwhelming for our veterans.” John Brassard read more here
911 calls reveal man shot and killed by LCPD officers suffering from PTSD, argued with wife KVIA ABC 7 News By: Staff Report Posted: Jan 06, 2017
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - 911 calls obtained by ABC-7's New Mexico Mobile Newsroom reveal the man shot and killed by two Las Cruces police officers was a veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Thursday, the office of District Attorney Mark D'Antonio cleared the two police officers involved in the shooting death of 36-year-old Joshua "Josh" Clay Dunne. The actions of the officers were justified, D'Antonio's office announced.
Investigators looking into the police shooting said a relative told officers Dunne was possibly suicidal and could have been armed with a 9 mm handgun and a hunting knife.
In a call to 911, Dunne's wife, Melanie Dunne, told the operator she and her husband "had an argument. He is a veteran who has PTSD and has been suicidal before."
Melanie Dunne also said her husband "told me not to call the police because he would get into a shootout with the cops." The woman went on to tell the operator her husband had a 9mm handgun and a "sharp hunting knife." read more here
Remind Congress Veterans Are Not Civilians Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos January 7, 2017
When members of Congress complain about the VA, it is like a bank robber complaining there wasn't enough money to make it worth his effort.
Veterans are not civilians. They paid the price for the best care designed to honor that service. They deserve better than to have what they were promised sold off to the highest donors of campaigns.
The day started off with an email from Matt Gaetz, which is odd considering I am not in his district. Anyway, this is what I'm talking about.
Apparently Gaetz does not allow the fact that members of Congress, just like him, have been responsible for the way our veterans have been failed since 1946. That is when the House of Representatives was given jurisdiction over the same system they complain about all these years later. Yep, guess they forget to mention that simple fact when they defend their decision to kill the VA.
Northwest Florida is privileged to have bases such as Eglin AFB and Pensacola NAS, and we owe our freedom to the brave men and women that serve there. Matt successfully sponsored legislation protecting the identities of service members and their families from groups like ISIS who have published their information to create “hit lists” of military personnel. He also co-sponsored the Florida GI Bill, offering veterans hiring preferences and in-state college tuition.
Matt has obtained over $3 Million to fund “Building Homes for Heroes,” a program that provides housing for wounded veterans and modifies their homes to meet their needs. While serving on the Florida Defense Support Task Force, Matt fought to secure funding for world-class care to help re-habilitate wounded warriors so that they can continue to fight for our country.
When it comes to caring for our veterans Matt believes that the VA doesn’t just need to be reformed – it needs to be abolished and replaced with a veteran-led system that allows our heroes to bypass bureaucracy and get their care from the providers they choose.
The other thing he apparently does not know is that 80% of our veterans, do in fact, get most of their healthcare from private providers. Only 20% use the VA exclusively.
While about 40 percent of veterans get some health care from the VA, only about 20 percent of all veterans rely totally on the VA, according to a 2015 government survey of health and health care use.
But why would I know any of this? I've only been watching in since I was in elementary school when my Dad was fighting for his benefits. Then I got to see what happened in the 90's when I finally got my husband to go to the VA. If you've been paying attention for four decades, it is downright pathetic that no one in Congress ever took responsibility for the outcome of their failures. Ok, now this is from the VA.
Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 50% or more disabling.
Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions.
Priority Group 2
Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 30% or 40% disabling.
Priority Group 3
Veterans who are Former Prisoners of War (POWs).
Veterans awarded a Purple Heart medal.
Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 10% or 20% disabling.
Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation”.
Veterans awarded the Medal Of Honor (MOH).
Priority Group 4
Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits from VA.
Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled.
Priority Group 5
Nonservice-connected Veterans and noncompensable service-connected Veterans rated 0% disabled by VA with annual income and/or net worth below the VA national income threshold and geographically-adjusted income threshold for their resident location.
Veterans receiving VA pension benefits.
Veterans eligible for Medicaid programs.
Priority Group 6
Compensable 0% service-connected Veterans.
Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Project 112/SHAD participants.
Veterans of the Mexican border period or of World War I
Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975
Veterans of the Persian Gulf War who served between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998
Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987*
Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 as follows:
Currently enrolled Veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, are eligible for the enhanced benefits for five years post discharge.
Note: At the end of this enhanced enrollment priority group placement time period, Veterans will be assigned to the highest Priority Group (PG) their eligibility status at that time qualifies for.*While eligible for PG 6; until system changes are implemented Veterans are assigned to PG 7 or 8 depending on their household income.** While eligible for PG 6; due to system limitations, Veterans will be manually assigned to Priority Group 8c, yet eligible for the enhance benefits.Priority Group 7
Veterans with gross household income below the geographically-adjusted VA income limit for their resident location, and who agree to pay copays.
Priority Group 8
Veterans with gross household incomes above the VA income limits and the geographically- adjusted income limits for their resident location, and who agree to pay copays.
Veterans eligible for enrollment: Noncompensable 0% service-connected and:
Subpriority a: Enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date and/or placed in this subpriority due to changed eligibility status.
Subpriority b: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income exceeds the current VA National Income Thresholds or VA National Geographic Income Thresholds by 10% or less.
Veterans eligible for enrollment: Nonservice-connected and:
Subpriority c: Enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date and/or placed in this subpriority due to changed eligibility status.
Subpriority d: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income exceeds the current VA National Income Thresholds or VA National Geographic Income Thresholds by 10% or less.
Veterans not eligible for enrollment: Veterans not meeting the criteria above:
Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0% service-connected (eligible for care of their service-connected condition only).
Subpriority g: Nonservice-connected.
There are rules for veterans to go to the VA but there doesn't seem to be rules for members of Congress to make sure they actually do their jobs as employees of the taxpayers of this nation. Businesses close down with yahoos like this not doing their jobs. The only difference is, business actually require employees to train for the jobs they are given. We seem to select them and give them a pass when they neglect to make sure stuff works for the country. In this case, the neglect has been catastrophic for our veterans after they risked their very lives to protect the rest of us. Veterans are not civilians. They paid the price for the best care designed to honor that service. They deserve better than to have what they were promised sold off to the highest donors of campaigns. As a last thought, remember, these folks are the same ones complaining about the Affordable Care Act, but they want veterans treated by the same system. WTF?
Was he among the thousands kicked out of the military instead of getting help they needed to heal from combat?
He joined the Puerto Rico National Guard in December 2007, and served in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011 as a combat engineer, according to the Alaska National Guard.
He was in the Army Reserves before joining the Alaska National Guard two years ago and got a general discharge Aug. 16, 2016, for unsatisfactory performance, a spokesman for the Alaska guard said. He was a private first class when he was discharged, the Guard said.
Santiago tried to get help and was clearly in distress.
In November, Santiago walked into the FBI's office in Anchorage and claimed his mind was being controlled by a U.S. intelligence agency and the CIA was forcing him to watch ISIS videos, federal law enforcement officials told NBC News.
Santiago was clear that he didn't intend to harm anyone, but the FBI was concerned by his erratic behavior and called police and he was taken to a mental health facility for an evaluation, FBI Special Agent in Charge George Piro of the Miami division told reporters Friday night.
5 dead, 8 wounded in airport shooting; US veteran arrested WESH 2 News Suspect was on passenger at the airport Updated: 6:09 PM EST Jan 6, 2017
An arriving airline passenger with a gun in his luggage opened fire in the baggage claim area at the Fort Lauderdale airport Friday, killing five people and wounding eight before throwing his weapon down and lying spread-eagle on the ground, authorities and witnesses said.
The gunman — identified by authorities as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, of Anchorage, Alaska, an Army National Guard veteran who served in Iraq — was immediately taken into custody. His brother said he had been receiving psychological treatment recently.
The attack sent panicked passengers running out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, baggage in hand, and forced the shutdown of the entire airport.
Authorities said the motive was under investigation. read more here
EOD MARINE BATTLES ENEMY WITHIN; CREDITS COLLEAGUES FOR SAVING HIS LIFE Marine Corps Systems Command By Emily Greene January 6, 2017
Farmer credits the support and compassion of the two men—part of his leadership team at MCSC—with saving his life during a time when he contemplated suicide. Today, Farmer battles post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and urges leaders across the Marine Corps to show understanding and compassion for Marines who may be suffering.
Joseph Klocek (left) and Maj. Scott Graniero (right) pose with Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer at Marine Corps Systems Command aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VA -- Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer is one tough Marine. As an explosive ordnance disposal technician with four combat tours under his belt, he has years of experience neutralizing and disposing of deadly explosives, including improvised explosive devices, the signature weapon of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
“We always joke in the field that some of us aren’t EOD techs, we’re IED techs,” Farmer said laughingly. “But, truth be told, and as much as I love my family, deployments are my happy place. As a Marine that is where I want to be – on the front lines with my Marines.”
When this battle-hardened senior non-commissioned officer transitioned from serving in operational environments to a support role at Marine Corps Systems Command it was hard.
“I never saw myself not in the field, side-by-side with my Marines,” he said. “At first I didn’t see how my new job was helping the Corps. And I was never cut out for a desk job.”
Little did he know his life was on the line again, but in a way he never saw coming. This time the enemy was himself.
“In the Corps the question is always ‘what have you done for the Marine Corps today?’ It’s about selfless service; someone else always has it worse,” Farmer said. “Throughout my career I’ve had aches and pains and just disregarded them as a passing inconvenience. My physical issues were nothing compared to seeing a friend die, and supporting the friend who carried him home. Everything else seems insignificant. I’ve since learned it’s also important to have self-compassion—to remember to take care of yourself.”
When Farmer found himself at MCSC, his years of combat stress hit, and they hit hard. He underwent multiple surgeries and treatments to repair a body that had not only served in theater, but also performed in sporting events ranging from mud runs to triathlons. read more here
Hundreds of frozen troops left without army camp heating Daily Star UK By Jack Bellamy Published 6th January 2017
Hundreds of troops have paid to live in barracks with a broken boiler for the last eight months.
FROZEN: Soldiers are left without heating at an Army camp
One said: “They are saying there is no money left to repair the boiler.
“It is disgusting. We pay rent for this – any other landlord would be taken to court. If we were allowed to join a union we would all be on strike.”
The soldier added: “I would be better off in Afghanistan. At least it was warm there and we were looked after.” read more here
Berlin veterans swoop in to help WWII Navy man My Record Journal
January 6, 2017
The VFW Post 10732 is intending to do more of these projects. However, younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are needed. It is tough when we ask an 85-year-old veteran to climb a ladder to paint. But they do it gladly.
Berlin VFW Post 10732 was in search of a veteran needing assistance with their home. It has been difficult to find a needy elderly veteran, Post Commander Gary Barwikowski pointed out.
From left, veteran volunteers Stu Topliff (Desert Storm), Brad Parsons (Iraq), Dan McKeon (Vietnam) and Bob Dornfried (Korea).
Well, the local post did not stop in its quest to find a candidate to support. Recently, Post 10732 found its veteran, a WWII Navy veteran who wanted to paint his home, but knew he was not up to the task. So his fellow veterans came to his aid.
The veteran manpower was further augmented by the generous donation of the paint and supplies needed for the job by The John Boyle Company. Jim King, company president, personally came out to evaluate the home and assess the requirements.
read more here
A Homeless Veteran’s Struggle to Survive on the Streets of Sacramento FOX 40 News BY KARMA DICKERSON JANUARY 5, 2017
SACRAMENTO -- He told doctors he operated on himself on the streets of Sacramento.
This homeless veteran's struggle to survive is amazing and heartbreaking. For years, he was on his own, but two homeless programs came together and helped save his life.
Army Strong, to Greg Metcalf, it’s not just a recruiting slogan.
“I did what I had to do when it was time for me to do it ,” said Metcalf.
It’s the frame of mind that led him to self-treat a life-threatening wound while living on the street rather than let a doctor amputate his foot.
According to what Metcalf later told Veteran Administration doctors, in 2012 he developed gangrene in his left foot from exposure to the cold. When emergency room doctors told him they’d need to take his foot, Greg left the hospital.
“Then took himself behind a dumpster, sterilized a pocket knife with a lit flame and went about using his knowledge he got from his military training about how to treat wounds," said Doctor Michael Yanuck.
Two years later Greg told his story to Doctor Yanuck with the VA’s Homeless outreach program -- Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team. read more here
Fort Lauderdale airport shooting: Multiple people killed, suspect in custody CNN By Catherine E. Shoichet Updated 3:18 PM ET, Fri January 6, 2017
(CNN)Gunshots erupted at the Fort Lauderdale airport on Friday, leaving multiple people dead.
Authorities say the gunman, who appeared to be acting alone, is in custody. Here's the latest on what we know:
• Five people are dead, and 13 injured people were transported to hospitals, Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told CNN. • Multiple reports on social media -- including tweets from former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer -- described the shooting.
read more here
My heart breaks for him but, changing the name will do no good. As for how veterans think about PTSD, that is where real change begins. Getting them to understand what it is and why they have it will do a lot more to remove the stigma than changing a couple of letters. We've been at this for over forty years because Vietnam veterans came home and fought for all the research, including the name itself. It means after trauma, which is Greek for wound, you go into stress and things get out of order. You can change again. PTSD is only caused by surviving a traumatic event.
San Diego sailor starts petition to get PTSD classified as injury ABC 10 News Hannah Mullins, Kevin Beckman Jan 5, 2017
"We're here to honor him and those like him and those like him," he said. PTSD is a big culprit when it comes to veterans killing themselves.
SAN DIEGO — A local sailor, Will Gibson, is on a mission to battle veteran suicide by renaming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to an injury.
It is something Will Gibson, who is a Navy sailor, knows too well. Gibson's old college buddy, Tony Briley, was injured in the Army and could no longer serve. Physical pain led to mental anguish.
"We lost Tony this year in August," he said, then he hung his head and cried. "It makes me sad that I couldn't do more to help him," Gibson said.
Briley became one of an estimated 20 vets a day who kill themselves. He left behind a wife and two girls. Gibson has since learned a lot about veteran suicide. read more here
