The decision, made by Army Secretary John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno, comes after several post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord outside Seattle were wrongly reduced to lesser illnesses during medical retirement evaluations.

        “We are pleased that the Army has chosen to right these wrongs and take a closer look at each of these cases,” American Legion National Commander Fang A. Wong said. “The American Legion also thanks Sen. Patty Murray of Washington for her efforts in making this investigation a reality. Sen. Murray received complaints from soldiers about the way they were treated at Madigan, and she chose to act on their behalf.

        “The American Legion has, time and time again, expressed its opposition to diagnosing any form of PTSD as a ‘personality disorder,’” Wong continued. “Doing so belittles both the servicemember and the traumatic event he or she went through, and it limits their well-earned and deserved medical benefits. The Army’s realization that there may have been misdiagnoses comes as no surprise to The American Legion. In hearing from several mental health experts and servicemembers in the past 16 months, we’ve learned that this was an ongoing problem.”

        The American Legion formed a Traumatic Brain Injury/Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Ad-Hoc Committee in October 2010 tasked with investigating the treatment methods used by the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and reviewing alternative treatment methods. Since its formation, the committee has heard from both military and private-sector mental health experts, veterans and active-duty servicemembers, and their families.

        “Our committee has heard from servicemembers who were told they had a pre-existing behavioral disorder and were denied the proper benefits or downgraded to lesser benefits,” Wong said. “Already, more than 100 of these diagnoses have been restored to PTSD. That is a step in the right direction, and The American Legion urges the Army to continue until every wrong mental health diagnosis is reversed.”

        The Army will review a statistically valid cross section of cases and retirement evaluations from Army hospitals across the country dating back to 2001 to see whether problems exist beyond Madigan.

        “If it happened at Madigan, it could happen elsewhere,” Wong said. “We are pleased the Army is taking that stance and evaluating its other medical facilities.”

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Contacts: Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982/202-406-0887 or Marty Callaghan, 202-263-5758/202-515-8644.  A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Wong is available at www.legion.org.

“This important tool will help those who served our country receive the education and training they need to find meaningful employment in a high-demand field,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Veterans are disciplined, hardworking, goal-oriented team members who can play a vital role in helping businesses and the economy grow.”

“Our veterans have made this nation stronger through their service, and they deserve our continued support,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This new program will help unemployed veterans expand their skills and compete for good jobs,” she added.

As part of a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty rate, currently $1,473 per month. 

Veterans can apply on a first-come, first-serve basis for VRAP beginning on May 15, 2012, for programs that begin on or after July 1, 2012.  Assistance under this benefit program ends on March 31, 2014. 

To complete an application, a Veteran will need to know his or her direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of his or her school, the program the Veteran wishes to pursue, and the applicable high-demand occupation.

To qualify Veterans must:

• Be 35-60 years old, unemployed on the day of application, and not dishonorably discharged;
• Start education or training after July 1, 2012, in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school leading to an associate degree, non-college degree or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by the DOL;
• Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g. Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);
• Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program within the last 180 days;
• Not receive VA compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (IU).

Upon completion, the Labor Department will engage with participants within 30 days after their training to help them find good jobs that utilize their newly learned skills.

“We are working diligently with our partners around the country to ensure our Veterans have access to all the benefits and services to which they are entitled—especially when it comes to those unemployed,” added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

“This is a true example of interagency collaboration and we are committed to the full and speedy implementation of this program to ensure the success of our veterans in the civilian labor market,” said Ismael “Junior” Ortiz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Veterans Employment Training Service.

For more information on VOW, VRAP, high demand occupations, and how to apply, Veterans may go to the website at www.benefits.va.gov/VOW, or call VA’s Call Centers toll free at 1-800-827-1000, Veterans may also access the VRAP application online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov through eBenefits, a joint project between the Department of Defense and VA.

Veterans are also encouraged to visit the nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers across the nation for assistance from staff, Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERS), and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists. To find the center near you visit www.servicelocator.org.

For more information about the Department of Labor’s Veterans programs, go to http://www.dol.gov/vets/

“This is a measure that echoes The American Legion’s firm belief that a strong and properly funded military is vital to our nation’s well being,”  American Legion National Commander Fang A. Wong said in response to the May 10 House vote on the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act (H.R. 5652).  The measure passed by a 218-199 vote.

“It is heartening to know that the men and women of the House, by virtue of their action, are truly concerned about the negative, possibly disastrous, effects that massive, automatic cuts in our nation’s defense funding would have on our security,” Wong said. “If history teaches us anything, it is that a nation unprepared for emerging threats, such as we face today, will ultimately pay a higher price in blood and treasure.  House members, by and large, appear to have heeded this lesson. The act is excellent in principle and a good and necessary argument in the vital debate over our military’s future.”

The measure would provide protections for the DoD budget in fiscal 2013, the first year of automatic cutbacks due to be imposed in order to reduce the federal deficit.

Throughout its 93-year history, The American Legion has steadfastly supported a strong national defense.  In a 500-word resolution originally adopted last fall and reiterated recently, The American Legion argued, in part, that “…a strong, adequately funded American military is essential for global peace and prosperity in the 21st century… leadership within the Department of Defense (DoD) has continually warned that significant reductions in defense spending pose serious risks to the future security of the United States (and) further cuts to the DOD budget will do irreversible and irreparable harm to the military capability of the United States to defend the nation.” 

The resolution concludes, “that The American Legion demand Congress and the Administration cease all efforts to reduce the defense budget from its current level.”

The Legion’s stand against undue cuts in defense spending was recognized by Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, in a statement following the vote. “House members… are joined by a broad coalition of veterans organizations who believe it is critical that we not jeopardize support for our troops and their families,” he said. “They also know it is critical for those who take an oath to defend America (that they receive) every advantage possible and every tool available to accomplish that sacred mission.”

The Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act will now be considered by the U.S.

Senate, where it is subject to debate and revision before a vote.

With a membership of 2.4 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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Contacts: Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982/202-406-0887 or Marty Callaghan, 202-263-5758/202-515-8644.  A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Wong is available at www.legion.org.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today the national deployment of claims transformation initiatives to 12 regional offices in the remaining months of fiscal year 2012 to improve benefits delivery to Veterans, families and their survivors.

The major components of the transformation plan that will be nationally deployed include:

The Intake Processing Center, which adds a formalized process for triaging claims documents and other mail, and drives faster and more accurate association of mail with Veterans’ claims files;

Segmented Processing Lanes, which allow claims that can be more easily rated to move quickly through the system and the more complex claims to be processed by VA’s more experienced and skilled employees;

Cross-Functional Teams, which support a case-management approach to claims processing that minimizes rework and reduces processing time; and

The Veterans Benefits Management System, which is a new electronic claims processing system that employs rules-based technologies to improve decision speed and quality.

VA has already nationally implemented:

Quality Review Teams, which are composed of dedicated local quality review specialists who will evaluate station and individual employee performance and conduct in-process reviews to eliminate errors at the earliest possible stage.

Simplified and Standardized Rating Notification Letters, which give Veterans one simplified decision letter that provides notice of VA’s decision, including a summary of the evidence considered and the reason for the decision.

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov

        The American Legion Extension Institute has been rewritten, updated, streamlined and enhanced with videos, digital photos, clickable links, a historical timeline and additional features. To register and take the course, visit www.legion.org/alei. The program is designed to take less than two hours to complete. It is divided into six sections, with a quiz at the end of each, followed by a final exam.

        The sections closely follow the Four Pillars of service for the organization. They include:

• History & Organization
• Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
• National Security
• Americanism
• Children & Youth

Upon completion, a participant must pass a final online exam to receive a digital certificate of recognition; a lapel/cap pin will also be delivered to those who successfully complete the course. The names of those who have passed will be recorded and indexed at The American Legion National Headquarters. Graduates will have the option to click a box upon completion to recognize their accomplishment on The American Legion national website at www.legion.org.

The online course is $4.95 for members of The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion. The registration fee is $9.95 for non-members. Payment can be accepted securely and conveniently on the course registration page.

The American Legion Extension Institute online training program replaces the series of printed booklets that had been printed and sold through National Headquarters.

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        “We realize that fiscal realities dictate certain financial concessions may have to be made by our citizens,” said National Commander Fang A. Wong of the 2.4 million member American Legion, “but to burden America’s military families further is, in our opinion, unconscionable.”

        Under the proposed FY 2013 budget, the TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fee would rise from $520 to $2,048 by 2017, an increase of 400% in five years.  Similarly, TRICARE mail-order pharmacy program co-pays for brand name medications would skyrocket from $9 to $34 over the same five years; another increase of nearly 400%.

        “This generation of American servicemembers, however, is but the latest to endure the unique hardships of wartime service.  All generations of veterans have earned these benefits,” Wong said.  “These brave men and women have earned health and retirement benefits in ways that are largely unknown and difficult to comprehend by civilians who have not shared their sacrifices. Those who point to the disparity in cost between civilian and military health insurance and hint at unfairness simply do not appreciate the huge premiums already paid by our servicemembers and their families as physical and mental health, and even lives, have been given up by them for the good of the rest of us.”

        Wong concluded by saying that “true fairness” to military families and their civilian counterparts can only be attained by a “decisive and pointed rejection of these unjust proposals by all members of Congress.”

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Contact:  Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982, (Cell) 202-406-0887;croberts@legion.org

“VA employees will be able to more quickly process disability claims, since disability benefits questionnaires capture important medical information needed to accurately evaluate Veterans’ claims,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Disability benefits questionnaires are just one of many changes VA is implementing to address the backlog of claims.”

The new forms bring to 71 the number of documents, called disability benefits questionnaires (DBQs), that guide physicians’ reports of medical findings, ensuring VA has exactly the medical information needed to make a prompt decision.

When needed to decide a disability claim for compensation or pension benefits, VA provides Veterans with free medical examinations for the purpose of gathering the necessary medical evidence. 

Veterans who choose to have their private physicians complete the medical examination can now give their physicians the same form a VA provider would use.  It is very important that physicians provide complete responses to all questions on the DBQs.  VA cannot pay for a private physician to complete DBQs or for any costs associated with examination or testing.  

“By ensuring relevant medical information can be found on one form, we will cut processing time while improving quality,” added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

DBQ’s can be found at http://benefits.va.gov/disabilityexams.  The newly released DBQs follow the initial release of three DBQs for Agent Orange-related conditions. 

Veterans may file a claim online through the eBenefits web portal at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov.  The Department of Defense and VA jointly developed the eBenefits portal as a single secure point of access for online benefit information and tools to perform multiple self-service functions such as checking the status of their claim.

Servicemembers may enroll in eBenefits using their Common Access Card at any time during their military service, or before they leave during their Transition Assistance Program briefings. Veterans may also enroll in eBenefits and obtain a Premium account in-person or online depending on their status.

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new contest today to help the people who help the homeless.  It challenges the developer community to create easy, mobile access to resources that the homeless need, when they need it and where they can get it.

“This contest taps the talent and compassion of the Nation’s developer community,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  “We are asking them to make a free, easy-to-use Web and smartphone app that provides current information about housing, health clinics and food banks.”

Project REACH (Real-time Electronic Access for Caregivers and the Homeless) was announced in collaboration with the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the lives of people facing economic challenges.

“Last year’s 12 percent drop in Veterans homelessness shows the results of President Obama’s and the whole administration’s commitment to ending Veterans homelessness,” said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan. “I want to thank Jon Bon Jovi for being a part of that effort and for using competition and innovation to advance the cause of ending homelessness.”

One out of every six men and women in homeless shelters are Veterans, and Veterans are 50 percent more likely to fall into homelessness compared to other Americans.  The administration has adopted a formal “no wrong door” philosophy that means all Veterans seeking to prevent or escape homelessness must have easy access to help.

            “At the Soul Kitchen we’ve seen the need for a simple, user-friendly, comprehensive application that connects those in need to resources in their community. As we sought out a solution to resolve the disconnect, we found the VA, HUD and HHS to be of like mind. Together we can provide the information about existing services – now we need the bright minds in the developer community to create a platform to tie it all together,” said Jon Bon Jovi, musician, Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation and White House Council for Community Solutions Member.

The ultimate goal of the contest is to create a national platform that enables health clinics, food kitchens, housing services and shelters to update availability of key services automatically on the Internet.  The winning app will collect, map, and electronically distribute that information for communities across the nation. 

Five finalists will pilot their mobile applications at JBJ Soul Kitchen, where diners can cover the cost of their meals either through donation or volunteer service. 

The contest will be conducted in two phases.  Finalists will be judged primarily on their ability to dynamically update information about housing and shelter near JBJ Soul Kitchen.  Basic performance criteria is described in www.challenge.gov.

Additionally, competitors must also be able to display information about local VA services, employment support, crisis hotlines and local legal assistance resources.  The first five entries to meet those requirements will receive a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to test their app at the JBJ Soul Kitchen.  The winner will receive a $25,000 prize. 

“Putting this information in the hands of those who can help will make a tremendous difference in the life of a homeless Veteran or anyone who experiences homelessness,” said Jonah Czerwinski, director of the VA Innovation Initiative.

“Secretary Shinseki is very clear,” added Pete Dougherty, acting executive director of VA’s Homeless Veteran Initiative. “Our mission is to end Veteran and chronic homelessness.  Innovations that get information about services right to the point of contact in real – or near real – time using smartphones and Internet technology are going to have a big impact.  They are going to help us defeat Veteran homelessness by 2015.”

“VA honors women Veterans of all eras for their courage and sacrifice,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “These Veterans, and those who currently serve in uniform, are part of a proud history of women defending our Nation.  Today, women Veterans are recognized for more varied roles and operations, but women have always been critical to our military.”

Women serve in every branch of the military, representing 15 percent of today’s active duty military and nearly 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces.  They serve as gunners, police, pilots, truck drivers and fuel suppliers.  By 2020, VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population.

VA recently launched a “Stories of Service” video series depicting the role of women in the military, available at www.womenshealth.va.gov.  In these three- to five-minute video vignettes, women Veterans spanning various eras and service branches talk about their experiences in the military and how they made VA benefits work for them.

VA offers women Veterans employment services, education benefits, compensation for service-connected illnesses or injuries, and home loan guarantees, as well as high-quality, gender-specific health care. As part of an aggressive initiative to improve health care services for women Veterans, VA established a women Veteran call center to reach out to women Veterans to let them know about services available to them.

“We want women Veterans to take advantage of VA benefits and services to improve their future,” said Dr. Irene Trowell-Harris, director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans.

“VA’s mission is to serve Veterans.  When it comes to health care, VA understands women Veterans,” said Dr. Patricia Hayes, chief consultant for VA’s Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group. “We can provide women Veterans with health care that will keep them strong and healthy in all stages of their lives.”

For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, please call 1-800-827-1000 or visit: www.va.gov/womenvet and www.womenshealth.va.gov.

“To keep the best fighting force, you must recruit and retain the best people,” National Commander Fang Wong said. “By increasing, and in some cases, quadrupling health insurance fees for military retirees, you are sending a powerful message to those in uniform and to their families that their decades of service and sacrifice are unappreciated. Moreover, most believe that the Retirement Modernization Commission that this budget recommends will lead to a 401(K)-type plan, which will encourage people to leave the military for a safer and less demanding career in the private sector. ‘Grandfathering’ benefit cuts merely tells tomorrow’s veterans that their service isn’t as valuable as those who served before them.”

The budget for 2013 represents an 8 percent cut from 2012. In October, the 2.4 million member American Legion passed a national resolution which called on Congress and the White House to “cease all efforts to reduce the defense budget from its current level.”

Wong, a Vietnam War veteran, added that he fully understands the fiscal realities that Washington faces. “America has a debt crisis,” he said. “But no debt is higher than what America owes its veterans, who already sacrificed years of service, lost family time, physical injury and the comforts of home so that the other 90 percent of Americans can continue to live in freedom. Throughout our nation’s history, every time we cut defense we paid for it with American blood.”

Although U.S. forces have left Iraq, Wong pointed out that Iran, North Korea and international terrorism remain as threats to American interests. “Our men and women in the military have performed magnificently over the last decade. We must not return to a pre-9/11 mentality and be victimized by their past success in defending us.”

The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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Contact: John Raughter, jraughter@legion.org, 317-630-1350 / cell: 317-441-8847; Marty Callaghan, mcallaghan@legion.org or 202-263-5758/202-215-8644.