Legislation
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Connecticut VA Opens Its Doors To 'Bad Paper' Veterans
Type of content: News
Editor's note: This story contains a description of self-harm.
For an estimated 500,000 veterans, being put out of the military with an other than honorable discharge is a source of shame and an obstacle to employment. "Bad paper," in most cases, means no benefits or health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs — even when the problems that got them kicked out were linked to PTSD, traumatic brain injury or military sexual assault.
- Topics
- Benefits
- Legal
- Legislation
- Mental Health
- VA
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New review finds ‘sufficient’ evidence linking hypertension to Agent Orange exposure
Type of content: News
WASHINGTON — Researchers with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found for the first time that enough evidence exists to link hypertension to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War.
The finding, announced Thursday, bolsters the case for veterans with hypertension to be granted easier access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, advocates argued. Before last week’s announcement, researchers had determined there was only “limited” or “suggestive” evidence hypertension could be caused by chemical herbicides used in Vietnam.
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Discharged veterans with war-related mental illnesses can sue, judge rules
Type of content: News
Veterans with mental health issues related to their service will be able to pursue a class-action lawsuit against the military.
A federal court judge in Connecticut ruled Thursday in favor of Navy and Marine Corps veterans who received a less-than-honorable discharge due to incidents related to untreated mental illnesses.
As a result of their discharge status, these veterans were subsequently denied VA benefits to receive healthcare for their war-related mental health issues.
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VA ready to hire dozens more specialists to give legal help to veterans at medical centers
Type of content: News
The Veterans Affairs Department announced Tuesday that it is ready to hire an additional 50 outreach specialists to help veterans in the judicial system after President Trump signed into law Tuesday the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018.
The law requires the VA to hire the new specialists over the next year and then place them at VA medical centers in need of their services. They will help veterans impacted by the justice system while working in the Veterans Treatment Courts or other court focused on veterans.
- Topics
- Benefits
- Legal
- Legislation
- Transition
- VA
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This change could make it easier to use military spouse preference to apply for DoD civilian jobs
Type of content: News
Military spouses will find it easier to apply for Department of Defense civilian jobs using military spouse preference, under new procedures being finalized now, according to DoD officials.
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Leaving the military? You’ll get extra time to use benefits like free tax help, counseling
Type of content: News
Those leaving the military will have more time to use free resources such as income tax help, nonmedical counseling, spouse employment assistance and other resources via Military OneSource, thanks to a provision in the defense authorization bill
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Lawmakers demand Pentagon drops GI Bill transfer limits
Type of content: News
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of 83 House lawmakers are blasting a Defense Department plan to change rules on troops transferring their GI Bill benefits to dependents, calling it unfair and devastating for military morale.
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House approves plans to create new VA economic opportunity administration
Type of content: News
WASHINGTON — House lawmakers on Monday advanced plans to create a new branch of Veterans Affairs operations focused on economic opportunity, a move that advocates say could better highlight employment and education programs at the department.
- Topics
- Education
- Employment
- Legislation
- Transition
- VA
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Trump signs VA law to provide veterans more private health care choices
Type of content: News
WASHINGTON — President Trump signed legislation Wednesday paving the way for a major overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs and expanded access for veterans to VA-funded care in the private sector.
The measure, which passed both chambers of Congress last month with overwhelming bipartisan support, delivers on a key campaign promise for Trump, who pledged to provide veterans with more non-VA health care choices.
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VA lets doctors use telemedicine to cross state lines
Type of content: News
Veterans Affairs healthcare providers will now be able to use telehealth and virtual technology to administer care to patients in other states, despite licensing restrictions, the VA announced May 11, 2018.
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