Post-9/11

WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs officials promised Wednesday to use the agency’s full budget this year for suicide prevention outreach, following the discovery that the VA didn’t use nearly $5 million allotted for that purpose in fiscal year 2018.

“This year, I’m making sure that we are spending the funding 100 percent,” said Dr. Steven Lieberman, who is in charge of the Veterans Health Administration. “I’m reviewing the budget monthly and making sure we have obligated all the dollars. We have to get it right.”

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but veterans don’t seem to be buying the advice.

A comprehensive Wounded Warrior Project survey of more than 33,000 veterans and service members, released Tuesday, shows a vast majority of vets aren’t eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day — and could be missing out on key health benefits as a result.

“It’s widely recognized that a healthy eating plan is critical for good health and for mitigating the effects of chronic disease,” said Melanie Mousseau, metrics director for the Wounded Warrior Project.

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.

A study published in Family Practice indicates that healthcare providers outside of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department are uncertain how to address veterans' needs. The study says that this is due to limited knowledge of resources and coordination problems.