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Veterans Health Administration Update VA News Releases

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Veterans Health Administration Update Agent Orange

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More Ships Added to VA’s Vietnam Ship List
VA has updated the list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that operated in Vietnam, adding 47 more vessels and expanding information for others. The list can help Vietnam-era Veterans find out if they qualify for presumption of Agent Orange exposure when seeking VA disability compensation for herbicide-related diseases.
Visit the Agent Orange homepage to learn more about Agent Orange: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.  

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Sent to capmedia@hotmail.com on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration · 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420 · 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

January 12, 2012

VA Announces Changes to Emergency Care Payment Policy

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans in non-VA facilities.

“This provision helps ensure eligible Veterans continue to get the emergency care they need when VA facilities are not available,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

The new regulation extends VA’s authority to pay for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans at non-VA facilities until the Veterans can be safely transferred to a VA medical facility.

More than 100,000 Veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules, at a cost of about $44 million annually.

VA operates 121 emergency departments across the country, which provide resuscitative therapy and stabilization in life-threatening situations.  They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  VA also has 46 urgent care units, which provide care for patients without scheduled appointments who need immediate medical or psychiatric attention.

For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit www.nonvacare.va.gov.

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Vietnam Veterans of America, founded in 1978, was formed, in large part, to fight for and affect laws and policies to ensure that our nation’s veterans receive the benefits they have earned and need. With chapters and state councils nationwide, VVA is the only Congressionally chartered, national Vietnam veterans’ service organization exclusively comprised of Vietnam-era veterans. VVA’s commitment to all veterans is exemplified in its founding principle, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” VVA continues to maintain advocacy in the veterans affairs arena as its top priority.
 

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Rules Liberalized for Veterans with Undiagnosed Illnesses – Application Window Extended for Five Years

Veterans of the Persian Gulf War with undiagnosed illnesses have an additional five years to qualify for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A recent change in VA regulations affects Veterans of the conflict in Southwest Asia. Many have attributed a range of undiagnosed or poorly understood medical problems to their military services, for example, chemical weapons, environmental hazards, vaccinations and other the possible causes. Under the old rule any undiagnosed illnesses used to establish eligibility for VA benefits must have become apparent by December 31, 2011. The new change extends that date to December 31, 2016.

Visit the National Resource Directory for more information about Gulf War illnesses and other health issues related to environmental exposures.

Looking for information about organizations, programs and services near you? Visit the National Resource Directory’s Information by State section.

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NORAD Poised to Track Santa’s Flight

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2011 – As children go to bed tomorrow with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, the staff at North American Aerospace Defense Command will be busy tracking Santa Claus’ global flight.

Click photo for screen-resolution image

The North American Aerospace Defense Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., will again track Santa Claus on his annual Christmas Eve flight to deliver presents to children around the globe. Courtesy graphic

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

For the 56th year running, NORAD will add the job of tracking Santa on Christmas Eve to its mission of North American aerospace warning and control.

“NORAD stands the watch protecting the skies of North America 365 days a year, but on Christmas Eve the children of the world look to NORAD and our trusted partners to make sure that Santa is able to complete his mission safely,” said Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. Jacoby commands NORAD, as well as U.S. Northern Command, both based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

via Defense.gov News Article: NORAD Poised to Track Santa’s Flight.

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• Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF): Have you recently returned from military service? Now is the time to take advantage of the benefits VA offers OEF/OIF Veterans.
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service: Provides comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine your abilities, skills and interests for employment. You can also receive employment services such as job training and help with your job search and resume writing.
• Homeless Veterans: Includes information and resources that provide permanent or temporary housing and ongoing case management and treatment services for homeless Veterans.
• Military Service Benefits: Find out which VA benefits you may be eligible for while serving in the military, whether you are on active duty, serving as an AGR or in a traditional Guard/Reserve role.
• Center for Minority Veterans: Assists eligible Veterans in accessing benefits and services from VA.
• Office of Survivors Assistance: Helps families, caregivers and others become better informed about the benefits and services offered by VA, including the application process for receiving benefits.
• Center for Women Veterans: Serves as a resource and referral center for women Veterans, their families and their advocates. Women Veterans Program Managers are located in each VA health care facility.
• Adaptive Sports Program: Find an adaptive sports program that suits your needs, no matter what your disability, age or skill level may be. Besides the fun, new friendships and exercise, look into why you should consider adaptive sports.

Looking for information about organizations, programs and services near you? Visit the National Resource Directory’s Information by State section. Choose your state, and then select a subject, for example, Employment, Housing, Benefits, etc.

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Contact your State Veterans Affairs Office for more information about programs and services near you.

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Y

By Mara Knaub – Yuma Sun via the APPosted : Saturday Dec 17, 2011 13:48:15 EST

YUMA, Ariz. — Aster, a 1-year-old long-haired Labrador Chesapeake, had an upset stomach and threw up in the examining room of the Yuma Proving Ground’s veterinarian clinic.The dog is one of several dozens that just arrived from Indiana, where they embarked on a military working dog training program. At YPG’s Mine Detection School, the dogs will train in detecting explosives in buildings, vehicles, buried in the roadway or somewhere in the field, probably in Afghanistan.

via Yuma Proving Ground trains dogs for deployment – Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq – Army Times.

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