2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter - September 2009, Issue 6

2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter September 13, 2009 / Issue 6 For the men, and their families, of the 2d Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade (Sep) ~ We Try Harder! VA Simplifies Rules For PTSD Compensation ( Sent in by Larry “Big Dog” Hampton, 1/503d) Department of Veterans Affairs WASHINGTON -- The Veterans Affairs Department is taking steps to help veterans seeking compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced Aug. 24. "The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its transformation to the 21st century," Secretary Shinseki said. VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register to make it easier for a veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days, and a final regulation will be published after consideration of all comments received, VA officials said. Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a noncombat veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is required for these cases, officials explained. PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war. Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, officials noted, but if the feelings don't go away or get worse, a veteran may have PTSD. VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat veterans, adding thousands of new professionals. The department also has established a toll-free suicide prevention helpline -- 1-800-273-TALK -- and has a Web site available for online chat in the evenings at the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline: suicidepreventionlifeline.org: 80/Veterans/ VA Claims Backlog Tops 900,000 VA’s backlog on pending claims and appeals was more than 905,000 as of July 18, according to VA statistics. That represents an increase of some 15% from last year. VA’s backlog includes over 737,000 unprocessed claims -- of which about 20% had been pending beyond 180 days -- and approximately 173,000 appeals awaiting decision. Vietnam Magazine, September 2009 House OKs Advanced VA funding The House approved a bill in July that would provide VA operating funds by the start of the next fiscal year. If so, it would be the fourth time in the last 21 years VA was funded on time. The bill offers a $4.4 billion increase for the Veterans Health Administration in 2010. The money is earmarked for mental health services, homeless veterans and medical research. It also includes funding for 28 new Vet Centers, 30 new Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and 1,200 more claim processors. “This is an 8% increase over FY2010 and will allow VA officials to plan spending levels for the coming year, meet the continuing wave of new patients and maintain operations at VA facilities,” said Rep. Bob Filner (D- Calif.), chairman of the House VA Committee. Page 1 of 10

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