Women Veterans Social Justice: Women Veterans Services (Part 1)
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Showing posts with label Active Duty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Active Duty. Show all posts
Friday, August 10, 2012
UPDATE: FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES & YOUR BENEFITS
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Local Vets Speak Out on Military Sex Assault
Max Freund
Every day for six months in the early ’90s, Joan had daily bouts with her boss, fending off unwanted sexual advances in his tiny, broom closet of an office.
“He would call me into his office and would push me into the corner” and then sexually assault her, said the former Army specialist whose boss, a sergeant first class, also outranked her at the military hospital where they worked.
Joan, who now works in Iowa City and goes by an alias to share her story, is a survivor of military sexual trauma, or MST. The latter is the military classification for sexual assault and harassment.
It’s a widespread problem. According to annual reports, the Department of Defense lists 3,192 reports of sexual assault in fiscal 2011, up from 2,688 in fiscal 2007. The Pentagon’s sexual assault prevention and response office estimates, however, that only 13.5 percent of incidents in the ranks are reported.
The documentary “The Invisible War,” which is being screened Friday at The Englert Theatre in Iowa City, is attempting to open the Pandora’s box on the seldom-discussed issue.
Local survivors
Joan and Brigid, both in their early 40s, did not know each other during their military careers, but today the friends use pseudonyms to co-author a blog — Enemy in the Wire — that catalogs their battles with military sexual trauma.
Brigid, a Cedar Rapids resident, said she suffered multiple assaults during her 10 years in the Iowa National Guard. She recalls the details of one when she was a teenager that occurred away from Iowa during active duty for training. Brigid was raped by two fellow trainees.
“I was passed out, drunk, and I woke up to being raped by two men,” Brigid said, recalling that she and a handful of close friends had rented a hotel room for a weekend getaway.
Brigid had gone to bed and thought the door was locked behind her. However, the two men were able to enter the room, lock themselves in and begin assaulting her.
“(My friends) broke the door down,” she said. “They witnessed my rape.”
The two men were training classmates, but neither was part of the group with whom Brigid was on vacation.
Brigid’s friends were able to chase the rapists away and persuaded her to report the incident to the Army’s criminal investigation command. She said reporting led to a six-month battle with military investigators, who forcibly ostracized her from her friends and threatened her with charges of sodomy and other offenses.
“You don’t tell. I broke the rules; I told,” she said. “And that is why a lot of women don’t come forward — because it was your fault anyway. What did you expect when you put on those boots? What did you expect? You want to play in a man’s world, well, you’re going to have to play with the men.”
Brigid eventually dropped her charges and returned to her National Guard post in Iowa, where she said she experienced multiple cases of sexual harassment and another rape by a commanding officer.
Joan had fewer issues with commanding officers and investigators than Brigid, since Joan chose to not come forward with formal complaints.
“Part of it was because it was very embarrassing, and part of it was because I had no proof,” said Joan, adding it would have been her word against an officer’s.
Both women say the sexual abuse was a leading cause of their leaving the military. They have since successfully filed claims for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the sexual assaults and are receiving financial compensation.
Military response
"Joan" and "Brigid" have dog tags that read "NOT INVISIBLE," part of the promotion for the documentary The Invisible War. Photographed on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in the Gazette studio in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)
Because of the high number of sexual assaults, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced early this year two policies to ease the process for men and women who report abuse.
The first allows victims who file a report to request an expedited transfer to a different unit. The unit commander must respond within 72 hours.
The second policy standardizes the retention period of all sexual assault records — 50 years — to streamline the process for veterans who file claims with Veterans Affairs.......
READ MORE HERE
Mind Field: PTSD & the Military
Can the Armed Forces afford to accurately diagnose soldiers--and their families--with psychological issues stemming from war?
Nature calls, even in a war zone. And so, in April 2008, when John Byron Etterlee was stationed at an American military base in Baghdad, working the night shift at an Army tactical operations center, he carried his rifle as he stepped outside to use the outhouse. Suddenly, just as he began to relieve himself, he heard an ominous buzz in the sky above.
Etterlee, a stout Georgia native with a blond crew cut and thick spectacles, hustled out of the portable toilet and gazed up into the darkness. The buzz sounded like a small airplane approaching, but Etterlee, already midway through his second tour of duty inIraq, realized the white streak tearing through the night was an incoming rocket.
"For a split second I thought, 'Oh my God, am I going to die?' " the 35-year-old soldier recalls matter-of-factly in his slow Southern cadence. "I thought it was coming toward me. Fifteen seconds later I heard a loud explosion that shook the buildings. The rocket hit maybe 50 yards outside the gate."
Nobody was injured in the attack, and Etterlee's desert outpost incurred no serious damage. In hindsight, he says, it was just another close call during a span when he and his unit became accustomed to mortar fire, IED detonations, and other random explosions. But for some reason, perhaps because of the embarrassing circumstances, this particular brush with death has stuck with him. "I almost pissed in my pants," Etterlee says with a halfhearted chuckle. "It wasn't funny when it happened, but it's kinda funny now."
A chemical-weapons specialist tasked mainly with keeping records and maintaining equipment, Etterlee had limited combat experience during his time in Iraq. Nevertheless, his vehicle was once nearly struck by a roadside bomb, and one of his closest friends was killed in action in a separate incident. When he returned home toJoint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in late 2008, the chemical weapons specialist was clearly rattled. His wife forced him to spend nights on the couch because he punched, kicked, and thrashed in his sleep. He was prone to outbursts of anger. He tried to avoid conversations about the war, and, when co-workers inevitably swapped battle stories, his heart pounded and his mind raced.
He says he tried to seek help, but to no avail. "I went to chaplains more times than I can count," Etterlee says. "I went to my chain of command, and basically got the runaround. Nobody put me on any kind of formal treatment program."
On top of his mental issues, Etterlee was struggling financially. He and his wife divorced. And then, during a training exercise at Fort Lewis, he suffered herniated discs in his back while dragging a fellow soldier in a simulated rescue situation. Despite the painful back injury, he was briefly redeployed to the Middle East. Back at the base again in 2010, Etterlee was at the end of his rope.
READ MORE HERE
Reports of Military Suicides on the Rise: Will Licensed Counselors be Allowed to Help Now?
After over a decade as an Army Behavioral Health Specialist, BH-related experiences on 2 overseas deployments, from reports I was privy to while working in my active duty position in Washington, D.C., and from countless stories from military friends, co-workers, and clients, I have personally noted that interpersonal relationships were/are the most common theme amongst Troops contemplating or attempting suicide. This is something not “treated” with a diagnosis and a pill but that’s what our Troops typically get. Finally a U.S. publication has printed the truth: Our Troops need therapeutic counseling to address their most serious mental health needs. See the article link below.
The article reveals research clearly indicating that our Troops need the services of professionals who can specifically address the actual reasons behind the suicide rates, among other things. Troops’ mental health issues need to be addressed with actual counseling and therapy—not what they most often receive. As I’ve discussed in previous blogs, currently no military branch allows Licensed Counselors/Therapists to serve in the military as a Behavioral Health Officer. That is, of course, unless they are also a master’s level Social Worker, a Psychiatric Nurse, a Clinical or Counseling Psychologist, or a Psychiatrist. With the VA it’s not much better. Despite the efforts of organizations such as the ACA and despite Congress’s recent mandate to start hiring Licensed Counselors and Therapists, they are still only opening up the positions to Social Workers in most cases.
I have been running my mouth to anyone who would listen about this for years. Why is every military branch still excluding the Professional Counseling and Therapist professions? Why is the VA still not hiring professionals in THE fields of expertise to best address what Troops and their Families are needing most? NOT just diagnoses, NOT just pills, NOT just Army Social Workers pumped out of an accelerated program. But a well-rounded mental health care system. One that stops excluding professionals who are best suited to assist in the most common mental health issues.
READ MORE HERE
Thursday, August 2, 2012
VA: Help is Available to Encourage Veterans to Seek Mental Health Services
HOUSTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs now offers a free Telephone Call Center, “Coaching Into Care,” which provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their Veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues.
“Coaching Into Care” is a valuable service for family members and friends of Veterans who might be reluctant to seek mental health care,” said Laura Marsh, M.D. Mental Health Care Line executive at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. “In the last three years, VA has devoted more people, programs, and resources toward mental health services to serve returning combat Veterans.”
The “Coaching Into Care” service offers free coaching to callers, with no limit to the number of calls they can make. The goal of these sessions is to connect a Veteran with VA care in his or her community with the help and encouragement of family members or friends. Callers will be coached on solving specific logistical problems and ways to encourage the Veteran to seek care while respecting his or her right to make personal decisions.
“One of the biggest obstacles Veterans and families face is overcoming the stigma attached to getting mental health care,” said Marsh, who is listed as one of the best doctors in the nation in the field of psychiatry. “Treatment works, but only when the Veteran actually receives it.”
The Telephone Call Center is available toll-free at 1-888-823-7458, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and online at www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching. Additional information about overcoming the stigma of mental health care is available at http://maketheconnection.net/.
If a Veteran is experiencing an acute crisis, callers should contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help. “Coaching Into Care” works directly with the Veterans Crisis Line and the Caregiver Support Line to provide guidance and referrals.
Currently, almost 500 mental health clinicians and support staff serve Veterans in southeast Texas. In June, VA announced the hiring of an additional 33 clinicians and seven support personnel to support mental health operations at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
Used this service? We WANT to hear from you!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Army to stop using forensic psychiatrists to evaluate soldiers diagnosed with PTSD
The Seattle Times
Published: August 1, 2012
The Army no longer will use forensic psychiatrists to evaluate soldiers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and under consideration for medical retirement, a change resulting from an investigation of a screening team at Madigan Army Medical Center.
"What we found is that the forensic methods are not the right ones for the United States Army disability evaluation system," Gen. Lloyd Austin, the Army's vice chief of staff, said in a statement Tuesday. "We learned MAMC (Madigan) officials acted in accordance with the standard of practice for civilian disability evaluations. But we also learned that while the evaluation may be fair and appropriate, it's simply not optimal for the unique cases that the Army diagnoses and reviews. We've fixed that."
The Army on Tuesday also reinstated Madigan's commander, Col. Dallas Homas, who was suspended this year as the investigation got under way at the medical center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma.
Austin said Homas, who came to Madigan in 2011, did not exert undue influence on PTSD diagnoses and is back on the job.
"Col. Homas began his tenure ... at a critical juncture, as the hospital faced a massive deficit, declining numbers of patients served, and other organizational problems," Austin said. "His leadership was important to improving (Madigan)."
The Army investigation of Madigan focused on the conduct of the forensic team, whose screening of patients under consideration for medical retirement once was touted by Madigan leaders as a "best practice."
Forensic evaluations often are used in legal proceedings and typically include administering tests such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, which at Madigan was used sometimes to assess the severity of PTSD symptoms or whether a soldier might be feigning symptoms.
The Madigan forensic team ended up overturning the PTSD diagnoses of more than 300 service members who were under consideration for a retirement that would qualify them for a pension and other benefits.
The Madigan forensic team's work triggered complaints from patients, some of whom were tagged as possible malingerers.
These complaints drew scrutiny from an Army Medical Command ombudsman. The ombudsman, in a memorandum, noted that a forensic team member gave a talk during which he cited the need to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars because a medical retirement provides up to $1.5 million in benefits over a soldier's life.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, also fielded complaints from soldiers.
In February, the Army surgeon general, Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, announced an investigation of Madigan's mental-health screening, suspending the forensic team from its evaluation duties and putting together a new group to re-evaluate the claims of patients whose PTSD diagnoses had been overturned.
Army investigators also were to examine why Madigan closed an intensive outpatient PTSD program.
The Seattle Times has requested a copy of the Madigan investigation of the forensic team under the federal Freedom of Information Act, as well as other investigations launched this year at Madigan.
The Army has not released these reports. A spokesman from Murray's office said the senator has not obtained them.
The progress of the Madigan re-evaluations of patients also was not disclosed in the statement released Tuesday.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
VA Provided Dental Services
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dental services are very limited due to current laws. However, if you are recently discharged and your DoD discharge record, or (DD214), clearly indicates that either dental services were not provided within 90 days of discharge or that dental treatment was not completed during active duty may qualify you for VA dental care. You must apply for this limited dental care within 90 days of your separation from active duty.
SERVICES 101
Dental benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs according to current laws. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited.Note: The Chart in this blog post describes dental eligibility criteria levels and contains information to assist veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care.
The VA Dental Corps program includes many current and former members of
the U.S. Armed Forces, who because of their own military experience, understand
your health concerns. VA dentists use the latest dental procedures and pain
control techniques. Most VA dentists have received advanced training in
their specialties. Your dental care is provided in modern clinics that adhere
to the highest standards of hygiene and infection control.
Types of Dental Services Offered by VA:
Dental benefits include a full range of services for eligible
Veterans. Below are some of the many services offered by VA Dentistry:
- Regularly scheduled cleaning and x-rays.
- Restorative procedures such as fillings, crowns and bridges.
- Comfortable, well-fitting dentures.
- Oral surgery such as tooth extractions.
- Access to oral and facial reconstruction surgery resulting from trauma or serious illness.
In-patient Dental Program: If you are receiving hospital, nursing home or domiciliary care will be provided dental services that are professionally determined by a VA dentist, in consultation with the referring physician, to be essential to the management of the patient’s medical condition under active treatment.
For more information on your eligibility to receive VA medical and dental benefits, contact VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or www.va.gov/healtheligibility
Eligibility
VA services are provided to any veteran who:
For more information, and to apply for VA healthcare services, go to the Online 10-10EZ Application.
Dental service has very specific eligibility guidelines. For information on eligibility for dental care, visit the VA Health Eligibility Web site. For more information on your eligibility to receive VA medical and dental benefits, contact VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or www.va.gov/healtheligibility
·
Completed active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during WW II)
·
Was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
·
National Guard members and Reservists who have completed a federal
deployment to a combat zone
If you are currently serving in the
military, and need assistance with your transition from DoD healthcare to VA
healthcare, you may get assistance from a military liaison. Military liaisons are present at Base Readiness
Centers and are instrumental in providing a multitude of connections between
the military and civilian communities. Liaisons are responsible for ensuring
that military orders are in place and all service-related transitional needs
are addressed in a timely manner.
For more information regarding
services available to returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service
members of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom visit: http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
Please note that only emergency services can be received through VA until your enrollment is processed.
SPECIFIC DENTAL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY LEVELS:
If you:
|
You are eligible for:
|
Through
|
Have a service-connected compensated dental
disability or condition.
|
Any needed dental care
|
Class I
|
Are a former prisoner of war.
|
Any needed dental care.
|
Class IIC
|
Have service-connected disabilities rated at 100%, or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to
service-connected conditions.
|
Any needed dental care.
|
Class IV
|
Apply for dental care within 180 days of
discharge or release (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a
period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era.
|
One-time dental care if your DD214
certificate of discharge does not indicate that a complete dental
examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to
discharge.*
|
Class II
|
Have a service-connected non-compensable dental
condition or disability resulting from combat wounds or service trauma.
|
Needed care for the service-connected condition(s).
A Dental Trauma Rating (VA Form 10-564-D) or VA Regional
Office Rating Decision letter (VA Form 10-7131) identifies the tooth/teeth
eligible for care.
|
Class IIA
|
Have a dental condition clinically determined by
VA to be associated with and aggravating a service-connected medical
condition.
|
Dental care to treat the oral conditions that are
determined by a VA dental professional to have a direct and material
detrimental effect to your service connected medical condition.
|
Class III
|
Are actively engaged in a 38 USC Chapter 31
vocational rehabilitation program.
|
Dental care to the extent necessary as determined
by a VA dental professional to:
·
Make possible your entrance into a rehabilitation
program
·
Achieve the goals of your vocational
rehabilitation program
·
Prevent interruption of your rehabilitation
program
·
Hasten the return to a rehabilitation program if
you are in interrupted or leave status
·
Hasten the return to a rehabilitation program of
a Veteran placed in discontinued status because of illness, injury or a
dental condition, or
·
Secure and adjust to employment during the period
of employment assistance, or enable you to achieve maximum independence in
daily living.
|
Class V
|
Are receiving VA care or are scheduled for inpatient
care and require dental care for a condition complicating a medical
condition currently under treatment.
|
Dental care to treat the oral conditions that are
determined by a VA dental professional to complicate your medical condition
currently under treatment.
|
Class VI
|
Are an enrolled veteran who may be homeless and
receiving care under VHA Directive 2007-039.
|
A one-time course of dental care that is
determined medically necessary to relieve pain, assist you to gain
employment, or treat moderate, severe, or complicated and severe gingival
and periodontal conditions.
|
Class IIB
|
VA dental services are located throughout the U.S. , Puerto Rico, and the Philippines .
You can find a dental clinic in your area by using the interactive map on
the following VA linked page:
You may also be eligible for dental care through VA’s Project HERO. Project HERO is a
pilot program in four regions of the country that helps veterans get the care
they need when it is not readily available at their local Veterans Affairs
Medical Centers
- Project HERO provides access to the following types of care when the care is not readily available within the VA Medical Center:
- Medical/surgical specialty care
- Mental health
- Diagnostics
- Dialysis
- Dental care
Homeless Veterans Dental Care
The mission of the Homeless Veterans Dental Program is to increase the
accessibility of quality dental care to homeless Veteran patients and to help
assure success in VA-sponsored and VA partnership homeless rehabilitation
programs throughout the United
States .
VA’s Homeless Veterans Dental
Program was established by the Veterans Administration in 1992. The dental
needs of homeless Veterans are well documented. In surveys listing and ranking
the 10 highest unmet needs for homeless Veterans, dental care was consistently
ranked by homeless Veterans as one of their top 3 unmet needs, along with
long-term permanent housing and childcare. Dental problems, such as pain and/or
missing teeth can be tremendous barriers in seeking and obtaining employment.
Studies have shown that after dental care, Veterans report significant
improvement in perceived oral health, general health and overall self-esteem,
thus, supporting the notion that dental care is an important aspect of the
overall concept of homeless rehabilitation.
There is some limited dental eligibility for homeless Veterans who are
in certain VA-sponsored rehabilitation programs. Persons wishing to obtain
information regarding the homeless dental program in their area should contact
their nearest VA’s homeless coordinator by visiting: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isflash=1
or by simply visiting your closest VAMC, CBOC or Vet Center
Common Q & A's
Is it true that newly-separated veterans
can receive free dental care from VA? What is the eligibility for this service?
Yes, recently discharged veterans whose
discharge record (DD214) clearly indicates either that dental services were not
provided within 90 days of discharge or that dental treatment was not completed
who served on active duty 90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care
within 90 days of separation from active duty, may receive a onetime treatment
for dental conditions and follow up treatment for that specific dental
condition.
Is every veteran entitled to VA dental care?
No, current laws limit eligibility.You only have 90 days from your date of
separation to apply for any dental care or benefits you may need.
If you have dental concerns please
ask your doctor about the services available to you.
I am still on active duty, so can VA provide dental care to OIF/OEF
active duty service members being treated at VHA facilities?
Recently discharged veterans whose discharge record (DD214) clearly
indicates either that dental services were not provided within 90 days of
discharge or that dental treatment was not completed who served on active duty
90 days or more and who apply for VA dental care within 90 days of separation from
active duty, may receive a onetime treatment for dental conditions and follow
up treatment for that specific dental condition.
For more information regarding
services available to returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service
members of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn visit: http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
What Next?
In order to receive the benefits you have earned the first step is getting
enrolled in the VA healthcare system. You can enroll by calling toll-free
1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387),
visiting, or writing any VA healthcare facility, benefits office, or by using the online VA Form 10-10EZ.
If you are already enrolled in the VA health care system please speak
to your VA physician about what dental services are available to you. VA dental
services are located throughout the U.S. ,
Puerto Rico, and the Philippines
http://www.va.gov/DENTAL/ptdentlinks.asp
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
VA Programs & Benefits 101 Articles
We are very excited to announce that we are going to start posting a series of articles on individual injuries, programs and the the disability compensation that accompanies each. We hope this series will help you navigate the VA system a little easier, while also providing the basics on injuries and the assistance available to you and your family.
Each article will be written in the same style to help you locate the information you need quicker. We hope these articles can be of assistance to you and your families.
Our first article will be posted here momentarily.
Thank You,
Admins
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