FW: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: September 11, 2014

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Subject: VVA Web Weekly - What's New on vva.org: September 11, 2014
From: achaney@vva.org
To: vva17nv@outlook.com
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 20:04:49 +0000

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In This Issue September 11, 2014 VVA on DoD Announcement of Guidance for Upgrading Discharge Requests  Report on Phoenix VA Deaths Raises Questions VA Announces 90-day Reform Plan Ringy, Dingy Mr. Secretary… VA Secretary Says Hiring Spree Needed to Meet Patient Demand VA Has Too Many Websites Pentagon Says Suicides Hold Steady in First Three Months September Is National Suicide Prevention Month Remembering The Victims Of 9/11 VVA Press Release ADVERTISEMENT Support Senate Bill S.2738 Click Here For More Info & To Take Action VVA on DoD Announcement of Guidance for Upgrading Discharge Requests  "Vietnam Veterans of America is very pleased with the recent announcement by Secretary of Defense Hagel regarding the September 3, 2014, Department of Defense (DoD) guidance to Military Department Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) when considering petitions regarding discharge upgrade requests by veterans claiming Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, who received Other Than Honorable (OTH) Discharges," said VVA National President John Rowan. "It is the right thing to do, especially for our Vietnam veterans. Many of our brothers and sisters were inappropriately discharged under other than honorable conditions after serving their country, because PTSD was not recognized at that time. In many cases, a PTSD diagnosis was not made until decades after their service was completed. And, because of their OTH discharge, they were unable to receive VA benefits. VVA has been advocating for these veterans for a long time, and we are very grateful that Secretary Hagel has taken this action," said Rowan.  Read entire press release Read DoD Memo As Reported by The Arizona Republic Report on Phoenix VA Deaths Raises Questions According to a September 9 article in The Arizona Republic by Dennis Wagner, more than a week before the VA's I.G. Phoenix investigation report was released, The Republic learned that a dispute had arisen over standard-of-proof language that was being pushed by VA administrators to downplay deaths in Phoenix. VA I.G. Griffin would not discuss why his investigative findings did not address how many deceased patients might have lived longer if timely treatment had been available, or the hundreds of surviving veterans whose medical conditions could have been improved — or suffering reduced — if not for inappropriate delays in care.  Read complete story here As Reported by The Washington Post VA Announces 90-day Reform Plan According to a September 9 article in The Washington Post by Emily Wax-Thibodeaux, Robert McDonald, the newly appointed secretary of the sprawling and scandal-tainted Department of Veterans Affairs, announced a 90-day reform plan Monday, promising to put former troops at the heart of his strategy. Read complete story here As Reported by Stars and Stripes Ringy, Dingy Mr. Secretary… According to a September 8 Stars and Stripes article by Joe Gromelski, it's not every day that a Cabinet secretary gives out his cell phone number to a room full of reporters, but that's what Department of Veterans Affairs chief Bob McDonald did as part of a bid to show the VA is changing a hierarchical culture that stifled criticism and ultimately contributed to a scandal that cost McDonald's predecessor his job. Read complete story here As Reported by The New York Times VA Secretary Says Hiring Spree Needed to Meet Patient Demand According to a September 8 article by Richard A. Oppel, Jr., in The New York Times, VA secretary Robert McDonald said that the department needed to hire "tens of thousands of new doctors, new nurses, new clinicians" — emphasizing the significance of a shortage of employees who are directly involved in treating patients, a factor many experts said was a main driver in the waiting-list scandal that rocked the agency this year. Read complete article here As Reported on the Defense One Next Gov Website VA Has Too Many Websites According to a September 9 article by Bob Brewin on the Defense One Next Gov website, VA Secretary Robert McDonald said he plans to launch a new digital services team in the agency to help winnow down its numerous websites as part of a plan to improve the services VA delivers to veterans. Read complete story here As Reported by The Air Force Times Pentagon Says Suicides Hold Steady in First Three Months According to a September 5 article in The Air Force Times by Patricia Kime, the Pentagon released its data on suicides among troops in the first quarter of 2014, showing that the Defense Department is holding steady in its battle against self-inflicted deaths. From January to March, 120 active-duty, reserve and National Guard members died by suicide. Read complete story here ADVERTISEMENT Spread The Word September Is National Suicide Prevention Month The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention offers 10 Steps We Can Take to Reduce Suicides. Each of us can play a role in recognizing the critical need of others and encourage help-seeking behavior. The 10 Steps We Can Take to Reduce Suicides is just a start for those who want to get involved, make a difference, and save lives. See: www.ActionAllianceforSuicidePrevention.org The following link goes to information, PSAs, News Articles, and Blog information on Spreading the Word about the Veterans Crisis Line:  http://spreadtheword.veteranscrisisline.net/

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