Veterans Report - Week of December 03, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of December 03, 2012

VA Loans Secure in Sandy's Aftermath
Following Sandy's devastation, military members victimized by the storm in the Eastern United States may be wondering what could happen to their VA loans following this natural disaster. Common questions may include: What if I can't make my payments and default for storm-related reasons? Do I have to pay late fees if I can't pay my mortgage on time due to the storm? Am I facing foreclosure if the storm has caused me financial distress? For answers to these questions and more, see (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) this Military.com article.


The Ultimate Gift this Holiday Season
Give your family the gift of peace of mind this holiday season with quality life insurance. Get $300k life insurance coverage for your family's future f (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ret) or as little as $22 a month. Want more coverage? (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ret) Find the right coverage amount for your family.


Using Ecstasy to Treat PTSD?
Stars and Stripes reports that a new study suggests that MDMA -- the pure form of the drug ecstasy -- may be effective in easing the most treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress, when coupled with psychotherapy. The long-term follow-up study by the (http://www.maps.org/) Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies appears to add credence to research published by the California non-profit organization two years ago that found 83 percent of participants receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis two months after treatment. An abstract of the study is available on the (http://jop.sagepub.com/content/early/20 ... 1.abstract) Journal of Psychopharmacology website.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Find more PTSD Resources on Military.com.


Veterans Crisis Line
The (http://www.va.gov/ext_redirect.asp?url= ... sline.net/) Veterans Crisis Line at (http://veteranscrisisline.net/) http://veteranscrisisline.net offers free, confidential support to Veterans in crisis, as well as their family and friends. Dial 1-800-273-8255 (press 1), (http://www.va.gov/ext_redirect.asp?url= ... ans%20Chat) chat online or text professional responders at 838255.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Job Assistance in Florida
The new Transition and Reintegration program in Broward County, Florida is offering veterans there a package of aid that can include job and personal counseling, financial assistance and help with housing. The local American Red Cross recently opened the program office at 6710 W. Sunrise Blvd, Suite 111, in Plantation, Florida. Military veterans in need of assistance are asked to call 954-797-3800, ext. 2952.
For more veteran job guides or to translate your military skills into civilian job occupations, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


VA Offers Home Care Alternative
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding its Medical Foster Home program to include more locations. The program allows veterans to live in private homes where a trained caregiver provides 24/7 service for the veteran. VA inspects and approves all Medical Foster Homes, which can serve as an alternative to a nursing home. While living in a Medical Foster Home, veterans receive (http://www.va.gov/Geriatrics/Guide/Long ... y_Care.asp) Home Based Primary Care services, but veterans will have to pay for the Medical Foster Home themselves or through other insurance. A VA social worker or case manager can help with eligibility guidelines for Home Based Primary Care and Medical Foster Home care. For more information, visit the (http://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Guide/Long ... _Homes.asp) VA website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Brain Stimulants Fail to Help Treat TBI
A new study has found that the dietary supplement citicoline, which is sold as a brain stimulant, failed to help head trauma patients improve in function and thinking, which challenges the drug's use as a treatment option for traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the study, patients with traumatic brain injury who were given the supplement, citicoline, scored similarly on function and cognition tests as those given a placebo. An abstract of the study is available in the (http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.asp ... id=1392561) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).


Military Skills Translator: Civilian Jobs You Qualify For
Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities. Enter in your MOS, MOSC, Rating, or Designator and we'll give you a list of civilian skills and equivalent job openings. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate Your Skills and Apply for Jobs Now.


Are Troops Paid Too Much?
According to the Congressional Budget Office, growth in military compensation has exceeded private-sector wages by more than 25 percent over the last ten years. With the threat $500 billion in mandated defense cuts required by the so-called fiscal cliff, some "budget hawks" are asking if we are paying our servicemembers too much. The CBO suggests that the DoD could save money by reducing the rate of basic pay raises along with asking servicemembers and retirees to pay more for their Tricare benefits and to contribute to their retirement, which currently does not require troop contributions beyond serving 20 or more years.
Read more: (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... z2E17Wrc2G) http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... z2E17Wrc2G


Legionnaires Asked to Give Blood
The American Red Cross estimates that more than 44,000 blood donations are needed every day in the U.S. The American Legion is encouraging its departments, posts and Legionnaires everywhere to participate in the Legion's Holiday Donor Blood Drive now until Jan. 1. Legionnaires interested in donating can make an appointment at the (http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation) Red Cross' donation appointment page. Posts that want to host a blood drive should visit the Red Cross' (http://www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-blood-drive) blood drive registration page. Members and posts can also contact the (http://www.aabb.org/Pages/Homepage.aspx) American Association of Blood Banks and (http://givingblood.org/donate-blood/whe ... onate.aspx) the Council of Community Blood Centers.
For more military spouse and family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


T-Mobile Veteran Story: Dominic Dimino
Dominic Dimino is a former Army combat medic who supported efforts following Hurricane Katrina and also did an 18-month tour in Afghanistan. He is now a Senior Analyst, Business Process for the Direct to Customer group at T-Mobile. Dominic applied for a job at T-Mobile after a friend told him great things about the company, and found that (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... ESRC=vr.nl) the skills he acquired in the military played a big role in getting him the job.


Featured Job: Careers at Bankers
With over 200 Branch Sales offices across the country, (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Bankers Life and Casualty has more than 4,800 agents who live and work in the communities they serve. At Bankers, we offer more than just a job; we offer a challenging and rewarding sales career! Successful Agents come from all backgrounds, are supported by nationally recognized training, and operate with a level of service unmatched in the insurance industry since 1879.


Coping with Holiday Stress
Is the stress of the Season getting to you? Visit the (http://www.triwest.com/en/beneficiary/b ... al-health/) TriWest Behavioral Health Portal to learn about coping with life's stressors, relationship issues, parenting resources, and much more.
For more military spouse and family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


VA Warns Mortgage Lenders
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has put mortgage lenders on watch for potentially misleading advertising directed toward Veterans. Read more at VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8375/ag ... -it-clean/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more on VA loans and home buying tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) Military.com VA Loan Center.


Educating Employers on PTSD
The U.S. Army has recently issued an audio news release discusses the Army's "Hire A Veteran" education campaign, which is designed to discredit myths that prevent the employment of disabled Veterans. The campaign is based on research that identifies several misconceptions about employing wounded warriors, including the fear that P.T.S.D. (post-traumatic stress disorder) might have on job performance and confusion that accommodations for wounded Veterans might have high costs. During the next five years, more than 80-thousand disabled Veterans will be entering the workforce looking for jobs. For more information about the U.S. Army's 'Hire a Veteran" campaign, including a video and online employer toolkit, visit the (http://www.wtc.army.mil/employers/index.html) U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command website.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Find more PTSD Resources on Military.com.


Research on Brain Injury and Vision Problems
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result in many visual problems such as binocular vision dysfunction, light sensitivity, and visual field defects. The pathophysiology of these injuries is not well understood and continues to affect soldiers in their activities of daily living. The degree of binocular or accommodative dysfunction can range from mild to severe, but the effects on activities of daily living, such as reading, studying and administrative tasks, may be dramatic. Many of the issues associated with these injuries can be managed or eliminated with lenses. Another common finding in the TBI population is photophobia or light sensitivity. One 2007 TBI study evaluated 50 patients with diagnosis of a TBI. Seventy-four percent of subjects complained of vision problems. Fort Benning Optometry is currently involved with two TBI studies that are focusing on eye movements shortly after a concussive event. For more information, visit the (http://braininjuries.org/) braininjuries.org website and the (http://www.brainline.org/landing_pages/ ... ision.html) brainline.org website.
For more on military medical benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Military Pay Calculator
Calculate your military pay on Military.com to see how much you'll make in 2013, at your next duty station or with your next promotion. (http://www.military.com/apps/reg/milita ... RC=mrvr.nl) Calculate your gross monthly income by rank, location or duty.


VA Among Agencies Fingered in IT Report
According to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), five federal agencies -- including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs -- have failed to adequately assess whether billions of dollars invested in major IT projects will keep those projects on track to meet agency needs. GAO requires annual operational analyses (called OAs) for 17 key factors -- such as cost, customer satisfaction, and innovation -- for the performance of investments in operations and maintenance. The VA, meanwhile, failed to develop a policy and did not perform analyses. A summary along with the full report are available on the (http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-87) GAO website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA to Expand Two Cemeteries
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it has purchased land for two new national cemeteries in Florida. VA plans to construct one of the cemeteries in central eastern Florida between the cities of Daytona and Melbourne, and the other in northwestern Florida, in the Tallahassee area. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from VA's Burial and Memorial Benefits website at (http://www.cem.va.gov/) www.cem.va.gov, or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at any VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Army-Navy Game: A Rivalry That Almost Wasn't
What has become revered as "America's Game" got off to a rough start that nearly ended the contest before it became legendary. Who doesn't love a good football rivalry? It has drama. It has passion. It has last-second scores and mind-numbing blowouts. And it has history. Lots of it. For more on Army-Navy game history, see (http://www.military.com/off-duty/games/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) this Military.com article.


Determining Your VA Eligibility
The (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8304/a- ... igibility/) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VAntage Point Blog recently listed several resources to help veterans determine their eligibility for VA health benefits. The easiest way to determine eligibility is to simply submit an application, which can be done (https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/) online. If you would rather do it in person or by phone, you can visit the (http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/divi ... asp?dnum=1) nearest VA medical facility, or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) during business hours. A representative will fill out the form and have it sent to you for a review and signature. Each process is outlined on VA's (http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/ ... rocess.asp) Health Benefits webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Overseas Mailing Deadlines Announced
The United States Postal Service (USPS) and Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) have released deadlines to ensure packages arrive to Military and State Department post offices overseas by December 25, 2012. Deadlines to ensure arrival by Dec. 25 are Nov. 26 for space-available mail; Dec. 3 for parcel airlift mail; Dec. 10 for priority mail and first-class mail, letters and cards; and Dec. 17 for express mail military service. Deadline for priority and first class mail going to Afghanistan or Kuwait is Dec. 3. The Military Postal Service Agency highly encourages customers to mail packages on or before the dates for the specific mail category in order to avoid unplanned transportation delays. Not all Military or State Department post offices are eligible for Express Mail Military Service therefore, customers should plan accordingly. For information on mailing deadlines and restrictions, visit the (http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/) Military Postal Services Agency website.
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Wife Makes Singing Finals
A Navy wife has qualified as a finalist in this year's U.S. Army Entertainment-sponsored Operation Rising Star singing competition. Christina Williams is the only U.S. Navy entry to make the finals and one of two military spouses competing in the Operation Rising Star competition. She will compete live against 11 other contestants from military bases around the world. The competition events will be televised on the Pentagon Channel and streamed on the Internet. Events will begin Dec. 9, and be held the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th at 8 p.m. (EST). The public vote will count for 50 percent of the winner's score, and voting will be open for two hours after each performance. To see a past Williams' performance and to vote for her, visit the Operation Rising Star website at (http://www.armymwr.com/recleisure/promo ... _star.aspx) oprisingstar.com.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-Duty section.


3 VA Loan Tips
Tip: Get Pre-Approved. Before you start the hunt for a house, the best thing you can do is to get pre-approved for your VA loan amount. Hint: Check Your Credit. Did you know that over 70 percent of all credit reports in the United States contain errors? Hint: Consider the Advantages of Having a VA Guaranteed Loan. A VA mortgage loan can be guaranteed with no money down, in some cases up to $417,000. There is also no private mortgage insurance requirement. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read the full story on Military.com.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Search for lenders ready to help you buy or refinance with a VA Loan.