There are millions of people who receive benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) every year, and more people who apply every year. However, applying for SSDI means meeting certain basic requirements, and unfortunately, not everyone does. For those who can’t get SSDI, there is another program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which can potentially meet their needs. Continue reading “What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?”
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TBI: VA and DOD to Allocate $50m For Research
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health condition that can result in many debilitating problems and are a sadly common occurrence among veterans. And yet, TBIs are poorly understood, and treatments for TBI are limited in terms of both their availability and effectiveness. Therefore, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) have dedicated $50 million to TBI research.
The new initiative, dubbed the Long-Term Impact of Military-related Brain Injury Consortium (LIMBIC), is dedicated to researching TBI, including both its effects and possible treatments. LIMBIC is a partnership of both public and private parties, including the VA, DOD, and the National Institute of Health, as well as several universities and nonprofit organizations. Spearheading the effort is Dr. David X. Cifu, a TBI specialist and professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Previous TBI research has already show that even mild brain injuries are linked to conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain, and has shown a link between these conditions and substance abuse (particularly opioid abuse), as well as an increased risk of suicide. They have also developed new tests for detecting TBI, such as questionnaires, brain scans, fluid biomarkers and electrophysiology, which also help learn about how the brain heals when it’s injured. The hope of the LIMBIC initiative is that it will be able to determine more about the effects of TBIs to enable better treatments and help those currently suffering as a result of TBI, including veterans with TBI-linked disabilities.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. With over 50 years of combined experience between its lawyers, our attorneys may be able to assist you or a loved one in obtaining VA disability benefits. Call our office at (800) 395 -7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
SSDI: Who Can Apply For It?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has long been a resource for people who are unable to work due to a disability. However, the process for applying for SSDI can seem confusing for someone who has never dealt with it before, and especially someone who is already dealing with the consequences of a severe disability. Fortunately, the requirements are relatively easy to understand, once they’re broken down. Continue reading “SSDI: Who Can Apply For It?”
New Adaptive Sports Grants for Disabled Veterans
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently announced a new series of grants intended to improve access to adaptive sports programs. These programs are a kind of rehabilitation effort that helps improve people physically and psychologically by getting them active in sports. They are part of a broader ongoing effort to involve community groups in assisting disabled veterans in reintegrating into everyday society. Continue reading “New Adaptive Sports Grants for Disabled Veterans”
Veterans Fleeing Domestic Violence to Receive Support and Housing
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and unfortunately, veterans suffer the effects of domestic violence the same as anyone else. If anything, veterans, and particularly disabled veterans, can be particularly vulnerable to domestic violence, often feeling trapped in an abusive relationship because they’re uncertain where to go. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recognized this problem and has stepped up to help. Continue reading “Veterans Fleeing Domestic Violence to Receive Support and Housing”
What is the COLA?
Social Security can often seem somewhat opaque to people, since it’s not entirely clear how they determine how much you get paid. This is doubly true for things like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), two programs intended to help those who can no longer work due to a mental or physical disability. One of the things that can have an impact on how much you receive is the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA for short. Continue reading “What is the COLA?”
New Program to Update VA Records Systems is Introduced
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently introduced a new program intended to take advantage of its new electronic records system, to better address the problems presented by the transition from paper to electronic records. Electronic health record modernization (EHRM) remains a consistent problem for the VA as it has tried to transfer its old paper records to a digital filing system for years. The hope is that this new program will help facilitate that process. Continue reading “New Program to Update VA Records Systems is Introduced”
What is the Social Security Blue Book?
When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you’ll need to eventually have your disability assessed to see if you are, indeed, no longer able to work. An important part of this assessment is the so-called “Blue Book”, which is used to identify your condition and the extent of your disability. But what exactly is the Blue Book, and why do they use it? Continue reading “What is the Social Security Blue Book?”
New Telehealth Program for Veterans Brings Healthcare Home
As technology advances, so too do the tools available for providing healthcare to veterans. One potential leap forward in this so-called “telehealth” is the increased use of tablets. Tablets make it easier for people who have difficulty getting out of the house, including many disabled veterans, to speak face-to-face with their doctors. With this new initiative, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hopes to bring VA healthcare closer to home. Continue reading “New Telehealth Program for Veterans Brings Healthcare Home”
VA Urges Congress to Pass New Suicide Prevention Bill
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is commemorating the occasion by seeking new ways to reduce suicide among veterans. In that vein, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie has called upon Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to allow a vote for the “IMPROVE Well-Being for Veterans Act.” The proposed legislation would grant funding to community groups to help support veterans at risk of suicide or self-harm. Continue reading “VA Urges Congress to Pass New Suicide Prevention Bill”
