The practice of using remote questionnaires for disability determination evaluations by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is being brought into question after leading to an alleged fraud. Remote questionnaires conducted by private physicians have grown in popularity as a way of conducting evaluations without requiring travel to VA offices, which is convenient for veterans in isolated areas or who have mobility issues. However, the allegations of fraud show that the practice has serious flaws, and that the remote questionnaire is not an adequate replacement for evaluations within the VA system. Continue reading “Remote Questionnaires Questioned After Fraud Allegations”
Category: Veterans Disability Law
New Diabetes Care Program Introduced by VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a new program that will focus on educating and caring for diabetic veterans. The program is focused on helping veterans with diabetes learn more about the technology they can use to monitor their condition, as well as what their various diabetes numbers mean. With better education, diabetic veterans will be able to better control their diabetes and, hopefully, prevent some of the more severe complications that can arise from the disease. Continue reading “New Diabetes Care Program Introduced by VA”
Blue Water Navy Veterans Can Now Apply for Veterans Disability
For decades, so-called “Blue Water” Navy Veterans who served in the waters around Vietnam have had difficulty getting their disability claims recognized by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). However, due to a bill signed into law last June, certain veterans, including Blue Water Navy Veterans, will be able to more easily apply for disability benefits. This includes any Navy veteran who served within 12 nautical miles offshore of the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 6, 1962, and May 7, 1975, as well as veterans who served in the Korean Demilitarized Zone between Jan. 1, 1967, and Aug. 31, 1971. Continue reading “Blue Water Navy Veterans Can Now Apply for Veterans Disability”
Board of Veterans’ Appeals to Introduce Virtual Hearings in 2020
When a veteran applies for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and gets denied (or else doesn’t receive the level of benefits they think they should be entitled to), they can appeal the decision to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Traditionally, these hearings are carried out in person and require the veteran to travel to the hearing if they want to participate. However, with the introduction of new virtual hearings, it will be possible to conduct these appeals online, without requiring veterans to travel to the physical site of their hearing. Continue reading “Board of Veterans’ Appeals to Introduce Virtual Hearings in 2020”
Bill Proposes Recognizing Iraq and Afghanistan Service as Health Hazard
Two United States Senators, Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., have teamed up on a bipartisan bill that would classify military service in certain places and times in Iraq and Afghanistan as a health hazard. The “Veterans Burn Pit Exposure Recognition” bill is a response to health concerns over service members’ exposure to “burn pits,” which are places where the military burns waste. In proposing this bill, they hope to make it easier for veterans affected by certain diseases to get disability benefits. Continue reading “Bill Proposes Recognizing Iraq and Afghanistan Service as Health Hazard”
VA to Implement New Device to Prevent Diabetic Limb Loss
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has started a program that would introduce a device capable of preventing limb loss as a result of diabetes. One of the potential side effects of diabetes is the development of diabetic foot ulcers, which, if left untreated, can result in infections and even necrosis, which necessitates the amputation of the afflicted limb. With this new technology, it is possible to detect the development of foot ulcers early, allowing for more effective treatments that leave a diabetic person’s limbs intact. Continue reading “VA to Implement New Device to Prevent Diabetic Limb Loss”
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”
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”
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”
