Steve Schippert of Threatswatch, Matt of Blackfive, John of Op-For, and Ace (of Spades) and I have been chatting in email regarding the fallout of Secretary Shinseki's testimony before Congress that ignited the shite-storm that is spreading around.  Steve made a nice "wrap-it-all-up" ...

In my role as the retired soldier who hangs a shingle on the web, I get emails asking questions about veteran's benefits, retiree issues, etc.  I answer 'em as I can, and I more often as not push the questioners to join any one of a number of organizations that have as their mission s...

Just back from a half day at the Dallas VA for two "comp & pen" (disability increase exams) appointments. I take heart that federal employees are hard at work on Dec. 24. The same cannot be said of Congress. More or less a typical visit. My 10 a.m. appointment finally occurred at 10:58 a.m. The ...

The brain can be injured in many ways.  Although popular opinion is that direct impact is necessary for injury to the brain, this is not true. Frequently, the brain is injured from indirect forces causing the movement of the brain within the skull.   One such indirect i...

"As it turns out I was eligible, lucky me, I was eligible to participate in this, what I thought was a great, you know, research project. I mean for the good of myself and other veterans, other young soldiers." The Washington Times has a lengthy and detailed exposé up this morning exposing negligen...

The Associated Press reports that a report of the VA's inspector general found that many Iraq war veterans with traumatic brain injury are not getting adequate health care and job assistance for their long-term recovery despite years of government pledges to do so. The VA Inspector General reports t...

THIS article from CBS, "The Military's Showdown Over PTSD" is important. It serves to inform us about a major problem our Veterans are having to contend with, and opens our eyes ever-so-slightly to the hard reality of the ineptitude on the part of our Military machine AND Congress to adequately atte...

2.      Changes Sought In VA Healthcare Policy Restrictions.   The Citizen Of Laconia (NH) (2/25, Cook) reports, "Veterans' groups in New Hampshire and Maine want the federal government to ease tight restrictions preventing at least 5,000 New England veterans from ...

It was a simple move - but can have a wide-ranging impact. VA has announced that veterans who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while on active duty will now be recognized as having PTSD for VA purposes. Finally, a little rationality in the bureaucracy. This means a transition...

In a study released yesterday, the Army has confirmed that Up to 20 percent of U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan may have suffered mild concussions but were unaware of them and did not get treatment. The study reports that the Army has a hard time identifying and treating affected troo...