Category: News

Free Resources Available for Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention.
The Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC) were established by Congress with the goal of researching the causes and treatments of mental disorders and using education to put new knowledge into routine clinical practice in the VA. Specialized mental health centers of excellence (MH CoE) are an essential component of VA’s response to meeting the mental health needs of Veterans.

The mission of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC (Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center) for Veteran Suicide Prevention is to study suicide with the goal of reducing suicidal ideation and behaviors in the Veteran population. Towards this end, the work of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC is focused on promising clinical interventions, as well as the cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of suicidal thoughts and behaviors that may lead to innovative prevention strategies. The vision of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC is: Veterans, their families, and the VHA will have increased information and options to make health decisions aimed at decreasing suicide risk.

There are some excellent free resources available at https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/index.asp

VA Announces Adoption of American Cancer Society Mammogram Screening Guidelines
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs banner image

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2017

VA Announces Adoption of American Cancer Society Mammogram Screening Guidelines
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it is adopting American Cancer Society (ACS) breast cancer screening guidelines that give women a choice to begin screening at age 40. The guidelines also recommend starting yearly mammograms by age 45 and then every other year from age 55. The guidelines apply to women at average risk for breast cancer and complement VA’s already-extensive program for breast care for Veterans.

“It is important for our women Veterans to know that they are in control of their care and the care they receive from VA is consistent with or exceeds care in the private sector,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “Adopting American Cancer Society standards gives Veterans further assurances that their care aligns with other health-care systems. Currently, 76 percent of women Veterans age 40-49 receive mammograms through VA.”

In addition to adopting ACS guidelines for breast cancer screening, other notable achievements include:

Expanded access to onsite mammograms by 62 percent;
All eligible women Veterans have access to mammograms either onsite or through care in the community;
VA quality scores from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), show that women Veterans are much more likely to receive age-appropriate breast cancer screening than women in private sector health care;
In 2015, VA provided mammogram screenings to 86 percent of its women Veteran patients age 50-74, compared with the private sector at 73 percent; and
VA has established a state of the art information technology Breast Cancer Registry (BCR). The BCR integrates data from several VA sources to provide comprehensive patient specific information about breast cancer screening, test results, past and current breast cancer treatment, and population surveillance of breast care (both in the community and within the VA).
“Engaging and better servicing the unique health-care needs of our women Veterans is one of VA most important priorities,” said Dr. Poonam Alaigh, Acting Under Secretary for Health. “When it comes to their care, we want them to be in control of it every day and in every way.”

For more information about VA’s commitment to women Veterans, visit https://www.va.gov/womenvet/ or call Women Veterans can also call 855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636) for information about VA services and resources.

VA’s Rule Establishes a Presumption of Service Connection for Diseases Associated with Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune
VA to provide disability benefits for related diseases

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases associated with exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C. are effective as of today.

“Establishing these presumptions is a demonstration of our commitment to care for those who have served our Nation and have been exposed to harm as a result of that service,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. David J. Shulkin. “The Camp Lejeune presumptions will make it easier for those Veterans to receive the care and benefits they earned.”

The presumption of service connection applies to active duty, reserve and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days (cumulative) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and are diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

adult leukemia
aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
bladder cancer
kidney cancer
liver cancer
multiple myeloma
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Parkinson’s disease
The area included in this presumption is all of Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, including satellite camps and housing areas.

This presumption complements the health care already provided for 15 illnesses or conditions as part of the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. The Camp Lejeune Act requires VA to provide health care to Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune, and to reimburse family members, or pay providers, for medical expenses for those who resided there for not fewer than 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.

DOCUMENTS
Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions Fact Sheet 3.14.17
Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions News Release 3.13.17
Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions Brochure