Division: Office of Veterans Advocacy

The 2019 Update to the Idaho Veterans Resource Directory is now available.
DOCUMENTS
2019 Veterans Resource Directory

June 28, 2018 | 1 p.m. EDT
Newsletter Blurb

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or looking to move into a home that better accommodates your family, home buying can be a stressful process. A VA home loan can help reduce financial strain. Most VA backed loans do not require a down payment or mortgage insurance and have competitive interest rates. These are options that can save buyers thousands of dollars. Plus, qualifying Veterans can use this benefit again and again.

Find out more during the #ExploreVA Facebook Live event on June 28 at 1 p.m. EDT. Join representatives from VA and the National Association of Realtors as they discuss the advantages of a VA home loan and other VA housing-related programs, such as mortgage refinancing and adapted housing grants. Representatives will answer questions after the video and provide resources in the comments section. Register for the event and receive event notifications by visiting Explore.VA.gov/events.

This event is part of the “#ExploreVA: From Service to Success” online series highlighting how Veterans and their families use VA benefits and services. These benefits help Veterans earn degrees, start careers, buy homes, stay healthy and more. Visit Explore.VA.gov for information on events, resources and how to apply for VA benefits.

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

VA Press Release: VA Secretary Announces Intention to Expand Mental Health Care to Former Servicemembers With Other-Than-Honorable Discharges and in Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 08, 2017

WASHINGTON – Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin while testifying in a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on March 7, 2017, announced his intention to expand provisions for urgent mental health care needs to former servicemembers with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges. This move marks the first time a VA Secretary has implemented an initiative specifically focused on expanding access to assist former OTH servicemembers who are in mental health distress and may be at risk for suicide or other adverse behaviors.

“The President and I have made it clear that suicide prevention is one or our top priorities,” Shulkin. “We know the rate of death by suicide among Veterans who do not use VA care is increasing at a greater rate than Veterans who use VA care. This is a national emergency that requires bold action. We must and we will do all that we can to help former servicemembers who may be at risk. When we say even one Veteran suicide is one too many, we mean it.”

It is estimated that there are a little more than 500,000 former service members with OTH discharges. As part of the proposal, former OTH servicemembers would be able to seek treatment at a VA emergency department, Vet Center or contact the Veteran Crisis Line.

“Our goal is simple, to save lives,” Shulkin continued. “Veterans who are in crisis should receive help immediately. Far too many Veterans have fallen victim to suicide, roughly 20 every day. Far too many families are left behind asking themselves what more could have been done. The time for action is now.”

Before finalizing the plan in early summer, Shulkin will meet with Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, and Department of Defense officials to determine the best way forward to get these Veterans the care they need.

“I look forward to working with leaders like Congressman Mike Coffman from Colorado, who has been a champion for OTH servicemembers. I am grateful for his commitment to our nations Veterans and for helping me better understand the urgency of getting this right,” added Shulkin.

Veteran in crisis, should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or texting 838255.

Information about the Crisis Line is available at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.

VA Tier Medication Copay Changes Take Effect 2/27/17
Department of Veterans Affairs
MEDICATION COPAYMENTS
VA charges a copayment for each 30 day or less supply of medication provided on an outpatient basis for the treatment of a non-service connected condition.

These changes apply to:

Veterans without a service-connected condition, or
Veterans with a disability rated less than 50%
who are receiving outpatient treatment for a non-service connected condition, and
whose annual income exceeds the limit set by law.
Note: Medication copayments do not apply to former Prisoners of War, catastrophically disabled Veterans, or those covered by other exceptions as set by law. Open the attached document to see the breakdown regarding Copayment amounts.