Here is a good site for all OEF and OIF veterans
http://www.research.va.gov/resources/pubs/docs/OIF-OEF-brochure.pdf

Comments would be appreciated. Note we lost over 20 topics due to inactivity. This topic is home based on "Health Concerns from Desert Storm to Iraq & Afghanistan" on Health and Fitness. Many veterans are returning with major problems, we veterans service officers are here to serve.
This time the VA has provided some valuable information, before tragedy strikes like it did the Vietnam veteran and Agent Orange. People constantly complain VA does not do enough (as I do also). Now here is information provided by the VA which can help and it appears no one is interested in reading it. In eight days this topic only had 22 reads. Is that all of the OEF and OIF veterans that are concerned about their health? Do you have a friend who is an OEF and/or OIF veteran.
At the Chillicothe VAMC, in my office there has been well over 100 veterans from these two areas of combat who have filed claims, yet over the entire nation, nay world only 22 hits?

I understand the the Cincinnati VAMC has a new TBI program.

saginaw had its share. these youngins should listen

It was announced yesterday on the news streamer, at the bottom of the screen on Fox News, the PTSD/TBI will be getting priority. I will post the announcement as soon as possible.

Thanks for the info, as always, Dave. I'm going to forward it to my buds back east.

MWD-EMT

Thanks for posting this thread here, Dave.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:
It was announced yesterday on the news streamer, at the bottom of the screen on Fox News, the PTSD/TBI will be getting priority. I will post the announcement as soon as possible.

DoD & VA are doing great things for our Combat Veterans with their physical injuries. I applaud the emphasis and dedication of care and rehabiltation to our men & women receiving the deserved care.

However, there has and is been a tuff nut; that has yet to be cracked. That being the PTSD/TBI issue. The Army has been paying lip service on this since our first Combat Veterans returned from OIF 1. Today the lip service has toned down significantly to a whisper. The process of those Soldiers returning from combat assigned units are not being processed remotely close to what was the inital program's intent and design, though not managed.

The Army has recently contracted Behavioral Specialist and moves them to the installations in CONUS or OCONUS to be available to our returning Combat Soldiers. There job is selfless in assisting our Soldiers, they have no limit on the days & hours they work. Yet it is not complete in it's process for all returning Combat Arms Soldiers.

I look forward to VA's iniative, but there needs to be a greater concern within the Army's Leadership and their responsibility to our returning Combat Soldiers. Hopefully, this is an issue that our new Secretary of Veterans Affairs will push as a priority.

quote:

That being the PTSD/TBI issue

Sorry to lazy to read the link,, what is TBI?

quote:

what is TBI?

Traumatic Brain Injury

quote:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Thanks Dave, I should of known that but have never seen the acronym

Thanks Dave!

Fact Sheet 16-4
January 2008
Combat Veteran Eligibility
: On January 28, 2008, “Public Law 110-Enhanced Eligibility for Health Care Benefits181” titled the “National Defense Authorization Act of 2008” was signed into law. Section 1707 amended Title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1710(e)(3), extending the period of eligibility for health care for veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, (commonly referred to as combat veterans or OEF/OIF veterans).
Under the “Combat Veteran” authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority to:
•Currently enrolled veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active dutyon or after January 28, 2003, are eligible for the enhanced benefits, for 5 years post discharge.
•Veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003,who apply for enrollment on or after January 28, 2008, are eligible for the enhanced benefit until January 27, 2011.
Combat veterans, while not required to disclose their income information, may do so to determine their eligibility for a higher priority status, beneficiary travel benefits and exemption of copays for care unrelated to their military service.
Who’s eligible: Veterans, including activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, and have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Documentation used to determine service in a theater of combat operations:
•Military service documentation that reflects service in a combat theater, or
•receipt of combat service medals and/or,
•receipt of imminent danger or hostile fire pay or tax benefits.
Health benefits under the “Combat Veteran” authority:
•Cost-free care and medications provided for conditions potentially related to combat service.
•Enrollment in Priority Group 6 unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.
•Full access to VA’s Medical Benefits Package.
Page 2 Fact Sheet 16-4, Combat Veteran Eligibility
What happens after the enhanced eligibility period expires: Veterans who enroll with VA under this authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends. At the end of their enhanced eligibility period, veterans enrolled in Priority Group 6 may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable copays.
What about combat veterans who do not enroll during their enhanced authority period: For those veterans who do not enroll during their enhanced eligibility period, eligibility for enrollment and subsequent care is based on other factors such as: a compensable service-connected disability, VA pension status, catastrophic disability determination, or the veteran’s financial circumstances. For this reason, combat veterans are strongly encouraged to apply for enrollment within their enhanced eligibility period, even if no medical care is currently needed.
Copays: Veterans who qualify under this special eligibility are not subject to copays for conditions potentially related to their combat service. However, unless otherwise exempted, combat veterans must either disclose their prior year gross household income OR decline to provide their financial information and agree to make applicable copays for care or services VA determines are clearly unrelated to their military service.
Note: While income disclosure by a recently discharged combat veteran is not a requirement, this disclosure may provide additional benefits such as eligibility for travel reimbursement, cost-free medication and/or medical care for services unrelated to combat.
Dental Care: Eligibility for VA dental benefits is based on very specific guidelines and differs significantly from eligibility requirements for medical care. Combat veterans may be authorized dental treatment as reasonably necessary for the one-time correction of dental conditions if:
•
They served on active duty and were discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable from a period of service not less than 90 days and
•
The certificate of discharge or release does not bear a certification that the veteran was provided, within the 90-day period immediately before the date of such discharge or release, a complete dental examination (including dental X-rays) and all appropriate dental service and treatment indicated by the examination to be needed and
•
Application for VA dental treatment is made within 180 days of discharge or release
Additional information: Additional information is available at the nearest VA medical facility. VA facilities listing and telephone numbers can be found on the internet at www.va.gov/directory, or in the local telephone directory under the “U.S. Government” listings. Veterans can also call the Health Benefit Service Center toll free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility.
Not Depot Stocked Local Reproduction Authorized

Five Years of VA Health Care for Combat Veterans
Peake: Honoring Commitment to Newest Combat Veterans
WASHINGTON (February 26, 2008) - Military veterans who served in combat since Nov. 11, 1998, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible for five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This measure increases a two-year limit that has been in effect nearly a decade.

"By their service and their sacrifice, America's newest combat veterans have earned this special eligibility period for VA's world-class health care," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.

The five-year deadline has no effect upon veterans with medical conditions related to their military service. Veterans may apply at any time after their discharge from the military -- even decades later -- for medical care for service-connected health problems.

The new provision, part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 signed by President Bush on Jan. 28, 2008, applies to care in a VA hospital, outpatient clinic or nursing home. It also extends VA dental benefits -- previously limited to 90 days after discharge for most veterans -- to 180 days.

Combat veterans who were discharged between Nov. 11, 1998 and Jan. 16, 2003, and who never took advantage of VA's health care system, have until Jan. 27, 2011 to qualify for free VA health care.

The five-year window is also open to activated Reservists and members of the National Guard, if they served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998 and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

Veterans who take advantage of this five-year window to receive VA health care can continue to receive care after five years, although they may have to pay copayments for medical problems unrelated to their military service. Copayments range from $8 for a 30-day supply of prescription medicine to $1,024 for the first 90 days of inpatient care each year.

quote:

Military veterans who served in combat since Nov. 11, 1998, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible for five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This measure increases a two-year limit that has been in effect nearly a decade.

I'm not sure if this is the correct board but I have a health question. I'm a veteran who served in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. Recently I was hospitalized at the VA hospital in my area because of extreme Anemia. I almost went into cardiac arrest because my blood-count was so low. I had half the blood in my body that I should have had. The VA Doctors thought that I was bleeding internally but after a series of tests that is not the case. No bleeding at all. I was told that I was a mystery because the VA doctors can not figure out why I have such a sever case of anemia. My liver and spleen have become enlarged also and I am awaiting a biopsy on them. Also my VA primary care doctor informed me that I had this type of Anemia in Aug 2004 when I first got out of the Army.
I was wondering if anyone else has reported any type of Anemia like this? It doesn't run in my family and It is effecting my quality of life. I can't even walk up flight of stairs without stopping to catch my breath now and I'm only 31 years old.

If anyone has any information on anything like this please let me know.

Thanks for your time.

You are in the right place. Have you been examined by your VA Environmental Physician? If not make arrangements quickly. You have priority on this examination. Also review the information on my website.
http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html

Thank you so much for that information.

Jason P. Scala