PTSD: Vietnam veterans experiencing return of nightmares late in life

But experts say his experience is not uncommon. As Vietnam veterans age, many discover they have more time to contemplate their lives. The time for reflection — as well as retirement, reunions with war buddies and the deaths of loved ones — can stir memories from a long-ago war.

Anniversary dates and holidays such as Veterans Day may begin to bother people. But even when a veteran seeks treatment late in life, experts say, in many cases the post-traumatic stress disorder had been there all along.

Continue Learning:  http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/nov/17/vietnam-veterans-experiencing-return-of-nightmares/

War Veterans Fighting For Lung Disability Compensation After Toxic Exposures

However, some veterans say otherwise. Staff Sgt. Moses Scarberry, a 30-year-old military policeman with the West Virginia Army National Guard, says that although the U.S. Veterans Administration will provide some disability compensation following sub-par lung test results, he cannot prove the level of deterioration to his lungs without a baseline evaluation. In making his case for greater compensation, he lacks a "before-and-after" comparison.

Outside the of the military, fire departments and other employers require baseline lung testing for occupations known to carry a risk to pulmonary functioning. But military service also carries a risk to lung health, according to Fox News and investigative journalist Katie Drummond, whose “Ring of Fire” report describes toxic exposures endured by some troops who have served overseas.

Continue Learning:  http://www.medicaldaily.com/war-veterans-fighting-lung-disability-compensation-after-toxic-exposures-262516

Veterans Health Information: VA Announces Expansion of Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record

“The expansion of the VLER pilot program will allow more Veterans and facilities to participate in this exciting new technology,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “I invite Veterans to sign up for the program. It will keep health care providers informed, improve continuity and timeliness of care, and eliminate gaps in health care information.”

This pilot expansion is designed to share Veterans’ health information electronically, safely, and privately between VA, Department of Defense (DoD), and selected private health care facilities that are members of the secure Nationwide Health Information Network.

To find out more about VLER, Veterans may call the toll-free at 1-877-771-VLER (8537).

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