1.      VA Expanding Agent Orange Benefits. The Webster (NY) Post (9/7) reported that veterans exposed to Agent Orange "will have an easier path to accessing health care and qualifying for disability compensation under a recent regulation that takes effect in November" when a new rule "expands the list of health problems the VA will presume are related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures." Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki said that expanding the benefit "was the right decision, and (President Obama) and I are proud to finally provide this group of veterans the care and benefits they have long deserved." The Post also profiles Vietnam veteran Mark Adams, "whose troop commander during the war was" Shinseki. Lawyers and Settlements (9/7, Turner) also covers this story.
     Congress To Hold Hearing On Expanded Agent Orange Exposure Benefits. The Air Force Times (9/7, Maze) reports, "Sweeping new presumptions about what medical conditions in Vietnam veterans are the result of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange could lead to benefits for up to 250,000 more veterans," and "the $42.2 billion expansion of disability compensation and medical treatment is raising questions about just how generous the federal government should be." In the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee upcoming hearing to discuss the expanded benefits, "two particular concerns" are "the overall costs of the policy change and the inclusion of ischemic heart disease - a condition faced by many older Americans who never served in Vietnam." Still, the VA noted "that five separate studies have shown a link between exposure to the herbicide and the heart disease." Bradley Mayes, director of VA's Boston Regional Office and the former compensation and pension service director who worked on the new Agent Orange rules, said that "because it is impossible to determine the origin of the disease, VA policy errs on the side of veterans."

2.      Shinseki Praises VA Study On Fatty Arteries Risks. The Lake County (CA) News (9/6) reported that a study led by Dr. Deepak Bhatt, chief of cardiology at the VA Boston Healthcare System and director of the Integrated Interventional Cardiovascular Program at VA and Brigham and Women's Hospital, and published online Aug. 30 by the Journal of the American Medical Association "found that patients with deposits of fatty plaque in their arteries are at especially high risk for life-threatening cardiovascular events if they have diabetes, disease in multiple arteries or a history of heart attack or stroke." VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said that the study's results "are likely to be of great significance to physicians-particularly cardiologists-in VA and worldwide." VA Chief Research and Development Officer Dr. Joel Kupersmith said, "this study illustrates the importance of basic clinical information in determining the best care for the individual patient."

3.      Shinseki Tours McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (9/8, Boren, 175K) reports that during a visit to the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki me with veteran Josh Maloney, who received a hand transplant last year and has healed enough to pursue a career as an automotive mechanic. Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, and Rep. Jason Altmire joined Shinseki on the tour.
     KDKA-TV Pittsburgh (9/7, 5:34 p.m. EDT) broadcast, "The Secretary of Veterans Affairs joined two US Senators to see how wounded warriors are being treated with innovative programs developed here in Pittsburgh." KDKA (Martino) added, "Two US senators, a congressman and a cabinet secretary were crammed into a small lab to learn about soft tissue reconstruction for our fighting men and women. They were impressed." A text version of the segment appears on the KDKA-TV website.

4.      Hartford Veterans Eligible For Tax Exemptions. The Hartford Courant (9/8, VanderMey, 147K) reports, "Veterans in town are eligible for a $1,500 property tax exemption if they provide proof of honorable discharge to the town clerk's office on or before Oct. 1, 2010." There are additional applications for exemptions for veterans being accepted, such as "a state exemption for veterans making less than $32,300 if they are single and $39,500 if they are married, as well as a East Hartford-specific exemption for veterans making less than $43,300 if they are single and $50,500 if they are married."

5.      Georgia Programs Seek To Help Veterans Find Employment. The Augusta (GA) Chronicle (9/8, McManus) reports that "thousands of unemployed veterans" are struggling, "looking for work in Georgia post-deployment." However, "in Richmond County, programs to help disabled and unemployed veterans are trying to make the job hunt a little easier," including the VA Transition Services Center in Augusta, which is "the only transition program in the country that operates independently of the VA hospital." There are "common challenges that come with military employees." Brian Peterson, the manager of diversity and inclusion for the Society for Human Resource Management, said that "most of the problems employers have with veterans have to do with how battlefield experience can translate to civilian jobs," although "veterans can also bring mental and emotional baggage to the workplace." Vocational Rehabilitation counselor Senita Thorne said that "the Georgia Department of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation Program in Augusta is working to make sure employers are prepared when hiring such veterans."

6.      Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Releases Proposals For Helping Veterans. The Des Moines Register (9/7, Beaumont, 115K) reports that Iowa gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad (R) proposed "enhancing employment networks for returning veterans by creating the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs veterans job bank." He also said he would "require stricter oversight of the $9 million Vetrans [sic] Trust Fund...to prevent diverting money for the general fund."

7.      VA Gives Arizona Senior Citizens Center Magni Sight Machine. The Eastern Arizona Courier (9/5, Saunders, 6K) reported that the Veterans Administration gave the "generous gift" of a Magni Sight machine to the Graham County Senior Citizens Center in Safford. "This desktop machine has a tray on which to place the letter, book or other reading material," and "the print is reproduced and magnified onto a large screen." Machine users do "not have to be a member of the Senior Center or a military veteran." Julia Davis, outpatient blind rehabilitation specialist for the VA, will give a presentation on September 30 "to further assist those with vision difficulties."

8.      Wisconsin To Hold Women Veterans Conference. The Madison (WI) Capital Times (9/7, Novak) reported, "Women veterans from all branches of the military are invited to the fourth annual Wisconsin Women Veterans Conference, being held Oct. 22-24 at the Wisconsin Military Academy at Fort McCoy." It will have "women-only workshops on combat-related trauma and military sexual trauma, as well as bio-feedback training, on-site massages, and the therapeutic value of diving." Additionally, there will be lectures on "changes to women's health care through the US Department of Veterans Affairs." Secretary Kenneth Black of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs said in a news release, "Our goal is to provide programs and services that meet the needs of veterans today and in the future."

9.      Study Suggests Mushroom Hallucinogen Helps Cancer Patients.  HealthDay (9/8, Gardner) reports that a controlled dose of psilocybin, the main ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, "appears to reduce anxiety and lift spirits in people battling advanced cancer," according to a study that will be published in the January 2011 print issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. Patients and their families reported "improvements up to six months after their single-dose experience with the substance." However, there are questions of if such hallucinogens will reach patients who might benefit from it. Keith A. Young, vice chair for research in the department of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center and core leader at the VA Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, said, "It's slow going justifying this particular application and the data are not overwhelming," adding, "These particular results probably warrant more study, but are not overpowering."

10.    ESPN Profiles Vet Paralympian. On ESPN (9/7), Marty Smith profiles George Mason University Patriot Masters swimmer Paul Hurley, a veteran who lost his leg in Bahrain. "Through the US Paralympics program, Hurley recently began training with Dominic Latella," who said that Hurley is "the one I'm looking to as a recruiting tool for other Paralympians, other wounded warriors who are interested in other activities beyond just rehab." Hurley is one of four people chosen "as public examples of the impact the GI bill has on veterans," and he "will immerse himself in the NASCAR circus for the first time as one of four guests of TRG Motorsports" on September 11, when "TRG's No. 71 team and driver Landon Cassill will carry the colors of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, with hopes of educating veterans who may not know they are eligible for the program."

11.    Documentary Examines Mental Trauma Of Iraq Veterans, Suicides. The AP (9/8, Jennings) reports that the documentary "Ward 54," named after the psychiatric wing of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, is being shown out of competition at the Venice Film Festival. It "explores the trauma of three US war veterans who served in Iraq and how the military handled their cases," as well as "the rise in military suicides following Iraq duty."
     Reuters (9/8, Aloisi) reports that one of the veterans the film follows is Kristofer Goldsmith, who tried to kill himself upon being told he would return to Iraq. Now, he is fighting legally to receive an honorable discharge from the army despite his suicide attempt.

12.    VA Suicide Prevention Hotline Said To Be Unique. In his blog on Forbes (9/7, 914K), Robert Langreth writes in the fifth part series on medication and suicides about soldiers' suicides. In the second part of his piece, Langreth writes that the VA "has put suicide prevention coordinators at all its hospitals and set up a 24-hour national crisis hotline." Janet Kemp, who directs the VA effort, said that their hot differs from others in that "phone counselors can link directly to the VA's computerized medical records to ensure that patients get prompt follow-up care at their local center." She added that "in addition to any immediate emergency care, an operator on can put in a computerized referral to the local VA suicide prevention coordinator who will set up an appointment the next day."
     VA Seeking To Identify At-Risk Veterans. The Abilene (TX) Reporter-News (9/8, Emison) reports, "National Suicide Prevention Week continues through Saturday, with the focus this year on suicides among veterans," and "the push is on to identify, assist and treat veterans who are deemed 'at risk.'" Dr. Jesse Burgard, chief of mental health services at the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring, said that with PTSD, "and depression, traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, as well as family, financial and relationship problems and the risk level becomes extremely high." Burgard added that "at-risk veterans are identified through their dealings with the VA hospitals or satellite clinics."

13.    Mother Says Vet Who Took Hostages In Georgia Was Discharged For PTSD. The AP (9/8, Bynum) reports that Robert Anthony Quinones, a veteran who is "accused of demanding mental treatment as he took hostages at gunpoint at a Georgia Army hospital," is said to have "told investigators he planned to kill President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton." Quinones' mother, Janet Gladwell, "said he was medically discharged from the Army months ago because he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder."
     CNN (9/7) reports, "Officials and a family member said he had demanded mental health care at the hospital." A neighbor, Jerry Franklin, an Army retiree, said, "Maybe they [the Army] should have helped him a little more," although he added "he was not blaming the military for the incident." The websites of WTOC-TV Columbia, South Carolina, (9/7) and WSAV-TV Savannah (9/7, Merrigan), also cover this story.

14.    Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics Using Therapy Dogs. The Medford (OR) Mail Tribune (9/5, Fattig, 26K) reported that the Department of Veterans Affairs' Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics is certifying therapy dogs to work with their veterans. Dahna Dow Osmus, a clinical social worker and dog therapy coordinator at the SORCC, said that "the facility's program evolved years ago out of the fact veterans receiving care there often talked about missing being around a dog."

15.    Kentucky City Hopes Old Hospital Will Become VA Center. The London (KY) Sentinel Echo (9/7, Kaprowy) reports, "After polling London politicos, leaders and residents, it is clear many community members hope a veterans' medical center or nursing home will become the new tenant of the old Saint Joseph-London" hospital building. State Sen. Tom Jensen (R) said, "If I had my pick and I could choose - and I actually wrote to Sen. (Mitch) McConnell about this - I'd like to see either a veterans' nursing home or a veterans' outpatient clinic." Candace N. Hull, deputy director of the USDepartment of Veterans Affairs Office of Public Affairs, said that "feasibility of a veterans' facility moving into the old hospital...will depend on a number of factors." She added, "The short answer is that veteran demographics and other specific data-driven criteria must support the placement of a V.A. health facility in a particular area."

16.    Mississippi VA Medical Center Opening New Outpatient Clinic. The Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger (9/7, 67K) reports, "The G.V. 'Sonny' Montgomery VA Medical Center has awarded a contract to CR Associates as its next step toward opening a community-based outpatient clinic in McComb for veterans." The company now "has 90 days to open a clinic and begin seeing veteran patients." Center director Linda F. Watson said, "Veterans in the area will now be able to receive quality medical care and service closer to home." The clinic "will join existing VA clinics in Meridian, Hattiesburg, Greenville, Natchez, Kosciusko and Columbus in making VA care more accessible to all veterans in the state."
     The webpage of WAPT-TV Jackson, Mississippi, (9/7) also quoted Watson. "The clinic will provide primary care for about 8,000 veterans in the area, that includes the counties of Pike, Lincoln, Amite and Walthall."

17.    Grassroots Movement Wants To Convert Illinois Hospital To VA Hospital. The Braidwood (IL) Journal (9/8, 1K) reports, "The increasing number of casualties highlights a need in the United States for more Veteran's hospitals. A grassroots movement to convert Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet into a VA Hospital is part of that plan, but so far, the plans are still in discussion." Currently, "thousands of veterans in Will and Grundy counties must drive all the way to Hines VA Hospital in Chicago for treatment." Jim Canup, the Commander at the American Legion Koca Post 39 in Braidwood "said that facility is overcrowded and outdated, and the drive alone can be too much for some vets to handle."

18.    Veterans Group Protests Fake General Serving Community Service With VA. The North County (CA) Times (9/8, Walker) reports that the American Combat Veterans of War "is objecting to a La Jolla Veterans Administration facility allowing" David Weber, who was convicted of faking being a Marine Corps general, "to serve part of his sentence as a worker in its hospital services." According to Lorelei Winn, the VA's director of volunteer resources in La Jolla, "the agency has received a complaint about Weber. She said privacy regulations prohibited her from discussing the complaint or Weber's work in detail."

19.    Sept. 17 is Nat'l POW-MIA Recognition Day. An op-ed in the North Brunswick (NJ) Sentinel (9/9) by Richard D. Brody, State Commander VVnW.

20.    Military Spouse Started Online Community For Families Of Service Members.  NBC Nightly News (9/7, story 11, 2:30, Williams, 8.37M) profiled Air Force veteran Lori Bell, whose husband, Kenyan, remains in the Air Force. NBC (O'Donnell) reported, "She started an online community, the National Association of Military Moms and Spouses." O'Donnell continued, "The website offers support on finances, child care, even tips on how to get through a long-term deployment. Adjusting to life in the Middle East."

21.    Orlando's Newest Attraction Is Medical. The New York Times (9/8, B5, Vatener, 1.01M).

22.    Veteran's Benefit Seminar On Sept. 13. The Quad-City (IA) Times (9/7).

 23.    Prescribed Burns Planned Throughout Week Or Fort Meade Recreation Area. The Rapid City (SD) Journal (9/7).

24.    Dude Rally To Honor Area's Heroes. The Fairmont (MN) Sentinel (9/7, Brookens, 6K).

25.    Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron Receive Ohio Third Frontier Grant for Biomedical Sensor Technology Development. The Akron (OH) Suburbanite (9/8, 26K).

26.    Haunted House Memo Faces Resistance From East Vincent Residents. The Phoenixville (PA) Phoenix (9/7, Finneran, 3K).

27.    Seattle Soldier's Suicide Spurs Mom To Action.  KCPQ-TV Seattle (9/7).

28.    Program Honoring 20th Anniversary Of Gulf War Set For Sept. 16. The St. Petersburg (FL) Times (9/8).

29.    Art Or 'Defacement'? Veterans Slam Mural. The Chicago Sun-Times (9/7, Knowles, 256K).

30.    Veterans On Parade To Honor Gold Star Mothers. The Marion (IL) Daily Republican (9/7, 4K).

31.    90 Vets, 72 Others Take Honor Flight To DC. The Mason City (IA) Globe Gazette (9/8, Johnson, 17K).

32.    Veterans Remember POW/MIAs With New Bench. The Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin (9/7, Horihan, 43K).

33.    New Flag To Represent Lost Servicemen. The Sacramento Bee (9/7, Simon, 224K).

34.    Local American Legion Post Recognizes Tyrone PD For POW/MIA Flag. The Fayetteville (GA) Citizen (9/8, 24K).