1.      Warner Releases VA Report On Female Veterans.  In continuing coverage, an AP (1/11, Sampson) story carried by at least 23 publications notes that on Monday, US Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) released a new Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General study that "says female military members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to be diagnosed with mental-health conditions than their male counterparts." The study, which "also found that the benefits administration denies payment" for post-traumatic stress disorder claims at a higher rate for women than for men, "advises that the Veterans Benefits Administration better inform female veterans about specific services available to them." Warner has "asked Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to correct" such issues.  According to a separate AP (1/11) story run by at least 11 news sources, Warner visited a VA hospital in Hampton, Virginia, on Monday "to discuss the findings of a study on female veterans who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan." The Newport News (VA) Daily Press (1/11, Chufo), meanwhile, notes that on Monday, Warner visited the Hampton VA, where he "said he was concerned whether...VA was adequately meeting" the needs of women veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Daily Press adds that Chandra Banks, "who's with the nonprofit" Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, "applauded the report that...Warner pushed to fund."

The Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot (1/11, Reilly) reports, "The Department of Veterans Affairs must work harder to address combat stress in women returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a new government study says. Conducted" by VA's "inspector general, the study found that female veterans are denied benefits and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder at a rate higher than men. It also concluded that many VA facilities aren't especially responsive to the health needs of women."

The WTVR-TV Richmond, VA (1/10) website pointed out that Warner also "spoke about the report...at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond." WTVR went on to say the "report found that female veterans continue to be denied services and treatments" for PTSD "at a higher rate than men because women, by definition, do no serve in combat roles." As a "result of Warner's efforts," however, VA "recently changed its policies to remove initial barriers for women to apply for treatment," and now, "military personnel-both men and women-do not have to have served in direct combat to receive PTSD benefits." The aforementioned study was also noted in reports aired by numerous local TV stations in Virginia, including WSET-TV Roanoke (1/10, 11:09 p.m. ET) and WVBT-TV Norfolk, VA (1/10, 10:35 p.m. ET).  AmVets: Females Have Harder Time Than Males Trying To Use VA Care. The digital edition of the Army Times (1/17, 104K) reports, "Female veterans are disadvantaged compared with male veterans when trying to use the Veterans Affairs Department for primary health care, according to the veterans service organization AmVets." The Times adds, "Expanded health care for women and more flexible appointment hours, including some after normal working hours or on weekends, would help women receive equal treatment from VA, advocates say."

2.      Memorial Arrangements Announced For Gen. Vang Pao.  In continuing coverage, an AP (1/11) story run by at least 33 publications reports, "Relatives of Hmong leader Gen. Vang Pao say they are planning a four-day February memorial service for the military hero in central California." The "general led Hmong guerrillas in their CIA-backed battle against communists during the Vietnam War and was revered as a father figure by the Hmong diaspora. A final resting place has not been determined, but the general's family is seeking a burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia," a point also made by KSEE-TV Fresno, CCA (1/10, 11:08 p.m. PT).

According to a separate AP (1/11) story carried by at least 45 publications, Federal "prosecutors on Monday dropped all remaining charges against a dozen men once accused of plotting to violently overthrow the communist government of Laos, a move that suddenly ends a 3½-year-old international case that reverberated with the last echoes of the Vietnam War. Charges against 11 members of California's Hmong community and a former US Army officer were dismissed 'in the interests of justice,' according to court documents filed" in US District Court in Sacramento. The "move follows the death of Hmong leader and Vietnam War-era Gen. Vang Pao, 81, last week."

3.      Arlington Burial Sought For Laotian General.  In continuing coverage, an AP (1/12) story carried by at least 122 publications reports, "California Reps. Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza," as well as "Guam's delegate to Congress, Madeleine Bordallo," and Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Holden, have asked Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to allow Laotian Gen. Vang Pao, a "key US ally in the Vietnam War," to be "buried at Arlington National Cemetery." The "general led Hmong guerrillas in a CIA-backed battle against communists in Laos." According to the AP, a letter, signed by the aforementioned lawmakers, has been sent to Shinseki and Gates, "asking for a waiver for an Arlington burial" for the general.

A similar McClatchy (1/12, Doyle) story run by at least 29 publications notes, "Vang Pao requires a waiver because he didn't directly serve" in the US military. The request for an Arlington burial is also noted in "The Lookout," a Yahoo! News (1/12, Roth) blog, and in stories aired by numerous local TV stations in different parts of the country, including KFSN-TV Fresno, CA (1/11, 11:11 p.m. PT) and WFXS-TV Wausau, WI (1/11, 9:19 p.m. CT).

4.      Contract Awarded For VA Cemetery.  The Bradenton (FL) Herald (1/12, 43K) notes that on Tuesday, US Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) "announced...that a construction contract has been awarded to develop the Phase 1B portion for the new Sarasota National Cemetery." The lawmaker "wrote Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki in September urging him to take action to ensure that construction of the VA cemetery in Sarasota gets back on schedule. 'This is a very encouraging development for area families waiting to inter their loved ones in the new cemetery,' Buchanan said" of the contract.

5.      Military: Proposed State Budget Would Cut Veterans Services, Program.  The Escondido, California-based North County Times (1/12, Walker) says a plan by California Gov. Jerry Brown to "slash $12.5 billion" from the state's budget "could slam the door" on the "fledgling Operation Welcome Home program for troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, and drastically reduce the services provided by county veterans offices." Brown's "proposed budget...would trim nearly $10 million from the California Department of Veterans Affairs by eliminating general fund support specifically for the two programs." State Sen. Mark Wyland and Assemblyman Paul Cook, both Republicans, have "called the governor's proposal misguided," while "Bill Earl, who runs the Riverside County Veterans Services office," said the proposed funding cuts would be "devastating."

6.      New System Makes Veterans Claims Faster, More Accurate.  The WPSD-TV Carterville, IL (1/10) website reported, "Veterans will see speedier filing of benefit claims and faster service in general thanks" to E-Vet Assist, a "new computerized system installed by the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs." WPSD added, "E-Vet Assist is made possible by a $90,000 grant from the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund, which uses donations from individuals and organizations to support veterans programs that don't receive state funding."

7.      New Computer System To Benefit Veteran.  In continuing coverage, an AP (1/12) story run by at least 25 publications reports, "Kentucky veterans should see quicker filing of benefits claims, thanks to a new computerized system installed by the state," whose Veterans Affairs commissioner "says the E-Vet Assist system makes it faster, more accurate and more efficient to help veterans obtain the benefits and services they earned." The system was "made possible by a $90,000 grant from the Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund," which "uses donations to support veterans programs that don't receive state funding."

8.      Disabled, Wounded Vets Get Lowdown On Filing For Benefits.  The Montgomery (AL) Advertiser (1/11, Benn, 37K) reports, "Wounded veterans returning from war zones often need help to cut through bureaucratic red tape and that's one of the main responsibilities of a group that met Saturday in Montgomery." Disabled American Veterans (DAV) "officials from across" Alabama "took part in 'learning sessions' to help them become better informed to help vets in search of assistance on how to file for benefits. 'We're teaching our members every important part of our organization,' state DAV Commander Richard Freeman said," adding, "This is the first time in 18 years that we've had a training seminar quite like the one" held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa's convention center.

9.      Newport Group Picks Up VA Overflow.  The Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram (1/12) reports, "Newport-Mesa Audiology, Balance and Ear Institute has been contracted to provide audiological evaluations to overflow patients" from the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Health System, "which is at capacity for these services. The institute said it's providing evaluations at a significantly discounted rate from its Newport Beach and Ladera Ranch locations."

10.    Grant To Help Cover Cost Of Alzheimer's Unit At Georgia War Veterans Home. WMGT-TV Macon, GA (1/11, 11:08 p.m. ET) broadcast that on Tuesday, the "Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville" was awarded "more than $1.5 million to build an Alzheimer's unit with 24 beds." The Department of Veterans Affairs "grant will cover 65 percent of the project."

11.    Spouse Education Programs To Be Reviewed.  The digital edition of the Army Times (1/17, Jowers, 104K) reports, "Lawmakers have ordered defense officials to conduct an extensive review of military spouse education programs to determine their effectiveness, as well as how important they are to service members' decisions to stay" in the US military. Along with the review, Congress "wants defense officials to recommend ways to improve spouse education programs. At a minimum, officials must...evaluate the effectiveness of all Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department programs to advance education opportunities for military spouses and assess the programs' influence on service members' decisions to stay in the military."

12.    With CR Expiration Date Looming, Outlook For Separate Defense Bill Grim.  CQ (1/12, Oliveri) reports, "An appeal last week by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for a separate fiscal 2011 appropriations measure for his programs may not be enough to guarantee the House will be able to complete one in less than two months. Not only has the House lost most of this workweek after the assassination attempt against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords...but also only a small number of legislative days remain before the current continuing resolution (CR) expires March 4, congressional aides pointed out Tuesday." After noting that only "seven months will remain in the fiscal year" when the current CR expires, CQ adds, "House GOP aides are discussing several ways to fund the remaining seven months, including a CR at current rates of spending, a current-rate CR with cuts or even a CR with Defense, Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security appropriations measures attached."

13.    Statins May Raise Stroke Risk In Some: Study.  Reuters (1/11) says a new study in the Archives Of Neurology finds that cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins should be avoided by people who have had a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. In a commentary, according to Reuters, Dr. Larry Goldstein of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center said that while the study's findings do not prove statins increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage for such people, they may help doctors make better decisions regarding which of their patients will benefit from taking statins.

14.    Bill Would Have Disabled Vets Train Dogs.  The Army Times (1/9, Maze, 104K) said US Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), a "veteran of the first" Gulf War, "wants to establish a pilot program to see if training dogs to help disabled veterans can be therapeutic for veterans with post-traumatic stress or other combat-related mental conditions." The Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act "would establish pilot programs at three to five Veterans Affairs Department medical centers over five years, where veterans with service-connected mental health issues would train dogs to help physically disabled veterans. During the five-year test, VA would determine if training dogs was therapeutic for the veterans, and whether the dogs were adequately trained to help the physically disabled veterans."

15.    DoD Puts Budget Savings Toward Halting Suicide.  The digital edition of the Army Times (1/17, 104K) reports, "The Defense Department plans to use cost savings from massive budget cuts to improve suicide prevention and substance-abuse counseling for soldiers, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in announcing the cuts" on Thursday, January 6th. Gates' announcement "comes at a time of record-high suicide rates among soldiers."

16.    Peripheral Neuropathy.  The Sebring, Florida-based Highlands Today (1/10, Seeling) reported, "Nationwide more than 20 million people suffer with neuropathy -- a nerve disorder caused by an injury to the peripheral nerves." One of those with the disorder is Vietnam vet Eugene B. Richardson, who is "convinced his condition was caused by exposure to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant used by the military." After noting that it was "only on Jan. 7, 2010, that Veterans Affairs finally confirmed a total permanent service-connected disability," Highlands Today added, "In June 2010 Richardson was honored with the 2010 national award for his work in helping other neuropathy patients and veterans from the Neuropathy Action Foundation Inc. in Scottsdale, Ariz."

17.    Program Helps Veterans Stay Out Of Nursing Homes.  The Morris Plains (NJ) Patch (1/11) reports, "Morris is one of three counties participating in a Veterans Administration program to help veterans of all ages who are at risk of nursing home placement to remain independent in their homes, according to a statement from the county. The Veterans' Connection Community Living Program gives veterans and their families access to a wide range of home and community-based long-term care services." Morris is "participating in the program along with Somerset and Bergen counties."

18,    Non-Profit Donates More Than $2 Million In Volunteer Hours In Support Of Veterans.  According to the Jefferson City (MO) News Tribune (1/11, Amick), the non-profit Silver Star Families of America "recently announced the donation of more than $2 million to the Veterans Health Administration in the form of volunteer hours and material."

19.    Mojave Cross: Veterans File Lawsuit Seeking Return Of Memorial.  In its "PE Politics" blog, the Riverside (CA) Press-Enterprise (1/12, Goad) says the Barstow Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post is "suing the Obama administration as part of its effort to return a 77-year-old cross-shaped war memorial to its High Desert perch." The lawsuit is the "latest salvo in a years-long legal battle over whether the religious symbol should be permitted to stand on public land in the Mojave National Preserve." The lawsuit "calls for government enforcement of a congressionally approved land transfer designed to situate the cross on private land, thereby resolving arguments made by the American Civil Liberties Union and others that the cross violates the Constitutional provision barring the government from endorsing any religion." The Press-Enterprise also covers this story in its Wednesday edition.

20.    New Middletown VA Clinic Celebrates Grand Opening.  The Dayton (OH) Daily News (1/12, Heffner) notes that on January 19th, a "new $2.3 million" Middletown Veterans Affairs facility will "celebrate its grand opening." The Daily News adds, "Previously located on University Boulevard, the Middletown clinic was landlocked and therefore unable to expand to meet the growing needs of the area's veteran population, said Donna Simmons, spokeswoman of the Dayton VA Medical Center." The Daily News also spoke to "Guy B. Richardson, medical center director," who said, "We are excited about relocating and opening the Middletown (center) in space three times larger than the previous location."

21.    Veterans Target Of Scam Phone Calls.  An AP (1/12) story carried by at least 21 publications says the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is "warning veterans not to give out personal information over the phone. The VA in Albuquerque says several veterans who have been patients have received phone calls from an individual claiming" to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs and asking for money for homeless veterans. Officials with VA "say the agency is not making the calls, and they are warning veterans that it's a scam." KRQE-TV Albuquerque, NM (1/11, 4:35 p.m. MT) and KOB-TV Albuquerque, NM (1/11, 12:38 p.m. MT) aired similar reports.

22.    WWII Veteran's Tampa Panhandling Stirs Offers Of Help.  In continuing coverage, the St. Petersburg (FL) Times (1/11, Velde, 297K) reports, "Monday started with a call from Veterans Affairs" for 84-year-old Anthony Jacondino, a "World War II veteran who had turned to panhandling to pay his bills." After noting that Jacondino "said...VA wants to see if he might qualify for a disability pension," the Times points out that for the "first time in months," the veteran "feels hopeful."