Veterans & Military

Disability in America: Inalienable Rights for All conference will be held from September 30-October 2, 2009 in Albuquerque, NM. This conference looks at the long-term challenges faced by wounded warriors and how to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by evaluating disability programs, policies and services. Conference registration deadline is September 1, 2009.

A new educational video depicting how Service Members and their families may be affected by combat and deployment stress. View it by clicking on this link.

Program serves to assist in the recovery of wounded members until they return to active duty or are medically retired. Includes finding them jobs in government civilian positions or making arrangements for higher education.

Offers confidential counseling services to all military personnel - Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves - and their families. Find the chapter or office near you.

Apply for VA health care, nursing home, domiciliary or dental benefits by completing VA Form 10-10EZ Application for Health Benefits.

Provides soldiers and their families advocacy and support, including information on issues related to deployment, well-being and behavioral health.

Provides severely disabled soldiers and their families with a system of advocacy and follow-up to provide personal support that assists them in transitioning from military service and into the civilian community.

Guide discusses how to identify and deal with PTSD symptoms, which can include excessive anger, depression and suicidal thoughts.

National non-profit organization provides guide dogs (service dogs, skilled companion dogs, facility dogs and hearing dogs) services free of charge to people with disabilities other than blindess. Includes a Wounded Veteran Program.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) operates a nationwide volunteer transportation network to transport veterans with disabilities to VA medical facilities. See the DAV Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for help.

A collaborative effort toward optimizing psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment for the Department of Defense. The DCoE establishes quality standards for: clinical care; education and training; prevention; patient, family and community outreach; and program excellence.

Provides prosthetic equipment, sensory aids and devices to veterans.

U.S. Department of Defense Web site provides information from federally funded research programs to safeguard the health of service members before, during and after deployment.

Fact sheet on VA disability compensation, a benefit paid to a Veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service.

An organization that enables housing for families of patients receiving medical care for an illness, disease or injury at major military and VA medical centers.

An interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers and public agencies at federal, state and local levels who share knowledge and promising practices in order to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness who have mental health conditions, substance use issues and histories of trauma.

March 24, 2009 news story about innovative therapies that have helped previously comatose patients regain consciousness and that may be incorporated on a greater scale to treat troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

This report from the National Council on Disability describes the less visible psychological and neurological injuries associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The report includes recommendations on improving the treatment and rehabilitation of service members and veterans living with PTSD and/or TBI. This link opens a Word document.

Information for returning Veterans and their families from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about prevention, treatment and recovery support for mental health and substance use disorders. Includes resources for military families coping with trauma.

Organization dedicated to increasing awareness of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure through information and educational materials.

Designed to help America's troops and their families deal with life's issues. Offers access to articles, educational materials, interactive tools and more.

My Health e-Vet is the gateway to veteran health benefits and services. It provides access to trusted health information; links to Federal and VA benefits and resources; the Personal Health Journal; and online VA prescription drug refill.

VA Center that works to advance the clinical care and well-being of America's Veterans through research, education and training in the science, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders.

Assists sailors by addressing the special needs of their exceptional family members during the assignment process, including medical, developmental or educational needs, accessibility, adaptive equipment or assistive technology.

DoD has two programs designed to reduce the reduction in retired pay due to receipt of Veteran Administration compensation, for certain disabled retirees. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation for members whose combined disability rating is 50% or greater. Members retired under disability provisions must have 20 years of service. Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays added benefits to retirees who receive VA disability compensation for combat-related disabilities and have 20 years of service.

Information from Vietnam Veterans of America on PTSD, including how to get help and tips on working with service providers.

Web-based curriculum for practitioners covering diverse topics related to combat stress/PTSD.

Center provides information and resources to help people affected by TBI, their families and professionals who work with and treat them in order to maximize their access to services and their participation in their communities.

Comprehensive information and tools to help military families with special needs children regarding medical, special education, community support and benefits and entitlements services.

Select a state from the map to find out about services and benefits for veterans.

Available only to active duty military family members. Benefits include rehabilitative services, training to use assistive technology devices and special education services.

Fact sheet from the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research includes a description of symptoms and information on evaluation and treatment.

Information from the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) regarding types of treatments that are available.

This Committee handles all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials and other matters relating to veteran's issues such as compensation, pensions, readjustment of servicemen to civil life, medical care, vocational rehabilitation and education.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that combat Veterans will receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in 28 additional communities across the country where the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will establish new Vet Centers in 2010. Find a Vet Center near you.

The Blue Ribbon Work Group on Suicide Prevention has completed its draft report on initiatives to prevent suicide attempts and completions. The panel's recommendations include designing a study that will identify suicide risk among veterans of different conflicts, ages, genders, military branches and other factors, and improving VA's screening for suicide among veterans with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

An official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Web site that enables veterans to apply for benefits using the Internet.

Information on the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) toward research and support of veterans' health issues.