http://www.vetsfirst.org Vetsfirst Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:45:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The key to VetsFirst’s national success in helping veterans obtain VA benefits is the dedication of its staff and personal approach to each issue. By Tom Scott When you talk with Keith Reimers, regional service director for United Spinal Association's VetsFirst (www.vetsfirst.org) program, one thing becomes acutely clear, he takes a great ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst-raising-the-bar-in-its-commitment-to-veterans/ In a letter to House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner, VetsFirst urged Congress to pass the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2009 (the COMBAT PTSD Act, H.R. 952). The proposed legislation would expand the VA’s definition of “engaged ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst-tells-congress-to-pass-the-combat-ptsd-act/ The recent law that established enhanced VA education benefits under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill program gave the VA until August 1, 2009, to begin processing claims applications. The new education program provides the most sweeping changes to VA education benefits in decades. VetsFirst and other veterans’ advocates ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/va-gives-post-911-gi-bill-implementation-the-old-college-try/ It’s enough to make one wonder whatever happened to that basic principle of medical practice “at the very least - do no harm”. The VA recently announced that more than 10,000 veterans in the southeastern United States have potentially been exposed to serious illness as the result of ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/veterans-face-serious-health-risks-from-va-medical-testing/ Paul J. Tobin President, VetsFirst On March 18, 2009 I had the opportunity to meet with a group of young veterans at Lehman College, City University New York. These young people are coming together to form a veteran’s community and this was one of their initial meetings. I was invited ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst-steers-young-veterans/ VetsFirst has identified serious shortcomings regarding inadequate coverage currently available under the VA’s Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) program. Since the maximum amount of VMLI coverage falls well below the national average home sales ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst-takes-action-on-veterans-mortgage-life-insurance-program/ Vets First 2009 public policy priorities for veterans with disabilities include: Our top priority is radical reform of the appropriations process for the VA health care system. The VA must receive sufficient funding for veterans ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst-2009-public-policy-priorities/ Improving Veterans Health through Information and Advocacy (Washington, D.C., February 25) – United Spinal Association and its veterans services program, VetsFirst, in partnership with Vietnam Veterans of America introduced the Veterans Health Council at a press conference today at the National Press Club. The Veterans Health Council hopes to improve veterans’ health ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/united-spinals-vetsfirst-program-partners-with-the-veterans-health-council/ Under the new economic stimulus legislation that President Obama recently signed into law, certain disabled veterans will receive a government check for $250. VetsFirst, along with other members of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities’ Veterans Task Force, appealed directly to congressional leaders to include a provision in the ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst%e2%80%99s-efforts-pay-off-for-disabled-veterans/ (AP photo by M. Spencer Green) ... http://www.vetsfirst.org/vetsfirst-supports-duckworth-nomination/