Yearly Archives: 2015

VCS Helps Expose Cessation of Funding for Unique Burn Pit Exposure Research Program

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Team VCS

(Veterans for Common Sense – Dec. 26, 2015) – Veterans for Common Sense helped expose, in a series of news stories by Military.com reporters, that funding has been quietly dropped for a unique federal Burn Pit Exposure medical research program. The … Continue reading →

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Senate spars on for-profit colleges accused of injuring troops, veterans

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Team VCS

In a Senate floor speech this week, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) defended for-profit colleges accused of injurious practices affecting military service members, veterans, and student loan recipients. In an Oct. 29, 2015 Huffington Post article, McCain is quoted as accusing U.S. … Continue reading →

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VA Undersecretary Allison Hickey Resigns, Much Remains Unresolved

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Team VCS

(Veterans for Common Sense – Oct. 16, 2015) — “Beleaguered” Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary of Benefits Allison Hickey resigned today after the latest scandal on her watch, reports Stars and Stripes. (Stars and Stripes, “Beleaguered Undersecretary Resigns from VA … Continue reading →

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VCS Among 35 Groups to Call on Senate to Adopt VA Whistleblower Protections

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Team VCS

Groups call on Senate to Adopt VA Whistleblower Protections Shanna Devine, September 16, 2015 Yesterday, more than 35 organizations and whistleblowers called on Senate leadership to adopt strong whistleblower protections for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and contractors. On … Continue reading →

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VCS Calls on VA Leadership to ‘right the ship’ at St. Petersburg VA regional office

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Team VCS

(Veterans for Common Sense – Aug. 31, 2015) –  A new report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) inspector general found serious errors in one in every five of a sample of veterans’ disability claims processed by the VA regional office in … Continue reading →

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U.S. Senator Baldwin Announces Growing Support for VCS-Supported Major Bipartisan VA Reform Bill

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Team VCS

U.S. Senator Baldwin Announces Growing Support for Major, Bipartisan, VCS-Supported VA Reform Bill SOURCE:  Press Release, office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act would provide VA with the tools it needs … Continue reading →

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Connecticut the Latest State to Tax-Exempt Military Retirement Pay

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Team VCS

(Veterans for Common Sense – July 29, 2015) – Connecticut is the latest state to exempt military retirement pay from state taxation, according to a recent Hartford Courant news story (“Military Pensions Now Fully Exempt from State Income Tax,” July … Continue reading →

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New Funding Crisis at VA

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Team VCS

Stars and Stripes is reporting on a new funding crisis at at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and it’s $2.7 billion in magnitude (“Lawmakers set to question VA on latest funding crisis,” June 23, 2015, Travis Tritten reporting). According to the … Continue reading →

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Congressional Panel Recommends Strong Funding for Gulf War Illness Treatment Research Program

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Team VCS

*Updated June 2, 2015, 3:30 p.m.:  The bill has now cleared the full House Appropriations Committee with full GWI funding. *** (via 91outcomes.com) – The U.S. House Appropriations Committee today cleared legislation containing  a strong level of continued funding for the treatment-focused Gulf War Illness research program, … Continue reading →

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VCS-Sponsored Florida Women Veterans Conference to Kick Off

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Team VCS

The first-ever statewide Florida Women Veterans Conference that kicks off this weekend in Sarasota, Florida is already showing signs of success, with attendance and fundraising goals for the women veterans’ empowerment event exceeded and the media providing favorable press coverage. … Continue reading →

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