Yearly Archives: 2008

May 1: Attorneys Present Final Argument in Veterans’ Lawsuit Against VA

May 1, 2008, San Francisco, CA – A federal court judge in San Francisco today heard closing arguments from lawyers disputing whether the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is providing adequate care for veterans with stress disorders, and whether the … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on May 1: Attorneys Present Final Argument in Veterans’ Lawsuit Against VA

Senators Call for Action to Improve Veterans’ Mental Health Care

April 30, 2008, Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Committee, held a press conference today to call for improved mental health … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on Senators Call for Action to Improve Veterans’ Mental Health Care

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Approves Landmark Bills

April 30, 2008, Washington, DC – Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), approved fourteen bills to improve services and benefits provided for America’s veterans at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  “Caring for veterans is … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Approves Landmark Bills

New Military Anti-Stigma Effort: Soldiers Won’t Have to Disclose Past Therapy

April 30, 2008, Washington, DC – U.S. troops won’t have to reveal all their mental health counseling when applying for security clearances under a change the Pentagon hopes will ease the stigma of seeking help for combat stress, The Associated … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on New Military Anti-Stigma Effort: Soldiers Won’t Have to Disclose Past Therapy

US Military Coordinated Day of Prayer Events with Christian Right Group

April 30, 2008 – At least half-a-dozen active-duty military officials have been working closely with a task force headed by the far-right fundamentalist Christians planning religious events at military installations around the country to commemorate Thursday’s National Day of Prayer. … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on US Military Coordinated Day of Prayer Events with Christian Right Group

May 1 Lawsuit News: VA’s Kussman Unfairly Stigmatizes Combat Veterans with PTSD

Lawyers for the veterans fought to get testimony from Dr. Michael J. Kussman, the under secretary for health at the V.A. Asked on the stand whether he was playing down the traumatic stress issue, Dr. Kussman said, “It is unfair … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on May 1 Lawsuit News: VA’s Kussman Unfairly Stigmatizes Combat Veterans with PTSD

DoD Secretary Gates Claims Iran Kills U.S. Service Members in Iraq

April 29, 2008 – A second American aircraft carrier steamed into the Persian Gulf on Tuesday as the Pentagon ordered military commanders to develop new options for attacking Iran. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports that the planning … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on DoD Secretary Gates Claims Iran Kills U.S. Service Members in Iraq

Toxic Gulf War Legacy: U.S. Government Ships Sand Contaminated with Depleted Uranium from Kuwait to Idaho

April 29, 2008 – Longshoremen should finish unloading 6,700 tons of sand contaminated with depleted uranium and lead Tuesday afternoon, said Chad Hyslop, spokesman for the disposal company American Ecology. The BBC Alabama arrived at the port Saturday afternoon with … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on Toxic Gulf War Legacy: U.S. Government Ships Sand Contaminated with Depleted Uranium from Kuwait to Idaho

Some War Veterans Find GI Bill Falls Short

April 29, 2008 – Two years after a rocket-propelled grenade hit Nathan Toews during an ambush in southern Afghanistan, sending shrapnel shooting into his skull and spiderwebbing through his brain, he has recovered enough to ask: What now? Like so … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on Some War Veterans Find GI Bill Falls Short

Dad’s Video of Run-Down Barracks Sparks Military Response

April 28, 2008 – The U.S. military is promising action to address conditions in a barracks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, after a soldier’s father posted images on YouTube showing a building that he said “should be condemned.” “This is … Continue reading

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Comments Off on Dad’s Video of Run-Down Barracks Sparks Military Response