Author Archives: Team VCS

Dec 2: VCS Asks Tough Questions for Defense Secretary Gates

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Team VCS

December 2, 2008 -This week’s update focuses on Gulf War illnesses and the prospect of Robert Gates continuing as Defense Secretary under soon-to-be President Barack Obama. Veterans for Common Sense wants to know if there will be substantive changes in … Continue reading →

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New Disability Process to Expand

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Team VCS

November 25, 2008 – A limited test of a streamlined system to more speedily and equitably evaluate wounded and injured troops is tentatively set to expand over the next seven months from the Washington, D.C., area to 16 other bases … Continue reading →

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The New Team: Tammy Duckworth

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Team VCS

November 28, 2008 – As he prepares to take office, President-elect Barack Obama is relying on a small team of advisers who will lead his transition operation and help choose the members of his administration. Following is part of a … Continue reading →

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Holidays No Joy for Many Vets

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Team VCS

November 30, 2008 – Just about anywhere Ben Tapia goes between now and Dec. 25, he can expect to hear Christmas carols. “To this day, my wife and daughter get on my case,” said Tapia, a 61-year-old Ceres resident. “I … Continue reading →

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Bases Brace for Surge in Stress-Related Disorders

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Team VCS

November 29, 2008, Fort Campbell, KY – Some 15,000 soldiers are heading home to this sprawling base after spending more than a year at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and military health officials are bracing for a surge in brain … Continue reading →

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Editorial Column: Fixing VA Health Care

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Team VCS

December 1, 2008 – As a physician who proudly serves our veterans of war, I was deeply saddened by the recent revelation of deceptive practices at the Department of Veterans Affairs in New York. A Newsday article reported that hundreds … Continue reading →

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Dec 1: More than Two Thirds of Americans Unaware of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Team VCS

December 1, 2008 – In a survey conducted Oct. 24-27, most of the 1,008 respondents said they had never even heard of the acronym PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder.  Of the respondents, 9{cd9ac3671b356cd86fdb96f1eda7eb3bb1367f54cff58cc36abbd73c33c82e1d} answered “Yes, I have heard of it … Continue reading →

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VA Has a History of Losing Papers

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Team VCS

November 30, 2008 – Air Force veteran David Chini has lost track of all the times the Department of Veterans Affairs lost records he sent to it. Registered mail? A VA worker signed, and the paperwork vanished. By fax? Chini, … Continue reading →

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Iraq Backs Deal that Sets End of U.S. Role

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Team VCS

November 27, 2008 – With a substantial majority, the Iraqi Parliament on Thursday ratified a sweeping security agreement that sets the course for an end to the United States’ role in the war and marks the beginning of a new … Continue reading →

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Army Deserter Seeks Asylum in Germany Over Iraq

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Team VCS

November 27, 2008, Frankfurt, Germany –  A U.S. soldier who deserted his unit to avoid returning to Iraq has applied for asylum in Germany, saying the Iraq war was illegal and that he could not support the “heinous acts” taking … Continue reading →

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