Category Archives: Veterans for Common Sense News

US Army examines why some soldiers avoid PTSD care, strategies to keep them in treatment

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Team VCS

May 7, 2012 (Science Codex) – U.S. Army researcher Maj. Gary H. Wynn, M.D., shared new analysis on why some Soldiers suffering from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) never seek care or drop out of treatment early during a presentation … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lawsuit Update and Statement

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Team VCS

 The following statement was prepared in cooperation with our co-plaintiffs and attorneys in this matter. A special thanks to the staff of Morrison and Foerster LLP for all their tireless  efforts and hard work on behalf of veterans.  —– Appellate … Continue reading →

Posted in VCS Lawsuit Against VA, Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Lawsuit Update and Statement

New name for PTSD could mean less stigma

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Team VCS

From the Washington Post By Greg Jaffe, Published: May 5 It has been called shell shock, battle fatigue, soldier’s heart and, most recently, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.Now, military officers and psychiatrists are embroiled in a heated debate over whether to change the … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on New name for PTSD could mean less stigma

Returning troops put strain on VA

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Team VCS

  WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) – U.S. troops returning from Afghanistan are providing a challenge for veterans-affairs organizations straining to meet the needs of veterans, analysts said. There are currently 91,000 troops in Afghanistan and 23,000 will return to the United … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Returning troops put strain on VA

VA mental health hiring is flawed, critic says

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Team VCS

  From the Army Times By Patricia Kime – Staff writer A representative of a major mental health organization blasted the Veterans Affairs Department for failing to hire therapists whom he says could ease VA staffing shortages and eliminate prolonged waiting periods … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , | Comments Off on VA mental health hiring is flawed, critic says

Army Will Reshape Training, With Lessons From Special Forces

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Team VCS

From the NYTIMES.com By THOM SHANKER Published: May 2, 2012 WASHINGTON — The Army is reshaping the way many soldiers are trained and deployed, with some conventional units to be placed officially under Special Operations commanders and others assigned to regions … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Army Will Reshape Training, With Lessons From Special Forces

New VA hires to include marriage therapists, professional counselors

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Team VCS

  From Stars and Striples by Leo Shane WASHINGTON – The 1,900 new mental health staffers to be added to the Department of Veterans Affairs workforce in coming months will include two new types of specialists: marriage and family therapists, and licensed … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , | Comments Off on New VA hires to include marriage therapists, professional counselors

Military families and mental health: Understanding the issues and available resources

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Team VCS

From the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel By (ARA) Today’s service men and women are facing particularly challenging circumstances. Many soldiers have been deployed several times to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, often serving in prolonged combat operations. Army Secretary John McHugh … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Military families and mental health: Understanding the issues and available resources

Times: VA hospitals improve performance by changing rules

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Team VCS

Just another case of VA cooking the books to make things look better. Don’t let them get away with it. Tampa Bay Business Journal Date: Monday, April 30, 2012, 6:20am EDT An investigation by the Tampa Bay Timesindicates that the region’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged | Comments Off on Times: VA hospitals improve performance by changing rules

National Guard Members’ Next Battle: The Job Hunt

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Team VCS

From NPR TOM DREISBACH and RACHEL MARTIN Before the soldiers of the 182nd Regiment of the Army National Guard came home, they were asked how many were unemployed or looking for work. The answer: about one in three. As more soldiers return … Continue reading →

Posted in Veterans for Common Sense News | Tagged , | Comments Off on National Guard Members’ Next Battle: The Job Hunt