- Mesothelioma Patient & Family Resources: Mesotheliomahelp is provided by Belluck & Fox, LLP as a comprehensive resource for mesothelioma victims and their families. The site provides up-to-date information on the latest news and treatment options as well as an easy to use search feature to find local mesothelioma doctors and health care clinics.
We fight for veterans harmed by asbestos: Veterans with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer should know they have options: the opportunity to bring a suit against manufacturers and sellers of the asbestos that caused their illness. If you were harmed by asbestos exposure, for example, in ships or military housing, contact Weitz & Luxenberg to get a free case review.
Important Information for Veterans: Asbestos products were often used on military ships and within military housing, and Veterans may have been exposed. Previous exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that has no cure and affects countless Veterans and loved ones. For more information regarding military asbestos exposure visit Mesothelioma.com
Special Report: By the next Patriotic Holiday change the name of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Department of Veterans Advocacy -
FY2010 Budget shows Veterans are not a National Priority
While researching the latest federal budget being proposed for 2010, I was looking for details within the Department of Veterans Affairs part of the budget to determine how much the VA was projecting to need for defending itself. In other words, how much was the VA projecting it would cost them to fend off lawsuits from malpractice to VA Claims Appeals. I've yet to find data anyone could be comfortable with or put another way what does the VA have to hide?
Regardless, what I did come away understanding is that regardless if the Democrats or Republicans are running our government that is Congress and the White House, when it comes to Veterans - WE are still not our government's priority. However, we are in the top 10 at number 9 in list of expenditures.
Special Report: Attention President Obama: Who Issued the Order to Spy on America's Veterans?
VA-SPYGATE
by Bob Rosebrock, Staff Writer
The federal government's surveillance van that was parked within 100 feet of the 67th consecutive Sunday Rally to “Save Our Veterans Land” on June 28th, was an affront to every American Veteran and a mockery against our U.S. Constitution and the American way of life.
Fellow Veterans have repeatedly requested for regime change at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Healthcare Center. These federal bureaucrats have insulted and transgressed against America's Veterans for the very last time.
These insults and transgressions now rest squarely upon your shoulders.
Medicalnewstoday.com-Medicaid receives increased attention while an underused, special monthly pension benefit called Aid and Attendance can help veterans, and spouses, with assisted living.
Special Report: "SNOOPGATE" VA CLAIMS: VET GROUPS MISTAKEN FOR IRANIAN TERRORISTS
COVERT SPY OPERATIONS AGAINST VETERANS TRYING TO SAVE THEIR PARK FROM CROOKED DEVELOPERS - THE DVA RESPONDS:
"WE DO IT ALL THE TIME"
By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER
Read it yourself. This is the email:
"From: Tillman, Ralph D xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Incident on June 28, 2009 To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 2:01 PM
Commander Martin: It was a pleasure meeting with you yesterday. We appreciate your willingness to bring to our attention an incident that concerned you. As requested, we have reviewed the incident over the weekend including a review of police reports and discussions with the officers involved. We, once again, confirm that surveillance activities were occurring during the weekend, primarily due the Iranian election protest adjacent to our property.
(EDITORS NOTE: NOT ADJACENT/HALF A MILE AWAY) As you can imagine, the first and foremost responsibility for our VA police is to assure the safety and well being of the veterans and staff that are on our campus.(SPYING ON PTSD PATIENTS?) The situation with the demonstration at the Federal Building was potentially very serious. (DEMONSTATORS WERE PRO-AMERICAN ACTIVISTS) When the car you were riding in drove across the grass in an aggressive manner and your group confronted our police officer (DRESSED AS A GARDENER AND CARRYING A RAKE AND SHOVEL), we had no way to ascertain what your intentions were. (GARDENING ADVICE?)The response from the officer in the surveillance van(?????)and the subsequent responding officers was very measured(ILLEGALLY DETAINING VETERANS GROUP LEADERS ON VETERANS LAND) and appropriate considering the situation as it unfolded. However, we do regret any inconvenience this may have caused.(ILLEGAL SPYING AND DETENTION IS "INCONVENIENCE?") Please know that our goal is the meet the needs of our veterans. If I can be of further service, please do not hesitate to call. Ralph Tillman/Acting Chief Public Communications/DVA"
HOWEVER:
THE IRANIANS BEING WATCHED WERE ACTUALLY AMERICAN VETERANS NOWHERE NEAR THE PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTS
THE VA LATER ADMITTED TILLMANS STATEMENT NOT ACCURATE - SPYING WAS ON VETS
HOW DO WE TELL WHO ARE LEGITMATE VA EMPLOYEES WHEN GROUNDS KEEPERS ARE POLICE SPIES AND DELIVERY VEHICLES ARE BORROWED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY? THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE...
Special Report: PROJECT SALUTE: On-line Attorney Training for VA Certification July 23 and 24th , 2009
This is a follow-up to my previous article,LIST OF ATTORNEYS FOR VETERANS SEEKING VA BENEFITS. We have learned here at Veterans Today that the supply of lawyers certified by the VA to represent Veterans can hardly keep up with the increasing demand for services, especially from the youngest generation of Vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. However, there is a shortage of lawyers familiar with Veterans Law across the board. In an attempt to encourage attorneys, especially lawyers willing to accept pro bono services for Veterans, several law schools have begun offering training sessions leading to VA certification.
The increasing demand for Veterans Law Attorneys
Veterans' law deals with certain special rights that veterans are entitled to as a result of their service in the armed forces. The Executive Branch of the United States government created the Department of Veterans Affairs to administer and enforce these laws. Most of the laws that apply especially to veterans deal with retirement, disability, healthcare, vocational and educational services, and death benefits for dependents of veterans. Veterans' law is a very specific and detailed area of the law, and more complex and difficult issues than those listed above are likely to arise. However, to offset this complexity the Department of Veterans Affairs is accessible to veterans, and attorneys making information regarding important aspects of veterans' law easily attainable if one knows where to look.
The majority of the rules and regulations addressing aspects of Veterans law can be found in Title 38 of the United States Code. All of the laws under this title are administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, its officers and subsidiary departments. Due to the complex and specialized nature of veterans' law, attorneys who practice it must have their qualifications approved by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
When attorney training and VA certification opportunities arise, we will attempt to spread the word throughout the legal community through Bar Associations, and attorney blogs and forums, such as the Justice News Ladders.
News: VA Assistant Secretary Raises Awareness About Post-9/11 GI Bill
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, L. Tammy Duckworth, the assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, made a successful visit to Vermont to promote the Post-9/11 GI Bill and meet with veterans.
“The Post-9/11 GI Bill throws open the doors of the country’s colleges and university to Veterans,” Duckworth said. “The Department of Veterans Affairs is working with those educational institutions to help Veterans improve their lives through education.”
Opinion: The aftermath of Lawsuits Against the VA – Part Two
As mentioned in my previous article, way back in July 2007, two Veterans Advocate organizations Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) and Veterans United for Truth (VUFT) filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 16 months after, two additional VSOs filed a law suit that was more encompassing. It too would be thrown out by a federal judge to now be in Appeal. It these lawsuits accomplished nothing else; it brought media focus on just how shameful the American government was and continues to treat America's Veterans. Some of these Veterans groups despite their non-partisan political charters and design will be labeled partisan cronies of the Democratic Party, however those that remain truly non-partisan continue to appeal, expose Congressional mismanagement of the VA, mismanagement within the VA system, and the systemic problems of the VA. At least one, Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) is working closely with attorney organizers to increase the number of attorneys available to America's Veterans. I know from personal experience here in Ohio that finding a VA certified attorney very difficult to do. We need to turn this around, so that more Veterans have access to an attorney without having to go through an Old Guard VSO to get to one.
VA ADMITS TO ROUTINE SPY OPERATIONS AGAINST VET ORGANIZATIONS
VETERANS TODAY REQUESTS CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY
By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER with Robert Rosebrock in Los Angeles
As most veterans know, Veterans Affairs manages billions in land donated for use by veterans, some for parks, golf courses and some for housing for aging veterans. Some of this land was given to veterans over 100 years ago. ALL WAS GIVEN UNDER OBLIGATION TO KEEP LAND EXCLUSIVELY FOR VETERANS USE....FOREVER.
Robert Rosebrock, Walter Martin, Anita Martin and Luis Riveria met with the Department of Veterans Affairs regional director to discuss concerns with VA surveillance and how upsetting learning of these practices will be on the welfare of veterans being treated.
Last week, the VA was "worried" about veterans groups displaying the flag in the "distress mode" upsetting patients. How do they think their admission of spying operations on veterans will make patients feel? How can you diagnose "paranoid delusions" in people you are spying on?
Opinion: Lawsuits against the VA achieved more by being thrown out of Court.
Lawsuits against the VA achieved more by being thrown out of Court.
Despite the status of two historic lawsuits filed by four Veterans Service Organizations being thrown out by federal judges, these lawsuits have not been a total failure.
They have resulted in law changes that now allow Veterans to get an attorney upon receipt of Statement of the Case throwing the Vet into the long and drawn out VA Appeals process.
The lawsuits led to a growing number of attorneys now getting certification to represent Veterans before Regional Office or U.S. Court of Appeals. In fact, these lawsuits once opposed by Old Guard VSOs who advocated an non-confrontational approach with the VA, has exposed just how much legal representation the VSOs really pay for even as they seek to repeal the law in Congress.
News: Doc at center of VA cancer probe admits errors
92 prostate cancer patients received wrong radiation doses over 3 years
PHILADELPHIA - A radiation oncologist is fighting accusations he botched dozens of prostate surgeries at a Veterans Administration hospital in Philadelphia.
Dr. Gary Kao (KAY'-oh) admits he sometimes missed his target when placing radioactive seeds or gave patients the wrong dosage. But he says that is not uncommon.
Special Report: Disabled Ohio veterans get 2nd-lowest disability payments in nation.
Disabled Ohio veterans get 2nd-lowest disability payments in nation-Go West Young Man?
Back in April 2008, the Cleveland, Ohio Plain Dealers Political Blog came out with a story about how Veterans in Ohio ranked 2nd lowest in the nation in disability payments that momentarily put a fire under Ohio politicians running to office to show they were doing something about it.
If you're among the more than 85,000 Ohio veterans receiving disability payments, the Plan Dealer advised us that we might be tempted to heed the advice once given to America s 19th-century fortune seekers. "Go west, young man . . . "
Say, to New Mexico, where 27,010 veterans get an average annual disability benefit that is $4,801 higher than the $8,090 Ohio gives to its vets, or to Oklahoma, where disabled vets receive $4,185 more than Ohio's in average yearly payments, or even west as in West Virginia, where the compensation is $3,857 higher.
News: VA Begins Stimulus Payments to Veterans Recipients of Some VA Benefits Will Receive $250
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has requested the Department of the Treasury to make $250 payments to eligible Veterans as part of President Obama’s recovery plan. The first payments were sent Monday, June 22. All payments will be distributed by June 30.
As part of the recovery plan, VA is making one-time payments of $250 to eligible Veterans and survivors to offset the effects of the current economy. VA estimates $500 million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million Veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure.
To be eligible for the payment, VA beneficiaries must have received VA’s compensation, pension, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), or spina bifida benefits at any time between November 2008 and January 2009. Also, beneficiaries must reside within the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
News: VA Set for Start of Post-9/11 GI Bill on August 1
Herseth Sandlin Commends VA’s Progress with Setting and Meeting Key Milestones Necessary for Administering New Educational Benefit
Washington D.C. – On Thursday, June 25th, 2009, Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) held the second Economic Opportunity Subcommittee hearing of the 111th Congress on the long term and short term implementation strategies employed by the Department of Veterans’
Affairs (VA) for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill). The hearing provided the VA an opportunity to update the Subcommittee on the development of the information technology (IT) components for the success of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the progress that has been made towards its implementation.
Special Report: Doc in Philly VA hospital controversy takes leave
PHILADELPHIA -- An oncologist involved in treating veterans who received botched prostate cancer therapy in Philadelphia has taken a leave of absence from the University of Pennsylvania's medical school.University officials say Dr. Gary Kao was granted a leave of absence Thursday. Kao is scheduled to testify before a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on the matter on Monday in Philadelphia.
Special Report: President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) says THE VA JUST ISN’T DOING THE JOB
In a mass mailing to all of VVA's 60,000 members, VVA President John Rowan told us how the VA is not doing its job, and asked us to spread the word on Veterans Health Council. We at Veterans Today say let's help VVA spread the word, but also contact members of Congress who sit on the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committee and ask them the hard questions like how come VVA has to send out this mass mailing plus form the Veterans Health Council, because the Department of Veterans Affairs which they provide oversight for IS NOT DOING THE JOB?
In his mass mailing, Rowan asked that we help him make an empty promise right. We say members of Congress, Secretary Eric Shinseki, and President Obama it is your collective responsibility and obligation to America's Veterans to "make an empty promise right," NOT the Veterans Health Council, VVA, Veterans of Modern Warfare, Veterans for Common Sense, Veterans for America or what have WE.
News: Veterans' Corner: VA reaches out to vets and spouses
By ROBERT MITCHELL-Veterans' Corner-Future Events Roundup
Saratoga County-The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reaching out to inform wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans about an under-used, special monthly pension benefit called Aid and Attendance.
News: VA Doctor Accused of Money Scheme Denies Charges
Concord, New Hampshire - A doctor at the Veterans Administration Hospital accused of cashing in on a money scheme has denied federal charges.Authorities say 49-year-old Dr. William Weeks participated in five contracts worth $1 million between the VA and Dartmouth College, where he also worked. He then allegedly did the work for less and took the leftover cash, which totaled more than $500,000, and deposited it into an account at Dartmouth in his name.
Weeks is suing the federal government, saying the accusations are unfounded. He claims the government searched and took items from his office without a warrant, and he claims the investigation caused him to lose a coveted regional job he had just received.
News: VA Medical System in Shambles, Veterans Groups Say
With Veterans Affairs hospitals giving botched radiation treatments to nearly 100 vets and exposing 10,000 to HIV and hepatitis viruses, veterans advocates and lawmakers say the VA health system is in dire need of proper oversight and funding.
By Joseph Abrams FOXNews.com-Veterans groups and lawmakers say VA hospitals have permitted these violations because federal regulations allow doctors to work with little outside scrutiny. They say the VA health system, with its under-funded hospitals and overworked doctors, is showing signs of an "institutional breakdown," in the words of one congressman.-
News: Secretary Shinseki Announces Strict Accountability Process for IT Project Management
Aggressive Action Being Taken to Address Technology Program Failures
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it is implementing a new IT management approach department-wide. Effective immediately, all new IT programs and projects at VA must be implemented using the Project Management Accountability System (PMAS). PMAS is an incremental development approach that ensures frequent delivery of new functionality to customers, coupled with a rigorous management approach that halts programs that fail to meet delivery milestones. This new system will ensure early identification and correction of failing IT programs.
News: House Subcommittee Reviews Claims Process for Veterans
Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, June 18, 2009, the House Veterans’ Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, led by Chairman John Hall (D-NY), conducted a hearing to address concerns regarding the growing backlog at the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and to explore the manner in which VBA has begun implementing new laws designed to improve the disability claims processing system for veterans.
FY2010 Budget shows Veterans are not a National Priority 
COVERT SPY OPERATIONS AGAINST VETERANS TRYING TO SAVE THEIR PARK FROM CROOKED DEVELOPERS - THE DVA RESPONDS:
This is a follow-up to my previous article, 
When attorney training and VA certification opportunities arise, we will attempt to spread the word throughout the legal community through Bar Associations, and attorney blogs and forums, such as the Justice News Ladders. 
As mentioned in my previous article, way back in July 2007, two Veterans Advocate organizations Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) and Veterans United for Truth (VUFT) filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 16 months after, two additional VSOs filed a law suit that was more encompassing. It too would be thrown out by a federal judge to now be in Appeal. It these lawsuits accomplished nothing else; it brought media focus on just how shameful the American government was and continues to treat America's Veterans. Some of these Veterans groups despite their non-partisan political charters and de
sign will be labeled partisan cronies of the Democratic Party, however those that remain truly non-partisan continue to appeal, expose Congressional mismanagement of the VA, mismanagement within the VA system, and the systemic problems of the VA. At least one, Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) is working closely with attorney organizers to increase the number of attorneys available to America's Veterans. 
VA ADMITS TO ROUTINE SPY OPERATIONS AGAINST VET ORGANIZATIONS
Lawsuits against the VA achieved more by being thrown out of Court.
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has requested the Department of the Treasury to make $250 payments to eligible Veterans as part of President Obama’s recovery plan. The first payments were sent Monday, June 22. All payments will be distributed by June 30. 
