September 2, 2009 by admin.

This listing of veteran information we is courtesy of COL Carl Singer, Ret. and Past Department Commander for New Jersey. 

Thank you Carl

Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won’t tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you - and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.  Links for Veterans  Appeals:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.docBoard of Veteran’s Appeals:  http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/CARES Commission:  http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/CARES Draft National Plan:  http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105Center for Minority Veterans:  http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/Center for Veterans Enterprise:  http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htmCenter for Women Veterans:  http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans:  http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.htmlClassified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc.:  http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.htmlCompensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6/ch07.docCompensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03:  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htmDepartment of Veterans Affairs Home Page:  http://www.va.gov/Directory of Veterans Service Organizations:  http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=viewDisability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp:  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htmDue Process:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.docDuty to Assist:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.docElectronic Code of Federal Regulations:  http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care:  http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdfEnvironmental Agents:  http://www1.va.gov/environagents/Environmental Agents M10:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU):  http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC and http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158See also, Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet:  http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.docEVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU):  http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOCFee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005:  http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR, http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htmForms and Records Request:  http://www.va.gov/vaforms/General Compensation Provisions:  http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.htmlGeriatrics and Extended Care:  http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG:  http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htmGuide to Gulf War Veteran’s Health:  http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdfGulf War Subject Index:  http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7 and http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A&template=main&letter=AGulf War Veteran’s Illnesses Q&As:  http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdfHearings:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admi - http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.docn21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.docHomeless Veterans:  http://www1.va.gov/homeless/HSR&D Home:  http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams:  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htmIonizing Radiation:  http://www1.va.gov/irad/Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA:  http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/M10 for spouses and children:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007 - http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007M10 Part III Change 1:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008M21-1 Table of Contents:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.htmlMental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOCMental Health Program Guidelines:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094Ment al Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers:  http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence:  http://www.va.gov/ms/about.aspMy Health e Vet:  http://www.myhealth.va.gov/NASDVA.COM National Association of State Directors:  http://www.nasdva.com/National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention:  http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.aspNeurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc - http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4_124a.docOMI (Office of Medical Inspector):  http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/Online VA Form 10-10EZ:  https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/Parkinson’s Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders:  http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf and, http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/Peacetime Disability Compensation:  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc - http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1131&docid=Cite:+38USC1131Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death:  http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.html  Persian Gulf Registry:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006Persian Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congresshttp://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans’_Illnesses_Appendices.docPersian Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress:  http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdfPhase I PGR:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004Phase II PGR:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005Policy Manual Index:  http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htmPower of Attorney:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.docProject 112 (Including Project SHAD):  http://www1.va.gov/shad/Prosthetics Eligibility:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page:  http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/Public Health/SARS:  http://www.publichealth.va.gov/SARS/Publications Manuals:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4Publications and Reports:  http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htmRecords Center and Vault Homepage:  http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.htmlRecords Center and Vault Site Map:  http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.htmlREQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT’S RECORDS:  http://www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=3288-form.xftResearch Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002:  http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.docResearch Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses:  http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdfResearch and Development:  http://www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfmSurvivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance:  http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html  Title 38IndexParts 0-17http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl  Part 18http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl>http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl  Title 38Part 3 AdjudicationSubpart A, Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation:  http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dchttp://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl  Title 38Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief(also 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here):  http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-Title 38PART 4 - SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIESSubpart B - DISABILITY RATINGStarget=_blank>http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38  Title 384.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual.PART 4, SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIESSubpart A, General Policy in Ratinghttp://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfrhttp://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dchttp://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1.96.11&idno=38  U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims:  http://www.vetapp.gov/VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):  http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdfVA Fact Sheet:  http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.htmlVA Health Care Eligibility:  http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.aspVA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF):  http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.htmlVA Life Insurance Handbook, Chapter 3:  http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans:  http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfmVA MS Research:  http://www.va.gov/ms/about.aspVA National Hepatitis C Program:  http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/VA Office of Research and Development:  http://www1.va.gov/resdev/VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War:  http://www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.aspVA WMD EMSHG:  http://www1.va.gov/emshg/VA WRIISC-DC:  http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address:  http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htmVet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service:  http://www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htmVeterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page:  http://www.vba.va.gov/Veterans Legal and Benefits Information:  http://valaw.org/VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals:  http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives:  http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page:  http://www.publichealth.va.gov/VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans­­(tm) Health:  http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.aspVocational Rehabilitation:  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence:  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.docVONAPP online:  http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.aspWARMS - 38 CFR Book C:  http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.htmlWartime Di sability Compensation:  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc  -  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1110> &docid=Cite:+38USC1110War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey:  http://www.wri.med.va.gov/Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site:  http://www.gibill.va.gov/What VA Social Workers Do:  http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3WRIISC Patient Eligibility:  http://www.illegion.org/va1.html

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September 2, 2009 by admin.

By Bob Brewin 09/01/2009

View slideshow of veteran visiting Chicoma Lodge in Second Life.

Combat veterans rarely talk about their most searing hidden emotions and thoughts caused by their experiences in battle, a reticence that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles is near completing Coming Home, a virtual world in Second Life that its creators hope will help break down the barriers to PTSD treatment, said Jacquelyn Morie, a project leader at ICT.

The institute developed a virtual world that features immersive therapy, which mental health professionals can use to treat Iraq combat veterans suffering form PTSD called Virtual Iraq. The site includes a virtual Iraqi village that veterans can walk through.

ICT initially planned to use the village in Second Life, but in a recent paper that Morie wrote, a veteran told her that he found the Iraqi village “disturbingly realistic, and he did not believe that any veteran should be allowed to explore the village without a therapist at his side.”

The insight led to development of what Morie described as a nonthreatening environment in Second Life that she hopes will become a place of “camaraderie and healing.” The work, which began in January, has resulted in Chicoma Island, open only to veterans.

Although the Veterans Affairs Department operates 232 counseling centers nationwide to help veterans with PTSD, many do not visit them out of fear of confronting their own demons, distrust of VA or because they live too far from a center.

But veterans can visit the island, on which is the virtual Chicoma Lodge, the social center of the island and modeled after the great national park lodges of the western United States, from any computer connected to the Internet. The virtual lodge serves as the social center of the island, providing a variety of places for veterans to hang out comfortably. Visitors can sit on chairs or couches placed in front of one of two roaring fireplaces, and meet and talk to other avatars, virtual characters that visitors to Second Life create to explore the site’s islands.

Veterans can enter two game rooms where they can play air hockey, pool and darts. They also can sit at a piano, on which even the most nonmusical veteran can play the “Moonlight Sonata” like a professional.

To encourage conversation about combat experiences, the veterans’ island features a storytelling tower, which includes tales told by virtual warriors from the past. The first story is told by a Cheyenne Indian. ICT plans to add the ethos and ideals of other past cultures, the Celts and the samurai.

Coming Home also includes an artificial intelligence-based avatar that serves as a guide to the island. The guide also can suggest where visitors can access online PTSD treatment.

ICT will encourage physical activity by providing a virtual running track and climbing wall. The island already provides a virtual sandbox, in which veterans can practice their construction skills.

Coming Home will emphasize alternative treatment therapies, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, which combines meditation and yoga, Morie said.

While Chicoma Island is visually appealing, Morie said it is still a work in progress. But she believes the social interaction, offered in a comfortable setting, could promote conversations that can help reduce PTSD.

Veterans who want to explore Chicoma Island should contact Morie at morie@ict.usc.edu for entry.

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