VA moves to simplify PTSD compensation rules WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking steps to assist veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. “The hidden wounds of war are
VA moves to
simplify PTSD compensation rules
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking steps to assist veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its transformation to the 21st century,” Shinseki said.
According to a news release, the VA is publishing a proposed regulation in the Federal Register to make it easier for a veteran to claim service connection to PTSD by reducing the evidence needed if the stress claimed by a veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.
Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final regulation will be published after consideration of all comments received.
Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stress related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran’s symptoms are related to the claimed stress.
Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat veteran actually experienced a stress related to hostile military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is required for these cases.
PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war. Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but if the feelings don’t go away or get worse, a veteran may have PTSD.
VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat veterans, adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years. The department also has established a suicide prevention help line (1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat in the evenings at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/veterans.
Patriot’s Pen Essay
Patriot’s Pen Essay is a youth essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principal’s contest criteria. It is a nationwide competition that gives students in Grades 6, 7 and 8, the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. They must write a 300-400 word essay based on the annual patriotic theme, which this year is “When is the right time to honor our military heroes?”
The essay must be in the possession of the Kaua‘i Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3855, by Friday, Sept. 25.
The student with the winning essay from each school will be awarded a certificate from the local VFW and these essays will be forwarded to Honolulu for the state of Hawai‘i competition. The winning essays will be judged locally and the top three will be given monetary awards.
The essays will be judged and one essay will be selected to be forwarded for the national competition. The winner will be awarded $300, second place $200 and third place $100.
The top 45 essays nationally will be awarded at least a $1,000 bond. There is only one winner that advances from the department level. The top 15 will receive bonds ranging from $1,500 to the grand prize of a $10,000 bond.
The essays will be judged based on three criteria: Knowledge of theme is worth 30 points; Theme development is worth 35 points; and Clarity of ideas is worth 35 points.
For more information, contact Mr. J. Rabasa, 4273 Kailewa St., Lihu‘e, HI 96766-9411; telephone: (H) 245-1625, or (C) 346-0625; or e-mail: kauaiveterans@aol.com.
Office of Veterans Services activities
MIA/POW Recognition Day — Anyone interested in manning an informational display/booth at the Kapule Building in Lihu‘e during the week of Sept. 14, please attend a coordination meeting to be held at the Kaua‘i Office of Veterans’ Services from 5 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
MIA Memorial — Anyone interested in establishing a “Korean War MIA Memorial” in honor of Kaua‘i’s five missing in action veterans is invited to attend a meeting to be held at the Kaua‘i Office of Veterans’ Services from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Veterans Cemetery — All spouses, widows and/or family members of veterans who are interested in discussing and developing recommendations for improvements at the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe are invited to attend a monthly meeting to be held at he Kaua‘i Office of Veterans’ Services from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
For more information, contact Tony Elliott, 3215 Kapule Hwy, Suite 2, Lihu‘e, HI 96766; telephone: 241-3348; or e-mail: telliott@ovs.hawaii.gov.
• Anthony Hubahib, a Waimea resident and Waimea High School graduate, began his military career in 1956 with the Air Force. He served 18 years outside the continental United States, including two tours in Vietnam. He later returned to Kaua‘i where he retired with his family after 19 years in hotel hospitality services. He writes this monthly column exclusively for The Garden Island. He can be reached at hubahiba@msn.com.
