Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• The VHA’s substance use disorder hiring initiative is facing challenges but there are recommendations for improvement.

• The Florida VA is helping to facilitate evacuations in preparation of Hurricane Milton.

• The VA’s proposed diagnostic code for constrictive bronchiolitis is facing criticism.

• The VA has resources for veteran affected by natural disasters.

• The VA is expanding cutting-edge cancer care to veterans in rural areas.

• The story of one of the most decorated women in US military history.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VHA’s Substance Use Disorder Hiring Initiative Faces Challenges and Recommendations for Improvement

In 2022, the VHA began a multiyear effort to improve access to substance use disorder treatment for Veterans. This initiative aimed to address a gap in care, as less than 30% of the 520,000 Veterans diagnosed with substance abuse were receiving specialized treatment. The plan involved hiring over 1,200 medical professionals, peer support staff, and rehabilitation personnel. 

While 65% of positions were filled by 2023, challenges like overlapping hiring initiatives and funding delays slowed progress. The VHA's Office of Inspector General recommended better coordination, clearer priorities, and improved financial management to help the initiative succeed.

Florida VA Facilities Evacuate and Adjust Operations in Preparation for Hurricane Milton

Patients at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center and VA Bay Pines Health Care System in Florida's Tampa Bay area were evacuated as the state braced for Hurricane Milton. With winds reaching 180 mph earlier in the week, the storm ranks among the strongest to ever hit the U.S. Atlantic coast. VA hospitals and clinics across Florida have adjusted hours and canceled appointments in preparation.

Patients from the Bay Pines facility, located in a mandatory evacuation zone, were transferred to the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, which remains open for emergencies. However, all appointments and care sites are closed through Oct. 10. The exact number of patients transferred was not disclosed.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 155 mph, is expected to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast. VA Secretary Denis McDonough urged Veterans to evacuate if instructed by local officials and to contact the VA for health care services.

Several VA medical centers across the state, including Bay Pines, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, have limited operations and canceled appointments until Oct. 10 or later. In response to the storm, the VA activated its Emergency Prescription Refill Program, allowing Veterans in affected areas to refill prescriptions at local pharmacies.

VA Proposes Diagnostic Code for Constrictive Bronchiolitis but Faces Criticism

The VA plans to introduce a diagnostic code for constrictive bronchiolitis, a respiratory condition linked to burn pit exposure, to streamline disability ratings and compensation. However, the proposal, published on Sep. 12, lacks new diagnostic criteria, which critics argue will inadequately address the illness. Constrictive bronchiolitis is a presumptive condition under the PACT Act, but previously, there was no specific diagnostic code in the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The new diagnostic code, 6605, would use pulmonary and cardiopulmonary tests to evaluate the condition. Still, experts say these tests are insufficient for diagnosing the disease, which affects the lungs' smallest airways. 

Advocates, including Dr. Robert Miller of Vanderbilt University, argue that new diagnostic standards and specialized care centers are needed to better serve veterans. While the VA has established post-deployment cardiopulmonary evaluation clinics, they focus more on research than patient care.

Veterans and advocates, such as Burn Pits 360, expressed concerns that the VA's reliance on outdated testing undermines effective diagnosis and treatment. The VA is reviewing public comments, and the comment period for the proposed rule ends on Oct. 15. VA Secretary Denis McDonough has acknowledged the feedback and emphasized the importance of finalizing the rule correctly.

📜 VBA Updates

VA Resources for Veterans Affected by Natural Disasters

The VA is offering vital resources for Veterans affected by the current hurricane season and other natural disasters like tornadoes and floods. Veterans can access 24/7 confidential support through the Veterans Crisis Line and housing assistance via the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. 

The VA also provides health care services, including emergency pharmacies and mobile clinics, and can assist with prescriptions and medical equipment needs. For those with VA loans or benefits, help is available for home repairs, loan freezes education benefits, and quick insurance claim processing. Veterans are advised to contact their local VA offices or use the VA’s online tools for assistance. The VA also warns Veterans to be cautious of disaster-related scams and offers a fraud hotline for those affected.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

VA Expands Access to Cutting-Edge Cancer Care for Rural Veterans

The VA ensures that Veterans, especially those living in rural areas, have access to cutting-edge cancer care without the need for long-distance travel. With about one-third of Veterans living in rural areas, where access to oncologists can be limited, the VA's National Oncology Program offers innovative solutions. 

Marine Corps Veteran Thomas Carlson, diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer, received top-tier treatment through VA’s National TeleOncology, which connected specialists from across the country to his local care team in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

The VA’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Service also offers cancer risk assessments and genetic counseling. At the same time, the "Close to Me" program brings comprehensive cancer care to local VA facilities, reducing the need for Veterans to travel to distant urban centers. These efforts allow Veterans to receive high-quality care close to home, enabling them to focus on their health and daily lives.

Veteran App of the Week

PTSD Family Coach

The PTSD Family Coach app is a mobile application developed by the Department of VA to support family members and loved ones of individuals dealing with PTSD. It provides education, resources, and self-care tools to help family members understand PTSD, improve communication, and offer better support to their loved ones. Key features of the app include:

1. Educational Resources: Information on PTSD symptoms, treatments, and how PTSD affects families. It helps families understand what their loved one is experiencing.

2. Self-Care Tools: Offers tools for stress management, mindfulness, and tips on how to take care of oneself while supporting someone with PTSD.

3. Support Resources: Links to crisis support services like the Veterans Crisis Line, as well as information about finding professional help for both the family and the person with PTSD.

4. Coping Strategies: Practical strategies for managing challenging situations and improving communication with a loved one who has PTSD.

The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. It provides family members with ongoing guidance and resources to help them navigate the challenges of PTSD together. It's available for free on both iOS and Android platforms.

Military Deals of the Week

*We do not explicitly endorse any of these companies as we have not personally purchased from many of them. We are simply sharing online deals that we have found for your convenience.

• 10% Off: On Running

• Up to 30% Off: Samsung

• 20% Off: Spalding

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Ruby G. Bradley

Ruby G. Bradley was born in Spencer, WV, on Dec. 19, 1907. She began her career as a surgical nurse and joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1934. Bradley's early military career saw her serving at various stateside locations. Still, her life took a dramatic turn when she was stationed at Camp John Hay in the Philippines during World War II.

In December 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Bradley's base was bombed, and enemy forces captured her. She became one of the first nurses to be taken as a POW. Bradley and fellow nurses endured years of harsh conditions while interning at Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. 

Despite severe food shortages and limited medical supplies, she provided care to fellow prisoners, performing more than 230 surgeries and delivering 13 babies during her time in captivity​.

One of her most defining moments of heroism occurred when U.S. forces liberated the camp in February 1945. By that time, Bradley had lost significant weight due to starvation, dropping to just 80 pounds. Yet, despite her physical condition, she continued to save lives until the very end of her imprisonment. 

Her courage was exemplified not just by her medical efforts but by her willingness to risk her life to smuggle surgical tools and food into the camp, which allowed her to keep others alive under dire conditions.

After World War II, Bradley returned to active duty and later served in the Korean War. In November 1950, during the evacuation of Pyongyang, she refused to leave until all her patients had been loaded onto the evacuation planes, even as 100,000 advancing Chinese soldiers closed in. 

Her ambulance exploded from an enemy shell moments after she jumped aboard the final plane, solidifying her reputation as a fearless nurse under fire​.

In 1958, Bradley was promoted to colonel, becoming one of the first Army nurses to achieve this rank. Over her nearly three-decade-long career, she received 34 medals, including two Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merit awards, and the prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross. Bradley retired in 1963 and worked as a civilian nurse for 17 years.

Colonel Ruby Bradley passed away on May 28, 2002, at the age of 94, and was honored with a full military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. Her legacy as one of the most decorated women in U.S. military history is extraordinary. Bradley is remembered for her unshakable courage and selflessness, saving countless lives while enduring the brutal realities of both World War II and the Korean War. 

From smuggling surgical equipment into POW camps to refusing to leave wounded soldiers behind under fire, her heroism is a testament to the highest standards of military service. Ruby Bradley's legacy shines brightly, embodying resilience, sacrifice, and devotion, inspiring future generations.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Mission 22

Mission 22 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing veteran suicide by offering comprehensive support services, mental health treatment, and awareness initiatives. The organization focuses on helping veterans struggling with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other mental health issues through a variety of therapeutic programs. 

These programs include physical wellness, art therapy, peer support, and alternative treatments designed to address mental and physical health challenges.

Mission 22 also works to raise public awareness about veteran suicide through national campaigns and community engagement, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care. Additionally, the organization provides resources for veterans’ families, offering guidance on supporting their loved ones.

By addressing the full scope of mental health challenges faced by veterans and fostering community support, Mission 22 helps veterans heal, regain purpose, and reintegrate into civilian life. The organization’s holistic approach has made a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and their families.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every service member may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth–it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously defended these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being. 

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support behind the scenes, thank you!

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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll cover more stories and policy updates and find tools & deals for the veteran community.

Thanks,

The Veterans Newsletter