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Middleboro Review 2

NEW CONTENT MOVED TO MIDDLEBORO REVIEW 2

Toyota

Since the Dilly, Dally, Delay & Stall Law Firms are adding their billable hours, the Toyota U.S.A. and Route 44 Toyota posts have been separated here:

Route 44 Toyota Sold Me A Lemon



Monday, December 17, 2012

Veterans-for-Change

Although some of the information below is factually incorrect, it was shared by a veteran and deserves to be circulated. [Apologies for the delay!]


Just for your information....not saying I agree with everything.



From: VFC-news@Veterans-For-Change.org
Sent: 11/30/2012 3:41:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Veterans-For-Change NEWSLETTER 12-02-12
Veterans-For-Change Newsletter
A Voice of the Veterans
Week Ending Sunday, December 02, 2012
Volume 3, Issue 49
This-N-That
This past week has been both good and bad. We're in the end stretch of our Homeless Heroes annual Back Pack Program.
After months of trying to find a major sponsor to replace Southern California Gas after they withdrew, sadly we were not able to locate one, however at the same time we've been working on a major sponsor for 2013.
Our goal for 2011 was 300, but thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Garden Grove we passed our goal by an additional 48 back packs.
This year we had 150 Back Packs donated by the O.C. Freedom Riders and the VA felt our program was worthy and they too jumped to support us and donated 800 more back packs, hats, wrist bands, and cases of information for Veterans to get off the streets, into housing, enrolled into the VA healthcare program, and more.
Although we won't meet the lofty 2012 goal we will assemble approximately 100 plus thanks to another organization called Angel Wings and a very dedicated and hard working woman who has asked to remain anonymous.
Obama and Shinseki have vowed to end Veteran Homelessness, but that goal line has been moved so many times now, my expectations of them doing anything is rather bleak, that's why it's up to individuals and organizations nationwide to step up and help.
Our program isn't a copyright or a trademarked program and anyone who belongs to an organization or association is more then welcome to a copy to bring it to their community to help us end Veteran Homelessness. Just E-Mail me and ask for the information.
VA Claims processing delays hits an all new 20 year high, no surprise is it?
The time needed to process veterans' disability claims shot up by nearly 40 percent last year despite years of effort by federal officials to streamline and shorten the process, records show.
In fiscal 2012, the average days to complete a VA disability compensation or pension claim rose to 262 days, up from 188 days in fiscal 2011, according to a recently completely VA performance report.
Secretary Shinseki when he took his office promised to end this nightmare within two years. Now he's saying by 2016.
The VA's IT Department is staffed with family members of the IT Director, who was brought to light having done so at VA Expense, sent them to school at VA Expense, and received all but a hand slap for using VA funds to fly back and forth to Florida to buy her new home. All of these so-called IT people are as inept as can be when it comes to writing a software program to do a job.
My question is why not use a program that's been around for nearly 30 years, improved annually, works great and does multiple tasks that could be easily modified to handle claims processing without human intervention?
During the holidays please remember those less fortunate, donate time, or what you can to help.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Advocacy Group Members and Volunteers nationwide, we wish you and your family good health!
Respectfully,
Jim Davis
Founder & CEO
PS: If you are interested in documents regarding Common Fraud Schemes, Organizations offering Assistance
to Veterans, Child ID Kit, Veterans Benefits by State and VA Benefits Calculator please send me an E-Mail with the document name in the subject line.



TRICARE Rx Fee Hike Decision Looming

Congress is set to decide how much military pharmacy fees will be raised in 2013 when the final language of the fiscal 2013 Defense Authorization Act in the next few weeks. Their decision will have an impact on the out-of-pocket costs for military families and retirees who rely on TRICARE network of retail pharmacies to have prescriptions filled. Under the House version of the plan, co-pays for formulary drugs would increase to $17 and non-formulary drugs would increase to $44.



Veterans-For-Change Says Giving to Others Can Change Lives
To feel the concept of how giving to others in little ways can change the world in larger ways, consider watching the movie Pay It Forward. Like the movie Pay it Forward, Veterans-For-Change will lift your spirits, break your heart, make you look at the world in a new way, and just perhaps change your life.
Sometimes in life, people want to give help to others, but don't have large amounts of money or know how to donate. Other times, one just needs a little lift to get back on their feet but doesn't know how or where to get help. Everyone else's problems may seem bigger or more worthy. It can feel embarrassing to ask for a handout. But with Veterans-For-Change, people can offer help when they are strong, and ask for assistance when life seems overwhelming. What a wonderful trade-off.
Even if you're not able to commit to a monthly donation, a one time or annual donation is very much appreciated. And if you've been blessed to never have problems, please consider the movie "Pay it Forward!"
If you're able to make a tax deductible donation of $10, $20, $50, $100 or more, please click the link below to be taken direct to the PayPal site, or if you prefer you can mail checks or money orders to the address below:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WGT2M5UTB9A78
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, Tax ID #27-3820181
CA Incorporation ID #3340400
Veterans-For-Change, Inc.
11901 Samuel
Garden Grove, CA 92840-2546
If Veteran's don't help Veteran's, who will?



Most Veterans Still Unaware of Benefits

More than half of America's veterans say they have little or no understanding of the benefits due them, despite efforts over recent years to match returning soldiers with the help and services they need. One major change came last week when a new law will mandate all departing servicemembers go through a series of detailed benefits sessions. For more information, read the full article on Military.com and visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Services webpage at www.va.gov/landing2_vetsrv.htm.



What is in the Future
As I set down and begin writing my opinions I am always aware that there is a certain group of people that will not agree. That is fine. But I can assure you that the majority of my opinions are based on published facts. I have had people come back with comments that didn't question the facts but were critical that I didn't refer to Obama as President Obama. Technically the person is correct. However, watch the news media and read the papers, and he is referred to as "Obama" or "Mr. Obama" a majority of the time. I do respect the Office of the President, it is not always that I respect the person in that office. So feel free at any time to research the facts and figures that I outline in my articles.
What happens in the next couple of months in Washington will effect each and every citizen in the United States. Including all Military Personnel. All military pay is subject to Federal Income Taxes, Social Security Taxes and Medicare Taxes. This is a fact regardless where in the world the person is stationed, other than in a Combat Zone, in which it is only exempt as long at the person is in the "Combat Zone".
Ok, I give, President Obama wants to eliminate the tax cuts and bring them back to the level prior to President Bush. That is about 4% of which I believe 2% is attributed to Mr. Bush and the other 2% to President Obama. President Obama wants to raise taxes even higher on the wealthy. Which he said he is one of them because he makes over $250,000 per year. [This is a factually incorrect statement.] 
Okay, here is a fact. In 2010, President Obama had a total income of $1.75 Million dollars. $400,000 was his Presidential Pay. He had an adjusted income after donations of which he gave $131,075 to the Fisher House. He donated $15,000 to the Clinton Haiti Fund. Along with other donations. After these donations, this put him in the 35% to37% tax bracket. After taking advantage of all the other tax code loopholes President Obama paid just shy of 25% in taxes for 2010. He wants to raise the taxes on the wealthy to 39% or more beginning in 2013. President Obama has already proven that he will take full advantage of the tax codes, just like every person in the United States does including the wealthy. He doesn't want to tackle the tax codes, because that would be to much work and then would effect all U.S. Citizens. And yes all the tax codes do effect Veterans and Veterans families. Current and recent studies inidcate that 45% of U.S. Households pay no taxes because of the current tax laws. Don't forget, the last time I check the wealthy make up less than 5% of the people in America. But at the same time and in the same breath President Obama doesn't want to lower spending. Recently he stated that he wants Congress to increase funding to Israel so they can beef up their missile program.
Stop and think about this. Why are the American Taxpayers responsible to support the world in funding and money when we have the mess we have in this country? I contend that foreign aid needs to be cut drastically. Are all these countries really our allies, or are they just sitting over there and getting fatter and fatter off the Untied States? The majority of funding to foreign countries doesn't even get to the people, it is absorbed by dictators and other radical governments to fatten themselves. The government needs to shut it all down and fix what is going on in America and support America and use only the excess after we are stable and prosperous before sending money overseas. Why should we keep raising the National Debt all the while we are supporting most of the world? If we can't afford it then don't borrow it. Isn't this part of the reason for the housing collapse, people were in mortages that they couldn't afford.
You may or may not agree with Senator Tom Coburn, [Republican] Senator from Oklahoma. He has for years brought forward wasteful spending by the federal government. Here is just a few that he has published and Washington keeps ignoring. These represent federal tax dollar spending.
1) $300,000 to promote caviar consumption.
2) $505,000 to promote specialty shampoo and other beauty products for cats and dogs.
3) $350,000 to study how golfers might benefit from envisioning the hole as actually bigger that it is.
4) $325,000 to build a robotic squirrel and see if rattlesnakes are interested in eating it.
5) $516,000 to fund "Prom Week", a video game that allows the player to relive prom night.
6) $25,000 to fund a promotional tour by the 2012 Alabama Watermelon Queen.
7) $91 Million dollar Tax loopholes for the NFL, NHL, and PGA.
8) $27 Million from the U.S. Agency for International Development that included Moroccan pottery classes.
9) $1.3 Million in "corporate welfare" for PepsiCo, the worlds largest snack food producer.
10) $10,000 for Michigan State police to buy talking urinal cakes that warn people against drunken driving?
11) $947,000 to study foods astronauts could eat on Mars, although no one's planning on going to Mars?
12) The Defense Department's Foreign Comparative Testing program, which was created to equip soldiers with the weapons they need, has spent $1.5 Million "to develop savory snacks" including a better beef jerky.
Senator Coburn points out that DoD could save over $67.9 Billion dollars over a 10 year period if it cut out things from the defense budget that has nothing to do with defense. How about the Pentagon's reality cooking show, "Grill Sergeants", featuring two "Grill Sergeants" who performed a 46-minute cooking video. What do you think that cost?
These are all real and are only a small sampling of wasteful spending.
Senator Coburn goes on the state that he believes in peach through strength, but we cannot be strong militarily unless we are strong economically. Do you realize that since 1913, there have been over 37 Tax increases to the Tax code. That is a period of almost 100 years or an average tax increase every 2 to 3 years.
Just who are the Veterans fighting for? I believe that it is not for just one group of people but for America. This includes the wealthy.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Shouldn't America come first. Contact you Congresspersons and Senators and demand that they get real and fix America so that Veterans and others may have jobs in the future. Wasteful spending needs to come to a halt, and that includes reducing the Corporate Tax so that companies come back to America to create jobs for Americans.
Homer "Cris" Ford
Veterans Advocate



More Army PTSD Cases Reevaluated
Stars and Stripes newspaper reports that a comprehensive review of behavioral health diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis/McChord in Tacoma, Washington, was closed in September. Reports indicate that Army doctors changed more than half of the cases they evaluated, giving 150 service members new diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The review followed complaints about a team of Madigan forensic psychiatrists who sometimes adjusted PTSD diagnoses. Dozens of re-evaluations are still outstanding. Former patients can still have their diagnoses reviewed by contacting Madigan. Patients would be referred to the hospital's Integrated Disability Evaluation System. They also can call an Army Medical Command hotline at 800-984-8523.



Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports
GAO Reports About Health Care: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-213T
Medicaid: Data Sets Provide Inconsistent Picture of Expenditures: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-47



Tinnitus Affecting Veterans

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs revealed more than 10 percent of all veteran disability claims in fiscal year of 2011 were due to tinnitus, an early sign of hearing loss. In the military community, the most common cause of tinnitus is noise exposure. Second to tinnitus, actual hearing loss is the next most claimed disability, with 60,229 veterans - or 7.5 percent of all disability claims - citing hearing loss in FY 2011. A similar study in 2011 is available in VA's Journal of Rehabilitative Research and Development.


 

 
Texas Study Seeks Returning Combat Vets
Researchers at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas are currently looking for returning combat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who are interested in participating in a study testing a new medication in conjunction with exposure therapy. The study focuses on the use of an anti-hypertension medication to determine if it reduces the effects of PTSD-related symptoms.
Researchers are currently looking for returning combat veterans who served between 1990 and 2011. If you are between the ages of 18 and 55 years, have experienced PTSD symptoms in the past month, and do not have any current substance abuse, you may be eligible for the study. The study lasts two weeks. For more information including how to enroll, call toll-free 1-877-228-5777.



VA Releases New PSA Targeting Women Veterans
"The Right Place" Assures Female Vets of High-Quality VA Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a new public service announcement (PSA) to let women Veterans know they've come to "The Right Place" when seeking VA health care.
"We want to send a very clear message to women Veterans that VA is here to meet your health care needs," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "It is important that women Veterans receive the high-quality health care and benefits they have earned through their service."
The number of women using VA health care has doubled in the past decade and that number is expected to double again soon. The 30-second video PSA, produced by VA's Women's Health Services office, addresses key themes defined by Secretary Shinseki.
Key messages in the PSA include: assuring women Veterans that VA is ready to serve them; encouraging viewers to rethink assumptions that all Veterans are male; and reminding Americans that women Veterans are coming home, separating from service, or returning to Guard or Reserve status.
The PSA was developed for nationwide release along with a new employee awareness video created as part of VA's ongoing efforts to change its culture to be more understanding and accommodating of women Veterans. It also promotes the recognition of women Veterans around Veterans Day, honoring their service to our country.
"Not all women who served their country identify as Veterans and many women Veterans are unaware that VA offers high quality women's health care," said Dr. Robert Petzel, Undersecretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration. "One of the most important aspects of our efforts to serve women Veterans is to make sure each one of them knows we're here."
Women serve in every branch of the military, representing 15 percent of today's active duty military and nearly 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces. By 2020, VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population.
VA is disseminating its culture-of-change message to employees and Veterans through a multi-faceted campaign, which includes a toolkit for outreach to women Veterans. To access additional campaign materials, visit www.womenshealth.va.gov/culture_change.asp. To access the toolkit, visit www.womenshealth.va.gov/toolkits.asp.
The PSA is available for viewing on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5FGlZ2uYiU and www.womenshealth.va.gov. Broadcast organizations interested in obtaining a broadcast-quality version of the PSA can download it by accessing the following link: https://downloads.va.gov/files/VA_OPIA/VDPDVAPSA/, then right clicking on "VDPDVAPSA5H.mov" and selecting "save target as."
Visit www.va.gov/womenvet and www.womenshealth.va.gov to learn more about VA programs and services for women Veterans.



Get a List of Your Military Benefits

The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefit information based on your military service and status. Get a list of Federal Benefits, State Benefits, National Guard State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and more. Find Your Benefits Now.



New Members Appointed to VA Committee on Women Veterans
Five new members have been appointed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs affecting women Veterans.
"VA relies on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to provide insight on key issues that impact the women Veteran population. The Committee's recommendations provide guidance that direct VA's efforts to identify and address the diverse needs of women Veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "VA welcomes the newest members."
Established in 1983, the committee makes recommendations to the Secretary for administrative and legislative changes. The new committee members, who are appointed to two-year terms, are: Gina Chandler, Bryant, Ark.; Larri Gerson, Dunedin, Fla.; Mary Morin, Raymond, N.H.; Charlotte S. Smith, Farmington, N.M.; and Mary Westmoreland, Bronxville, N.Y..
"Women serving in the military continue to demonstrate their dedication in defense of our great Nation," Shinseki added. "VA remains committed to providing women Veterans with equitable, quality benefits and services that appropriately meet their needs."
Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veterans population. Of the approximately 22 million living Veterans, about 1.9 million are women. They comprise nearly 9 percent of the total Veterans population and nearly 5 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care services.
VA estimates that by 2020 women Veterans will comprise 10 percent of the Veteran population. VA has women-Veterans-program managers at VA medical centers and women-Veterans coordinators at VA regional offices to assist women Veterans with health and benefits issues.
New Members
VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans
  • Gina Chandler, Bryant, Ark. A Veteran of the U.S. Air Force; currently serves as a Veterans service officer, women-Veterans coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, and secretary of the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators.
  • Larri Gerson, Dunedin, Fla. A Veteran of the U.S. Air Force; currently serves as a claims examiner for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, and webmaster for the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators; former state women-Veterans coordinator for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Mary Morin, Raymond, N.H.; A retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant; currently serves as the Director of the New Hampshire Office of Veterans Services, and a member of the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators.
  • Charlotte S. Smith, Farmington, N.M.; A Veteran of the U.S. Army; currently serves as a Veterans service officer, state women-Veterans coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Veterans Affairs, and a member of the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators.
  • Mary Westmoreland, Bronxville, N.Y.; A retired U.S. Army Colonel, with service in Desert Shield/Desert Storm; currently runs a pro bono consulting company that focuses on coaching, mentoring, and organizational strategic planning for government and nonprofit organizations.



VFC Website Update
If you've not visited our newly designed website, maybe you should! We have been open and on-line now for a month. Visit today and subscribe, it's 100% FREE of charge to all! Just be sure to use a valid E-Mail address so the system can send you an authentication E-Mail.
Eventually we will have the largest One-Stop-Shop Veterans website available that is user friendly, offers a host of information on many topics, several forums, Frequently Asked Questions and answers, etc.
We now have a licensed Mental Health Worker on board and you can go to that forum post questions, get answers or direction, and the same will apply for many of the other forums.
We now have:
  • Document Library (over 6,100 documents now on-line, another 1,000 will be added soon)
  • Forums (with Licensed Mental Health Worker Moderator)
  • Memorial Pages
  • News
  • Polls
  • Sponsors
The documents library was opened with 20 different categories, but we're still working hard on it every day and hope to add more categories within the week.
Eventually there will be more than 50 million pages of information, forms, and more.
There are forums for all Eras of service and one just for Women Veterans, which we'll lock to use by women only.
The Memorial Pages are open now, and if you have a loved one or a buddy you've lost and would like for them to be added to our Memorial Pages, please send a photo, First and Last Name, Rank, Branch of Service, DOB and DOD, and allow us 2-3 days to install on the proper page. (Send to: VFC2006@ATT.NET)
You also have the ability to comment and rate all NEWS articles which would be very helpful for us so we know the types of information you'd like to see on our website.
There is no charge to use the site, or to become a member. Members have full access where non- members will have limited access. Access has not been set yet, we wanted everyone to see what we're doing and what is available to them.
And we could still use your help to keep the site up to date and fully operational
If you're able to make a tax deductible donation please click on the link below be taken direct to our PayPal account:
And we sincerely thank you in advance!



Doc Fix Update
The Hill newspaper reports that the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that if Congress delays the scheduled cut to physicians Medicare reimbursement fees for another year, it will cost $25 billion.
Doctors are scheduled to see a 26.5 percent drop in their Medicare payments at the end of the year unless Congress once again steps in to delay the cuts.
Because the "doc fix" is now wrapped up with the end-of-year "fiscal cliff," there's a chance Congress might stop short of fixing it for a full year, postponing the Medicare cut — along with other parts of the fiscal cliff, the $600 billion of tax increases and spending cuts set to hit in January — until March, and trying to work out a longer solution then.
A two-year doc fix would cost $41.5 billion, CBO said, while freezing doctors' payments for 10 years would cost nearly $244 billion.



Tinnitus Most Common Disability
A recent report from the VA revealed more than 10 percent of all veteran disability claims in fiscal year of 2011 were due to tinnitus, an early sign of hearing loss.
In the military community, the most common cause of tinnitus is noise exposure. Second to tinnitus, actual hearing loss is the next most claimed disability, with 60,229 veterans - or 7.5 percent of all disability claims - citing hearing loss in FY 2011. A similar study in 2011 is available in VA's Journal of Rehabilitative Research and Development.



TRICARE Update
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have offered an amendment that would increase copays for retail and mail-order prescriptions. The Reed-Rubio amendment (SA 3017) would tie TRICARE fee increases to the cost of living adjustments for TRICARE beneficiaries.
The Reed-Rubio amendment aims to protect military beneficiaries from excessive out-of-pocket increases in their co-payments. In brief, it would stop the steep out-of-pocket prescription drug costs planned by the Department of Defense for TRICARE beneficiaries. NAUS supports the amendment and urges you to use our CapWiz system to send a message to your elected officials.
Source: NAUS



Pitney Bowes Vet Jobs Website

Pitney Bowes Inc. announced today that it has set up a special website targeted at military veterans and their families so that they can more easily find work at the company. The new website at www.pb.com/careers allows military veterans to map their training and skills to a roster of actual job openings listed on the Pitney Bowes site. Simply selecting one's military job title on the site will call up every Pitney Bowes job opening with a skills requirement similar to that of the selected military title, according to the company.



Senate Debate Starts (Finally) on NDAA
On Wednesday, the Senate began debate on its version of the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (S. 3254). The House passed its version in June.
As expected several NAUS supported amendments have been offered. We must caution though that they have not yet been debated nor added to the NDAA. They include an amendment from Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) to eliminate the SBP/DIC offset. His amendment would also restore SBP eligibility to widows who had previously transferred the earned benefit to one or more children. Please send a message to your Senators urging their support.
Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) introduced, as an amendment, their new Stolen Valor Act. The amendment makes it very clear that anyone who represents themselves as having been awarded any decoration, medal, ribbon or other device authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces for the purpose of tangible benefit or personal gain, may be fined or imprisoned or both.
One other amendment, that has been voted on and passed, offered by John Cornyn, (R-TX), would require the VA secretary to submit a plan to Congress to reduce the current backlog of pending claims for veterans' benefits. NAUS supports this amendment very vigorously and will work for it to be included in the final NDAA.
Source: NAUS



Recall of Generic Lipitor
WebMD Health Newsreports Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, a major maker of generic Lipitor, has issued a massive recall of the cholesterol-cutting tablets, which may be contaminated with tiny glass shards.
The recall covers 41 lots of atorvastatin, the generic version of Lipitor. Each lot contains thousands of pills.
The recall includes 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg dosages. It does not include 80 mg atorvastatin tablets.
No injuries have been reported from the "small glass particles approximately less than 1 millimeter in size."
Ranbaxy, an Indian firm, is owned by Japan's Daiichi Sankyo Co. According to The Wall Street Journal, Ranbaxy's generic Lipitor makes up 44% of the U.S. market for atorvastatin, including generic and name-brand products.
Earlier this year, Ranbaxy entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department preventing the company from selling various generic drugs on the U.S. market until it addresses manufacturing and quality-control flaws at several plants. Those plants did not make the generic Lipitor now being recalled.
The FDA is working with other atorvastatin makers to prevent a shortage of the popular cholesterol-lowering pills.
"The FDA is currently working with the other manufacturers to address any potential shortage as a result of the ongoing recall. We are monitoring the situation," FDA spokeswoman Sarah Clark-Lynn says in an email.
A list of the recalled products, including lot and NDC numbers, is posted on the Ranbaxy web site.



Army Docs Reevaluate More PTSD Cases

Stars and Stripes reports that a wide-ranging review of behavioral health diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington closed in September with Army doctors changing more than half of the cases they evaluated, giving 150 servicemembers new diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The review followed complaints early this year about a team of Madigan forensic psychiatrists who sometimes adjusted PTSD diagnoses. Dozens of re-evaluations are still outstanding. Former patients can still have their diagnoses reviewed by contacting Madigan. They would be referred to the hospital's Integrated Disability Evaluation System. They also can call an Army Medical Command hotline at 800-984-8523.



Veterans-For-Change on Facebook & Twitter
You can now track us, meet fellow vets and their families and friends on our Veterans-For-Change page, come "LIKE" us!
And our Homeless Veteran Heroes Page, come "LIKE" us there too!
Come join us, follow us and friends, make new friends, share useful information and more!
Or you can join me on Linkedin.com: http://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=hb_tab_home_top
Follow us on Twitter too: @VeteransForChng



VA Purchases Land for Two New National Cemeteries in Florida
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it has purchased land for two new national cemeteries in Florida.
"We are pleased to expand burial service to families in the Sunshine State where so many Veterans live," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Acquiring this land is a key step forward in bringing these national shrines to Florida."
VA plans to construct one of the cemeteries in central eastern Florida between the cities of Daytona and Melbourne, and the other in northwestern Florida, in the Tallahassee area. Together, the facilities will serve an estimated population of 247,000 Veterans and family members who are not currently served with an open national, state or tribal Veteran's cemetery within 75 miles of their residence.
VA completed acquisition of the central eastern Florida property on July 31 and paid $2 million for 318 acres of land. The property, formerly known as Acosta Groves, is located on U. S. Route 1 in northern Brevard County in Scottsmoor, approximately two miles from Interstate 95.
VA purchased the Tallahassee property for $6.8 million on Aug. 14. The 250-acre parcel is in Leon County with frontage along U.S. Highway 27 (Apalachee Parkway). VA purchased the land from the St. Joe Company, one of Florida's largest real estate development firms. The cemetery will also serve Veterans in southwestern Georgia and southeastern Alabama.
VA has opened three new national cemeteries in Florida over the past five years including Jacksonville National Cemetery (2009), Sarasota National Cemetery (2009) and South Florida National Cemetery (2007).
Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell opened in 1988 and is now the second busiest VA national cemetery in the country with 6,728 interments completed in fiscal year 2011. Of VA's 131 cemeteries across the nation, the state of Florida is home to six national cemeteries that rank among the top 32 busiest by interment workload.
Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, established in 1868, serves Florida's western panhandle and southern Alabama. A recent expansion of the historic cemetery ensures that it will remain open with a full range of burial options for decades to come.
Bay Pines National Cemetery was established in 1933 and has been closed to first interment casketed burials since 1989. The facility still offers cremation burial sites. St. Augustine National Cemetery, established in 1881, has been closed since 1997.
Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery. Also eligible are military personnel who die on active duty, their spouses and eligible dependents. Other burial benefits available for all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker. Families of eligible decedents may also order a memorial headstone or marker when remains are not available for interment.
In the midst of the largest expansion since the Civil War, VA operates 131 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than 3.8 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA's national cemeteries on more than 20,000 acres of land.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov, or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at any VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.



A Veterans Advocacy and Assistance Organization
The purpose of Veterans-For-Change is to make major changes in the treatment and rights for all veterans. In benefits claims, appeals, medical care and treatment, VA Facilities, PTSD, Agent Orange issues (including Toxic Dioxin resulting in Diabetes, Cancers and numerous other health problems), POW MIA recoveries, TBI and dioxin poisoning during current and past Combat Operations in the Persian Gulf region.
Members combine their talents, information, ideas and suggestions and contribute to a monthly letter that's sent to all 535 members of Congress expressing the concerns over various issues and offers possible solutions.
This is in an effort to make change within the VA system, to streamline, expedite and insure claims are honored to the best possible rating, to insure all medical facilities are using the best equipment in the most modernized facilities with a properly trained and fully licensed and compassionate medical staff.
Additionally we circulate petitions for various pieces of legislation to promote their being presented on the floor and voted on.
We conduct research, develop ideas, solutions, and programs and do our best to make sure they're put into action. We also provide guidance and assistance to veterans, spouses, their children and widows with their claims and appeals and the support of all veterans who seek assistance.
We must guarantee the rights of every single veteran and gain the rights and benefits promised!
If you can volunteer 30-60 minutes per month, from the comfort of your own home and computer, please join us in this tremendous fight and make your voice heard loud and clear.
Veterans-For-Change Advocacy Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VETERANS-FOR-CHANGE/



Veterans who served in Korea & along the DMZ your help is needed!
The research questionnaire response so far has been good, but we still need more veterans who served in Korea to participate.
Veterans-For-Change is distributing a questionnaire to veterans pertaining to service in Korea to help us gather statistical information in our ongoing efforts to correct the wrongs and to assist in declassifying many missions in Korea so that veterans such as you will be able to gain the benefits and services needed from the VA System.
This questionnaire is anonymous, you do not need to provide personal contact information if you're not comfortable with this.
However, if you do provide personal contact information it will be kept 100% confidential, will not be given to any member of Congress, the VA or the DoD, nor will it be sold to any company for any reason what-so-ever.
Statistical information will be used to compile a report to submit to various members of Congress in our efforts to declassify all missions 25 or more years ago so that all veterans can apply for and gain the much needed benefits and medical care/services needed and long over due.
If you're interested in participating, please E-Mail VFC2006@ATT.NET and request a copy. In the Subject put Korean Service.



New Vet Jobs Website in Georgia

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and the Governor's Office of Workforce Development recently launched the Operation: Workforce website at www.operationworkforce.com to help returning veterans find jobs. Job listings from companies across Georgia looking to fill positions with veterans are posted on the website. The website also includes information on resources and services available to veterans. For more information, visit the Operation: Workforce website.



VFC Memorial Wall
If you have a loved one you lost to service in the Military, and would like to have their name added, please do let us know.
And for those listed below, keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Rank
Name
Branch of Service
Year of Passing
Msgt.
David Graves
Air Force
2011
Msgt.
John Kenneth Smallwood
Army
2010
MgySgt.
Lesley Davis
Marine Corps
2006
Colonel
Melvin Killian
Air Force
1965
SPC
Michael Evans
Army
2012



House Holds Vet Jobs Hearing

The Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs recently held a hearing on finding opportunities, and reviewing existing programs, to help unemployed veterans find meaningful employment. The hearing examined how the federal government can better connect resources for unemployed veterans at the state level, reaching veterans in communities across the nation. Testimony and a transcript of the hearing are available on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.



New VA Cemeteries in Florida
The VA has announced that purchase of land for two new national cemeteries in Florida.
VA plans to construct one of the cemeteries in central eastern Florida between the cities of Daytona and Melbourne, and the other in northwestern Florida, in the Tallahassee area. Together, the facilities will serve an estimated population of 247,000 veterans and family members who are not currently served with an open national, State or tribal veterans cemetery within 75 miles of their residence.
VA completed acquisition of the central eastern Florida property on July 31 and paid $2 million for 318 acres of land. The property, formerly known as Acosta Groves, is located on U. S. Route 1 in northern Brevard County in Scottsmoor, approximately two miles from Interstate 95.
VA purchased the Tallahassee property for $6.8 million on August 14. The 250-acre parcel is in Leon County with frontage along U.S. Highway 27 (Apalachee Parkway). The cemetery will also serve veterans in southwestern Georgia and southeastern Alabama.



Texas Study Seeks Returning Veterans

Researchers at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas are currently looking for returning combat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who are interested in participating in a study testing a new medication in conjunction with exposure therapy. The study focuses on the use of an anti-hypertension medication to determine if it reduces the effects of PTSD-related symptoms. Researchers are currently looking for returning combat veterans who served between 1990 and 2011. If you are between the ages of 18 and 55 years, have experienced PTSD symptoms in the past month, and do not have any current substance abuse, you may be eligible for the study. The study lasts two weeks. For more information including how to enroll, call toll-free 1-877-228-5777.



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With your help, Veterans-For-Change and you can make a difference!
We Can Win!
Better benefits, care, facilities, medical professionals and equipment!
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Veterans-For-Change Newsletter is a once weekly publication deadline for submission is 5:00 PM PST on Thursday!
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
~ Thomas Jefferson ~
Veteran's News Sources, Etc.:
Veterans-For-Change, Inc.
11901 Samuel
Garden Grove, CA 92840-2546
Visit our website today: www.veterans-for-change.org
Serving those who served!
Please pass to all your Veteran friends and family!
Distribution: 14,305
Courtesy 1 Time only Copies: 2,500
Attachments:
downloadlinkVFC NEWS-12-02-12.pdf (175K)

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