Author Archives: Laura

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About Laura

NW Vermont.

Tick tock

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Laura

In 2016, Gulf-era veterans passed Vietnam-era veterans (and Korean/WWII) in the general population. Click the thumbnail below to see a big readable copy of the graphic below. CAVC “wins” older veterans accomplish, pro se or with help, will eventually spare many … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, C&P exams, CAVC Knowledge, CAVC ruling, Food for thought, Future Veterans, General Messages, Guest authors, Important CAVC/COVA Ruling, Lawyering Up, VA Secretaries, VA statistics | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Medical enrollment dates

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Laura

Just a few dates to note: Medicare Part D (and other Medicare plans):  Open enrollment started on October 15 and runs until Dec. 7.   Medicare says that very few people change their plans even if they will save money. … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, Food for thought, General Messages, Guest authors, non-va care, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Hepatitis A: severe illness and deaths hit San Diego homeless population

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Laura

Over the last few months, Frank, an avid reader about all things “US Vet,” has emailed several articles to me about the hepatitis A (HAV) outbreak in San Diego (SD) to share with Asknod’s folk.  The ongoing story has many … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, Food for thought, General Messages, Guest authors, hepatitis, hepatitis A (HAV), VA Health Care, VA statistics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Catch up on episodes of The Vietnam War

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Laura

Episodes of this important series are available to freely watch on PBS online if you’ve missed any on TV.  You may have to register with PBS. If you have a laptop, you can pick closed captions, HD settings and screen sizes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for thought, General Messages, Guest authors, History, Uncategorized, Vietnam War history | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Where to receive care? : VA and private hospital ratings

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Laura

Frank forwarded a botched surgery US Today article to us about a one-star VA hospital in Memphis.  Here is the link to the VHA called “a house of horrors.” By scrolling down to can read how many “stars” VHA rates its … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, General Messages, Guest authors, Medical News, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized, VA Health Care, vA news | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and veterans

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Laura

Based on news reports, governmental and community responses to Harvey have been robust so far (LINK).  There isn’t much space between Harvey and Irma, and although Jose may not become a hurricane, it’s still worrisome.  It is no exaggeration or … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, General Messages, Guest authors, non-va care, Uncategorized, VA Health Care, vA news | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

The Vietnam War by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick PBS Premier: Sun. 9/17

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Laura

 Difficult to know if this 18-hour, 10-part documentary will please or anger. The byline “No Single Truth” may not go over well in 2017 since a fair slice of the population prefers to see things in tunnel vision.  I’ll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for thought, History, Military Madness, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Cases when inactive HBV might wake up

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Laura

HBV:  “The virus has four genes (or open reading frames), designated S for the surface antigen protein, C for the protein that covers the inner core and encloses the DNA, P for polymerase enzyme responsible for replication…, and X for … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for thought, Guest authors, HBV, Medical News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

US National Guard 2017 Twitter Greeting

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Laura

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Happy 4th of July!

Posted in 4th of July, All about Veterans, General Messages, Guest authors, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

VA Emergency Care good news: Staab v Sec. Shulkin

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Laura

Thanks to Frank’s helpful eyeballs, I have some good news to report about the veteran emergency care benefit that has been withheld since 2010. Sec. Shulkin has had a change of heart.  Last week he held that the Staab case … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, CAVC Knowledge, CAVC ruling, General Messages, Guest authors, Important CAVC/COVA Ruling, Inspirational Veterans, Lawyering Up, non-va care, Uncategorized, VA BACKLOG, VA Secretaries | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments