Category Archives: Guest authors

Rescue at sea: Makassar Strait

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Laura

The DoD has released a photo essay of distressed mariners, small children to the aged, that received humanitarian aid recently. The caring attitudes and competent skills of our active duty sailors and Marines are evident in the photos (PD). “Distressed … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for the soul, Food for thought, Future Veterans, General Messages, Guest authors, Inspirational Veterans, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Our right to petition the government

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Laura

…”the right of the people . . . to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” is a protected activity and liberty.  It applies to local, State and Federal governmental bodies (executive, legislative,courts, and agencies).  The Petition Clause could … Continue reading →

Posted in Complaints Department, Food for thought, General Messages, Guest authors, research, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Easier cheaper blood testing on the way

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Laura

A positive story from Zina Moukheiber in Forbes (July 21, 2014) features innovator Elizabeth Holmes. She left Stanford to begin a company that only needs a micro-amount of blood for many types of tests.  Her company, Theranos, has attracted capital from many areas, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood info, Food for thought, Future Veterans, Guest authors, Medical News, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New free release: Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123 Aircraft

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Laura

The VA ordered this study and it is now available as a free download (pdf link)–or it can be read online. In short, the findings state:  “Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure rejects the idea that the dioxin residues detected on interior surfaces … Continue reading →

Posted in AO, Guest authors, Medical News, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Free veterans’ law clinics at top universities

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Laura

Alternatives to VSOs are cropping up.  There’s Yale Veterans Legal Services Clinic in Connecticut.  Now New Yorkers are stepping up.  “When a veteran is assisted by an attorney when applying for benefits or upgrading their military discharge the impact can be … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, Guest authors, Lawyering Up, Tips and Tricks, VA Attorneys, VA statistics, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Proposed amendment to the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Laura

This hopeful update is brought to you by frequent commenter Hepper.   On May 22, 2015, the Senate passed an ACT to attempt to reform the restrictive way the VA and Secretary McDonald is interpreting the 40-mile rule.   Click … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, VA Health Care, vA news, Veterans Choice card | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

May 5, 1868: Memorial Day Order

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Laura

 A little history said well.. (Text source: VA website.) MEMORIAL DAY ORDER Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868. GENERAL ORDERS No. 11 I. The 30th day of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, Memorial Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Vitamins: hype versus evidence?

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Laura

It’s extremely hard for consumers to make informed choices about dietary supplements and vitamins because of a dearth of exacting studies, the lack of regulations, and conflicting information from nutrition and medical science. A while back I stopped buying multivitamins … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, Medical News, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Veterans’ Choice Card: 16 Days left to leave a public comment on final rule

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Laura

It’s was interesting to learn that the VA symbolically viewed veterans living outside their 40-mile inner circle as common crows (not even as ravens).  Crows in folklore are bad omens, harbingers of evil, and doers of mischief.  In nature, crows are … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, KP Veterans, VA Health Care, Veterans Choice card, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Good news: Statins and liver cancer study

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Laura

Quick note.  A private doctor has recently prescribed statins to improve my husband’s lipid numbers. Previously, safety concerns about hepatitis and statins have kept them out of his medicine kit.  I’m assuming these fears are now allayed for other people … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, HCV Risks (documented) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments