E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSA packed convention center — even a place staffed with PTSD experts — is precisely the type of environment most service members and veterans are likely to avoid.
For many military folks dealing with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, crowds make them jumpy. And due to the attached social stigma of the disorder, the thought of being spotted at such an gathering would make lots of veterans cringe.
But a virtual get-together where disabled veterans can anonymously ask questions about the anxieties weighing them down?
That's part of the thinking behind the first True Help Disability Web Expo taking place Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Standard Time. The free event, organized by Allsup — a nationwide provider of services for people with disabilities — loops together more than a dozen leading health, disability, advocacy and social service organizations, several of them adept at working specifically with current and former service members.
Attendees simply need to register to chat all day from the comfort of their homes, local coffee shops, or their places of work. The expo will provide a "veterans booth" where military personnel past and present can seek and find suggestions, tips and advice on how and where to get treatment — including a primer on how to successfully access and steer through the monolithic U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said Brett Buchanan, an Allsup’s VA-accredited claims agent.
"In my experience dealing with veterans with PTSD and with depression, I find that the veterans do much better over the phone, when they’re in their house," Buchanan said. "I can have better conversations with them then when I meet them face to face.
"I think, absolutely, when you’re going to compare a Web expo to a live expo at an actual convention center, I don’t think you would get those individuals anywhere near that environment with those crowds," he added.
Allsup will bring together representatives from 15 national nonprofit groups that specialize in disabilities, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Brain Injury Association of America, the Invisible Disabilities Association and the National Family Caregivers Association.
"Our hope is that veterans will find valuable information and resources that they just didn’t know existed," said Rebecca Ray, director of corporate public relations for Allsup. "We know veterans have a lot of options through the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. But there are a lot of groups that help veterans that may be new to them."
While attendees can live chat with experts throughout the day, the expo will offer two moderated sessions for service members and their families: "What You Need to Know About Veterans Disability," from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. CST, and "Wounded Warriors — A Discussion on Veteran Disability Resources," from 2:35 to 3:00 p.m. CST.
"We dive into little nuances of the VA disability system," Buchanan said. "There are special considerations for different veterans — specifically if the veteran has more than one disability that’s related to service, or if they’re a combat veteran they are given special consideration.
"We’ll be talking about the VA process," he added. "We’ll be taking people through, step by step, on filing a claim, what happens if the claim is denied, or what happens if you get a decision and you’re not satisfied with it: are you able to appeal it?"
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Gay couple sues after photo used in anti-gay flier
- Libyan president: Anti-Islam film had 'nothing to do with' consulate attack
- Developers seek new challenge, fixing city hall
- Oregon teen uses ladder to rescue boy, 8, from burning house
- Video: TV station mocks NFL with ‘replacement weatherman’
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
Another worthless experiment as is the usual with the corrupt and dysfunctional US Dept. of Veterans Affairs. They are still doing "research" on PTSD Treatment. Allowed one of their researcher's in their Wash., D.C. Headquarters recently to take time off. To train for the London Olympics as well as her participation in it !! How outrageous is that !? Likely didn't have any leave time docked for that. As well as a recent BS video that cost $52,000.00, not to mention an all expenses paid VACATION Training Seminar for VA "workers" !! It's very depressing to hear and read how corrupt the VA is, by way of Yahoo Alerts !! They continue to fail Veterans as myself in getting swift and precise Mental Health Care. The VA has recognized since 2000 that I suffer from Depression, Anxiety and PTSD, non-combat related. They also recognized my Crohn's Disease at the same time. And the only serious medical condition they have treated, without hesitation is my Crohn's Disease. For the last seven years, every two months I have an infusion of Remicade, cost $6,000.00 each time. For my Depression and Anxiety, typical, medication. Even after asking for help in 2006,2007 and a suicide attempt in 2009. Never took notice, only in 2011, even after three sessions of seeing a psychologist, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was just talk. Not until 2012 did they attempt to treat my PTSD by use of Cognitive Processing Therapy. It was to be 12 sessions in total, I made it up until the sixth session. My anxiety went through the roof, not to mention the incredible negativity in the Mental Health Clinic. So thick you could cut it with a knife. What other therapy was offered for my PTSD, none !! And Depression and Anxiety ignored again ! I had asked for EMDR for my PTSD, no one trained, nor would approve fee for services. Because EMDR "hasn't been proven how it works", who cares, it's used around the world. And their rhetoric, "CPT is evidenced-based", it didn't work for me !! I have found the Mental Health and Social Work Staff at the SEATTLE and TACOMA VA HOSPITALS. To suffer from a clear case of Narcissistic Personality Disorder !!! Not an ounce of compassion, sensitivity or understanding in their bodies. And caling the "Veteran's Crisis Line", "It takes the courage of a warrior to ask for help". To be a complete waste of taxpayer money. They relay that you called to the nearest "VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator". That simply calls you and tells you to make an appt. at the Mental Health Clinic !!! No sense of urgency or that the matter is an emergency.
Here are PTSD THERAPIES that are being used across the country, because they are working. Of course not at the VA. Emotional Freedom Technique-Rapid Eye Technology-Accelerated Resolution Therapy-The latest Healing Touch. This is what we Veterans receive after serving OUR country !!!
If your various mental illnesses are not "service connected" injuries, why would you expect the VA to treat you for them at all? I'm not a physician, but isn't Crohn's congenital? I've signed many contracts with the military over the years, I never signed one that said the Government was responsible for my healthcare for life just because I served. If they are treating you for ANY non service connected condition, and you aren't 50% service connected or higher,(VA priority group 1), the VA is doing you a huge favor.
I mean don't get me wrong, if the taxpayer approves of turning the VA into a free clinic for everyone who walks in and out the door of the military, then by all means have at it. But this hasn't happened yet. Frankly, I'd be ashamed to stand in line in front of an IED victim complaining about "entitlements".
On a seperate note, you are correct in pointing out that the VA is the most wasteful Government agency that there is. As far as I'm concerned they shouldn't treat any non service connected condition unless the vet has a combined rating of 70% or greater. If any politician points out that the VA is slowly being transformed into a welfare office though, they will be branded as "anti vet". Think of what excellent care our combat wounded could receive if the welfare cases were referred to Medicaid office's and free clinics where they belong, and VA could focus on its core mission. Caring for vets with service connected disabilities.
That depends on your local VRO, and most of them will grill you for years and burn you before anything gets approved; lost records, prejudice, apathy, abuse, passing the buck, its a pattern that takes Veterans to homelessness, hopelessness, powerless, no self-esteem, no worth and eventually sucide and it does not end there, families are left with out a father, brother, sister and no way to bury the Veteran; especially if he was working to upgrade his/her discharge, it is nice and easy when VRO actually does their work .
I found all the legal help I needed for VA benifits from REPFORVETS.COM,(1-888-573-7838) a sister legal firm of Binder and Binder. I challenged the VA to increase my benefit after a number of tumors (sprayed and betrayed) were found and removed (so far benign) and the eventual loss of my left leg below the knee due to combat wounds in 72 in Vietnam. They shot me down on application. Turned it over to Rep for Vet and after appeal was denied the case went to court for review by and unbiased Judge in Dallas. Within 2 months of the appeal and review by the judge, benefits were granted with retroactive pay back to 1973.
The only requirement is you have to wait for your first denial letter (unfavorable) from the VA to use the legal service. No money payed to them if you loose and 5600.00 fee if approved, which is taken from any lump sum payment owed by the VA.
njo
Your first mistake was you filed an appeal . Never ever do that as the V.A. can sit on it forever . What you should have done is file a notice of disagreement . By federal law the V.A. must answer that in 90 days. Your next mistake was not using a veterans service officer to file your claim . These people usually work for the county or state government ( find them in the phone book under government agency's . Their service is free . You may also find a service officer at any county court house . Next mistake you made , was not signing a power of attorney for the VFW, or American Legion to represent you during the ratting process. All these services are free. You lost money to a sharp lawyer . That money should have been yours !!!!
bob1/28
That's where you make your error. I did not file the appeal, the law firm did because they knew the ins and outs of the system. From the time I files my first clain to the time the judge heard the case was 1 year 2 months.
I recommend all veterans having problems with claims should hire legal services.
The same thing occurred when I filed for SS Disability. They actually sent me a denial letter when I first file that said, now get this, "the lost of a limb is not considered a disability!" what am I, a lizard who will grow a new leg. So I hired Binder and Binder and from the date of my initial claim to the date I was awarded benefits was 11 months, 23 days. These law firms apparently know the systems so well that both SS and VA must get overwelmed to meet whatever "real" deadlines that exist.
Sean1980:
Your very right. Same with Social Security. I payed them for over 42 years and thay did not want to give back. But a homeless person who may have never worked or paid the tax automatically get it ...for being homeless. The system is broken and I see no fix for it!
bob1, I think the fact that he was put through the ringer about his disabilities is sad to say the least. It is amazing to me that someone can serve their country, become disabled through consequences of their service, and the VA takes their time and throws crap their way. The VA should be an avenue a veteran could feel comfortable going down. NJO, thank you for your service and God bless.
sean1980
Thank you for your kind words. I would do it all over again if I could.
God bless you for your service. it is sad to see that people really dont care about anyone but themselves! thank you for what you have done! i am currently in the army and my husband is a disabled vet and i have the upmost respect for him and any of our soldiers that have defended this country!
Did you all notice though that there or hardly any comments on this article. Almost like no body cares about what vets go through. Very discouraging.
Did ya'll notice though that there are hardly any comments on this article. Like nobody give a hoot what a vet goes through. Very discouraging and disappointing!
that is awesome!! i know from experience with my husband that the main reason that he does not go to the VA is because it is incredibly hard for him to be in such a large crowd of people. people do not realize what our vets go through and i hope that this is something that will stay strong and continue their mission regardless. people are always going to look down on vets and tell them to get over whatever, but thats something easier said than done! we need more people in this world that have a heart and are compassionate for the people that willingly lay down their lives for all the people in this world that dont give a rats a**.