Veterans bulletin [Fall 2006]

Veterans Bulletin Georgia Department of Veterans Service

Sonny Perdue Governor

Pete Wheeler Commissioner

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty Fall 2006

Local, State and VA Officials Gather to

"Break-Ground" at GVMC-Glennville

Story on Page 2

Ready for Burials Fall 2007
State's Newest Veteran Cemetery Now Under Construction
By Pam Waters, Editor in Chief, The Glennville Sentinel, 12/7/06

Drums rolled. Men saluted. As the familiar strains of "The Star Spangled Banner" echoed through the trees, a scattering of leaves, like nature's confetti, descended onto an already colorful scene. With warm, clear weather conditions welcoming dignitaries and guests, ground was officially broken

members for their diligent perseverance in securing the cemetery in Glennville.
He also thanked Georgia State Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (19th District) for "all you've done and will do in the future," in reference to Williams' leadership in state government.
"We're excited that this

Wednesday, November 29, to

begin construction on the new 43-

acre Georgia Veterans Cemetery

off the old Dyess Farm Road in

Glennville, several hundred yards

from Hwy. 301 North.

The soft breeze and the

upper 60's temperature added to

the peaceful serenity of the site

that will serve as the final

resting place for Georgia's

deserving veterans. Ft. Stewart's 3rd Infantry Division U. S. Army Band provided pre-ceremony music as well as the national anthem.
Pete Wheeler, Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, welcomed the crowd of area veterans and local, regional, and state officials, as well as dozens of townspeople to the groundbreaking ceremony. He lauded the many individuals who were persistent and dedicated in locating the cemetery in Glennville.
Wheeler praised Brent Walker, Chairman of the Glennville Industrial Development Authority, and other authority

Commissioner Pete Wheeler
cemetery is in a rural part of the state, which we refer to as God's country, and is for our veterans who have already given so much for our nation," said Williams.
In introducing State Senator Jack Hill, keynote speaker and key player in bringing the cemetery to fruition, Commissioner Wheeler related that he had known Jack's parents, remembering Wilton Hill's service in the Senate.
"State Senator Jack Hill did so many things to make sure the funds were in place. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he led the way in making the changes needed that

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

brought our desired results," said Wheeler. "He is a good friend and benefactor."
"This is cause for real celebration, after almost six years of the efforts of many individuals and with ideal timing shortly after Veterans' Day and before Pearl Harbor Day," said Senator Hill
This veteran's cemetery is the second one for Georgia, the other being in Milledgeville.
"With Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield nearby, and many military retirees locating in this area, these factors encouraged the placement of the next Georgia Veterans Cemetery in this big open space in Southeast Georgia," Hill noted.
"This project is the result of extraordinary will by this community and by its leaders, personified by individuals who really care about Glennville and
State Senator Jack Hill Reidsville, Tattnall County


are truly patriotic. A key player was Brent Walker's boyhood scout leader, our own retired Lieutenant General Mickey Kicklighter. He gave us a `heads up' from his position in the VA on a process that was not widely known. The federal government builds a cemetery at no cost to the state, but the state must be responsible for its operation," said Senator Hill in his opening remarks.
Bill Jayne, Cemetery Development Coordinator for Wilmington National Cemetery in Wilmington, North Carolina, spoke on behalf of Richard Wannamacher, Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"Veterans Affairs is providing 100 percent of the cost of the building and equipment in the cemetery while the state is providing the funds to operate it," said Jayne.
At the Annual Veterans Day Proclamation Signing

Ceremony on October 25th at the State Capitol the VA presented the Governor and the state a check for $6.4 million to establish the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery Glennville.
He said that three goals are met in the building of VA Cemeteries: (1) To provide a very real and important service to the veterans and their families the service of an honorable and dignified burial; (2) To honor the memory of all citizens who have stepped forward to serve whether they use this particular facility or not; and (3)

To do a service for all those who come after us young people particularly to provide a solemn reminder that freedom isn't free.
"It (freedom) is bought with a great price, and others are reminded not to squander it. These cemeteries allow us to extend our deepest appreciation to those who served with such distinction and honor," said Jayne.
In addition to Commissioner Wheeler, other State Veterans Service Board members in attendance included Chairman Fred T. Fincher of LaGrange, who served as a Marine and is a semi-retired businessman; Jim Blaylock, a Decatur resident and Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, who delivered the invocation and benediction at Wednesday's ceremony; Ray Hendrix of Statesboro, who served 42 years in the U. S. Army; Pat Phillips of Blairsville, Board Secretary, who served three tours in Vietnam; and Ken Birdsong of Gordon, who served 28 years in the State House.

VA BURIAL BENEFITS
Burial in a VA National Cemetery: Members of the armed forces and veterans, their spouses and dependent children may be buried in any of the VA's national cemeteries with available space. There currently are 120 national cemeteries across the nation and 83 have available space. More information is available at www.cem.va.gov . Burial in a Non-VA Cemetery: Deaths of active duty members are not covered by VA's financial burial allowance benefits, since the military services assist survivors with funeral expenses and the cost of burial in private cemeteries. If a family wishes to arrange burial in a non-VA cemetery, VA will provide a headstone or marker for the grave. Burial in a State Veteran's Cemetery: Although not a benefit provided by VA, burial in a state veteran's cemetery is an option available in many states for those who die on active duty. Some states have residency requirements and may impose additional limitations. For the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery see www.sdvs.georgia.gov . Military Funeral Honors: Upon request, the Department of Defense will provide military funeral honors. This arrangement typically is made by the funeral director. At least two uniformed service members fold and present the flag and play "Taps" by a recording or a bugler. Additional information about funeral honors is available at www.militaryhonors.osd.mil . Military Burial Flags: In the case of in-service deaths, the Defense Department provides a U.S. flag to drape the casket or to be presented at a memorial service. After the service, the flag is given to the next of kin. Presidential Memorial Certificate Program:
The service member's next of kin receives a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Additional certificates are available for other loved ones upon request to VA. The gold embossed parchment-style paper is inscribed with the service member's name and bears the President's signature. It expresses the nation's gratitude for the deceased person's military service.

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



VA Outpatient Clinic to Open in Rome

VA clinic organizers hope for quick opening
By Mike Gellatly, Staff Writer, Rome News-Tribune, 10/28/06

"Soon" seems to be the keyword surrounding the establishment of a Veterans Affairs Outreach Clinic in Rome.
"We're hoping to do this over the next fiscal year; really we want to get this clinic going as soon as we can," said Tom Cappello, acting network director for VA hospitals. "The sooner the better."
His comments came a day after it was announced that a parttime clinic will open in Rome with the potential to expand into a full-scale Community Based Outpatient Clinic. And those involved in the development want to see the outreach clinic up-andrunning rapidly.
U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, RMarietta, announced the clinic's opening after receiving a letter from VA Secretary R. James Nicholson. Gingrey has high hopes of veterans getting the facility quickly.
"Hopefully ... in about four months," he said, but Cappello thinks four months might be a stretch.
"An optimistic time frame would be to have something up and

running in 4 to 6 months,

depending on whatever

obstacles we may run

into," Cappello said. "The

good news is that the vets

of Rome are very

excited."

While the planning is

barely beyond the

concept stage, some details

have been released.

The clinic should have three or four Central Office, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

primary care providers. In addition,

Washington, D.C., 27 September 2006

Cappello said outreach programs

Expanding the part-time

commonly have mental health services, operation to a full CBOC will

though those in need of specialized care depend entirely on demand

will be referred to Smyrna or Atlanta.

for facilities and numbers of

Rome being a healthcare hub can only veterans in the surrounding

have benefits to the rapid establishment area. According to Cappello,

of the clinic, Cappello believes, because the Outreach program is used

support services are already established in part to gauge demand.

and personnel should be more readily

"If the demographics and

available.

projections favor a Rome

VA will now look into finding the correct CBOC, a business plan will be

site for the clinic. A preliminary study

finalized for a permanent, full-

will determine whether to build or take time Rome clinic," Nicholson

over an existing site.

wrote.

Commissioner Wheeler, VA Secretary R. James Nicholson, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson and U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey.

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



VA Clinic to Open in Rome
By Diane Wagner, Staff Writer, Rome News-Tribune, 10/27/06

Years of struggle for area veterans came to an end Thursday when U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, announced the opening of a Veterans Affairs Outreach Clinic
in Rome. Gingrey
said details are still sketchy but a part-time clinic will be established within the next 12 months -- "hopefully we'll get it going in about
four months" -- with the potential to expand into a full-scale outpatient clinic.
While outreach clinics offer the services of visiting VA medical professionals, a Community Based Outpatient Clinic provides

complete primary care and specialized programs such as cardiology and physical therapy. "I feel almost 100 percent sure we will have a CBOC here in three to four years," Gingrey said. "In the
meantime, we'll have this facility up and running so our veterans don't have to make those long drives to Smyrna or Atlanta."
Gingrey said an early October meeting with VA Secretary R. James Nicholson finally bore fruit with the support of Georgia VA Commissioner Pete Wheeler and Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss. He credited the victory

to teamwork, including the more than 2,200 veterans who signed petitions calling for a clinic.
"We were all just determined not to take `no' for an answer," Gingrey said.
In a letter, Nicholson said that a new review shows VA healthcare enrollments have grown significantly in Floyd and the surrounding counties, and the growth is projected to continue. A full analysis of the VA's southeastern region priorities is scheduled for later in the fiscal year that runs through Sept. 30, 2007.
"If the demographics and projections favor a Rome CBOC, a business plan will be finalized for a permanent, full-time Rome clinic," Nicholson wrote.

Athens Community Based Outpatient Clinic Opens

The Augusta VA Medical Center (VAMC) hosted an Open House at its new Athens Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) located at 9249 Highway 29 South, Suite A, on October 16, 2006.
The clinic provides general patient care, preventive health and education services, various medical screenings and referral to specialized programs and inpatient services available at the Augusta VA Medical Center

Commissioner Wheeler addressed area veterans in attendance. Looking on are Augusta VAMC Director, James F. Trusley III and Tom Capello, Director of the Veterans Health Administration's Southeast Network.

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

Attention Veterans!
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service has a new e-mail address.
We can now be reached at
gavetsvc@vs.state. ga.us
Our mailing address and telephone number remain the same.


Annual Veterans Day Proclamation Signing

Following a long standing Georgia tradition of officially proclaiming November 11 as "Veterans Day in Georgia" during the annual Governor's Veterans Day Proclamation signing, held October 25, inside the Rotunda of the State Capitol.
Commissioner Wheeler, who has served as the Governor's Chairman of Veterans Day observances statewide for over 50 years, was the master of ceremonies. The event, attracted the area's top military leaders, key members of the Georgia Legislature, and the leaders of the states veterans' organizations and auxiliaries.
The highlight of this year's ceremony was a symbolic check presentation by VA Deputy Under Secreatary for Memorial Affairs, Richard Wannamacher (second photo above) for approximately $6,432, 900 to establish the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, Georgia.
Pictured here with the check are from left to right: State Senator John Douglas
of Covington, Chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee; State Representative John Yates, Chairman of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee; Commissioner Wheeler, Governor Perdue, Richard Wannamacher, VA Department Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and Fred Fincher Sr., Chairman, State Veterans Service Board.
Above, Atlanta Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Below, Atlanta's Historic Old Guard of the Gate City Guard

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



Veterans Day 2006, Brunswick, Georgia
Commissioner Wheeler honored as

"Veteran of the Century"

"We may be uncertain about many things in America, but we should have no

military uniform of our country," Commissioner

reason to be uncertain about the respect

Wheeler said.

and honor we owe to those who have

"God bless those

served this nation," Georgia

who love, guard

Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete

and defend our

Wheeler told a large audience the day

precious

before Veterans Day gathered for an annual Veterans Day program held at
Neptune Park on Saint Simons Island sponsored by the Veterans Council of the Golden Isles.
Wheeler's remarks

freedoms."

Commissioner Wheeler acknowledged those young Americans presently in military uniform stationed around the world with "Godspeed . . . our prayers and our sincere wishes for your safe return go out to you."

were part of his keynote address delivered after being recognized as "Veteran of the Century" by the Veterans Council and other local, state, and federal dignitaries.
Proclamations were read and presented by: U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss; U.S. Representative Jack Kingston; Georgia Representative Jerry Keen; Glynn County Commissioner Chair, Don Hogan and City of Brunswick Mayor Bryan Thompson.
"Today we honor every patriotic man and woman who has ever worn the

Commissioner Wheeler emphasized that everyone should salute and thank all those veterans who have served to defend against the evils that threaten the freedoms and liberties we enjoy. Of the some 24.7 million veterans living today, over 760,000 reside in Georgia.

Brunswick Mayor, Bryan Thompson presents Commissioner Wheeler the "Key to the City," and Proclamation from the City Council.
Below, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss presents the framed "Tribute to Pete Wheeler" read on the floor of the U.S. Senate and

entered into the

Commissioner and Mrs Wheeler, with Veterans Council Chairman, Mike Browning and wife, Bonnie, with the"centerpiece" of the many

Congressional Record.

"Veterans of the Century" awards and proclamations; this reading:

The Veterans Council of the Golden Isles is

proud to honor

Commissioner Pete Wheeler

Georgia Department of Veterans Service

as the

Veteran of the Century

True American Patriot

Member organizations of The Veterans Council of the Golden Isles are: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2588; Vetyerans of Foreign Wars Post 4092; American Legion Post 9; American Legion Post 166; American Legion Post 317; Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 36; Marine Corps League, Glynco Detachment 716; Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 30; Military Officers Association of America, Golden Isles Chapter; Navy League of the United States, Golden Isle Council; Sons of the American Revolution, Marshes of Glynn Chapter and the Rotary Club of Saint Simons.

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



"Play it Again Pete!"

Golf Tournament Another Success

On October , 2006, the Atlanta VA Medical Center hosted the tenth annual "Play it Again, Pete!" Golf Tournament at the Golfer's Club on Fort McPherson.
The tournament raised over $49,500 to support the Homeless Veteran Programs at the Annual VAMC.
The proceeds from the event go directly to educational and occupational training to help veterans go from the streets into productive society.

Commissioner Wheeler, for whom the tournament is named hit the first ball signaling the beginning of the tournament.
Readily endorsing the event, the Commissioner said, " I often see the devasting
effect of the homelessness in our nation's veterans. It is always gratifying to be part of this tournament whose proceeds will be utilized to assist those veterans."
He commended the VA on its

success rates. "In an area where success rates are not that high, VA has had amazing results at bringing the homeless back into the mainstream of society."
The VA's comprehensive programs provide work skills, housing, food, transportation, and most importantly moral support.
Homeless veterans constitute one-third of our nation's homeless adult population.
Over 250,000 military veterans are homeless every night in this country.
From left to right: Carlos Morgan, Director, Homeless Veterans Program at the Atlanta VAMC, Dr. Kenneth Heard, Tournament Director, Commissioner Wheeler and Jim Randles, Past National Commander (2005-2006 Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Commissioner Wheeler attended a Blue Star Marker dedication ceremony at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur. The marker, placed on Clairmont Road in front of the VAMC, was sponsored by the Dekalb County Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
The Blue Star Memorial Program was started in 1944 by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs,

who planted 8,000 dogwoods as a living memorial to the veterans who served in World War II. The blue star was an icon of the war, displayed on houses that had a family member in service.
The National Council of State Garden Clubs followed suit in 1945, creating the Blue Star Highway System. Memorial and By-Way markers were added in 1951. The
program has since expanded to include all those who have served their country. About 700 markers have been placed in locations throughout the country over the years.

Pictured from left to right; Lt. General David Poythress, Adjutant General of Georgia; State Senator David Adelman, District 42; James Clark, Acting Director, Atlanta, VA Medical Center; Jean Smith, President, The Dekalb County Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.; Peg Glover, Blue Star Marker State Chairman; Joy Zaiden, Director, Redbud District, The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.; Lt. General Russel L. Honore, Commanding General, First Army, Headquartered at Fort Gillem, Georgia; Tom Capello, Veterans Health Administration, SE Netwrok Director and Commissioner Wheeler

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty



VA Services Available to Returning OIF/OEF Combat Veterans

specially adaptive equipment grants, home

VA Fact Sheet

modification programs for the disabled,

November 2006

life insurance and traumatic injury

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed special programs to serve the nation's newest veterans -- the men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan -- by assisting them with a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life. VA's goal is to ensure that every seriously injured or ill serviceman and woman returning from combat receives easy access to benefits and world-class service. Combat veterans have special health care eligibility. Their contact with VA often begins with priority scheduling for care and, for the most seriously wounded, VA counselors visiting their bedside in military wards before separation to ensure their VA disability payment coverage will be ready the moment they leave active duty. Through enhanced programs and new policies, VA is striving to ensure it holds open the doors to a seamless transition from soldier to citizen.

protection, and survivor benefits. Information on these programs is
available at http://www.vba.va.gov/ benefit_facts/index.htm.
VA launched an ambitious outreach initiative to ensure separating combat veterans know about VA benefits. Programs available to them, including compensation for service-related disabilities, are described at http://www. seamlesstransition.va.gov/benefits.asp. Each veteran with service in Iraq or Afghanistan receives a letter from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson introducing the veteran to VA and its benefits and providing phone numbers and Web sites for more information.
As with all military members, transition briefings prior to discharge also acquaint them with benefits as do additional pamphlet mailings following separation. Brochures, wallet cards and videos have been produced, and briefings are being conducted at town hall meetings, family readiness groups and during unit drills

Benefits and Services

near the homes of returning Guard members and reservists. Because of the

For two years after discharge, these

large number of reservists and Guard

veterans have special access to VA health members mobilized in this conflict, VA

care, even those who have no service-

has made a special effort to work with

connected illness. Veterans can become their units to reach transitioning service

"grandfathered" for future access by

members at demobilization sites and has

enrolling with VA during this period.

trained recently returned veterans to serve

This covers not only regular active-duty as National Guard Bureau liaisons in every

personnel who served in Iraq or

state to assist their fellow combat veterans.

Afghanistan, but also Reserve or National

Guard members serving in the combat theaters. Veterans with service-related injuries or illnesses always have access to VA care for the treatment of their disabilities without any time limit, as do lower-income veterans. Hospital care, outpatient treatment and nursing home services are offered at 1,400 locations. Additional information about VA medical eligibility is available at http://www. va.gov/healtheligibility.
VA's broad range of benefits includes disability compensation and pension, vocational rehabilitation and employment, education and training, home loan guarantees, automobile and

Seamless Transition Liaisons for the Severely Wounded
In an effort to assist wounded military members and their families, VA has placed workers at key military hospitals where severely injured servicemembers from Iraq and Afghanistan are frequently sent. These include benefit counselors who help the servicemember obtain VA services as well as social workers who facilitate health care coordination and discharge planning as servicemembers transition from military to VA care. Under this program, VA staff members serve at

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.; Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Ft. Gordon, Ga.; Brooke Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas; Madigan Army Medical Center at Tacoma, Wash.; Darnall Army Medical Center at Ft. Hood, Texas; Evans Army Hospital at Ft. Carson, Colo.; and Camp Pendleton Naval Medical Center in San Diego.
VA and the Department of Defense have improved collaboration and communication. VA employees based at military treatment facilities brief service members about VA health benefits, disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation and employment. Coordinators at each VA benefits regional office and VA medical center work both with the outbased VA counselors and with military discharge staff to ensure a smooth transition to VA services at locations nearest to the veteran's residence after discharge. At the VA facilities serving the veteran's home town, the hospital is alerted when the seriously wounded servicemember is being discharged so that the continuity of his or her medications and therapy is ensured when they arrive home.
Medical Conditions of Combat Veterans
Patterns of disease shown in diagnoses of recent combat veterans who have come to VA for care have not suggested significant differences from the types of primary care, chronic conditions or mental health issues seen in earlier combat veterans. However, careful studies will be required to draw appropriate comparisons using control groups of similar veterans, representative samplings, and other scientific methods. An early neurological study tested 654 Army veterans before deployment to Iraq in 2003 and again after returning in 2005, finding mild impairments in memory and attention lapses, but significantly faster reaction times when compared to other veterans not deployed to the theater. These warrant further investigation. VA also will analyze combat veterans' deaths


HERO Scholarships Helps Returning

National Guardsmen and Reservists

Since the first HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) Scholarships were issued in March 2006, a total of $395,700 has been awarded, helping 200 HERO recipients attend college in Georgia.
The HERO Scholarship is available to Georgia residents currently serving in the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Reserves who were deployed to a combat zone on or after May 3, 2005, and who then served at least 181 consecutive days in the combat zone. These soldiers can receive up to $8,000 for four years of undergraduate study ($2,000 per academic year). Their eligible dependents can receive up to $2,000 per academic year for each qualifying 181 day period that their parent has served.
"Every day Georgia's men and women in uniform place

themselves in harm's way in locations like Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting our enemies and protecting our nation," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "All Georgians are proud of our soldiers and grateful for their service and sacrifice, and the HERO Scholarship is one expression of our thanks. I am delighted so many of our returning heroes are taking advantage of this opportunity to continue their education."
The eligible dependents of soldiers killed in action prior to the completion of 181 days are eligible for the HERO award. Soldiers evacuated from the combat zone due to injuries before the completion of 181 days are also eligible for the HERO award.
Recipients must attend an institution within the

University System of Georgia or the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, or an eligible private college in Georgia. Eligible children must have been born before or within nine months of the beginning of their parent's combat tour and be 25 years old or younger.
The Georgia General Assembly enacted legislation during the 2005 session establishing the HERO Scholarship Program. In March 2006 the scholarship was awarded to its first nine recipients, all children of qualifying service personnel.
More information about the HERO Scholarship, including full program regulations and an online application, is available at www.GAcollege411.org by clicking on the HERO link in the "For Students" section near the center of the homepage.

Veterans Benefit Counselors were on hand when members of the Georgia's Army National Guard 48th Brigade returned home to various parts of the state. Counselors answered questions, and provided guidance concerning, employment, benefits and other areas.

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

10

Continued from Page 9

better understanding of patients

from diseases in hopes of publishing

who experience this condition. VA

mortality studies in the future.

has made training mandatory for

Nationally automated data from VA's

physicians and other key staff in

payment system for service-connected

primary care, mental health and

diseases and disabilities does not

rehabilitation programs.

distinguish between combat-related

injuries and those incurred or worsened while the service member was in nonhostile locations. Some of the most common service-connected conditions among those who served at some point in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters include musculoskeletal conditions and hearing disorders.

Mental Health Care and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder
About one-third of these combat veterans who seek care from VA have a possible diagnosis of a mental disorder, and VA has significantly expanded its counseling and mental

Polytrauma Centers Provide Specialized Care

health services. VA has launched new programs, including dozens of new mental health teams based in VA

Improvised explosive devices and

medical centers focused on early

rocket-propelled grenades often result in

identification and management of

devastating injuries, including

stress-related disorders, as well as the

amputations, sensory loss and brain injury. recruitment of about 100

Modern body armor and advances in

combat veterans in its Readjustment

front-line trauma care have enabled

Counseling Service to provide

combat veterans to survive severe

briefings to transitioning servicemen

attacks that in prior wars were fatal. In

and women regarding military-

response to the demand for specialized

related readjustment needs.

services, VA expanded its four traumatic

Many of the challenges facing the

brain injury centers in Minneapolis, Palo

soldiers returning from Afghanistan

Alto, Richmond and Tampa to become

and Iraq are stressors that have been

polytrauma centers encompassing additional identified and studied in veterans of

specialties to treat patients for multiple

previous wars. VA has developed

complex injuries. This is being expanded

world class expertise in treating

into a network of 21 polytrauma network

chronic mental health problems,

sites and polytrauma clinic

including post-traumatic stress

support teams around the country

disorder (PTSD).

providing state-of-the-art treatment closer to

Post-traumatic stress involves a

injured veterans' homes.

normal set of reactions to a trauma

These centers treat traumatic brain

such as war. Sometimes it becomes a

injury alone or in combination with

disorder with the passage of time when

amputation, blindness, or other visual im-

feelings or issues related to the trauma

pairment, complex orthopedic

are not dealt with and are suppressed

injuries, auditory and vestibular

by the individual. This can result in

disorders, and mental health concerns. VA problems readjusting to community

has added clinical expertise to address the

life following the trauma. Since the

special problems that the multi-trauma

war began, VA has activated dozens

combat injured patient may face. This can

of new PTSD programs around the

include intensive psychological support

country to assist veterans in dealing

treatment for both patient and family,

with the emotional toll of combat. In

intensive case management, improvements addition, 207 readjustment counseling

in the treatment of vision problems, and

"vet centers" provide easy access in

rehabilitation using the latest high-tech

consumer-friendly facilities apart from

specialty prostheses. Polytrauma teams

traditional VA medical centers.

bring together experts to provide innovative,

One early scientific study indicated

personalized treatment to help the injured

the estimated risk for PTSD from

service member or veteran achieve optimal service in the Iraq war was 18 percent,

function and independence.

while the estimated risk for PTSD

Because brain injury is being recognized from the Afghanistan mission was 11

as the signature injury of the current

percent. Data from multiple sources

conflict, VA launched an educational

now indicate that approximately 10 to

initiative to provide its clinicians a broad

15 percent of soldiers develop PTSD

base of knowledge with which to identify

after deployment to Iraq and another

potential traumatic brain injury patients,

10 percent have significant symptoms

mechanisms for effective care, and a

of PTSD, depression or anxiety and

Georgia Veterans...guardians of liberty

may benefit from care. Alcohol misuse and relationship problems add to these rates. Combat veterans are at higher risk for psychiatric problems than military personnel serving in noncombat locations, and more frequent and more intensive combat is associated with higher risk. With military pre- and postdeployment health assessment programs seeking to destigmatize mental health treatment, coupled with simplified access to VA care for combat veterans after discharge, experts believe initial high rates likely will decrease.
Studies of PTSD patients in general have suggested as many as half may enjoy complete remission and the majority of the remainder will improve. Research has led to scientifically developed treatment guidelines covering a variety of modern therapies with which clinicians have had success. Treatments range from psychological first aid to cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychopharmacology may include drugs such as Zoloft or Paxil -- with newer drugs under studies now in progress. More information about VA's PTSD programs is available at http://www. va.gov/opa/fact/docs/ptsd.doc and http:// www.ncptsd.va.gov.
Additional Resources Combat Veterans Information http://www.va.gov/Environagents/page. cfm?pg=16
Transition Assistance Program http://www.va.gov/opa/fact/tranasst.asp
PTSD and Combat Veterans http://www.ncptsd.org/topics/war.html
Survivors Benefits http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm
Women Veterans Information http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Topics/ Women/
11

Georgia Department of Veterans Service Floyd Veterans Memorial Building E-970 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800

Georgia Veterans Bulletin
The "Georgia Veterans Bulletin" is published quarterly by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Individuals or organizations can be placed on the mailing list by calling (404) 656-5933 or by writing to the Department of Veterans Service, Public Information Division, Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, Room E-970, Atlanta, GA 30334-4800, or e-mail us at gavetsvc@vs.state.ga.us

Fred Fincher

Chairman, Veterans Service Board

Pete Wheeler

Commissioner

Jim Frederick Assistant Commissioner, Claims and Field Operations

Len Glass

Assistant Commissioner Administrative Service

James Jackson

Director, Education & Training

Brian Zeringue

Public Information Manager

Shelly-Ann Simpson

Editor, Veterans Bulletin

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