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VA NEWS FLASH -- from Larry Scott of VA Watchdog dot Org

Hot key issues for veterans -- The latest from the VA -- News you'll want to know.

IRAQ VETS FIGHT BRAIN INJURIES WITH UNIQUE VA PROGRAM -- 08-28-2008 "The brain boosters group is an opportunity for veterans to not only learn about brain injury, but to learn about what aspects they can control to improve their brain function." HOSPITAL OF THE FUTURE -- 08-28-2008 Despite progress toward the digital hospital of tomorrow, VA and military planners are still grappling with the technical problems of today. VA RESEARCH - BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS MAY PROTECT FROM SOME SKIN CANCERS -- 08-28-2008 Two classes of commonly used hypertension agents have been associated with a reduced risk of non-melanoma skin cancers in older veterans. VA PLANS TO ROLL OUT "RURAL MOBILE HEALTHCARE CLINICS" BY EARLY 2009 -- 08-28-2008 RVs will be rolling primary care and mental health clinics designed to serve rural veterans. WAGING INTERNAL WAR -- 08-28-2008 The Army's suicide rate is at a high, and kin say that multiple deployments are to blame. Some troops with mental illnesses are cleared to serve in Iraq. DO WE NEED A COLD WAR SERVICE MEDAL -- 08-28-2008 "We had a lot of people serve in a lot of dangerous places other than Korea and Vietnam." IDAHO VETERAN CHARGED WITH BILKING 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE VA -- 08-27-2008 A former sheriff's deputy faces charges that he pretended to be paraplegic to get veteran's benefits. SOLDIERING ON IN PAIN -- 08-27-2008 Troops who return from war with battered bodies and minds are increasingly turning to prescription medication to ease their injuries. UPDATE - DALLAS VA PRAISED FOR SWIFT UPGRADES AFTER SUICIDES -- 08-27-2008 Secretary Peake - "The lessons learned here will be translated throughout the VA system." INSURER DENIES CLAIM FOR IRAQ WAR PTSD VETERAN WHO DIED IN SLEEP -- 08-27-2008 "They have gone back and searched for any reason whatsoever to deny the claim..." VA RESEARCH OFFERS NEW HOPE FOR STROKE PATIENTS -- 08-27-2008 Scientists are looking to reverse stroke damage by jumpstarting the growth of nerve fibers. UPDATE - LEGION SAYS "NO" TO OUTSOURCING NEW G.I. BILL BENEFITS PROGRAM -- 08-27-2008 "Patients, critics and most media all cite the outstanding job the VA is doing. Outsourcing is not the answer." STUDY WILL DETERMINE IF OMAHA NEEDS A NEW VA HOSPITAL -- 08-27-2008 "It's an old facility. You don't have to be an engineer to figure that out when you walk around and see it." UPDATE - SECRETARY PEAKE APOLOGIZES TO JIM FITZGERALD'S WIDOW, SORT OF -- 08-27-2008 "I can only apologize that Aimee Fitzgerald perceived a sense of callousness or a sense that there were some additional diagnostic or other measures to be offered as she sought answers to unanswerable questions about her ailing husband." JOHN McCAIN'S ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION IN PHOENIX -- 08-27-2008 "My VA Secretary must be a forceful advocate for veterans and forthright advisor to me, so we can make the right choices about budgeting, health care, and other veterans' benefit issues."