CDC formally recognizes Gulf War illness

The Centers for Disease Control has announced a medical diagnostic code for Gulf War illness that will enable doctors and scientists to more effectively track, document, and treat the cluster of symptoms reported by tens of thousands of veterans who served in the early 1990s. The lack of a formal medical diagnosis for Gulf War illness until now meant doctors and researchers were unable to easily identify and treat veterans with the condition “inside and outside the VA health care system.” The new diagnostic code became effective Oct. 1.

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AI at the VA: tech gains shadowed by infrastructure and data security concerns

The VA has increased its reliance on artificial intelligence to provide services for veterans, including the anticipation of crisis situations and streamlining operations. Although the use of AI is not a new concept at the VA, lawmakers and the Government Accountability Office have raised concerns over privacy and proper staffing to match the increasing reliance on AI.

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Clinic launches suicide prevention campaign for women veterans

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the Up Center in Virginia Beach launched a campaign to raise awareness for what it calls an overlooked mental health crisis: the high rate of suicide among women veterans. Women veterans are dying by suicide at nearly twice the rate of their civilian counterparts, a number that has increased significantly in the post-9/11 era. While all veterans face higher rates of suicide than their civilian peers, women who served face unique challenges, both during their service and in the systemic gaps that follow them home.

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Understanding VA special monthly compensation

VA special monthly compensation (SMC) is a program offering increased payments to veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities. The benefit is designed for conditions that fall outside of the criteria laid out in the Schedule of Ratings. In some cases, these disabilities may require extra care or add significantly more inconvenience to a veteran’s life. Veterans may also have conditions that make leaving their home or bed impossible, or require the assistance of a caretaker. In this article, we explain the types of SMC VA benefits and how they work.

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The Paragard® IUD lawsuit

U.S. doctors have recommended Paragard® IUDs for decades as a trusted, hormone-free birth control option. However, reports in recent years have raised serious safety concerns. If you or a loved one experienced complications or required surgery due to a broken Paragard IUD, you may qualify to join the Paragard IUD lawsuit.