Veterans struggle to access VA mental health care

Canceled appointments, unexplained mixups – veterans facing challenges getting VA mental health care

Woman sitting down with her elbows resting on her knees and her hands in front of her face.

The VA actively encourages veterans to enroll in VA health care, and officials voice pride in the department's expertise treating service-connected mental health conditions. However, veterans say they often can't get therapy appointments to accompany psychiatric medical care, and when they do, the treatment is often derailed by cancellations and scheduling problems. Data provided by the VA showed that from 2020 through 2023, the cancellation rate for mental health appointments across facilities averaged 10.6%.

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How changes in Army training could limit troop brain injuries

Sending soldiers to the firing range once a week for a month instead of four days in a row might be able to improve their long-term brain health. That’s one of the preliminary findings from Army researchers conducting baseline cognitive screenings in an effort to better track and prevent TBI among troops. According to the Defense Department Inspector General, from 2000 to 2022, nearly 460,000 service members were diagnosed with a TBI during training or in combat. Officials said finding ways to treat those issues earlier could result in long-term benefits.

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Here's where you can attend Veterans Day ceremonies in your community

Veteran waving a small hand-held American flag.

The Veterans Day National Committee hosts the annual Veterans Day observance each year on Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, 56 communities will host VA-recognized Veterans Day observances to pay tribute to America’s heroes. The list of VA-recognized regional Veterans Day sites is included in this article. Can’t make it to a regional site? There are many local Veterans Day ceremonies and parades – check your local news sites, veterans organizations, and charities for what’s going on in your town.

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Bipolar VA disability ratings

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Veterans with bipolar disorder may suffer from drastic mood swings, often with days or even weeks spent in the intense emotional highs of mania and the extreme lows of depression. The VA rating for bipolar disorder ranges from 0% to 100%, depending on the frequency and severity of the veteran’s symptoms. In addition, many veterans with bipolar disorder also have PTSD, which has overlapping symptoms. Veterans unable to hold steady work due to a service-connected mental health condition like bipolar disorder may also be eligible for TDIU.

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The Abbott HeartMate™ and Abiomed Impella® heart pump lawsuit

If you or someone you know had an Impella® pump used for cardiac intervention for a serious cardiac condition or a HeartMate™ II or 3, and the device failed, causing serious injury or death, contact us today. You could be eligible for the Abiomed Impella® heart pump lawsuit or the Abbott HeartMate™ lawsuit.