VET2VET

A hemorrhoid is an irritated clump of swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins.  There are two main types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.  Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum and rarely cause discomfort as they usually cannot be seen or felt.  However, straining or irritation when passing stool can damage a hemorrhoid’s surface and cause it to bleed.  External hemorrhoids are those under the skin around the anus.  When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed.  Hemorrhoids are very common, affecting nearly three out of four adults on occasion.

Almost 1.4 million veterans live in households that participate in SNAP (formerly food stamps), CBPP analysis of data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey finds. In every state, thousands of low-income veterans use SNAP to help put food on the table. Florida has the largest number of veterans participating in SNAP (120,000), followed by California and Texas (97,000 apiece). In Oregon, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., at least 10 percent of veterans live in households that received SNAP in the last year.

VA offers life insurance programs that provide financial security and peace of mind for service members, Veterans, and their families. These insurance programs have specific eligibility criteria, insurance terms, and application processes. But how do you know if you’re eligible, and how do you apply?

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is cooperating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to recent reports of a novel (new) coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others that circulate mostly among animals. Common symptoms in an infected person include fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Anemia is an inadequate supply of red blood cells, resulting in a decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. A common reason that cancer patients experience anemia is as a side effect of chemotherapy. Anemia is important because it may cause unwanted symptoms, such as fatigue, tiredness or shortness of breath, and may exacerbate or cause other medical problems, such as a heart condition. Fortunately, anemia can be effectively managed.

Many veterans suffer from flat feet. When this condition is left untreated or is aggravated, many other issues can begin to affect those veterans as a result. Unfortunately, because many of those secondary conditions develop long after their time in service, many veterans do not apply for the benefits that may be available to them for a secondary condition. If you have flat feet and have begun to develop any conditions that may be related to them, you should definitely seek a diagnosis and then a secondary claim with the VA. There is no reason to leave benefits on the table.

Diabetes mellitus falls under The endocrine system which is a network of glands that create hormones to help regulate the body. These hormones control the growth of new cells and metabolism. Some organs, like the kidney, also help in producing hormones. The endocrine system is made up of the hypothalamus, thymus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pineal gland, reproductive glands (ovaries or testes), and the pancreas. All these parts work together to keep the body in balance. Diabetes is a metabolic disease. Diabetes can cause a wide range of other medical issues. Veterans who are service-connected for diabetes and develop a secondary condition could qualify for VA disability benefits for the secondary disability. Diabetes is not – as commonly believed – something that only fat people get.

The Department of Veterans Affairs seemingly has a form for any action veterans want to take with their VA disability claims. In this podcast, we compile some of the most important VA forms with instructions for their use.

The message is clear:  People - and their rights - must be front and centre. A human rights lens puts everyone in the picture and ensures that no one is left behind. Human rights responses can help beat the pandemic, putting a focus on the imperative of healthcare for everyone. The best response is one that responds proportionately to immediate threats while protecting human rights and the rule of law.

Pes Planus, often referred to as flat feet, is a common foot deformity in which the arch of the foot is flattened to the point where it touches the ground, or nearly touches the ground. Ligaments and tendons from the lower leg and the foot form the arches; when these tendons do not pull properly, the foot has little or no arch, resulting in flat feet.

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the passages through which your nerves travel through your spine become narrow or partially blocked. This impinges on the nerves themselves, which can cause pain, tingling numbness, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, it can lead to myelopathy, paralysis, bladder and bowel incontinence or retention, headaches, and other debilitating symptoms. Please, check related podcast(s): #SE2E10 The Spine. Arthritis.

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear is not a disease, but a symptom which can result from a wide range of underlying causes, including: prolonged exposure to abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal, ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, nasal allergies which prevent (or induce) fluid drain, or wax build-up. Tinnitus can also be noticed as part of the natural aging process, as a side effect of some medications or of genetic hearing loss. However, the most common cause is noise-induced hearing loss. Please check related podcast(s): #SE1E18 Hearing Loss And Tinnitus (part 1) #SE3E5 Hearing Loss And Tinnitus (part 2)

Many veterans suffer from different ear conditions later in life like vertigo, dizziness, and tinnitus. As a result, these conditions can affect the way they work and live. Service members are exposed to innumerable loud noises which can cause permanent ear damage and disability.

Clearly, we are living through an extraordinary period in human history. The rampant spread of Covid-19 has upended societies and economies. Its short-term effects have been dramatic and, in the medium-term and long-term, the virus may have profound consequences for all of us.

Most veterans are in the dark about how the VA actually determines a rating for PTSD. If a veteran is granted a service-connected disability for PTSD the VA will assign a rating based on the current severity of the symptoms (not on the severity of the stressful event). The VA actually has published regulations on how it is supposed to rate PTSD claims. The problem is that it’s just one set of regulations buried within thousands of VA regulations. Below are the specific regulations on how the VA is supposed to rate PTSD claims based upon the level of social and occupational impairment as determined by various symptoms. These ratings range from 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100%.