Paralyzed Veterans of America Blog

The appeals process for Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) benefits claims has been under scrutiny for lengthy wait times and inaccurate decisions. In hopes of streamlining and improving the process, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 was introduced and subsequently signed into law in August 2017 (Public Law 115-55). The requirements in the law are scheduled to take effect in February 2019.

Have you ever been asked to take part in a clinical trial or research study? Occasionally, Paralyzed Veterans of America will send out an email blast to its members and others about a new study. That does not mean we are conducting a study or are affiliated with one, often just that a researcher to help him or her has asked we ‘get the word out’. After we have verified that the study has been approved and meets clinical guidelines, we agree to send the word out. This helps the researcher and participant move research forward.

Changes to the air travel experience of people with disabilities are on the horizon following the signing of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018 in October. The FAA Reauthorization included several provisions explicitly targeted at improving the air travel process, including security screening, for passengers with disabilities. PVA worked with many stakeholders to ensure that the needs of passengers with disabilities were included in the final bill.

As the 2018-2019 academic school year gets underway, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is recognizing the 11 exceptional college students who will receive financial assistance through our Educational Scholarship Program. The program provides a $500 scholarship to each qualified part-time student, and a $1,000 scholarship to each qualified full-time student, with a total amount of $10,000 in funding.

As powerful Hurricane Florence barrels toward the east coast of the US, and as much of the west coast deals with devastating forest fires, this is an opportune time to remind people with disabilities of the available resources and contacts available in their communities during emergencies like these.

Seek help from your local/state disability coalition

Traditionally, August signals a long recess work period for members of Congress. It is during this time that Senators and Representatives devote extra time and attention to meeting with their constituents, touring important facilities in their states and districts, and otherwise reconnecting with the citizens and communities they serve. Both members of the House and Senate typically leave Washington at the beginning of August and do not return until after Labor Day. This year, however, the Senate is taking a shorter recess and will return in the middle of the month.

The inability for some service-connected veterans to create a family of their own has long been a subject of frustration, helplessness, domestic tension and possibly even shame, among other feelings, for many of our members and other service-connected veterans. Until recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provided few infertility services other than in vitro fertilization (IVF) to veterans as part of the medical benefits package.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. It is the most comprehensive disability rights legislation ever enacted. The ADA prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.

I was all geared-up and in the ready, with tactical belt and triple magazine pouch all loaded with a 9mm, competition Gen 3 Glock 34 in my holster waiting on the Pact timer to go off so I could engage my targets quickly and accurately. This was a Thursday night local IDPA-style match and it happened to be the first I was competing in, so I had nothing to lose and only to gain. Before I took the line, however, I thought about a few things like “this shouldn’t be too hard”, or “I was a dumb grunt for six years, and I know target acquisition like the back of my hand”, or “I’m the shooting sports director for the largest shooting program of any veterans’ organization. How hard can this be?” Well….I got smoked.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several educational programs.  The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) Program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors.