Welcome to the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program 

In 2004 the West Point Class of 1958 initiated a mentoring program for wounded Soldiers and Marines at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. when it became apparent that Wounded Warriors needed more individual attention than the Army could provide.  We found that Wounded Warriors needed additional, one-on-one, assistance to orient them on a new profession and a new life, as well as counseling on benefits, jobs, educational opportunities, and handling of finances as well as navigating the complexities of the military medical system.

Lee Miller '58, Bruce Holmberg '61, Greg Gadston '89, Alton McCallum '02, and John Herren '58

A Corner of Hope: New GI Bill Answers the Changing Needs of the Military Student

Posted by Jim Hardiman on August 25, 2010

Jim Hardiman is a licensed clinical social worker and substance abuse counselor. Prior to joining DCoE, he served as a regional care coordinator for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. He has provided mental health services for patients and their families for more than two decades. Hardiman writes a monthly post for the DCoE Blog on various psychological health conditions affecting our service members, veterans and their families—offering encouragement or “A Corner of Hope” for our readers.

Since the original inception of the GI Bill in 1944 (my dad took advantage of this one), the face of the military undergraduate student has changed. According to a 2009 study by the American Council on Education (ACE), during the 2007-08 academic year, military undergraduates were:

Social Security Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors

Military service members and veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security.  Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website. (http://www.ssa.gov/woundedwarriors/ )

GI Bill: Use it or Lose it

The InTransition Program: Maintaining Continuity of Care through Transitions

Yellow Ribbon Program: Vital Link for National Guard and Reserve

DCoE in Action Vol 3, No 7      July 2010

Making the change from civilian to war fighter and back is exciting and at times stressful. More than 770,000 National Guard and Reserve soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have made that transition since September 11, 2001. Most National Guard and Reserve service members and their families don’t live near military installations and don’t have direct access to the information, resources and benefits available to fami­lies throughout the deployment cycle. The Department of Defense (DoD) Yellow Ribbon Program provides that vital link for our Guard and Reserve members.

DoD/VA Offers Resources to Help Guard and Reserve Members

DCoE in Action Vol 3, No 7    July 2010

Approximately 1.1 million members of the Guard and Reserve protect our nation. With ongoing high-operations tempo overseas, guardsmen and re­servists across all services will continue to deploy.

Since September 11, 2001, nearly 775,000 Guard and Reserve members have served or are currently deployed. These deployments bring increased exposure to conditions that may affect psychological health, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2009, there were 17,538 hospitalizations for psychological health issues through­out the military compared to 11,156 for physical injuries and battle wounds.

Double Amputee Lt. Col. Gregory D. Gadson Takes Charge of Wounded Warrior Program

Wounded Warrior first to use next-generation powered legs

Jul 15, 2010
By Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown
Army Wounded Warrior program

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 14, 2010) -- The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program gained a new director Tuesday -- one who has a lot in common with those he'll be leading.

Lt. Col. Gregory D. Gadson, a West Point graduate, lost both of his legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007. Despite nearly losing his life, Gadson went on to complete two graduate degrees and recovered with assistance from the Wounded Warrior Program, which he is now responsible for.

The Wounded Warrior Program, nicknamed AW2, is the official Army program that assists and advocates for the most severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, veterans, and their families.

"It's all about the Army making good on its promise to never leave a fallen comrade," said Brig. Gen. Gary H. Cheek, commanding general for the Warrior Transition Command, which AW2 falls under.

Intrepid Center Merges Art, Science for Brain Treatment

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

BETHESDA, Md., June 28, 2010 – When the National Intrepid Center of Excellence opened its doors here last week, the sense of hope in reversing the rising tide of brain injuries and psychological illness in servicemembers was palpable.

From its warm design and family-friendly amenities to its best-in-the-world diagnostic and assessment equipment, the center boasts the convergence of art and science that officials hope will become the new normal in researching, diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

April 21, 2010, the House of Representatives passed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, giving severely wounded warriors and the family members who care for them some much-needed support to ensure the warriors receive the highest quality of care available and remain out of nursing homes, by unanimous approval.

Click on the Read more...  for a complete summary of the legislation.

The TBI Family Caregiver Panel's Results Updated April 14, 2010

Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs have approved the panel’s “Caregiver's Journey” and it has been added to the Panel’s TBI web site: The Journey Home - the CEMM Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Web Site: http://www.traumaticbraininjuryatoz.org/  

This site provides an informative and sensitive exploration of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), including information for patients, family members, and caregivers. Topics include types and symptoms of brain injury, TBI treatment and recovery, and helpful insights about the potential long-term effects of brain injury. Animation is used to help patients clearly understand the brain, and the results of injuries to different parts of the brain. Survivors and their caregivers share courageous stories about their own experiences, providing down-to-earth facts along with inspiration and hope.

Caregivers of family members or friends who have a TBI are encouraged to log-on to this site and go to: Caregiver's Journey for information on the important role caregivers play in TBI recovery and resources for caregiver support and self care strategies.

New DoD/VA Center to Improve Eye Care
April 8, 2010

CAP's Wounded Service Members Initiative would like to share the following information: The new Vision Center of Excellence (VCE) was formed to track eye injuries emanating from the war theater and improve treatment outcomes across the services and VA.

The need for the VCE is evidenced in the variety of injuries that impact soldiers' vision, from traumatic eye injury as a result of explosive devices and projectiles, to vision disorders associated with TBI, and eye injury caused by exposure to chemicals, biohazards, lasers or extreme environmental conditions. VCE is facilitating collaborative efforts that support optimal DoD/VA vision care transition, such as a process developed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for blind rehabilitation care.

Strict Deadlines, Disabled Veterans and Dismissed Cases

Get to Know the National Intrepid Center of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE)

1. What does NICoE stand for?

NICoE stands for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence.

2. What is NICoE?

The NICoE is a newly established treatment planning and research facility designed to provide cutting edge treatment planning, diagnosis, research and education for military personnel and their families dealing with recurring mild TBI and psychological health conditions.

TRICARE and VA Work Together

Service members who became ill or injured while serving on active duty and are then medically retired have health benefits available to them through both the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Like all retirees, medically-retired veterans can choose TRICARE Prime where it’s available, or TRICARE Standard and Extra if they are not eligible for Medicare. Their family members have the same TRICARE choices. Veterans who are eligible for Medicare because of disability must maintain Medicare Parts A and B to keep their TRICARE coverage.

Tutoring for Active Duty Service Members

CAP's Wounded Service Member Initiative team would like to share the following information:

The Department of Defense is now offering unlimited access to certified, professional tutors 24/7 through partnership with Tutors.com.  The services provided are available to all active duty Service Members and their dependents. Homework help and study guidance are available for all those returning to school or for their spouses/children.  Test preparation courses offer a systematic approach to taking on standardized testing; writing skills can be strengthened through one-on-one proofreading and editing.

Homeowners Assistance Program Expands

The Department of Defense (DOD) is proud to offer the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) to eligible service members and federal civilian, including non-appropriated fund, employees. The program is authorized by law, and administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to assist eligible homeowners who face financial loss when selling their primary residence homes in areas where real estate values have declined because of a base closure or realignment announcement.

Are You Eligible for Extra Money? Thousands of Reserve and National Guard Soldiers Are

Reserve and National Guard soldiers from every state and territory and the District of Columbia are among those eligible for additional money from the Post Deployment Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) Compensation Program, the Department of Defense has determined.

OCAR and the states and territories now are identifying their soldiers who are entitled to extra cash for serving long deployments overseas.

DoD Wounded Warrior Web Site Upgraded

The federal departments of Labor and Defense have unveiled an improved website for wounded warriors.

The National Resource Directory http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/ is a comprehensive, free, online tool for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers, veterans and their families and caregivers. Visitors to the site can find an extensive range of information about veterans' benefits, including disability and pension benefits, VA health care and educational opportunities. The website also provides a single point of access to a wealth of information from more than 10,000 sites by federal, state and local governments and organizations offering services for wounded warriors.

See more Wounded Warrior http://www.military.com/wounded-warriors news on Military.com.

Vets Help Vets Through Chance Discovery for Improving Sleep

Vietnam veterans who were prescribed a medication for the treatment of blood pressure and prostate problems reported to their providers that the combat nightmares they had been living with for decades had considerably lessened. Researchers today are studying this finding to see if the medication can be beneficial to veterans of the current conflicts.

Researchers from the Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC), VA Puget Sound Healthcare System/University of Washington School of Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center are studying the impact that this medication can have on improving the quality of sleep for Service members and veterans. For the next two years, the DHCC is looking for participants to be a part of a 15-week study to test the benefits of this medication.

MAX EARNINGS AMOUNT for Permanent SSA-D (SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY)

Substantial Gainful Activity

To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals; Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. Both SGA amounts generally increase with increases in the national average wage index.

American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide

VETERANS RESOURCES NETWORK
http://www.valaw.org   http://38uscode.com

The Veterans For America have published a free ebook to help veterans. Title: the "American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide". The foreword is written by Mr. Robert Muller a founder of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The Guide has information for filing and winning a VA claim. (Click on Read more...  below to see a list of chapters.) You can right click the link and download the entire book to your PC. Or view individual chapters online.

Go to:
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/download-the-survival-guide-for-american-veterans-and-servicemembers/

Class Action Lawsuit to Yield Better Benefits for Thousands of Veterans Suffering from PTSD and Their Families

Veterans must opt-in by July 24 for disability rating upgrade and expedited review of benefits, NVLSP and Morgan Lewis available to counsel veterans on their rights as class members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2010

WASHINGTON—Following an order issued by the judge overseeing Sabo v. United States, legal notices are being mailed this week to more than 4,300 veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and were diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The court’s notice invites them to join a class action lawsuit filed in December 2008 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by signing and submitting an “opt-in” form no later than July 24, 2010.  Submitting this form will allow these veterans to take advantage of a negotiated resolution that guarantees an upgrade in the veteran’s disability rating and an expedited review by a military correction board to determine the full extent of the rating improvement.

Studies Find Breakthrough in PTSD Treatment

Marine Corps Times
By Kelly Kennedy
Posted : Sunday Dec 27, 2009

Brain scans, blood tests may help predict condition

Two new studies seem to provide more evidence that post-traumatic stress disorder is a chemical change in the brain caused by trauma — and that it might be possible to diagnose, treat and predict which troops are most susceptible to it using brain scans or blood tests.

In one study, Christine Marx of the Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center wondered why PTSD, depression and pain often occur together.

Researchers already knew that people with PTSD show changes in their neurosteroids, which are brain chemicals thought to play a role in how the body responds to stress.

Real Warriors Campaign Launches New PSAs to Combat Psychological Health Stigma

DCoE in Action Newsletter for Defense Centers of Excellence VOL 2/NO. 7 | Nov. - Dec. 2009

Army Major Jeff Hall, Real Warriors PSA

Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Megan Krause, Real Warriors PSA

On October 13, 2009, the Real Warriors Campaign launched four new public service announcements (PSAs) to help combat the stigma associated with seeking treatment for psychological health concerns and traumatic brain injury.

In addition to being posted on the Real Warriors Campaign Web site, thePSAs will also air on DoD and civilian media nationwide and overseas.  “Every deployment is unique and impacts our service members in different ways,” said DCoE Director Brig. Gen. Sutton, M.D. “No one returns home the same way they left. These PSAs are an important part of tearing down the stigma that can keep our warriors from seeking the psychological health care they need to maintain resilience.”

Walter Reed Patients Test Next Generation Prosthesis

By Christen N. McCluney Special to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2009

Wounded warriors at the Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here are testing a new microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. The X2 microprocessor knee by Otto Bock HealthCare is the result of a medical research project funded in support of the Military Amputee Research Program.

This project, administered by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, had the goal of developing "an electronically controlled prosthetic knee joint that meets the specific demands of military staff in real world activity," said Troy Turner, Advanced Technology Research Program manager at TATRC.

He added that in 2005, officials recognized that even the cutting-edge prosthetic devices weren't good enough.

Army Secretary: New Treatments For PTSD And TBI Must Be Explored

Stripes Central (Stripes.com) December 9, 2009 By Jeff Schogol

Army Secretary John McHugh sat down with Stars and Stripes Tuesday to talk about a broad range of issues, including the Army’s efforts to combat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Where do you feel the Army needs to improve when it comes to treating PTSD and TBI?

Well, I just this morning returned from my my most recent visit to Walter Reed, and it’s clear as you go through those wards that obviously this is an ongoing challenge, and one that while I think we’ve made a lot of progress on, particularly from the diagnostic and treatment side, we have to continue to do better.

DOD and VA Announce Disability Evaluation System Pilot Expansion

The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that beginning in January 2010, the Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot will expand to an additional six installations across the country.

The new locations will include: Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va. This expansion brings the total number of military facilities using the pilot to 27.

“The decision to expand the pilot was based upon favorable reviews focusing on the program’s ability to meet timeliness, effectiveness, transparency, and customer and stakeholder satisfaction,” said Noel Koch, deputy under secretary of defense, Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy.

Monthly GI Bill Payment Rate Increased

As of October 1, 2009 the monthly GI Bill payment rate increased 3.6% to $1,368. This money is not a loan, but a benefit you've earned to help pay for a degree or professional certificate.

The first step in using this money is to Find Military Friendly Schools who value Veterans by offering college credit for service. Military.com works with hundreds of accredited schools that can save you time in the class room and are familiar with the GI Bill. You can also request free information from Schools Who Offer Credit for Service in the Air Force.

For more information, please visit
http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=091005SOL_airforce_v.se

New DCoE Web Site Offers Specialized Content, New Features for Visitors

New DoD Center Helps with Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury

WARNING-Please Pay Attention

The VA reports that a reprehensible scam is targeting veterans.

Scammers are calling VA beneficiaries under the guise of a phony "Patient Care Group". The caller claims that VA prescriptions are being administered by this company.

The scammers ask for personal information, including credit card information, claiming that this is necessary for the beneficiary to keep receiving prescriptions through the VA.

This is completely bogus.

The VA does not call vets and ask them to disclose personal information over the phone, and the VA hasn't changed any prescription dispensing rules.

Be safe. Never give out personal information to any unsolicited phone caller.

Department of Veterans Affairs Aptitude Testing

As soon as a WW is an outpatient and capable mentally and physically of being tested,  they should contact Jeannie Lehowicz at 703-424-3563 or Room 2-24 of the MATC or new amputee center for an appointment to complete an application to be tested. Be aware  the application must be approved by the VA and the approval process may take from one to four weeks.

Group Offers Free Psychiatric Care to War Vets

Stars and Stripes | Leo Shane III | May 20, 2008

WASHINGTON -- A coalition of mental health groups announced plans Monday to establish a nationwide network of psychiatrists, psychologists and other experts to provide free counseling to combat veterans and their families.

"Citizen soldiers have had extended, long deployments, and that has created a difficult situation for them and for their families," said Dr. Richard Harding, president of the American Psychiatric Foundation. "Those people need help ... and we have a duty to take care of them."

The groups' goal is to enlist about 40,000 mental health professionals -- about 10 percent of the nationwide force -- to donate time and services to individual veterans, their families, or veterans groups.

Their web site is: http://www.giveanhour.org/skins/gah/home.aspx

New Web Page Guides TRICARE Beneficiaries to Behavioral Health Resources

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A new Web page for TRICARE beneficiaries takes the brainwork out of seeking help.

May is Mental Health Month, and at http://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth/ TRICARE is committed to providing beneficiaries with the most up-to-date information about available its behavioral health resources.

Suicide Primer for Lay People "Must Read" Document

Not all people with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more symptoms, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional right away. While the symptoms specified for all groups below generally characterize major depression, there are other disorders with similar characteristics including: bipolar illness, anxiety disorder, or attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.

Click here to download document Suicide Primer for Lay People with important information for all Mentors and Follow-On Mentors.

Long Range Education Counselor Available

Priscilla Hardiman, a WWMP volunteer and long range education counselor, will be available to counsel WW's by appointment 9:00 to 3:30 hours on Mondays in the Ed Center, Room 3-08, Delano Hall (Bldg 11) beginning Jan 26 and each Monday thereafter.  Her PH at the office is 202-356-1012,  Ext 20425. 

"Give an Hour" Valuable Web Site

Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. Our first target population is the U.S. troops and families who are being affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.  We are now creating a national network of mental health professionals who are literally giving an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. Individuals who receive services will be given the opportunity to give back in their own community. By providing critical psychological support to military personnel and their families, we will support the sacrifices they are making and ameliorate the difficulties they face.

Click on the "Give an Hour" Program Menu (to the left) to access further material about this Program.

Their web site at www.giveanhour.org has additional useful material.

These posters will be displayed in the heavy traffic and display areas of the first and third floors of the Walter Reed Hospital indefinitely or until they have to be removed because of the BRAC.  They will also be displayed in the Soldiers Family Assistance Center, the Mologne House and the WW Transition Brigade Headquarters at Walter Reed.   Two posters also will be displayed at Bethesda Naval and Ft Belvoir.  

Click here for a larger image that is clearly readable.