Veteran’s Voice -- PACT ACT Update

According to the VA, over 500,00 veterans and survivors have filed claims related to the PACT Act for heath conditions related to toxic exposure. Almost 200,000 claim have been processed, with an 80% approval rate. Claims are taking an average of 160 days to process. The VA also estimates that over 62,000 veterans have enrolled in VA healthcare as a result of the PACT Act. Sadly, among the top five conditions applied for and approved are approximately 7,000 veterans with kidney or bladder cancer, and the highest numbers are related to respiratory conditions.

Warrior Scholar Helps Veterans Get Ready for College

Sitting on those 9/11 GI Bill education benefits, but concerned about plunging into college after so many years out of the classroom? The Warrior Scholar Project can get you ready though a two-week college predatory “boot camp,” held over the summer months, at various college campuses across the U.S. The sessions are even offered in three specific disciplines: Humanities, STEM, and Business & Entrepreneurship. Best thing is, just like real boot camp, there is no cost for attendance or lodging, however travel costs are on you, and I don’t believe they give free haircuts or a clothing issue. There are also shorter workshops and Women Veterans Initiatives as well. More info at https://bit.ly/45fcJ7S

Women Veterans

Florida has the second largest population of women veterans in the U.S., which is not surprising. In recognition of this fact, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) has a Florida’s State Women Veterans’ Coordinator to assist women veterans with federal and state veterans benefits, including special programs for women. For more information, please go to https://bit.ly/3ItB2Fj At the FDVA link is also the contact information for the Orlando VA (Lake Nona) Women Veterans’ Program Manager, and there is a specific VA hotline for women veterans: (855) VA-Women.

Time to Get Those Chakras Realigned and Mind Your Mindfulness

Check out the VA’s free Veterans Yoga Project. Yoga combines posture, breathing and meditation techniques, and can yield improved mental health, sleep, and quality of life outcomes for veterans, especially for those suffering from PTSD. The program has both live online classes as well as on demand. There are some in person classes, but a quick search did not show any in the greater Orlando area at this time. More info at https://bit.ly/3MoIQcq

As always, please pass on your events, comments, and concerns to osceolavets@gmail.com