Veterans
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The five-year effort will receive $25 million in funding from DOD and up to $25 million from VA, depending on the availability of funds.
“VA and DOD share an urgent, ongoing commitment to better understand the long-term impact of TBI,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Through this overarching effort, we are harnessing the best work of our nation’s scientists and will lay the groundwork for meaningful progress in diagnosis and treatment.”
The Long-Term Impact of Military-related Brain Injury Consortium, or LIMBIC, is composed of researchers and resources from more than 20 organizations, spanning VA, DOD, the National Institutes of Health, universities and nonprofit organizations.
VA and DOD’s funding will support a consortium led by a team at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia.
The lead investigator, Dr. David X. Cifu, is a senior TBI specialist for VA and a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The consortium extends the work of a previous collaborative effort known as the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium, or CENC, also led by Dr. Cifu.
The existing CENC cohort, consisting of more than 2 million veterans and service members, started in 2012 and has become the world’s largest and best-characterized research cohort dedicated to the study of military TBI.
It will expand the cohort; integrate with other government, academic and nonprofit research; and spur new public-private partnerships.
Researchers associated with CENC, and now with LIMBIC, have already documented links between combat concussions and dementia, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, opioid usage and suicide risk.
They have also developed specialized diagnostic tests using questionnaires, physical exams, brain imaging, fluid biomarkers and electrophysiology to probe how the brain recovers from injury.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Coleman is the daughter of Richard Coleman of Hidden Valley Lake, California, and Lorraine Coleman of Clearlake, California.
She is a 2019 graduate of Middletown High School, Middletown, California.
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It includes findings from its most recent analysis of Veteran suicide data from 2005 to 2017.
The 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report highlights suicide as a national problem, and urges all Americans to come together to address the larger social issues that contribute to the increased rates of suicide in the U.S.
One key change from this year’s report is that it does not group together veterans eligible for VA services with servicemembers and former National Guard and Reserve members who were never federally activated.
This change was necessary because these groups are unique and do not all qualify for the same benefits and services, therefore they require individualized outreach strategies.
Moving forward, VA’s report will include a separate section focusing on never federally activated former Guard and Reserve members, while the Department of Defense will publish a separate report focusing on servicemember suicides.
The most recent data, from 2017, has allowed VA to better understand and address current trends in Veteran suicide, as well as evaluate ongoing suicide prevention programs.
Key VA initiatives described in the report reflect the department’s efforts to prevent Veteran suicide through targeted strategies that reach all Veterans.
VA’s public-health approach to suicide prevention focuses on equipping communities to help veterans get the right care, whenever and wherever they need it.
That approach is the foundation for the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide, or PREVENTS, executive order, which aims to bring together stakeholders across all levels of government and in the private sector to work side by side to ensure that our feterans are able to seek and receive the care, support and services they deserve.
“VA is working to prevent suicide among all Veterans, whether they are enrolled in VA health care or not,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “That’s why the department has adopted a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention, using bundled strategies that cut across various sectors — faith communities, employers, schools and health care organizations, for example — to reach Veterans where they live and thrive.”
VA was one of the first institutions in the United States to implement comprehensive suicide risk surveillance, which involves collecting and interpreting suicide-related data.
“Data is an integral part of our public health approach to suicide prevention,” said Wilkie. “The latest data offers insights that will help us build networks of support and research-backed suicide prevention initiatives to reach all Veterans, even those who do not and may never come to us for care.”
The report yields several insights pertinent to ongoing suicide prevention efforts:
– From 2005 to 2017, suicides among all U.S. adults increased by 43.6 percent, while suicides among veterans increased by 6.1 percent.
– America’s non-Veteran population is increasing while its veteran population is decreasing over time.
– The number of veteran suicides exceeded 6,000 each year from 2008 to 2017.
– In 2017, the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times the rate for non-veteran adults, after adjusting for population differences in age and sex.
– Firearms were the method of suicide in 70.7 percent of male Veteran suicide deaths and 43.2 percent of female veteran suicide deaths in 2017.
– In addition to the aforementioned veteran suicides, there were 919 suicides among never federally activated former National Guard and Reserve members in 2017, an average of 2.5 suicide deaths per day.
Suicide is heartbreaking, and our nation understandably grieves with each one. However, suicide is preventable, and we all have a role to play in saving lives.
The 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report emphasizes that suicide can be prevented through meaningful connection, one person at a time.
The full report and the accompanying state data sheets are available at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/Suicide-Prevention-Data.asp .
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat .
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VA recognizes it must work with communities, faith-based and tribal organizations, private and public partners, as well as state, local, and federal government agencies to achieve this goal.
“Collaboration with major healthcare delivery systems is an integral part of VA’s public health approach to suicide prevention,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Suicide prevention and alleviating emotional pain and suffering requires an all-hands on deck comprehensive approach. The work of the PREVENTS task force, like this meeting, moves us closer to solving the problems that lead to Veteran suicide.”
VA and the White House Domestic Policy Council established the PREVENTS task force in June via Executive Order signed by President Trump in March.
The interagency task force is charged with implementing a roadmap for veteran suicide prevention at the national and community levels by March 2020.
Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat .
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Additionally, in observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program will gather with internal and external national partners this October to help promote the department’s mission to foster healthy relationships and safety.
“VA recognizes the impact domestic violence has on veterans and their families and is committed to raising awareness about this serious problem,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We want to remind veterans in these tough situations they are not alone, and that VA is here to help them access safe, stable housing and supportive services.”
Veterans losing their housing because they are fleeing domestic violence are eligible for SSVF rapid rehousing, which is an intervention designed to help homeless veterans and their families quickly access permanent housing.
The GPD program provides housing and supportive services to help homeless veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and incomes and achieve greater self-determination.
In 2017, Public Law 114-315 expanded eligibility for participation in the SSVF and GPD programs by broadening the definition of homeless to include any individual or family fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking — or other situations making it dangerous to remain in the home — which include situations that jeopardize the health and safety of children.
Eligible veterans must have no other residence and lack both the resources and support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
Click SSVF or GPD to learn more about VA’s domestic violence assistance programs.
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The summit brought together more than 100 leading researchers, clinicians, innovators and decision makers to discuss research on public health solutions to end veteran suicide.
The interagency group is charged with implementing a roadmap for veteran suicide prevention at the national and community levels by March 2020.
“Collaboration and research are integral parts of VA’s public health approach to suicide prevention,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The work of the PREVENTS task force, like this summit, move us closer to solving the problems that lead to suicide and ultimately finding an end to veteran suicide.”
Held during Suicide Prevention Month, the summit provided a unique opportunity for public and private sector collaboration — to research and explore innovative ways to reach veterans in crisis — and provide them with support in their communities.
A request for information that went out in August generated a wealth of ideas and elicited new insights for developing a national research strategy to end veteran suicide.
Those results will be compiled into action items as part of President Donald Trump’s March 5, Executive Order establishing the PREVENTS task force in June.
Suicide is a complex national public health issue that affects communities nationwide, with more than 45,000 Americans — including more than 6,000 veterans — dying by suicide every year. The summit strengthened public-private partnerships that will identify gaps in the current suicide research environment and implement ideas to fill them.
Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat .
Reporters covering this issue can download VA’s Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit www.ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.
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The department will determine which programs of education are eligible for GI Bill benefits in California.
“VA takes the roles and responsibilities of SAA very seriously,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We want to ensure GI Bill beneficiaries are using their well-earned education benefits in programs that meet the quality standards they deserve.”
VA is authorized by law to enter into agreements with state agencies — referred to as state approving agencies — to approve the qualifications of educational institutions and approve qualifying programs for the purposes of GI Bill education benefits.
VA also determines whether SAAs are complying with legal standards and requirements and may assume the role of SAA in that state if an agreement is not reached with the state.
The department notified California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education – or CSAAVE – school officials, GI Bill beneficiaries and many other stakeholders on Sept. 6, that it will not be entering into an agreement with California for FY2020. This decision was based on VA’s assessment of CSAAVE’s performance over the last three years.
Although CSAAVE sent a letter to California schools Sept. 10 stating its intent to retain its authority to approve programs for GI Bill benefits, CSAAVE will no longer serve as the SAA. VA will be assuming those duties as of Oct. 1. VA will provide additional notifications to key stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition for GI Bill beneficiaries and student Veterans.
It is not uncommon for VA to act as the SAA for states during any given year and VA has performed those functions in six states since FY2017.
For up to date information, visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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The department is changing its procedures for electronic health information sharing in accordance with Section 132 of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, known as the MISSION Act.
“The MISSION Act gives Veterans greater access to care, whether at VA facilities or in the community,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We are providing seamless access to care, improving efficiency and helping to ensure Veterans get the care they need, where and when they need it.”
The change moves VA from an ‘opt-in’ to an ‘opt-out’ model of electronic health information sharing.
Veterans will no longer be required to provide signed, written authorization for VA to release electronic health information to community providers for the purposes of receiving medical treatment.
VA shares health information with community providers using a secure and safe electronic system called the Veterans Health Information Exchange. This electronic exchange of information improves patient safety — particularly during emergency situations — and allows for improved care coordination for Veterans receiving care in the community.
Veterans who do not want their health information shared electronically can opt out by submitting VA Form 10-10164 (opt out of sharing) to the Release of Information Office at the nearest VA medical center now or at any time going forward.
Veterans who previously opted out on VA Form 10-0484 prior to Sept. 30, do not need to submit new forms.
However, veterans who restricted what information VA shared by submitting VA Form 10-0525 (restriction request) will need to opt out entirely by submitting Form 10-10164.
VA is committed to protecting Veteran privacy. Only community health care providers and organizations that have partnership agreements with VA and are part of VA’s approved, trusted network may receive VA health information.
For information about VA’s health information exchange visit www.va.gov/vler.
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Each veteran will have their own memorial page on the Veterans Legacy Memorial, or VLM, a secure, web-based platform that creates a perpetual memorial extending beyond the physical border of the national cemetery.
"Veterans Legacy Memorial ensures ‘no Veteran ever dies’ by honoring the legacy of our nation’s veterans, not just in our cemeteries, but in a new and innovative digital setting," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “It enhances the onsite national cemetery experience and extends the experience to those who otherwise are unable to physically visit the cemetery.”
The National Cemetery Administration, or NCA, in conjunction with VA's Office of Information and Technology, built the architecture for the site starting with the information contained on every veteran's headstone.
In the initial rollout, the public will be able to search the site for veterans, find out where they are buried and read the basic details of their lives and service.
Future capabilities may be expanded to allow families, survivors, fellow veterans and others to add historic photos and share memories to a deceased Veteran’s memorial page.
Such capabilities will include provisions that allows NCA to manage the site in a manner that maintains the same level of decorum our customers experience in our national cemeteries.
For more information about the Veterans Legacy Memorial, visit https://www.va.gov/remember, or contact Dr. Bryce Carpenter, Veterans Legacy Program manager, at
Have questions about Veterans Legacy Memorial? Find what you're looking for at VLM FAQ.
