Workers' Compensation Law Blog | Turley Redmond Rosasco & Rosasco, L.L.P.

Legislative Package Gets Unanimous Approval in the House, Signed by Trump, and Will Impact Thousands of Veterans

Thursday, January 14, 2021

President Trump signed sweeping legislation that aims to help veterans facing a myriad of challenges. Homelessness, access to care for female and Native American veterans, toxic exposure, and the coronavirus are all addressed in the legislation. Trump signed the bill on the 10th day following its passage in Congress, the final day for him to sign before the bill would have become law without his signature. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas voiced his support for the bill that he describes as one that “provides support for every corner of our veteran community.” With over 340 pages and dozens of measures, […]

Toxic Chemical Exposure May Impact Veterans’ Risk for COVID-19 Complications, Including Adverse Reactions to the Vaccines

Friday, January 8, 2021

According to evidence found by the Environmental Working Group, those who have experienced prolonged exposure to “forever chemicals” are at a higher risk when it comes to contracting COVID-19, as well as adverse reactions to vaccines for the virus. These toxic chemicals have been found in drinking water on many military bases but were most notably used as a key component of foam used to fight fire. For decades, this was the standard method for firefighting training. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are dubbed “forever chemicals” because they remain and build up in the body over time. Aside from toxic exposure […]

The Chuck Osier Benefits Act

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

In 2015, Chuck Osier, Air Force veteran and Sherrill native, died. His wife, Donna Osier requested a burial marker or medallion from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The paperwork was provided by her husband’s funeral director. Donna hoped to receive a medallion to go along with her husband’s flag, which would be left in a shadow box and given to their son. Unfortunately, the VA denied her request and stated that her husband could not be honored with a medallion since he was cremated. After considering her options for a couple of weeks, Donna was frustrated with the VA and […]

VA Welcome Kit

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Whether you have been out of the service for years or you are just getting out, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you through the process of seeing how VA benefits can support you. Your earned benefits can help you in a myriad of ways, and this is an excellent resource that helps you comb through all that the VA has to offer. Benefits are impacted by where you are in life, and at every stage, the VA Welcome Kit can guide you to ensure that you are getting all the support you’ve earned. It thoroughly outlines your benefits, […]

VA Raises Concerns for Vaccine Distribution

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Last week, top officials at the Department of Veterans Health Administration brought up concerns about the distribution of coronavirus vaccines. Dr. Richard Stone, head of the Veterans Health Administration, said that the nation’s largest health care system does not have enough of the vaccine to cover all of its patients and staff. Following the FDA’s approval, the VA planned to administer 73,000 initial doses of the Pfizer vaccine to its patients and staff. The department placed an order for an additional 122,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. Even with the additional order, it appears the VA will not immediately be […]

Army Agrees to Review Thousands of Bad Paper Discharges

Monday, December 7, 2020

Earlier this month, a settlement was reached in a lawsuit against the U.S. Army. The settlement would require the branch of the military to review and potentially upgrade thousands of bad paper discharges dating back to April 2011. Bad paper discharges refer to those veterans who received other-than-honorable discharges, which negatively impacts the benefits they are eligible to receive from the VA. The agreement, that is now pending approval by the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, orders the Army Discharge Review Board to reconsider thousands of cases. Many of which, show evidence that the veteran was struggling […]

Court Rules in Favor of Retroactive Benefits to Blue Water Vietnam Veterans

Friday, December 4, 2020

On Thursday, Nov 12th, a federal judge ruled that the VA must honor the terms of a 1991 settlement and pay retroactive benefits to blue water veterans. The decision will affect thousands of veterans who have previously been denied support from the VA. Stephen Kinnaird, the attorney fighting for this decision, was very excited about the outcome of the case. “It makes a huge difference to veterans and their families,” he said in an interview after the case. Blue water veterans are those who served off the coast of Vietnam but never actually set foot on land. In the decades […]

The Brian Tally VA Employment Transparency Act Gains Momentum

Friday, November 27, 2020

Marine veteran Brian Tally woke up one morning in 2016 will severe, debilitating back pain. Unable to stand or walk, he immediately sought help at the VA. Though Tally believed otherwise at the time, the specific practice he attended was not that of a VA doctor, but an independent contractor. The doctor made an incorrect diagnosis and denied Tally critical care for months. After Tally and his family were forced to pay out-of-pocket for private care to further investigate his medical problems, it was discovered that he had a life-threatening, bone-eating staph infection that was destroying his spine. “If I […]

Biden Announces His Team for Veterans Issues

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Despite the Trump campaign’s unwillingness to provide a peaceful transition of power, the Biden team appears to be moving forward in preparation for January 20th. President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team for the Department of Veterans Affairs includes several alumni from the Obama administration. The Trump Administration has declined to offer any transition assistance which extends down to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie who said he will not begin transition work until receiving instruction from the White House. While this lack of support from the departing administration has caused concern among many regarding the functionality of the different departments, Biden has downplayed […]

Recent Report Highlights Alarming Rates of Insomnia Among Veterans

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

A recent study out of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego found “alarmingly high” rates of insomnia among veterans, especially among those experiencing PTSD and TBIs. First published in June, the Oxford University medical journal’s “Sleep” found in a seven-year study of over 5,500 post 9/11 veterans, 57% had insomnia disorder. These results of the “Sleep” study held true across the different demographics that make up the military such as age, sex, race, even which branch the veteran served in. By comparison, it was noted that the average rate of insomnia among the general adult population is only […]

News & Resources

Search Our FAQ's

Legislative Package Gets Unanimous Approval in the House, Signed by Trump, and Will Impact Thousands of Veterans

Toxic Chemical Exposure May Impact Veterans’ Risk for COVID-19 Complications, Including Adverse Reactions to the Vaccines

The Chuck Osier Benefits Act

VA Welcome Kit

VA Raises Concerns for Vaccine Distribution

Army Agrees to Review Thousands of Bad Paper Discharges

Court Rules in Favor of Retroactive Benefits to Blue Water Vietnam Veterans

The Brian Tally VA Employment Transparency Act Gains Momentum

Biden Announces His Team for Veterans Issues

Recent Report Highlights Alarming Rates of Insomnia Among Veterans

Pages

Our full service firm has you covered

New York

Shirley

Garden City

Riverhead

Ronkonkoma