Podcasts about veterans health

In this episode of the DAV Podcast, host Brian Buckwalter speaks with Dr. Ben Park, Director of the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, about the critical state of cancer research and its direct impact on military veterans. Dr. Park highlights the groundbreaking progress in cancer treatment, including innovative cellular therapies performed at the Nashville VA Hospital, and expresses grave concerns over recent, unprecedented funding cuts. He emphasizes that these cuts not only jeopardize patient lives and the continuation of life-saving research but also hinder the training of future medical professionals, ultimately undermining the commitment to provide veterans with the best possible care they deserve.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. Leah discusses eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and its potential connection to VA disability claims, particularly for Gulf War veterans. She explains EoE as a chronic immune system disease where eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, accumulate in the esophagus, often due to allergens, causing inflammation and damage. Leah highlights the complexity of linking EoE to Gulf War exposures, emphasizing the role of allergens and immune responses potentially triggered by environmental factors like burn pits. She reviews relevant medical literature and encourages veterans with EoE to explore service connection possibilities, especially if the condition developed during or after service.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. Leah provides an in-depth overview of asbestos exposure and its connection to VA disability claims. She explains that asbestos, once widely used in military settings like Navy ships from the 1940s to the 1980s, poses serious long-term health risks, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, often manifesting decades after exposure. Leah highlights resources available for veterans, such as environmental health coordinators and VA.gov help documents, to aid in identifying exposure risks and filing disability claims. She emphasizes the importance of medical documentation, including service records and physician statements, to establish a connection between asbestos exposure during military service and related health conditions.

(Jan 14, 2025) Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address on Tuesday is expected to be all about affordability; a new report finds far more veterans are reporting physical and mental disability, but that may be because they're overcoming the stigma of seeking help; and astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue joins the show to guide us through this month's morning and evening sky. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Fresh Focus Episode #93:  Application of Intuitive Eating Have you ever noticed any food restrictions that you follow but you are not sure where they came from or how they have impacted your relationship with food? Tune in to this episode where VA dietitian, Erin, provides 5 ways to start applying the principles of Intuitive Eating. Step one begins when you are able to notice strong emotions that come up during meal and snack times. Listen now to learn the additional steps to follow and how to incorporate Intuitive Eating into your health journey.   

Fresh Focus Episode #92: Intuitive Eating Myths There are a lot of myths surrounding Intuitive Eating.  VA Dietitians review one possible cause being that people can still be connected to a dieting mentality, which makes it difficult to change your thinking and reconnect with yourself.  Tune in to this episode to find out more information about how this journey may be for you.  Intuitive Eating involves giving yourself permission, focusing on self-care, and learning to be instinctual and more in tune with your body.

Fresh Focus Episode #91:  The Pursuit of Intuitive EatingIntuitive eating is a strategy to improve your relationship with food.  VA dietitians on this episode share the 10 principles of Intuitive Eating. Learn how intuitive eating can help you come back to yourself by relearning your own internal cues and signals while becoming better able to trust yourself, make peace with food, reject the diet mentality and to be able to respect your body.  Everyone is coming from different place with different experiences that influence your dieting history. Listen now to find out ways to slowly implement the 10 IE principles. 

Fresh Focus Episode #90: Top 3 questions asked to an Intuitive Eating RDNIf you are asking whether intuitive eating means you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, listen in as VA Dietitians discuss the top questions they get asked by Veterans each day.    Learn about how intuitive eating isn't a diet and doesn't include food restrictions. It doesn't mean just eating whatever you want whenever you want, either. Focusing on how foods make us feel often leads us to choose quality over quantity and can aid in fostering a healthy relationship with food.    

Fresh Focus Episode #89: Introduction to Intuitive EatingIntuitive Eating is a non-diet approach to eating that focuses on our internal cues such as hunger, fullness, and cravings to help guide our food choices.  Tune in as VA dietitians dive into how Intuitive Eating can teach us how to listen to what our bodies are telling us and give us the tools to respond in a way that honors our bodies and our health. Intuitive eating not only has a positive impact on our nutritional choices, but also our mental state.  

On this episode, learn how VA's new tele-emergency care service helped Army Veteran Christa Seals get the care she needed in the comfort of her own home and hear from VA tele-emergency leaders on how this new modality is better serving Veterans. 

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Leah B explains ionizing radiation and its impact on veterans seeking VA disability benefits. She describes ionizing radiation as a powerful form of energy that can damage cells and DNA, potentially leading to serious health conditions like cancer. Leah highlights the VA's presumptive criteria for disabilities caused by radiation exposure, including specific locations, timeframes, and radiogenic diseases such as leukemia, thyroid cancer, and more. She provides guidance on navigating VA resources, understanding eligibility requirements, and seeking assistance from veteran service officers or legal professionals. The video emphasizes the importance of reviewing available materials and sharing experiences to better support veterans navigating these claims.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. Leah  discusses military sexual trauma (MST) and the resources available through the VA for veterans who have experienced it. She explains MST as encompassing any unwanted sexual activity during military service, including harassment, assault, or coercion, and notes its lasting impact on individuals. Leah highlights VA-provided support, including fact sheets, MST coordinators, and various therapies like cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). She emphasizes the importance of seeking help, acknowledging the challenges of addressing MST within a military culture that often stigmatizes vulnerability. The video also introduces a mobile app and community-based vet center counseling options, urging veterans to take advantage of these resources for their mental and physical well-being.

In this video, Leah B., a U.S. Army veteran and physician assistant, discusses traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their impact on veterans' disability claims, focusing on residual effects like headaches. She explains the causes of TBIs, including blunt and penetrating injuries, and the various symptoms that can arise, such as headaches, dizziness, memory issues, and emotional challenges. Leah shares her personal TBI experience and emphasizes the importance of seeking medical care, as TBIs can lead to long-term complications. She also highlights resources available through the VA and encourages veterans to consult accredited professionals when filing or appealing disability claims related to TBI.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.In this episode, Leah discusses Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Gulf War Veterans.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. In this episode, Leah discusses osteoporosis and its potential connection to Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits. She explains that osteoporosis, which weakens bones and increases fracture risk, can be linked to military service either directly or as a secondary condition caused by another service-connected disability. Leah highlights the risk factors and symptoms of osteoporosis and mentions that certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can contribute to its development. She also outlines how veterans diagnosed with osteoporosis during or after service may qualify for VA disability ratings, particularly if they experience incapacitating episodes or significant bone damage.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.In this video, Leah, discusses community care for veterans under the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). She explains how veterans can access health care from local community providers when the VA cannot provide the necessary services. Leah emphasizes the eligibility criteria, such as being enrolled in VA healthcare and obtaining prior approval from the VA. She highlights various types of community care, including urgent care, emergency care, and specialty services, and explains how veterans can use the VA website to find in-network providers. She encourages veterans to explore these benefits and praises the VA for offering valuable healthcare services, sharing her positive experiences using VA healthcare.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.In this video, Leah discusses the VA Caregiver Support Program. She highlights the program's two branches: the General Caregiver Support Services and the Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The General Caregiver Support Services offers resources such as peer support and training, while the Comprehensive Assistance program provides more intensive support for those caring for veterans with serious injuries or illnesses, including access to Champ VA healthcare and monthly stipends.

Thursday's second hour.

Jordan See is Head of Government Relations at Qualtrics.  He is responsible for directing all government activities for Qualtrics' North American business operations. Jordan has over 14 years of experience working with the United States Congress, state legislatures, executive agencies, healthcare, and technology industries. Prior to joining Qualtrics, Jordan served as the Director of State and Federal Government Relations with Teladoc Health, where he managed a portfolio of issues ranging from telehealth, health technology, state Medicaid, and federal Medicare and Veteran Health issues. Jordan also served as Director of Government Affairs with Leidos, where he was responsible for directing government activities for Leidos' $4.0 billion health technology business. Prior to joining Leidos, See served as the Legislative Director for U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), where he managed the Congressman's legislative staff and congressional activities on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  From 2010-2016, See served in roles of increasing responsibility for U.S Rep. Gregg Harper (MS-03), ultimately serving as Senior Legislative Assistant and Communications Director, where he served as the primary advisor to the Congressman on Healthcare issues related to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as Social Security, Financial Services, Small Business, Housing, Technology, and Veterans Health and Benefits issues. See serves as a commissioned Military Intelligence Officer (Major) in the United States Army Reserve, and is currently assigned as an Inspector General with the Military Intelligence Readiness Command at Ft. Belvoir, VA. From 2010-2019, See previously served as and enlisted Infantryman and a Military Intelligence Officer with the Mississippi Army National Guard. See holds a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Florida in Anthropology/Geography. Go Gators!

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Dr. Joel Hamilton brings awareness of the Juneteenth flag with this bonus episode highlighting the arc, which represents a new horizon.

Kerri knocks this topic out of the park by getting into the ins-and-outs of concession eats! There are many options to consider at sporting events, and not often are they the most nourishing. There are so many other factors that come into play as well, including what meal of the day it may be, if we plan to eat something small to keep us tied over before a meal, if we are eating just to be eating, are we trying to lose weight, and so on.  Kerri takes us through the ringer of how we can plan ahead, listen to hunger cues, be mindful, and practice other strategies that can help keep your next sporting event outing a positive one! 

Whether you're a parent with kids at home, or a grandparent, aunt, uncle, babysitter, or friend, this episode is for you! Lauren leads us through some practical tips and ideas to make your whole family's snacks healthier.The typical American child eats about triple the recommended amount of added sugars and about double the recommended amount of sodium per day. We can help reduce that amount by starting with snacks and learning how we can make them healthier. We may not have a win with every recipe, but we owe it to our families to find items that are enjoyable while still being good investments in our health!

In this episode, Sieger leads us down the rabbit hole in regards to the potential downfalls of snacking. Snacks, although enjoyable and sometimes appropriate, can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help. How can we identify the difference? Sometimes we do things that aren't quite working in our favor. Sometimes we have bad habits. It's all about optimizing our intake and improving our relationship with food, snacks included. Join us as we discuss the issues with common snack choices, variables that can influence those choices, and how we can improve our intake structure in a way that works better for us!Contributors: The Fresh Focus is a team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists out of the Marion VA Health Care System.. 

For those with cancer, eating can become a frustrating task. Some foods can aggravate symptoms, whereas some foods can help. Your taste buds can begin to deceive you. Your appetite can vary greatly. There are many appropriate questions and concerns to have during this process, even in regards to snacking. In this episode of Fresh Focus, Kathy attempts to answer some of these questions, and also talks about some great snack ideas for anyone that may be dealing with cancer.  

Snacking for people with diabetes!? Yes, of course!  As with anything else, proper knowledge and the appropriate incorporation of snacks can absolutely be an option for someone dealing with diabetes. In today's world, there are many advances to diabetes medication and insulin regimens, which allows for intake to be more individualized than ever before. Join Natalie as she shares her expertise on how to identify glucose patterns, understanding common diabetes medications, and determining when (and what) snacks are appropriate. 

Non-starchy vegetables can be a phenomenal go-to to when it comes to snacking. They are nutrient dense, provide a low calorie source of volume, and they are very affordable! Join Beth as she discusses the benefits of vegetables as snacks, and gives us five usable tips to incorporate more into our intake! #1 – Eat your vegetables first!#2 – Try convenient, and easy, options. #3 – Bring life to your sandwiches and wraps with vegetables!#4 – Go slow. #5 – Expand your palate. 

Sarah Wilkinson is a passionate advocate for Veterans and Mental Health. On this episode Deny and Sara dive into Sarah's compassionate approach to supporting those in the throes of mental health challenges and the art of showing up, and most importantly, listening. In this episode Sara discusses her views on advocacy and her own journey in healing. Wading through the wave pool of grief and healing, Sarah shared her poignant interpretation of life's contrasts—between 'stove touchers' who learn and retreat and those who immerse themselves amidst life's tumultuous currents. We traced the ripples of loss across the landscape of community and personal relationships. Sarah's narrative, rich with introspection, highlighted the introvert-extrovert balance and the essential nature of personal connections that act as buoys in the sea of sorrow, bolstering our capacity to heal and help heal.If you enjoy our content, sign up for our Patreon and get access to additional content, bonus episodes, and access each episode before they drop on Spotify or iTunes.  Patreon: securityhaltpodcastInstagram: @securityhaltX : @SecurityHaltTik Tok: @security.halt.pod We greatly appreciate you and your support, so please remember to LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! Make sure that you follow Sara on all platforms!Instagram: sarawilkinson7LinkedIn:  Sara WilkinsonWebsite: stepupfoundation.org ind out more about becoming and entrepreneur: Syracuse University Entrepreneurship programSupport the showProduced by Security Halt Media

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses to Obtaining VA Disability for Jet Fuel Exposure is possible.Leah, explains the connection between jet fuel exposure and potential VA disability claims for veterans. She clarifies that while jet fuel exposure is not a disability, the medical conditions resulting from it can be. Various military roles, including those in the Air Force and others working on flight lines, might face exposure to different types of jet fuels like JP5, JP8, and Jet A. This exposure isn't limited to direct contact; it can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, sometimes due to environmental contamination like at Camp Lejeune. Health issues from this exposure can range from neurological conditions, including a potential link to Parkinson's disease, to respiratory, liver, gastrointestinal issues, and possibly renal cancers. To file a VA disability claim, a veteran needs to establish a connection (Nexus) between their current medical condition and their service-related jet fuel exposure.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam.Leah provides an informative guide for veterans about the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam specifically related to scars. She explains that veterans can get service-connected for scars either on a primary basis (directly incurred during service) or on a secondary basis (related to another service-connected disability). Leah emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the information provided by the VA but assures veterans that it's clearly outlined in the packets they receive, which include details about the exam and the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). She walks through the DBQ, highlighting the importance of each section such as scar locations, pain, stability, and how they impact functionality and ability to work. Leah urges veterans to report pain during the exam and explains that the ratings depend on various factors, including the size and characteristics of the scars.

If you are looking at incorporating more plant-based proteins in your meals and snacks, listen to this episode as Shelby and Selena talk about some of their favorite recipes.     Be sure to visit the Healthy Teaching Kitchen YouTube Channel to watch videos and find plant based food items to try at home. You can have easy, delicious food choices while being more mindful on how they affect the environment. Check out the new VA Nutrition and Food Services  Practical Plant-Based Cooking Cookbook to find simple easy-to-find ingredient plant based recipes. 

Working towards being more sustainable is much easier than you might think! Listen in as Jamie and Becca discuss easy steps to start with during your next grocery store trip. Try to purchase foods that are versatile, can be stored easily and foods that you can use in more than one way. Remember it is always a good practice to push older fruits and vegetables to the front to remind you to use those items first! 

Eating a plant-based diet can provide both health and environmental benefits. Listen in as Jennifer and Becca talk about the benefits of gardening and composting.  Composting offers a way to turn food waste into something that can benefit the environment. Consider starting your own garden. Gardening not only brings more plant foods into your life, but can also be good for the environment and help your budget too.

Listen in as Yaqutullah and Hillary share practical tips to reduce food waste and help save you money and time with meal planning.  VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen provides numerous recipes and meal ideas to fit your taste preferences and nutrition needs.  Have a plan to use up items that you have on hand to make sure don't end up in the trash as food waste. 

This year, for National Nutrition Month®, the team at Fresh Focus Podcast partnered with the Green Environmental Management System Committee, GEMS, to bring you information on getting started with being more sustainable by reducing food waste, eating more plant-based food items, and learning to cook and prepare more food in your kitchen. Jaime and Selena have great tips on how to start by looking Beyond the Table.  Sustainability and good nutrition are more than just what we cook, it's how we shop, buy and store foods.