Richard Schleeter
Position: Staff reporter

Agent Orange exposure in the Republic of Vietnam waters

Blue Water Navy veterans are now entitled to a presumption of service connection for conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. This extension of the presumption is a result of...

Blue Water/Brown Water distinction has been eliminated

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed a decade-old ruling that potentially paves the way for the return of earned disability benefits for so-called Blue Water Navy veter...

Take time in the new year to review your benefits

It’s a brand new year, so start it out right by paying a visit to your local Veterans Service Office to find out what VA benefits you may qualify for. Below is a brief description of some of...

Fly-fishing program offers classes, outings for members of armed forces

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing strives to effectively serve past and present members of the armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of the nation. The miss...

Military burials now available in Pikes Peak National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Scheduling Office in St. Louis began accepting burial applications for deceased eligible veterans and their spouses on Sept.26 for Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Color...

Four Corners Veterans Stand Down heading to Durango

“Stand down” is a military term that was used when soldiers returned from combat and needed a safe place to recover and regroup before heading back into battle. They were provided warm meals...

Vets may be affected by past water contamination

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people serving or living at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial...

Veterans should be aware of their health care benefits

The Durango VA Contracted Community Based Outpatient Clinic has a highly knowledgeable staff available to serve all primary health care needs and has the capacity for more veterans to receiv...

What does readjustment counseling offer vets?

Readjustment counseling is a wide range of services provided to combat veterans in an effort to assist them in making a satisfying transition from military to civilian life. Serv...

Appeals Status tool new resource for veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Digital Service announced their launch of an improved Appeals Status tool to increase transparency and enable Veterans to track the progr...

Program offers more efficient review process for veterans

In November, Veterans Affairs launched Rapid Appeals Modernization Program, or RAMP, with the goal of providing eligible veterans with the earliest possible resolution of their disability co...

Patient Advocates can help with veterans’ needs

The Veterans’ Complaint Hotline is now live. President Donald Trump’s campaign promise of enacting a veterans’ complaint hotline has officially launched. The phone number is (855) 948-2311. ...