For the first time in more than 50 years, the VA will fund a study on psychedelic-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol-use disorder among veterans.
News
Military Health System Multiple Myeloma Patients Survive Longer
Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries with multiple myeloma have longer 5- and 10-year survival rates compared to multiple myeloma patients from the U.S. general population, according to a recent study.
Current Issue
VA Argues That Extra $6.6 Billion Still Needed; Inflation Driving Up Costs of Drugs, Prosthetics
At a public examination of VA’s ongoing budget crisis, Republican legislators accused agency leaders of general incompetence and of using the budget as political leverage during an election season.
Technology-Based Eye Care Services Offer Quality, Comprehensive Care to Veterans Nationwide
Veteran patients nationwide who received care from Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS), a tele-ophthalmology program operating in the VHA, reported having a favorable experience.
Oncology
‘Prescription Rules’ Could Lengthen Survival in mCRPC
If detected and treated at an early stage, prostate cancer is often curable. That is not the case, however, with an advanced stage such as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which has a high risk of mortality.
No Problems Found With Concurrent Spironolactone, Abiraterone Administration
The most common cancer in men in the United States, prostate cancer has low survival rates once metastasized.
VA Overtreats Prostate Cancer in Veterans with Limited Life Expectancy
Overtreatment, especially with radiotherapy, has increased for veterans with limited life expectancy and intermediate-risk or high-risk prostate cancer, according to a new study.
Editor-In-Chief, Chester “Trip” Buckenmaier III, MD, COL (ret.), MC, USA
Everybody’s Got a Different Circle of Competence. The Important Thing Is Not How Big the Circle is.
There was a time following my anesthesiology fellowship when I experienced the sublime joy of being competent in my chosen profession. I had completed my residency training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, passed the oral boards and was on the cutting edge (at the time) of an acute-pain medicine fellowship at Duke University.
Will New Supreme Court Ruling Change Ability of VA Leaders to Interpret New Legislation?
Republicans on the House VA Committee are looking to a recent Supreme Court case as an opportunity to strip the power from VA when it comes to interpreting how to enact legislation.
Melatonin Appears to Have Some Effect Enhancing Flu Vaccine
Noting that vaccine immunogenicity is affected by a variety of factors, melatonin has been reported to affect immune responses to vaccines and infection, according to a new study.
Past COVID-19 Infection Increases Frailty in Older Veterans
COVID-19 survivors appear to be at greater risk for new medical conditions. A new study sought to determine if previous infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with a change in frailty among older U.S. veterans.
Older White Veterans Most Likely to Get Flu Vaccines
How do race, ethnicity, sex and rurality affect influenza vaccination adherence in a VHA cohort?
‘Prescription Rules’ Could Lengthen Survival in mCRPC
If detected and treated at an early stage, prostate cancer is often curable. That is not the case, however, with an advanced stage such as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which has a high risk of mortality.
How General Obesity Affects Prostate Cancer
How does general obesity affect prostate cancer? Thus far, inconsistent evidence has been found for the association between general obesity and prostate cancer among men in the United States.
No Problems Found With Concurrent Spironolactone, Abiraterone Administration
The most common cancer in men in the United States, prostate cancer has low survival rates once metastasized.
What Happened When VA Formulary Transitioned to Different Inhalers?
The VA’s experience provided valuable information on what is likely to occur when a formulary changes for environmental reasons, according to a new report.
Inclusive Genetic Tools Needed to Evaluate Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Risk
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common type of glaucoma, develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in its early stages.
VA/DoD Guideline Update Reflects Newest Therapies for Headaches
Expanded recommendations for treatment, preventive therapies and nonpharmacologic therapies are among noteworthy changes in the recently updated VA and Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Headache.
As-Needed Blood Pressure Medication Linked to Adverse Outcomes in VA Hospitals
In hospitalized veterans, use of at least one as-needed blood pressure medication was associated with higher risk of acute kidney injury and rapid drop in blood pressure, as well as increased risk of stroke, heart attack or death, according to a recent study.
VA Hospitals Went from Worse Than Community Facilities in 2017 to Outperforming Them in 2021
With the debate heating up about how much VA care should be shifted to the community, a new study found that VA hospitals changed in a 5-year period from 2017 to 2021 from providing worse experiences for Black and poor-health patients to outperforming community hospitals for those and all other patient subgroups examined.
Congressional Republicans Seek to Further Expand VA’s Use of Community Care
Republican legislators are looking to expand VA’s use of community care further with the coming Congress.
VA’s Landmark Study Shifted Paradigm for Managing Diabetes
MEMPHIS, TN — As part of our ongoing series highlighting milestones in federal medicine as part of the 60th anniversary of U.S. Medicine, we spoke with William Cushman, MD, medical director, Department of Preventive Medicine, and professor of Preventive Medicine,...
VA Accused of Not Keeping Up with a More Active Amputee Patient Population
While VA has long considered itself a provider of world-class prosthetics care, younger veterans are reporting that the department has yet to adapt to a more active patient population.
Prediction of Patient Outcomes After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Serum cytokines, neuronal proteins and clinical data can be used to predict vasospasm and early mortality in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, according to a recent study.
VARA Registry Seeks to Improve the Lives of Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis
New findings concerning the risk of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how body composition and metabolic dysregulation are tied to RA and inflammation were among the highlights of research presented at the 20th Annual Fall Meeting of the VA Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) Registry held in September.
Higher CVD Events in Older Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy, With Certain Cancers
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a greater risk for cancer survivors because of either their malignancy or its treatment.
Sexual Orientation Affects Prevalence of Atherosclerotic CVD in Veterans
Sexual orientation appears to have some unexplained effect on cardiovascular health, according to a new study.
Prescribing of Antihypertensives Not Always Guideline Concordant at VHA
While more than half of U.S. veterans diagnosed with hypertension with a pretreatment systolic BP ≥160 mm Hg were started on antihypertensive monotherapy, disparities existed between guideline-recommended first-line treatments and the actual regimens initiated, according to a new study.
For the First Time in More Than 50 Years, VA Funds Research on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for PTSD, AUD
For the first time in more than 50 years, the VA will fund a study on psychedelic-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol-use disorder among veterans.
Military Health System Multiple Myeloma Patients Survive Longer
Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries with multiple myeloma have longer 5- and 10-year survival rates compared to multiple myeloma patients from the U.S. general population, according to a recent study.
Congress Doesn’t Address VA’s PACT Act-Related $12 Billion Shortfall
Before going on recess through mid-November, Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded through Dec. 20, 2024. That resolution, however, did not address the $12 billion shortfall in VHA’s FY 2025 budget,
Continued Issues, Absent Research in Breast Cancer Care for Women Veterans
Breast cancer remains a significant health concern, particularly among women veterans, who face unique challenges within the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.
Judge Requires VA to Build More Housing for Homeless in West Los Angeles
Last month, a federal judge provided an overwhelming victory to veterans who filed a class-action lawsuit against VA that sought to force the department to build more housing for homeless veterans on its West Los Angeles Medical Center campus.
Use of Non-therapeutic Laparotomy Decreased in Recent Wars but Remain Essential Battlefield Trauma-Care Tool
As combat casualty care improved over time during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the use of nontherapeutic laparotomy (NTL) decreased.
Strong Links Found Between Obstructive Respiratory Disease in Veterans, Psychiatric Health Conditions
Veterans with obstructive respiratory disease should receive timely screening and treatment for comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions that frequently accompany the condition, according to a new study.
VA Projects $2.88 Billion Shortfall for This Fiscal Year; $12 Billion for Next Year
VA is projecting a $2.88 billion budget shortfall for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 and another $12 billion for FY2025. This comes after VA leaders spent this spring assuring Congress that its FY2025 budget request, while lean, would be sufficient to do the job.
Congress member Calls for McDonough Resignation Over Questionable Bonuses
VA Secretary Reminds Committee He Sought Investigation WASHINGTON, DC—A member of the House VA Committee has called on VA Secretary Denis McDonough to resign over the nearly $11 million in bonuses inappropriately paid to senior VA Central Office (VACO) officials....
New Research Finds Service Dogs Beneficial for Veterans With PTSD
The VA covers the veterinary care and the equipment costs of service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities such as blindness or vision impairment, but the use of service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues has remained controversial.
Everybody’s Got a Different Circle of Competence. The Important Thing Is Not How Big the Circle is.
There was a time following my anesthesiology fellowship when I experienced the sublime joy of being competent in my chosen profession. I had completed my residency training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, passed the oral boards and was on the cutting edge (at the time) of an acute-pain medicine fellowship at Duke University.
Will New Supreme Court Ruling Change Ability of VA Leaders to Interpret New Legislation?
Republicans on the House VA Committee are looking to a recent Supreme Court case as an opportunity to strip the power from VA when it comes to interpreting how to enact legislation.
Melatonin Appears to Have Some Effect Enhancing Flu Vaccine
Noting that vaccine immunogenicity is affected by a variety of factors, melatonin has been reported to affect immune responses to vaccines and infection, according to a new study.
Past COVID-19 Infection Increases Frailty in Older Veterans
COVID-19 survivors appear to be at greater risk for new medical conditions. A new study sought to determine if previous infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with a change in frailty among older U.S. veterans.
Older White Veterans Most Likely to Get Flu Vaccines
How do race, ethnicity, sex and rurality affect influenza vaccination adherence in a VHA cohort?
‘Prescription Rules’ Could Lengthen Survival in mCRPC
If detected and treated at an early stage, prostate cancer is often curable. That is not the case, however, with an advanced stage such as metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which has a high risk of mortality.
How General Obesity Affects Prostate Cancer
How does general obesity affect prostate cancer? Thus far, inconsistent evidence has been found for the association between general obesity and prostate cancer among men in the United States.
No Problems Found With Concurrent Spironolactone, Abiraterone Administration
The most common cancer in men in the United States, prostate cancer has low survival rates once metastasized.
What Happened When VA Formulary Transitioned to Different Inhalers?
The VA’s experience provided valuable information on what is likely to occur when a formulary changes for environmental reasons, according to a new report.
Inclusive Genetic Tools Needed to Evaluate Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Risk
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common type of glaucoma, develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in its early stages.
VA/DoD Guideline Update Reflects Newest Therapies for Headaches
Expanded recommendations for treatment, preventive therapies and nonpharmacologic therapies are among noteworthy changes in the recently updated VA and Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Headache.
As-Needed Blood Pressure Medication Linked to Adverse Outcomes in VA Hospitals
In hospitalized veterans, use of at least one as-needed blood pressure medication was associated with higher risk of acute kidney injury and rapid drop in blood pressure, as well as increased risk of stroke, heart attack or death, according to a recent study.
VA Hospitals Went from Worse Than Community Facilities in 2017 to Outperforming Them in 2021
With the debate heating up about how much VA care should be shifted to the community, a new study found that VA hospitals changed in a 5-year period from 2017 to 2021 from providing worse experiences for Black and poor-health patients to outperforming community hospitals for those and all other patient subgroups examined.
Congressional Republicans Seek to Further Expand VA’s Use of Community Care
Republican legislators are looking to expand VA’s use of community care further with the coming Congress.
VA’s Landmark Study Shifted Paradigm for Managing Diabetes
MEMPHIS, TN — As part of our ongoing series...
VA Accused of Not Keeping Up with a More Active Amputee Patient Population
While VA has long considered itself a provider of world-class prosthetics care, younger veterans are reporting that the department has yet to adapt to a more active patient population.
Prediction of Patient Outcomes After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Serum cytokines, neuronal proteins and clinical data can be used to predict vasospasm and early mortality in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, according to a recent study.
VARA Registry Seeks to Improve the Lives of Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis
New findings concerning the risk of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how body composition and metabolic dysregulation are tied to RA and inflammation were among the highlights of research presented at the 20th Annual Fall Meeting of the VA Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) Registry held in September.
Higher CVD Events in Older Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy, With Certain Cancers
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a greater risk for cancer survivors because of either their malignancy or its treatment.
Sexual Orientation Affects Prevalence of Atherosclerotic CVD in Veterans
Sexual orientation appears to have some unexplained effect on cardiovascular health, according to a new study.
Prescribing of Antihypertensives Not Always Guideline Concordant at VHA
While more than half of U.S. veterans diagnosed with hypertension with a pretreatment systolic BP ≥160 mm Hg were started on antihypertensive monotherapy, disparities existed between guideline-recommended first-line treatments and the actual regimens initiated, according to a new study.
Higher Psychosocial Well-Being at Time of Trauma Reduces PTSD Risk
Victims of traumatic events with higher well-being in three areas—vocational well-being, financial well-being and social well-being—are less likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent study.
VA Overtreats Prostate Cancer in Veterans with Limited Life Expectancy
Overtreatment, especially with radiotherapy, has increased for veterans with limited life expectancy and intermediate-risk or high-risk prostate cancer, according to a new study.
Understanding Long-Term Surgical Outcomes Can Help Ensure Treatments Align With Patient Priorities
Surgical outcome studies often focus on mortality, complications or hospital readmissions. While such outcomes are important, they don’t always align with matters most to older patients, particularly those nearing the end of life.
Audit, Feedback Increase HF Medication Management by VA Pharmacists
Giving more active feedback to primary care pharmacists about their heart failure patients led to more interactions and a greater number of medication adjustments, according to a presentation at a recent conference.
Hearing Loss Linked to Parkinson’s Disease; Hearing Aids Help Offset Risk
A complex and progressive neurological disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been diagnosed in more than a million Americans and disproportionately impacts veterans.
Operator of Fraudulent Pain Clinics Took Advantage of Veterans, Servicemembers, Others; Sentencing Scheduled for February
Michael Kestner, the owner and operator of medical clinics in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina, was convicted last month in federal court of fraudulently billing Medicare and TRICARE for $35 million in unnecessary opioid injections.
Understanding the Underuse of Mental Healthcare by U.S. Servicemembers
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common mental health conditions among U.S. servicemembers, yet only a fraction of those affected pursue mental healthcare services. An even smaller proportion receive adequate levels of care.
Veterans With HIV Tended to Have CVD Events Earlier Than Those Without
HIV patients have an increased atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, making them more susceptible to severe cardiovascular complications, according to previous research.
Use of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Too Low in Women Veterans
HIV remains a persistent health concern in the United States, with more than 36,000 new diagnoses in 2021, according to a new study noting that HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for those at increased risk for infection.
Schizophrenia, Antipsychotics Raised Dementia Risks in Veterans With HIV
A new study raised alarms about the association between dementia risks in HIV patients with schizophrenia and the use of off-label antipsychotics.
Veterans Study Found Positive Sotorasib Results Similar to CodeBreak Trials
Three years ago, based on the CodeBreak100 trial, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to the KRAS G12C inhibitor sotorasib for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the second line or later.
Limited Information on Breast Cancer Risk After Military Exposures
A long list of health effects have been attributed to military environmental exposures (MEE) such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), tactile herbicides, airborne hazards and open burn pits (AHOBP) and depleted uranium.
Medications Can Cause Falls, Related Adverse Outcomes in COPD Patients
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the sixth-most-common cause of death in the United States, but the link between medications and a greater risk of morbidity and mortality in those patients is not well known, according to a new report.
Did VA ‘Cry Wolf’ About Budget Shortfall? Legislators Claim It Did
Legislators are accusing VA of crying wolf after a recent budget update revealed that the department did not need $3 billion in supplemental benefits funding after all and that it might not be facing a healthcare funding shortfall next year, either.
How Will the Trump Administration Alter VA Operations? Some Pundits Say to Look at Project 2025 Proposals
As President-elect Donald Trump gathers his Cabinet and prepares to take office for the second time, questions remain about how this new administration will attempt to transform government agencies, including VA.
Suicide Rates Continue to Rise, Especially for Active-Duty U.S. Servicemembers
Suicide deaths per 100,000 servicemembers were 9% higher in 2023 than in 2022, according to a report from the DoD, which advises that 523 servicemembers took their own lives last year.
Reducing Patient Anxiety Caused by ‘Active Surveillance’ of Low-Risk Cancer
In patients with low-risk cancers undergoing active surveillance, the medical field needs to help manage the anxiety caused by waiting, according to a recent study.
Mary Jo Pugh Spearheads Research Into TBI Link to Heart Issues
As an investigator at the Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation (IDEAS COIN) at the Salt Lake City VA, the longitudinal studies that Mary Jo Pugh, PhD, RN, has helped build during her 25-year career have demonstrated that traumatic brain injury (TBI) greatly increases a patient’s risk for a host of comorbidities, most notably chronic cardiovascular disease.
Federal Medicine’s Role in Uncovering How the Epstein-Barr Virus Relates to MS
We interviewed Lynn Levin, MD, formerly of the Department of Epidemiology, Division of Preventive Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, about the research that led to the discovery of the crucial role of the Epstein-Barr virus in the development of multiple sclerosis and several other autoimmune disorders.
Photophobia After Mild TBI Often Declines in Servicemembers After 30 Days
After a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), military servicemembers who suffer from photophobia, a symptom of visual discomfort in response to normal light levels, often show a decline in photophobia within 30 days of the injury, according to a recent study.
