Both Foundations Share Common Vision, Will Work Tirelessly to Help Veterans Secure Behavioral Health Benefits
SEATTLE, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Invictus Foundation is pleased to announce it has partnered with the National Organization for Veterans' Advocates, Inc. NOVA is a national network of legal advocates whose mission is to develop and encourage high standards of service and representation for all persons seeking benefits through the federal veterans benefits system. It is NOVA's desire that all veterans and the families of those who served and have fallen receive the best representation possible, thereby optimizing their opportunity to receive the maximum benefits allowed under the law. "They deserve nothing less," states Michael Viterna, President of NOVA.
NOVA's founding members were among the first practitioners when the U.S. Court of Veterans Claims began to operate and they continue to represent VA claimants today. "Sadly, our nation's veterans continue to experience long delays in having their claims decided properly. The number of claims being processed by VA is approaching one million and its accuracy rate remains appalling to meet their needs," states Mr. Viterna. "The number of attorneys and agents accredited by VA has also increased over the past several years but, more than ever, so has the complexity of the injuries and the battlefield survival rate. In addition, the appeals have become very legalistic in terms of the ever‐changing law." To address the changing nature of the appeals a primary goal of NOVA is to leverage its impact by providing meaningful legal training to veteran advocates so that veterans receive the best representation possible. To find out more about NOVA's vision and mission please visit their Web site at http://www.vetadvocates.org
"We saw a natural fit with the goals and objectives of NOVA," states Peter J. Whalen, Founder and CEO of the Invictus Foundation. Mr. Whalen believes there needs to be more awareness that there is an epidemic of disconnection that has led to an increasing distance between the small community of military members, veterans, their families and families of the fallen who have born the burden of war and American society in general. "This epidemic of disconnectedness is exacerbated when it takes the VA an average of four years to fully provide behavioral health benefits owed to veterans and often it takes weeks for a veteran with suicidal thoughts to get an initial appointment," states Mr. Whalen. An effort such as NOVA's provides an antidote to this epidemic of disconnection.
The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs have vital roles to play in improving this situation and are attempting to improve their point of service capability in providing behavioral health services. However, the fact remains that there are still enormous barriers to veterans in receiving the behavioral health benefits to which they are entitled. "This is precisely why the Invictus Foundation is fully committed to our partnership with NOVA and their efforts to ensure that access to legal advocacy is expanded to veterans, their families and families of the fallen," states Mr. Whalen.
The Invictus Foundation is focused on behavioral health issues affecting our Nation's military members, veterans, their families and families of the fallen that are important to local communities across the Country, where government alone can't solve the problem. These problems include traumatic brain injury, mild traumatic brain injury, associated brain injury, suicide prevention, PTSD, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, domestic violence, relationship issues, military sexual trauma, community integration of rehabilitation and aftercare. To find out more about the Invictus Foundation's vision and mission please visit their Web site at http://www.invictusfoundation.org
CONTACT:
Peter Whalen
Invictus Foundation
info@invictusfoundation.org
5412 NE 6th Court / Ste 200
Renton, WA 98059-4982
1-855-544-PTSD (7873)