http://www.soph.uab.edu/dsc/Veterans2015

Disability Benefits for Veterans: An Interdisciplinary Symposium

Start: 11/06/2015 8:00 am

Date:  Friday, November 6, 2015

Location: Lakeshore Foundation

Today, veterans comprise approximately 7% of the workforce.  This percentage will increase as the military is down-sized – – about two million soldiers are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and most of them will be entering the workforce. An insight into the issues facing veterans is essential to meet the needs of those that have served our country.

This symposium will discuss the expectations of veterans who are disabled, how to respond to those expectations, and what makes the veterans different during the treatment process. It will include a review and update on the government benefits available to veterans, such as Social Security disability and Veterans disability compensation and how these benefits integrate with one another. We will also provide information on Agent Orange and Heart Disease, look at homelessness for veterans, as well as address Women’s Issues in the veteran cohort.

Individuals from the private and non-governmental sectors will discuss their approach to meeting their clients’ needs, and sharing lessons learned with our attendees.  Our panels include well-respected leaders from the medical, non-profit, social issues, legal community and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

We will discuss what makes disability for Veterans different – – critical issues in the rehabilitation process and how to respond to the differences.    There will be opportunities for questions and answers from our expert panelists and networking opportunities with those attending the symposium.

Agenda

7:45-8:15am: Registration (with continental breakfast and networking)

8:15-8:20am: Welcome and Introduction: Allyn Holladay, Deep South Center;  Doug Friedman, Friedman Law Firm, P.C.

8:20-8:50am: David R. McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, Keynote Speaker

8:50-9:20am

Homeless Panel: Bob Parker, Anne Wright and Tony Cooper

9:20-9:40am: Judge Johnson, Veterans Court

9:40-10:30am: Judge David Stephens, Social Security Disability Benefit for Wounded Warriors

10:30-11:00am: William Crunk, Ph.D., Vocational Evaluations

11:00-11:30pm: Doug Friedman and Jessica Friedman, Friedman Law Firm, P.C., A Veteran’s Story: Video Presentation About Return to Work Issues

11:30-12:15pm: Lunch and Networking (provided)

12:15-12:45pm: Jamie Barrington, Vocational Rehabilitation Officer, Montgomery VA Regional Office: Update from Regional Office

12:45-1:15pm: Rosalind Bowles, MD, Chief of Administrative Medicine, Compensation and Pension Clinic, Birmingham VA Med Center: C & P Exams

1:15-2:00pm: Amy Southern and Dr. Misti Norton, Women’s Issues

2:00-2:45pm Steve Bakir, Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Associates of the Southeast, LLC and John Croushorn, Compression Works: Agent Orange and Heart Disease

2:45-3:00pm: Closing and Thank You, Doug Friedman

Information

The symposium will be held at Lakeshore Foundation, Sigon Room, 4000 Ridgeway Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35209.  The Disability for Veterans Symposium will be held 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Registration must be received in advance.  A confirmation letter with details will be sent once registration has been received.  Detailed information on parking will be provided in confirmation letter.

Professional Points

As an AL Board of Nursing Approved Provider, the Deep South Center for Occupational Health & Safety awards 5.0 contact hours (expiration date 01/03/2019).  Participants who attend the symposium will earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), the national standard of recognition for nonacademic professional education.  

Accommodations

There are several hotels near the Lakeshore Foundation.  Please check our website for additional information on accommodation.