You may be wondering why you received a Veterans Choice Card in the mail.

On November 5, 2014 the Department of Military and Veterans affairs began implementation of the Veteran's Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014. The program's goals are to help alleviate difficulties veterans have been having in finding adequate and expedient health care.

Problems veterans were experiencing included long wait times to receive care at VA owned medical facilities and difficulty traveling to these health facilities that were far from their home.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. According to the most recent report published by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which analyzed 55 million veterans' records from 1979 to 2016, the current analysis indicates that an average of 20 veterans a day die from suicide. Service members and Veterans who have defended our freedom have earned our enduring gratitude. They should have the opportunity to live meaningful, productive lives, in the same freedom and peace that their service and sacrifices made possible for so many other Americans.

Sleep problems among active-duty military and veterans are all too common. We’ve seen a growing body of research exploring the problems associated with soldiers’ sleep—and much of the news is not good. Both are at significantly greater risk for sleep disorders than the public.

Active duty military personnel lead stressful lives. Whether deployed abroad or serving stateside, demands on their time, bodies, and families can prove difficult to manage. Studies have shown that this stress can negatively affect the sleeping habits of active duty military personnel. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a recent study revealed that over 85% of active duty military suffer from some type of sleep disorder.

Do you have trouble sleeping at night because of strange or unpleasant sensations in your legs? Would you describe these sensations as creeping, pulling, itching, burning, throbbing, or any other uncomfortable feeling? Do your symptoms occur only when relaxing or trying to rest? Do these sensations cause an uncontrollable or overwhelming urge to move your legs to relieve your discomfort? If so, you may be suffering from restless leg syndrome.

Have you been told by your bedpartner that your legs move frequently while you sleep? Have you noticed that you're feeling tired during the day, even after you've had a full night's sleep? If so, it's possible that you may be suffering from periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).