The American Association of Pastoral Counselors, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers are now part of the “Give an Hour” nonprofit group.

According to a Rand Corporation report released in April, about 300,000 of the 1 million service members who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan have reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.

Being able to heal from the effects of combat may be difficult for some Guard and Reserve members, who may not live near a military or Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility, especially as resources are stretched thin.

In addition, post-traumatic stress, depression and other mental health issues can have a devastating effect on the families of military service members who are afflicted with PTSD.  And while military members may be able to receive care through the military or VA, many times their parents, siblings or an unmarried partner are not entitled to those benefits. They can find help through the Give an Hour network.

To address this subject, I am aware of bills pending before the 2009 Legislature that seek to accomplish the following:

            *           100% tax exemption for those 100% disabled or 100% Individually Unemployable.

            *           Extension of the 100% exemption to those 100% individually unemployable (not currently included).

            *           Addition of a new category of tax exemption for those veterans with service connection between 40 and 59% disabled.

At the February Veterans Forum the veterans and Veteran Organizations met to discuss many of the veteran issues.  There was a great amount of dialogue relating to the veteran tax exemptions and how hard veterans wanted to push this legislative session.  Keeping the economic difficulties in mind, they agreed to pursue the previously listed items.  They felt the State and County finances were most likely not able to support a more aggressive tax exemption.  

But in the end, they agreed Nevada's exemptions should be improved/increased and have studied the exemptions available in other states.  For the past three sessions and I would expect for many more to come, they will work to justly honor the sacrifices of Nevada’s veterans.

If you would like to be informed on Legislative hearings relating to veterans matters, please sign up on our front page or join us at the upcoming Legislative Summit on December 6th.