Here are the top stories this week related to our soldiers here and abroad, taken from the Our Troops Newsladder.

The VA became embroiled in scandal this week based on an email directing doctors not to diagnose PTSD and instead diagnose an adjustment disorder, a cost-cutting move which was meant to allow the VA to provide fewer benefits. (marinecorpstimes.com)

Barack Obama demanded an investigation into the email scandal in a letter to VA secretary James Peake. Within hours, his request to hold hearings was granted by the chairmen of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. (vetvoice.com)

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) asked the VA to provide the total number of suicides and attempted suicides of people under VA care after another internal email (this one focused on the PR problem posed by the suicides) prompted an inquiry. (armytimes.com)

Another VA doctor proposes focusing not just on therapy and medication for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems, but also on job training and housing assistance. (miller-mccune.com)

Lastly, a New York Times editorial examines what the next president must do to fix our military. (nytimes.com)

Veterans of America is proud to sponsor the Our Troops Newsladder, a new tool to find the top news and articles in the progressive community by, about and for our troops.