Military & Veteran News

Military & Veterans News VA, CMS partner to identify and recover $106M in duplicate billing The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced a new partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to eliminate instances in which both agencies are billed for the same health care episode.

Military & Veterans News VA names nine additional facilities that will deploy Federal EHR in 2026 The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the complete list of additional medical facilities at which it will deploy the Federal Electronic Health Record system in 2026 under its accelerated deployment schedule.

Military & Veterans News VA Breaks New Ground, Accelerates Disability Claim Processing for Veterans The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is setting new benchmarks in its commitment to America's veterans, announcing on June 24th that it has processed over 2 million disability benefits claims so far in 2025. This achievement comes more than a month ahead of last year's record-setting pace, signaling a significant leap in efficiency.

Military & Veterans News VA announces expanded burial benefits The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it has temporarily expanded burial benefits for certain Veterans, per the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

Military & Veterans News VA to reduce staff by nearly 30K by end of FY2025 The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced it’s on pace to reduce total VA staff by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025, eliminating the need for a large-scale reduction-in-force.

Military & Veterans News Chairman Moran Leads Hearing on Mismanagement at Veterans Crisis Line U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – led a committee hearing today to review the mismanagement at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) with whistleblower and former Lead Auditor at the VCL, Brad Combs; former VCL responder, Marcia Blane and staff from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and VA.

Military & Veterans News VA processes more than 2M disability claims in record time The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that it processed more than 2 million disability benefits claims for Veterans in fiscal year 2025, faster than ever before.

Military & Veterans News Presidential Proclamation: 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States Army On June 14, 1775, the sword and shield of our Republic were forged when the Second Continental Congress voted to establish what would later become the United States Army.  Today, our Nation proudly celebrates 250 years of our Army’s strength, service, valor, and discipline.  We honor its heroic legacy as the guardian of our sovereignty and our fortress against tyranny — and we pay tribute to the millions of warriors who live by the motto: This We’ll Defend.

Military & Veterans News VA Announces New Flag Display Policy The Department of Veterans Affairs today instituted a new flag policy limiting the display of certain flags on VA premises. The policy will establish consistent and clear guidance across the department and among all employees.

Military & Veterans News VA proposes rule to extend presumed areas of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides, making it easier for exposed Veterans to receive their earned benefits VA continues to expand access to health care and benefits for toxic-exposed Veterans as a part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation

Military & Veterans News VA increases maximum life insurance coverage for Veterans and service members by $100,000 WASHINGTON — Today, the Biden-Harris administration released the president’s budget for fiscal year 2024. This budget proposes critical resources to help VA serve all Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors as well as they have served their country.

Military & Veterans News VA relaxes masking requirements at medical facilities WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has relaxed the masking requirement at VA medical facilities. This update ensures the safety of Veterans while accommodating individual masking preferences and aligning with CDC guidelines.

Military & Veterans News Winners revealed in VA’s $20M Mission Daybreak Grand Challenge to reduce Veteran suicides WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the 10 winners of Mission Daybreak, a $20 million grand challenge aimed at developing innovations to reduce Veteran suicides.

Military & Veterans News VA housed more than 40,000 homeless Veterans in 2022 WASHINGTON — During 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs permanently housed 40,401 homeless Veterans, providing them with the safe, stable homes that they deserve. This exceeded the department’s goal to house 38,000 Veterans in 2022 by 6.3%.

Military & Veterans News Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.

Military & Veterans News VA reaches 1M Veterans in military exposure screenings WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs marks a historic milestone by screening 1 million Veterans for military exposures as part of the PACT Act signed into law Aug. 10.

Military & Veterans News VA will begin processing PACT Act benefits claims for all Veterans and survivors WASHINGTON — On Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin processing PACT Act benefit claims for all Veterans and their survivors.

Military & Veterans News DoD Releases 2023 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates The Department of Defense has released the 2023 Basic Allowance for Housing rates. Basic Allowance for Housing rates will increase an average of 12.1 percent when the new rates take effect on January 1, 2023. An estimated $26.8 billion will be paid to approximately one million Service members. The significant increase in average BAH rates is reflective of the unique market conditions experienced across many locations nationwide over the past year. While average BAH rates increased substantially, different rental markets experience different market trends, and the 2023 BAH rates reflect those geographic market condition differences. 

Military & Veterans News VA to begin processing PACT Act benefits claims immediately for terminally ill Veterans WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will begin processing PACT Act benefits claims for eligible terminally ill Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA continues aggressive hiring push to deliver PACT ACT care and benefits WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring qualified individuals to join the benefits team as VA begins processing PACT Act claims starting in January 2023.These new VA employees will help ensure Veterans and survivors get the PACT Act-related benefits they’ve earned in a timely manner.

Military & Veterans News VA will launch new life insurance program in January, making life insurance available to more Veterans than ever before WASHINGTON — On Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will open enrollment for Veterans Affairs Life Insurance — the first new VA life insurance program for Veterans in more than 50 years — extending VALife access to millions of Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA creates scholarship program to help aspiring VA mental health professionals WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will establish a Vet Center (Readjustment Counseling Service) Scholarship Program to assist individuals pursuing graduate degrees in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

Military & Veterans News Tomorrow, all Veterans enrolled in VA health care will be eligible for new toxic exposure screenings Beginning tomorrow, Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics across the country will offer enrolled Veterans a new toxic exposure screening. These screenings are a key part of the PACT Act, a new law that empowers VA to deliver care and benefits to millions of toxic exposed Veterans and their survivors. 

Military & Veterans News VA will prioritize delivering benefits to Veterans with cancer under PACT Act Today, on National Cancer Awareness Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will prioritize the processing of Veterans’ benefits claims for cancers associated with the PACT Act. VA will expedite these claims to ensure Veterans with cancer are getting timely access to the care and benefits they need and deserve.