Military & Veteran News

Military & Veterans News VA closes gap in benefits for LGBTQ+ Veterans and their survivors WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it is closing a gap in survivor benefits for certain survivors of LGBTQ+ Veterans — specifically, for those who were unable to wed until the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, and who, therefore, were not married to their now-deceased Veteran spouses for long enough to qualify for survivor benefits.

Military & Veterans News VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers expands to Veterans of all eras WASHINGTON — Today, VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is expanding to include eligible Veterans and family caregivers of all eras.

Military & Veterans News VA offers benefit debt relief to Veterans affected by recent hurricanes WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering a suspension of debt repayments for Veterans and family members affected by Hurricane Fiona or Hurricane Ian.

Military & Veterans News VA opens health care eligibility for Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11 Veterans under PACT Act WASHINGTON — On October 1, The Department of Veterans Affairs will expand and extend eligibility for VA health care for certain Veterans of the Gulf Wars and post-9/11 era.

Military & Veterans News VA to Extend Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers eligibility for “legacy” Veterans and their family caregivers WASHINGTON — Yesterday, the Department of Veterans Affairs submitted to the Federal Register an 

Military & Veterans News VA extends temporary hardship suspension for benefit debts WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is extending its financial hardship suspension on benefit debts through Dec. 31.

Military & Veterans News Statement from VA Secretary Denis McDonough on the signing of the PACT Act “The PACT Act is a historic new law that will help VA deliver for millions of Veterans — and their survivors — by empowering us to presumptively provide care and benefits to Vets suffering from more than 20 toxic exposure-related conditions. It will also bring generations of Veterans into VA health care, which will improve Veteran health outcomes across the board.

Military & Veterans News VA awards $431 million in grants to help at-risk Veterans and their families WASHINGTON — On Aug.  1, the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $431 million in grants to 258 non-profit organizations across the nation to help homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families.

Military & Veterans News VA expands grant program for community organizations helping homeless Veterans WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs published a Proposed Rule, July 29, allowing Grant and Per Diem program grantees to receive reimbursements for costs associated with serving the minor dependents of homeless Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA summer sports clinic for disabled Veterans returns to San Diego WASHINGTON — Veterans will participate during the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, Aug. 7-12 in San Diego.

Military & Veterans News VA stands up commission to recommend new Under Secretary for Benefits WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough approved the establishment of a commission on July 19, to identify candidates to lead and manage the Veterans Benefits Administration in the position of Under Secretary for Benefits.

Military & Veterans News Veterans compete at 2022 National Veterans Golden Age Games WASHINGTON — After two years of virtual participation at-home, approximately 500 Veterans from across the country are set to compete in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veterans Golden Age Games, July 18-23, in South Dakota.

Military & Veterans News New Veterans Crisis Line phone number WASHINGTON — Effective July 16, Veterans have the option to Dial 988 then Press 1 to connect with caring, qualified responders for 24/7 crisis support.

Military & Veterans News VA develops national standards for health care professionals WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs published its first of 50 draft national standards of practice in the Federal Register June 30, along with the

Military & Veterans News VA expands live donor care and support WASHINGTON —The Department of Veterans Affairs implements a final rule, July 1, 2022, describing the authority to provide support for donation procedures and related care to those who donate an organ or bone marrow to Veterans for transplants.

Military & Veterans News VA services 10K loans in last year for Veterans borrowing from their life insurance policies WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs has paid out more than $6.7 million across 10,000 loans since mid-May 2021 through Instant Loan Approval, a feature that automates the loan approval process for Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce Veteran suicide WASHINGTON — As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 10-year strategy to reduce Veteran suicide, VA invites innovators across the country to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA implements COVID-19 health protection levels enhancing Veteran, visitor and employee safety at medical facilities WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Administration launched three operational levels called VHA COVID-19 Health Protection Levels to provide a consistent, nationwide approach at its medical centers.

Military & Veterans News VA national cemeteries to host public Memorial Day ceremonies after two years without gatherings WASHINGTON — The Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration will host its first public Memorial Day ceremonies since 2019.

Military & Veterans News Statement from Secretaries Fudge, McDonough, Vilsack and Yellen on continued efforts to connect homeowners to pandemic relief WASHINGTON — The Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge, Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Treasury Janet L. Yellen are calling on servicers of federally backed mortgages to make every effort to ensure no individual or family unduly experiences unnecessary hardship or foreclosure while assistance is available under the Homeowner Assistance Fund.

Military & Veterans News VA establishes presumptive service connection for rare respiratory cancers for certain Veterans WASHINGTON — As part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda commitment to support the nation’s Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs is adding nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposures to fine particulate matter.

Military & Veterans News VA advances equity in benefits, services and health care The Department of Veterans Affairs released its Equity Action Plan, April 14, to eliminate barriers to health care, benefits and services, and create opportunities to improve access and experiences for historically marginalized Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA issues Notice of Funding Opportunity for Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs and White House national suicide prevention efforts, April 15, VA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $51,750,000 in suicide prevention grants.

Military & Veterans News VA shares implementation plan and locations of PAWS Act pilot program WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs published a Federal Register Notice, March 30, on its plan for implementing the pilot program required by the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act.