Military & Veteran News

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Military & Veterans News Secretary McDonough statement on FY 2023 budget WASHINGTON — The Biden-Harris administration submitted to Congress the president’s budget for fiscal year 2023.

Military & Veterans News VA to award millions in grants to improve transitional housing facilities WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding 36 capital grants totaling approximately $64.7 million to community organizations under VA’s Grant and Per Diem program to improve the quality of housing options for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Military & Veterans News Veteran communities receive latest resources for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis WASHINGTON —  The Department of Veterans Affairs encourages Veterans affected by inflammatory bowel diseases to access a new website that raises awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Military & Veterans News VA supports women Veteran entrepreneurs in how to obtain government contracts Graduates from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Women Veteran-Owned Small Business Initiative recently finished the VetBizLadyStart program, paving a way for their future in the federal marketplace.

Military & Veterans News VA will propose adding rare cancers to the presumed service-connected list as related to military environmental exposure The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to propose adding certain rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities in relation to military environmental exposure to particulate matter.

Military & Veterans News VA encourages donating blood amid blood crisis The Department of Veterans Affairs and its participating VA medical centers across the country are in the midst of “Roll Up Your Sleeve 2022” blood drives through March in response to the ongoing national need for blood during the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency.

Military & Veterans News VA Funding Available to Create Technology Helping Eligible Service Members and Veterans Adapt Their Homes WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs has Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology grants available for fiscal year 2022 to develop new technologies that enhance the ability of seriously disabled service members and Veterans to live more independently.

Military & Veterans News VA establishes new threshold for reporting benefit and medical debt The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register, Feb. 2, amending VA’s procedures for reporting debt to consumer reporting agencies.

Military & Veterans News VA appointees brought on board in early 2022 More Department of Veterans Affairs key appointments are filled at the start of the new year.

Military & Veterans News VA amplifies access to home, community-based services for eligible Veterans The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care is expanding its Home-Based Primary Care, Medical Foster Home and Veteran-Directed Care programs to make them available at all VA medical centers by the end of fiscal year 2026.