Military & Veteran News

Military & Veterans News VA has cured 100,000 Veterans of Hepatitis C As World Hepatitis Day is marked nationwide this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reached a significant milestone, having cured more than 100,000 Veterans of chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), establishing VA as a global leader in the diagnosis and treatment of HCV.

Military & Veterans News VA launches community-focused public health model to prevent Veteran suicide The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) and VA Midwest Health Care Network (Veterans Integrated Service Network [VISN] 23) have been working with academic researchers from the University of Pittsburgh’s Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) to spearhead a community-based program as one of many efforts aimed at lowering the rate of Veteran suicide.

Military & Veterans News New text messaging feature available through VA’s Women Veterans Call Center The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) added  a text messaging feature to the Women Veterans Call Center on April 23, providing another convenient way for women to seek information about VA benefits, health care and available resources. 

Military & Veterans News VA ensures Veterans have same-day access to emergency mental health care As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) efforts to provide the best mental health care access possible, VA is reminding Veterans that it offers all Veterans same-day access to emergency mental health care at any VA health care facility across the country.

Military & Veterans News VA increases contracting with Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert Wilkie today announced an increase to the department’s goals for contracting with Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB). 

Military & Veterans News VA to receive new Fisher Houses in Michigan, Colorado and Nebraska, which offer temporary lodging to Veterans’ families and caregivers Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Fisher House Foundation plans to construct three new 16-suite Fisher Houses at VA campuses in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Aurora, Colorado; and Omaha, Nebraska; which will provide temporary accommodations for the families and caregivers of Veterans and active-duty military receiving care at the VA facilities. 

Military & Veterans News VA, DAV to co-host National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic: Hundreds of disabled Veterans to take on life-changing adaptive sports challenge WASHINGTON — Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the  National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic will take place March 31 to April 5 in Snowmass, Colorado. 

Military & Veterans News VA to implement appeals modernization in February: Act will simplify process for how Veterans make claims appeals The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) announced that the Federal Register will publish on Jan. 18 regulations accompanying the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA), which will help Veterans experience a more transparent claims decision-review process.

Military & Veterans News VA partners with The Independence Fund to help prevent Veteran suicide Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its partnership with The Independence Fund to provide wellness and mental health education to Veterans, caregivers and families.

Military & Veterans News DOD Releases 2019 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates The Department of Defense released the 2019 Basic Allowance for Housing rates today.  BAH rates will increase an average of 2.55 percent when the new rates take effect on January 1, 2019.  An estimated $21 billion will be paid to approximately one million service members.

Military & Veterans News VA Employee Survey Shows Improving Morale Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that results from a recent VA job satisfaction survey showed a general trend of improving employee morale. 

Military & Veterans News VA, partner organizations launch innovative approach using long-term employment to improve lives of Veterans with PTSD With research showing that Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) face significant barriers to employment, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and several state, city and nonprofit organizations recently created a first-of-its-kind “Pay for-Success” project to improve employment outcomes for such Veterans. 

Military & Veterans News VA marks Suicide Prevention Month in September with ‘Be There’ campaign To mark Suicide Prevention Month this September, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is shining a light on effective ways to prevent Veteran suicide with its Be There campaign. 

Military & Veterans News Cigarette Use One of Most Significant Health Risks to Military Service Members The American Osteopathic Association has partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Tips From Former Smokers® campaign to address high smoking rates among service members, who smoke at a rate 60% above the general population.

Military & Veterans News Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. on the Passing of Senator John McCain Statement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr.: "Senator McCain exemplified what it means to be a warrior and dedicated public servant. Both as a naval officer and as a member of Congress, he was a lifelong and tireless advocate for the men and women of the U.S. military. 

Military & Veterans News At White House, VA Secretary underscores low unemployment for Veterans under President Trump In his first White House Cabinet Meeting as Secretary of Veterans Affairs yesterday, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie underscored for President Donald Trump and the public how the President’s policies have led to near-record-low unemployment rates for America’s Veterans.

Military & Veterans News President Goerge W. Bush Takes on New Role as the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation's Honorary Chairman The Global War on Terror (GWOT) Memorial Foundation, the congressionally-designated non-profit foundation tasked with organizing, fundraising and coordinating efforts to build a new memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., today announced new board of directors, staff, advisory board members, ambassadors and architectural partner, including naming former President George W. Bush as its Honorary Chairman.

Military & Veterans News National WWI Memorial Gets Blessing To Move Forward The effort to build a new National World War I Memorial in Washington DCgained a major endorsement today, from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). 

Discounts & Benefits VA Partnership with National Cancer Institute Will Boost Veteran Access to Clinical Trials Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has formed a partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) which will provide more access to the latest treatment options for VA patients with cancer.

Military & Veterans News VA Releases State-level Veteran Suicide Data, National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released state-level Veteran suicide data today as a follow-up to its 2015 National Suicide Data Report, which was released on June 18.

Military & Veterans News Live From The U.S. Capitol On The 150th Anniversary Of Memorial Day: An American Tradition Honoring Our Heroes PBS' National Memorial Day Concert On the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, PBS' multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT returns live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise. The 29th annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on PBS Sunday, May 27, 2018, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

Military & Veterans News VA Announces Whole Health Flagship Sites: Personalized Plan Puts Veterans in Control of their Health Care Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released the names of 18 facilities designated VA Whole Health Flagship Sites, which are spread around the country within the VA health-care system and are focused on empowering and equipping Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being. 

Military & Veterans News VA Updates Disability Rating Schedule to Better Align with Modern Medicine Effective May 13, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will update portions of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD, or rating schedule) that evaluates the organs of special sense eye conditions, as well as gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast.

Military & Veterans News VA Expands Telehealth by Allowing Health Care Providers to Treat Patients Across State Lines Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new federal rule that will allow VA doctors, nurses and other health-care providers to administer care to Veterans using telehealth, or virtual technology, regardless of where in the United States the provider or Veteran is located, including when care will occur across state lines or outside a VA facility.