Military & Veterans News

Tester Presses VA to Use American-Made Medical Supplies, Reduce Reliance on Foreign Adversaries

U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today wrote to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with his concerns of how faulty foreign-made medical supplies made its way into VA inventory. Tester pressed VA to use American-made medical supplies whenever possible to best serve veterans, bolster American jobs, and reduce VA’s reliance on foreign adversaries’ supply chains.

Military & Veterans News

VA announces $10M in new funding opportunities for state, territory, and Tribal governments to help understand and prevent Veteran suicide

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced $10 million in new funding for eligible states, territories, and Tribal governments through cooperative agreements to better inform Veteran suicide prevention strategies.

Military & Veterans News

VA awards more than $2.4M in grants to research and increase public engagement with Veteran stories

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the National Cemetery Administration awarded nine grants totaling more than $2.4 million as part of the Veterans Legacy Program (VLP), a project that honors America’s Veterans and service members by uncovering and sharing their stories.

Military & Veterans News

VA extends presumptions of service connection for three new cancer types

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is including three new cancer types in the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposure under the PACT Act. This announcement marks the continued commitment under the Biden-Harris administration’s Unity Agenda and the Biden Cancer Moonshot to support the nation’s Veterans.

Military & Veterans News

More than 50,000 women Veterans enrolled in VA health care over past 365 days, marking the largest enrollment year ever for women Veterans

VA is now providing more care and benefits to women Veterans than ever before in our nation’s history

Military & Veterans News

DOD Establishes Cyber Academic Engagement Office

In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 1531, the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has established the Cyber Academic Engagement Office (CAEO) to serve as the consolidated focal point for cyber-related activities carried out between the DoD and academia stakeholders. 

Military & Veterans News

VA announces updates to help Veterans using VA home loan benefits remain competitive in the housing market

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that eligible Veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses who use the VA-guaranteed home loan benefit can pay for certain real estate buyer-broker fees when purchasing a home beginning Aug. 10, 2024.

Military & Veterans News

Through 2027, Veterans no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care visits of each year

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veterans no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits of each calendar year through 2027. This benefit expands Veterans’ access to mental health services and lowers their out-of-pocket costs.

Military & Veterans News

VA improves access to care, reduces wait times for new patient appointments in primary and mental health care

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced improved wait times for new patient appointments in primary care and mental health care across the VA health care system.

Military & Veterans News

VA to grant 1 millionth benefit claim for Veterans and their survivors under the PACT Act

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to grant its 1 millionth PACT Act-related disability compensation claims to Veterans and survivors since President Biden signed the bill into law on Aug. 10, 2022. The grant rate for these claims is 75% – a sharp increase from pre-PACT levels – and VA has delivered more than $5.7 billion in earned benefits to these Veterans and survivors. 

Military & Veterans News

VA named one of the top 10 fastest rising research institutions in North America

The Department of Veterans Affairs has earned a spot among the top 10 fastest rising research institutions in North America, according to the prestigious Nature Index. VA research has a long history of medical breakthroughs, including the development of the CAT scan, the innovation of the pacemaker, and performing the first-ever liver transplant. Recent research by VA researchers has supported critical initiatives such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, women’s health, telehealth, suicide prevention, the PACT Act, President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, and many others.

Military & Veterans News

VA expands health care services for Veterans in Florida

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the official opening of one of its newest clinics in South Tampa, Florida. Sabal Park Clinic provides a comprehensive suite of services —including primary care, mental health, social work, and dietetics.

Military & Veterans News

VA announces new grant program to help service members and their spouses transition from the military to civilian life

Today, on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, VA announced the creation of a new grant program to help service members and their spouses transition from the military to civilian life. These grants will be awarded to eligible organizations that provide employment-based resources and tools for transitioning service members and spouses — including resume assistance services, interview training, job recruitment training, employment placement services, and additional services that lead directly to a successful transition.

Military & Veterans News

VA expands access to care and benefits for some former service members who did not receive an honorable or general discharge

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs posted a final rule amending its regulations regarding character of discharge determinations, expanding access to VA care and benefits for some former service members discharged under other than honorable conditions or by special court-martial.

Military & Veterans News

 VA announces expansion of “Close to Me” cancer program as part of the Cancer Moonshot, bringing cancer diagnosis and treatment closer to thousands of Veterans

Today, as a part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced an expansion of its Close to Me cancer care program. This expansion will bring new cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance services to an additional 9,000 Veterans and 30 locations by the end of October 2025.

Military & Veterans News

Department of Defense Announces Winners of the 2024 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards

Today, the Department of Defense announced the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards winners for 2024.  

Military & Veterans News

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks' Remarks for Purple Up! For Military Kids

Today is Purple Up! Day, a special day in April — the Month of the Military Child — when we recognize the contributions and achievements of our nation's 1.6 million military children. And it is my privilege to join in the celebration.

Military & Veterans News

New Defense, State Department Agreement Improves Military Spouses' Ability to Telework Overseas

Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of State (DOS) officials on April 17 signed a new agreement that impacts military spouses working in the executive branch of the federal government and approved to work remotely from locations overseas.

Military & Veterans News

VA announces new program to help more than 40,000 Veterans stay in their homes

On May 31, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs will launch a new program — the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program — to help more than 40,000 Veterans experiencing severe financial hardship avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.

Military & Veterans News

400,000+ Veterans enrolled in VA health care over past 365 days, 30% increase over last year

Under the PACT Act, VA has also upgraded the health care priority groups for 693,962 Veterans over the past year — meaning that many of those Veterans are now paying lower copays. Since the PACT Act was passed into law, VA has upgraded the priority groups of more than 746,500 Veterans.

Military & Veterans News

Establishment of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy

As directed in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, the Department of Defense established the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy (ASD(CP)) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy (OASD(CP)) on March 20, 2024.

Military & Veterans News

VA opens new osteoarthritis research center at Philadelphia VA Medical Center

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the opening of the Cartilage Regeneration using Advanced Technologies to Enable Motion Center — the CReATE Motion Center — at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.  

Military & Veterans News

VA sets all-time record for benefits delivered to women Veterans

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it is delivering disability compensation benefits to a record number of women Veterans. Right now, 702,557 women Veterans are receiving disability compensation benefits from VA — an all-time record and an increase of 180,959 women Veterans (or 26%) over five years ago.

Military & Veterans News

VA has processed more than one million Veteran benefit claims in fiscal year 2024, the fastest rate in VA history

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has processed its one millionth Veteran benefits claim in fiscal year 2024. VA reached this milestone March 4 — the earliest in VA history and nearly six weeks faster than the previous all-time record (from fiscal year 2023). VA has completed almost 35% more claims than at this point last year.