U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Military & Veterans News
Secretary Wilkie meets with leaders at Washington DC VA Medical Center
Today, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie visited the Washington DC VA Medical Center (VAMC), where he met with facility and regional leaders and received updates on recent progress in Veterans’ care and plans for further improvements at the facility.
Military & Veterans News
Forever GI Bill Expands VA Educational Benefits
Effective Aug. 1, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented 15 more provisions of the Harry W. Colmery Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also referred to as the Forever GI Bill.
Military & Veterans News
President Trump Selects Jake Leinenkugel to Lead VA Commission Focused on Veterans’ Mental Health Treatment
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that President Donald J. Trump has selected former VA White House Senior Advisor Thomas “Jake” Leinenkugel to lead a key commission focused on the department’s mental health care programs.
Military & Veterans News
VA resumes in-person benefits services halted by the COVID-19 response
WASHINGTON — The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the reestablishment of in-person benefits services in select locations throughout the country.
Military & Veterans News
VA’s Transition Assistance Program Participant Guide honored by marketing association
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today its Transition Assistance Program (TAP) was recently recognized by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals during the 2020 Hermes Creative Awards, for the VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide — a publication that makes it easy for transitioning service members and Veterans to understand their benefits.
Military & Veterans News
VA awards $26.8M in grants to support legal services for Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness
Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding $26.8 million in legal services grants to a total of 108 public and non-profit organizations, all with the goal of increasing access to legal services for eligible Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
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
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
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
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.