U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Military & Veterans News
VA to fund first national center of excellence for Veteran and caregiver research
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will fund a new center of excellence to expand the department’s capacity to deliver innovative, data-driven and integrated approaches to improve services for Veterans and their caregivers.
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VA expands Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program to improve service to Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) recently began the process of reducing the average counselor-to-caseload ratio, to one to 125 or below, through the hiring of 172 vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs).
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Appeals Modernization: VA’s Progress One Year Since Enactment of the Historic Law
Today marks one year since President Donald J. Trump signed into law one of the most significant statutory changes in decades to affect the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans it serves.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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VA Commits $17 Million to Expand Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program
The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking action to address Intimate Partner Violence(IPV) by earmarking $17 million in funds to support Veterans in need. The funds will strengthen IPV Assistance Programs in VA facilities nationwide.
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President Trump’s Executive Order Supporting Mental Health Care for Transitioning Service Members Now Underway
WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the White House has approved an interagency plan to implement President Trump's executive order supporting Veterans with mental health care and suicide-prevention resources during their transition from uniformed service to civilian life.
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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.
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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.
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Benefit News: VA to Revise State Veteran Home Construction Regulations
WASHINGTON –Today, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin announced that VA plans to propose changes to regulations for its State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program to make it easier to for States to receive VA funding to construct Veterans homes in rural areas.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA staffing new White House VA Hotline Principally with Veterans
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the two-month pilot phase of the new White House VA Hotline that began in June has demonstrated that Veterans calling the hotline respond best when their calls are answered by fellow Veterans and others with first-hand experience on their issues.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Honors Outstanding Achievements in Support of Homeless Veterans Programs
WASHINGTON — During several award ceremonies across the country in July, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will honor exemplary facilities, employees and civilian providers working to address Veteran homelessness.
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Benefit News: VA Expands Transparency, Accountability Efforts
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David J. Shulkin announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking a further step on transparency and accountability as a follow-on to the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act signed by the president less than two weeks ago.
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Benefit News: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Passage of Appeals Modernization Bill
WASHINGTON — “I want to thank the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee for its bold action on VA appeals modernization,” Secretary Shulkin said. “I look forward to the full senate passing the bill quickly to help us move the antiquated appeals process into the modern era, and provide Veterans with much quicker resolution of their appeals — something we have long sought.
Military & Veterans News
Benefit News: VA Secretary Formalizes Expansion of Emergency Mental Health Care to Former Service Members With Other-Than-Honorable Discharges
WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today released finalized plans that lay the framework for providing emergency mental health coverage to former service members with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges.
Military & Veterans News
Benefit News: Veterans Matter Program and VA Announce Milestone of Helping 1,500 Homeless Veterans Secure Stable Housing
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veterans Matter — a program that provides security deposits to homeless Veterans in 14 states and the District of Columbia — today announced that, through their joint efforts, they have helped 1,500 Veterans exit homelessness and move into permanent housing.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Secretary announces decision on next-generation Electronic Health Record
Today U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David J. Shulkin announced his decision on the next-generation Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at a news briefing at VA headquarters in Washington.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: Disabled Veterans to attend annual Winter Sports Clinic hosted by VA and DAV
WASHINGTON – Nearly 400 injured Veterans and active-duty military members will join volunteers and leading medical and rehabilitative professionals from across the nation for the 31st National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, scheduled March 26-31 in Snowmass Village (near Aspen), Colorado.
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Benefit News: VA fixes Veterans Crisis Line
WASHINGTON — In response to the recently released VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report that reviewed processes from June 6 through Dec. 15, 2016, of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the following statement: "The Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce that the challenges with the Veterans Crisis Line have been resolved. Prior to the opening of our new Atlanta call center, our call rollover rate often exceeded 30 percent. Our current call rollover rate is less than 1 percent, with over 99 percent of all calls being answered by the VCL."
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Benefit News: VA Establishes Commission to Recommend Under Secretary for Benefits
WASHINGTON —The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the establishment of a search commission to help identify candidates for the position of Under Secretary for Benefits.
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Benefit News: VA Secretary Announces Intention to Expand Mental Health Care to Former Service members With Other-than-honorable Discharges and in Crisis
WASHINGTON – Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David J.Military & Veterans News
Vet News: VA Study Highlights Benefits of Enhanced Aspirin in Preventing Certain Cancers
WASHINGTON — Researchers know of aspirin’s benefits in preventing certain ailments — from cardiovascular disease to most recently colorectal cancer. But while the link to those two conditions was made, researchers also questioned how and if this “wonder drug” could work to ward off other types of cancers.
Military & Veterans News
Benefit News: VA Offering up to $8 Million in Grants for Adaptive-Sports Programs that Aid Disabled Veterans
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing up to $8 million in grants to fund adaptive-sports programs that offer activities for disabled Veterans and members of the armed forces who have disabilities, VA announced Feb. 22.