U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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.

Military & Veterans News

President Biden Fiscal Year 2025 Budget proposes critical investments in Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors

Budget outlines critical investments in delivering care and benefits to toxic-exposed Veterans, improving mental health outcomes, supporting women Veterans, and more

Military & Veterans News

VA makes historic commitments to hire and support military spouses

Days after Biden-Harris Administration released the first-ever government-wide plan to tackle employment barriers and expand opportunities for military-connected spouses, VA signs the 4+1 Commitment to support military spouses

Military & Veterans News

In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran health care, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service — at home or abroad — will be eligible for VA health care beginning March 5

At the direction of President Biden, VA is expanding health care eligibility to millions of Veterans — including all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11 — years earlier than called for by the PACT Act

Military & Veterans News

VA launches new surgery initiative across the nation, a critical step to saving the lives of Veterans considering surgery

This week, VA’s Surgical Pause Initiative was recognized with 2023 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award. This initiative, which is now expanding to all VA facilities that provide surgical care, is proven to decrease mortality among Veteran patients.

Military & Veterans News

VA announces 2024 Equity Action Plan, new actions to ensure that all Veterans receive the health care and benefits they earned

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs released its 2024 Agency Equity Action Plan to help ensure that VA delivers on its promise to provide world-class care and benefits to all Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors ― regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or geographic location.

Military & Veterans News

VA proposes rule to extend presumed areas of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides, making it easier for exposed Veterans to receive their earned benefits

VA continues to expand access to health care and benefits for toxic-exposed Veterans as a part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation

Military & Veterans News

VA to award $52.5 million in grants to local organizations working to prevent Veteran suicide

Today, VA announced the availability of $52.5 million in funding for grants to community-based organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for Veterans and their families — including conducting Veteran mental health screenings, providing case management and peer support services, delivering emergency clinical services, reaching out to Veterans at risk of suicide, and more.

Military & Veterans News

More than 31,000 Veterans sign up for new VA life insurance program in the first year

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, VA is now providing more insurance coverage to more Veterans, service members, and their families than ever before in our nation’s history

Military & Veterans News

To improve care for Veterans, VA to fund studies on new therapies for treating mental health conditions

New research would determine the benefit of psychedelics for treating PTSD and depression in Veterans

Military & Veterans News

VA has screened 5 million Veterans for toxic exposures, paving the way for early detection and treatment of health conditions

A key component of the PACT Act and President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation, these toxic exposure screenings begin an important conversation about exposure health risks between Veterans and their medical providers

Military & Veterans News

VA adds three new Vet Centers and six satellite locations to increase access to counseling for Veterans and service members

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the addition of three new Vet Centers and six Vet Center Outstations (smaller satellite locations) to improve access to counseling for Veterans and service members.

Military & Veterans News

VA has housed more than 38,000 homeless Veterans in 2023, surpassing goal two months early

Ending Veteran homelessness is a top priority for VA and President Biden, who has made supporting Veterans a key pillar of Unity Agenda for the nation

Military & Veterans News

VA and the Global Liver Institute collaborate to enhance quality of life for Veterans with liver diseases

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new partnership with the Global Liver Institute (GLI) to improve the lives of Veterans with liver diseases.

Military & Veterans News

VA releases National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report

Today the Department of Veterans Affairs released the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the largest national analysis of Veteran suicides through 2021 (the latest year for which we have data). The report shows that 6,392 Veterans died by suicide in 2021, which is 114 more than in 2020. The number of non-Veteran suicides also increased to 40,020 deaths in 2021, which is 2,000 more than in 2020.