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Military & Veterans News Burn Pits Legislation Gains Momentum on Capitol Hill Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), America’s leading post-9/11 veterans empowerment organization, announced today significant, additional support for its Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671/S. 3181) to improve the tracking and reporting of servicemembers’ exposure to burn pits and airborne toxins during their deployments, and the recent passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018. Burn Pits are among IAVA’s 2018 Big 6 Priorities for post 9/11 veterans.

Military & Veterans News House Passes 9 Bipartisan Veterans Bills Washington, D.C. - Today, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House passed 9 bipartisan veterans bills:

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’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, Blue Star Families to support Veterans impacted by COVID-19 WASHINGTON — To better support Veterans impacted by COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is partnering with Blue Star Families (BSF) for the COVID-19 Military Support Initiative (CMSI).

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 Veterans and survivors filed more than 1 million benefits claims under the PACT Act Today, VA announced that Veterans and their survivors have filed more than one million claims for toxic exposure-related benefits under the PACT Act since President Biden signed it into law Aug. 10, 2022. VA has processed more than 551,000 of these claims, granting 77.9% of them and awarding more than $2.2 billion in earned benefits to Veterans and survivors.

Military & Veterans News VA and National Cancer Institute announce historic data-sharing partnership to better understand and treat cancer among Veterans Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a historic partnership with the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute to share cancer registry information. This is a significant advancement in the nation’s fight against cancer that will help medical professionals better research, understand, and ultimately treat cancer among Veterans and all Americans.

Military & Veterans News Iraq Combat Veteran Tanya Bradsher confirmed as VA’s deputy secretary Today, Army Veteran Tanya Bradsher was confirmed by the Senate as VA’s deputy secretary. In this role, Deputy Secretary Bradsher will help lead the Department of Veterans Affairs as it continues to deliver more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before in the nation’s history.

Military & Veterans News 2023 NFL Season, College Football, and More on AFN The Defense Media Activity (DMA) and the American Forces Network (AFN) invites its overseas audiences to enjoy the National Football League's 2023 football season. AFN will provide live game coverage through the playoffs and Super Bowl LVIII.

Military & Veterans News VA national cemeteries hold National Day of Service events marking 22nd anniversary of 9/11 Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced more than 60 VA national cemeteries will host National Day of Service events Sept. 11. These events will honor the Veterans, service members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders who served and sacrificed for the nation Sept. 11, 2001, and in the 22 years since.

Military & Veterans News VA on track to house 38,000+ homeless Veterans in 2023, awards $1B in grants to help homeless and at-risk Veterans Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has permanently housed 26,470 Veterans through July 2023, on pace to exceed its goal of housing 38,000 homeless Veterans in 2023. VA also announced more than $1 billion in grants to help homeless and at-risk Veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem programs. These grants are a critical part of VA’s efforts to provide housing for Veterans in collaboration with the community.

Military & Veterans News Department of Defense-Sponsored Cyber Internship Offers Knowledge, Inspiration for College Students The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering-sponsored Cyber-Spectrum internship program, MAVEN, recently celebrated its second internship graduation.

Military & Veterans News New Benefit Gives Military Families More Flexibility in Paying for Dependent Care In coordination with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has expanded eligibility for a benefit that will provide military families with another financial option for reducing the burden of the cost of dependent care, ultimately bolstering military readiness. The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) initiative provides accounts that allow eligible service members to set aside up to $5,000 per household in pre-tax earnings for qualified dependent care expenses.

Military & Veterans News VA launches mobile medical units to increase access to health care for homeless Veterans Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will deploy 25 mobile medical units across the country during the next six months to provide health care and support to homeless and at-risk Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA and NAACP announce partnership to improve quality of life for Black and minority Veterans Today, VA and the NAACP announced an agreement to work together to advance and improve the quality of life for all Veterans, including minority Veterans.

Military & Veterans News VA expands breast cancer screenings and mammograms for Veterans with potential toxic exposures Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veterans under 40 who may have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their service are now eligible for breast cancer risk assessments and mammograms (as clinically appropriate) at VA.

Military & Veterans News VA and the American Association of Kidney Patients collaborate to enhance quality of life for Veterans with kidney disease Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new partnership with the American Association of Kidney Patients to improve the everyday lives of Veterans with kidney disease in coordination with VA’s Kidney Medicine Program.

Military & Veterans News Majority of VA health care facilities receive 4 or 5 stars in CMS quality ratings, outperforming non-VA facilities Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that 67% of VA hospitals included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) annual Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings received either 4 or 5 stars, compared to only 41% of non-VA hospitals. This was the first time VA hospitals were included in the CMS Star Ratings.

Military & Veterans News SecVA press conference, 6/27/23

Military & Veterans News VA awards $11.5 million in first-of-their-kind grants for legal services for homeless Veterans WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $11.5 million in legal services grants for Veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness as part of its national h

Military & Veterans News VA launches national PACT Act Summer VetFest to encourage Veterans and survivors to apply for new health care and benefits WASHINGTON — In July, VA will kick off PACT Act Summer VetFest to inform Veterans, their families, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health ca

Military & Veterans News VA stands up Agency Equity Team to ensure that all Veterans receive the world-class care and benefits they deserve VA also announced that it has created a new Equity Assurance Office within the Veterans Benefits Administration. This office will work in coordination with the I*DEA Council to eliminate any disparities in the delivery of earned benefits to Veterans, including disability benefits, housing benefits, GI Bill benefits, and much more. This office will be led by Laurine Carson and will report directly to the Office of the Under Secretary for Benefits.

Military & Veterans News New Defense Department Policy Standardizes Exceptional Family Member Program Across the Services The Defense Department has enacted changes to ensure consistency across the service branches for military families with special needs. Previously each service set its own processes and guidelines because there wasn't standard policy guidance from the department.

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