U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Military & Veterans News
VA stands up commission to recommend new Veterans Health Administration Under Secretary
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs established a commission to identify candidates to lead and manage the Veterans Health Administration.
Military & Veterans News
VA adopts new artificial intelligence strategy to ensure trustworthy use of technology for Veteran care
WASHINGTON — As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to explore the use of artificial intelligence in the delivery of health care and benefits, VA implemented a new AI strategy late September, to serve as a guideline for ethical use of the technology throughout its enterprise.
Military & Veterans News
VA prepares to get ahead of surge in backlogged claims
WASHINGTON — Starting in October, the Department of Veterans Affairs will hire and train new staff to ensure Veterans’ claims are adjudicated quickly and help reduce an expected increase in the backlog of claims pending more than 125 days.
Military & Veterans News
VA, National Support Network teach Veterans how to fight cybercrime
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with the Cybercrime Support Network to protect Veterans who are disproportionately targeted for identity theft and other online scams.
Military & Veterans News
VA stands ready to offer COVID-19 booster vaccines
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs has started administering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine boosters under Emergency Use Authorization.
Military & Veterans News
VA makes strides to provide practical resources for transitioning service members
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs wants to ensure service members exiting the military have appropriate resources needed to transition back into civilian life.
Military & Veterans News
VA makes strides to provide practical resources for transitioning service members
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs wants to ensure service members exiting the military have appropriate resources needed to transition back into civilian life.
Military & Veterans News
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to provide an additional year for eligibility and reassessment of certain participants
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program is extending eligibility through Sept. 30, 2022 for Veterans who are legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers, participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
Military & Veterans News
VA assembles Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention Workgroup
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs names members to the Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention Workgroup who will begin serving their one-year appointment this September.
Military & Veterans News
VA annual report shows decrease in Veteran suicides
WASHINGTON — New data included in the Department of Veterans Affairs 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report notably shows a decrease from 2018 to 2019 in the total number of Veteran suicide deaths, and a decrease in the rate of Veteran suicides per 100,000.
Military & Veterans News
VA enhances geriatric emergency care for older Veterans
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a Geriatric Emergency Department initiative within all of VA’s 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks through a standardized, comprehensive care model, becoming the nation’s largest integrated health network with specialized geriatric emergency care.
Military & Veterans News
VA honors lives lost, American heroism on 20th anniversary of 9/11
WASHINGTON — In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the U.S., the Department of Veterans Affairs will host several tributes throughout its enterprise to recognize loved ones lost, loved ones injured and those forever changed by the tragic events.
Military & Veterans News
VA expands rental support, increasing housing options for Veterans
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded the Shallow Subsidy initiative and will grant $200 million to 238 nonprofit organizations across the country and territories to provide housing rental assistance to extremely and very low-income Veteran households eligible under VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
Military & Veterans News
VA spotlights special benefits for elderly wartime Veteran population
WASHINGTON — As a follow up to National Financial Awareness Day, Aug. 14, the Department of Veterans Affairs is launching an awareness campaign to inform elderly wartime Veterans and their families of their lesser-known pension, funeral, burial and survivor benefits.
Military & Veterans News
VA ensures access to health care as 9/11 anniversary nears
As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the Department of Veterans Affairs is providing those who served awareness of and access to all their health care services, specifically in areas of mental health and post-traumatic stress care.
Military & Veterans News
VA expands mandate for COVID-19 vaccines among VHA employees
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough will expand his previous COVID-19 vaccine mandate Friday, Aug. 13, to apply to most Veterans Health Administration employees and volunteers and contractors who work in VHA facilities, visit VHA facilities or otherwise come into contact with VA patients and healthcare workers as part of their duties.
Military & Veterans News
VA to start processing disability claims for certain conditions related to particulate matter
The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin processing disability claims Aug. 2 for asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis on a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas — if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying period of military service.
Military & Veterans News
VA mandates COVID-19 vaccines among its medical employees including VHA facilities staff
WASHINGTON — July 26 Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced he will make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for Title 38 VA health care personnel — including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries and chiropractors — who work in Veterans Health Administration facilities, visit VHA facilities or provide direct care to those VA serves.
Military & Veterans News
VA announces new options to help Veterans avoid foreclosure
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering a new COVID-19 Refund Modification option to assist Veterans who require a significant reduction in their monthly mortgage payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Military & Veterans News
VA awards $418 million in grants to help Veterans and families at risk of homelessness
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $418 million in grants to more than 260 non-profit organizations in June, allowing low-income Veteran families around the nation to access services under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
Military & Veterans News
VA Secretary Denis McDonough statement on department’s extension of moratoriums on foreclosures and evictions, and new mortgage repayment assistance
As the nation emerges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated millions of Americans remain in need of mortgage and rental assistance.
Military & Veterans News
VA seeks increase in academic relationships with minority-serving institutions to expand health professions training
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hosted the 2021 Minority Summit: The Power of Collaborating with VA, June 9, to strengthen and expand its relationships with minority-serving colleges, universities and medical schools, and professional organizations.
Military & Veterans News
VA plans expansion of benefits for disability claims for conditions related to certain toxic exposures
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today two major decisions related to presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange and particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia.
Military & Veterans News
VA expands COVID-19 vaccinations to adolescents under SAVE LIVES Act
The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding COVID-19 vaccinations for some 12- to 17-year-olds as part of the SAVE LIVES Act.