VA's Appeals Modernization Act takes effect today: New law streamlines department's current claims and appeals process for Veterans
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has implemented the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, which was signed into law Aug. 23, 2017, and represents one of the most significant statutory changes to...
VA's ‘Better Starts Today' campaign challenges Veterans to ditch smokeless tobacco
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will mark the annual Great American Spit Out on Feb. 21, calling attention to the dangers of using smokeless tobacco, with its 'Better Starts Today' campaign.
VA publishes interim final rule on cash-out home loans to further protect Veterans
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has published an interim final rule relating to VA-guaranteed cash-out refinance loans to further protect Veteran home-loan borrowers from predatory lending practices.
VA to receive new Fisher Houses in Michigan, Colorado and Nebraska, which offer temporary lodging to Veterans' families and caregivers
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Fisher House Foundation plans to construct three new 16-suite Fisher Houses at VA campuses in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Aurora, Colorado; and Omaha, Nebraska that will provide temporary accommodations for the...
VA's Rapid Appeals Modernization Program to end ahead of implementation of new Veteran appeals law
Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will discontinue the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP), which provided eligible Veterans with early resolutions to their appealed claims, ahead of full implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization...
VA seeks training providers to ready Veterans for high-tech careers
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it is inviting training providers to participate in a new pilot program to prepare Veterans for careers in the high-tech workforce.
Applications opening soon for 2019 National Veterans Golden Age Games: Anchorage, Alaska, event kicks off June 5
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will begin accepting applicants on Feb. 25 for the 2018 National Veterans Golden Age Games, scheduled to take place June 5-10 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Registration opens for 2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Event to be held July 11-16 in Louisville, KY
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Veterans interested in registering for the 2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games can do so online Jan. 7 through April 15.
VA to provide capability for Veterans to access their VA health data on Apple iPhones
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will release new capabilities this summer providing Veterans who receive care at VA with the ability to access their personal medical data using the Health Records on iPhone feature from Apple.
Statement on the passing of Congressman Walter B. Jones Jr. of North Carolina
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Congressman Walter Jones. For over fifty years Congressman Jones and his father tirelessly represented the United States Marines at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point and thousands of Veterans across...
VA exceeds 1 million video telehealth visits in FY2018: One-year achievement represents a 19% increase over previous year
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has reached a telehealth milestone, achieving more than 1 million video telehealth visits in one fiscal year (FY18), a 19 percent increase in video telehealth visits over...
VA launches collaborative training initiative to improve customer service for Veteran claims and appeals
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it recently launched a new customer service training initiative for employees to improve VA's claims and appeals process.
VA announces mortality data collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the recent start of a new partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve public health surveillance data.
Veterans Benefits Administration announces district realignment
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) announced a geographic restructuring, from five districts to four, a change that will align regional offices and special missions more evenly.
The Wall Street Journal endorses VA's proposed community care access standards
WASHINGTON - The Wall Street Journal endorsed VA's recently announced proposed access standards for community care in an editorial published today.
VA providing unprecedented transparency to Congress
Today VA announced that the department is providing a new and unprecedented level of transparency to lawmakers in Congress. For years under previous administrations, Congressional critics have taken the department to task for not providing enough information to the legislative...
Secretary Wilkie statement on the President's State of the Union address
Tonight VA Secretary Robert Wilkie issued the following statement on the President's State of the Union address
Four former VA secretaries strongly back VA's proposed community care access standards, reject predictable, false privatization claims
In an opinion editorial published by FOX News today, four former VA Secretaries who served under Presidents Bush and Obama backed VA's proposed community care access standards that are part of the MISSION Act.
VA urges communities to recognize hospitalized Veterans during ‘National Salute to Veteran Patients' week
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that, as part of an effort to honor hospitalized Veterans, it will mark National Salute to Veteran Patients from Feb. 10-16 by encouraging communities to seek out opportunities to...
VA announces broad suicide prevention partnership and safe firearm storage partnership
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has recently formalized two partnerships aimed at preventing Veteran suicide.
VA announces access standards for health care
Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its proposed access standards for community care and urgent care provisions that will take effect in June and guide when Veterans can seek care to meet their needs under the MISSION Act...
Secretary Wilkie: Revolutionizing VA Health Care
This week, as part of VA's implementation of the MISSION Act, the department will introduce long-awaited access standards on community care and urgent care that will take effect in June and guide when Veterans can seek care to meet their...
VA, DAV to co-host National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic: Hundreds of disabled Veterans to take on life-changing adaptive sports challenge
WASHINGTON - Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic will take place March 31 to April 5 in Snowmass, Colorado.
VA wait times for new appointments equal to or better than those in private sector: JAMA study compared four VA specialty care services with private care
WASHINGTON - A study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows VA significantly reduced wait times for Veteran patients in primary care and three specialty care services between 2014 and 2017.
VA to implement appeals modernization in February: Act will simplify process for how Veterans make claims appeals
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announced that the Federal Register will publish on Jan. 18 regulations accompanying the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA), which will help Veterans experience a more transparent...
VA partners with DHS to expand Veteran suicide prevention efforts
WASHINGTON -The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bolster Veteran suicide prevention initiatives.
VA Partners with CaringBridge
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has partnered with CaringBridge, a global nonprofit social network, to aid in Veterans' connection and communication with their support communities.
VA continues expansion of integrated network system to enable health care staff to share best practice uses of department's 3D printing capabilities
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it continues to expand its national integrated virtual 3D printing network that began January 2017 at VA's Puget Sound Healthcare System, growing it from just three hospitals with...
VA, Health and Human Services announce Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will convene for the inaugural Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans...
Sec. Wilkie to Govt. Union: Stop Exploiting Veteran Suicide
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a letter from Secretary Robert Wilkie to American Federation of Government Employees President J. David Cox
OP-ED: The VA is making real progress on suicide prevention for Veterans
The department is making great strides in our top clinical priority --suicide prevention -- and in improving mental health care for Veterans
VA announces new director of the Office of Transition and Economic Development
Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the appointment of Cheryl J. Rawls to serve as the executive director of the Office of Transition and Economic Development
VA awards Community Care Network contracts to increase health care access
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded contracts Dec. 28 to manage provider networks for Regions 1, 2 and 3 of VA's new Community Care Network (CCN), the department's direct link with community providers that will ensure...
VA partners with The Independence Fund to help prevent Veteran suicide
WASHINGTON - Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its partnership with The Independence Fund to provide wellness and mental health education to Veterans, caregivers and families.
Registration opens for 2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that Veterans interested in registering for the 2019 National Veterans Wheelchair Games can do so online Jan. 7 through April 15.
Little Rock, Arkansas, becomes latest community to declare effective end to Veteran homelessness
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the recent effective end of Veteran homelessness in the municipality of Little Rock, Arkansas, bringing the U.S. another step closer to ending Veteran homelessness nationwide.
VA and the American Physical Therapy Association form partnership to support Veterans' health
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it recently established a partnership with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to promote and support Veterans by providing new physical therapy resources.
Secretary Wilkie: VA not affected in the event of partial government shutdown
WASHINGTON - In light of the possibility of a partial federal government shutdown, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie released the following statement:
VA announces moratorium on discharges and decreases from comprehensive caregiver program
WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it will temporarily suspend discharges and decreases in level of support from its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers because of continued concerns expressed by Veterans, caregivers and...
VA assists GI Bill beneficiaries with Education Corporation of America closure
WASHINGTON -The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will assist GI Bill® students affected by the December closure of Education Corporation of America's (ECA) approximately 70 campuses.
VBA adjusts Veteran Signals survey of education beneficiaries
Today the VA announced that it will adjust its Veteran Signals survey of education beneficiaries schedule to ensure thorough analysis of its recently completed 2018 survey
Holiday wreaths honor Veterans at VA national cemeteries
Over the past week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) honored Veterans by working with community and Veterans Service Organization volunteers to place holiday wreaths at VA national cemeteries in remembrance of the military branches and Veterans' service and...
FY 2018 survey shows increased trust from Veterans in VA hospitals
WASHINGTON - The results of a recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) customer experience feedback survey showed an average 2.4 percent increase in Veteran trust of VA hospitals during fiscal year (FY) 2018.
Senior VA leader receives prestigious presidential award for service
A senior leader with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was recently presented with the nation's highest civilian career leadership award for her extraordinary commitment and service to Veterans on behalf of the department.
VA receives 20th consecutive clean audit opinion
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently received its 20th consecutive clean audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements presented in its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Agency Financial Report.
VA hospitals outperform private hospitals in most markets, according to Dartmouth study
According to an independent Dartmouth study recently published this week in Annals of Internal Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals outperform private hospitals in most health care markets throughout the country.
VA ranked 6 out of 18 federal government agencies in ‘Best Places to Work' annual tabulation
Today the Partnership for Public Service's ranked VA 6th among the 17 largest federal government organizations in 2018 in the organization's annual ‘Best Places to Work' tabulation.
VA selects 10 Patient Safety Centers of Inquiry for special funding
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is funding 10 VA Patient Safety Centers of Inquiry (PSCI) over the next three years (2019-2021) to develop innovations to improve patient safety throughout VA.
VA updates disability rating schedule related to hematologic and lymphatic systems
WASHINGTON - Effective Dec. 9, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated portions of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule) that evaluates the hematologic and lymphatic systems.
VA announces new Veterans Health Application Programming Interface
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently launched its first Health Application Programming Interface (API) that will power the next generation of Blue Button features by enabling Veterans to interact with their own personal health data within...
VA hosts national telehealth summit to increase health care access for Veterans
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting the Anywhere to Anywhere, Together Summit at the United States Institute of Peace with the nation's top industry, government and non-profit leaders to increase connectivity and access to...
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie – Statement on the Passing of President George H. W. Bush
'All of America's veterans are saddened by the passing of President George H. W. Bush. His courage in combat was special even during the war in the Pacific, where our forces demonstrated some of the highest levels of valor and...
VA announces fully capable Tele-counseling service within its Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) announced the ability for Veterans nationwide to meet with more than 1,000 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) via 'Tele-counseling,' or virtual communication.
Statement by Secretary Robert Wilkie on Forever GI Bill Housing Benefit Payments
To clear up any confusion, I want to make clear that each and every post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiary will be made 100 percent whole - retroactively if need be - for their housing benefits for this academic year based on...
VA Benefits Chief: "Every Single Veteran Will Be Made Whole"
Today, during a hearing before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, VA Under Secretary for Benefits Paul Lawrence delivered the following statement: Before I get into my opening statement on the subject of...
VA seeks public comment on Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, as amended by VA MISSION Act of 2018
WASHINGTON - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will accept public comments for 15 days on how to implement certain changes to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) required by the VA MISSION...
Post-9/11 GI Bill Housing Payment Rates Update
Today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced key changes in the processing of GI Bill benefits payments under the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Forever GI Bill)
VA Marks 15th Anniversary of My HealtheVet
This month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is celebrating the 15th anniversary of My HealtheVet, an online patient portal created to empower Veterans to become active participants in their health care.
VA's Office of Transition and Economic Development engages Puerto Rico's Veteran community
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently hosted and participated in a series of partnership events in Puerto Rico to advance the economic success of service members, Veterans and families living on the island.
VA hosts music therapy retreat in Nashville to help Veterans heal
WASHINGTON - Aimed at helping former service members process some of their military experiences, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the nonprofit Operation Song launched the first of a series of national music therapy retreats Nov. 14-17 in...
