News Releases
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 heroism in our history. When holding the highest offices in our country, he never forgot those who wore the uniform. The Department of Veterans Affairs sends its thoughts and prayers to the Bush family in remembrance of this extraordinary American.”
(12/1/18)
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. (11/30/18)
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 Forever GI Bill rates, not on the post-9/11 GI Bill rates. (11/29/18)
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 this morning’s hearing, I want to address a misleading NBC news story from late yesterday that gives the false impression that some Veterans on the GI Bill will not be made whole with respect to their housing payments based on an announcement VA made yesterday.
(11/29/18)
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) (11/28/18)
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 Act of 2018. (11/28/18)
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. (11/27/18)
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. (11/26/18)
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 Nashville, Tennessee. (11/26/18)
VA researchers named to TIME Magazine’s list of 50 most influential people in health care - WASHINGTON — Two research scientists with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were recently named to TIME Magazine’s list of the 50 most influential people in health care in 2018. (11/26/18)
VA’s Benefits Delivery at Discharge program improves service to Veterans - WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program has made significant improvements in disability claim processing over the past year, with most service members who submitted claims through the program receiving decisions within 30 days of discharge. (11/21/18)
VA realigns several program offices to improve efficiency in meeting Veterans’ health care needs - WASHINGTON — As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) modernization efforts to improve efficiency in care coordination for Veterans and meet a presidential executive order for reorganizing the executive branch, VA plans to realign several programs within its Veterans Health Administration (VHA) into four offices. (11/21/18)
VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience - WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a key step in its digital modernization effort by revamping its website accessed by 10 million customers per month who use VA’s tools and content online. (11/13/18)
VA returns medical professionals currently serving unions to serving Veterans - Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will be moving nearly 430 medical professionals from taxpayer-funded union work back to health care jobs serving Veterans. (11/8/18)
VA scientists elected as National Academy of Medicine members for outstanding professional achievement, commitment to service - WASHINGTON —Four senior U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers were recently elected as new members of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. (11/7/18)
