VA Updates

Back Issues:

September 2019 (.pdf)

• VA Updates Disability Rating Schedule for Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders and Nutritional Deficiencies
• VA Releases Launchpad App to Streamline Health Care Access for Veterans and Caregivers
• VA Awards Contract for Region 4 of Community Care Network to Increase Access to Health Care for Veterans
• Military Retirees Might Not Have to Wait 180 Days to Start a DOD Job Anymore
• Treatment Court for Veterans to Launch in West Virginia
• Millions Will Be Allowed to Shop on Military Bases Soon, but they are Unsure how they Will get Access
• VA is Increasing Research Efforts Related to Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposure
• Information about Parkinson’s Disease and Agent Orange
• VA Announces Partnership with Hiring Our Heroes to Help Boost Military Spouse Hiring

July 2019 (.pdf)

• 90,000 Blue Water Veterans Now Wait for Disability Benefits
• House Lawmakers Move Veteran Legislation Forward
• A Completely Digital DD214 is on the Way
• VA Home Loan Guaranty Program Notifies Veterans of Potential Fee Waivers
• VA Announces Final Community Care Regulations Under Mission Act
• What to Know About Using the New VA Urgent Care Program
• According to Inspector General, VA Overcharged Disabled Vets on Home Loans
• Lowe’s Partnership Seeks to Help Veterans with Job Training and Housing
• Spotlight On: Aid and Attendance and Housebound

June 2019 (.pdf)

• Supreme Court Delays Final Ruling on Blue Water Benefits
• Gold Star Families Could See a Tax Relief
• VA Ensures Veterans Have Same-Day Access to Emergency Mental Healthcare
• As Of May VA Mission Act On-Track for June Implementation
• New Text Feature Available Through VA’s Women Veterans Call Center
• VA And Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Team Up On Safety Surveillance for Veteran Medications
• VA and Cigna Come Together to Prevent Opioid Misuse and Help Treatment of Vets with Chronic Pain
• Veterans Ascend Helps Vets Find Jobs
• VA Opposes Medical Marijuana Legislation for Veterans

May 2019 (.pdf)

• VA Makes Recommendation on Bluewater Navy Veterans Benefits
• Proposed New Legislation Would Let VA Doctors Recommend Medical Marijuana
• Some in Congress Hope to Change the Fact that Gold Star Spouses can Lose Financial Assistance if they Remarry
• Two Senators Introduce Legislation to Protect Veterans Disability Benefits from Debt Collectors
• Wisconsin Offers Expanded GI Bill Benefits
• Current Status: No Delay in New Community Care Rules
• VA Making Nasal Spray Drug Available for Treatment-Resistant Depression
• Veterans' Family, Caregiver and Supervisor Advisory Committee Provides Recommendations to VA Secretary

March 2019 (.pdf)

• New VA Plans Announced for Health Care Appointments
• VA Implements Appeals Modernization
• Veterans Benefits Administration Announces District Realignment
• Court Issues Ruling on Blue Water Veterans
• VA Partners With DHS for Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts 
• The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic Set to Take Place at the End of March in Snowmass, CO
• Lawmakers Push for Research into Medical Marijuana

February 2019 (.pdf)

• Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 Signed into Law
• 2019 Changes to VA Health Care Rules
• GI Bill Transfer Changes for 2019
• VA Announces Moratorium on Discharges and Decreases from Comprehensive Caregiver Program
• VA Awards Community Care Network Contracts to Increase Health Care Access
• Spotlight On: Yellow Ribbon Program

December 2018 (.pdf)

• COLA Increase Announced
• Triwest Takes Over VA Community Care Programs Throughout the Country
• Suicide Rate for Younger Veterans Reportedly Increases Significantly
• Problems Arise For 360,000 Users of the GI Bill
• President Trump Signs the Largest VA Budget Ever
• President Trump Approves Appointment of Four More Judges to VA’s Board of Veterans Appeals
• VA and Partner Organizations Launch Approach to Improve Lives of Veterans With PTSD
• VA Study on Cholesterol Genetics Might Help with New Treatments for Diabetes and Heart Disease
• Spotlight on VA Transition Assistance

November 2018 (.pdf)

• COLA Increase Announced
• Triwest Takes Over VA Community Care Programs Throughout the Country
• Suicide Rate for Younger Veterans Reportedly Increases Significantly
• Problems Arise For 360,000 Users of the GI Bill
• President Trump Signs the Largest VA Budget Ever
• President Trump Approves Appointment of Four More Judges to VA’s Board of Veterans Appeals
• VA and Partner Organizations Launch Approach to Improve Lives of Veterans With PTSD
• VA Study on Cholesterol Genetics Might Help with New Treatments for Diabetes and Heart
• Disease
• Spotlight on VA Transition Assistance

October 2018 (.pdf)

• Department of Veterans Affairs Announced Changes to Disability Rating Schedule Related to Skin Conditions
• VA Releases Health Care Benefit Application for Spanish-Speaking Veterans
• Delays in Forever GI Bill Implementation Could Affect Veterans’ Checks
• VA Clarifies Collective Bargaining Authority Related to Professional Conduct and Patient Care
• VA and Walgreens Collaborate For Veteran Care Coordination
• VA Announces Expansion of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program to Improve Services to Veterans
• The Pentagon is Making Some Changes to New GI Bill Restrictions
• Veterans Can Now File Class Action Lawsuits Against the VA
• VA Announces Upcoming Award Grants to Help at-Risk Veterans and Their Families
• Amazon Founder Give $10 Million to Help Veterans get Elected to Congress

September 2018 (.pdf)

• New Provisions Implemented Under the Forever GI Bill
• Changes in VA Appointment Scheduling Process through Texting Program
• VA Partnership with National Cancer Institute will Boost Veteran Access to Clinical Trials
• VA Opposes Extended Benefits for Blue Water Navy Veterans
• Board of Veterans’ Appeals Using New Tools to Make Decisions
• What to Know About GI Bill Overpayments and Debts

August 2018 (.pdf)

• VA Issues New Policy to Protect Against Predatory Lending
• VA and Psycharmor Institute Offer Online Training for Suicide Prevention
• VA Posts Annual Nursing Home Ratings for the First Time
• VA Introduces Reorganization Plan Aimed at Modernizing Department
• VA Video Series, the American Veteran, Receives 2017 Regional Emmy Award
• House Passes Benefits for Blue Water Veterans
• Isakson and Tester Introduce Bill to Increase Benefits for Veterans
• Florida Veterans aren’t Seeking Benefits but are Being Urged to
• DOD Wants to Make Millions More Eligible to Shop Commissaries and Exchanges