Veterans News - benefits, health, medical, Tricare, transition

High turnover on House Veterans’ Affairs Committee again this session

The panel will have 13 new faces this year, more than half of its total membership.

28 hours ago

Enrollments in VA medical care spiked after PACT Act passage last year

Department leaders say the are confident the increases won't lead to longer wait times for appointments.

2 days ago

Education & Transition

NIIT helps veterans find careers in high-tech fields

The National Institute for Innovation and Technology helps veterans find careers in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and nanotechnology.

New VA initiative helped house more than 40K vets last year

Department officials had set a goal of housing at least 38,000 veterans in need in 2022. They exceeded it.

2 days ago

VA officials work to raise awareness of cemetery, burial services

Only about 20% of veterans are interred at national or state veterans cemeteries.

4 days ago

A student draws on a piece of paper during the second to last day of school as New York City public schools prepare to wrap up the 2021/2022 school year on June 24, 2022 in New York City.

Nebraska considers using veterans to help address teacher shortage

A new bill would allow qualifying veterans to teach in Nebraska, but critics say it is not the solution to the state’s teacher shortage.

4 days ago

White House names latest pick to lead veterans benefits operations

If confirmed, the move will give VA confirmed officials in its top leadership spots for the first time since early 2017.

4 days ago

Members of the Oath Keepers extremist group stand on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.

Four more Oath Keepers, including Army vet, convicted in Jan. 6 riot

Four members of the Oath Keepers have been convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

5 days ago

No retroactive benefits for veterans past deadline, Supreme Court says

Current law states that veterans must file paperwork in that one-year window to backdate payouts to that military separation date.

5 days ago

US drops case against Marine veteran cop accused of spying for China

After gaining asylum in the U.S., Baimadajie Angwang became a Marine and served in Afghanistan before being honorably discharged.

6 days ago

Woman stole VA benefits for decades after mom’s death

The woman stole nearly $500,000 by impersonating her dead mother.

6 days ago

Fixing disability and retirement pay is Congress’ next big vets issue

Advocates are hopeful they can finally fix the so-called "concurrent receipt" issue this session, following legislative successes last year.

8 days ago

Navy veteran scores dream job in outreach role with Commanders

Navy veteran Chris Bailey has found a new career with the Washington Commanders, serving as a liaison between the team and the military community.

9 days ago

Advocates push for national veterans strategy to focus support efforts

They say more coordination is needed with Defense Department leaders to ensure troops can transition to military life smoothly.

9 days ago

When VA calls, veterans listen

More than 70% of veterans approached through the department's Solid Start program talked to staffers about available programs and services.

10 days ago

Marine vet who hunted al-Qaida comes to dognapped Yorkie’s rescue

Rick Machamer said he served in the Iraq War, gathering human and signals intelligence for the Marine Corps. Here's how he used his skills to find the dog.

11 days ago

VA to pay for all emergency mental health care starting next week

The policy includes costs for care both inside the VA health system and for private-sector emergency visits.

2 weeks ago

Defense Department officials say 23-year-old 1st Lt. Carl D. Nesbitt died when his plane was shot down in May 1944, during a huge bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany.

Remains of fighter pilot shot down in WWII identified

Defense Department officials say 1st Lt. Carl D. Nesbitt died when his plane was shot down during a bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany in May 1944.

2 weeks ago

A warning sign stands on the Russian side next to a Lithuanian border fence near the precise point where the borders of Poland, Lithuania and the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad meet as seen on Oct. 28, 2022, near Zerdziny, Poland.

Russia releases US Navy veteran who crossed border

Russia has released a U.S. Navy veteran who apparently illegally crossed the border from Poland into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad last year.

2 weeks ago

World War II veteran Joseph Eskenazi, who at 104 years and 11 months old is the oldest living veteran to survive the attack on Pearl Harbor, holds a photo of his younger self, at an event celebrating his upcoming 105th birthday at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor marks 105th birthday

Joseph Eskenazi marked his upcoming 105th birthday at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

2 weeks ago

Veterans

News that informs military veterans on topics such as benefits, healthcare and Tricare, transition assistance and more.

The panel will have 13 new faces this year, more than half of its total membership.

Department leaders say the are confident the increases won't lead to longer wait times for appointments.

The National Institute for Innovation and Technology helps veterans find careers in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and nanotechnology.

Department officials had set a goal of housing at least 38,000 veterans in need in 2022. They exceeded it.

Only about 20% of veterans are interred at national or state veterans cemeteries.

A new bill would allow qualifying veterans to teach in Nebraska, but critics say it is not the solution to the state’s teacher shortage.

If confirmed, the move will give VA confirmed officials in its top leadership spots for the first time since early 2017.

Four members of the Oath Keepers have been convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Current law states that veterans must file paperwork in that one-year window to backdate payouts to that military separation date.

After gaining asylum in the U.S., Baimadajie Angwang became a Marine and served in Afghanistan before being honorably discharged.

The woman stole nearly $500,000 by impersonating her dead mother.

Advocates are hopeful they can finally fix the so-called "concurrent receipt" issue this session, following legislative successes last year.

Navy veteran Chris Bailey has found a new career with the Washington Commanders, serving as a liaison between the team and the military community.

They say more coordination is needed with Defense Department leaders to ensure troops can transition to military life smoothly.

More than 70% of veterans approached through the department's Solid Start program talked to staffers about available programs and services.

Rick Machamer said he served in the Iraq War, gathering human and signals intelligence for the Marine Corps. Here's how he used his skills to find the dog.

The policy includes costs for care both inside the VA health system and for private-sector emergency visits.

Defense Department officials say 1st Lt. Carl D. Nesbitt died when his plane was shot down during a bombing mission over Leipzig, Germany in May 1944.

Russia has released a U.S. Navy veteran who apparently illegally crossed the border from Poland into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad last year.

Joseph Eskenazi marked his upcoming 105th birthday at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.