News Releases
VA, NIH launch study of Gulf War Illness - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Institutes of Health began a joint, five-year study that aims to explain the chronic symptoms of Gulf War Illness. The study may lead to more definitive diagnostic criteria for Gulf War Illness, development of new diagnostic testing, and potential treatments. (4/17/23)
VA and AFGE reach tentative agreement to better serve Veterans and support VA employees - WASHINGTON – Today, VA reached a tentative agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) – the union that represents more than 291,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees – on a master bargaining agreement. (4/7/23)
VA waives copayments for eligible Native American/Alaska Native Veterans - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans are no longer required to make copayments for health care and urgent care received through VA. The Biden-Harris administration and VA are proud to implement this rule, which is estimated to impact approximately 25,000 American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans. (4/3/23)
VA reaches $1 Billion in grants awarded to states, territories, and Tribes for Veteran cemeteries - This month, VA’s National Cemetery Administration awarded its billionth dollar to states, U.S. territories, and Tribes for the establishment, expansion, improvement, and maintenance of state, territorial, and Tribal Veterans cemeteries. The milestone was reached with a grant of $1,860,775 to the state of North Dakota for the expansion of the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. (3/28/23)
VA lowers interest rates, makes housing more affordable for Native American Veterans - WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has lowered the interest rate for VA Native American Direct Loans from 6% to 2.5%, making access to housing loans more affordable for Native American Veterans. (3/22/23)
New VA mission statement recognizes sacred commitment to all Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors - WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced an updated version of its 1959 mission statement. The new mission statement is: “To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.” (3/16/23)
VA announces goal to house 38,000+ Veterans experiencing homelessness in 2023 - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced its 2023 goals for preventing and ending Veteran homelessness. (3/15/23)
President Biden fiscal year 2024 budget proposes historic investments in Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors - Today, the Biden-Harris administration released the president’s budget for fiscal year 2024. This budget proposes critical resources to help VA serve all Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors as well as they have served their country. (3/9/23)
VA relaxes masking requirements at medical facilities - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has relaxed the masking requirement at VA medical facilities. This update ensures the safety of Veterans while accommodating individual masking preferences and aligning with CDC guidelines. (3/3/23)
VA to award $52.5 million in grants to local organizations working to prevent Veteran suicide - Today, VA announced the availability of $52.5 million in grants to community-based organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for Veterans and their families – including conducting Veteran mental health screenings, providing case management and peer support services, delivering emergency clinical services, reaching out to Veterans at risk of suicide and more. (3/2/23)
VA Announces Transition of Deputy Secretary Donald Remy - Today, Deputy Secretary Donald Remy announced that he will be stepping down as VA’s deputy secretary on April 1. A former Army captain and longtime public servant, Mr. Remy was nominated by President Biden on April 23, 2021 and has served honorably as deputy secretary since he was sworn in by Secretary Denis McDonough on July 19, 2021. (3/1/23)
VA increases maximum life insurance coverage for Veterans and service members by $100,000 - Beginning March 1, VA is increasing the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available to Veterans and service members from $400,000 to $500,000 for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI). This increase in coverage reflects the current cost of living and helps ensure that the fa (3/1/23)
VA to award $16 million in grants to help Veterans and service members with disabilities participate in adaptive sports - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the availability of nearly $16 million in grants to qualifying organizations to help more than 13,000 Veterans and service members with disabilities participate in adaptive sports. This funding will help these organizations plan, develop, manage, and implement a variety of sports and equine therapy activities, including life-improving programs for Veterans and training for providers. More information about these grants can be found in the two Notices of Funding Availability. (2/24/23)
Veterans can now access their disability benefit decisions online - Veterans can now access their disability benefit claim decision notice letters electronically on VA.gov, empowering them to quickly and easily see their disability decisions. (2/23/23)
VA’s National Cemetery Administration leads all public and private organizations in 2022 customer satisfaction ratings - VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) — which provides Veterans and their families with burial benefits and memorial services — led all organizations, public or private, in the prestigious American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for 2022. NCA received a score of 97, the highest score ever achieved by any organization rated by the ACSI. This is the seventh consecutive time NCA has ranked first overall in customer satisfaction. (2/21/23)
