News and reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Paul J. Waeghe, Jr., a flight engineer with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, is set to retire after 48 years of service and over 23,000 hours as a P-3 aircraft flight engineer. Waeghe's career spans half a century in federal service, with his retirement scheduled for June.

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has committed to allocating hundreds of millions in grant funding to aid homeless Veterans, following recent data that indicates a rise in Veteran homelessness in 2023.

The Department of Veteran Affairs has made significant strides in early detection and treatment for Veterans, with over 5 million veterans screened for toxic exposures this year.

Research indicates that increased social media use among individuals suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression can have detrimental effects on their mental health. This correlation between social media usage and mental health was discussed by Doctors Colleen Becket-Davenport and Matthew Price in a podcast produced by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

During 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been successful in housing more than 38,000 homeless veterans. This significant achievement is part of President Biden's broader Utility Agenda that emphasizes veteran support.

On Nov 10th it was announced that more than $5 million dollars is being invested by the Department of Veterans Affairs to educate Veterans and their families about VA benefits.

Veterans Affairs (VA) has set a record in the fiscal year 2023 for delivering healthcare and benefits to Veterans across the nation. It's reported that more Veterans received care and benefits in 2023 than ever before, improving their access to healthcare resources.

The VA announced new opportunities for veterans to have access to maternity coordinators until their child's first birthday.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs' Cemetery Administration announced a round of grants for multiple Veterans' cemeteries across the country.

In accordance with a news release published on September 28, Gulf Coast VA and VA Immersive are attempting to establish a new reality in healthcare by expanding the use of the BraveMind VR exposure therapy system. Denis Mcdonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, stated, "Utilizing the VR technology in BraveMind gets Veterans to talk about things they’ve never talked to anyone about before."

The Central Alabama VA has announced significant improvements to its Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, thanks to a close collaboration with the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. The program, which has long been a beacon of hope for Alabama Veterans struggling with mental health issues and addiction disorders, has been redesigned to provide better assistance, security, and care. With a focus on addressing the complex needs of Veterans facing severe psychosocial challenges, the 73-bed program now offers improved services to even more...

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that three VA facilities in Michigan will serve as test sites for voter registration. The Saginaw VA Medical Center, the Detroit VA Medical Center, and the Detroit Regional Office have been designated as voter registration sites under an interagency agreement signed on National Voter Registration Day, September 19, 2023.

Tanya Bradsher, a combat veteran of Iraq, has been appointed as the deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), making her the highest-ranking woman in VA history, the first woman to hold this position, and a woman of color. The Senate chose Bradsher for this role, recognizing her extensive experience and dedication to serving her country and fellow veterans.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced a historic data-sharing partnership to better understand and treat cancer in veterans. This landmark agreement will facilitate the exchange of cancer registry data, providing crucial information for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in veterans and all Americans. By allowing VA access to vital information on cancer diagnoses and treatments outside its jurisdiction, this collaboration will enable researchers to identify trends and investigate...

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently revealed plans for more than 60 VA national cemeteries to host National Day of Service events Sept. 11.