News Releases
VA Announces New Grants to Help End Veterans’ Homelessness - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced two new grants to support Secretary Eric K. Shinseki’s goal of ending Veterans’ homelessness in 2015. Under these new programs, homeless providers can apply for funding to enhance the facilities used to serve homeless Veterans, and acquire vans to facilitate transportation of this population. (5/17/13)
VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensation Claims Decisions - As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing today that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implemented through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be targeted to eliminating the backlogged status of claims. The additional overtime hours that will be worked during this period will be used to help eliminate the backlog with continued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless Veterans and those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully Developed Claims. (5/15/13)
Draft Gulf War Task Force Report Released - Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Department’s Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force will publish a comprehensive draft report in the Federal Register for public feedback and comment. The report describes how the Department of Veterans Affairs has been, and will continue to address the concerns of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. (5/14/13)
Nationwide 2K Event Will Support Homeless Veterans and Promote Employee Wellness - The Department of Veterans Affairs is once again hosting a nationwide 2K “Walk and Roll” event at more than 170 VA sites across the nation on May 15 to coincide with National Employee Health and Fitness Day. The event will also encourage employee and local community support of homeless Veterans. (5/14/13)
Statement from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki on Departure of Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould - “After four years of serving Veterans with distinction, Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould – my fellow Veteran, colleague and friend – has submitted his resignation, effective May 17. His unwavering leadership and dedication to Veterans and their families has strengthened our ability to carry out VA’s mission – providing Veterans the healthcare and benefits they have earned (4/29/13)
VA Launches Hotline to Answer Questions on VA Health Care and Benefits for Women Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new hotline —1-855-VA-WOMEN — to receive and respond to questions from Veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women Veterans. The service began accepting calls on April 23, 2013. (4/23/13)
Claims Initiative Fact Sheet - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer. Effective April 19, the VA will begin to make provisional decisions on the oldest claims in inventory, which will allow Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible. This initiative provides a one-year safety net to submit further evidence should it become available and protects the Veteran’s right to appeal the decision. (4/19/13)
VA to Expedite Claims Decisions for Veterans Who Have Waited a Year or More - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it is implementing an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer. Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims in inventory, which will allow Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible. Veterans will be able to submit additional evidence for consideration a full year after the provisional rating, before VA issues a final decision. (4/19/13)
Veteran Athletes Prepare for National Veterans Wheelchair Games - Across the nation, Veterans are preparing for the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The Games, representing the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, are presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. More than 500 Veterans from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the event, taking place July 13-18, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (4/18/13)
VA, HUD and Jon Bon Jovi Announce “Project REACH” Grand Prize Winner - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the winner of a mobile application competition designed to make local assistance resources accessible to people helping homeless Veterans and others in need. The winner of the $25,000 prize was Reston, Va.-based Qbase, which developed “Homeless REACH.” VA’s Center for Innovation (VACI) sponsored the competition, called Project REACH (Real-time Electronic Access for Caregivers and Homeless), in collaboration with the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services. (4/15/13)
Care and Benefits for Veterans Strengthened by $153 Billion VA Budget - Continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization, the President has proposed a $152.7 billion budget, a 10.2 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2013, that will support VA’s goals to expand access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, and end homelessness among Veterans. The budget includes $66.5 billion in discretionary spending, largely for healthcare, and $86.1 billion for mandatory programs – mostly disability compensation and pensions for Veterans. (4/10/13)
New Automation Process Cuts Post-9/11 GI Bill Claims Processing Times by More Than Half - As part of its ongoing transformation from paper-based to electronic claims processing, the Department of Veterans Affairs has continued to improve the automated payment of benefits for Veterans participating in the Post-9/11 GI Bill education program. As a result, VA is now providing benefit payments to currently enrolled students in an average of six days – cutting by more than half the processing time experienced during the spring enrollment period last year. (3/13/13)
VA Will Use 'Preliminary Findings' To Reduce Verification Denials - To speed eligibility determinations of Veteran-owned small businesses for Department of Veterans Affairs' "Veterans First" contracts, VA will allow applicants the opportunity to correct minor deficiencies before an initial denial is issued. Starting May 1, VA will begin providing preliminary findings to applicants before completing a comprehensive review of their submissions. This is expected to greatly reduce the number of VA’s initial denials and subsequent requests for reconsideration from companies. (3/5/13)
VA Joins With Million Hearts Campaign - February is American Heart Month, a time to educate Americans on what they can do to live heart-healthy lives. With that mission in mind, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services have joined forces to promote the Million HeartsTM campaign - a national initiative that has set a goal of preventing one million heart attacks and strokes over five years. (2/28/13)
VA Affirms Commitment to Innovation - The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching the VA Center for Innovation (VACI), affirming its commitment to innovation and building on the success of the VA Innovation Initiative (VAi2). (2/20/13)
