News and Events

Celebrating 100 years of health care for women Veterans

It wasn’t until after World War I that women Veterans were granted access to government health care. Since those humble days, VA has evolved to meet the unique health care needs of women who have served in the military. Over the years, women Veterans have increasingly served a more active role in our Armed Forces. With more women actively serving and returning from deployments, it became evident that a gender-specific approach

Million Veteran Program

VA’s Million Veteran Program is for every Veteran

Thanks to the participation of Veterans from all backgrounds, and a research program to study how genes, military experiences, and exposures affect wellness, VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) aims to improve Veteran health care for all. Veterans seek opportunities to continue their service after their military careers have ended, and as more diverse Veterans join MVP, researchers will gain more opportunities to understand how military experiences and genetics affect overall health

boots

Prepare for the future with VA

From life insurance to burial costs, the VA provides a variety of benefits and services to help Veterans and their loved ones prepare. Having important VA documents organized and easily accessible to your loved ones will relieve some stress after you pass. VA offers life insurance to help Veterans prepare for the future and protect those who matter most. Learn how you can plan ahead with VA benefits. Talking about end-of-life planning

mission command platform

2nd Infantry Division Soldiers test new Army command post tech

Soldiers are testing new gear that aims to achieve the Army’s top priority in communications, to reduce its command post battlefield footprint while improving mobility and agility. It’s important for combat units to be able to tear down move, and stand up their capabilities rapidly. Brigades will consume less time in transitions and the improved survivability makes the C2 structure more resilient to enemy attack.” learn more  

volunteers

Honoring those who served, sacrificed in the wake of 9/11

Dedicating themselves to volunteering in under-resourced communities, lending a hand during natural disasters and serving in food banks to combat food insecurity, Veterans have consistently risen to the occasion, ensuring that we “never forget” the spirit of unity that defined the nation on 9/11. The Mission Continues’ Veteran-led platoons serve across the country, organizing community projects for Veterans and volunteers to make a tangible community impact and pay tribute to those

veteran healthy living

MOVE! to a healthier you

MOVE! is a nation-wide weight management program designed to improve the lives of Veterans, help lose weight and keep it off, and assist in reaching their health goals. MOVE! Group Sessions has the greatest evidence for success and is the most common way Veterans participate in MOVE! TeleMOVE! is for Veterans who may benefit from frequent reminders to stay on track with their weight management goals. MOVE! Coach is a mobile

veteran usability project

Blind Veterans can now read decision letters

For the first time ever, blind Veterans can now read their VA benefits decision letters immediately, online, inside the VA Health and Benefits mobile app. This new feature is part of VA’s move to improve its accessibility, a significant improvement over previously waiting ten days to receive letters in the mail. VA is committed to ensuring all Veterans have access to its services, taking an accessibility beyond compliance approach, meaning accessibility

women's equality day

Defense Health Agency Marks Women’s Equality Day

To recognize Women’s Equality Day, in celebration of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, the Defense Health Agency created a virtual presentation about the history of women in military medicine. Addressing the changing role of women in military medicine from the Civil War to the modern era, DHA Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland acknowledged, “We should celebrate how far we’ve come but we can’t rest on

Veteran-led organizations assist in Hawaii wildfires relief operations

Veteran-led organizations like Project DYNAMO and Team Rubicon are among the organizations assisting in relief operations on the fire-stricken island of Hawaii, with crews on-site in neighborhoods devastated by the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century. VA has created a resource page for Veterans affected by the wildfires, and Veterans who need assistance can also call 1-800-214-1306 to speak with someone about resources

blood emergency

Donation shortfall may impact blood supply

By making an appointment to give blood or platelets in August – especially type O negative, type O positive, type B negative and type A negative – donors can keep the national blood supply from falling to shortage levels. For those who don’t know their blood type, making a donation is an easy way to find out this important personal health information. All who come to give throughout the month of