Veteran's News

All of the following are press releases from www.va.gov, and the story links will take you to that web site for the full story.

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Veteran's News:

VA’s New “Travel Nurse Program” Hits the Road - WASHINGTON -- To deal with a nationwide shortage of nurses and to improve the quality of care for veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created a “Travel Nurse Corps” to enable VA nurses to travel and work throughout the Department’s medical system. (3/11/08)


South Florida VA National Cemetery Officially Dedicated - WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) held a dedication ceremony today to officially open VA’s 125th national cemetery, the South Florida VA National Cemetery in Lake Worth. (3/9/08)


VA Commission to Seek New Under Secretary for Benefits - WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake has announced formation of a 10-member commission to recommend candidates for the post of Under Secretary for Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (3/6/08)


Number of Homeless Vets Drops 21 Percent - WASHINGTON – The number of veterans homeless on a typical night has declined 21 percent in the past year, thanks to the services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its partners in community- and faith-based organizations, plus changing demographics and improvements in survey techniques. (3/6/08)


VA to Train More Psychologists - WASHINGTON – To meet increased needs for mental health services for veterans, especially those returning from the Global War on Terror, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding its training programs for psychologists. (3/4/08)


More Education Benefits Coming to Reservists, Guardsmen - WASHINGTON – Some members of the National Guard and the Reserves who serve on active duty will see a significant increase in their educational benefits, thanks to improvements announced today by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (3/3/08)


VA Gets Veterans to ‘Move’ - WASHINGTON – With more than 70 percent of patients coming to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care found to be overweight, VA is boosting its efforts to increase veterans’ fitness through exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyles. (3/3/08)


VA Successfully Fields Travel Program - WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has successfully implemented the General Services Administration’s (GSA) E-Gov Travel Service, an online service that streamlines arranging reservations and managing expenses for government travel. (2/29/08)


Dan Cooper Leaving VA’s Benefits Office - WASHINGTON – Retired Vice Adm. Daniel L. Cooper, who for nearly six years managed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operation that provides disability pay, educational assistance and other financial benefits to veterans and their survivors, has announced plans to leave the Department on April 1. (2/28/08)


VA Taps $37 Million for Homeless Grants - WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is designating $37 million to fund at least 2,250 new transitional housing beds by giving grants to local providers. (2/28/08)


World’s Largest Disabled Ski Clinic at Snowmass, Colo. - WASHINGTON -- More than 450 disabled veterans, including nearly 120 recently injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF), will ski the Rocky Mountains at the 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, March 30 – April 4, 2008. (2/27/08)


VA Has Added 20 New Vet Centers - PHILADELPHIA – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake today said an expansion by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of its Vet Centers, which provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to returning combat veterans, is well ahead of schedule. (2/27/08)


Five Years of VA Health Care for Combat Veterans - WASHINGTON – Military veterans who served in combat since Nov. 11, 1998, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible for five years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This measure increases a two-year limit that has been in effect nearly a decade. (2/26/08)


VA Creating Advisory Panel on Rural Health - BIILLINGS, Mont. – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake today announced the creation of a special “Rural Health National Advisory Committee” to advise him and the senior leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about health care issues affecting veterans in rural areas. (2/20/08)


VA Secretary Announces New Walla Walla Facility - WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will build a state-of-the-art residential rehabilitation facility focused on mental health at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center. (2/19/08)