Vet experience with VA’s health, benefit administrations is missing piece of suicide data, veteran advocate says

An organization that challenged the accuracy of a recent veteran suicide report from the Department of Veterans Affairs told House lawmakers that the agency’s data is missing a key piece: the veteran's experience with the VA’s health and benefits administrations.

America’s truck drivers are essential to keeping the goods we all rely on—and our economy—Woman Driving a Truck. moving. Unfortunately, the industry continues to face long-standing recruitment and retention challenges as the demand for drivers has grown during the pandemic.
Proposed legislation could expand education benefits, veterans’ access to commercial driver’s licenses amid trucking shortage

Two senators have introduced a bill that would allow schools with trucking programs to expand veterans' access to commercial driver's licenses as the trucking industry faces a shortage of drivers across the country.

5 nonprofits awarded $1 million each to modify, repair homes of low-income veterans with disabilities

Five nonprofits have been awarded $5 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help fund efforts by the organizations to modify or repair the homes of low-income veterans with disabilities.

The Veterans Affairs Building in Washington, D.C., is shown in this undated file photo.
VA’s new, multibillion-dollar health records system needs major improvements, agency says

A multibillion-dollar electronic health records system launched less than two years ago by the Department of Veterans Affairs needs major improvements, agency officials told senators on Wednesday.

Veteran suicide rate decreases for 2 consecutive years, VA report states

“This year’s report shows real progress, but there is still so much work to be done,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a prepared statement.

Federal labor union starts petition urging VA secretary to replace chief negotiator

A labor union representing federal workers has begun a campaign and petition urging the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary to replace its chief negotiator after the union accused the agency of delaying negotiations.

A U.S. Huey helicopter sprays Agent Orange over Vietnam.
GAO finds fault with VA’s system for dealing with claims for ailments linked to Agent Orange

The GAO found that of the 130,000 veterans submitting claims for those conditions during the 18-year period, only 11,000 were granted benefits.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough speaks at the American Legion Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.
VA makes all toxic-exposure conditions presumptive immediately following signing of PACT Act

The VA had planned to phase in the system, under which specific health conditions likely resulting from exposure to toxins are recognized as service-related, over the next few years.

The north gate stands empty, awating for the change over on Laughlin Air Force Base, July 15, 2021. The gate will see active use starting on July 17, 2021 until upgrades on the west gate are complete.
Army veteran wins disability discrimination complaint case against Air Force, but he may still lose his home

After years of legal battles, a judge found that the Air Force, when it withdrew an offer in 2014 for a historian job at Laughlin Air Force Base, had discriminated against Dave Bighia. Weeks after the deadline, Bighia has yet to see a dime or receive a job offer.

IG report finds VA incorrectly processed Camp Lejeune claims, underpaid veterans $13.8 million in benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs prematurely denied Camp Lejeune water contamination claims and assigned inaccurate benefit effective dates that underpaid veterans by at least $13.8 million, according to a report by the VA Inspector General.