Military policy characterizes bariatric surgery as a “permanent anatomical change” resulting in strict dietary standards incompatible with the military, according to the lawsuit, which argues such surgeries have advanced since the ban was implemented in 2007.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has terminated collective bargaining agreements for most of its more than 350,000 unionized employees, including nurses, food service workers, technicians and janitorial staff.

Veterans previously had to obtain a new referral from their VA doctor every 90 to 180 days to continue receiving many specialty health services at “VA expense.”

The proposal would eliminate most abortion services now provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs including in cases of rape or incest.

The Senate on Friday night adopted a $455 billion spending bill for the VA that invests in recruiting clinicians at hospitals, increases the toxic exposures fund and sets minimum funding levels for rural health care and other critical programs.

The VA reported receiving 57,400 claims for military sexual trauma in fiscal 2024. But auditors found the operations center has challenges retaining experienced employees to review the claims and addressing errors in the review process.

Thousands of financially distressed veterans at risk of foreclosure will become eligible for federal assistance under a new program signed into law that allows them to defer monthly mortgage payments temporarily without losing their homes.

Sam Brown, a Purple Heart recipient, said “the message of hope” that he heard on the battlefield in Afghanistan from another soldier who rushed to save him is one that he will share as the new leader of the National Cemetery Administration with military families who have lost a loved one. 

New Jersey State Police in April discovered the body of Vietnam War-era veteran Michael S. Blankenship stuffed inside a closet at his mobile home. He died of natural causes, but his cousin is accused of hiding the body to collect benefits.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans is protesting a July 24 executive order that directs state and local officials to forcibly move people living on the streets into long-term “institutional settings.”