5 things to know in veterans news: A new way to beat migraines, housing help for Florida vets, a gift from Rosie the Riveter

WASHINGTON — The results of a clinical study on a novel wearable device for easing migraine pain in veterans showed users were less reliant on prescription medicine to manage their headaches.

The study, published in Military Medicine, reviewed outcomes for more than 460 veterans who wore the device, called Nerivio, to ease pain and other migraine symptoms.

Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder commonly experience migraine headaches, according to researchers, who looked at the outcomes from 28,000 treatments using the device.

A wireless armband, controlled by the user’s smartphone, is placed on the upper arm at the onset of a migraine or is used every other day for prevention, according to Theranica, maker of the device.

Nerivio, a wearable device for preventing and treating migraines, was tested recently in hundreds of veterans. The device uses mild electrical pulses, not drugs, to treat migraine headaches, which are common in veterans with service-connected head injuries, chronic pain and PTSD, according to Theranica, the device maker. (Theranica)

Nerivio does not involve the use of drugs. Instead, it delivers gentle electrical pulses that activate a natural brainstem process to release pain-suppressing neurotransmitters to stop migraine headaches, the company said.

A prior study, which looked at the prevalence of migraines in certain veteran populations, showed that 36% of veterans who completed a 12-month deployment to Iraq were either diagnosed with or had symptoms of migraine, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

This new study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2026 and followed 466 veterans who received their care from the VA.

In 77% of treatments delivered, veterans avoided prescribed medication entirely for acute migraine care, the study said.

Veterans who began treatment within one hour of the onset of a migraine had significantly greater benefit than those treated later.

Treatments were paired with over-the-counter pain relievers in 16% of reported migraines.

“This large, peer-reviewed study provides important evidence supporting the role of non-pharmacologic approaches in the treatment of migraine, particularly for patients with complex medical needs,” said Dr. David Shulkin, a former Veterans Affairs secretary.

Irene Sprague, 100, of North Dakota, stands with Sen. Kevin Cramer, R.-N.D., who personally delivered to her an autographed hat from President Donald Trump. Sprague is among about 30 Rosie the Riveters still living, out of millions of U.S. women who worked during World War II in factories and shipyards in support of the war effort.  (Office of Sen. Cramer)

An original Rosie the Riveter honors Trump with a handmade quilt

President Donald Trump is the recipient of a handmade quilt from 100-year-old Irene Sprague of North Dakota, who is among an estimated 30 Rosie the Riveters still living.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R.-N.D., personally presented Sprague’s handcrafted quilt to the president.

Sprague was 16 when she was hired in 1943 to work in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington. Today, she is among the last surviving women collectively known as Rosie the Riveters, who helped build military planes, ships and munitions during World War II as men fought overseas.

One side of Sprague’s quilt is embroidered with the “Trump” name throughout the design, “creating a bold and distinctive patriotic statement,” according to Cramer’s office. The other side is emblazoned with a large picture of a bald eagle.

A turret lathe operator is shown machining transport plane parts in 1942 at Consolidated Aircraft Corp. plant, in Texas. Millions of women worked in defense industry jobs during World War II. (U.S. Library of Congress)

Sprague previously gifted Vice President JD Vance with a similar quilt.

Trump, in return, gave Sprague a hat that he signed with a personal message.

“Today, it was my honor to return to Irene with photos of the president and vice president receiving their quilts — and a special personal gift from President Trump — one of his signature red MAGA hats, autographed [with the message]: Irene, I love you. Donald J. Trump,” Cramer said.

Sprague joined other Rosies in April 2024 in Washington, D.C., as they were honored with a Congressional Gold Medal. The women were part of a workforce of millions during World War II, according to the American Rosie the Riveter Association.

Bill would send state agencies veterans contact info for outreach

The Department of Veterans Affairs would be required to send state veterans agencies contact information for former service members to help them connect with benefits and services.

The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act, introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., would make it easier for the state agencies to identify veterans and provide outreach to them, supporters said.

The agencies can help veterans apply for disability and education benefits, connect with job training, and find housing support.

“Veterans deserve to know about all the benefits they have earned, as this measure would help ensure,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, one of the bill’s co-sponsors and the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

The legislation would limit data sharing for the purpose of connecting veterans with benefits.

A small complex of buildings in Tampa, Fla., have been extensively renovated to temporarily house and provide assistance to veterans experiencing homelessness. A ribbon-cutting was held as the buildings reopened to male and female veterans. (St. Vincent de Paul CARES)

After renovations, veterans homeless shelter reopens in Florida

A 60-bed homeless shelter specifically serving male and female veterans has reopened in Tampa, Fla., after a $4.4 million renovation, officials said.

The Hillsborough County CARES Center, run by St. Vincent de Paul, hosted a ribbon-cutting with federal, county and local officials, as well as veterans who will benefit from the services.

“These men and women gave up their lives and their families and sacrificed for us,” said Michael Raposa, chief executive officer with St. Vincent de Paul CARES. “They deserve the best, as they try to get back on their feet.”

The shelter services are designed to help veterans stabilize their lives, tap earned benefits, connect with jobs and move into permanent housing.

The county funded the project with a State Housing Initiatives Partnership grant for improving the property and repairing buildings.

Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers were present for the opening.

Calls to Veterans Crisis Line up again in fiscal 2025

The number of veterans contacting the 988 + 1 crisis hotline by call, text and chat increased in fiscal 2025, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.

The VA fielded 1.3 million calls, chats and texts to veterans in need through its crisis line, a 39% increase over the prior year, the VA said.

The annual rate of increase in 2025 was similar to prior years, from 2021 to 2024, the GAO said.

About 99% of 1.06 million calls were answered, with veterans receiving responses in a matter of seconds.

The report found that 98% of about 101,500 texts were answered, and 89% of about 104,900 chats received responses.

Answer rates were consistent with prior years, the GAO said.

The Veterans Crisis Line employed 1,149 total responders in April 2026, compared to 1,162 in October 2024, the GAO said.