News Releases
New Technology in Place for Electronic Submission of Veterans’ Disability Claims - A new online application from the Department of Veterans Affairs enables disability compensation claims to be processed faster in a more end-to-end electronic environment, and VA is urging Veterans and their Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives to make full use of its capabilities to receive speedier decisions and reduce the backlog of claims. (6/18/13)
VA Hires Over 1600 Mental Health Professionals to Meet Goal, Expands Access to Careand Outreach Efforts, Directs Nationwide Community Mental Health Summits - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has met the goal to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in President Obama’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. (6/3/13)
HUD & VA TEAM UP TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOMES TO 9,000 HOMELESS VETS - Approximately 9,000 homeless Veterans living on the streets and in the nation’s shelter system will soon find a permanent place to call home. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today that HUD will provide $60 million to local public housing agencies across the country to offer permanent supportive housing to homeless Veterans, many of whom are living with chronic disabling conditions. (5/29/13)
A Memorial Day Message - This weekend, Americans in large numbers will visit our national cemeteries and other final resting places to honor their loved ones, their friends, neighbors, colleagues, even some unknown to them—men and women who gave their lives in defense of our Nation. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on their service and their sacrifice, even as our Armed Forces are performing difficult and dangerous missions in distant lands. They continue to safeguard our American way of life. (5/24/13)
VA and Veterans Service Organizations Announce Claims Initiative to Reduce Claims Backlog - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and The American Legion announced a new partnership to help reduce the compensation claims backlog for Veterans. The effort—the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) Community of Practice—is a key part of VA’s overall transformation plan to end the backlog in 2015 and process claims within 125 days at 98% accuracy. VA can process FDCs in half the time it takes for a traditionally filed claim. (5/21/13)
VA, DoD and HHS Partner to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Families - Today, the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the progress made to date on initiatives called for in President Obama’s August 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and their families. (5/21/13)
VA Announces New Grants to Help End Veterans’ Homelessness - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced two new grants to support Secretary Eric K. Shinseki’s goal of ending Veterans’ homelessness in 2015. Under these new programs, homeless providers can apply for funding to enhance the facilities used to serve homeless Veterans, and acquire vans to facilitate transportation of this population. (5/17/13)
VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensation Claims Decisions - As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing today that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implemented through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be targeted to eliminating the backlogged status of claims. The additional overtime hours that will be worked during this period will be used to help eliminate the backlog with continued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless Veterans and those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully Developed Claims. (5/15/13)
Draft Gulf War Task Force Report Released - Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Department’s Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force will publish a comprehensive draft report in the Federal Register for public feedback and comment. The report describes how the Department of Veterans Affairs has been, and will continue to address the concerns of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. (5/14/13)
Nationwide 2K Event Will Support Homeless Veterans and Promote Employee Wellness - The Department of Veterans Affairs is once again hosting a nationwide 2K “Walk and Roll” event at more than 170 VA sites across the nation on May 15 to coincide with National Employee Health and Fitness Day. The event will also encourage employee and local community support of homeless Veterans. (5/14/13)
Statement from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki on Departure of Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould - “After four years of serving Veterans with distinction, Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould – my fellow Veteran, colleague and friend – has submitted his resignation, effective May 17. His unwavering leadership and dedication to Veterans and their families has strengthened our ability to carry out VA’s mission – providing Veterans the healthcare and benefits they have earned (4/29/13)
VA Launches Hotline to Answer Questions on VA Health Care and Benefits for Women Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new hotline —1-855-VA-WOMEN — to receive and respond to questions from Veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women Veterans. The service began accepting calls on April 23, 2013. (4/23/13)
Claims Initiative Fact Sheet - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer. Effective April 19, the VA will begin to make provisional decisions on the oldest claims in inventory, which will allow Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible. This initiative provides a one-year safety net to submit further evidence should it become available and protects the Veteran’s right to appeal the decision. (4/19/13)
VA to Expedite Claims Decisions for Veterans Who Have Waited a Year or More - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it is implementing an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer. Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims in inventory, which will allow Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible. Veterans will be able to submit additional evidence for consideration a full year after the provisional rating, before VA issues a final decision. (4/19/13)
Veteran Athletes Prepare for National Veterans Wheelchair Games - Across the nation, Veterans are preparing for the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The Games, representing the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, are presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. More than 500 Veterans from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the event, taking place July 13-18, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (4/18/13)
