NewsFlash | Digital Media | Video | Podcasts
VA Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD) Veteran News Network (VNN)
VNN is a channel for Veterans, largely by Veterans, that offers a fun and informative mix of specialized programming that honors, entertains, and informs Veterans of the benefits and services that they have earned. Email comments, questions, and feedback to VNNfeedback@va.gov.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs YouTube
The official YouTube channel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans Benefits Administration
The official YouTube channel for the Veterans Benefits Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans Health Administration
The official YouTube channel for the Veterans Health Administration, part of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Health Administration is America's largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving over 8.3 million Veterans each year.
At the Table
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D. is excited to launch At the Table series to talk about programs and opportunities that support Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Dr. Lawrence's goal with this series is to create a space where he can highlight resources, programs, and share real success stories that help Veterans build strong futures. Dr. Lawrence looks forward to bringing more voices to the table in future episodes and continuing to shine a light on programs that make a difference.
Glad You Asked
In this series, VA Deputy Secretary Dr. Paul R. Lawrence gives simple, easy-to-understand answers to common questions from Veterans.
VA SITREP // VA Made Simple
The SITREP is where Veterans, service members, and their families get simple, reliable explanations of their VA benefits. From COLA increases to VA disability tips, from women Veterans health care to GI Bill changes, and from preparing for ETS/EAS to navigating the G.I. Bill — we give you the info you need before you need it.
Veterans of Foriegn Wars (VFW) Still Serving
Veterans of Foriegn Wars (VFW) Podcast Still Serving is a new show for veterans, by veterans provided by the oldest combat Veterans Service Organization. The VFW Podcast highlights critical issues, challenges and legislation affecting veterans, service members and military families worldwide.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Veterans Podcast
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Podcast sheds light on important topics and challenges facing America’s veterans while also sharing the stories of veterans whom have been impacted by DAV through its mission of fulfilling our promises to the men and women that served.
American Legion - Tango Alpha Lima
Join co-hosts Mark Seavey, Jeff Daly and Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado as they chat about current stories of interest to the military community and welcome special guests with remarkable stories to share.
Military Money Show
The Military Money Show is the podcast that helps U.S. Servicemembers, Veterans, and their spouses make, save, invest and spend money wisely. Host, Lacey Langford interviews inspiring guests on personal finance, investing, entrepreneurship, debt, insurance, military life plus and a whole lot more.
The National Defense Radio Show
Heard on more than a hundred radio stations across the United States and the 400+ overseas Armed Forces Radio Networks around the globe. The Armed Forces Network reaches more than one million American service men and women, DOD, civilians, and their families on every military base, outpost and all ships at sea. The weekly show has consisted of a combination of celebrity interviews, executive interviews, and discussions with political and news figures, delivering content that entertains, informs and supports those who serve, and have served, our country. The show is hosted by Randy Miller, a 25-year broadcast veteran having hosted shows in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, San Diego, Cincinnati and Kansas City. Randy is the recipient of multiple broadcasting awards, including “Air Personality of the Year” from Billboard Magazine and the Radio Music Awards.
MOVE! Weight Management Program
The videos on this page were developed for use within the MOVE! Coach mobile app. The content of the videos is based on the MOVE! Handouts and may be useful to anyone working on weight management goals. Check them out!
Make the Connection
Make the Connection is a national campaign from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help connect Veterans and their families and friends with videos from fellow Veterans who share their challenging experiences. In hundreds of unscripted video interviews, more than 600 Veterans and their family members tell their personal stories — including the issues they’ve faced, the support they’ve received, and the strides they’ve made in improving their own lives. These Veterans represent every branch of the U.S. military and every service era, from World War II to the present. By talking about what they’ve been through, they are encouraging other Veterans to reach out for support when they need it. You can show your support by sharing a Make the Connection video with your family members, friends, and social network.
VHA Office of Rural Health Extends Reach to Support Veterans Everywhere
Support programs include tele-intensive care units, tele-mental health hubs, social workers who also work within the Rural Patient Aligned Care Team, Veteran transportation services and rural health training initiatives that include the cross-agency Rural Faculty Development Program, Fellowships for Rural Healthcare Scholars and career development awards for up-and-coming rural providers.
Boulder Crest Foundation
Discover how trauma can be a catalyst for forging a new path filled with passion, purpose, and connection. Boulder Crest Foundation is the home of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) offering life-changing programs free of charge to members of the military, veterans, and first responder communities, and their families. The mission is to facilitate PTG through transformative programs, world-class training and education initiatives, research, and advocacy. You can help change what the world believes is possible in the aftermath of trauma. Together, we can change the conversation around trauma.
VA Regional Offices
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.
Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran
The following resources provide detailed information about VA health care: www.va.gov/health-care/ and toll-free at 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387), Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET., or 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), option 2.
Basic Eligibility: A person who served in the active military, naval, space or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, including qualifying Reserve and National Guard members, may qualify for VA health care benefits.
Minimum Duty Requirements: Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24-continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty to be eligible. This minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans discharged for hardship, early out or a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or those accessing care under certain special treatment authorities, such as treatment related to military sexual trauma (MST).
Returning Service members: Veterans who served in a theater of operations after November 11, 2001, are eligible for an extended period of eligibility for health care for ten years after their discharge. In the case of multiple call-ups, the ten-year enrollment period begins on the most recent discharge date. This special eligibility includes cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in priority group 6 or higher for ten years from their date of discharge or release from active duty, unless they are eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.
The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:
- Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more.
- Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
- Veterans seeking care for a service-connected disability only, or under a special treatment authority.
- Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry). Use the chart below to help determine your eligibility.
Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. Need help? Appoint a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent to assist you. In most cases, it is not necessary for Veterans to get assistance from an attorney. However, many Veterans choose to get free assistance from organizations such as American Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the American Legion. These organizations will typically ask you to sign a limited power of attorney, which will allow them to speak with the VA on your behalf. They can help you determine status, ask the VA to reconsider the severity of your rated ailments, and help you with other support actions. Use VA search tools to find accredited representatives to help you. For mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.
The seal of the Department of Veterans Affairs authenticates the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents Survivors and Caregivers as the official summary of benefits that have been separately promulgated under Federal regulations established under Register Act. Under the provisions of 38 Code of Federal Regulations 1.9(f), it is prohibited to use the official seal, replicas, reproductions, or embossed seals of the Department of Veterans Affairs on any republication of this material without the express, written permission of the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Any person using official seals and logos of the Department of Veterans Affairs in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of 38 Code of Federal Regulations 1.9 may be subject to the penalties specified in 18 United States Code 506, 701, or 1017 as applicable.
Community Care (Mission Act)
The MISSION Act became law in 2018, bringing the VA’s previous Veterans Choice Program to an end and establishing the Community Care Program. VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. This care is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA. Community care is also available to Veterans based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements, and in consideration of a Veteran’s specific needs and circumstances. VA offers urgent care services to eligible Veterans at in-network urgent care clinics to treat minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections. Community care must be first authorized by VA before a Veteran can receive care from a community provider. Veterans, their representatives, and in-network community providers should report instances of a Veteran presenting to a community emergency room to VA within 72 hours of the start of emergent care. Out-of-network providers are encouraged to notify VA as soon as possible. PHONE: 844-724-7842 (844-72HRVHA) IMPORTANT: Failure to notify VA of care rendered through an in-network community facility in a timely manner prevents VA from authorizing the emergency care, and prevents claims and payments from being made through one of VA’s third-party administrators.
Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
Region 2: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Region 4: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Northern Mariana, Islands, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Region 5: Alaska
VA Vet Centers
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-927-8387 is an around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as families members of combat Veterans. This benefit is prepaid through the Veteran’s military service.
Plan your trip to VA
In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. VCS is proud to offer Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, their families and VA employees exclusive shopping benefits online through Patriot Store Direct. Product categories range from Military Caps and apparel, Outdoors, Electronics, Automotive tires (Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion), Tickets and Travel, Vision (Glasses and Contact Lenses), Home and Kitchen, Floral, Toys, Gifts, Watches, and more. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.
VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.
The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.
Hospital Service Directory
To find out whether there is a van near you, use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC. The vans are driven by volunteers, and the rides coordinated by more than 133 Hospital Service Coordinators around the country. Our nation’s heroes travel around the globe to protect our freedoms—it’s only right that we return their dedication. Volunteering to drive a Vet ensures that even those living remotely from VA hospitals can make their appointments and never go without the treatment they need. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. Learn more about the DAV transportation network through the NewsFlash Resources section.
Since the program’s inception in 1987, DAV departments and chapters have donated 4,183 vehicles and Ford Motor Co. has donated 274 vehicles at a cost of more than $104 million. Ford’s support for DAV spans nearly 100 years. The relationship began when Henry Ford provided Model Ts so DAV members could attend their annual convention. Today, Ford continues to provide funding and vehicle donations to help transport veterans to their medical appointments.
Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care
Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
VA Web Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.
Disclaimer of Liability: With respect to documents available from this server, neither the United States Government nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
Reference from this web page or from any of the information services sponsored by the VA to any non-governmental entity, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the VA or any of its employees. We are not responsible for the content of any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server.
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.
The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
