NewsFlash | Homepage

NewsFlash

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Launches Exclusive Gaming League for Veterans – The VFW, America’s largest organization of combat Veterans has teamed up with Crew Social Club to offer our nation’s Veterans a seamless and innovative way to connect – Combat Tested Gaming (CTG) leagues! Get ready to take the field, Veterans and currently serving military! VFW CTG is proud to announce the launch of its first official Madden League, kicking off this fall and running in sync with the NFL season. Participants will compete in weekly matchups, division playoffs, and a Super Bowl-style championship. Prizes include jerseys, swag and a custom gaming Personal Computer (PC) for the top analytics performer. Registration opened July 30 and closes August 30! Learn more or sign up at vfw.org/Gaming.

VA is transitioning to a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system – The Federal EHR is VA’s new EHR system that is being rolled out to all VA medical facilities as soon as 2031. In 2026, go-live dates are planning launch in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Alaska. Federal EHR at VA began with Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 20 at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington with launch on October 24, 2020. In addition to the launch at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC and its four community-based outpatient clinics located in Wenatchee, Washington; Libby, Montana; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Sandpoint, Idaho. VA also began using the new system at the West Consolidated Patient Account Center, the VA business operations facility in Las Vegas that supports billing for the Pacific Northwest.

Access to non-VA care no longer requires secondary approval – In Part 1 of VA's Glad You Asked series focusing on VA's Community Care, Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., answers two key questions: What is VA Community Care, and who qualifies for it? VA's Glad You Asked started in May and is available online at https://www.youtube.com/@DeptVetAffairs. Since May, topics covered include:

Deputy Secretary Lawrence was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 27, 2025, and sworn in the following day by Secretary Doug Collins. Since 2009, the official YouTube channel for VA has broadcast over 65 million views to over 436,000 subscribers. The VA Community Care Network (CCN) is VA’s direct link with community providers to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care. CCN uses industry-standard approaches and guidelines to administer services, pay for services promptly, and manage the network to its full potential.

Provider Resources

• Fact Sheet: How to Become a VA Community Provider
• Fact Sheet: How to become a VA CCN Dental Community Provider
• Fact Sheet: Community Care Network
• Fact Sheet: Community Care Network–Regions 1-5
• Fact Sheet: Billing and Payments

Since 2019, the MISSION Act has enabled VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense when it is in their best medical interest. These decisions have been made jointly by Veterans and their referring clinicians but were not considered final until they were reviewed by a second VA doctor.

The Honor Foundation (THF) – Founded in 2015 from the Navy SEAL Foundation, THF serves Special Operations service members who hold themselves to a high standard of core values, guiding principles, and work ethic. THF recruits on a rolling basis those military professionals who are, ideally, 12-15 months out from their separation or retirement. There are no formal educational prerequisites, however, the educational experience is approximately 3 months/120 hours of intense executive style education, professional development, one-on-one career coaching, and has a strict attendance policy. THF currently provides transition courses at nine campuses across the country:

• Camp Lejeune – nCino, The Offices at Mayfaire IV, Wilmington, NC
• Eglin – The Place on Beal, Fort Walton Beach, FL
• Fort Bragg | Pinehurst – Sandhills Community College, Pinehurst, NC
• Fort Bragg | Fayetteville – Fayetteville Technical Community College
• JBLM - Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Lakewood, WA
• San Diego – THF Headquarters, 11055 Roselle St., Suite 120
• Tampa – Baldwin Risk Partners, Corporate Center II, Tampa, FL
• TN/Campbell - Clarksville Regional Airport, Clarksville, TN
• Virginia Beach – Neptune Shield, Virginia Beach, VA

THF also provides Veterans access to Transition Assistance through Vector Accelator. Vector is redefining the military-to-civilian experience by introducing an important first step in the transition process: intentional introspection. The virtual, on-demand program guides participants through modules designed to help them gain clarity on their identity, motivations, strengths, and priorities so that they can pursue their next mission in life with confidence and conviction. After completing successful alpha and beta testing, Vector Accelerator launched a pilot program in 2024, inviting all active-duty or separated members of the military to participate.

Recently featured on the Military Money (MILMO) Show, THF's Kelly McGraw shared, Why Identity Work Is the Missing Step in Military Transition. In addition, Kelly shares how to navigate the emotional and mental side of transition with tools that go beyond resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Discussion on the MILMO Podcast further illuminates how the Honor Foundation is assisting service members through both its elite program and the new Vector Accelerator, enabling veterans to reclaim their sense of identity, purpose, and community as they transition into civilian life. The VA portion of TAP is a one-day, in-person course called VA Benefits and Services. Led by VA Benefits Advisors, the course helps transitioning service members understand how to navigate VA and the benefits and services earned through military service. The course offers interactive exercises, real examples, and covers topics important to you like family support, disability compensation, education, and health care benefits.

• VA Benefits and Services
• VA Benefits 101
• VA Education Benefits
• Community Integration Resources
• Mental Health for Families
• Vet Centers
• VA Education and Training Benefits for Spouses and Dependent Children
• Reserve Component Dual Payments Resource Guide
• Social and Emotional Health Resources
• VA Life Insurance Benefits
• Disability Compensation
• VA Home Loan Guaranty Program
• Survivor and Casualty Assistance Resources
• Other Than Honorable

National Defense Radio Show – Home Depot’s eCommerce Vice President, Reilly Upton, recently shared that over 2 million products have been added to the Home Depot’s Military Exchange Program and now available to the Army, Navy, and Air Force Exchanges websites. The discussion provides details, as well as the reasoning behind why Home Depot continues to offer items Tax Free, and in some cases with a 10% discount. Thanks to the Home Depot Foundation for the unwavering support for our military and veteran communities. To qualify for participation in the Veterans online shopping benefit, you must be a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces with a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions." Examples of acceptable paperwork include (but are not limited to): DD214 (Member Copies 2-8), DD215 (with corrected discharge status), NGB-22 or DD256/257. Paperwork cannot be redacted in any way, including but not limited to: crossing sections out, covering them with liquid eraser or filling them with dark ink; overlapping and/or folding copies where the full page is not visible or readable; and/or removing sections, whether by cutting them out or otherwise removing them from the document. If you meet these requirements, please go to your favorite online exchange (AAFES, NEXCOM, MCX, CGX) and try to register for an account. You will be redirected to VetVerify if more information needed.

WASHINGTON – VA makes it easier for Veterans to use community care // Access to non-VA care no longer requires secondary approval // The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced changes that will make it easier for VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense. Effective immediately, VA will implement language in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act that removes this extra review step. The change will give eligible Veterans faster access to community care. The new, streamlined process for determining best medical interest will be backed by training for Veterans Health Administration employees to ensure compliance with the Elizabeth Dole Act. 

A new benefit for VA employees: Discounted ticket and travel deals – Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is thrilled to announce a new benefit for VA employees: discounted ticket and travel deals. Through an exclusive partnership with MemberDeals, VCS now offers hundreds of discounts on entertainment and travel. Visit MemberDeals to access deals on preferred seating and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, hotels, rental cars and more. MemberDeals provides VA Employees exclusive offers to the world’s greatest entertainment and travel brands, including: Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort™, Cirque du Soleil® and SeaWorld® Parks and Entertainment. VCS Member Deals Customer Service is available toll-free at 1-877-579-1201 and online at https://www.memberdeals.com/vacanteen/contact.php. PatriotStoreDirect brings high-quality, name-brand products at discounted pricing exclusively to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and VA employees. VCS is proud to offer Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, their families and VA employees exclusive shopping benefits online at https://shopvcs.va.gov/. VCS sponsors five of VA’s National Rehabilitation Events: Golden Age Games, Wheelchair Games, Golf Clinic, Summer Sports Clinic, and Creative Arts Festival. These programs allow disabled Veterans of all ages and abilities to participate in adaptive sports programs and special events. VCS provides monetary donations, sends a support team to each event, and gives away gift bags to Veteran participants. VCS proudly supports these events as they promote wellness, rehabilitation, and camaraderie among the Veteran athletes. The revenues generated by VCS also support various Veteran programs such as Fisher House, Suicide Prevention, disaster relief initiatives, Substance Abuse Cessation, Women Veterans initiatives, Homeless Veterans programs, community stand downs, Welcome Home Celebrations, and more. VCS provides VA Fisher Houses nationwide an offering of coupons to first-time visiting families and serving as their purchasing source for supplies and necessities.

Cost of Living Allowance Watch – The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) publishes monthly updates and inflation figures (COLA Watch) used to set the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for payments received by military retirees, disabled veterans, Social Security beneficiaries, and many others receiving federal compensation. Periodically, VA makes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to VA beneficiaries and surviving spouses. COLA is calculated and reported monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics through the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with final 12-Month Percent Change. The May 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), released June 11, was 314.839, 2.0% above the FY 2025 baseline of 308.729. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in May, after rising 0.2 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose 0.3 percent in May and was the primary factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index increased 0.3 percent as both of its major components, the index for food at home and the index for food away from home also rose 0.3 percent in May. In contrast, the energy index declined 1.0 percent in May as the gasoline index fell over the month. COLA is calculated by CPI-W monthly reports (July, August, September) of the current fiscal year to the average for the same months of the previous fiscal year. June 2025 figures will be announced July 15.

VA announces $42M in grants to fight Veteran homelessness – The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the availability of $42 million in grants to eligible organizations to assist homeless Veterans and those at risk of homelessness with various legal services. The funds are being made available through VA’s Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program and are designed to help Veterans in several ways. Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. ET, July 7. Organizations can apply for grants worth up to $500,000, which will fund operations for a two-year period beginning Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2027. Many legal service providers offer free legal clinics in VA facilities. The VA Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist at the closest VA Medical Center may be another source of information about available legal clinics and other community legal assistance resources. Several organizations are currently funded in VISN 20 to provide these services. If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. 

Pacific Northwest Section of the Professional Golfers Associaiton (PGA) – PGA HOPE is a program that introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals that are trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded and supported by PGA REACH National and PGA REACH Pacific Northwest to provide this program free to all Veterans. Participants of PGA HOPE programs include military Veterans living with physical and cognitive challenges such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and amputees, among other challenges. PGA HOPE programming is fully funded by PGA REACH and offered at NO COST for Military Veterans. For many injured Veterans, adaptive sports provide their first exposure to physical activity after injury. PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with VA enabling Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.

WASHINGTON – A health and benefits app reaches 3M downloads The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that its Health and Benefits mobile app has achieved more than 3 million downloads since its launch in 2021. The VA app, which has 1.4 million active users, provides Veterans access to a variety of VA health care and benefits information directly from their mobile phones. Major categories of the VA App store include:

• Care at VA
• Physical Wellness and Self Care
• Mental Wellness and Self Care

VA offers sixty (60) apps for Veterans from the VA App Store. Several apps are managed by 3rd parties. Apps are also available to Families, Caregivers, and VA staff. Visit digital.va.gov to read about the mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) regarding collaboration with VA business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. With the official VA: Health & Benefits app, you can manage your VA health care, benefits, and payments from your mobile phone or tablet.

Memorial Day Events 2025 - Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska – On May 30, 1868, Arlington National Cemetery hosted 5,000 people for the inaugural Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day) excercises. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service. In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. The VA is proud to host public Memorial Day commemoration ceremonies at more than 130 of our national cemeteries this Memorial Day weekend. The VA's National Cemetary Administration (NCA) is proud to host public Memorial Day commemoration ceremonies at more than 130 of our national cemeteries this Memorial Day weekend. Check out the listing of events to find ceremony dates and start times for cemeteries in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 20. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time. NCA honors eligible Veterans, active-duty Service members, and eligible family members with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation. We look forward to your company as we honor the patriotism and sacrifice of all those who have served in our nation's armed forces. 

Military Appreciation Month – In 1999, a Joint Resolution of Congress established National Military Appreciation Month. You can share a message of support to the people who serve and and it will be shared at United Service Organizations (USO) locations around the world. The goal is to reach 2 million+ people who serve in the U.S. military. Your act of appreciation in honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force and National Guard as well as the contributions of their spouses and families, is the start of something powerful.

Memorial May 2025 – Memorial May features hundreds of events across the country that allow Americans the opportunity to honor the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes to preserve our freedom. Volunteers organized by Carry The Load will visit 16 participating VA national cemeteries to remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and to honor and preserve their legacy. Individuals at the events frequently carry signs, banners and flags honoring a fallen servicemember, Veteran or first responder. Participants are encouraged to post on a Veteran's memorial page at VA's Veterans Legacy Memorial. Share your Veteran's memorial page by email or on social media with family and friends directly from the memorial page of a Veteran online at: www.va.gov/Remember.

Connected We Stand - Addressing Veteran Loneliness – 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 keeping our promise to America’s Veterans. This podcast episode features Elizabeth Stetler interviewing Karen Owoc, a clinical exercise physiologist at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center and a specialist in preventative cardiology and functional longevity. The conversation centers around the critical issue of Veteran loneliness and isolation. Karen draws on her experience working with Veterans, particularly through a remote cardiology program, to shed light on the unique challenges they face upon transitioning to civilian life, including the loss of camaraderie, the impact of trauma and PTSD (especially among Vietnam and post-9/11 Veterans), and the difficulties in adjusting to a lack of structure and community. Earlier in the year, Rob Lewis conducted a crucial discussion with Dr. Alan Teo, a psychiatrist at VA Portland Medical Center, to delve into the pervasive issue of loneliness and its profound impact on mental health, particularly within the Veteran community. The April podcast edition titled Loneliness and Veterans - Understanding the Connection, provided a clinical definition of loneliness, distinguishing it from mere solitude, and highlights the unique challenges faced by Veterans due to factors like medical comorbidities and mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression. The conversation extends to exploring the complex relationship between social media and genuine connection, as well as the often-overlooked struggles of caregivers.

United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (SECVA) update for County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO) address to National Association of Counties (NACo) – In December of 2024, Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) celebrated the milestone passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act by the U.S. Congress. The Dole Act authorized $10 million annually for two years for competitive grants to states to expand the work of County Veterans Service Officers or comparable entities, providing new federal resources to county governments to expand CVSO staff and services to meet rising caseloads. Upon passage, the National Association of Counties highlighted federal resources for CVSOs through the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act. Recently, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins spoke at the 2025 NACo Conference. 

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) celebrates the milestone passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act by the U.S. Congress. For almost 2 years, EDF worked with a coalition of organizations advancing this bi-partisan package of legislation that will have life-changing outcomes for those who served and their families, survivors, and caregivers. The EDF Caregiver Mental Wellness Framework is a tool created to identify and validate the unique elements of military and veteran caregivers’ mental health and wellness and provide pathways to support.

Are you REAL ID ready? – The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards. Beginning May 7, 2025, Veterans are required to have a Real ID, U.S. Passport, military identification (ID), or some other form of federally accepted ID to access a federal building, national laboratory, military base, or board a flight. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards.” The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, both physical and digital (also known as Mobile Driver’s Licenses, or “mDLs”). Check with your state for REAL ID updates, guidance, and information.

• Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
• California Dept of Motor Vehicles
• Idaho Transportation Department
  
• Montana Motor Vehicle Division
• Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Service
• Washington State Department of Licensing

There are many types of identification cards you can use to show you’re a Veteran.

• Veteran’s designation on a state-issued driver’s license or ID
• Veteran ID Card
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• Department of Defense Identification Card

A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) is a photo ID card you’ll use to check in at your VA health care appointments. But more importantly, it is your DoD-approved credential to provide your identity and purpose to access military installations for your medical appointment for joint facilities and referrals. Veterans must be enrolled in the VA health care system to receive a VHIC. Issuance of a VHIC requires the following:

• State-issued driver’s license, or
• U.S. passport, or
• Federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID showing your name, address, and date of birth

The National Health Eligibility Center (HEC) is in the process of notifying 1.5 million Veterans nationwide that their VHIC has or will expire soon. The renewal process includes presenting a valid photo ID and taking a photo for your VHIC renewal.

2025 National Salute to Veteran Patients Week – The National Salute to Veteran Patients is observed annually during the week of Valentine’s Day, a day of caring and sharing, which underscores the Salute’s expression of honor and appreciation. The week of February 14 each year is your opportunity to say thank you to a special group of men and women, the more than 9 million Veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for in VA Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes. Contact your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for Voluntary Service to discover the wonderful things you, your group or organization can do to salute America’s Heroes. Locate the facility nearest you.

Secretary Collins’ message to Veterans and VA employees – It is my life’s honor to serve America’s Veterans as secretary of Veterans Affairs, and I thank President Donald J. Trump as well as the U.S. Senate for their confidence in me. America is the greatest nation on Earth precisely because of the Veterans willing to step forward and defend our freedom. I’ve witnessed this firsthand throughout my two decades in the military, as I’ve served with some of the finest men and women our nation has to offer. Read full message to Veterans and VA employees // Veterans get more time to transition to new online login system // VA recently announced it will provide Veterans additional time to transition to a new online login system for access to information about their VA health care and benefits. My HealtheVet provides Veterans management of all VA health care needs in one place—right alongside your other VA benefits and services. In July, VA announced a phase out of My HealtheVet and DS Logon sign-in options, in favor of two new options, Login.gov and ID.me, which will help the department offer stronger protections for Veterans, families and caregivers. In the announcement, VA extended the final deadline by which veterans and beneficiaries can log in to VA.gov, VA mobile applications and other VA online services using their My HealtheVet username and password from Jan. 31, 2025, to March 4, 2025. The deadline to switch from DS Logon to ID.me or Login.gov remains Sept. 30, 2025.

VA expands access to Veterans Legacy Memorial, allowing Veterans to chronicle their life story – Veterans Affairs expanded the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) — the nation’s largest digital platform dedicated to the memory of Veterans and service members — to allow Veterans to tell their own story before they pass away. The new “Your Story, Your Legacy” feature will allow Veterans who have been approved for VA’s pre-need eligibility determination for burial in a VA national cemetery to log in to a secure website where they can privately submit images, autobiographies, military and life milestones, and historical documents.

Veterans Housing and Physical Damage Loans from SBA – Section 604 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, Public Law 110-387, authorized VA to develop the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. Supportive services grants have been awarded to selected private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that will assist very low-income Veteran families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing. Grantees will provide a range of supportive services to eligible Veteran families that are designed to promote housing stability. Recently VA announced a combination of steps to provide outreach to Veterans experiencing homelessness. If you live in a declared disaster area and have experienced damage to your home or personal property, you may be eligible for financial assistance from United States Small Business Administration (SBA) — even if you do not own a business.

VA lowers life insurance premiums for more than 3 million Veterans, service members, and spouses – The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that more than 3 million Veterans, Service members, and spouses who receive life insurance from VA’s programs will receive a discount on premiums starting in the spring of 2025. These decreased premiums apply to those insured under Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) — and to those who enroll in those programs in the future. If you have Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI), you have 2 options:

• You can apply now for VALife, or
• You can keep your S-DVI. You don’t have to do anything to keep your coverage.

VA Life Insurance Support Phone Numbers

• VALife, S-DVI, and VMLI: 800-669-8477
• WWI, WWII, and Korean War era programs: 800-669-8477
• VGLI program, SGLI claims, and FSGLI claims: 800-419-1473
• MyVA411 main information line: 800-698-2411
• Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY) TTY: 711

Weight Management Program for Veterans (MOVE!) – Supported by VA's National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP). We are proud to make this program available to Veterans. Now in its second decade, MOVE! includes the most up-to-date approaches for weight management. Please explore our website to learn more about MOVE! What is MOVE!? VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans can help you adopt a healthy lifestyle, meet your health goals, and manage your weight. MOVE! is about much more than weight. It is about increasing your ability and confidence to achieve your health goals. MOVE!’s basic ideas—helping you learn tools and approaches for healthy eating and physical activity—are easy to follow and based on the latest research.

2025 Department of Veterans Affairs National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic | AUGUST 23-30, 2025 | SAN DIEGO, CA – Veteran registration will be open early December 2024 until March 1, 2025. Participation in the 2025 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is open to Veterans whose current rehabilitation goals would benefit from the value of adaptive summer sports and is open to Veterans eligible for care and actively engaged in VA healthcare including physical rehabilitation, mental health, blind rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, etc. VA's rehabilitative and educational hands-on sporting event for military Veterans from across the country. Qualifying disabilities include: Amputations, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Poly Trauma, Visual Impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, CVA with Residual, Burns, and Spinal Cord Injuries. Biking through national parks is a great way to see beautiful scenery and discover new places. Cyclists can travel by roads (which are sometimes car-free!) and, in some parks, on select trails. There are many places in parks that cars cannot go, but you can cover more ground and visit new places on a bike. Some national parks offer bike rentals, and others provide guided biking activities. Find out more about biking in national parks.

Department of Defense (DoD) to pilot expansion of commissary benefit to military civilian employees – DoD will test an expansion of commissary shopping privileges for DoD civilian employees at select Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) stores located in the continental United States for 120 days. The 16 stores selected for the pilot are at the following locations:

• Alaska: Eielson Air Force Base
• California: Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Fort Irwin
• Georgia: Marine Corps Logistical Base Albany and Robins Air Force Base
• Maryland: Naval Air Station Patuxent River
• Oklahoma: Altus Air Force Base
• Texas: Laughlin Air Force Base
• Virginia: Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base commissaries), Fort Gregg-Adams, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (Little Creek Commissary), Naval Base Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana and Norfolk Naval Ship Yard (Portsmouth)

Special Veterans Day Announcement from the Home Depot Foundation // WKXL (FM-101, Audio) // The National Defense Radio Show (11NOV2024 Portland, OR) – Erin Izen, Senior Director of Home Depot Community Investments and the Executive Director of the Home Depot Foundation sits down to talk with National Defense Network with a very special announcement on Veterans Day. In honor of Veterans Day and the annual Operation Surprise initiative, The Home Depot Foundation is investing $10 million to help Veterans age in their current residences and avoid homelessness. This significant funding will address the urgent need for accessible and stable housing for aging Veterans, a population that is expected to surge in the coming decades. Home Depot employs over 35,000 active, reservist and retired military personnel. Additionally, Home Depot offers benefits including competitive pay, comprehensive healthcare coverage and potential for career growth. The Home Depot Foundation actively supports initiatives that provide housing solutions, financial support, job training, counseling services and mental health resources for Veterans.

Veterans Day 2024 – November marks National Veteran and Military Families Month, highlighted by Veterans Day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Day National Committee are pleased to provide a Teachers Resource Guide. This resource guide, along with another group of America’s finest — our teachers — will allow your students to learn more about the price our brave Veterans have paid to defend our nation. Veterans Day Regional Ceremonies recognized by VA provide military ceremonial support from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and a certificate from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for inclusion in the official program. Each year, the Veterans Day National Committee publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster. The poster is selected from artwork submitted by artists nationwide distributed to schools, state governments, Veterans Day Regional Sites, the military services, and Veterans Service Organizations. Poster requests are fulfilled until the inventory is exhausted. Download and print your own poster from the Veterans Day Poster Gallery

Warrior Care Month – Warrior Care Month began in November 2008 under Secretary of Defense Robert F. Gates for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reaffirm its commitment that there is no higher priority than caring for the wounded, ill, and injured Service members who have sacrificed so much. Secretary Gates charged DoD to “continue to make it easier for our troops and their families to take advantage of all the assistance now available to them.” VA continues to innovate and modernize to serve millions of America’s patriots and their families and beneficiaries.

Hearing Loss, Incident Parkinson Disease (PD), and Treatment With Hearing Aids – Hearing loss, while a common occurrence with aging, is more common and often more impactful to military Veterans. However, the influence of hearing loss on late-in-life risk for neurodegenerative disease is unknown. Dr. Lee Neilson's published study looked to “evaluate whether hearing loss is associated with incident Parkinson Disease (PD)” utilizing the national database of US military veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this cohort study of electronic health record data for more than 3 million US veterans with a mean 7.6 years of follow-up, hearing loss was associated with incident PD in a dose-dependent manner, even after adjusting for competing risk of death, age, head trauma (an important military-associated risk factor), frailty, and established prodromal disorders. Research also showed that those who have the worst hearing loss seemed to have the highest risk of developing PD. Interestingly, this risk was attenuated by hearing aid dispensation within 2 years of an abnormal hearing test. The study concluded that, "Hearing loss appears to be an independent risk factor for later development of PD. Hearing aids attenuate this risk, and therefore widespread screening for hearing loss and appropriate use of hearing aids may reduce the incidence of PD." Dr. Neilson's work also illustrates that additional studies are required for examination of mechanisms underlying associations of hearing loss and PD.

Lt. Col. Matt Cox, US Army and Air Force Exchange Service at AUSA Conference // WKXL (FM-101, Audio) // The National Defense Radio Show (26OCT2024 Portland, OR) – Lt. Col. Matt Cox with the US Army and Air Force Exchange Service joins the show to discuss an integral part of the everyday lives of our soldiers and their families. Discussion of the new and improved mobile Exchange platform that can be loaded and dispatched in less than 48 hours to areas that need services that might not be able to safely or efficiently operate in the traditional brick-and-mortar setup. The Veterans online shopping benefit for the four military exchanges (Army Air Force Exchange, Navy Exchange Services Command, Marine Corps Exchange, and Coast Guard Exchange) became effective on Veterans Day in 2017. The Department of Defense expanded Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) shopping privileges in the U.S. effective 1 January 2020 as part of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, included in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

RecruitMilitary and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – DAV’s employment program connects transitioning active duty, Guard and Reserve members, veterans and their spouses with employers. Partnering with RecruitMilitary, DAV sponsors job fairs including virtual events, to connect Veterans and spouses with employers nationwide who are committed to hiring them. RecruitMilitary Job Fair are events where job seekers with military experience can meet with recruiters from local and national companies.

• National Virtual Career Fair for Veterans — Tuesday, August 26, 2025
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord Job Fair — Thursday, October 16, 2025
• Western Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans — Tuesday, October 28, 2025
• National Virtual Career Fair for Veterans — Tuesday, November 25, 2025

These events are free for U.S. Veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, and members of the Guard and Reserve. RecruitMilitary, a leading recruitment firm dedicated to the military community, is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious "Patriot Employer" distinction by DAV. Regional and National Virtual Career Fairs for Veterans are held online at https://my.recruitmilitary.com/.

VISN 20 Medical Center News Stories

VA Puget Sound, Washington - https://www.va.gov/puget-sound-health-care/news-releases/

VA Walla Walla, Washington - Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA - https://www.va.gov/walla-walla-health-care/stories/

VA Spokane, Washington - Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center - https://www.va.gov/spokane-health-care/news-releases/

VA Portland, Oregon - https://www.va.gov/portland-health-care/news-releases/

VA White City, Oregon - https://www.va.gov/southern-oregon-health-care/news-releases/

VA Roseburg, Oregon - https://www.va.gov/roseburg-health-care/news-releases/

VA Anchorage, Alaska - https://www.va.gov/alaska-health-care/stories/

VA Boise, Idaho - https://www.va.gov/boise-health-care/news-releases/

VA News - https://news.va.gov/

NW MIRECC disseminates mission-relevant knowledge through publications, continuing health care education, and informative Veteran-centric NewsFlash resources across VISN 20 and nationally. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. NewsFlash is geared towards Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians. The VISN 20 MIRECC NewsFlash includes, but is not limited to, Veteran Resources, Adaptive Sports, Financial Readiness, Transition Assistance Program, Service Dogs, Warrior Care, Brochures, Digital Media, Mental Health (MH) Research and MH Continuing Education.

NW MIRECC disseminates mission-relevant knowledge through publications and continuing health care education programs across VISN 20 and nationally. Sign up for email updates or access your subscriber preferences: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHAVISN20/subscriber/new.

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.

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 four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. 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.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking health registry examinations. VA’s health registry evaluation is a free, voluntary medical assessment for Veterans who may have been exposed to certain environmental hazards during military service. The evaluations alert Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to exposure to specific environmental hazards during their military service. VA has established several health registries to track and monitor the health of specific groups of Veterans. You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these health registries: Agent Orange Registry, Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, Gulf War Registry (includes Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn), Ionizing Radiation Registry, Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program, and Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center. 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. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

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.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in VISN 20 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.

Alaska

Idaho

Oregon

Washington

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. We are a self-sustaining entity providing merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s healthcare system, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. 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 OIF/OEF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.

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 for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. 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. Learn more about the DAV transportation network through the VISN 20 NewsFlash Resources section.

Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. According to DoD, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the United States Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. As of the end of FY2024, 39% of VISN 20 enrollees resided in rural or highly rural areas.

VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake VA Medical Center and Seattle VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Astoria, Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn.

• VISN 1: VA New England Healthcare System
• VISN 2: New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network
• VISN 4: VA Healthcare - VISN 4
• VISN 5: VA Capitol Health Care Network
• VISN 6: VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network
• VISN 7: VA Southeast Network
• VISN 8: VA Sunshine Healthcare Network
• VISN 9: VA MidSouth Healthcare Network
• VISN 10: VA Healthcare System
• VISN 12: VA Great Lakes Health Care System
• VISN 15: VA Heartland Network
• VISN 16: South Central VA Health Care Network
• VISN 17: VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
• VISN 19: Rocky Mountain Network
• VISN 20: Northwest Network
• VISN 21: Sierra Pacific Network
• VISN 22: Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
• VISN 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network