President Biden fiscal year 2024 budget proposes historic investments in Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors

This is the largest budget proposal in U.S. history for Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. The total FY 2024 request for VA is $325.1 billion, a $16.6 billion (+5.4%) increase above the FY 2023 budget enacted level. This includes a discretionary budget request of $142.8 billion, a $3.0 billion (+2.1%) increase over FY 2023. The 2024 mandatory funding request is $182.3 billion, an increase of $13.6 billion (+8.1%) above 2023.

VA relaxes masking requirements at medical facilities

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has relaxed the masking requirement at VA medical facilities. This update ensures the safety of Veterans while accommodating individual masking preferences and aligning with CDC guidelines.

VA to award $52.5 million in grants to local organizations working to prevent Veteran suicide

Today, VA announced the availability of $52.5 million in grants to community-based organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for Veterans and their families - including conducting Veteran mental health screenings, providing case management and peer support services, delivering emergency clinical services, reaching out to Veterans at risk of suicide and more.

VA Announces Transition of Deputy Secretary Donald Remy

Today, Deputy Secretary Donald Remy announced that he will be stepping down as VA’s deputy secretary on April 1. A former Army captain and longtime public servant, Mr. Remy was nominated by President Biden on April 23, 2021 and has served honorably as deputy secretary since he was sworn in by Secretary Denis McDonough on July 19, 2021.

VA increases maximum life insurance coverage for Veterans and service members by $100,000

Beginning March 1, VA is increasing the maximum amount of life insurance coverage available to Veterans and service members from $400,000 to $500,000 for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI). This increase in coverage reflects the current cost of living and helps ensure that the the families of Veterans and service members will have the financial support they deserve after their loved ones pass away.

VA to award $16 million in grants to help Veterans and service members with disabilities participate in adaptive sports

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the availability of nearly $16 million in grants to qualifying organizations to help more than 13,000 Veterans and service members with disabilities participate in adaptive sports. This funding will help these organizations plan, develop, manage, and implement a variety of sports and equine therapy activities, including life-improving programs for Veterans and training for providers. More information about these grants can be found in the two Notices of Funding Availability.

VA’s National Cemetery Administration leads all public and private organizations in 2022 customer satisfaction ratings

VA's National Cemetery Administration (NCA) - which provides Veterans and their families with burial benefits and memorial services - led all organizations, public or private, in the prestigious American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for 2022. NCA received a score of 97, the highest score ever achieved by any organization rated by the ACSI. This is the seventh consecutive time NCA has ranked first overall in customer satisfaction.

Winners revealed in VA’s $20M Mission Daybreak Grand Challenge to reduce Veteran suicides

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the 10 winners of Mission Daybreak, a $20 million grand challenge aimed at developing innovations to reduce Veteran suicides. During this challenge, VA received more than 1,300 innovation submissions from Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, community-based organizations, health technology companies, startups, and universities – with solutions ranging from lethal means ... Read more

VA and NFFE reach key agreements to better serve Vets and support VA employees

WASHINGTON — This month, VA reached three key agreements with the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) that will help VA better serve Veterans and support VA’s employees. Specifically, VA and NFFE agreed to memorandums of understanding that will: Significantly expedite the hiring process for NFFE’s bargaining unit employees, which will help VA implement the PACT Act and ... Read more

VA adds several new political appointees

The Department of Veterans Affairs has added several key leaders to the team in recent months, all of whom will help VA serve Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.

VA continues aggressive hiring push to deliver PACT Act care and benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring qualified individuals to join the benefits team as VA begins processing PACT Act claims starting in January 2023.These new VA employees will help ensure Veterans and survivors get the PACT Act-related benefits they've earned in a timely manner.

VA Health and Benefits mobile app reaches 1M downloads

As of today, more than 1 million Veterans have downloaded the Department of Veterans Affairs' new VA: Health and Benefits mobile app for fast, secure, on-demand access to the health care and benefits they've earned.

Twelve senior VA leaders chosen for prestigious presidential award for service

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that twelve VA senior leaders will receive 2022 Presidential Rank Awards (PRA) - one of the most prestigious awards in the federal career civil service - for their extraordinary service to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Chosen by President Biden, the PRAs recognize the hard work and important contributions of dedicated civil servants in the American federal workforce.

VA will prioritize delivering benefits to Veterans with cancer under PACT Act

Today, on National Cancer Awareness Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will prioritize the processing of Veterans' benefits claims for cancers associated with the PACT Act. VA will expedite these claims to ensure Veterans with cancer are getting timely access to the care and benefits they need and deserve.

Paxlovid reduces risk of Long COVID

Today, VA released a study showing the medication Paxlovid can reduce the risk of symptoms of 'Long COVID,' which affects millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. In the interest of public health, the study, 'Nirmatrelvir and the risk of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19,' was released before peer-review on the pre-print server medRxiv.

New data shows 11 percent decline in Veteran homelessness since 2020 — the biggest drop in more than 5 years

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness announced preliminary results of the 2022 Point-in-Time Count showing an 11 percent decline in Veteran homelessness since early 2020, the last time a full count was conducted. This is the biggest drop in Veteran homelessness in more than five years.