VA Recognizes World AIDS Day - On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs encourages everyone to recognize World AIDS Day. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first discovered 30 years ago, and some of the first cases of HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) were diagnosed by VA clinicians. Since then, VA has been a leader in HIV care and has made significant strides in treatment of Veterans infected with the virus. (12/1/10)
National Veterans Golden Age Games Set for Hawaii - More than 700 “golden age” Veterans from the East Coast to the West and from the Pacific islands will travel to Hawaii to participate in the nation's largest sporting event for senior military Veterans. (11/30/10)
VA Testing Quicker Ways to Access Medical Records - The Department of Veterans Affairs is working to significantly reduce the average time needed to obtain health-care records from private physicians with the help of a private contractor and the Internet to speed claims decisions. (11/29/10)
Miramar National Cemetery Begins Burials - Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego officially opened today by providing its first burials of Veterans and family members at the new facility. (11/22/10)
VA’s Expanded Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic Open for Business - The expanded Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic is open for business at its new location at 2201 Southeast Loop 820, south of downtown Fort Worth. It is now the largest VA outpatient clinic in the nation. (11/19/10)
VA Launching New Personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbook - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is piloting new, personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbooks. The handbooks are tailored to provide enrolled Veterans with the most relevant health benefits information based on their own specific eligibility. In essence, each handbook will be written for the individual Veteran. (11/18/10)
VA Awards $47.6 Million for Expansion and Renovation - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in San Juan, P.R., will see its outpatient-clinic building renovated and expanded in the next two years with a construction contract of $47,559,254. (11/18/10)
Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service Sign Memorandum of Understanding - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and The Indian Health Service (IHS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which will help both agencies improve the health status of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Veterans. The IHS-VA MOU outlines a new plan for enhanced coordination, collaboration, and resource-sharing that will draw on the strengths and expertise of the two agencies. (11/16/10)
VA Pilots Expedite Payments to Disabled Veterans - VA has launched two pilot programs to test new procedures that will speed the payment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation benefits to Veterans with disabilities connected to their military service. These new programs are part of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki’s effort to “break the back” of the disability claims backlog. (11/16/10)
VA Chief Learning Officer Receives Lifetime Learning Leadership Award - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that Joy Hunter, chief learning officer for its Veterans Health Administration, has received the Lifetime Learning Leadership Award from the MASIE Center, an internationally recognized think tank focused on workforce education and performance. (11/12/10)
On Veterans Day, VA Secretary Shinseki Recognizes, Thanks Veterans - This Veterans Day, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki calls on America to honor its 23 million Veterans by reaching out to them and their families with heartfelt thanks and encouraging them to seek the benefits and services they have earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (11/11/10)
New Video Outreach Message Encourages Veterans to Use Benefits - Television viewers across the country will be able to see a new video advertisement promoting the “care package” of services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Veterans. The 30-second ad makes its national debut Nov. 10 during the broadcast of the Country Music Awards. (11/10/10)
VA Expands Support for Families of Low-Income Veterans - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today an important program designed to provide enhanced services to low-income Veterans and their families who are at risk of being homeless. Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, VA will provide grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that will help break the cycle of homelessness among America’s Veterans at risk. (11/9/10)
VA Health System Shines in Quality-of-Care Study - A report now appearing online in the national publication Medical Care finds that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system generally outperforms the private sector in following recommended processes for patient care. (11/8/10)
VA Launches VAntage Point Blog - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching its first official blog, opening a new line of communication between the department and its stakeholders. The debut marks VA’s latest outreach effort aimed at improving the way VA and its clients engage online. (11/8/10)
VA Celebrates National Family Caregiver Month - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is marking National Family Caregiver Month by honoring the service of family members and friends who have dedicated their lives to caring for chronically ill, injured, or disabled Veterans. (11/8/10)
Blood-Thinning Pills Work with Either Home or Clinic Testing - Patients taking warfarin, a widely used blood-thinning pill that requires careful dose monitoring, have similar outcomes whether they come to a clinic or use a self-testing device at home, according to a recent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) study. The findings, published in the Oct. 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, are good news for heart patients who live far from clinics or are homebound. (11/4/10)
