United States Department of Veterans Affairs

 

VA Highlights Testing for World AIDS Day

December 1 is World AIDS Day, and you can do your part by getting yourself tested for HIV. VA offers valuable information on symptoms, treatment, long–term effects and more. Check out frequently asked questions and get tested today.

 

Stop Loss Retroactive Pay Deadline Extended

Service members, Veterans and beneficiaries of service members who were involuntarily extended under Stop Loss Between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible for Retroactive Pay. The deadline to file has now been extended until December 3, 2010.

 

Miramar National Cemetery Begins Burials

Veterans in the San Diego area now have a national shrine to call their own. The Miramar National Cemetery offers in-ground gravesites for caskets and cremated remains as well as a columbarium across its 313 acres. Miramar provides a final resting place for the 235,000 Veterans living in the area.

 

Veterans: Guard Against the Flu

An easy way to protect your health is to get a yearly flu vaccination. VA Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Tammy Duckworth received her shot at the Santa Barbara Outpatient Clinic. Learn more about flu shots and find a VA facility near you to get yours today!

 

VA Health Care Eligibility Myths Debunked

Myths and rumors persist everywhere, but they are especially dangerous when it comes to VA health care eligibility. At VA’s blog VAntage Point, five common myths are debunked and explained by VA’s health care eligibility professionals.

In The News

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. More information


VA Testing Quicker Ways to Access Medical Records

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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. More information


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. More information


VA Announces $1 Million Contract to Plan Expansion, Improvements at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced a $1 million architect–engineer contract to prepare construction documents for gravesite development and cemetery improvements at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pa. More information.

Hot Topics

VA Publishes its Fiscal Year 2010 Performance and Accountability Report

On November 15th, VA published its FY 2010 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR). The PAR is VA’s report card and describes 2010 performance results achieved compared to performance targets. It enables the President, Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, and the public to assess VA’s performance on behalf of America’s Veterans. For more information, you can view the report or call (202) 461-6630.


Marine Veterans Stationed at Camp Lejeune: Register for Drinking Water Notifications

If you were stationed or worked at Camp Lejeune before 1987, you may have been exposed to dangerous contaminants in the drinking water supply. To register for water testing notifications, read about previous studies and receive more information, visit the Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water website.


New to VA?

Welcome home. You’ve served your country. Now that you’ve completed your service you’ve got a lot of opportunities for your future. And a great place to start is the new MyVA page.


Download Your MyHealtheVet Personal Health Record

On August 2, 2010, President Obama announced the “Blue Button” capability that allows Veterans to download their personal health information from their MyHealtheVet account. Having control of this information enables Vets to share the data with health care providers, caregivers, or people they trust. Download yours now.