U.S. Army Veteran
Your personal enemies in the mirror are more fearsome than any soldier or terrorist in the world. Use the strengths of your allies to defeat your enemies in the mirror. Remember who you are.
We’ve all walked past them—lying in doorways under boxes or bundled up on the corner asking for food and spare change. In the U.S. today, homelessness is a serious issue for Veterans and non-Veterans alike. But all too often, the …
VA Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
War takes a toll on families. Therefore, to ensure the families of service members and Veterans have programs that meet their needs, the Department of Veterans Affairs has joined the White House and other federal agencies to strengthen services for family members.
Founder, Craigslist
A VA employee, Renford Patch, wrote some software which helps determine if a Vet has hearing loss, how much loss, and feeds that into the claims process. It greatly simplifies and accelerates what was a complicated paper process.
Filling out long and confusing forms isn’t a process that endears most people to government agencies—and it’s for a good reason. Forms and applications usually require information not readily available, or it might be difficult to know exactly what to …
On the evening of January 16, 1991, I was with my parents and brother at the Pierre Bossier mall in Bossier City, Louisiana collecting autographs. Several members of the Houston Astros were there as part of a regional winter PR …
Veterans Education and Transition Support Program Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; U.S. Air Force Veteran
In my work, I find that I keep helping future student Veterans with the same issues over and over again. This post is designed as a success-booster for those Veterans who aspire to complete a college education after they’ve completed their military service..
If you’ve been following the news recently, you’ve heard about changes in legislation to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Recent reports have done well to describe the changes, but we’d like to break down the differences you can expect for the …
VA Public Affairs Regional Director; retired U.S. Navy Reserve Captain; Iraq Veteran
In the past several decades, we have seen Veterans face an obstacle that is weaving into the American psyche–unjust stereotyping.
Early this year, the Veteran community lost one of its very best: Major Richard ‘Dick’ Winters passed away at age 92. He was the XO for Easy Company, 2/506 of the 101st when the unit conducted a combat jump into …
VA Decreasing GI Bill Processing Time with New Automation Tools
14 Feb 2013
Communications specialist with the Veterans Benefits Administration
Roger W. Baker, the Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology testified today before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Love Your Heart
14 Feb 2013
Registered Dietitian at the Dayton, OH VA Medical Center
Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States? This February, in honor of American Heart Month, join the fight against heart disease and love your heart.
The Benefits of a Paperless Claim
13 Feb 2013
Supervisory Veterans Service Representative; Team Lead for VBMS Transformation at the Salt Lake City Regional Office
While standing outside the audiology clinic at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, a Veteran explained to me that he was deaf in one ear, had significant hearing loss in his other ear, and that he was in need of hearing aids. He could not afford them and was hoping VA could help. Staff at VA’s audiology clinic recommended the Vet file a VA disability compensation claim for his hearing loss.
Valor Games coming to more cities in 2013
11 Feb 2013
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran; Public Affairs Officer, Office of National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events
This year, Veterans with physical disabilities will have more opportunities to get active and involved in sports. The Valor Games are coming to more cities across the country this year.
VBA Twitter Town Hall Series: Disability Compensation
8 Feb 2013
U.S. Army Veteran; Communications Specialist, Veterans Benefits Administration
Last Thursday, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) continued our monthly Twitter town hall series with an event focused on VA disability compensation exams.
Blue Button for America
5 Feb 2013
Presidential innovation fellows working on Blue Button for America at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In August 2010, President Obama announced the Blue Button. Today, it has been downloaded 2.7 million times and the program has been adopted by both the Department of Defense and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
VA Disability Compensation Increases in 2013
4 Feb 2013
Communications specialist, Veterans Benefits Administration
Last month, the more than four million Veterans and survivors who receive compensation benefits from VA saw an increase of 1.7 percent in their total monthly payment.
Building Renovation to Help Homeless Veterans
1 Feb 2013
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Sixty-five homeless Veterans will have a chance to transition back into society when the renovation of a building is completed at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
