News

WASHINGTON – Continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) into a 21st century organization, the President has proposed a $163.9 billion budget, a 6.5 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2014, that will support VA’s goals to expand access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, and end homelessness among Veterans.  The budget includes $68.4 billion in discretionary spending, largely for healthcare, and $95.6 billion for mandatory programs – mostly disability compensation and pensions for Veterans.

Associated Press | Feb 04, 2014 | by Kevin Freking

WASHINGTON - The House overwhelmingly passed legislation Monday that would require public universities around the country to charge veterans in-state tuition rates or face financial penalty.

Congress intended for veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan era to go to college for free at the public school of their choice. And for most, that's the case.

Friday, January 10, 2014
By CHABELLA GUZMAN Staff Reporter

Area Veterans may be looking at a longer trip for medical attention if the VA Black Hills Health Care System’s Environmental Impact Statement comes back against the VA hospital in Hot Springs, S.D.

“We take about 10 people a week to Hot Springs,” said John Brehm, director of Scotts Bluff County Veterans Service Office. “I know a lot of them drive up on their own, since they don’t want to wait on the van.”

Want to make a WWII Veteran's 100th birthday extra special? Vern Hendricks will celebrate his big day Jan. 30th. Cards and greetings may be sent to him c/o Rose Lenz, 202 E. Sherman, Elk Point, SD 57025. A party in his honor will also be held at the United Parish Church in Elk Point on the 30th from 2-4 PM. Mr. Hendricks served three tours in the Army in Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Europe. Among several awards, he is distinguished with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

Military Times Staff Report
6:46 p.m. EST December 4, 2014

Two congressmen are sponsoring legislation to give students additional GI Bill benefits if they are working toward degrees in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Students who use the Post-9/11 GI Bill would receive an extra nine months of benefits if they pursue a degree in one of the STEM fields, according to congressional documents and a news release.

Reps. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Dina Titus, D-Nev., introduced the legislation Wednesday.

By Howard Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasekaran
October 31

Tens of thousands of soldiers who are discharged from the military each year are locked out of VA services.

VA launches new identity theft website and toll-free help line

August 5, 2014

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it has launched a new campaign to educate Veterans about identity theft prevention. The new campaign, titled More Than a Number, references the personally identifiable information that VA encourages Veterans to protect.

WASHINGTON – In response to the Office of Special Counsel’s recent recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Sloan Gibson today announced that Gerard R. Cox, MD, MHA will serve as Interim Director of the Office of Medical Inspector (OMI).