VA updated its appraisal process regarding Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs)—the standards a property must meet to be eligible for a VA-guaranteed home loan—to reduce delays, cut outdated rules and help Veteran homebuyers move faster in a competitive housing market. The updates are now in effect, reflected in the revised VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12. What’s changing VA identified several long-standing MPR topics…
Veteran homelessness continues downward trend: 56% since 2010
Taking a closer look at the 2025 Point-in-Time Count results In May 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the long-awaited results of the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, the annual effort to estimate the number of Americans, including Veterans, without a home. The data showed that on a single night in January…
Eat your vegetables
Add color to your plate They say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what about vegetables? They’re full of nutrients, add color and flavor to meals and are low in calories. Eating plenty of veggies has many health benefits Better heart health: The fiber in vegetables can help lower blood pressure and…
Veteran Fire Corps is recruiting for wildland firefighting and natural resource management
The Veteran Fire Corps (VFC) program provides training, certifications and on-the-job experience for Veterans aged 18-35 who are interested in entering careers and gaining experience in wildland firefighting and natural resource management. The VFC crew will operate from Sept. 7 – Dec. 17, 2026. Members earn $900 each week during the program, and lodging is…
Discover VA research opportunities for students
Since its inception in 1925, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research program has remained steadfast in its commitment to advancing medical and scientific knowledge to benefit Veterans and all Americans. VA’s researchers are instrumental in translating science into actionable solutions that ensure our medical practices are safe, effective and Veteran-centered. For students, residents and early career physicians, the opportunity to be at the forefront of research…
We CARE Vet Fair in Georgia delivers one-stop support for Veterans and families
The sharing of non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should always verify information with the organization offering the program. More than 1,200 Veterans, service members, caregivers and families gathered in Rome, Georgia, on June 11–12 for the We CARE Vet Fair, an event…
Live Whole Health #323: Summer memories on a stick
Picture this: It’s a summer evening and you and your friends are sitting around a picnic table with damp towels wrapped around you while someone stands at the grill flipping burgers. I bet you can smell the sizzling meat and feel your wrinkled fingers and toes after a long day in the pool or lake!…
How virtual care helped one Veteran finally face his PTSD
It’s never too late: Army Veteran finds path to PTSD recovery through virtual care Three years ago, Darrell Fullmer would never have imagined sitting in front of his laptop, talking openly about his challenges with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But that’s exactly how the 56-year-old Army Veteran found his path to healing. For nearly three…
500 volunteers, one mission: Rebuilding for those who served
Restoring more than a building More than 500 volunteers gathered March 31 to renovate the Veterans Resource Center in Dallas, improving a facility that provides essential services to homeless and at-risk Veterans in North Texas. A collaborative effort for lasting change The large-scale renovation project was led by the VA North Texas Health Care System…
From homelessness to Employee of the Year
One Veteran’s powerful journey of perseverance over homelessness For Linton Daniels, military service is a family legacy. A fourth-generation Marine, he served four years honoring the belief that serving your country is a fundamental responsibility. During his service, Daniels’ perseverance got him through the toughest circumstances while always looking out for the person next to…
Rural community profile: Revisiting Fort Meade, South Dakota
With almost a quarter of all Veterans in the United States residing in rural communities, ensuring that they receive quality healthcare close to home is more important than ever. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) actively works to meet these Veterans in their own communities and promotes opportunities for them to live happy and healthy lives. Let’s explore Fort Meade, South Dakota, a historic…
Honoring a hero at McAllen VA Clinic
Honoring a remarkable life of service The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS) honored 102-year-old World War II hero Veteran Clarence Hicks at the McAllen VA Clinic in March. Distinguished service in World War II Hicks served as a Navy pilot during World War II, piloting the Lockheed P2V Neptune—a maritime patrol…