Category: VA

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a condition where kidney damage occurs slowly over many years, is the quickest-growing noncontagious disease in the U.S. CKD rates are higher among Veterans than the general population. The percentage of Veterans with kidney disease is about 34% higher than the general population and cases often go unnoticed as the disease…

Jesse Brown VA’s Women’s Health program orchestrated a celebration like no other through “Fabulous in Fatigues.” Amidst laughter and shared stories, the event wasn’t just about honoring women Veterans’ service. It was a testament of camaraderie, resilience and unwavering strength. The goal was to ensure women Veterans felt seen, respected and celebrated. VA teams also…

As president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld is the face and voice of the nation’s largest association of doctors and medical students. He’s also a Navy Veteran who relies on Milwaukee VA for his health care. He just turned 45 and, on March 29, he did what we should all do at…

If you are an eligible American Indian/Alaska Native Veteran, effective Jan. 5, 2022, you no longer have to make copayments for health care and urgent care received through VA. You can also get reimbursed for copayments paid on or after Jan. 5, 2022. So far, more than 4,000 Native Veterans have been approved for this…

At VA, Whole Health means supporting your health and well-being by focusing on what matters to you rather than what’s the matter with you. VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) knows that “what matters” will be different for each of the 1,000,000+ Veterans who have joined MVP, which is why the program encourages Veterans from all…

With recent updates to our Equity Action Plan, VA is continuing to improve outcomes and eliminate disparities in Veteran benefits and health care. That includes increasing access to VA services for historically underserved Veteran communities. “It’s our job to provide every Veteran with the world-class care and benefits they deserve, no matter who they are, what they…

The idea of having a conversation about suicide can fill people with dread. It’s not just because talking about suicide can feel uncomfortable. It’s also because many people feel like only mental health professionals can speak about such a complex and sensitive subject. Many people don’t feel like they’re “qualified” to help someone having thoughts…

There is one thing every homeless Veteran has in common: the experience of trauma. Sensitive to the fact that homelessness itself is traumatizing, a unique program at Boston VA is using the foundation of trauma-informed care to better assist Veterans experiencing homelessness. We invited three guests from Boston VA to the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast…

Our breath is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (also known as the involuntary nervous system), so we don’t ever have to think about the act of breathing. Like digestion, heart rhythm and other functions, our brain just does it for us! However, when we do take the time to notice, we can use our…

At VA, a career of dedication to serving our nation’s heroes is a daily commitment. The story of one woman’s journey from enlisted ranks to commissioned officer symbolizes an indomitable spirit and steadfast devotion to duty. 1st Lt. Nicole Jacocks is a beacon of inspiration for women and service members alike. Jacocks and Major Samantha…

Partnering with a local community church, Southeast Louisiana VA hosted a Veterans Info & Benefits Fair in New Orleans East. Nearly 200 people registered for the event. VA experts answered Veterans’ questions on a wide range of topics including VA eligibility and enrollment, scheduling an appointment with a benefits counselor, claim assistance, suicide prevention and…

VA was one of the first U.S. health care systems to offer virtual and telehealth services for patients. Now, after more than two decades, VA is one of the largest telehealth providers in the nation. The Journal of General Internal Medicine, in collaboration with VA Health Systems Research, has published a special issue that highlights…