Category: VA

For many Veterans, the transition to civilian life can be filled with challenges, especially when traditional therapies fall short. Tara Pipia, a Veteran of the Army National Guard, found herself in such a predicament. Despite trying various treatments like exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy, nothing seemed to alleviate her symptoms of PTSD. That…

Be a hero in your community With the new year, you and your loved ones can make a difference by pledging to donate blood. It’s a simple act that saves lives. VA supports blood drives nationwide. Donating blood is a simple yet essential act that helps save lives, and VA is once again supporting blood…

Veterans bring unmatched experience, leadership and dedication to the workforce. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proud to be one of the largest employers of Veterans in the nation, offering meaningful careers that allow former service members to continue their mission in a new way, as well as finding support in getting started on…

Know your numbers for heart health February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on heart health. Heart disease and stroke affects women of all ages, and it remain the leading causes of death for women in the United States. Heart disease risk can change during certain life stages for women. For example, if…

Big or small can lead to positive growth     Recognizing the stigma that often surrounds substance use and mental health, VA is committed to removing barriers so that every Veteran who seeks help has access to a wide range of evidence-based services. These include harm reduction strategies, medications for addiction treatment and other proven approaches tailored to…

As a Veteran or service member, your VA home loan is one of the most powerful benefits you’ve earned. If you have a VA home loan, you have probably received unsolicited offers to refinance your mortgage that may sound too good to be true. Many of these solicitations claim: Skipped mortgage payments. Escrow refunds. Extremely low interest…

Some stories don’t just show us what service looks like, they show us what endurance looks like, too. Take this month’s “From Uniform to Unforgettable” spotlight, a celebration of the life and service of Marine Corps Veteran Benjamin Summers, Jr. Summers grew up in Philadelphia during World War II and remembered seeing Marines in his…

An Air Force Veteran prepares for a marathon in Greece while continuing his recovery from a spinal cord injury Air Force Veteran Auston Duncan is training for a marathon in Greece as he continues recovering from a spinal cord injury. He plans to dedicate the race to VA as a way of saying thank you.…

New research study uncovers gene for heart muscle disease Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States—and that it can often be prevented? At VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP), we’re using information from Veterans in our program to study the detection, prevention and treatment of heart disease.   New study uncovers…

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is leading the nation in transforming mental health care for America’s Veterans and we’re looking for passionate mental health care providers to join us on that journey. As patient needs continue to evolve, VA offers a unique environment where evidence-based care, cutting-edge research and innovative technologies come together to…

As a Health Coach, I know what is most important to clients by simply looking at their calendars. Appointments, kids’ activities, church functions—these all tell me what really matters in their lives. As we work together, they begin to add health and well-being goals to the schedule. Adding their goals to their calendars helps them…

Orlando VA program uses tabletop gaming to build connection Veterans across the VA Healthcare System are finding connection, creativity and emotional wellness through the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, an unexpected but powerful tool being used in a growing mental health initiative known as the Reimagining Veterans’ Emotions, Actions, and Life Skills (REVEAL) Program. On…