Category: VA

Eyeglasses are an essential service for eligible Veterans, as vision impairment can lead to mental health concerns, falls and need for social care. VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services is committed to providing all eligible Veterans with eyeglasses and, in 2023, provided nearly two million pairs of eyeglasses to Veterans. Eye care is one of…

With more than 1.3 million Veterans impacted by some loss of hearing, VA is focused intently on changing the way hearing health care services are provided through an effort to bring licensed hearing instrument specialists to every VA facility. Working as a hearing instrument specialist, you’ll partner with Veterans on their journey back to better…

As the nation honors its Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action on Sept. 15, South Texas reflects on one of its own who continued to serve other Veterans once he returned home. Tillman Rutledge enlisted in the Army to go overseas during World War II and fight for his country. He was 17.…

Transitioning from military to civilian life was “a downhill spiral” for Army Veteran Gregory Saunders. Departing from his camouflage uniform, combat boots and the security of a military base to the new reality of calling a car as his home led him to a dark place. In the midst of nightmares and physical pain, he…

LaSalle R. Vaughn was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Nov. 5, 1923, as one of five children to Roger and Lizzette Vaughn. He went to school in Baton Rouge and, after Franklin Roosevelt established a Presidential Directive permitting Black Americans the opportunity to serve in the Marine Corps, enlisted in 1943. Instead of being…

Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1958, Christine Tron grew up loving her father’s stories of his Army service in the Philippines. At 18, Tron joined the Army when it was the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1977, completing one of the last cycles of basic combat training before women began serving in the regular Army…

On Sept. 14, 2023, VA marks the 100th anniversary of providing health care services to women Veterans. While women have served in nearly all of America’s wars, it wasn’t until after World War I that women Veterans were granted access to government health care.   Hospitalization and medical care for women who served as Army or…

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), essentially the same disease, are the most common adult form of leukemia. Over 13,000 Veterans have this diagnosis, which is associated with the toxic exposures included in the PACT ACT.  Here is one Veteran’s experience at Minneapolis VA as told to me, a VA physician, geriatrics educator and…

You already know that VA offers a number of employment benefits that make us an excellent place to work (so good, in fact, we’re one of the top five Best Places to Work in the Federal Government). With things like extensive paid leave, federal health insurance programs and an unmatched retirement system, we’ll set you…

American Corporate Partners (ACP) connects post-9/11 Veterans with corporate professionals for customized career guidance. Veterans find meaningful employment outcomes, whether a higher-paying job or a promotion. The average starting annual salary for Veterans who use ACP is $93,000. The program helps Veterans find great jobs the first time. ACP is a national non-profit organization dedicated…

The idea of slowing down amidst a busy schedule can feel overwhelming. However, sometimes during all the busy-ness, slowing down and taking time for ourselves to take stock on how we are doing can be beneficial. One way of slowing down can actually be through movement, especially slower mindful movement practices. Moving the body can…

Dr. Shakaib Rehman, associate chief of staff for education at Phoenix VA, was recognized with the Dr. Karen M. Sanders Designated Education Officer (DEO) of the Year Award at VA’s DEO Conference in Chicago. Rehman is an exceptional champion for health professions education within and outside of VA, known for strengthening VA’s relationships with the…