Category: VA

Simple movements of the body are refreshing and can remind it of all the ways it’s meant to move. If we have been sitting too long, or through a period of inactivity, you can use simple movements to reenergize your body and help it return to flexibility and ease. This video walks us through a…

VA makes another historic move to provide coverage for Parkinson’s disease as a neurobehavioral condition under its Camp Lejeune Family Member Program (CLFMP). Family members of Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. from Aug. 1, 1953, to Dec. 31, 1987, are now eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket health…

VA’s universal screening program indicates approximately one in three women and one in 50 men report experiencing military sexual trauma (MST). The National Institute of Health reports continued concerns about the persistence of MST and sexual orientation discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identities (LGBTQ+) service members. MST includes sexual harassment, sexual assault,…

Edward Hines Jr. VA’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Lab is the first choice for many area amputee Veterans. Just ask James Ritchie, pictured above. The 73-year-old Army Veteran is being fitted for a new robotic limb after losing the lower half of his left arm 51 years ago in an industrial accident. Ritchie is one of…

As we celebrate Veterans Day, it’s key to recognize and pay tribute to the countless women who have served in the U. S. Armed Forces. Women Veterans have made significant contributions throughout American history, often overcoming gender barriers and breaking new ground. Among these remarkable women is Donna-Mae Smith, the first woman bugler in the…

Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized an Armistice Day parade for that city on Nov. 11, 1947, to honor Veterans for their loyal service. Later, U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day, to honor all Veterans who have served America. In 1954, President Dwight…

Many Veterans are working to improve their health and well-being. For those wanting to make healthy lifestyle changes, VA’s TeleMOVE! program is ready to help Veterans manage their weight, eat wisely and be more physically active. TeleMOVE! care coordinators partner with Veterans to create personalized, monitored health and weight management plans. Navy Combat Veteran Reid…

For Veterans and transitioning military personnel, Veterans’ preference is a chance to be recognized for your military service in the application process. It’s a tool that you can use to support your application and earn your place serving alongside your fellow Veterans at VA. When an agency uses a category rating system, as VA does,…

Flu and COVID-19 viruses can change, and so do the vaccines. Updated vaccines protect you from more recent virus strains. It’s important to get the vaccines as soon as you can. Since it can take up to a couple of weeks for a vaccine to fully protect you, be sure to get both your flu…

Phoenix VA is a leader in its breast imaging program. Since 2014 Phoenix VA has gone through the American College of Radiation accreditation to become a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. “What that means is that every single mammography program out in the community has to be certified by the American College of Radiology to…

VA will host a Veterans Day Virtual Outreach Symposium Nov. 9. Prepare to connect, learn and pay tribute, all while gaining invaluable insight into resources that could change lives. Join us for this free event featuring presentations, resources and the opportunity to ask your questions live. The symposium will also provide information on benefits related…

Leaving the military and adapting to civilian life comes with more than its fair share of challenges. And one of the biggest challenges for Veterans is personal finances. A recent study from Blue Star Families reports that 82% of working-age Veterans say they stress about money. Between rising costs of living and the weight of…