Category: VA

For more than 80 years later, Lee O. McKinnon has been telling the story of the North Africa invasion in 1942, when the then-17-year-old Navy steward stood on the deck of USS Calvert as war exploded around him. “All of a sudden, the firecrackers began. Submarines were hitting those ships—men screaming, fire, burning…” On July…

A new buzz is in the air at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, thanks to an 8-week beekeeping course for Veterans in the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System’s Whole Health program. The course, launched earlier this summer, is a partnership between VA’s Innovations and Whole Health teams, the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Youth Bee Works, a…

For almost nine years, Ryan Flynn served in the Army as a military police officer. Service was his calling, but life after the uniform brought a new kind of battle: severe PTSD. Today, Flynn has found a surprising source of calm: driving the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center’s new golf cart. As a volunteer…

The radiation oncology team at VA plays a pivotal role in diagnosing and treating over 56,000 Veterans annually. VA’s radiation oncology professionals are at the forefront of mission-critical care—providing life-changing treatment and bridging compassionate care with cutting-edge technology. VA boasts 41 dedicated radiation oncology services, which are all accredited by an external radiation oncology-specific accreditation…

VA’s whole health approach to care connects patients with other services and helps with physical, psychological, social, and economic factors that impact wellbeing.  A new research study by the Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research (CCDOR) finds that complementary and integrative health therapies delivered through VA and through community care both offer potentially effective…

Facilities across VA offer a range of effective, evidence-based PTSD treatments helping Veterans rediscover hope, rebuild relationships and reclaim their lives. “PTSD happens when the natural recovery process after trauma gets blocked—usually through avoidance,” explained Dr. Laura Meyers, program coordinator for the Trauma Recovery Team at the Orlando VA. “For many, the trauma feels like it’s…

In today’s fast paced world, and with so much information coming so quickly from the news and social media, it’s important for us to take a moment to pause and reflect. Just moving through the day-to-day can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to create space for stillness. Mindful movement and meditative practices can…

A text from someone just to check in. A call from a loved one who noticed you moved your firearm. A conversation with new friends who understand your experience. These small moments of connection are at the heart of suicide prevention and can add up to make a big impact. This year, VA is launching…

If you’re the spouse, widow(er) or child of an eligible Veteran and receive Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA) benefits, filing your claims online is the fastest and easiest way to go. With just a few clicks, you can submit everything securely. Before you file: a quick checklist If your provider doesn’t file…

Marine Corps Veteran Keith Cody was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and just a few months later, he walked out of VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) and caught a flight home to California after receiving a new bloodless autologous stem cell transplant. “I already feel much better. They’ve told me I still…

As you age or experience illnesses that impact your daily routines, you may need additional care, and VA is fully equipped to meet your needs wherever you are in your health journey. VA provides a variety of services and support to aging and disabled Veterans. Partnering with community providers, VA helps to ensure that Veterans…

With rising food costs, your grocery budget might not stretch as far as it used to. You might skip meals, lack access to fresh food or need financial help. According to the USDA, Veterans are 7.4% more likely than non-Veterans to face food insecurity. Hunger is linked to health issues Food insecurity isn’t just about…