Category: VA

VA has new breast cancer screening recommendations for women Veterans. Here’s what you need to know.  VA now recommends starting screening for breast cancer with mammography or X-rays of the breasts at age 40. This is a change from VA’s previous recommendation to start screening at age 45. The newest science shows that more lives…

Did you know 10% of participants in VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) are women? To honor them—and all women who served—we’re taking a look at the background of Women’s History Month. Women have participated in every major military action throughout American history. From unofficial or secret roles in the American Revolution to widespread nursing positions…

March is National Kidney Month and today is World Kidney Day, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and how to maintain it. This year’s theme is: “Are your kidneys okay? Detect early, protect kidney health!” Kidney disease is a serious issue for Veterans More than 1.4 million Veterans enrolled…

Life stories can unfold at a lot of different speeds. Sometimes, when a Veteran agrees to be interviewed for the “My Life, My Story” project, they lay out the details of their life in a leisurely, chronological way. At the end of an hour or so, the accumulation of years and relationships and jobs all…

Nearly 25% of Veterans who receive VA care have diabetes, more than double the rate found in the general population. Veterans are at higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes due to service-related chronic pain, joint damage and exposure to herbicides, such as Agent Orange. The disease is the leading cause of blindness, end-stage kidney disease…

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. Veteran artist Kevin Basl and I met while working together to design art programs to support Veterans and service members recovering at Walter Reed National Military…

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Illinois Army National Guard Veteran and former tank mechanic Zuby Onwuta has dedicated his post-military career to improving access and opportunities for people with disabilities. Onwuta, a native of Nigeria, joined the Army to…

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. We’ve curated an assortment of events that aim to assist, educate, and enrich Veterans and their families. Each week, we’ll continue to post relevant and timely…

VA and the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) invites cities, towns and non-profit groups across the country to join us in showing appreciation for Veterans by applying to hold VA-recognized regional Veterans Day observances. In 2024, 56 communities across 29 states and the District of Columbia hosted VA-recognized Veterans Day observances to pay tribute to…

Pacific Islands VA has a retirement and rehabilitation in-patient living space called the Community Living Center. This area takes up part of the Center for Aging building in Honolulu. Resident Counsel President Jesse Sotelo has spearheaded a project to turn some of the land into a community garden. “It’s nice because we have some lilikoi…

Army Veteran Candace Decker describes herself as “being in a very dark place” before she connected with Pacific Islands VA. She had experienced military sexual trauma while she was active duty and even after she left the Army she continued to have night terrors and other issues. At first she didn’t think VA had programs that…

Heather Ann Wilson was born in December 1960. She came from a military family: her grandfather, George G. “Scotty” Wilson, served in the Royal Air Force during World War I. He then immigrated to the United States and served as a courier pilot during World War II. He was one of the founding members of…