Category: VA

Army Veteran Albert Flores Tristan was born in Dallas, Texas, in March 1949. Initially hailing from Mexico, Tristan immigrated to the United States at the age of six in 1955. After completing his education at North Dallas High School in 1968, he remained in Texas until his enlistment during the Vietnam War in September 1969.…

Veterans who receive higher compensation with Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Purple Heart recipients, Veterans receiving income-based pension or survivors’ pension, and those receiving specially adapted housing (SAH) benefits are frequently targeted by bad actors. The increased financial compensation associated with SMC benefits and the visibility of Purple Heart recipients can attract scammers looking to exploit…

When was the last time you played with a ball? (Other than a stress ball.) Doing yoga on an exercise ball will probably reduce your stress much more than that worn out stress ball! According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “There are many benefits of yoga. Studies have suggested possible benefits of…

The mountain slopes of the Winter Sports Clinic can’t fix everything, but for a week, it helped Veterans with disabilities remember that pushing boundaries—and not their limitations—is what defines them. Facing limits, pushing beyond U.S. Army Veteran Jorge Decastro-Cordeiro, pictured above, looked up from the slopes of Snowmass and said, “I call this a mountain…

Volunteering your time and dedication can make a lasting difference in the lives of those who have served our nation. It creates meaningful change, fosters connections and contributes to the well-being of those in need. Make a pledge to serve during National Volunteer Week April 20-26, 2025, and join VA in supporting a National Day…

When Army Veteran Bob Atnip met Indianapolis VAMC Whole Health coach Angie Hardage, he didn’t really believe his life could improve. Reeling from a divorce and suffering with severe back pain, Atnip was rarely leaving home and barely moving. His health declined while his weight climbed to 430 pounds. Disillusioned, he sold his trike motorcycle,…

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…

James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital (JAHVH) Chief of Innovation Dr. Indra Sandal was awarded the Federal Excellence in Healthcare Management Award as part of the 29th annual Joint Federal Sector Awards. Announced at the American College of Healthcare Executive (ACHE) 2025 Congress in Houston, TX, from March 23-28, the award highlights federal health care leaders…

Pregnant women Veterans: Every VA facility has a maternity care coordinator ready to support you, provide health screenings and ensure you have access to needed education, resources, and supplies throughout your pregnancy and the year afterward. Maternity care coordinators understand the unique needs of women Veterans. Having one at your side means you’ve got an…

For many Americans, having access to enough fresh fruits and vegetables to meet the USDA’s recommendation to fill half your plate can be difficult due to distance to grocery stores or lack of transportation. Growing your own plants can provide a wallet-friendly option without needing to leave home. Consider starting a container garden even if…

Rodney V. “Rocky” Sickmann was born in July 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri. He joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Washington High School in 1976, and served in both the Second and Third Marine Division at Okinawa and Camp Lejeune, respectively. Sickmann then received an assignment after completing Marine Security Guard School. Sickmann was…

To provide fast, tailored and reliable support for the Veterans who call VA contact centers, as well as slash costs associated with older, legacy platforms, the VA Office of Information and Technology is transforming Veteran support by migrating VA contact centers to a new cloud platform.   Deploying solutions at the speed of need   The Women…