When embarking on the journey to homeownership, don’t forget to focus on the most important step—ensuring you can secure the best loan. Not doing so could cost you money or even the ability to purchase your dream home. To navigate the complex process of applying for a home loan, you need to be informed and…

Dec. 6-12 is National Influenza Vaccination Week, an annual observance that reminds everyone that there’s still time to get a flu shot. Flu season runs from October to May, and it typically peaks between December and February. Each year in the U.S., millions of people get the flu, which can lead to hospitalization and even…

The holidays are upon us and VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers resources to help caregivers manage and enjoy the magical season. The “Caregiving Through the Holidays Guide” provides caregivers 24/7 access to budgeting, emotional wellness and self-care tips.   “The Caregiver Support Program is committed to supporting the whole caregiver and helping them every…

Health care engineers are one of several types of engineers we employ at VA, but don’t be confused by the title. Many applicants are often surprised when they find out we need engineers, thinking that the role is geared toward more specialized services in the biomedical engineering field. At VA, our health care engineers design,…

I’ve found that many Veterans have a hard time reaching out for help when they’re going through tough times. Your military training taught you to put others and the mission above yourself. When you add this to the fact that talking about suicide isn’t a comfortable or “normal” topic, it’s no wonder some Veterans feel…

Around 10 years ago, Vietnam Veteran Eugene Volek was at a restaurant eating with a group of friends when he had trouble swallowing his food. Choking, he ran to the bathroom. “All of a sudden, I couldn’t swallow,” said Volek, who served in Vietnam in 1966. “From there on, it started more and more. I…

In this episode of the PTSD Bytes podcast, host Dr. Colleen Becket-Davenport discusses the relationship between social media and mental health with Dr. Matthew Price, a George Albee Green and Gold professor of Psychological Science and director of the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Vermont . Social media vs. traditional news Anyone…

World War II Army Private First Class Clinton E. Smith, Jr., from Corpus Christi, Texas, was finally laid to rest after his remains were identified after almost 80 years. The soldier’s service held Nov. 27 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery included full military honors and a caisson. During the Battle of Reipertswiller in France,…

At Bay Pines VA, delivering positive health care outcomes is just one part of serving Veterans. Another crucial aspect of serving those who’ve served is ensuring that the trust they’ve placed in us remains untarnished. Christina Flint-Lowe works continuously to ensure Veterans and their loved ones know that at VA they are safe. “What I…

The following is an opinion post from Ken Falke and does not represent the views or an endorsement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Falke is a 21-year Veteran of the U.S. Navy Special Operations Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community and retired master chief petty officer. He founded the Boulder Crest Foundation and is co-author…

Veterans face unique challenges when returning home and transitioning back to civilian life, and our mental health professionals spend every day empowering Veterans to take charge of their well-being. “VA recognizes that mental health should always be a top priority,” explained Mike Owens, a national recruiter and host of our Talk About It Tuesday weekly…

Each year on Dec. 1, VA marks World AIDS Day by joining with people around the world to show support for those living with HIV and to remember those we’ve lost due to AIDS-related illnesses. This year marks the 35th commemoration of World AIDS Day, with its theme “Remember and Commit” aligning closely with the…