VA drops secondary review rule for community care medical appointments
Congress last year passed legislation designed to simplify the process for veterans seeking medical help outside the VA health care system.
Pentagon & Congress
Congressional appropriators criticize VA’s unapproved funding moves
Department leaders shifted about $340 million in budget savings to outside health care accounts without lawmakers' OK.
Federal budget plans still in limbo as Memorial Day approaches
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 19, 2025.
Vets disability claims backlog down to 200K cases, a post-pandemic low
The number of overdue disability claims rose to more than 400,000 cases after COVID-19 office closures and toxic exposure benefits expansion.
Trump’s vow of ‘substantial’ pay raise for troops counters budget plan
The White House spending plans call for a 3.8% pay boost next year, a smaller raise than troops saw in January.
VA errors in benefits payouts down, but still total more than $1.3B
Recurring errors in VA benefits processing amounted to hundreds of millions in losses for U.S. taxpayers in fiscal 2024.
Trial opens for Navy vet arrested near Obama’s DC home in 2023
Investigators found two guns, roughly 400 rounds of ammunition and a machete in Taylor Taranto’s van after he showed up near Obama’s home.
Sunken USS Yorktown leaves researchers ‘flabbergasted’ in latest dive
Eighty-three years after sinking during the Battle of Midway, the USS Yorktown is still revealing secrets.
Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms
The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard outline FY26 budget needs this week
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 12, 2025.
How a soldier’s relentless charge broke Japan’s line on Okinawa
The enemy positions that Pfc. Clarence Craft took out one by one added up to victory on Hen Hill.
Felon hid dead uncle in trash can to keep stealing his vets benefits
A Missouri man has been charged with fraud and theft for concealing the death of his veteran uncle to continue collecting his disability checks.
Europe marks 80th anniversary of World War II’s end
This V-E Day marks the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender to Allied forces.
VA’s online legacy project adds names of 210,000 vets lost overseas
The expansion of the veterans online memorial includes the names of almost 93,000 veterans killed overseas during World War II.
Trump proclaims Thursday as day for US to celebrate victory in WWII
Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday designating May 8, 2025, as a “day in celebration of Victory Day for World War II.” It is not a federal holiday.
Trump picks senior VA advisor to serve as top department watchdog
Cheryl Mason's shift from administration insider to department watchdog elicited concerns about her ability to be an independent voice on VA operations.
Collins, Dems spar over whether VA needs key fixes or full overhaul
Congressional fights over plans to cut tens of thousands of VA staffers hinge on lawmakers' views on just how dysfunctional the department is.
