Tag Archives: veterans affairs department

VA will not defend DOMA in benefits cases

The Veterans Affairs Department is following the Justice Department’s lead in refusing to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, according to a legal memo released by VA on Wednesday, a few hours after President Obama publicly announced his support for … Continue reading

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VA mental health hiring is flawed, critic says

A representative of a major mental health organization blasted the Veterans Affairs Department for failing to hire therapists whom he says could ease VA staffing shortages and eliminate prolonged waiting periods for veterans in need of care.

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VA underreported waits for mental health care

The Veterans Affairs Department inflated its success rates in providing timely services for vets needing mental health services, according to a VA Inspector General’s report released Monday.

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Automatic VA enrollment plan splits vets groups

A lawmaker’s proposal that war veterans should be automatically enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Department health system has divided veterans groups over concerns that the legislation would strain an already burdened system and estrange those who did not serve in … Continue reading

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Delayed GI Bill funds leave students scrambling

The Veterans Affairs Department says it has hit a “bump in the road” in processing GI Bill benefits claims. Affected student veterans are calling it missing rent money.

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Expert: U.S. health care must better serve vets

The Pentagon and Veterans Affairs Department have appropriate protocols for treating service members and veterans with mental health problems but the departments — and the health care system nationwide — must beef up programs so troops are guaranteed access now … Continue reading

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Investigation of VA mental health care sought

Leaders of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee have asked the Veterans Affairs Department inspector general to investigate alleged failings to provide timely mental health care appointments for former service members.

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Veteran-owned businesses face problems with VA

Lawmakers grilled Veterans Affairs Department officials Wednesday about why veteran-owned businesses ranked eighth in priority for government contracts despite laws and regulations that are supposed to put veterans first.

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Senators slam VA on mental health appointments

Concerned with continuing problems faced by veterans in obtaining timely mental health care appointments, senators plan to ask the Veterans Affairs Department’s Inspector General to examine the issue and requested that VA conduct a complete audit of the $5.7 billion … Continue reading

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Senators seek answers on VA mental health waits

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee wants to know why nearly a third of veterans seeking mental health care at Veterans Affairs Department facilities wait longer than 14 days — and in some cases, more than two months — for an … Continue reading

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