United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

News Releases  (12/15/2008 - 01/14/09)

 VA-NIH Study Offers Hope for Parkinson’s Patients - Electrical stimulation of the brain -- a treatment in which a pacemaker-like device sends pulses to electrodes implanted in the brain -- is riskier than drug therapy but may hold significant benefits for those with Parkinson’s disease who no longer respond well to medication alone. (1/13/09)

 VA, DOT, DOD Steer Vets toward Safe Driving - With motor vehicle crashes being a leading cause of deaths among combat veterans during the first years after their return home, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense are working together to reduce these accidents. (1/12/09)

 VA To Lease Space for New Clinic at Harlingen, Texas - To provide 21st century health care to South Texas veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that the firm of Boyer Harlingen L.C. will construct a new 120,000-square-foot health care center in Harlingen, which VA will lease for a minimum of 20 years. (1/12/09)

 VA Announces $22 Million for Rural Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs has provided $21.7 million to its regional health care systems to improve services specifically designed for veterans in rural areas. “This special allocation is the latest down payment on VA’s commitment to meet the needs of veterans living in rural areas,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “VA will take to our rural veterans the health care services they have earned.” (1/9/09)

 VA Salutes Ross Perot - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake presented business leader and veterans’ advocate Ross Perot a special award Jan. 7 for embodying “the very spirit of America” in his selfless support of veterans and the military. (1/8/09)

 VA To Offer Health Care to Previously Ineligible Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits.  (1/8/09)

 VA Launches Partnership for NGO Outreach - The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a new partnership to help non-government organizations (NGOs) plan, improve and carry out their own programs on behalf of veterans, their families and their survivors. (1/7/09)

 VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs - For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost. (1/6/09)

 VA Data Show Home Health Technology Improves Access to Care - Veterans with chronic conditions can manage their health and avoid hospitalization by using special technology provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs in their homes, according to a recent study.  (1/5/09)

VA Providing Florida Veterans with Disability Verification Letters for First Time - The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it has sent out disability verification letters for the first time to more than 265,000 Florida veterans and surviving spouses who may be eligible for state or local tax exemptions. (12/31/08)

VA Awards $3.5 Million for Bakersfield National Cemetery - The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded more than $2.8 million to a Jamestown, Calif., contractor to develop the first phase of the Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin, Calif. (12/31/08)

VA Ramps Up Job Search for Injured Vets - Thirty percent of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are veterans – the second highest ranking among cabinet departments after the Department of Defense -- and nearly 8 percent of VA employees are service-connected disabled veterans. But the VA intends to increase the number of disabled veterans who obtain employment in its workforce. (12/30/08)

Some Veterans to See Another Travel Reimbursement Increase - Service-disabled and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities will see an increase in their payments beginning January 9. (12/29/08)

Nearly 11,000 Survivors to Receive Retroactive Payments by New Years - The Department of Veterans Affairs has identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the New Year to correct an error in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who had been previously paid. VA officials are still tracking down eligible survivors. (12/24/08)

New Members Appointed to Committee on Women Veterans - Four new members have been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs affecting women veterans. (12/23/08)

VA to Provide Payments to Eligible Surviving Spouses - The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced immediate actions to quickly identify and pay surviving spouses who are eligible to receive a one-time compensation or pension payment for the month of the veteran’s death.  (12/18/08)

VA Awards $75.8 Million for Hospital Modernization - The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a $75.8 million contract to P.J. Dick Inc. for the construction of a major five-story building that will provide outpatient services and 78 secure, private psychiatric beds for the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System.  (12/18/08)

VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits - Every month, 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or educational assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits. (12/15/08)

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