Department of Veterans Affairs

Derion Blackman died from heart failure after his new health insurance plan, CHAMPVA, delayed approval of his post-transplant medications. The transition from his previous Federal Employees Health Benefits plan to CHAMPVA created bureaucratic hurdles that left him without critical drugs. The article highlights systemic issues in the U.S. healthcare system, including rising costs and fragmented coverage.

Vietnam veterans continue to battle health issues linked to Agent Orange exposure, with Art Gentry, a 77-year-old veteran, denied VA benefits due to his service at Subic Bay, which is not on the official presumptive exposure locations list. Despite prior approvals for similar claims, Gentry's case highlights the bureaucratic challenges veterans face in securing benefits for diseases like prostate cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

Vietnam veterans continue to fight for recognition of Agent Orange-related health issues, as seen in Art Gentry's denied VA benefits claim due to Subic Bay not being on the presumptive exposure list. The article highlights the bureaucratic challenges veterans face in proving exposure to the toxic herbicide.

A Marine veteran was convicted by a jury of threatening to kill the president-elect through documents filed at federal courthouses, which detailed methods to assassinate either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. His defense argued the filings were symbolic and not intended to be taken seriously, but prosecutors emphasized the criminal nature of the threats themselves.

Median down payments for homebuyers reached their lowest level in four years, dropping 19% year-over-year to $23,400 in Q1 2026. Mortgage rates declined from a year prior, and government-backed loans like FHA and VA accounted for a third of purchase mortgages, easing affordability pressures.

Scammers exploit veterans' personal and military data, including DD-214 forms, to commit fraud, resulting in $584 million in reported losses in 2024. Veterans face targeted scams leveraging publicly accessible records, with 27% of veterans experiencing financial fraud and 39% receiving fake VA solicitations.

Congressman Jeff Crank advocates for blockchain technology to enhance the efficiency of tracking military records for the Department of Veterans Affairs and Pentagon, aiming to reduce veterans' benefit wait times and streamline processes.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that the last surviving World War II veteran will pass away by 2037, marking the end of direct human connection to the war, the greatest calamity in human history.

A Texas congressional race faces controversy as a Trump-backed veteran, Carlos De La Cruz, is mocked in political ads over his 100% disability status ahead of Memorial Day. Veterans and advocates condemn the attack, calling it shameful, while the Lujan-aligned PAC claims De La Cruz's disability is insincere due to his kickboxing and carpentry work. Texas law allows 100% disabled veterans to receive property tax exemptions, which over 164,000 veterans in the state utilize.

The Trump administration is being sued by the Minority Veterans of America over a ban on abortion care and counseling at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of all members harmed by the ban, including a pregnant member with chronic medical conditions. The ban affects access to healthcare services for veterans.

The Trump administration reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, aiming to expand research and patient access. President Trump also signed an executive order to expedite psychedelic drug research, citing potential benefits for veterans with mental health issues.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' 2027 budget proposal allocates $500 million to renovate six buildings at its West Los Angeles campus but excludes funding for veteran housing mandated by President Trump's May executive order, leaving veterans confused.

A Louisiana father, Shamar Elkins, fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, and injured two women in a mass shooting in Shreveport. Elkins died after a police pursuit, and authorities reported no motive. He had a prior felony conviction for illegal gun use and served in the Louisiana National Guard.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) faces challenges in managing software licenses for its $985 million annual software expenditure, with a federal spending watchdog identifying issues in tracking licenses for top vendors. The VA is implementing systems to address restrictive licensing practices.

Democrats launched a $250,000 ad campaign targeting Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) over his support for the Iran war and cuts to veterans' care, amid concerns about rising gas prices. The ad criticizes Van Orden's backing of $200 billion in military funding while linking it to declining VA services and affordability crises during the midterms.