Veterans

News that informs military veterans on topics such as benefits, healthcare and Tricare, transition assistance and more.

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump storm the Capitol in Washington.

Army veteran sentenced to 7 years in prison on Capitol riot charges

Thomas Robertson will get credit for the 13 months he has already spent in custody.

8 hours ago

Reflecting on burn pits after the passage of the PACT Act

Kelly Kennedy, War Horse managing editor, was the first reporter to cover burn pits and the resulting illnesses in service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

12 hours ago

President Biden sits at desk smiling and holding PACT Act bill he just signed as he is surrounded by smiling advocates, veterans and their families looking down at him.

Veterans

Biden signs burn pit exposure health bill into law

Biden called the PACT Act one of the most important changes to veteran support policies in decades.

Burn pits recognition for veterans took decade of struggle

President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign the bill boosting health and disability benefits for veterans into law on Wednesday.

2 days ago

Police bodycam of homeless Army vet’s controversial arrest released

An attorney assisting the veteran hopes the release of the bodycam will push Gastonia police to take accountability for the incident.

3 days ago

Army Pfc. David N. Owens, 27, of Green Hills, North Carolina was killed during World War II while battling German forces in a forest.

Remains of WWII soldier identified as North Carolina man

Army Pfc. David Owens will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

4 days ago

Veterans unemployment under 3% for the fifth consecutive month

The news represents the best streak of veterans employment data in 22 years.

7 days ago

Now that PACT Act has passed, how soon will veterans see their benefits?

Some portions of the sweeping veterans policy measure will go into effect as soon as it becomes law. Others will take years.

8 days ago

An airman tosses unserviceable uniform items into the Joint Base Balad, Iraq, burn pit in this March 2008 file photo from the U.S. Air Force.

What are military burn pits? And why are veterans worried about them?

The fires used in combat zones to dispose of waste may have caused serious illnesses in hundreds of thousands of U.S. service members.

9 days ago

Millions of vets suffering from burn pit, toxic injuries set for more benefits after Congress passes PACT Act

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the sweeping plan into law in coming days.

9 days ago

McDonough sidesteps calls for VA to provide abortion services at medical centers

Twenty-five senators have called for VA to provide access to abortions in light of growing state opposition to the procedure.

11 days ago

Veteran honored for once-secret role in WWII ‘Ghost Army’

The “Ghost Army” formed in 1944 with a key job: deceive the German military as to the whereabouts of Army divisions.

12 days ago

Navajo Code Talker Samuel Sandoval dies

Hundreds of Navajos were recruited from the vast Navajo Nation to serve as Code Talkers with the U.S. Marine Corps. Only three are still alive today.

12 days ago

Burn pits benefits bill concerns aren’t new, hinge on budget moves

Republicans have accused Democrats of making new changes to complicate the sweeping veterans policy measure, but the budget issues they cite have been in the bill for months.

12 days ago

Coast Guard veteran held without bail in ID theft mystery

Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife have been charged with stealing identities of two dead children.

12 days ago

American veterans captured in Ukraine sent to prison, family says

Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh are believed to be the first Americans captured while fighting against Russian forces.

12 days ago

Vets are protesting outside Capitol to push for new toxic exposure bill

The move comes after Senate Republicans blocked the legislation earlier this week.

13 days ago

Plans for $300 billion VA budget on track after senators back big spending boost

But when the plan could be voted on by Congress remains unclear.

14 days ago

Angry veterans advocates scramble to save toxic exposure bill after surprise setback

"We just want to know why veterans are getting screwed.”

2 weeks ago

New benefits for burn pit victims in limbo after Senate Republicans block plan

The measure was expected to be passed this week, but now faces an uncertain future.

2 weeks ago

Coast Guard veteran, wife charged with stealing IDs of dead kids

Federal prosecutors said old photos show the couple wearing uniforms of the KGB, the former Russian spy agency.

2 weeks ago

Son of Black Marine to receive father’s military service medal

James “Jimmy” Cook Jr., an Army veteran, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of his father, who was one of the Montford Point Marines.

2 weeks ago

VA’s $16 billion health records overhaul may be scrapped if fixes aren’t made

Reports of patient harm and cost overruns have threatened to derail the 10-year effort.

2 weeks ago

102-year-old WWII veteran from segregated mail unit honored

Romay Davis is being honored for her service with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which got mail to U.S. troops in Europe during the war.

2 weeks ago

Army veteran who faked blindness for nearly $1M is going to prison

Despite his claims of being visually impaired, John Paul Cook purchased more than 30 vehicles that he routinely drove.

2 weeks ago

Marine veteran recognized for decades of smooth flying

Al Depto began his career as an aircraft mechanic and was presented with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in June.

2 weeks ago

Expansion of VA caregiver program to all eras of service remains set for October

But the timeline for other fixes to the program is uncertain.

3 weeks ago

This week in Congress: Lawmakers look for more ways to help Ukraine

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week oh July 25, 2022.

3 weeks ago