If you deployed in the past 20 years, your exposure to smoke from burning trash, dust and other fine particulates might qualify you for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. In 2021, the VA established presumptive service connection for certain respiratory illnesses, giving more service members access to VA benefits without having to prove their health conditions […]
How VA Health Care Works with Other Health Insurance
The Veterans Health Administration offers first-class health care to eligible veterans. Enrollment in VA health care fulfills the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage requirement, so there is no need for an add-on insurance plan. While the VA is at the core of health care for veterans – including veterans with disabilities or low income – […]
How a U.S. Government Debt Default Impacts Military Members and Veterans
On Oct. 7, the United States Senate agreed to extend the federal debt limit through the end of December, averting an unprecedented debt default. The debt ceiling is an obligatory borrowing limit self-imposed by the U.S. government. In the past, it has been either raised or postponed to prevent the U.S. from defaulting on its […]
IRIS and The GI Bill Help Portal To Be Replaced By Ask VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs is making it easier for veterans to ask questions and get answers, according to a Sept. 20 announcement on the VA’s website. But that means two familiar portals, the Information Routing and Inquiry Service (IRIS) and the G.I. Bill Help Portal, are going away. The new service, Ask VA, goes live […]
VA opens eligibility for veteran benefits to service members discharged under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday that it would open eligibility for all VA benefits to veterans discharged for their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The Clinton administration enacted the policy on Dec. 21, 1993. It remained in effect for nearly 18 years until its […]
