Veterans News - benefits, health, medical, Tricare, transition

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.

7 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.

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.

28 hours ago

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy enters a courtroom at Coos County Superior Court, in Lancaster, N.H., Monday, July 25, 2022, before a scheduled visit to the crash scene.

Veterans

Truck driver acquitted in deaths of 7 ‘Jarhead’ motorcyclists in 2019

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning the verdict.

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

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy raises his hand while departing a courtroom at Coos County Superior Court in Lancaster, N.H., Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Testimony ends in deadly Jarheads Motorcycle Club crash trial

Seven people riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, a motorcycle club that includes Marines and their spouses, were killed in the 2019 crash.

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.

2 days ago

Prosecution rests in deadly Jarheads Motorcycle Club crash trial

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy faces negligent homicide and other charges in connection with the June 2019 crash in Randolph, New Hampshire.

4 days ago

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy speaks with defense attorney Steve Mirkin at Coos County Superior Court, in Lancaster, N.H., Monday, July 25, 2022.

After Jarheads motorcycle crash, driver’s blood showed heroin-related substance

A forensic toxicologist testified that a substance made when the body breaks down heroin was present in Volodymyr Zhukovskyy’s blood just hours after the crash.

4 days ago

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy is seated with defense attorneys Jay Duguay and Steve Mirkin as an image from the scene of a 2019 crash is projected on a screen during Zhukovskyy's trial at Coos County Superior Court, in Lancaster, N.H., Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Witnesses testify in Jarheads Motorcycle Club crash trial

Seven people riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club in remote northern New Hampshire were killed in the 2019 crash.

4 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.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

10 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.

11 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.

11 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.

11 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.

11 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.

11 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.

12 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.

13 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

Marine vet’s prisoner swap needs to be quiet, Russia says

Washington offered Russia a deal that would bring home Marine veteran Paul Whelan and WNBA player Brittney Griner.

2 weeks ago

Nearly 9% boost for defense spending next year under new Senate plan

But Senate Republicans say the total still isn't enough to cover military needs.

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

Veterans

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

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.

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

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning the verdict.

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

Seven people riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, a motorcycle club that includes Marines and their spouses, were killed in the 2019 crash.

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

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy faces negligent homicide and other charges in connection with the June 2019 crash in Randolph, New Hampshire.

A forensic toxicologist testified that a substance made when the body breaks down heroin was present in Volodymyr Zhukovskyy’s blood just hours after the crash.

Seven people riding with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club in remote northern New Hampshire were killed in the 2019 crash.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Washington offered Russia a deal that would bring home Marine veteran Paul Whelan and WNBA player Brittney Griner.

But Senate Republicans say the total still isn't enough to cover military needs.

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

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

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.