Veterans Affairs News 
Top News
- IRS to pay $70M in bonuses, Grassley says
- Small companies won't feel effect of lowered contractor pay cap
- Senators push Tangherlini for assurances GSA is improving
- As VA works to eliminate one backlog, one more might emerge
- BRAC-like commission proposed to hunt down government cost savings
- Sequestration claims another conference: DHS's GFirst cyber event
- Postal Service closing Capitol Hill post offices in 'symbolic' move
- Senators seek cost cuts for F-35 fighter jet
- Fed pens new furlough song
- Web guru Dorris brings new life to government websites
- EPA CIO Jackson returning to private sector
- Navy strikes enterprise licensing deal with Oracle
- Contractors with security clearances lack path to report problems
- NSA leak case gives vendors reason to reevaluate personnel
- 8 contract executives guilty of 8(a) contracting fraud
- Whistleblower suit leads to $12M false claims settlement by SAIC
As VA works to eliminate one backlog, one more might emerge
Under intense congressional and media pressure, VA has moved aggressively to eliminate its backlog of new claims for disability benefits. But veterans who appeal VA's decisions are still waiting years, on average.
House lawmakers press VA for more details, assurances after cyber attacks
House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) and ranking member Michael Michaud (D-Maine) sent Secretary Eric Shinseki a letter asking for an explanation on why VA didn't tell the committee about multiple nation state attacks. The lawmakers call for VA to offer credit monitoring services to tens of millions of veterans.
Lawmakers, IG expose further vulnerabilities in VA's cybersecurity
The Veterans Affairs Department has been compromised by at least eight different nation state organizations that stole data from its systems, House lawmakers and other experts say. VA officials say there always are risks, but their computer security is better than ever before.
House passes budget bill boosting vets' programs
The House on Tuesday passed the first of 12 spending bills for the budget year beginning Oct. 1, a popular measure providing more money for veterans' programs like health care.
Official describes rampant computer hacking at VA
Jerry Davis, who served as the VA's chief information security officer until February 2013, testified at a House subcommittee hearing that the VA became aware of the computer hacking in March 2010 and that attacks continue "to this very day."
Todd Grams to return to IRS as chief of staff
Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel requested Grams come back to the IRS for a third stint and leave his current role as the executive-in-charge in the Office of Management and chief financial officer at the Veterans Affairs Department.
VA's security shortcuts put millions of veterans' data at risk, former VA cyber official alleges
The Veterans Affairs Department denies claims that systems or data are in danger. But Jerry Davis, the former deputy assistant secretary for information security in VA's Office of Information and Technology, asserts in documents that he was bullied into signing security certifications that were deficient as a condition of his departure from VA for a new job at NASA.
GSA's Turco moving to VHA
Kathleen Turco is leaving GSA after 11 years, including the last three as the associate administrator of governmentwide policy. She will become the CFO at the Veterans Health Administration.
Obama to nation: Don't take US troops for granted
Obama urges nation 'to always remember and to be worthy of the sacrifice' of its fallen heroes
Obama: Nation must do more for military heroes
Obama: Americans must do more than just remember nation's fallen heroes on Memorial Day
Deaths at Atlanta VA hospital prompt scrutiny
Deaths at Atlanta VA hospital spark outrage, congressional scrutiny and proposed legislation
VA chipping away at oldest disability claims in backlog
All veterans who have waited two years or more for a decision will have their cases decided by next month, the Department of Veterans Affairs told Congress. Half of the Veterans Benefits Administration's oldest cases already have been removed from the backlog.
DoD chooses interoperability over integration for new e-health record system
Frank Kendall says many different factors played into the Pentagon's decision to go with a competitive bidding process to develop its integrated electronic health record system, instead of adopting VA's VistA program. He said DoD wants to ensure its system is interoperable not just with VA hospitals but with civilian health facilities as well. In addition, Kendall cited cultural differences between the two large agencies.
DoD to pursue commercial alternative to VA's VistA
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has decided to turn to the commercial marketplace for an integrated electronic health records solution rather than adopting VA' Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture. He cited market research that showed turning to the competitive process would generate reduced cost and technical risk for DoD.
SBA starting new lending program for veterans
The Small Business Administration announced Tuesday it has lined up pledges from more than 120 banks to increase lending to veterans.
AP IMPACT: Military sex abuse victims seek VA help
AP IMPACT: Thousands of military sex abuse victims seek VA health care, disability benefits
Helping veterans find jobs
Derrick Dortch will host a roundtable discussion of new programs and initiatives designed to help veterans find jobs or start their own businesses.
May 17, 2013
Vollman follows career of patient care and leadership
David Vollman, staff ophthalmologist at the Veterans Health Administration in St. Louis, Mo., is a finalist for the 2013 Call to Service Medal.
VA's Gould moves the needle on many of VA's toughest challenges
Scott Gould's last day as the deputy secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department is today. In four years, Gould said he believes VA is a better place and does more to help veterans. He said the claims backlog is unacceptable, but the agency is making progress.
Panel votes to ban bonuses at Veterans Affairs
Members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs voted Wednesday to place a five-year moratorium on bonuses to senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
