Welcome to the Veteran’s Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• VA Inspector General finds 26,000 PACT Act claims were assigned incorrect start dates, leading to $6.8 million in overpayments and underpayments to 2,300 veterans.

• House Veterans Affairs Chairman Mike Bost supports plans to reduce the VA workforce by up to 80,000 while emphasizing oversight to maintain service quality.

• Mortgage industry group urges the VA to delay ending its foreclosure relief program, warning thousands of veterans may miss refinancing access without proper guidance.

• The VA is upgrading contact centers to a new cloud-based platform, which will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve support through AI-powered tools.

• New VA research highlights advances in heart failure prevention with magnesium, mental health therapy comparisons, and navigation tools designed to improve access to care.

• And more…

News of the Week

📰 Top Veteran Stories

VA Inspector General Finds PACT Act Claim Errors Led to Improper Payments

A Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report found that approximately 26,000 disability claims filed under the 2022 PACT Act were assigned incorrect effective dates, resulting in an estimated $6.8 million in overpayments and potential underpayments to more than 2,300 veterans. The investigation attributed the errors to the complexity of the new law and insufficient guidance and tools for claims processors.

The PACT Act, signed into law in August 2022, expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service. Over 2.4 million claims were filed in its first year, with $5.7 billion in benefits awarded. However, the Inspector General’s audit revealed that errors occurred when claims processors did not gather sufficient evidence or use reliable systems to determine accurate start dates for benefits.

The VA has agreed to implement recommendations, including creating better tools, improving training, and correcting identified errors. Leadership stated that many fixes are underway, with complete implementation expected by July 31, 2025.

The review emphasizes the importance of accurate processing as the VA manages a growing number of PACT Act-related claims.

House Veterans Affairs Chairman Calls for Oversight Amid VA Workforce Reduction Plans

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost has expressed support for the Department of Veterans Affairs plan to reduce its workforce by as many as 80,000 positions while stressing the importance of maintaining quality care and oversight. The workforce reduction is part of a broader federal initiative to streamline government operations.

Bost acknowledged that the full impact of these reductions is not yet known but stated that he trusts current VA leadership to protect benefits and maintain service quality. He emphasized his role in providing congressional oversight to meet these expectations.

The VA workforce has grown significantly in recent years, particularly in response to increased demand following the passage of legislation expanding benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances. Bost cited a need to curb what he described as excessive bureaucracy and redirect resources more efficiently to frontline care.

While some lawmakers have raised concerns that the staff cuts could reduce services, Bost maintained that the intent is to improve efficiency and expand access to community care, particularly in response to rising demand.

Congressional hearings on the staffing reductions are expected later this spring as lawmakers continue to evaluate the potential impact on the VA’s ability to serve veterans.

Mortgage Lenders Urge VA to Extend Foreclosure Relief Program for Veterans

The Community Home Lenders of America, representing small and mid-sized mortgage lenders, is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to delay ending its temporary home loan rescue program, the VA Servicing Purchase program, currently scheduled to conclude on May 1.

The group says the VA has not provided adequate guidance or instructions to loan servicers on handling the program’s wind-down, potentially leaving thousands of veterans without the help they need to avoid foreclosure. The program allows qualifying veterans to refinance delinquent VA-backed mortgages at a reduced 2.5% interest rate, provided they are at least three months behind on payments and still living in the home.

Since launching in May 2024, the program has helped restructure more than 17,000 loans, totaling nearly $5.5 billion. However, the lending group estimates many more veterans could still benefit if given enough time to complete applications.

The organization requests a 60-day extension, formal communication with veterans, and a virtual meeting to clarify outstanding lender questions. They also cited incomplete applications and title questions that may delay approvals.

While the VA has not formally responded, officials have said the program was temporary and not designed to replace long-term loan servicing solutions. Some lawmakers have proposed alternative legislation to offer a more permanent mortgage relief for struggling veterans.

📜 VBA Updates

VA Modernizes Contact Centers with Cloud Technology to Enhance Veteran Support

The Department of Veterans Affairs is transitioning its contact centers to a modern cloud-based platform to improve responsiveness and reduce costs. This upgrade, led by the Office of Information and Technology, began in March 2025 with the Women Veterans Call Center and the Office of Inspector General Contact Center. The next phase will include the Veterans Crisis Line.

The shift from legacy systems enhances platform stability, supports real-time adaptation to high call volumes, and equips contact center agents with scalable, AI-enhanced tools for more personalized and efficient service.

In addition to improving operational resilience and user experience, the new platform adopts a subscription-based model that significantly reduces IT costs—freeing up more resources to be reinvested directly into Veteran services.

The modernization initiative reflects the VA’s broader commitment to streamlining internal operations while maintaining its core focus: delivering reliable, high-quality support to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

⚕️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Updates

VA Research Advances Veteran Care in Heart Health, Mental Health, and System Navigation

The Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Research and Development (ORD) has published three new studies that offer promising developments in Veteran care across heart health, mental health, and system navigation.

• Heart Health: A large-scale study of nearly 95,000 Veterans with diabetes found that magnesium supplementation may reduce the risk of heart failure and major cardiac events. The results support the potential for future clinical trials.

• Mental Health: A clinical trial involving 145 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans compared Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy (TrIGR) and Supportive Care Therapy (SCT) for reintegration stress. While both were effective, TrIGR showed longer-lasting results at six months.

• Care Access: A collaboration between VA Greater Los Angeles and the RAND Corporation used human-centered design to simplify health system navigation. Tools like “Save a Trip” pamphlets helped Veterans identify care options more easily, leading to increased engagement and improved coordination.

These findings demonstrate the VA’s continued investment in evidence-based approaches to enhance care for Veterans.

Veteran App of the Week

Moving Forward

Moving Forward is a free online and mobile resource developed by the VA and Department of Defense to help Veterans, service members, and their families manage stress and overcome everyday challenges. The program is grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and offers practical tools for tackling common issues like relationship problems, job stress, financial strain, and emotional setbacks.

The app delivers interactive, self-paced modules that teach users to break problems into manageable steps, set achievable goals, and make thoughtful decisions under pressure. Veterans can explore real-life scenarios, track their progress, and revisit strategies aligning with their challenges. The program is designed to be flexible and accessible—whether someone faces a single obstacle or multiple stressors simultaneously.

Moving Forward has been integrated into broader VA mental health services, including care for PTSD, depression, and transition stress. While not a substitute for professional therapy, it can be used as a standalone self-help tool or complement ongoing treatment.

By equipping users with problem-solving skills rooted in clinical best practices, Moving Forward empowers Veterans to build resilience, regain control, and stay mission-focused in civilian life.

Veteran Community Highlight

George L. Douglas VFW Post 1316

George L. Douglas VFW Post 1316 – Little Rock, Arkansas is a membership-based veterans’ organization composed of U.S. military veterans who have served in overseas conflicts. Established in 1936, the post is one of the most historically significant in Arkansas and is known for its strong presence in the local community.

The post is dedicated to serving veterans through advocacy, outreach, and support programs. It assists members with navigating VA benefits, offers emergency aid to veterans in crisis, and organizes events that honor military service and foster connection. The post also participates in charitable drives such as the Buddy Poppy program, which raises funds to support veterans and their families.

George L. Douglas Post 1316 encourages community involvement and regularly hosts public events to build bridges between veterans and civilians. Membership is open to eligible veterans, and the post prides itself on fostering fellowship, respect, and mutual aid among its members.

By honoring service and building a supportive brotherhood, George L. Douglas VFW Post 1316 continues to impact the lives of veterans in the Little Rock area.

Military Deals of the Week

*We do not explicitly endorse any of these companies as we have not personally purchased from many of them. We are simply sharing online deals that we have found for your convenience.

• 25% Off: Blueair

• 20% Off: Skechers

• 10% Off: Wrangler

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss

Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss was born on Feb. 7, 1919, in Lynchburg, VA, and would become one of the American military's most extraordinary combat medics. A devout Seventh-day Adventist, Doss enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II as a conscientious objector—refusing to carry a weapon but insisting on serving his country by saving lives rather than taking them.

Assigned to the 77th Infantry Division as a medic, Doss distinguished himself through unwavering courage and conviction, particularly during the brutal Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Stationed at the Maeda Escarpment—known as Hacksaw Ridge—he repeatedly braved intense enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers from the battlefield, often carrying them to safety on his back or lowering them down a sheer cliff face using a rope sling.

On one harrowing day alone, Doss is credited with saving the lives of approximately 75 men, refusing to rest or retreat while fellow soldiers were still in danger. Even after being severely wounded by a grenade and later hit by sniper fire, Doss refused evacuation until others had been treated first. He treated his injuries as best he could while assisting others.

In October 1945, then-President Harry S. Truman awarded Desmond Doss the Medal of Honor, making him the first conscientious objector in U.S. history to receive the nation’s highest military decoration for his unmatched heroism and dedication to his fellow soldiers.

After the war, Doss spent years recovering from his injuries and the effects of tuberculosis contracted during his service. He lived a quiet life with his wife in Georgia and remained humble about his wartime actions, crediting his faith as the source of his strength.

Corporal Desmond Doss passed away on March 23, 2006, at 87. His life was a powerful testament to courage without violence, faith under fire, and selfless service in its purest form. His legacy lives on through military history and the lives of the many men he saved—each one a living testament to a medic who went to war without a gun and left the battlefield a legend.

Businesses That Support Veterans

Operation Song

Founded to help veterans process trauma and reconnect with their sense of identity, Operation Song empowers veterans, active-duty military, and their families through the transformative power of songwriting. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the nonprofit pairs participants with professional songwriters to turn personal stories into original songs.

Each songwriting session serves as a therapeutic outlet, helping veterans express experiences often difficult to articulate through traditional means. Whether dealing with PTSD, moral injury, grief, or transition stress, veterans are given a creative space to heal and be heard.

Led by a team of Grammy-winning songwriters and veteran advocates, Operation Song has worked with thousands of participants across the U.S., offering workshops in VA facilities, community centers, and military bases.

By blending storytelling, music, and community support, Operation Song helps veterans reclaim their voices, one lyric at a time—transforming pain into purpose through the healing language of music.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every service member may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth–it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously defended these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being. 

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support behind the scenes, thank you!

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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week’s edition, where we’ll cover more stories and policy updates and find tools & deals for the veteran community.

Thanks,

The Veterans Newsletter