U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie said his department is on the mend after a tumultuous 2018.

National

After A Year Of Turmoil, New VA Secretary Says 'Waters Are Calmer'

1:08pm November 09, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

Robert Wilkie is President Trump's second VA secretary; his first was fired after clashing with political appointees. Wilkie insists he's put an end to infighting at the department.

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A guard walks past a monument at North Alton Confederate Cemetery in Alton, Ill. The federal government has hired private security firms to guard several Confederate memorials across the U.S in the aftermath of clashes between white nationalists and count

National

In Wake Of Charlottesville, Federal Government Pays To Protect Confederate Cemeteries

9:31pm October 16, 2018

by Vanessa Romo

The Department of Veterans Affairs has spent millions providing round-the-clock protection to guard graves and memorials dedicated to Confederate soldiers.

Photos of Sgt. Toombs are displayed at his father's home. John was abruptly kicked out of the Murfreesboro VA residential drug program for being late to take his medication in 2016.

National

A Vet's Suicide Pushes The VA To Do Better

6:07pm August 28, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

Former Army Sgt. John Toombs was thrown out of the residential drug treatment program at a Veterans Affairs center and then killed himself.

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Veterans Affairs secretary nominee Robert Wilkie (right) speaks with Marion Polk, national commander of AMVETS, before testifying at a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee nominations hearing Wednesday.

Trump's Uncontroversial VA Pick Sails Through Confirmation Hearing

6:30pm June 27, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

President Trump fired his first VA secretary, and his first nominee withdrew. His next pick, Robert Wilkie, is a veteran and a seasoned Washington official.

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For VA Whistleblowers, A Culture Of Fear And Retaliation

8:56am June 21, 2018

by Eric Westervelt

VA employees in one Southeast district say a toxic culture of retaliation has undermined veterans' care and worker morale. There is growing skepticism among whistleblowers the VA can police itself.

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Jenn Wilmot shows a picture of George after his accident. He was thrown free from the gunner's turret as his Humvee tumbled off a cliff in Iraq. He survived, but with a brain injury, PTSD and a left arm that still looks sewn-on.

VA's Caregiver Program Still Dropping Veterans With Disabilities

3:19pm May 21, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

An NPR investigation last year revealed that a number of VA centers were ejecting hundreds of caregivers from the program. The VA promised reform, but a year later few have returned to the program.

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Marine Corps veteran and retired Vet Center counselor Ted Blickwedel says the VA's work demands on counselors threaten quality of care and the counselors' health.

Demand For Veteran Counseling Puts Stress On The Counselors

10:28am May 09, 2018

by Peter Biello

The VA's Vet Centers have changed the metrics by which they evaluate counselors who work with veterans. They're required to see at least 25 clients a week, which some say is untenable.

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U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, M.D., before a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Jackson, who abandoned his nomination to be secretary of Veterans Affairs amid numerous allegations, will not return to the job of President

Jackson Won't Return As Trump's Personal Physician, Report Says

10:59am April 30, 2018

by Doreen McCallister

Dr. Ronny Jackson, who abandoned his nomination to be VA secretary amid numerous allegations, will stay with the White House medical unit but won't be the president's physician, Politico reports.

The seal of the Department of Veterans Affairs

Beyond A Failed Nominee: Whistleblower Retaliation Another Problem At The VA

4:55pm April 27, 2018

The VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection has taken on dozens of new cases of alleged retaliation. But some VA employees are skeptical the office will be able to protect them.

The seal affixed to the front of the Veterans Affairs Department building in Washington.

National

Veterans Affairs In Limbo After Jackson Withdraws As Nominee

3:58pm April 27, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson was tapped by President Trump to replace David Shulkin, who was fired in March. Now, the Veterans Affairs Department awaits its fourth secretary in four years.