VA Reaching Out to Homeless Veterans - Each facility within the Network has specialists who are able to meet individually with Veterans who are homeless or in jeopardy of becoming homeless. These specialists can meet with Veterans to assist with identifying needs specific to their life circumstances and accessing services for which they may qualify. If you, or someone you know is homeless or in jeopardy of becoming homeless, please contact the nearest VA medical facility and ask to speak with the Homeless Veterans Case Manager or call toll free 1-877-424-3838 to speak with a counselor who can assist with accessing services.
Quick Facts
• Roughly one in three U.S. homeless adults is a veteran.
Some 131,000 veterans, about 97 percent male, are estimated to be homeless on any given night.
• Many other veterans are considered at risk for homelessness because of poverty, lack of social support, and dismal living conditions
in cheap hotels or substandard or overcrowded housing.
• About 45 percent of homeless veterans have mental illness, and more than 70 percent suffer from drug or alcohol abuse.
For an overview on VA’s five-year plan to end homelessness among Veterans, visit plan to end homelessness. For more information on VA's current programs for homeless Veterans, go to www.va.gov/homeless.
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Happy New Year –We look forward to another year of serving Veterans and extend best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.
Dr. Petzel’s Nomination Approved - On December 9, 2009, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Robert A. Petzel to be Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The nomination now moves to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote. For more information on Dr. Petzel’s hearing, go to Veterans' Senate hearing.
Dr. Petzel’s Nomination Approved - On December 9, 2009, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Robert A. Petzel to be Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The nomination now moves to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote. For more information on Dr. Petzel’s hearing, go to Veterans' Senate hearing.
VA Secretary Releases Hospital Report Card - For the second consecutive year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a “hospital report card” as part of the VA’s effort to provide the public with a transparent accounting of the quality and safety of its care. Visit hospital report card.
Minneapolis VAMC Physician Named to Institute of Medicine - Dr. Karen Ashe was elected to the Institute of Medicine. Membership in the organization is considered one of the highest honors in medicine. Ashe, with the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Minneapolis VA and the University of Minnesota, studies the molecular basis of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. For information go to VA Research.
VA Extends "Agent Orange" Benefits - Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange. The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease. For more information,visit benefits.
VA announces new Online 10-10EZ - The new and revised 10-10EZ Online form uses Adobe Reach-form Extension software and provides enhanced navigation features that make it easier for a Veteran to complete the form. The new version also reduces the number of questions a Veteran must answer to apply for VA health benefits and allows Veterans to save their application to their local desktop. Revised 10-10EZ and 10-10EZR paper forms (dated November 2009) were shipped to facilities in December. For more information contact the VA Enrollment Coordinator at your local VA medical center.
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