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NewsFlash | Digital Media | Video | Podcasts

Digital Media

United States Navy Color Guard marching during the Desert Storm National Victory Celebration ParadeA Specially Adaptive Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans and Wounded Warriors — VA Provides grants to Veterans and Servicemembers with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Two grant programs exist: the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.

VA Specially Adaptive Housing Grants: Expanded Eligibility — VA provides grants to Servicemembers and Veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Grant eligibility for Servicemembers and Veterans who are entitled to disability compensation for permanent and total disability due to blindness in both eyes has recently been expanded.

VA Native American Direct Home Loans — VA's Native American Direct Loan Program helps eligible Native American Veterans finance the purchase, construction, or improvement of homes on Federal Trust Land, or to reduce the interest rate on such a VA Loan.

VA Home Loans: What are MPRs? — VA helps Servicemembers, Veterans and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners by providing a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. Homes must undergo a VA appraisal and meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) which provide general acceptability criteria for properties to ensure Veterans are moving into a safe, sound and sanitary home.

Military Money Show — The Military Money Show is the podcast that helps U.S. Servicemembers, Veterans, and their spouses make, save, invest and spend money wisely. Host, Lacey Langford interviews inspiring guests on personal finance, investing, entrepreneurship, debt, insurance, military life plus and a whole lot more. 

The National Defense Radio Show — Heard on more than a hundred radio stations across the United States and the 400+ overseas Armed Forces Radio Networks around the globe. The Armed Forces Network reaches more than one million American service men and women, DOD, civilians, and their families on every military base, outpost and all ships at sea. The weekly show has consisted of a combination of celebrity interviews, executive interviews, and discussions with political and news figures, delivering content that entertains, informs and supports those who serve, and have served, our country. The show is hosted by Randy Miller, a 25-year broadcast veteran having hosted shows in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, San Diego, Cincinnati and Kansas City. Randy is the recipient of multiple broadcasting awards, including “Air Personality of the Year” from Billboard Magazine and the Radio Music Awards.

#StillServing: The VFW Podcast® is a new show for veterans, by veterans. The VFW is in the midst of a paradigm shift and it’s an exciting time to be a part of this transformational change within our organization. As our newest communication platform, #Still Serving: The VFW Podcast will highlight critical issues, challenges and legislation affecting veterans, service members and military families worldwide. Join us as we chat with congressional leadership, Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs senior officials, and everyday veterans as we tackle tough issues affecting our military veteran community.VFW Still Serving — Veterans of Foriegn Wars (VFW) Podcast Still Serving is a new show for veterans, by veterans provided by the oldest combat Veterans Service Organization. The VFW Podcast highlights critical issues, challenges and legislation affecting veterans, service members and military families worldwide.

DAV Veterans Podcast — The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Podcast sheds light on important topics and challenges facing America’s veterans while also sharing the stories of veterans whom have been impacted by DAV through its mission of fulfilling our promises to the men and women that served.

American Legion - Tango Alpha Lima — Join co-hosts Mark Seavey, Jeff Daly and Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado as they chat about current stories of interest to the military community and welcome special guests with remarkable stories to share.

SITREP Join theSITREP, as we discuss VA Disability, VA Pensions, VA Health Care, VA Home Loans, benefits for dependents, and benefits offered by other agencies and departments, such as military retirement, social security benefits and more.

VA Podcast Network — Learning new things while staying entertained has never been easier for America’s Veterans. The VA Podcasts Network offers a diverse selection of top-quality podcasts made with a Veteran community in mind. Each podcast specializes on a different topic and covers gripping content that no Veteran should want to miss out on. Just click on the podcasts to the right and listen to the wealth of knowledge that awaits to be heard.

Boulder Crest Foundation — Discover how trauma can be a catalyst for forging a new path filled with passion, purpose, and connection. Boulder Crest Foundation is the home of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) offering life-changing programs free of charge to members of the military, veterans, and first responder communities, and their families. The mission is to facilitate PTG through transformative programs, world-class training and education initiatives, research, and advocacy. You can help change what the world believes is possible in the aftermath of trauma. Together, we can change the conversation around trauma.

Dr. Jeff Iliff, Associate Director of Research, Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, (The brain has a waste removal system and scientists are figuring out how it works, American University Radio, Washington D.C., June 18, 2024)

US Air Force fighter jets with Mount Hood in the backgroundThe official YouTube channel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration — The official YouTube channel for the Veterans Health Administration, part of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Health Administration is America's largest integrated health care system with over 1,700 sites of care, serving over 8.3 million Veterans each year.

Veteran News Network (VNN) — A channel for Veterans, largely by Veterans, that offers a fun and informative mix of specialized programming that honors, entertains, and informs Veterans of the benefits and services that they have earned.

MOVE! Weight Management Program - The videos on this page were developed for use within the MOVE! Coach mobile app. The content of the videos is based on the MOVE! Handouts and may be useful to anyone working on weight management goals. Check them out!

Make the Connection — Make the Connection is a national campaign from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help connect Veterans and their families and friends with videos from fellow Veterans who share their challenging experiences. In hundreds of unscripted video interviews, more than 600 Veterans and their family members tell their personal stories — including the issues they’ve faced, the support they’ve received, and the strides they’ve made in improving their own lives. These Veterans represent every branch of the U.S. military and every service era, from World War II to the present. By talking about what they’ve been through, they are encouraging other Veterans to reach out for support when they need it. You can show your support by sharing a Make the Connection video with your family members, friends, and social network.

VHA Office of Rural Health Extends Reach to Support Veterans Everywhere — Support programs include tele-intensive care units, tele-mental health hubs, social workers who also work within the Rural Patient Aligned Care Team, Veteran transportation services and rural health training initiatives that include the cross-agency Rural Faculty Development Program, Fellowships for Rural Healthcare Scholars and career development awards for up-and-coming rural providers.

United States Navy Leap Frog with American Flag above the USS Midway CV-41 Museum in San Diego CaliforniaiCOVER Protocol for Acute Stress Reaction Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - iCOVER is a rapid peer-to-peer intervention for service members to use when managing symptoms of acute stress reaction in team members. Named for its six steps (Identify buddy in need, Connect, Offer commitment, Verify facts, Establish order of events, and Request action), iCOVER can be performed by individuals in far-forward environments to help team members manage acute stress and maximize human potential in small, disaggregated teams.

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Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

VA Web Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.
Disclaimer of Liability: With respect to documents available from this server, neither the United States Government nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
Reference from this web page or from any of the information services sponsored by the VA to any non-governmental entity, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the VA or any of its employees. We are not responsible for the content of any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server.
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.


NW MIRECCToday's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. According to DoD, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the United States Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. As of the end of FY2023, 42.2% of VISN 20 enrollees and 39.7% of VISN 20 patients resided in rural or highly rural areas. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

Browse facilities by state

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VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake VA Medical Center and Seattle VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Astoria, Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn.

VA Regional Offices

United States Armed Forces Joint Color GuardThe Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

  1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
  2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
  3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
  4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

VA Vet Center LogoVet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK)
Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA)
Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID)
Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR)
Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR)
Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA)
Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK)
Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA)
Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR)
Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK)
Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA)
Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR)
Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR)
Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA)
Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA)
Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA)
Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA)
Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK)
Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA)

Plan your trip to VA

Veterans Canteen Service (VCS)In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. We are a self-sustaining entity providing merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s healthcare system, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OIF/OEF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.

VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.

The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.

Email Updates
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