Veterans of Foreign Wars - Benjamin Franklin Post 605 Paris, France

21/10/2026

The Major Richard Star Act discharge petition reached 218 signatures on Sept. 16.

That means the clean bill can move forward on its own, separate from TCAVA.

Congress may be out of session, but advocacy doesn’t take a break. Find your local town hall and ask your representative if they plan to vote YES on the Major Richard Star Act this Congress, WITHOUT reducing veterans’ compensation to pay for it.

Veterans are watching.

15/10/2026

PSA: VA in FY 2026 processes the most claims ever
10/15/2026 10 a.m. EDT

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs processed a record-high 3.11 million disability compensation claims in fiscal year 2026, a testament to the Trump Administration’s commitment to ensuring Veterans can more quickly and conveniently access the benefits they’ve earned.

The 3,111,399 compensation claims VA processed in FY 2026 tops the prior record of 3,001,734 claims set in FY 2025. Until the second Trump Administration, VA had never processed more than 3 million claims per year.

VA’s focus on the timely processing of compensation claims has led to a dramatic reduction in the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits. That backlog has been reduced by more than 70%, after it increased 24% under the Biden Administration.

Claims processing accuracy has improved despite an increased workload and is currently at 94% — the highest rate in two years. Additionally, VBA continues to grant more than 60% of the claims submitted by Veterans, and only about 3% of VBA’s decisions are appealed to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

“Under the leadership of President Trump, VA is making historic progress to better serve Veterans, and these record-breaking claims processing numbers prove it,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Whether we’re lowering wait times, improving healthcare, or opening new VA facilities, we will continue to put Veterans first.”

These record-breaking claims processing numbers are one of many ways the Trump Administration is making VA work better for Veterans. Since Jan. 20, 2025, VA has:

Reduced VA’s average disability claims processing time by 46% since Jan. 20, 2025.

Eliminated the backlog of Veteran families waiting for VA healthcare.

VA reduced paperwork by nearly two-thirds for Veterans and survivors applying for VA benefits.

Enrolled more than 300,000 new Veterans in VA healthcare in 2026.

Opened 43 new VA healthcare facilities since Jan. 20, 2025, expanding healthcare access for Veterans around the country.
Offered Veterans more than 3.4 million appointments outside of normal operating hours since Jan. 20, 2025, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.

On a side note, the VFW-Veteran Service Officers (VSO’s) have processed over $16 billion in VA Benefit Claims so far in 2026 for veterans and dependents.

VA processed a record-high 3.11 million disability compensation claims in Fiscal Year 2026, a testament to the Trump Administration’s commitment to ensuring Veterans can more quickly and conveniently access the benefits they’ve earned.

09/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1J8e7u7JQn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/10/2026

PSA: 7 Publications to Help You Get Ready for Retirement - Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey. You’ve worked hard all your life and, when the day to retire comes along, we’ll be there. We know planning for retirement can come with a lot of questions. When should you apply?

How much will you receive? What happens if you continue working? What about Medicare?

First, when to retire is a very personal decision and depends on several factors, such as your current cash needs, your current health, and family longevity. While Social Security plays an important role in retirement planning, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Our benefits provide about 40 percent of what you earned before retirement.

Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey. You’ve worked hard all your life and, when the day to retire comes along, we’ll be there. We know …

08/10/2026

PSA

VA launches new pilot program at six VA facilities to help Veterans establish VA.gov accounts faster than ever before, which means speedier access to VA services, care and benefits.

06/10/2026

PSA -Stay Tuned

The United States Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could determine whether veterans who believe federal benefits laws are unconstitutional can sue directly in federal district court or have to go through the Veterans Affairs specialized review system.

Disabled veteran Floyd Johnson took his challenge all the way to the Supreme Court after the VA cut his benefits to 10 percent.

29/09/2026

⚠️ PUBLIC ALERT: UNAUTHORIZED AND POTENTIALLY FRAUDULENT VFW SOLICITATIONS

The public, Veterans, VFW members, Posts, and local businesses should use extreme caution regarding solicitations from Home Town Hero Partners LLC, doing business as American News Network.

This company has reportedly used the VFW name and a VFW thank-you letter to market paid advertising packages and suggest that purchases may sponsor Veterans’ memberships in nearby “VFW Clubs.”

The national Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has stated that it has no relationship with Home Town Hero Partners LLC or American News Network and has not authorized or endorsed this program. A letter from an individual VFW Post does not establish authorization from the national VFW.

Do not send payment, provide personal information, or enter into an advertising agreement based on claims of VFW affiliation without first verifying those claims directly with the national VFW and the specific VFW Post identified.

Please preserve and report any emails, advertisements, invoices, sales materials, screenshots, or other communications that use the VFW name, logo, letters, facilities, or membership program without verified authorization.

The use of VFW materials does not, by itself, mean that a solicitation is approved or endorsed by the VFW. Please remain vigilant and share this alert with Veterans, VFW Posts, community organizations, and local businesses.

29/09/2026

🚨 Action Alert Reminder: The House may have pulled its planned vote, but the legislation remains active, and the fight is NOT over. We urge every advocate to continue to contact their representatives and senators to tell them to reject Section 108 and find another way to fund veterans’ priorities.

Take ACTion NOW: https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/138781/Respond

28/09/2026

PSA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
[email protected]

VA moves to strengthen informed consent transparency for Veterans
9/28/2026 10 a.m. EDT

WASHNGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced new guidance on informed consent that will increase transparency for Veterans before they receive a prescription for psychotropic medications, which include antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics and opioids.

VA practitioners currently disclose a host of relevant information to enable Veterans to make informed choices about whether to undergo procedures or treatments. That includes a full discussion of the risks, side effects, benefits and alternatives to psychotropic medications, and signature informed consent for all long-term opioid treatment.

To increase transparency, VA has identified additional educational measures regarding the benefits and risks of certain medications that will enable Veterans to make a more comprehensive assessment of treatment decisions in consultation with their providers and families. To that end, VA will add the following informed consent requirements starting in 2027:

Patient education and signature consent prior to any concurrent prescription of opioids and benzodiazepines.
Patient education and signature consent prior to prescribing an antidepressant to a Veteran younger than 30.
Standardized patient education for Veterans who are prescribed psychotropic medications, including those that only require oral consent.
Documented informed consent discussions about risks, side effects, benefits, alternatives, and how to safely discontinue the medication, including for psychotropic medications that only require oral consent.
“America’s Veterans should get as much information as possible as they are deciding what treatment is best for them,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “The guidance we’re announcing today will ensure that happens.”

As part of this initiative, VA will spend the rest of 2026 ensuring that these new requirements are communicated to VA staff, employees are trained on these new procedures, and all policies and procedures are updated to reflect this change.

New VA guidance on informed consent increases transparency for Veterans before they receive a prescription for psychotropic medications, which include antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics and opioids.