Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County

06/14/2026

Veterans with cancer face a higher risk of su***de attempts, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

The risk is especially prevalent in the months following diagnosis and can persist for years, states the study, which was published in JAMA Oncology.

The researchers analyzed Veterans Health Administration data from more than 292,000 veterans with cancer from 2014 to 2023.

A new JAMA Oncology study finds veterans with cancer face elevated su***de risk that can persist for up to five years following their diagnosis.

06/13/2026

The Department of Veterans Affairs has overhauled how it purchases prosthetic limbs, a shift that immediately speeds up delivery for thousands of veterans nationwide.

The change matters because prosthetic orders have long been slowed by layers of procurement rules that added weeks to wait times for veterans who rely on these devices for mobility, independence, and recovery. The new policy removes most contracting reviews, affecting the vast majority of prosthetic limb orders and setting up a steep drop in average delivery times in the months ahead.

VA streamlines prosthetic orders, cutting wait times by 42% for thousands of Veterans nationwide.

06/11/2026

A compromise over who can help disabled veterans obtain the benefits they’re owed collapsed on the final day of the 2026 legislative session.

Senate Bill 208 by Sen. Stewart Cathey Jr., R-Monroe, was intended to fix a 2024 state law ruled unconstitutional in federal court, where an appeal is pending. The law, which Cathey also wrote, sought to legalize unaccredited claims consultants who help veterans file disability claims in exchange for a portion of their benefits.

Instead, Cathey’s new bill fell short in a 45-46 House vote Sunday and a 19-19 Senate vote Monday. Lawmakers objected to a closed-door rewrite that stripped out key provisions that had unanimous support from both chambers.

A compromise over who can help disabled veterans obtain the benefits they’re owed collapsed on the final day of the 2026 legislative session. Senate Bill 208 by Sen. Stewart Cathey Jr., R-Monroe, was intended to fix a 2024 state law ruled unconstitutional in federal court, where an appeal is pendi...

06/10/2026

U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (CT) announced their new comprehensive legislation to hold claims sharks and other predatory actors accountable for exploiting veterans and survivors’ earned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.

The lawmakers’ Stopping Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation by Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (SAFEGUARD) Veterans Act would make explicit that only VA-accredited individuals can assist veterans with VA benefit claims and reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans extortionate fees for assistance with VA disability claims—a service provided for free by VA and accredited nonprofits. While current law prohibits this activity, predatory actors have used loopholes to avoid prosecution and federal agencies are limited in their ability to enforce the law without criminal penalties.

Today U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (CT) announced their new comprehensive legislation to hold claims sharks and...

06/08/2026

A federal appeals court last weekend upheld a March ruling that restored collective bargaining rights to Veterans Affairs Department, though not a later requirement that the department “comply” with its contracts with the American Federation of Government Employees.

U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose previously found that VA Secretary Doug Collins violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedures Act last year when he terminated the department’s collective bargaining agreements with AFGE in connection with President Trump’s executive order banning unions from most federal agencies under the auspices of national security.

A unanimous three-judge panel found that only a district judge’s requirement that the Veterans Affairs Department “comply” with its collective bargaining agreements should be put on hold while litigation proceeds.

06/07/2026

The Department of Veterans Affairs said Tuesday it was launching a trial review on the safety and efficacy of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or M**A, assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study will also focus on the impact of M**A usage for people with severe mental health disorders and alcohol use disorder, according to a press release.

Approximately 80 veterans are expected to participate in the trial and are set to receive treatment at VA Providence Healthcare System. Veterans will be recruited for the trial from the Providence, R.I., campus and VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Conn., per the release.

The Department of Veterans Affairs said Tuesday it was launching a trial review on the safety and efficacy of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or M**A, assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress diso…

06/06/2026