All articles tagged with #veterans
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Scouting America will drop diversity, equity and inclusion programs and restrict participation to those who join in their biological gender to preserve its long-standing relationship with the U.S. military, while girls are allowed to participate for now and transgender children are denied entry.
The Department of Veterans Affairs halted enforcement of a rule that would have cut disability compensation for veterans filing claims, reversing course after backlash from veterans groups who warned it would harm those needing medications.
The Disabled American Veterans welcomed VA Secretary Collins’ decision to halt the implementation of a new rule that would weigh a veteran’s medication use in disability evaluations. After veterans voiced concerns, the halt took effect as of Feb. 19, with DAV releasing an updated statement and a Q&A to address common questions.
Three Vietnam War veterans and a historic preservationist filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing a proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery would disrupt visitors’ experience and undermine nearby monuments.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will immediately stop enforcing a new interim rule that would base disability ratings on how well veterans function on medications rather than the underlying condition, after a strong backlash from major veterans groups; a public comment period remains open until April 20, with Secretary Doug Collins stating the rule will not be enforced going forward while feedback is collected, as VA seeks to expedite benefits processing and address concerns.
Rolling Stone reports that the VA issued an interim final rule to rate disabilities partly by medications used to treat conditions and by a veteran’s earning capacity, potentially cutting disability and pension payments. The change departs from decades of rating based on medical impairment and cites the 2025 Ingram v. Collins decision; veterans groups oppose it, arguing it reduces benefits, while VA officials say it formalizes longstanding practice. The rule is part of broader reforms such as Project 2025 and could impact a significant share of VA spending.
The VA issued a Federal Register rule allowing disability ratings to reflect improvements from medications or treatments, potentially lowering ratings during reevaluation even when the underlying disability remains. Veterans groups warn this could reduce benefits and deter care, especially for PTSD and toxic-exposure conditions, while VA officials say the rule formalizes a longstanding practice and won’t affect current ratings. The rule has drawn widespread backlash and thousands of public comments as questions about implementation and legal implications remain unresolved.
The VA published a final rule effective Feb. 17 that will determine disability ratings based on whether prescribed medications or treatments improve a veteran’s condition, potentially lowering ratings for those whose symptoms are alleviated. VA says it formalizes a longstanding practice, while veterans groups warn it changes how claims are evaluated, could discourage treatment, and may affect millions of beneficiaries.
Danish veterans who fought alongside American troops marched in Copenhagen to protest President Trump’s remarks belittling NATO allies, with Lance Cpl. Soren Teigen saying they fought side by side but Trump’s words hurt, as veterans and families rallied in the latest anti-American demonstration.
European NATO veterans rebut Trump's assertion that allies stayed 'a little off the front lines' in Afghanistan, saying hundreds of their comrades died fighting alongside U.S. forces; Britain’s veterans minister and other officials condemned the remarks as insulting and inaccurate, underscoring the long-running NATO mission and the alliance's Article 5 pledge.
The Flyers blew a late two-goal lead in Utah as veteran leaders failed in pressure moments: Garnet Hathaway mishandled a routine empty-net opportunity, allowing Clayton Keller to tie and then win in overtime, while Sanheim and Konecny also made costly plays. Coach Rick Tocchet publicly called out the veterans for not rising to the moment, underscoring a concerning leadership gap as Philadelphia falls to 1-5-2 in eight games.
Danish veterans who served with U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq react with sadness and anger to President Trump's push to seize Greenland, saying the move would fracture NATO, undermine European security, and betray decades of alliance and shared sacrifice; they emphasize Denmark's willingness to defend the Arctic within the alliance and maintain ties with the United States.
Britain plans to raise the eligible age for mobilizing the strategic reserve from 55 to 65 under a new Armed Forces bill, potentially bringing tens of thousands more veterans into service to ready the forces for war. The Army is at its smallest in centuries (about 70,000 regulars) with roughly 95,000 in the strategic reserve and 32,000 reservists, amid a £28 billion funding gap over four years and a delay in the Defence Investment Plan. The changes come as tensions with Russia rise and the government signals possible deployments to Ukraine, with discussions suggesting up to 7,500 troops could be involved, though MoD sources say the number could be lower.
The Suffolk County Veterans Treatment Court, established in 2008, provides a specialized legal and rehabilitative pathway for veterans like Greg Pryer, helping them address issues such as addiction and mental health through tailored programs and peer support, with a high success rate of 90% in aiding veterans to turn their lives around.
The article discusses the surprising rise of conservative and Christian support for psychedelics, particularly ibogaine, in the US, highlighting its potential therapeutic benefits for veterans and others, while also addressing the political, cultural, and safety issues surrounding its use.