Veterans Affairs Coverage

State VA leader steps down following criticism from GOP lawmakers

Walter Gaskin, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general who led the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs under Gov. Roy Cooper, will step down April 1.

NC's top veterans affairs leader stepping down after criticism from GOP lawmakers

Walter Gaskin, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general who led the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs under Gov. Roy Cooper, will step down April 1. Former state lawmaker Grier Martin will replace him.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

'Apply as soon as possible': VA healthcare expansion begins

On Feb. 26, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said they were accelerating access to government healthcare for veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving overseas. Any veteran enrolled in VA health care is now eligible for screening to determine if they were exposed to toxins while serving.

CNN Newsource

Veterans exposed to toxins can apply for benefits in part of new expansion in VA PACT act

Local VA administrators will field many requests for benefits for veterans exposed to toxins during their service.

State Veterans Affairs group reconsidering proposal to tear down veterans home

Lawmakers have been pushing back on the closing of the facility after less than 25 years. Approximately 85 veterans had to be relocated when the building closed in January.

State Veterans Affairs officials appear to be reconsidering shutdown of Fayetteville veterans home

State Veterans affairs officials appear to be reconsidering their plan to tear down and rebuild the Fayetteville veterans home.

Laura Leslie, NCCapitol Bureau Chief

Veterans exposed to burn pits, other toxins can now get help sooner than expected

On Monday, officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs announced they are accelerating access to government healthcare for veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving overseas.

WRAL staff

Lawmakers concerned about the closure of the State Veteran's Home in Fayetteville

State lawmakers voiced their concerns regarding the abrupt closure of the State Veteran's Home in Fayetteville. One lawmaker said they received no warning of the problems the facility was facing.

Some families struggle to find accommodations with State Veterans Home about to shut down

Just before Thanksgiving, families of the Veterans were notified the State Veterans Home would be shutting down Feb. 1. That didn't give them much time to make arrangements to find new homes for their loved ones.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Some families frustrated in finding accommodations with State Veterans Home on brink of closure

State lawmakers met on Tuesday to discuss closing the State Veterans Home in Fayetteville as some families are scrambling to find care.

VA launches mobile medical units to increase access to health care for homeless veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs will deploy 25 mobile medical units across the country during the next six months to provide health care and support to homeless and at-risk veterans.

After VA office is moved, some veterans raise accessibility concerns

Halifax County moved its veterans services office to a new location, and some veterans aren't happy about it.

NC veterans exposed to toxins could get more health care benefits through PACT Act

More than 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to toxic substances during deployment, according to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending June 22

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

Fact check: House member says GOP debt-ceiling bill doesn't threaten veterans' programs

In response to criticism of the House GOP's budget plan, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., said: "I'm dead serious that we're not cutting veterans, and I mean it."

Michael McAulliff, PolitiFact reporter

How they voted: North Carolina congressional votes for the week ending March 9

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

Regardless of VA status, veterans in mental health crisis can now get free care

Now any veteran in need of emergency mental health care, regardless if they're enrolled in the VA system or not, can walk into any private health care facility with no cost.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL reporter

VA recalls all Nephron prescriptions over contamination fears

Check your prescriptions: Fear of contaminated drugs has led the Department of Veterans Affairs to recall all medicines made by Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Fact check: Does U.S. spend more on undocumented immigrants than veterans?

In a video of a meeting with voters, Arizona Republican U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters said of undocumented immigrants: "Not only will you not be deported, but we'll treat you better than U.S. military veterans." PolitiFact checks the numbers.

Jon Greenberg, PolitiFact reporter

Wife shares experience with husband's suicide after his service in US Army

The first day of the First Fruits Farm Memorial Balloon Festival is in the books. Today's event in Louisburg included a parachute team, planes, music and a whole lot more. Of course, it is a lot of fun. But at the heart of the festival, honoring those who died in service to our country.

Department of Veterans Affairs launches $20 million challenge to reduce veteran suicide

The initiative is part of the VA's 10-year strategy to reduce veteran suicide.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Veterans seek long-awaited benefits at event in Cary

Veterans traveled from as far away as hundreds of miles just to meet with VA representatives in-person on Thursday at an event in downtown Cary. Some have waited years to get benefits, and but they've been caught in the backlog. They hope this event will help them turn things around.

Reccomendation would overhaul local health care for veterans

The federal government is recommending a plan to shut down the VA medical centers in both Durham and Fayetteville and open a new Raleigh-Durham VA medical center in a location not yet identified in the Triangle.

Federal government recommends plan to replace Durham, Fayetteville VA medical centers with new facility

The federal government is recommending to shut down the VA medical centers in both Durham and Fayetteville and open a new Raleigh-Durham VA medical center.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Military and VA Struggle With Vaccination Rates in Their Ranks

WASHINGTON -- Denis McDonough, the secretary of veterans affairs, said this week that he was considering a move to compel workers at VA hospitals to get vaccinated, fearing that centers with low vaccination rates were risking the health of veterans seeking care.

Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times