Veterans Affairs Coverage

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

The top 5 things to know about Medicaid and VA pension

Navigating Medicaid or Veterans Pension can be a complex process. Here are five key points to keep in mind -- and how a professional can help.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions

Full interview: VA secretary discusses vaccinations, impact of pandemic

Denis McDonough, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, discusses the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on VA hospitals and clinics and hesitancy among veterans to get vaccinated.

Durham VA hosts mass vaccination event Saturday, continuing rapid distribution process

The Durham VA is administering 400 doses a day, Monday through Thursday. That's about 1,600 people a week.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter

Authorities: Fayetteville veteran faked war injury to get VA benefits

A Fayetteville man was sentenced Tuesday to five years on probation and ordered to repay more than $900,000 he fraudulently obtained to the Department of Veterans Affairs, authorities said.

Durham VA among 37 veterans hospitals to get initial vaccine shipments

A Navy veteran was first in line Tuesday to receive a coronavirus vaccination at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Durham.

Durham VA patients, as well as staffers, get coronavirus vaccine

A Navy veteran was first in line Tuesday to receive a coronavirus vaccination at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Durham.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter

VA outpatient clinic to open in Garner

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to open a $100 million multi-specialty outpatient clinic in Garner, officials said Monday.

VA facing same coronavirus concerns as other US hospitals

Hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are no different that other health care facilities nationwide when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the man who oversees all 172 VA hospitals.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

CEO of VA hospitals worries about ICU capacity during pandemic

Hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are no different that other health care facilities nationwide when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the man who oversees all 172 VA hospitals.

At Durham VA, serving by testing a coronavirus vaccine

Medical researchers at the Durham Veterans Administration Health Care System are now turning to veterans to serve the country in a different way, this time, in the battle against COVID-19.

Fact check: Trump exaggerates number of vets who died in VA scandal

President Donald Trump parried an attack on his COVID-19 track record with an attack of his own on Democratic nominee Joe Biden. "Joe, you've had 308,000 military people dying because you couldn't provide them proper health care in the military," Trump said Sept. 29 at the first presidential debate. "So don't tell me about this."

Jon Greenberg, PolitiFact reporter

Veterans and COVID-19: One-on-one with the VA secretary

Many Veterans have had complaints and mistrust for the VA in the past, struggling sometimes to even get a timely appointment. The VA secretary talks to WRAL about how the VA is working to bridge the gap, increase trust and ensure veterans get the care they've earned.

Fayetteville vets welcomed to new care facility where family can make 'window visits'

These veterans served the country during times of crisis, and now the VA wants to keep them safe from the coronavirus.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Employee after shooting at Fayetteville VA hospital: I feel safe here

The shooting that injured a man Friday outside the Fayetteville VA Hospital was an isolated incident, an employee said. A woman is held without bond for firing a weapon outside the emergency department.