The Federal Trade Commission estimated that in 2022 alone, veterans reported $292 million in losses to fraud. This number represents only the fraud that has been detected. In response, under the direction of the White House, VA has established a permanent Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Office.    Current outreach deliverables via VSAFE are all targeted to simplify navigation for veterans, their families, their caregivers, and their survivors looking for assistance in identifying fraud, […]

Would you like to know more about the GI Bill Comparison Tool, expanded presumptive disabilities for Vietnam War veterans, the latest VA apps for your smartphone, or the lineup for past and current shows on the VA Podcast Network? How about the fact that veterans can conveniently manage their VA appointments, refill prescriptions, and securely communicate with their providers through My HealtheVet? It’s all right there and more in each episode of “the BLUF,” which […]

Responding to BVA’s recent advocacy efforts and acknowledging the significance of Low Vision Awareness Month, an updated online “Accessibility at VA Outreach Toolkit” is now available through VA’s Office of Information Technology.    The toolkit, accessed here, conveys what VA is now doing to ensure that the Department’s electronic information, software, websites, documents, and applications are usable to veterans with vision, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments. It also includes information here about how the veteran […]

Guide dog Tavi sitting and looking at the camera. He is wearing his harness. Thank you to my buddy Donald for introducing me, at least by name, last week. My name is Otavio, but my handler, Yoneka, a BVA member, called me Tavi. I referred to her as Mom and we became a Guide Dog Team in April of 2023 when I was 19 months old.  Mom and I met at the Seeing Eye Guide […]

CarEasy logo which is a clipart graphic of a green tow truck towing a red car. Do you have an old or extra vehicle that you don’t need any longer and would like to donate? BVA is a listed non-profit with CAREASY.org – a 501(c)3 organization that makes it simple for you to donate your vehicle. They provide free and convenient pick-up and strive to accept any vehicle – cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, airplanes, heavy equipment, […]

What are government regulations? Where do they come from? How do they affect you? And, lastly, how can you affect the creation of regulations?  VA begins a process known as rulemaking for the purpose of implementing a new law. Rulemaking is the policymaking process of federal agencies, and the final products of these processes are called regulations. In other words, regulations are laws in action. Rulemaking and regulatory processes do not happen behind closed doors […]

February is Low Vision Awareness Month, enthusiastically recognized as such by the Blinded Veterans Association. According to the National Eye Institute, 4.2 million Americans ages 40 and older are visually impaired. Of these, 3 million have low vision. VA estimates that a sizeable percentage of the latter figure includes veterans of the U.S. military. In 2022, BVA acknowledged the significance and impact of low vision by amending the national bylaws to extend membership to low […]

BVA’s regional group chaplains, both elected and appointed, are invited to attend an hour-long multi-faith group meeting via Zoom on Thursday, February 8, at 11:00am Eastern Time under the direction of National Chaplain Kennith Harvey.  Meeting attendees will discuss how BVA members can reach out to their fellow veterans. They will also draw on previous discussions regarding spiritual outreach and the means for supporting and maintaining religion as a visible component of the work of […]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced this week a Notice of Funding Opportunity for some $5 million in grants per year (for up to two years) that will help veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The funds are available to eligible community organizations that provide veterans with transitional housing and case management—including connecting them to VA benefits, community-based services, and permanent housing.  The notice came on the heels of a news release two […]

Donald (left) and Tavi (right) lie together under the Valor Games inflatable arch. I have enjoyed serving as the first Ambassadog for the Blinded Veterans Association and its weekly BVA Happenings. I have loved sharing the scoop about my life as a working guide dog and some other informational nibbles. Recently, I was even stopped for a paw print by some of my fans. I would like to extend a paw shake to our friends at […]