The BVA 78th National Convention had many success stories but none more compelling than those emanating from a record number of sponsored meals and activities, along with a heavily trafficked Exhibit Hall comprised of 45 booths. Although three additional sponsors did not purchase booth space, all were an integral part of the convention and crucially important in their support. Major event sponsors in chronological order of event were:             Hotel Orientation Using Navigation Technology, conducted […]

Four years of anticipation, two years of preparation, and a week of activities designed for stellar legs, healthy appetites, a zest for learning the latest in technology, and an interest in helping to guide the future of the Blinded Veterans Association all came to an end with the ceremonial lowering of the gavel at last night’s Awards Banquet, sponsored by Vanda Pharmaceuticals.  Attendees also made their way to the much-enjoyed hospitality suite sponsored by the […]

In partnership with VA, Prudential Financial, Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development (OTED) offers veterans, transitioning service members, spouses, other family members, and caregivers a Wellness Wednesday Financial Educational series on the third Wednesday of each month beginning August 16. The series has resumed to address financial literacy gaps across the military and veterans community and is comprised of two programs: first, an online website portal that contains a roster of financial literacy information and resources […]

In last week’s issue of BVA Happenings, BVA Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin explained how BVA members can make their voices heard on the issue of autonomous self-driving vehicles. As an example, Alek pointed out the regulatory function of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). He emphasized that the CPUC regulates not only utility companies and their actions but also transportation services such as Uber and Lyft.  The regulatory function of transportation services […]

In late-breaking news yesterday (Thursday, August 10), VA has extended the original August 9 deadline to file PACT Act claims, or an intent to file, and still be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022, when President Biden signed the PACT Act into law. Due to high online volume, many veterans were receiving error messages when submitting their intent to file claims. The new deadline is Monday, August 14, at 11:59pm Eastern Time. VA […]

VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a national research program looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness in veterans. Since launching in 2011, approximately 960,000 veterans have joined MVP, making it the largest research effort at VA to improve health care for veterans and one of the largest research programs in the world studying genes and health. As part of its push to reach a million participants with 40,000 […]

In conjunction with the BVA National Board of Directors, the National Blinded Veterans Association Auxiliary (BVAA), with its currently constituted leadership and members, is invited to hold a business meeting at the 78th National Convention on Monday, August 14. The meeting has been scheduled for 1:00-3:00pm in Gateway B of the Marriott St. Louis Grand.  The meeting has been scheduled for the purpose of electing BVAA officers for the upcoming fiscal year. All current BVAA […]

After months of preparation and more than four years of anticipation, the BVA 78th National Convention will go forward next week at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis! Many are already in St. Louis or well on their way to their destination. Not everyone is aware that this gathering of veterans with sight loss was originally scheduled and contracted for August 2021 as the 76th National Convention, adding to the excitement that […]

The Million Veteran Program (MVP) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a national research program looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness in veterans. Since launching in 2011, approximately 960,000 veterans have joined MVP, making it the largest research effort at VA to improve health care for veterans and one of the largest research programs in the world studying genes and health. As part of its push […]

In this issue of BVA Happenings, BVA Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin explains how BVA members can make their voices heard on the issue of autonomous self-driving vehicles. If you only watched national news, you’d think the federal government does 95 percent of everything and that the states just kind of exist on the side. However, state governments set welfare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements, unemployment payout amounts and time periods, […]