News

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald today announced the awarding of up to $7.8 million in grants for adaptive sports programs for disabled Veterans and disabled Servicemembers of the Armed Forces. The grant recipients may use these funds for planning, developing, managing and implementing these adaptive sports programs.

Veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Medical Centers will now be able to schedule routine ear and eye appointments at local VA Audiology and Optometry clinics without a primary care referral – a move that eliminates multiple steps and gets Veterans into appointments quicker.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published proposed regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases affecting military members exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The presumptive illnesses apply to active duty, reserve and National Guard members who served for no less than 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and are diagnosed with the following conditions:

Fargo, N.D., Sept. 8 – Gov. Dalrymple appointed David Rice to serve a two-year term on the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs. He will replace former ACOVA member Emery Fisher, who passed away in July.

Rice, Fargo, was nominated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During his first term, he will serve on one of the ACOVA’s three subcommittees to oversee the Post War Trust Fund, the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs or veteran-related legislation.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today awarded approximately $300 million more in grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to help thousands of very low-income Veteran families around the nation who are permanently housed or transitioning to permanent housing. The SSVF grant program provides access to crucial services to prevent homelessness for Veterans and their families.

Fargo, N.D., July 22 – Gov. Dalrymple appointed one new member and re-appointed four members to the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs. Each member will serve a three-year term representing the veterans of North Dakota.

Dean Overby, Wahpeton, was re-appointed to his fifth term. James Verwey, Valley City, was re-appointed to his third term. Jim Haukedahl, Fargo, and Trish Hodny, Grand Forks, were both re-appointed to their second terms. Alan Wondrasek, Bottineau, was newly appointed to the board.

Fargo, N.D., July 22 – The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the promotion of Bryan Watters, Fargo, to veterans service officer supervisor. Watters will be responsible for training veterans’ benefits specialists in the NDDVA’s Veterans Service Office.

“Bryan has a great deal of knowledge in this field. He is very enthusiastic and has the drive to keep our organization moving forward,” said Lonnie Wangen, commissioner of the NDDVA.