Newsbytes August 15, 2025
In this issue:
VA Travel Claims Now on Mobile App
Caregivers File Suit Over Denied Benefits
Support the ACCESS Act
USCG Commissions First Icebreaker in 25 Years
ACES Act Signed Into Law
VA Travel Claims Now on Mobile App
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has introduced a new feature in its Health and Benefits mobile app, allowing eligible veterans to submit and track mileage-only travel claims directly from their smartphones or tablets. The app identifies appointments that may qualify for reimbursement and allows veterans to confirm trip details with just a few taps.
This digital improvement reduces paperwork and speeds up processing, a convenience for veterans who frequently travel to VA medical appointments. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or higher who travel in their own vehicle from home to a VA medical facility may qualify.
Key Features:
- Automatic detection of qualifying appointments
- Quick confirmation with minimal steps
- Access via smartphones and tablets
The VA Health and Benefits app has been downloaded over three million times. In addition to travel claims, it provides appointment scheduling and prescription management, making it easier for veterans and their families to stay connected with VA services.
This feature represents a broader effort to modernize the VA and simplify access to benefits, improving convenience and reducing delays for all veterans.
Caregivers File Suit Over Denied Benefits
Two survivors of Vietnam-era veterans have filed a potential class-action lawsuit against the VA, challenging its practice of denying family caregiver program appeals when a veteran dies before a final decision is issued. One plaintiff is a daughter who cared for her father, and the other is a wife who assisted her husband. Both had appeals pending at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals when the veterans passed away, and both were denied benefits for the period of care they had provided.
The lawsuit, supported by the National Veterans Legal Services Program and Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick, could affect dozens of caregivers each month. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers provides training, counseling, health care, and a monthly stipend ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 for those caring for severely ill or injured veterans.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that caregivers should remain eligible for these benefits regardless of the veteran’s death before a decision is issued. This challenge highlights the broader issue of recognition for the unpaid and often difficult work performed by family caregivers, a role that has been essential for generations of veterans, particularly those from the Vietnam era.
The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent, potentially affecting VA policy and the way caregiver benefits are administered for veterans who pass away while appeals are pending. It also raises important questions about fairness, accountability, and how the VA supports the families who provide critical care.
Veterans and caregivers alike are encouraged to stay informed about the case, as it emphasizes the ongoing need for policies that recognize the sacrifices and contributions of those who care for our nation’s heroes.
The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) will be paying close attention to the outcome of this case, as it closely aligns with our mission of advocating for the fair treatment of veterans and their families. The FRA is committed to ensuring that caregivers, who make significant sacrifices to support our nation’s heroes, receive the recognition and benefits they deserve.
Support the ACCESS Act
The Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act (S.275/H.R.740) addresses delays and bureaucratic obstacles that can prevent veterans from receiving life-saving medical treatment. The legislation ensures that current community care access standards are used as a baseline for outside treatment, expands mental health and addiction services, and requires consideration of veteran preference and continuity of care when referrals are made.
Why It Matters:
- Reduces wait times and administrative delays
- Expands access to critical services for veterans with cancer, chronic pain, mental health conditions, or addiction
- Provides veterans with real choice over when, where, and how they receive care
Veterans and advocates can influence lawmakers by sharing their experiences and emphasizing the importance of timely care. Passing the ACCESS Act helps ensure that veterans focus on recovery rather than navigating paperwork and delays.
The legislation represents a significant step toward improving access to care and protecting the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans.
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/FRA/Campaigns/129496/Respond
USCG Commissions First Icebreaker in 25 Years
The U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned its first oceangoing icebreaker in 25 years, a critical addition to its polar fleet. The cutter Storis (WAGB-21), converted from the commercial vessel Aiviq, will operate in Arctic waters to support national security, search and rescue, and environmental missions. This comes amid growing international activity in the region, including foreign research vessels entering U.S. Arctic territory.
Storis was acquired for $125 million and modified for Coast Guard service. The vessel will strengthen the nation’s polar capabilities until the first of three new polar security cutters is delivered, expected in 2030. Named after a historic cutter that served in Alaska for more than six decades, Storis will be homeported in Juneau once facilities are ready; in the meantime, it will operate from Seattle.
In addition, the Coast Guard commissioned the fast response cutter Earl Cunningham in Kodiak, Alaska. Named for a surfman awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal posthumously for his heroic actions on Lake Michigan in 1936, this vessel adds to the Coast Guard’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies and protect maritime interests.
The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) congratulates the crews of both Storis and Earl Cunningham for their dedication and service. These commissions highlight the ongoing commitment to Arctic readiness and maritime security. For veterans who served in cold-weather or polar operations, the addition of Storis represents continuity in the Coast Guard’s long-standing mission to safeguard U.S. waters.
Both vessels reflect the increasing importance of Arctic and coastal operations, from national defense to environmental protection, underscoring the vital role of the Coast Guard in ensuring safe and secure waters.
ACES Act Signed Into Law
President Donald J. Trump has signed the bipartisan Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act into law, a measure aimed at understanding elevated cancer rates among military aviators. The legislation directs the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the prevalence and potential causes of cancer among aircrew, providing critical data for prevention and care.
The bill was introduced by Congressman August Pfluger of Texas in honor of his late friend and fellow fighter pilot Colonel Shurtleff and co-led by Representative Jimmy Panetta of California. Senators Mark Kelly of Arizona and Tom Cotton of Arkansas championed the bill in the Senate. Supporters say the ACES Act provides a pathway for earlier diagnoses, better treatment, and answers for aviators and their families.
Military aviation has always presented unique occupational hazards, from exposure to radiation and chemicals to long-term stress on the body. Studies like ACES are essential to understanding these risks and protecting those who dedicate their careers to flying in service of the nation.
The law also recognizes the need for transparency and accountability in how medical risks are assessed and addressed within the armed forces. For veterans and active-duty members, this legislation offers hope that future generations of aviators will benefit from improved preventive care and monitoring.
The passage of the ACES Act reflects the ongoing importance of research in military medicine, ensuring that the service and sacrifices of aviators are met with the resources and attention necessary to safeguard their health.
Read the press release: https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2489