VA NEWS — CORE

• VA Eliminates CHAMPVA Application Backlog: The VA has completely eliminated the backlog of Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) applications, covering over 900,000 qualifying Veteran spouses, dependents, and survivors.
  Source: VA.gov News Release, November 24, 2025 (View Source)
• VA Opens 20 New Health Clinics: The VA has opened 20 new health care clinics to expand access for Veterans nationwide, as part of an ongoing effort to improve physical infrastructure and increase capacity.
  Source: VA.gov News Release, November 10, 2025 (View Source)

FEDERAL REGISTER – VETERANS AFFAIRS

• Review Underway for Non-College Degree Distance Learning Rule: The VA is currently reviewing public comments regarding the proposed rule (RIN 2900-AQ89) to allow VA approval for enrollment in non-college degree programs conducted via distance learning. The comment period closed November 3, 2025.
  Source: Federal Register, September 3, 2025 (View Source)

FEDERAL REGISTER – DOD / DHS / OTHER AGENCIES

• DoD Comment Request on Priority Rating Application: The Department of Defense (DoD) is requesting public comments on the proposed collection of information for the “Application for Priority Rating for Production or Construction Equipment” (DD 691).
  Source: Federal Register, November 26, 2025 (View Source)
• Navy JAG Corps Application Comment Request: The Department of the Navy is requesting comments regarding the “U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps Career Programs Applications and Interviews” collection of information.
  Source: Federal Register, November 26, 2025 (View Source)

CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY – BILLS & LEGISLATIVE MOVEMENT

• H.R. 5371: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026
  Status: Became Public Law No: 119-37 (November 12, 2025).
  Summary: Provides full-year appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and prohibits federal agencies from implementing Reduction in Force (RIF) actions through January 30, 2026.
  Source: Congress.gov (View Source)

OVERSIGHT WATCH — VA OIG / GAO

• OIG Reports Fraudulent Student Loan Discharge: A multiagency investigation initiated by the VA OIG resulted in charges alleging a Veteran submitted fraudulent documents to the VA to unlawfully obtain a disability rating, which was then used to obtain discharge of over $242,000 in federal student loan debt.
  Source: VA OIG August 2025 Highlights (View Source)

FEDERAL WORKFORCE WATCH

• Annual Staffing Plans Deadline: OPM guidance confirms that agencies must submit their Annual Staffing Plans for FY26 to OMB and OPM no later than **December 1, 2025**, requiring agencies to finalize metrics for workforce optimization and critical skills gap hiring.
  Source: OPM Guidance, November 5, 2025 (View Source)
• OPM Call for Executive Allocation Review: OPM issued a new memo (Nov 24, 2025) requesting agencies immediately review their executive allocations, which is part of the ongoing effort to restructure the federal workforce and align leadership with current administration priorities.
  Source: OPM Memo, November 24, 2025 (View Source)

HIRING, INTERNSHIPS & CAREER PIPELINES

• VA USAJOBS: Physician – Chief of Pathology: The VHA is hiring a Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service in Jackson, MS, with an annual starting salary of $300,000. **Deadline: December 31, 2025**.
  Source: USAJOBS/VA (View Opening)
• USAJOBS: Pipefitter (WG 10): The VA Health Administration is seeking a full-time Pipefitter in Milwaukee, WI, with an hourly rate starting at $32.13. **Deadline: December 9, 2025**.
  Source: USAJOBS/VA (View Opening)

VETERAN HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES

• $34M HUD-VASH Voucher Registration Cycle Open: The 2025 registration cycle for the HUD-VASH voucher program is currently open for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to apply for approximately $34 million in housing support, contingent on VA partnership readiness.
  Source: VA Loan Network / HUD-VASH (View Source)

VETERAN BENEFITS & CLAIMS UPDATES

• Tricare and FEDVIP Open Season Deadlines: Military families and retirees must finalize their 2026 Tricare Prime and Select health plan changes by the December 9th deadline. Enrollment for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) ends December 8th.
  Source: Military Times, November 14, 2025 (View Source)

DEFENSE & NATIONAL SECURITY ITEMS RELEVANT TO VETERANS

• First Atlas ICBM Successfully Launched: Today marks the anniversary of the **November 28, 1958**, first successful flight of the SM-65 Atlas, the United States’ first operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
  Source: History/War.gov (View Historical Context)

HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND RESEARCH UPDATES

• Expanded After-Hours Appointment Access: The VA has offered Veterans over 1.4 million appointments outside of normal operating hours (early-morning, evening, and weekend) since January 2025, increasing timely and convenient options for care across the system.
  Source: VA.gov News Release, November 10, 2025 (View Source)

THIS DAY IN MILITARY HISTORY

On November 28, 1943, World War II strategy was determined as U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin met for the first time at the **Tehran Conference** in Iran to coordinate the next phases of the Allied effort against Nazi Germany and Japan.