FIELD ISSUED ā DAILY VETERAN UPDATE
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
1. FORWARD BRIEF
Good morning. This issue delivers verified VA updates, federal rulemaking activity, appropriations movement, and mission-critical resources for veterans, service members, and their families. The Field Issued Daily Veteran Update is a living record ā built to inform, not persuade. Every item below is grounded in primary sources to keep you informed, empowered, and mission-ready.
VA NEWS ā CORE
- CRITICAL: Tricare Open Season Deadline TODAY: Today, **December 9, 2025**, is the absolute final deadline for military families and retirees to enroll in or change their 2026 TRICARE Prime and Select health plans.
Source: TRICARE News, December 2, 2025 (View Source)
- VA Makes Gynecology Care Easier for Women Veterans: The VA announced a streamlined process allowing enrolled women Veterans to schedule appointments directly with VA gynecology providers without needing a referral from a primary care provider.
Source: VA.gov News Release, December 4, 2025 (View Source)
FEDERAL REGISTER ā VETERANS AFFAIRS
- Debtor Waiver Deadline Extended (Final Rule): VA published a final rule (RIN 2900-AS18) extending the debtor’s deadline to request a waiver of indebtedness for overpayments from 180 days to **one year**, effective **January 26, 2026**.
Source: Federal Register, November 26, 2025 (View Source)
- VA Proposes Reinstating Abortion Exclusion: VA is proposing to reinstate the full exclusion on abortions and abortion counseling from the medical benefits package, reverting to the pre-2022 policy.
Source: Federal Register, August 4, 2025 (View Source)
FEDERAL REGISTER ā DOD / DHS / OTHER AGENCIES
- CRITICAL DEADLINE: SBA Information Collection: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking public comments on reporting and recordkeeping requirements under OMB review. The comment deadline is **December 31, 2025**.
Source: Federal Register, December 8, 2025 (View Source)
- DHS Biometrics Rule Effective Date: A final rule concerning the Collection of Biometric Data Upon Entry and Departure from the U.S. (RIN 1651-AB12) is set to become effective on **December 26, 2025**.
Source: Federal Register, October 27, 2025 (View Source)
CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY ā BILLS & LEGISLATIVE MOVEMENT
- S.2392 (COLA) Now Effective: The 2.8% COLA increase for VA disability compensation, DIC, and other benefits is officially effective as of December 1, 2025.
Source: Congress.gov (View Source)
- S.1068: Putting Veterans First Act of 2025
Status: Introduced in Senate (March 13, 2025).
Source: Congress.gov (View Source)
OVERSIGHT WATCH ā VA OIG / GAO
- GAO Warns on Quality of Contracted Exams: A GAO report (GAO-26-108783) warns the VA must implement recommendations to improve the quality of medical exams provided by contracted providers (C&P Exams) used in disability claims processing.
Source: GAO Report, November 20, 2025 (View Source)
- GAO Warns on Academic Leasing Challenges: A GAO report (GAO-26-107821) warns the VA must systematically identify and address challenges in leasing space from academic affiliates to ensure efficient resource allocation.
Source: GAO Report, November 25, 2025 (View Source)
FEDERAL WORKFORCE WATCH
- OPM Sunsets Federal Academic Alliance: OPM issued new guidance (December 1, 2025) officially terminating the Federal Academic Alliance and providing updated guidance on Senior Executive Service (SES) Reassignments.
Source: OPM Memos, December 1, 2025 (View Source)
- New Executive Development Programs Announced: OPM guidance confirms agencies must announce two new executive development programs (SEDP and LEAG) to Senior Executives, Professionals, GS-15s, and GS-14s no later than **December 19, 2025**.
Source: OPM Memo, November 19, 2025 (View Source)
HEALTHCARE & RESEARCH UPDATES
- GAO Reviews Mental Health Treatment: A new GAO report (GAO-26-108786) reviews the status of key recommendations related to VA mental health and medication management, confirming that VA has implemented guidance on opioid safety and documented treatment plans since 2019/2020.
Source: GAO Report, December 3, 2025 (View Source)
- VA High-Salary Physician Openings: The VHA is actively hiring specialized physicians, including Radiologist ($380,000/yr) and Anesthesiology ($375,000/yr) roles, with many remote or flexible location options available.
Source: USAJOBS/VA, December 2025 (View Openings)
HIRING, INTERNSHIPS & CAREER PIPELINES
- CRITICAL DEADLINE: Contract Specialist Job Opening: The GSA is hiring a Contract Specialist (GS-12). **Deadline: December 10, 2025**. Note: Requires a two-page resume format.
Source: USAJOBS/GSA, November 25, 2025 (View Opening)
- Remote VA Coder Positions Open: The VHA is hiring for fully remote Inpatient Coder and Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor positions (GS 4-10) with deadlines throughout early December.
Source: USAJOBS/VA, December 2025 (View Remote Openings)
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.
Source: VA Loan Network / HUD-VASH (View Source)
VETERAN BENEFITS & CLAIMS UPDATES
- CRITICAL DEADLINE TODAY: Tricare Open Season: The Tricare Open Season deadline for 2026 health plan changes is **today, December 9th**. Beneficiaries must finalize elections by 11:59 PM ET.
Source: TRICARE News, December 2, 2025 (View Source)
- FEDVIP Deadline Passed: The final deadline for Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) enrollment passed yesterday, **December 8, 2025**.
Source: BENEFEDS/TRICARE, December 2025 (View Enrollment Rules)
DEFENSE & NATIONAL SECURITY ITEMS RELEVANT TO VETERANS
- First Naval Armed Guard Detachment Anniversary: Today marks the anniversary of the **December 9, 1941**, order for the first Naval Armed Guard detachment to be assigned to a merchant vessel, placing trained gun crews on civilian ships during World War II.
Source: Naval History and Heritage Command (View Historical Context)
VSO / NONPROFIT / PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
The Veterans Consortium provides free legal representation to veterans and their families who have been denied benefits before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). They are hosting a Virtual Legal Advice & Referral Clinic on **December 12, 2025**.
#VetsProBono
TGVP SPOTLIGHT ā THE GINGER VETERAN PODCAST
Most recent episode: “Billy and Bobbi Sue, Lover’s Leap” (Verifiable, Nov 13, 2025)
Quote: “The foundation of advocacy is the shared voice; unedited truth is the essential currency of healing.”
Listen: Listen Here
Website: Visit TGVP Website
Contact: gingerveteranpod@gmail.com
THIS DAY IN MILITARY HISTORY
On **December 9, 1775**, the Patriot militia achieved their first major land victory of the Revolutionary War at the **Battle of Great Bridge** in Virginia, forcing the British Governor Lord Dunmore to evacuate the colony.
Maintain vigilance in the pursuit of all earned benefits; organizational commitment demands both accurate data and constant advocacy.
#FieldIssued, #TheGingerVeteranProductions, #TheGingerVeteranPodcast, #TricareOpenSeason, #FEDVIP, #GAO, #VABenefits, #LegalAid, #USAJOBS, #IssuedForLife
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