FIELD ISSUED – DAILY VETERAN UPDATE
Monday, December 15, 2025
FORWARD BRIEF
Good morning. This update is delivered to empower you with clarity and actionable intelligence. It prioritizes the information that supports every service member and veteran, especially those navigating the early stages of transition. You are valued, and this brief is built for your success.
VA NEWS — CORE
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**Claims Backlog Reduced by 57%: The VA is celebrating a major reduction in the backlog of veterans waiting for compensation and pension benefits since January 2025, recording a fiscal-year high of over 3 million claims processed.
Source: VA.gov News Release, November 18, 2025 (View Source) -
**New Grant to Improve Elder Veteran Safety:** Federal grant funding was announced to pilot an innovative program for VA Medical Centers and Area Agencies on Aging to improve coordination and intervene in cases of elder mistreatment.
Source: Congressman Deluzio Press Release, December 12, 2025 (View Source)
FEDERAL REGISTER – VETERANS AFFAIRS
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**Final Rule Locks in Telehealth Practice Across State Lines:** The VA adopted a final rule ensuring VA health care professionals can practice via telehealth in any state, regardless of where they or the patient are located. (Effective Nov 3, 2025).
Source: Federal Register, October 2, 2025 (View Source) -
**Debtor Waiver Deadline Extended (Final Rule):** VA published a final rule 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)
FEDERAL REGISTER – DOD / DHS / OTHER AGENCIES
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**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) -
**DoD Seeking Comment on Personnel Data Collection:** The DoD is seeking comment on a proposed information collection request regarding personnel data. The deadline for public comment is **February 9, 2026**.
Source: Federal Register, December 9, 2025 (View Source)
CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY – BILLS & LEGISLATIVE MOVEMENT
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**H.R. 3183: SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 (Introduced)**
**Impact:** This bill establishes the Office of Falls Prevention and mandates safety research and training to protect aging veterans.
Source: Congress.gov, May 5, 2025 (View Source) -
**H.R. [N/A]: VA Research Reform Act (Introduced)**
**Impact:** This bill proposes establishing a centralized data system and mandating national timelines for VA research project approval to accelerate clinical findings implementation.
Source: Congressman Murphy Press Release, December 10, 2025 (View Source)
OVERSIGHT WATCH — VA OIG / GAO
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**VET TEC Oversight Alert: VA Resists Overpayment Fixes.** GAO found potential overpayments to VET TEC providers and warned VA resists implementing systematic procedures to prevent and recoup these funds, impacting GI Bill stewardship.
Source: GAO Report, September 30, 2025 (View Source) -
**EHR Modernization Warning: GAO Demands Critical Actions.** A new GAO report (GAO-26-108812) warns that the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program needs urgent action on 16 recommendations before future deployments can proceed successfully.
Source: GAO Report, December 12, 2025 (View Source)
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Shop Field Issued NowFEDERAL WORKFORCE WATCH
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**DEADLINE THIS WEEK: Executive Development Programs:** OPM guidance confirms agencies must announce two new executive development programs (SEDP and LEAG) to senior federal leaders no later than **December 19, 2025**.
Source: OPM Memo, November 19, 2025 (View Source) -
**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)
HEALTHCARE & RESEARCH UPDATES
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**VA Awards Contract for Personalized Medicine (PGx):** VA has awarded a major national contract to Baylor Genetics to provide pharmacogenomic (PGx) and germline genetic testing, supporting personalized medicine, especially for mental health conditions, across the VA network.
Source: Dark Daily, December 15, 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)
HIRING & CAREER PIPELINES (GS 3-7 FOCUS)
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**CRITICAL DEADLINE TODAY: Remote Coder Cutoff:** The initial referral cutoff date for remote Medical Records Technician (Coder-Outpatient and Inpatient, **GS 6-8**) roles is **today, December 15, 2025**.
Source: USAJOBS/VA, December 2, 2025 (View Opening) -
**DEADLINE TODAY: Supervisory Investigator (Remote GS-15):** The deadline for this high-level remote position with the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection expires **today, December 15, 2025**.
Source: USAJOBS/VA, December 5, 2025 (View Opening)
VETERAN HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES
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**$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)
FIELD OP-ED: STEWARDSHIP IN THE GI BILL ERA
When the GAO reports that millions in GI Bill funds may be improperly spent on high-tech training providers, it’s not merely a budgeting error—it’s a breach of trust. The VET TEC program is essential, but if the VA is actively resisting oversight measures recommended by the GAO, that lack of diligence directly jeopardizes the future stability of the earned benefit for every service member who seeks legitimate career transition. Vigilance requires transparency.
DEFENSE & NATIONAL SECURITY ITEMS RELEVANT TO VETERANS
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**Congress Receives SGLI/VGLI Review Bill:** The “Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025” (H.R. 970), requiring the VA to periodically review maximum Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage, has been presented to the President for signature.
Source: Congress.gov, December 3, 2025 (View Source)
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
The DAV is the leading advocacy and service organization dedicated to empowering disabled veterans to lead high-quality lives. Their local VSOs provide critical assistance with benefits claims, employment support, and transportation.
Find Local Services#DisabledVeterans
TGVP SPOTLIGHT — THE GINGER VETERAN PODCAST
Most recent episode: “Billy and Bobbi Sue, Lover’s Leap” (Verifiable, Nov 13, 2025)
Listen: Listen Here
Website: Visit TGVP Website
Contact: gingerveteranpod@gmail.com
THE VET CHECK
Military History: The Seabees—the Navy’s Construction Battalions—ended direct voluntary enlistment on this day in **1942**, requiring all manpower procurement via the Selective Service, a crucial shift in World War II mobilization.
THIS DAY IN MILITARY HISTORY
On **December 15, 1944**, U.S. Army troops landed at Mindoro, Philippines, supported by escort carriers, initiating a key step in the liberation of the Philippines despite heavy counterattacks from Japanese forces.
Maintain vigilance in the pursuit of all earned benefits; organizational commitment demands both accurate data and constant advocacy.
#FieldIssued, #TheGingerVeteranPodcast, #TheGingerVeteranProductions, #VETTEC, #GAO, #EHRM, #MilitaryTech, #VeteranLegalAid, #IssuedForLife
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