WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rolled out a sweeping set of moves this week aimed at improving veterans’ quality of life, announcing expanded home-based medical care for those with complex conditions, a nationwide hiring push for vocational counselors, record-setting satisfaction scores for national cemeteries, and a new report showing a slight decline in veteran suicides even as risks remain elevated.
On February 2, the VA said it is raising the expenditure cap for in-home and community-based services for veterans with spinal cord injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other complex medical conditions. Under the change, the department’s skilled home health care program will now cover up to 100 percent of the cost of comparable care in a VA Community Living Center, up from a previous cap of 65 percent.
VA officials said the increase is expected to significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for services such as home health aides, respite care, adult day health programs, Veteran Directed Care, and skilled home health, allowing more veterans to remain in their homes. About 200 veterans are expected to benefit in fiscal year 2026. Since its launch in 2019, the program has enrolled roughly 1,800 veterans.
The rate increase stems from Section 120 of the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act of 2025. The VA encouraged veterans and families to consult VA social workers to learn more about eligibility.
A day later, on February 3, the department announced it is recruiting more than 300 vocational rehabilitation counselors and specialists for its Veteran Readiness and Employment program, with positions open nationwide through March 17. The program provides individualized counseling, employment services, education support, and rehabilitation assistance to veterans with service-connected disabilities, helping them overcome barriers to employment and achieve long-term career success.
On February 5, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration reported earning the highest customer satisfaction score ever recorded by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. NCA received a score of 98 out of 100 in the 2025 survey, marking the eighth consecutive year it ranked first nationwide and far exceeding the government-wide average score of 70.4. The rating reflects feedback from families receiving burial and memorial services, who cited staff compassion, professionalism, and the honor shown to veterans.
That same day, the department released its National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which found there were 6,398 veteran suicides in 2023, down slightly from 6,442 in 2022. The average daily number fell marginally to 17.5. The report also showed that 61 percent of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 were not receiving VA health care in the year before their death, and that suicide rates per 100,000 rose for both men and women.
The data identified elevated risk among veterans ages 18 to 34 and among those experiencing homelessness, chronic health problems, or pain, with pain cited as the most frequently identified risk factor in recent years. VA officials said suicide prevention remains the department’s top clinical priority, pointing to expanded outreach, partnerships with civilian health systems, increased screenings, and record usage of the Veterans Crisis Line.
In fiscal year 2025, the VA said it handled 1.3 million calls, chats, and texts through the crisis line, a 39 percent increase from the prior year, with a reported satisfaction rate of 97 percent.
Veterans in crisis, or those concerned about one, can contact the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 confidential support by dialing 988 and pressing 1. Enrollment in VA health care or benefits is not required to call.
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