Business

VA Announces Major Department Realignment

By June 30, the Veterans Affairs Department plans to streamline its fragmented bureaucracy into a single, five-region national framework. By Kellie Lunney

Business

VA Bonuses for Bad Employees Targeted Again

The House introduced legislation Monday that would give the VA authority to make employees pay back bonuses. By Kellie Lunney

Business

House Passes Bill To Increase Jobs for Veterans

The Hire More Heroes Act will give small businesses some breathing room under Obamacare’s employer mandate, while also encouraging the private sector to hire more veterans. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Most Troops Will See More Money Next Year

The Pentagon announced increases in basic pay, housing and food allowances. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Military Pay Raise Set for 1 Percent

The final version of the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill, which the House could vote on this week, includes a 1 percent pay raise. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

New Bill Targets the Pensions of Misbehaving VA Employees

Rep. Jeff Miller wants to prevent senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs who are about to be fired from retiring with full benefits. By Kellie Lunney

Business

The Unemployment Rate for Post-9/11 Vets Still Tops the US Overall

A new study from RAND sheds light on the obstacles and complications in the way of ending what's become a lasting trend. By Kellie Lunney

Business

VA Secretary Says He’s Moving Fast To Remove Bad Employees

VA Secretary Bob McDonald is defending his commitment to holding employees accountable and firing them when necessary. By Kellie Lunney

Threats

DOD Civilians Can Opt Out of the Ebola Quarantine

Unlike military service members, defense civilian employees fighting Ebola abroad can refuse the 21-day quarantine. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

House, Senate Wrestle Over Troop Pay Increase

The House version of the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill is nearly double the proposal in the Senate. Which version will win out is still up in the air. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Military Retirees Will Receive a 1.7 Percent COLA for 2015

The cost of living adjustment for federal and military retirees reflects a slight loosening of the fiscal belt, though it's still the third straight year the boost has been less than two percent. By Kellie Lunney

Business

The Unintended Consequence of Hiring Veterans

An increase in veteran representation in federal jobs coincided with declines for women from 2000 to 2012, an upcoming review shows. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Cost of Living Adjustment Will Be Announced on Oct. 22

Next year’s cost of living adjustment for military retirees and veterans receiving benefits is expected to be somewhere between 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent. By Kellie Lunney

Business

VA Will Increase Pay for New Doctors, Dentists

As part of its recruitment effort to hire more healthcare professionals, new VA doctors and dentists could earn as much as $35,000 more than the current salary ranges. By Kellie Lunney

Business

DOD Will Reconsider Thousands of Vietnam Vets’ Discharge Statuses

Because PTSD was not officially recognized as a disorder by the medical profession until 1980, many PTSD claims filed by Vietnam vets were denied. By Kellie Lunney

Business

The VA Is Struggling To Fill 'Tens of Thousands' of Jobs

VA Secretary Bob McDonald is looking for 'tens of thousands' of new health professionals to help move the department past its crisis of confidence with the public. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Civilians in Iraq to Get Higher Premium Pay

U.S. civilians working on stabilization efforts in Iraq can now earn more for overtime, nights and weekend work through the end of the year. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Phased Retirement for Federal Workers Is Finally Here

The law allowing federal employees to partially retire while continuing to work part-time for the government is finally being implemented. By Kellie Lunney

Business

DOD Could Save Millions in Health Care Costs If Congress Would Let It

A decades-old program within the military health system has outlived its usefulness, officials say. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

Senate Panel's 1 Percent Troop, Civilian Pay Raise Now Faces House Hurdles

A more modest pay raise for troops and defense civilians looks safe in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But how will it fare in the Republican-controlled House? By Kellie Lunney