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Veterans Benefits Newsletter
December 2025
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VA honors 60 years of SGLI protecting our nation’s military members
VA is celebrating 60 years of the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. On Sept. 29,1965, during the Vietnam conflict, an act of Congress created the SGLI program to address service member life insurance needs while in combat zones, and for other purposes.
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Informal Conferences offer opportunity to speak directly with claims processors
Veterans who disagree with their VA benefits claim decision can choose from three decision review options. One of the options is a higher-level review (HLR), which is conducted by an experienced claims processor who didn’t participate in the previous decision. As part of the HLR process, you are able to communicate directly with a new reviewer.
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Survivor Benefits and Reporting a Veteran Death
Losing a loved one is a challenging time — we are here to help. As the survivor of a Veteran or Service member, check to see if you qualify for survivor benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.
Please contact VA to report the Veteran’s death and avoid an overpayment of the Veteran’s benefits. You can report the death in person at a VA Regional Office, by mail, or by phone.
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Overpayment Fraud
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Scammers are alarmingly clever in targeting Veterans, surviving spouses and family members who receive VA benefits. They pretend to be official VA representatives and use official communication channels to demand repayment for alleged benefits overpayments. Fraudulent letters, emails and texts often include fake VA letterheads and logos, making it difficult to distinguish genuine VA communications from .
Learn more about overpayment scams from the SITREP
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File a Supplemental Claim
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If VA denied your disability claim in the past, but now considers your condition presumptive, you are encouraged to file a Supplemental Claim. This will allow VA to re-adjudicate your claim when presented with new evidence or policy. Learn how to file a Supplemental Claim today.
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Decision Letter Tool
Did you know you can access your VA notices and claims development letters on VA.gov? You no longer have to wait for mailed copies or request reprints from VA. By logging in using your VA.gov login info you can view your documents.
Learn how to access decision letters and notices.
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VA History: Object 99
After World War II, U.S. Army investigators in the Philippines turned over a huge collection of captured documents, intelligence reports, press clippings, and Japanese banks checks to the VA office in Manila. The Manila office stored the collection in the “Loyalty Room,” so named because VA used the checks and other records to evaluate the wartime allegiance of Filipino Veterans applying for benefits.
Read more about Object 99 in the History of VA in 100 Objects digital exhibit.
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VA Home Loan Guaranty
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As part of our mission to serve you, we provide a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. Learn more about the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program.
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Holiday Scams
Common holiday season scams
include shipping and delivery scams, impersonation scams, VA benefit scams, charity scams, phishing scams, gift card scams, prize and sweepstake scams, e-commerce scams and financial scams.
Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find out more and report it to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov or by calling 833-38V-SAFE.
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Stay Connected with Team RWB
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Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is dedicated to enriching the lives of Veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. By providing in-person and virtual opportunities, Team RWB can help you focus on your mental and physical health to ensure the best days are ahead. Download their free mobile app to meet local community members, access virtual challenges, and much more!
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