Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and NYC Department of Veterans’ Services announced the expansion on Tuesday, July 8, of the City’s Veterans’ Services through a new Veteran Resource Center (VRC) at Bronx Borough Hall. Located at 851 Grand Concourse in the Concourse section of the borough, officials said the VRC will be a dedicated office to connect veterans, service members, and their families with the benefits and services they’ve earned.

 

Officials from the Office of the Bronx Borough President said the new VRC will operate weekly on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room #123. They said veterans and others can connect through NYC Department of Veterans’ Services main phone line on (212) 416-5250, via email at connect@veterans.nyc.gov. or by making an appointment at nyc.gov/vetconnect.

 

They said the new location will provide in-person support to help Bronx veterans access VA benefits, housing assistance, mental health services, workforce opportunities, and more, bringing vital resources directly to the heart of the borough.

 

The Veteran Voices Project (VVP) is an oral history initiative designed to preserve the stories of NYC’s Veterans. Listen to full recordings of veterans sharing their stories at the Veterans Voices Project oral history library on SoundCloud and NYC DVS| Veteran Voices Project Series on Artifact.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced June 24 that further to the announced DOGE cuts, earlier this year, it has processed more than 2 million disability benefits claims for veterans in fiscal year 2025, which they said is “faster than ever before.”

 

“VA achieved this milestone more than a month faster than the all-time record reached in FY 2024,” according to the VA. “At this pace, VA will surpass the previous record number of completed disability claims by more than 14% this year. VA has already awarded more than $120 billion in compensation and pension benefits to Veterans and survivors in FY 2025.”

 

VA officials said that since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, the VA has reduced the inventory of backlogged disability claims by more than 74,000. They said veterans are also getting their claims processed more quickly, with the average wait time for a claim to be processed falling from 141.5 days on Jan. 20 to 131.8 days on June 21.

 

“VA has reduced the claims backlog and has processed these claims faster than ever for a simple reason: we’re focused on getting results for Veterans,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We are just getting started in our mission to help Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors get the care and benefits they’ve earned.”

 

 

NYC DEPARTMENT OF Veterans Services (DVS) shares excerpts from its oral history initiative, the Veterans Voices Project, starting in 1945. Listen as Jim McDonough of the Headstrong Project interviews #WW2 veteran Nicholas Troianiello on his experience at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Video courtesy of NYC Department of Veterans Services 

Norwood News heard unconfirmed reports that the Collins was visiting the James J. Peters VA Center in Fordham Manor on June 17. We reached out to the VA for confirmation along with the reason for the alleged visit. We did not receive a response.

 

On Monday, July 7, as reported, the VA announced Monday, July 7, that further to the announced DOGE cuts earlier this year, it’s on track to reduce total VA staff (nationwide) by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025 “eliminating the need for a large-scale reduction-in-force.”

 

 

• refill and track VA prescriptions;
• review appointments;
• review claims and appeals status;
• submit evidence for claims and appeals;
• review VA payment and direct deposit information;
• locate the closest VA facilities;
• access the Veterans Crisis Line; and
• show proof of Veteran status.

 

“VA’s Health and Benefits app gives Veterans fast and convenient access to a host of important information, from appointments to prescriptions and benefits,” said Eddie Pool, the VA acting assistant secretary for information and technology and acting chief information officer. “We encourage all VA-enrolled Veterans to stay connected and informed by downloading the app.” Learn more about the app and download it here.

 

VA encourages all Veterans to visit VA.gov to learn more and apply for the care and benefits they deserve.

 

Bronx NABVETS #0029 is hosting a Jumbo Porgy Fishing Trip to City Island on Aug. 9. Join fellow veterans for a day on the water and a “reel” good time from 7.45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are: $150 and we understand the location is 551 City Island Avenue but please call (347) 613-2566 for more information. 

 

To read some related reporting on veterans, click here, here and here.