VA Portland Health Care System

04/18/2026

As part of our Freedom 250 observance, where we mark the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, we walk through the timeline of notable events which shaped our nation, and milestones which honor our Veterans.

Today, we explore the origins of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

On August 26, 1776, the Continental Congress resolved that a monthly pension for disabled Soldiers was set at one-half of their monthly pay, which varied by rank.

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress passed the first national pension laws for wounded or injured soldiers but left it to the states to distribute relief. After 1789, the federal government assumed responsibility for the pension system. In the early 1800s, a small office of three in the War Department handled the clerical work relating to claims and the few thousand Veterans on the pension rolls. As the number of beneficiaries increased over the decades, so did the size of the workforce.

Read more at https://department.va.gov/history/veterans-benefits-administration/

04/17/2026

Military sexual trauma (MST) can affect anyone. VA is here to meet MST survivors where they are in their healing.

During Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and beyond, find free resources and support, visit MentalHealth.va.gov/MST

04/16/2026

National Prescription Drug is scheduled to take place at the VA Portland Health Care System's Portland and Vancouver campuses, Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

is a free event for communities nationwide to properly dispose of old and unneeded medications safely and anonymously. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., bring those old and unneeded medications to a collection site near you!

Locations:
Portland campus, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland, OR 97239
Veterans Affairs Police Department, Bldg. 100, Main Lobby

Vancouver campus, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661
Veterans Affairs Police Department, Bldg. 11, Main Entrance Lobby

If you cannot make either of these locations or dates/times, or would like more information, visit: www.DEATakeBack.com

04/15/2026

We have 40 more open appointments for the next American Red Cross blood drive scheduled for April 21st, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the VA Portland Health Care System's Portland campus!

If you would like to volunteer to donate blood, or need more information, visit

Find the nearest Red Cross blood, platelet or plasma donation center. Make a difference in someone's life, give the gift of life.

04/15/2026

Happening today!

Veterans, staff and caregivers are invited to join the IPVAP & MST teams for the Clothesline project today in the PVAMC Education Room 101/109 from 11:00am -2:00pm for this event!

All materials will be provided

04/14/2026

As a Veteran, your military service may have exposed you to unique factors that can increase your risk of heart disease.

In addition to traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, mental health concerns such as PTSD and depression can contribute to your risk.

The Million Veteran Program is studying ways to improve treatments for heart disease.
You can make a difference by joining MVP today. www.mvp.va.gov

04/14/2026

As part of National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, we are celebrating our wonderful VA volunteers all month long!

Happy birthday to VA volunteer Beverly Smith, who turns 89 today!

Beverly has been a dedicated volunteer at the Portland VA for 18 years, contributing an outstanding 15,604 hours of service. In addition to her volunteer work, she serves on the VAVS Executive Committee and represents the MOPH, VFW, and NCO.

Beverly has received the 10,000 Hour Honor Award Bowl and is now preparing to receive her 15,000 Hour Exceptional Honor Award Plaque. She can often be found welcoming visitors at the front desk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

As CDCE prepares for National Volunteer Week please make sure to say a special thank you to all our volunteers.

Look for future posts over the next month or so that honors the critical and much appreciated work our volunteers do for our Veterans and VA staff!

04/13/2026

Su***de prevention starts with being prepared. VA S.A.V.E. Training teaches you how to recognize when a Veteran needs support and how to help them.

More information: learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save.

By taking this course you will develop a general understanding of the problem of su***de in the United States; understand how to identify a Veteran who may be at risk for su***de; and, finally, know what to do if you identify a Veteran at risk.

04/12/2026

Join us on Thursday, April 16 for a VA-hosted community event to help Veterans understand the financial benefit of COMPACT ACT, process of enrollment, and options of services available to assist with your health, wellness and quality of life.

Where: Hillsboro Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 1925 North East Stucki Avenue, Suite 300, Hillsboro, OR 97006
When: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Learn about:
-Enrollment in VA care or about programs of which you may not be aware
-Transition support moving from the military to VA services
-Health care options for LGBTQ+ Veterans
-Beneficiary travel benefits to and from appointments

04/11/2026

VA FARMS is hosting its Fairview Guest Speaker Series on Warm Season Vegetables on Tuesday, May 21st, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Cleone Park in Fairview Oregon.

Address: 2063 NE 213th Ave, Fairview, OR 97024

Grow food confidently with hands-on learning from your community experts! Community garden plots are also available for reservation for the 2026 growing season

For more information on the Veterans Garden, contact VA FARMS:
Email: VHAPOR-FARMS@va.gov
Phone: 360-737-1441

04/10/2026

We invite Veterans, staff and caregivers to join the IPVAP & MST teams for the Clothesline project

Date: April 15th, 2026
Time: 11:00am -2:00pm
Location: Portland VA campus, in the PVAMC Education Room 101/109

All materials will be provided

04/09/2026

Did you know that Hearing aids, contact lenses and eyeglasses may be provided to the following enrolled Veterans as authorized in 38 Chapter I CFR 17.149, provided they receive VA care or services:
• Veterans with any compensable, service-connected disability
• Former POWs
• Veterans awarded a Purple Heart
• Veterans in receipt of benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151 (such as benefits for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation)
• Veterans in receipt of increased pension based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) benefits or because of being permanently housebound (HB)
• Veterans who have a visual or hearing impairment resulting from the existence of another medical condition for which the Veteran is receiving VA care or that resulted from treatment of that medical condition
• Veterans with significant functional or cognitive impairment evidenced by deficiencies in activities of daily living (not including normally occurring visual or hearing impairments)
• Veterans with severe visual or hearing impairment and for whom hearing aids and/or eyeglasses are necessary to ensure their active participation in their own medical treatment
• Veterans with a 0% service-connected hearing disability

To order hearing aids or CPAP supplies visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/order-hearing-aid-or-CPAP-supplies-form/introduction

To schedule a hearing test at our VA Portland Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology Service, schedule an appointment for any Audiology location by calling our central scheduling line 503-721-1434, or 1-800-949-1004 ext. 55712, Mon- Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.