February 18, 2026
13 stories curated for veterans on this date.
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LEGACY
WWII soldier who refused to identify Jewish POWs to receive Medal of Honor
Roddie Edmonds never spoke about his time in a German prisoner of war camp. This week, his family learned he’ll soon receive the nation’s highest valor award for an act of heroism in which he never...
Legacy W Task & Purpose -
BENEFITS
Concern and confusion erupt over new VA disability rule
Veterans and advocates are struggling to understand the ramifications of a new federal rule, under which the Department of Veterans Affairs will consider the effectiveness of medications when...
Benefits C Task & Purpose -
BENEFITS
VA to consider medical management of symptoms in determining disability ratings
Veterans Affairs medical examiners are now required to consider the effects of medication on a veteran’s health condition when assigning a disability rating under a new regulation published Tuesday...
Benefits V Military Times - Vet -
ADVOCACY
VA restores gun rights to some disabled veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has ended a practice that prevented veterans who can’t manage their finances from owning guns, a change officials say will restore constitutional rights to nearly...
Advocacy V Military Times - Vet -
HEALTH
DAV announces new partnership with Solace Health supporting veterans’ care
ERLANGER, Ky. – DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is proud to announce a new partnership with Solace Health as its first new partner in 2026.
Health D DAV -
LEGACY
Revolutionary War uniforms and the birth of an American army
When the American Revolutionary War erupted in 1775, the conflict was not only a struggle for political independence but also a visible clash between two distinct military cultures.
Legacy R We Are The Mighty -
HEALTH
Break free from chewing and dipping
Join the Great American Spit Out and let VA help you stop chewing and dipping for good It’s often not easy to stop chewing or dipping. Tobacco is addictive and cravings are real.
Health B VA News -
BENEFITS
New VA rule could lower veterans’ disability rating if medication improves their symptoms
Veterans will have their disability compensation evaluated based on whether their prescribed medication or treatment improves their illness or injury, according to a new federal rule.
Benefits N Task & Purpose -
BENEFITS
2026 VA Disability Rates: What the 2.8% Increase Means for Your Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025.
Benefits 2 Rep For Vets -
BENEFITS
Home loan borrowers can now deduct funding fees
Starting this year, Veterans, service members and their surviving spouses can deduct VA funding fees on their taxes when purchasing a home using the VA-guaranteed home loan.
Benefits H VA News -
COMMUNITY
VA moves to improve dental care access for eligible Veterans
VA has released a request for proposals for a new dental care administrator to operate the department’s next generation network of community care dental providers.
Community V VA News -
LEGACY
I Thought Removing Confederate Names Meant Black Soldiers’ Legacy Mattered. Then, the Names Were Restored
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Legacy I War Horse -
BENEFITS
A new VA disability rule may lower millions of veteran disability ratings
On Feb. 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule that changes one deceptively simple question at the heart of disability exams.
Benefits A We Are The Mighty