Oregon — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving legal support and care coordination for some of the nation’s most vulnerable veterans.
The agreement authorizes certain VA attorneys to be appointed as special assistant U.S. attorneys, allowing them to initiate and participate in state court guardianship or conservatorship proceedings for veterans who cannot make their own medical decisions and lack family or legal representation.
According to the VA, hundreds of veterans fall into this category each year, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Without a legal decision-maker, hospitals and care providers may face barriers when attempting to arrange long-term treatment, rehabilitation, or other post-hospital care.
Under the new arrangement, VA attorneys will be able to directly assist courts in establishing guardians or conservators for qualifying veterans. These legal representatives can help protect veterans’ rights, coordinate appropriate medical care, and facilitate transitions from hospital settings to community-based or specialized care facilities.
Officials say the change is intended to reduce unnecessary extended hospital stays and ensure vulnerable veterans receive timely support.
“The Department of Justice is proud to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs to support our nation’s brave Veterans by ensuring that they have the best legal resources available when it comes to making medical decisions and receiving timely care,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said the partnership reflects the department’s effort to improve care in complex cases. “Our new partnership with the Justice Department reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every Veteran receives timely, appropriate care,” Collins said.
The VA also highlighted several recent operational updates. The agency reported completing more than 82 million direct care appointments in fiscal year 2025, a 4.1 percent increase from the previous year. It also expanded off-hours care with more than 2.2 million early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments and opened 33 new health care clinics during the current administration.
Officials say the new legal collaboration is designed to complement these efforts by ensuring that veterans who cannot advocate for themselves have legal representation to help secure appropriate care decisions.
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