All four Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) veterans care centers have earned five-star overall ratings under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System, the department announced in its fall newsletter.
The CMS system assigns an overall rating of one to five stars, with five stars representing quality much above average, based on health inspections, staffing and quality measures. Only 18% of all nursing homes in Virginia have a five-star rating.
The VDVS centers are Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center in Roanoke, Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Virginia Beach, Puller Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County, and Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond.
The centers recorded fewer health inspection citations than the state average of 14.5. Davis & McDaniel had three citations during its last inspection, Sitter & Barfoot had five, Jones & Cabacoy had two, and Puller had zero.
Staffing is another area where the centers excel. Nursing staff turnover averages 45.8% across the U.S. and 48.1% in Virginia, but VDVS centers report turnover of less than 30%.
"Our nursing staff turnover is significantly lower than our counterparts across the U.S. and Virginia at less than 30%, which makes a huge difference in continuity of care for our residents and the longevity of our staff," said Todd Barnes, VDVS Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center Administrator. "This is one of the many reasons why all our care centers have a five-star rating. We're committed to a higher quality of care."
The newsletter also highlighted VDVS suicide prevention efforts during National Suicide Prevention Month. Commissioner John Maxwell noted that veterans, especially those in their first year after leaving the military, are more likely to die by suicide, and urged the public to learn the warning signs and to use the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
VDVS offers more than $4 million in grants each year through its Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services (SOS) program. The deadline to apply for SOS grant funds is September 30, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. EST.
In other news, VDVS will host a Veteran Benefits and Resource Fair on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake. The free event is open to veterans of any era, active-duty service members, Guard and Reserve members, and their families.
"No veteran should have to struggle through a complicated benefits system on their own," said VDVS Commissioner John Maxwell. "Every application represents a lifetime of service, and every veteran deserves someone who will take the time to listen, explain the process, and advocate on their behalf."
The department also plans to celebrate the grand opening of new benefits offices in Chesapeake and Fairfax in October, expanding support for veterans in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.