  We propose a density-dependent function for the attractive interaction in the
original van der Waals model to correctly describe the flow constraint at the
high-density regime of the symmetric nuclear matter. After a generalization to
asymmetric nuclear matter, it was also possible to study the stellar matter
regime from this new model. The mass-radius relation for neutron stars under
$\beta$-equilibrium is found to agree with recent X-ray observations. The
neutron star masses supported against gravity, obtained from some
parametrizations of the model, are in the range of $(1.97-2.07)M_{\odot}$,
compatible with observational data from the PSR J0348+0432 pulsar. Furthermore,
we verify the reliability of the model in predicting tidal deformabilities of
the binary system related to the GW170817 neutron star merger event and find a
full agreement with the new bounds obtained by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration.

Nuclear Theory;High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena