United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government tasked with integrating life-long healthcare services for qualified war veterans at the nation’s 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics. Disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education help, housing loans, and life insurance are among the non-healthcare benefits available to qualifying veterans and family members, as well as burial and memorial benefits at 135 national cemeteries.
The VA employs 412,892 workers throughout hundreds of medical institutions, clinics, benefits offices, and cemeteries as of June 2020. The department’s net program costs in Fiscal Year 2016 were $273 billion, including the $106.5 billion VBA Actuarial Cost for compensation benefits. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is the head of the department, and he is appointed by the President as a cabinet member.
Functions of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA’s main purpose is to assist veterans in their post-service lives by providing benefits and assistance.
The VA’s mission and evolution have been substantially motivated by these conflicts. Because it is the population that makes up the VA treatment system, the VA keeps a complete record of war injured.
Long-term “actuarial accumulated obligation” (total expected future payments for veterans and their families) is $2.491 trillion in compensation benefits, $59.6 billion in education benefits, and $4.6 billion in burial benefits.
In 1982, Congress added a responsibility for the VA to provide care for non-veteran civilian or military patients in the event of a hospital overflow. This became known as the VA’s “fourth purpose” (besides the three missions of serving veterans through care, research and training). For significant disasters and crises declared by the President of the United States, and when the Secretary of Health and Human Services activates the National Disaster Medical System, it can provide medical services to the general population (reimbursed by other federal agencies).
State governors request VA aid during catastrophes and health emergencies, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Department of Health and Human Services relays approved requests to the VA. Non-veterans are also eligible for paid medical care from the VA in an emergency. The VA made the COVID-19 Response Plan it is implementing throughout its medical institutions public on March 27 in order to safeguard Veterans, their families, and staff.
The agency is committed to preventing and ending veteran homelessness. To address these concerns, the VA collaborates with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
In its proposal “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness” released in 2010, the USICH identified ending veteran homelessness by 2015 as a primary goal; amendments to the 2010 version made in 2015 include a preface written by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez, citing a 33 percent reduction in veteran homelessness since the creation of the Opening Doors initiative.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ major participation and integrated approach to veteran welfare have been deemed to distinguish the US response to veteran homelessness internationally.
History of the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs
While the federal government has provided benefits to veterans since the American Revolutionary War, the Veterans Administration did not become a separate federal entity until 1930. Its mandate was expanded to include a fourth objective in 1982 to offer care to non-veterans and civilians in the event of a national emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Veterans Administration was elevated to the Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress of 1776 promoted enlistment by giving injured troops with annuities. Individual states and municipalities offered direct medical and hospital treatment to veterans in the early days of the United States.
The federal government established the first domiciliary and medical hospital for veterans in 1811, but it did not operate until 1834. The nation’s veterans assistance programme was enlarged in the nineteenth century to provide VA loans and benefits for not only veterans, but also their widows and dependents.
Because wounded soldiers are the population that the VA cares for, the history and evolution of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is intrinsically linked to and dependent on the history of America’s wars. From the American Revolutionary War until the present, the United States has been involved in ninety-nine wars.
However, the following eight wars accounted for the vast majority of US military casualties:
- American Revolutionary War (estimated at 8000)
- American Civil War (218,222)
- World War I (53,402)
- World War II (291,567)
- The Korean War (33,686)
- Vietnam (47,424)
- The Iraq War (3,836)
- War in Afghanistan (1,833).
Origins of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Many state veterans’ homes were built after the American Civil War ended in 1865. Because domiciliary care was available at all state veterans homes, all injuries and diseases, whether or not related to service, received incidental medical and hospital treatment. These homes provided for indigent and handicapped Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, and Mexican Border period veterans, as well as dismissed regular personnel of the Armed Forces.
During this time, the Bureau of Pensions was formed in 1832, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was established in 1865, two of the three predecessors of the Veterans Administration.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs FAQ
What does the Veterans Affairs Department do?
Maintain a leading role in the care and support of all Veterans and their families by assisting them in obtaining the supports and services they require from all levels of government and the community at large.
How do I check my veterans benefits?
- Go to your “My VA” dashboard.
You’ll find the link for this dashboard in the top right corner of the page once you’re signed in. - Scroll down to the “Track Claims” section.
There, you’ll see a summary of the latest status information for any open claims or appeals you may have. - Click on the “View Status” button for a specific claim.
You’ll go to a page with more details about that claim’s status and supporting evidence. Evidence may include documents like a doctor’s report or medical test results.
Who do I contact about veterans benefits?
Online, you can get answers to your inquiries about VA benefits and services. Explore the FAQs and other resources, submit an online question, or call us.
Find the location of your local VA health facility, regional office, cemetery, or other location, as well as the address and phone number.
For more information on Veteran Affair Loans and requirements please contact Ability Mortgage Group.
Image Attribution: Pixabay.com
Source: U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs