The Department of Veteran Affairs, also known as the VA, is a department that provides a lot of necessary benefits and programs to veterans that have served the country. You can find a VA hospital in Los Angeles as well as a variety of different centers all across the country helping veterans to get the care that they need, often due to injuries sustained in combat. There is a long history behind what the institution is today, with roots tracing back to 1636 when the pilgrims were at war with the Pequot natives.
Back in 1636, a law was passed stating that disabled soldiers would be supported by the colony. This was a way to get more people to serve willingly, and it was a way to make sure that those that served the colony would not fall through the cracks as a result of that service. In 1776, during the Revolutionary War, pensions were also provided to disabled soldiers to further encourage enlistments in the service.
In 1811, the government authorized the first medical facility for veterans, being the original VA hospital even though it was under a different name. Around this time, pensions were also starting to be offered to widows and descendants of fallen soldiers. After the Civil War, benefits were expanded to offer housing to veterans and medical treatment began to be offered regardless of whether or not the injuries of the veterans were related to the service.
During World War I, a new system of benefits for veterans started to emerge. This included disability compensation, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and more. These were all in different categories and programs that later merged and, in 1921, became the Veterans Bureau. In 1930, they further consolidated and became known as the Veteran Administration.
In more recent years, the benefits for soldiers and veterans continued and are still continuing to expand and get better. This allows for services such as the VA hospital to allow those that serve a chance to succeed in society when they get back, regardless of anything that may have happened to them during their service. Now, there are benefits allowing for outpatient and inpatient care, as well as specialized programs for specific injuries or illnesses such as blindness, PTSD, brain injuries, exposures to certain chemicals or radiation and more. There are even specialized care options for women.
Although the services and benefits offered are better now than they were in the beginning, there is still further room for improvement. Some still aren’t getting the help they need, either because they do not qualify or because they simply don’t know where to go for help. If you want to help make life better for active military and veterans, there are some steps you can take, such as volunteering, raising awareness or donating to reputable charities.
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