THOMAS POULTER
PA 445 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY
25 FEBRUARY 2013
Introduction The United States Veterans Administration (VA) is the second largest agency in the federal government. The VA has the most comprehensive health care system for veterans than any other country. The concept of the Veterans Administration dates back to the early 1600s when the pilgrims developed a program to help developed to help Soldiers when hurt in war. In 1776, the Continental Congress provided pensions to Soldiers injured in the Revolutionary War. Congress thought it would entice people to help fight in the war. Today, the VA provides benefits to approximately one-percent of the American population that have served their country in one of the five branches of military service. This paper will discuss the history, mission, changing roles, major problems, and which organizations are interested in the administrative law of the VA.
History of the Veterans Administration The first law passed stated that the colony would support the disabled soldiers. The federal government expanded their role during the Revolutionary War in 1776. The Continental Congress established administrative law that provided a pension for soldiers who were disabled during the war. In the 19th century, the nation expanded to provide veteran’s assistance programs, which expanded to include benefits and pensions to a veteran’s widow and dependents. Congress established a new system of veteran’s benefits when the United States entered World War I in 1917. (Veterans Administration, 2013) The VA implemented programs to provide disability compensation, insurance for service persons and veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled. The United States, in the 1920’s, established the Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. In the 1930’s President
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