Disabled Veterans Research Paper

Veterans’ healthcare benefits date back to the year 1636 when pilgrims coming to the “new world” met Pequot Indians, prompting them to pass a law saying veterans would be supported by the colony. The first trace of healthcare benefits was when the Continental Congress of 1766 encouraged new recruits to enlist in the military by promising a pension and free healthcare to retired and disabled veterans (VA History). Today, the idea is still there, but there is a fair amount of bureaucratic red tape surrounding the new benefits, which include mental health doctors at the VA, lifelong care for the wounded, and disabled, and other assorted benefits that have all been pushed to the back burner as other “more important” issues are tackled, prompting
As a result, there are hundreds of suicidal vets who sought medical help but were forgotten or misplaced, and paid the ultimate price for our freedom. The number of Veteran suicides has risen, with almost shocking speed. Also, diagnosis is also a problem. Of the service members that went to a health clinic before committing suicide, 19% were diagnosed with a “catch-all” problem – musculoskeletal back pain. Less than 10% were actually diagnosed with a mental disorder (Schwarts). Also interesting, on the VA’s official list of initiatives, number 5 on the lengthy list is “Improving Veterans ' mental health”, which has obviously not happened, because the suicide rate continues to climb and the number of trained professionals hasn’t risen to meet the need. (VA History)
Another problem is lifelong care, whose system has been strained due to the fact that veterans are living longer. The state of technology and medicine as it is today provides us with better medicine, better armor, and a different fighting style, with fewer people running around with guns forming a line and advancing on the enemy and more behind computers contemplating a complex missile
to have your case looked at by the Veterans’ Board of Appeals, which has been called biased and overloaded. Assuming your request was approved; you have to approve your lawyer through the Veterans’ Board of Appeals, after which you will go to court and fight for your disability.
In conclusion, the benefits veterans receive in exchange for their service is not only unacceptable, but pitiful and sad. When a person enlists as a soldier, they understand the risks that are associated with such an occupation, but choose to put their life and limb on the line for the American people day in and day out twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Works Cited
Akaka, Daniel K. “Serving the Veterans Who Have Served Us.” Human Rights Spring 2008: 1-24. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. .
Driscoll, Sally, and Marlanda English. “Veterans: An Overview.” Points of View: Veterans. N.p.: Great Neck, 2011. 1-1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. .
Kors, Joshua. “Dispolable Soldiers.” Nation 26 Apr. 2010: 11-18. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. .
- - -. “How the VA Abandons Our Vets.” Nation 15 Sept. 2008: 13-20. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.