The government has a responsibility to take care of the veterans. That’s why they have created various programs and services to help those who served our country. These programs provide healthcare, financial assistance, and other support for veterans with health issues they face while serving in the military.
Programs and Services for Veterans’ Health Issues
Veterans’ health issues can be a big part of their lives, but it’s essential to know that programs and services are available to help veterans with their health. Here are some examples:
VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics provide healthcare services for veterans who have been in the military, including mental health care and physical therapy. For the unversed, almost 10% of men and 19% of women, who served as veterans in 2021, were diagnosed with PTSD.
In addition, they offer rehabilitation and prosthetic services to help improve mobility after injuries sustained in service. Suppose you were injured while serving in the military and needed physical therapy as part of treatment. In that case, this may be something you can get through your local VA facility or clinic.
Veterans Affairs also offers disability compensation payments for those diagnosed with certain conditions related to their service experience. These payments can vary depending on what kind of injury occurred during service. There are various slabs, starting with $165.92 for 10% disability, which increases with the disability rate.
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Programs
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers several programs to help veterans who may have faced health issues during service. These programs are available to veterans of all eras, including those enrolled in the VA health care system and those not registered.
The following are some of the most common VHA programs:
- Compensation & Pension Benefits: This program provides financial assistance for injuries sustained during military service, including back injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans can apply for these benefits by filling out an application form through their local VA medical center or regional office.
- Readjustment Counseling Service: This program offers counseling services as part of its mission to improve the quality of life among veterans after they return home from active duty. Services include:
- Individual therapy sessions with licensed mental health professionals
- Group therapy sessions led by trained peer counselors
- Telephone hotlines staffed by mental health specialists who provide crisis intervention services 24 hours per day/7, days per week
- Outreach efforts aimed at reaching out directly into communities where there may be a high concentration of veterans living within proximity
Educational classes are explicitly designed around topics such as substance abuse prevention strategies or coping skills training techniques explicitly related to combat-related PTSD symptoms.
Each therapy works differently and can offer various benefits. For example, acceptance and commitment therapy for depression requires 10-16 sessions to work on the veterans.
Honoring Our PACT Act
The PACT Act is a law that requires the VA to provide care for veterans with certain health issues, including those who are homeless. It also requires the VA to provide care for veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
The PACT Act was passed in 2022 and became effective that year. This act aims to ensure that all eligible veterans receive their care from a staff member trained in providing specialized treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions related to military service.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is also a part of the PACT Act. This justice act is for veterans exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act helps veterans get compensation for the health problems they have faced due to exposure to contaminated water.
There are various diseases that this act covers. As listed on the TorHoerman Law website, these diseases include ALS, various cancers, multiple Myeloma, infertility, miscarriage, etc. The website also states that over 1 million veterans and family members were exposed to the contaminated water, which means this can be one of the biggest class action lawsuits in the history of the US.
Disability Compensation
It is not the same as disability retirement or pension benefits based on your military service and time in the armed forces.
You can get disability compensation if:
- You were injured or became ill while on active duty or while performing qualifying duties before being placed on active duty.
- The injury was caused by something other than your willful misconduct.
- You have not been convicted of a felony offense under federal law or state law.
Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services
The VA offers many rehabilitation services, including inpatient and outpatient care. These include:
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation. This includes surgical procedures, wound care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
- Prosthetic services. These include fitting and maintaining artificial limbs or other assistive devices designed to restore function lost by injury or illness. The VA also provides prosthetics for veterans who need them due to complications from an injury sustained during service but did not qualify for benefits under 38 CFR 3104 or 3108(a)(1)(A). Fortune Business Insights said the global prosthetic limb market stood at USD 1.53 billion in 2021.
The VA offers many different programs aimed at helping veterans with prosthetics or rehabilitation issues achieve their personal goals, whether those goals involve returning to an active lifestyle after suffering an injury during service or learning how best to use new technology so they can live independently home without assistance from others.
Tricare
Tricare is a health plan for military members and their families. It’s available to active duty and retired military members, their families, and survivors.
Tricare For Life is an additional Medicare supplement that provides coverage for services not covered by traditional Medicare. It’s available to honorably discharged veterans with at least 20 years of service who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Homeless Veterans Program
The Homeless Veterans Program provides services to homeless veterans. The program provides housing, medical and dental care, mental health care, employment assistance, and substance abuse treatment.
If you’re a veteran who is homeless or near homelessness, the VA can help you get back on your feet. You may be eligible for the following:
- Housing assistance. The goal of this program is not only to provide safe places to live but also to give you the tools needed so that once housed, you have better outcomes in all areas of life, such as employment status/income generation potential.
Conclusion
The VA is committed to providing the best care for veterans and their families. We know that many challenges come with military service, including health issues. That’s why we’ve created programs like the Homeless Veterans Program and others listed above that can help veterans regain their feet to enjoy life again.