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The FReeper Foxhole Profiles The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Mar. 16th, 2003
http://www.va.gov/vafhis.htm ^

Posted on 03/16/2003 12:00:48 AM PST by SAMWolf

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

A Brief History


The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of any nation in the world. This benefits system traces its roots back to 1636, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony were at war with the Pequot Indians. The Pilgrims passed a law which stated that disabled soldiers would be supported by the colony.

The Continental Congress of 1776 encouraged enlistments during the Revolutionary War by providing pensions for soldiers who were disabled. Direct medical and hospital care given to veterans in the early days of the Republic was provided by the individual States and communities. In 1811, the first domiciliary and medical facility for veterans was authorized by the Federal Government. In the 19th century, the Nation's veterans assistance program was expanded to include benefits and pensions not only for veterans, but also their widows and dependents.



After the Civil War, many State veterans homes were established. Since domiciliary care was available at all State veterans homes, incidental medical and hospital treatment was provided for all injuries and diseases, whether or not of service origin. Indigent and disabled veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Mexican Border period as well as discharged regular members of the Armed Forces were cared for at these homes.

Congress established a new system of veterans benefits when the United States entered World War I in 1917. Included were programs for disability compensation, insurance for servicepersons and veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled. By the 1920s, the various benefits were administered by three different Federal agencies: the Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.



The establishment of the Veterans Administration came in 1930 when Congress authorized the President to "consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans." The three component agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brigadier General Frank T. Hines, who directed the Veterans Bureau for seven years, was named as the first Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a job he held until 1945.

The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930, to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 domiciliaries. VA health care facilities provide a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care. The responsibilities and benefits programs of the Veterans Administration grew enormously during the following six decades. World War II resulted in not only a vast increase in the veteran population, but also in large number of new benefits enacted by the Congress for veterans of the war. The World War II GI Bill, signed into law on June 22, 1944, is said to have had more impact on the American way of life than any law since the Homestead Act more than a century ago. Further educational assistance acts were passed for the benefit of veterans of the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era, Persian Gulf War, and the All-Volunteer Force.



In 1973, the Veterans Administration assumed another major responsibility when the National Cemetery System (except for Arlington National Cemetery) was transferred to the Veterans Administration from the Department of the Army. The Agency was charged with the operation of the National Cemetery System, including the marking of graves of all persons in national and State cemeteries (and the graves of veterans in private cemeteries, upon request) as well and administering the State Cemetery Grants Program.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established as a Cabinet-level position on March 15, 1989. President Bush hailed the creation of the new Department saying, "There is only one place for the veterans of America, in the Cabinet Room, at the table with the President of the United States of America."



Click on the Logo to visit the VA Home Page
or on the Department Benefit Graphics for more info on a Benefit



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: cabinet; doingabadjob; freeperfoxhole; va; veterans; veteransaffairs
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To: Victoria Delsoul
You want to see "Socialized Government run Medicine" go to a VA hospital.
21 posted on 03/16/2003 2:59:53 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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To: SAMWolf
Hi Sam! Sorry for the late ping. I thought I had already posted this list, but guess I dreamed it!

This thread reminds me that I have a medical appointment at the VA tomorrow morning. Suppose I should add "CRS disease" to my list of complaints. But then, I'll probably forget to take the list! hahahaha
22 posted on 03/16/2003 3:03:36 PM PST by Jen (Support our Troops * Stand up to Terrorists * Liberate Iraq)
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To: AntiJen
LOL! I have a bad case of CRS. Good Luck at the VA tomorrow.
23 posted on 03/16/2003 3:07:35 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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To: SAMWolf
In defense of the VA... I've received good care there - AFTER I jumped through all the paperwork hoops and waiting I-forget-how-long to get an initial appointment. But, I prefer to see my civilian docs and only go to the VA when I have to. My civilian primary care doc doesn't know squat about long-term treatment with antibiotics which have cured some vets who had GWI or fibromyalgia symptoms (but he did refer me to a specialist who I will see next week). I'm hoping the VA will know more about this and can do something to help me! I'm so d@mn tired of being sick and tired!
24 posted on 03/16/2003 3:10:51 PM PST by Jen (Support our Troops * Stand up to Terrorists * Liberate Iraq)
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To: SAMWolf; coteblanche
Slip's nephew.

Nice poem, Cote. How goes it?

25 posted on 03/16/2003 3:13:22 PM PST by Slip18
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To: Slip18
Thank your nephew for his service.

PS. I have a single almost 20 year old daughter, LOL!

26 posted on 03/16/2003 3:42:02 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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To: AntiJen
To be removed from this list, please send me a blank private reply with "REMOVE" in the subject line! Thanks! Jen

Never!!

27 posted on 03/16/2003 3:42:15 PM PST by The Mayor (I'm Proud to be an American where at least I know I'm Free!)
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To: SAMWolf
My nephew is 25. He's looking for a nice girl!

His parents live in the Lake Tahoe, CA, area. Are you close?

He was supposed to be out of the Marines April 1 of this year. His order now is he will not be out of the Marines until January 1 of 2004.

Does your daughter golf?

28 posted on 03/16/2003 3:49:43 PM PST by Slip18
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If you ever have problems with the Department of Veterans Affairs go to your nearest AmVets Office and ask for help. All AmVets members are ex-Vets and are very knowledgeable about how to get past the VA's difficult techniques.
29 posted on 03/16/2003 3:53:14 PM PST by B4Ranch (Keep America safe! Thank the troops for our freedom.)
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To: Slip18
We're in Oregon.

No, she doesn't golf. She's in College studying to be a History Teacher.

30 posted on 03/16/2003 4:01:50 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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To: B4Ranch
Right, AmVets, DAV, VFW or American Legion are all good groups to use if you have to deal with the VA.
31 posted on 03/16/2003 4:04:33 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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Comment #32 Removed by Moderator

To: The Mayor
Thanks Mayor! I'm glad you enjoy the Foxhole! Good to see you - it's been quite awhile!
33 posted on 03/16/2003 5:35:14 PM PST by Jen (Support our Troops * Stand up to Terrorists * Liberate Iraq)
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To: SAMWolf
Just thought I'd pass this along SAM. I am reading a book called Waking The Tiger by Peter A. Levine. Published by North Atlantic Books. It is for anybody dealing with trauma and stress, be it veterans or otherwise. Truly a great book.
34 posted on 03/16/2003 5:57:37 PM PST by Aura Of The Blade
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To: coteblanche
The 'bot and I are travelling to Northern California tomorrow. On the first night we'll be staying close to the Nevada Proving Grounds where one of the first atom bombs were blown off (blown off?). We've been planning this trip for weeks, but had to do some maneuvering due to weather.

It now looks like we will hit sunny weather from here to there and there to here. Disneyland is one of our stops. I want to stop off at Universal Studios, but if the war begins, we're staying away from the coastal areas.

Cyber is going to be all alone. Will you give him loves for me? He is, after all, your ex!!! LOL!

35 posted on 03/16/2003 6:05:02 PM PST by Slip18
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To: SAMWolf
History is a good thing. I wish I had studied more in that area. Unfortunately or fortunately, my area of expertise is linguistics. Put in me in France (oh, please no), and I'll be able to speak French in a week. It just comes naturally.
36 posted on 03/16/2003 6:07:30 PM PST by Slip18
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Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: Aura Of The Blade
Thanks Aura.
38 posted on 03/16/2003 6:30:19 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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To: Slip18
Good skill to have now a days. A lot better than a History Degree.
39 posted on 03/16/2003 6:31:42 PM PST by SAMWolf (I have a dog I trained to kill on command. The command I used is, "Is he friendly?")
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To: SAMWolf
Thanks Sam. Interesting information.

I have purposefully not taken much advantage of Vet benefits since mustering out in 1973 after 10 years active duty. Now 30 plus years later I am experiencing some fairly servere problems as a result of an injury sustained in RVN. I have just started the process of record gathering towards filing for some bennies. I sure hope I don't run into the typical burocrat obstinate attitude that my wife and I have encountered with other government agencies through the years. Time will tell.

40 posted on 03/16/2003 6:37:14 PM PST by ImpBill ("You are either with US or against US!")
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