August 3, 2010 - Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki has promised the VA will be there to meet the needs of female veterans. Acknowledging the new and up-front role women are playing in modern day combat operation, Shinseki spoke of the differing needs the VA must meet to give them the care they deserve. Women do not return from battle with the same needs and demands as their male counterparts.
Shinseki knows there is a dire need to improve services for women veterans from where they are now. He went on to say the VA will evolve with needed changes, attempt to anticipate future needs, and to serve those female veterans by providing necessary health care.
Female veterans use approximately 6% of the total VA health care services. Within 10 years that number should double. That is a short amount of time to make what will amount to very significant changes. In 2009, the amount of female veterans using VA health care services rose 20% compared with only rising 17% in the 6 years prior.
Currently, every one of the 144 VA Medical Centers has a full-time program manager specifically for female veterans. Additionally, VA regional offices house coordinators who can help female veterans with specific issues. The VA is conducting research into the best way to improve care for female veterans in the already existing VA health care system.
The VA's goal is to not only provide top-notch service to both male and female veterans, but to streamline the entire process for receiving benefits and mental health treatments, as these are so common to all veterans.
Category: Veterans' Disability
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Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.