Personal Narrative: Diablo Valley College Veterans

There are an alarming number of veterans who suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. The suicide rate on returning veterans is on the rise. In California, service members were killing themselves and family members at an alarming rate. After an investigation, it was apparent that they do not have enough properly trained individuals to over see

Tarnished by lack of efficiency, communication and a vision are inconsistent and divided. My findings of evidence paralleled with my literature reviews because this issue is starting to emerge as a imminent threat to the structural failures that the veterans rely on. The LACK of justice is the primary value my stance emphasizes. As citizens, we are expected to follow guidelines, laws, and abide by or pay the consequences. Both the DoD and the VA have violated all agreements and initiatives to collaborate to form a larger accessible health care system and have neglected to take initiative. Veterans risk their lives to support the prosperity and freedom of the United States, and in return they are marginalized in a sense that provisions within these complex bureaucracies make it difficult for them to be treated. The Old Public Administration has proven to be a detriment to the purpose of the departments and raises the question as to whether the veterans they neglect are really a concern at

In recent years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has found itself guarding against a tsunami of negative public opinion, unrelenting media coverage and at times, a contentious relationship with the U.S. Congress. Despite these challenges, the administration (VBA) has made enormous strides in reducing the pending inventory of the oldest claims, improving quality, and has undertaken the largest technological transformation in its history. If the VA is to continue to provide timely and quality service to Veterans, VBA must significantly increase enrollment and utilization of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), Education programs and continue to streamline and modernize the disability compensation process.

By forming these strong interpersonal relationships and working with the VSO’s I was frequently able to obtain information, support, or concurrence that would allow me to resolve a Veteran’s claim. After moving into various management positions within the Veterans Service Center (VSC) I continued to work towards building and maintaining effective and productive relationships with these and other organizations in order to further the goals and interests of the VSC. I accomplished this by participating in outreach events, focusing on improving relations with the RO’s VHA partners, and by focusing on providing timely responses to requests for information from partners to include, VHA, VSO’s and exam

The life of a veteran names Bryan turned for the worst after his mother passed away about 5 years ago. Before her death he was involved in the community and was an all-around good guy. After her death he lost his involvement in the community, his mental stability was slowing getting worse and he ended up in a coma from trying to end his own life. After 3 months in the hospital they discharged him, promising they would find a place for him to go. “They said will sort it out for you, but nothing got done” (Brians Story). This leads to our problem of veterans being left on the street, sick mentally and physically after risking their lives for years to save ours.

Almost 60% of all veterans say that the VA is doing “only fair” or a “poor” job at taking care of the problems faced by serviceman (Chandrasekaren). Current soldiers, as well as veterans, are facing problems like not be able to find a job because of a disability or not receiving compensation for an injury that occurred while in the service. Many wait months upon months just to be seen by a doctor. The men and women protecting this country deserve the best help available, and they are receiving very little or no help at all. Health care, benefits, and simply having money to survive are not problems that these individuals need to be facing after putting their lives on the line for us. Veterans need help, and our

As society in the U.S., we as a community are responsible for effects veteran suffer in the task of defending this nation. There may be supporting agencies and federal organizations, like the Veterans Administration (VA), that offer support for veterans and military personnel, but sometimes that is not enough in protecting these individuals.

Current funding for veteran healthcare care is low and insufficient because of the large number of veterans, who are being discharged from the military as the country transitions to a democratic President. According to Dr. Rachel Nardin in her article about veteran healthcare, “Soldiers get excellent acute care when injured on active duty, but as revelations of poor conditions for soldiers receiving ongoing outpatient care at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center highlighted, service members often have trouble getting the care they need once active duty ends” (Nardin 1)

As the war is coming to an end, we find more and more veterans coming home from a violent and brutal war. The services military personnel are given after being discharge is not enough to help convert them back into civilian life. I can speak from personal experience as my husband had many difficulties adjusting back to normal life. He exhibits symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as he was always hyperventilating and had nightmares when he slept. Many veterans are not given services directly until they actually request help. Getting assistance has become extremely difficult for veterans as the Veteran Affairs makes service members prove that their injuries occurred in the line of duty. This documentation is hard to provide because many service member are taught to not show weakness. This discourages them to go to “sick call” or see a medic while serving. Every time I pass by downtown Los Angeles I see a larger population of homeless people in the area. Homelessness among veteran is a problem that will continue to grow if we do not help these men and women that protected our country. Many of services members choose to self medicate because the system in place makes it so difficult for them to get help. We need to change the system and help these warriors get therapy to talk about the trauma they have witness and get them the medical help they

INTRODUCTION: How many people have a Veteran in their family or know one? If yes do you help them or is it someone else’s problem. Well many people think it’s someone else problem, but the truth is it’s our problem.

Much like the people who serve and will ultimately utilize this organization, The Veterans administration (VA) has a set of core values each member of the armed forces live by: integrity, respect, excellence, advocacy and commitment. The VA has always signified a place of hope and security for veterans past and present. For those who serve the expectation is that when they need medical, dental, housing, educational and other assistance the VA would be there. Marred by problems over the years and recently in the media highlighted for long wait times to receive medical attention , bureaucratic red tape to receive the benefits these veterans have earned, some have paid the ultimate price (death) which they expected to happen in some foreign land not at home.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is a government run program to assist the U.S. Veterans who are disabled soldiers. It began when the Pilgrims passed a law that required disabled soldiers to receive benefits from the colony, as early as 1636 (U.S. Dept. of VA, 2014). By 1776, the Continental Congress provided pensions to disabled soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Later, the Veterans assistance program expanded to include benefits and pensions not only for Veterans, but also for their widows and dependents. Finally, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) was established in 1865, to form the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, an institution created specifically for the honorably discharged volunteer soldiers, of which the first national home opened in 1866 located in Augusta, Maine (U.S. Dept. of VA, 2014). Today, VHA has expanded the VA health care system, which comprises 150 hospitals, 820 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), 300 Vet Centers, 131 National Cemeteries, 56 Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Offices (NCVAS, 2014). The VA health care system also includes 126 nursing home care units and 35 domiciliaries (U.S Dept. of VA, 2014). Nonetheless, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mission statement is, “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise ‘To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan’ by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans” (U.S. Dept. of VA,

Lincoln made a promise stated, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan”. This quote is being neglected by us as Americans in trying to provide for our veterans. Do the research and you will see that veterans who have served for our country are living homeless. Also, thousands of veterans are forced to buy food stamps and they struggle to feed their families. Veterans in hospitals who suffer from PTSD attempt to commit suicide more than you would think. In this essay, I’m going to explain how our government can help provide better housing, food benefits, and ways we can help provide better mental health facilities.

Contrary to the perception that our nation’s veterans are well supported in fact many go without the services they require of which they are

The Beck Pride agency was founded in 2007 by Mr. Beck…... He donated a million dollars towards this agency investing in his belief, all veterans are entitled to an enrichment of life beyond the military. His wife ….. also devotes her time being involved and sits today on the board of trustees that monitor the development and continuation of services to veterans. Mr. Beck was approached by colleagues and associates to develop an agency to assist with the needs of veterans from every branch of the military. This agency does not discriminate in any type, form or favor one branch over another. All interested veterans go through the same process of admittance and have