History and evolution of Veteran Affairs and ptsd: the inefficiencies of taking care our nations veterans

The project I am proposing is in regards to Veteran Affairs (VA) Benefits and Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) evolution from post Civil War through the end of the Vietnam War, with a main focus on the evolving treatment and understanding of PTSD. The aspects of this project will include historical context, policies, and social attitudes towards VA benefits and PTSD. Ever since I started to become fascinated with history, I have been interested in the U.S. military, its history as an organization, and its role in shaping the nation’s history. Not only wars themselves but the mass amounts of money countries spend on war and defense efforts. This extends to the amount of funds and technology that contribute to VA benefits and the caretaking of wounded veterans both mentally and physically. I’m especially drawn to the stories of veterans and their experiences. I’m intrigued and sympathize about the challenges they faced during service, such as physical injuries, combat trauma, and the psychological toll of war. I’m also interested in learning about the everyday norms and experiences after returning home in adjusting to civilian life, finding employment, and accessing healthcare. My goal is to shed light on the efficiencies as long as the inefficiencies that surround VA benefits and the evolution of what is known today as PTSD. 

In order to create the best research plan possible to optimize my time, I have created some research questions in which I would like to structure my project. Since the Civil War, how have VA benefits changed throughout time to become what they are today? What significant changes in laws, regulations, and public perceptions have influenced VA’s assistance to veterans? How has the understanding of PTSD changed over time, including in terms of diagnostic standards, methods of therapy, and public perceptions of veterans’ mental health concerns? What connection has existed between veterans’ PTSD diagnosis, treatment, and results with the accessibility and availability of VA benefits? Have there been any differences in PTSD treatment or VA benefits access because of socioeconomic level, race, or ethnicity? How have VA benefits evolved over time to accommodate improvements in supported services, drugs, and psychological therapies? What obstacles and achievements have come up during the VA healthcare system’s adoption of these innovations? What can be learned from the historical data to guide future advancements in PTSD treatment and VA benefits?

After doing some basic research and looking at the facts of the sources I have been able to come up with a summary which will propel my work going forward. Both public attitudes and legislative changes have influenced the continuous evolution of VA benefits. The government set up the Pension Bureau during the Civil War to pay annuities to widows of military members who lost their lives and injured veterans. The VA’s duties grew during the ensuing decades to encompass services related to healthcare, education, and vocational rehabilitation. The creation of the Veterans Health Administration in 1946 and the enactment of the GI Bill of Rights in 1944, which guaranteed house loans and educational aid to World War II veterans, are important turning points in the history of VA benefits. To address the demands of a changing veteran community, VA has been expanding its services in recent years. These efforts have included telemedicine programs, women’s veterans services, and a greater emphasis on mental health treatment.Counseling and educational support for Vietnam War veterans were added to VA benefits under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972. The concerns of veterans with disabilities, especially those with mental health issues, have received more attention in recent years. With a growing appreciation of the sacrifices made by individuals who serve their country, societal perceptions of veterans have also changed over time. As a result of this change, public support for VA projects and programs has grown. Going forward I will look for the discrepancy within VA benefits throughout the U.S. Wars as well as examples of where the system cheated them.”