Advocacy

By Colten Beuerlein

  • Pension plans

    1789 - The new US government passes legislation ensuring pensions for disabled Revolutionary War veterans.

  • Naval homes

    1812 - The Naval Home, a facility for disabled veterans, opens in Philadelphia.

  • Bureau of pension plans

    1833 - Congress establishes the Bureau of Pensions to assist veterans.

  • NADVS

    In 1865 congress approves the National Asylum of Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, a system of residences for disabled veterans.
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    Veteran cemeteries

    1862 - During the Civil War, Congress passes a bill allowing the president to purchase land for national cemeteries. Between 1865 and 1870, 70 national cemeteries open for burial of Union soldiers.

  • Sherwood Act

    1912 - Congress passes the Sherwood Act, guaranteeing pensions for Union veterans of the Civil War and veterans of the Mexican-American War, regardless of their health.

  • Adjustment Compensation

    1924 - Congress passes the World War Adjustment Compensation Act, a system of bonuses for veterans of World War I. Any veteran entitled to more than $50 is given a certificate payable 20 years in the future and worth about $1,500.

  • Herbert Hoover

    July 21, 1930 - President Herbert Hoover signs an executive order consolidating the Veterans' Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions and the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers into the Veterans Administration. The VA has a budget of $786 million and serves 4.6 million veterans.

  • Veterans Administration

    1933 - The VA establishes the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

  • Bill of Rights

    June 22, 1944 - During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt signs into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, also known as the "G.I. Bill of Rights," a package of education benefits, federally guaranteed loans, and unemployment compensation.

  • Hospitals for veterans

    1945 - At the end of World War II, there are approximately 15 million veterans in the United States, and all 97 VA hospitals are filled to capacity. In response, the VA opens 54 new hospitals over the next five years.

  • VA

    1973 - The VA takes over the administration of the National Cemetery System, with the exception of Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldier's Home National Cemetery.

  • Agent Orange

    1979 - Congress orders the VA to study the effects on veterans of the Agent Orange defoliant used in Vietnam.

  • Agent Orange

    1983 - The Agent Orange study is transferred to the Centers for Disease Control.

  • Ronald Reagan

    1984 - President Ronald Reagan signs a bill requiring the VA to pay benefits to Vietnam veterans suffering from chloracne or porphyria cutanea tarda, possibly caused by Agent Orange exposure.

  • Veteran Claims

    In 1988 the US Court of approves for Veterans Claims is founded.

  • US court

    1988 - The US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is founded. It gives those who served in the military a chance to challenge individual decisions made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  • Getting help

    In March of 2015 many veterans waited between 60-90 days for getting appointments at the facilities that they need help at.

  • Aid to the injured

    1865 - At the end of the US Civil War, there are 1.9 million Union veterans. Congress authorizes the National Asylum of Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, a system of residences for disabled and indigent veterans.