The Department of Veterans Affairs recently released an illuminating report on the extent of disability among veterans in California for Fiscal Year 2021. The report revealed that 1.5 million veterans live in California, with 350,000 of them having service-connected disabilities. These range from minor traumas to more serious conditions like PTSD, TBI and musculoskeletal disorders. It was also found that the majority of disabled veterans are aged 55 or over, with almost 40% aged 65 and up – a reflection of the increasingly frail veteran population nationwide.
These findings underline the crucial need for providing aging veterans with necessary healthcare services and access to their disability benefits to ensure their quality of life is not impacted by their military service-related health issues. Additionally, certain veteran populations such as women and minorities were disproportionately affected by disability – specifically MST which often leads to PTSD.
Similarly, disabled veterans who identify as Black or Hispanic/Latino are more likely to experience musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory conditions compared to their white counterparts. These disparities underscore the need for targeted outreach and support for underrepresented veteran groups.
The VA’s report also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that disabled veterans in California receive the care and benefits they need. This includes improving access to healthcare and disability benefits, expanding employment opportunities for veterans, and providing housing assistance and other resources to those in need.
In conclusion, the VA’s Fiscal Year 2021 report on disabled veterans in California highlights the ongoing challenges faced by veterans in the state and the need for continued efforts to provide support and resources to those who have served our country. By working together to address the unique needs of disabled veterans, we can help ensure that all veterans in California receive the care and assistance they deserve.
Further Reading:
California is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country, with an estimated 1.5 million veterans residing in the state. The majority of California’s veterans served during the Vietnam War, but the state is also home to a significant number of Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans.
In terms of demographics, California’s veteran population is diverse, with a large number of veterans from ethnic minority groups. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, over 37% of California veterans identify as Hispanic or Latino, while 5.5% identify as African American or Black. Women veterans make up approximately 8% of California’s veteran population.
Despite California’s robust economy, many of the state’s veterans face significant challenges when it comes to employment and economic opportunity. According to the California Employment Development Department, the unemployment rate among California veterans was 4.8% in 2020, compared to 4.1% for the general population. Additionally, veterans in California are more likely to experience homelessness than non-veterans, with an estimated 10% of the state’s homeless population being veterans.
CalVet’s programs and services are aimed at addressing these and other challenges faced by California veterans, with a focus on improving access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment opportunities. The agency’s work is critical to ensuring that California’s veterans receive the support and assistance they need to lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives after their service to our country.
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