Vietnam Veterans of America

Claims Assistance

VVA utilizes Service Officers in the representation of claimants seeking VA benefits. Service Officers, referred to as Service Representatives by some organizations, are recognized by the VA as being allowed to represent claimants seeking benefits before the various levels of the VA.

Agent Orange

This outreach program provides information about Agent Orange and dioxin and actively pursues the recognition of presumptive disabilities from exposure. The program also provides assistance to state councils, chapters and service programs in the handling of Agent Orange-related problems. Additional priorities are to foster sponsorship of legislation to help the victims of Agent Orange and Dioxin and encourage scientific and medical research in the field of dioxin-related ailments.

Education

VVA is dedicated to providing unparalleled service to students, teachers, researchers and authors in their learning, teaching and research of the history of the Vietnam War. The education program provides resources for instructors of all grade levels, including lesson plans and handouts, as well as access to guest speakers. We strive to offer up-to-date teaching strategies and resources, as well as connecting students and teachers with Vietnam veterans willing to share their personal experiences.

Please forward any questions you may have about the Vietnam War and VVA’s educational outreach to education@vva.org.

Homeless Veterans

VVA’s homeless veterans program is dedicated to ending veteran homelessness through several short-term and long-term initiatives. Its primary form of outreach is the “stand-down,” — a three-day, two-night event to provide veterans with medical exams, haircuts, clean clothes, food, and a safe night’s sleep — which it organizes multiple times throughout the year.

Minority Affairs

VVA’s minority affairs program ensures that the unique circumstances, needs and concerns of ethnic minority veterans are valued, respected and addressed. The goal is to ensure that the inclusive organizational mission respects and values the unique circumstances of our diverse ethnic veterans. The program is also responsible for selecting recipients of VVA’s Diversity Award.

PTSD

PTSD/is a trauma and stressor-related Disorder. The essential features of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder results from experiencing a dangerous, frightening, or uncontrollable event, such as military combat, a violent crime, or a life-threatening accident. The PTSD program provides support for the veterans, their families, and their advocates for the necessary healthcare to treat PTSD, including diagnoses, research, specialized programs, and educational efforts.

Substance Use Disorders

The essential feature of a substance-use disorder is a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms indicating the individual continues using the substance, despite significant substance-related problems. VVA’s substance-abuse program provides outreach and support for all veterans and their families. We advocate for the mental healthcare needed to treat substance-use disorder, while recognizing the continued need for these service for many veterans.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN CRISIS, CONNECT WITH THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE TO REACH CARING, QUALIFIED RESPONDERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. MANY OF THEM ARE VETERANS THEMSELVES. FREE SUPPORT IS CONFIDENTIAL AND AVAILABLE 24/7. CALL 1-800-273-8255, OR TEXT 838255.

POW/MIA

The POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) program seeks the fullest accounting of those still listed as POW/MIA in Southeast Asia and anywhere else, regardless of the conflict from which they went missing or were captured.

The POW/MIA program also sponsors the ‘Veterans Initiative’ where through the sharing of information veteran-to-veteran, America’s and Vietnam’s veterans are able to develop new sources of information to help resolve the issue of American and Vietnamese MIA.

Veterans Health Care

Veterans with physical or mental health problems related to their military service are entitled to compensation and medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The veterans health care program seeks to improve health care for veterans by: providing information about health issues and benefits available; educating health care communities about the multiple health issues associated with military service; developing materials on veterans’ health issues for medical schools, nursing schools, teaching hospitals, and related educational outlets; and advocating on behalf of veterans’ health care initiatives.

Veterans Incarcerated and in the Justice System

Veterans with physical or mental health problems related to their military service are entitled to compensation and medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The veterans health care program seeks to improve health care for veterans by: providing information about health issues and benefits available; educating health care communities about the multiple health issues associated with military service; developing materials on veterans’ health issues for medical schools, nursing schools, teaching hospitals, and related educational outlets; and advocating on behalf of veterans’ health care initiatives.

Veterans Against Drugs

With the mantra, “Commit to Life,” the veterans against drugs program deploys volunteer veterans into their communities to visit students, detention centers and youth organizations to educate and help youth develop responsibility, good judgment and commitment to their families, schools, communities and each other.

If you are interested in joining the Veterans Against Drugs Program, (VAD) please contact: Dave Simmons at 1-800-882-1316 or e-mail dsimmons@vva.org.

Women Veterans

VVA has a proud history of representing and advocating for the needs and interests of women veterans. Since 1983, when pressure from VVA resulted in the first GAO report on VA health care services for women veterans, we have been the leader in championing appropriate and quality health care, equal access to benefits, and the recognition that women veterans earned and deserve.

Government Affairs
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA & POLICY INITIATIVES

There are some twenty-one-and-a-half million veterans in the United States, of which almost two-thirds never interact with the VA. Most are ignorant of the array of benefits which they have earned by virtue of their military service. Even the one-third of vets who do interact with the VA’s healthcare system and/or its benefits administration are not familiar with much of what is available to them, to their families, and to their survivors.

Top Priorities:

• Gaining the Fullest Possible Accounting
• Addressing the Legacy of Toxic Exposures
• Fixing the VA
• Organizational Reform of the VA