Department of Veterans Affairs Facts
 David Lord - PVNN
| | Harry Wiseman, an Officer and Gentleman with military service in the Canadian Armed Forces during WW11, has passed away. This amazing man is the essence of what we Veterans have always fought for. The freedom we enjoy and that he defended was his way by being of value to the greater whole. He will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held in Puerto Vallarta when his family returns from Canada. | | |
Facts about the Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established on March 15, 1989, succeeding the Veterans Administration. It is responsible for providing federal benefits to veterans and their families.
Headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, VA is the second largest of the 15 Cabinet departments and operates nationwide programs for health care, financial assistance and burial benefits.
Of the 24 million veterans currently alive, nearly three-quarters served during a war or an official period of conflict. About a quarter of the nation's population, approximately 74.5 million people, are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.
The responsibility to care for veterans, spouses, survivors and dependents can last a long time. Three children of Civil War veterans still draw VA benefits. About 232 children and widows of Spanish-American War veterans still receive VA compensation or pensions.
VA's fiscal year 2007 spending is projected to be over $80 billion, including $34.9 billion for health care, $41.5 billion for benefits, and $160.7 million for the national cemetery system. President Bush sought $87 billion in the fiscal year 2008 budget for VA, a 77 percent increase during his presidency.
Compensation and Pension
Disability compensation is a payment to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. Wartime veterans with low incomes who are permanently and totally disabled may be eligible for monetary support through VA's pension program.
In fiscal year 2006, VA provided $34.4 billion in disability compensation, death compensation and pension to 3.6 million people. About 3 million veterans received disability compensation or pension from VA.
In addition, about 533,000 spouses, children and parents of deceased veterans received VA benefits. Among them are 156,320 survivors of Vietnam-era veterans and 250,432 survivors of World War II veterans.
In addition, about 533,000 spouses, children and parents of deceased veterans received VA benefits. Among them are 156,320 survivors of Vietnam-era veterans and 250,432 survivors of World War II veterans.
Revolution (1775-1783)
Total U.S. Servicemembers¹: 217,000
Battle Deaths: 4,435
Non-mortal Woundings: 6,188
War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Total U.S. Servicemembers: 286,730
Battle Deaths: 2,260
Non-mortal Woundings: 4,505
Indian Wars (approx. 1817-1898)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (VA estimate): 106,000
Battle Deaths (VA estimate): 1,000
Mexican War (1846-1848)
Total U.S. Servicemembers: 78,718
Battle Deaths: 1,733
Other Deaths (In Theater): 11,550
Non-mortal Woundings: 4,152
Civil War (1861-1865)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Union): 2,213,363
Battle Deaths (Union): 140,414
Other Deaths (In Theater) (Union): 224,097
Non-mortal Woundings (Union): 281,881
Total Servicemembers (Conf.)²: 1,050,000
Battle Deaths (Confederate)³: 74,524
Other Deaths (In Theater) (Confederate)³*: 59,297
Non-mortal Woundings (Confederate): Unknown
Spanish-American War (1898-1902)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Worldwide): 306,760
Battle Deaths: 385
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 2,061
Non-mortal Woundings: 1,662
World War I (1917-1918)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Worldwide): 4,734,991
Battle Deaths: 53,402
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 63,114
Non-mortal Woundings: 204,002
Living Veterans**: 3
World War II (1941 -1945)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Worldwide): 16,112,566
Battle Deaths: 291,557
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 113,842
Non-mortal Woundings: 671,846
Living Veterans: 2,498,000
Korean War (1950-1953)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Worldwide): 5,720,000
Battle Deaths: 33,741
Other Deaths (In Theater): 2,833
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 17,672
Non-mortal Woundings: 103,284
Living Veterans: 2,400,000
Vietnam War (1964-1975)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Worldwide): 8,744,000
Deployed to Southeast Asia: 3,403,000
Battle Deaths: 47,424
Other Deaths (In Theater): 10,785
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 32,000
Non-mortal Woundings: 153,303
Living Veterans**: 7,203,600
Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991)
Total U.S. Servicemembers (Worldwide): 2,322,000
Deployed to Gulf: 694,550
Battle Deaths: 147
Other Deaths (In Theater): 235
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 1,590
Non-mortal Woundings: 467
Living Veterans**: 2,269,000
America's Wars Total (1775 -1991)
U.S. Military Service during Wartime: 41,891,368
Battle Deaths: 651,022
Other Deaths (In Theater): 308,797
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater): 230,279
Non-mortal Woundings: 1,431,290
Living War Veterans: 17,484,000
Living Veterans (Periods of War & Peace): 23,532,000
Global War on Terror (Oct 2001 - )
The Global War on Terror (GWOT), including Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are ongoing conflicts. For the most current GWOT statistics, visit The Department of Defense Website.
NOTES:
1. Exact number is unknown. Posted figure is the median of estimated range from 184,000-250,000.
2. Exact number is unknown. Posted figure is median of estimated range from 600,000- 1,500,000.
3. Death figures are based on incomplete returns.
* Does not include 26,000 to 31,000 who died in Union prisons.
** Estimate based upon new population projection methodology.
 David Lord served in Vietnam as combat Marine for 1st Battalion 26th Marines, during which time he was severely wounded. He received the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation for his actions during the war in Vietnam. In Mexico, David now represents all veterans south of the U.S. border all the way to Panama, before the V.A. and the Board of Veterans Appeals. David Lord provides service to veterans at no fee. Veterans are welcome to drop in and discuss claims/benefits to which they are entitled by law at his office located at Bayside Properties, 160 Francisca Rodriguez, call him on his cell: 044 (322) 205-1323, or email him at david.lord(at)yahoo.com.
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