November is veterans month at the VA

100 years ago this Veteran’s Day, the guns of the Great War fell silent across Europe, and the doughboys came home. This defining war shaped our nation. More than four million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve. Over 116,000 soldiers died from combat and disease, and 200,000 returned wounded.

WWI led to better care for Veterans. In 1921, Congress combined all Veterans’ programs into a single Veterans Bureau, and 97 years later, the VA continues to provide Veterans benefits they earned in a manner honoring their service.

VBA accomplishments nationwide include:

▪ Reducing claims processing times to approximately 3 months

▪  Guaranteeing over 610K loans totaling over $161B

▪ Helped 105K Veterans avoid foreclosure

▪ Responding to 5.7M calls within 2 minutes with 100% of Veterans getting through

▪ Delivering an estimated $13B in education benefits through the “Forever GI Bill”

The Seattle Regional Office is ground-zero for modernization and home to two national missions: A Disability Rating Activity Site, serving Army service-members being medically discharged; and the Decision Review Operations Center, the centerpiece of VA’s appeals modernization. We serve 550,000 Washington Veterans and distribute $1.5B in benefits.

As we gather around the nation to remember those who have “borne the battle,” we say thank you, and ask that you pause to remember those who gave so much. Whether an American citizen, an employer, or friend, your support is always appreciated. Most importantly, if you know a Veteran who needs assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to contact us at VBAdirectorseattlero@VA.GOV.