VA Chief Warns of Rising Cost of Caring for Younger Veterans

Military.com by Bryant Jordan::Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald told lawmakers on Wednesday that the department is on track to meet two lofty goals set by his predecessor: End the disability claims backlog and veteran homelessness.

But McDonald, in testimony before the veterans’ affairs panel of the House Appropriations Committee, offered a laundry list of figures and some projections indicating that whatever victories the VA may achieve in the next year or so, the pieces already are set for the making of another one.

“The cost of fulfilling our obligations to veterans grows over time because veterans demand for service and benefits continues to grow as wars end,” he said. “While it’s true that the total number of veterans is declining, the number of those seeking care and benefits is increasing dramatically”.  Read article here:  http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/04/va-chief-warns-of-rising-cost-of-caring-for-younger-veterans.html