West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. (Photo: Hyung5kim)
The VA has announced a significant milestone in delivering disability compensation benefits to Women Veterans: a record-breaking 702,557 Women Veterans are benefiting from VA disability compensation, marking a 26% increase compared to five years ago.
On average, Women Veterans receiving disability compensation benefits possess a combined disability rating of 68%. Their earned disability compensation payouts from VA average $26,809 per year. The grant rate for disability benefits among Women Veterans stands at 89.2%, signifying that nearly 90% of Women Veterans who have applied for benefits with the VA have been approved for at least one condition.
Women Veterans represent the fastest-growing demographic within VA, and alongside the delivery of record levels of disability compensation benefits, VA’s healthcare system now serves more Women Veterans than ever before. This notable uptick in benefits for Women Veterans can largely be attributed to the PACT Act, which has empowered the VA to expand healthcare and benefits to millions of Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their service.
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tanya Bradsher, the first Woman Veteran to hold such a position, stated, “Women Veterans have fought in every war since the American Revolution, but they have not always been able to access the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserved. But now, at VA, we’re making sure that those days are over.”
Bradsher added that while the recent achievements are significant, they mark just the beginning of VA’s commitment to ensuring every Woman Veteran receives the support they need.
In observance of Women’s History Month, VA’s regional offices have organized or participated in 139 outreach programs specifically tailored to Women Veterans. These efforts extend beyond disability compensation benefits, encompassing education benefits and employment opportunities. Despite comprising only 16.5% of the Veteran population, Women Veterans received 27.5% of Post 9/11 education benefits and 26.4% of Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits in 2023.
Over the past two years, the VA has significantly expanded healthcare services for Women Veterans, including increased access to breast cancer screenings, reproductive health services, and maternity care coordination. The VA hosted its inaugural Women Veterans Experience Action Center, helping over 340 Women Veterans in applying for care and benefits.
Furthermore, a new Women’s Health Research collaborative between VA and the Department of Defense has been launched to promote joint efforts in advancing Women’s health research and improving evidence-based care for Veterans and Service Members.
At every VA regional office, Veteran Service Coordinators serve as primary contacts for Women Veterans, providing tailored information and comprehensive assistance regarding VA benefits. Additionally, each VA medical center nationwide has a dedicated Women Veterans Program Manager to coordinate necessary services. Women Veterans can also seek assistance through the Women Veterans Call Center for help and access to resources and services in their area.
For those interested in learning more about VA disability benefits, detailed information is available on the VA’s website. For information about Women’s healthcare at the VA, resources can be found here.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
