VA Calling Combat Veterans

Week of May 05, 2008

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began contacting nearly 570,000 combat veterans to ensure they know about VA's medical services and other benefits. A "Combat Veteran Call Center" will call two distinct populations of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. In the first phase, calls will go to an estimated 17,000 veterans who were sick or injured while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. VA officials will offer to appoint a care manager to work with them. The second phase targets 550,000 Afghanistan and Iraq veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for services to make sure they are informed about VA's benefits and services.