> 2001 National Survey of Veterans (NSV)

Final Report

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Susan Krumhaus was the Project Officer for the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. In addition to her management responsibilities, she
provided valuable input into the sample and questionnaire design
process, and outlined the overall focus for this final report. At
Westat, Veronica Nieva was the Corporate Officer and John Helmick was
the Project Director. G. Hussain Choudhry was the senior staff
statistician. Katie Hubbell supervised all data processing activities
and Susan Fraser was responsible for all telephone center operations.
Contributing authors to this report were Mike Wilson, Shelley Perry,
Cynthia Helba, Wayne Hintze, Mareena Wright, Kimya Lee, James Greenlees,
David Rockwell and Mary Ann Deak.

table of contents

Chapter Page

executive summary xiii

1 INTRODUCTION 1-1

1.1 The 2001 National Survey of Veterans 1-2

1.2 Veteran Access to Information About VA Benefits 1-6

1.3 Organization of the Report 1-10

2 Study METHODOLOGY 2-1

2.1 Questionnaire Development 2-1

2.2 Sample Design 2-3

2.3 Survey Administration 2-3

2.4 Survey Yields 2-6

3 THE VETERAN POPULATION 3-1

3.1 Gender 3-1

3.2 Age 3-2

3.3 Race and Ethnicity 3-3

3.4 Marital Status 3-4

3.5 Level of Education 3-5

3.6 Employment Status 3-6

3.7 Family Income 3-7

3.8 Historical Perspective and Trends 3-8

4 Military Service Experience 4-1

4.1 Introduction 4-1

4.2 Branch of Service 4-1

4.3 Period of Service 4-6

4.4 Combat Exposure 4-9

4.5 Service-Related Disability and Service-Connected Disability Rating
4-11

5 HEALTH STATUS 5-1

5.1 Health Status 5-3

5.2 Functional Limitations 5-8

5.3 Health Conditions 5-14

table of contents (continued)

Chapter Page

6 HEALTH CARE 6-1

6.1 Health Insurance Coverage 6-1

6.2 Health Care Received in the Past Year 6-7

6.3 Sources of Health Care 6-12

6.4 Reasons for Not Using VA Health Care 6-16

7 VETERAN BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS 7-1

7.1 VA Disability Compensation and Pension Programs 7-1

7.2 Educational Programs 7-9

7.3 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services 7-15

7.4 Home Loan Guaranty Program 7-18

7.5 Life Insurance Program 7-22

8 BURIAL BENEFITS 8-1

8.1 Veteran Awareness of Burial Benefit Entitlements 8-2

8.2 Veteran Burial Plans 8-4

8.2.1 Disposition of Cremated Remains for Veterans\
Indicating Cremation as a Burial Plan 8-8

8.2.2 Burial in a National or State Veterans' Cemetery 8-9

glossary of terms g-1

List of Appendixes

Appendix

a The Survey Instrument A-1

B Sampling Plan B-1

c Sample Weighting C-1

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables

Table Page

1-1 Percent distribution of veterans by sources of information about VA
benefits 1-7

1-2 Percent distribution of veterans by satisfaction with ability to get

information about VA benefits 1-8

1-3 Percent distribution of veterans by need for information about VA
benefits

in the past year 1-8

1-4 Percent distribution of veterans by satisfaction with ability to get
veterans

benefit information, among all veterans and among veterans needing

information 1-9

1-5 Percent distribution of veterans by access to the Internet 1-9

2-1 Target versus achieved List Sample completed interviews by priority
group 2-7

2-2 Target versus achieved RDD Sample completed interviews by priority
group

(Observed) 2-7

3-1 Percent distribution of veterans by age and gender 3-2

3-2 Percent distribution of veterans by race, ethnicity, and gender 3-4

3-3 Percent distribution of veterans by marital status and gender 3-5

3-4 Percent distribution of veterans by education and gender 3-6

3-5 Percent distribution of veterans by employment status and gender 3-7

3-6 Percent distribution of veterans by family income and gender 3-7

4-1 Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and gender 4-2

4-2 Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and age 4-4

4-3 Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and race 4-5

4-4 Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and ethnicity
4-6

4-5 Percent distribution of veterans by period of service and gender 4-7

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

4-6 Percent distribution of veterans by period of service and race 4-8

4-7 Percent distribution of veterans by period of service and ethnicity
4-9

4-8 Percent distribution of veterans by service in combat or war zone or

exposure to dead, dying, or wounded and gender 4-10

4-9 Percent distribution of veterans by service in combat, war zone, or
exposure

to dead, dying, or wounded and period of service 4-11

4-10 Percent distribution of veterans by service-related disability and
gender 4-12

4-11 Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected disability
rating

and gender 4-12

4-12 Percent distribution of veterans by service-related disability and
branch of

service 4-13

4-13 Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected disability
rating and

branch of service 4-13

4-14 Percent distribution of veterans by service-related disability and
period of

service 4-14

4-15 Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected disability
rating and

period of service 4-14

5-1 Percent distribution of veterans by health care enrollment priority
groups 5-2

5-2 Percent distribution of veterans by health status and health care
priority

group 5-3

5-3 Percent distribution of veterans by health status and age 5-4

5-4 Percent distribution of veterans by health status and age

(under 65 and 65 or older) 5-5

5-5 Percent distribution of veterans by health status and race 5-6

5-6 Percent distribution of veterans by health status and ethnicity 5-7

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

5-7 Percent distribution of veterans by health status and gender 5-7

5-8 Percent distribution of veterans by health status, gender, and age
5-8

5-9 Percent distribution of veterans by activities of daily living and
instrumental

activities of daily living 5-9

5-10 Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation and
health care

priority group 5-10

5-11 Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation and age
5-11

5-12 Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation and age

(under 65 and 65 or older) 5-11

5-13 Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation and race
5-12

5-14 Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation and
ethnicity 5-13

5-15 Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation and
gender 5-13

5-16 Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and health
care

priority group 5-15

5-17 Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and age 5-16

5-18 Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and age

(under 65 and 65 or older) 5-17

5-19 Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and race 5-18

5-20 Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and ethnicity
5-19

5-21 Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and gender
5-20

6-1 Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and health
care

priority group 6-3

6-2 Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and age 6-4

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

6-3 Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and age

(under 65 and 65 or older) 6-5

6-4 Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and race 6-6

6-5 Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and ethnicity
6-7

6-6 Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and health care
priority

group 6-9

6-7 Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and age 6-10

6-8 Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and age

(under 65 and 65 or older) 6-10

6-9 Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and race 6-11

6-10 Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and ethnicity 6-12

6-11 Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and health care
priority

group 6-13

6-12 Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and age 6-14

6-13 Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and age

(under 65 and 65 or older) 6-14

6-14 Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and race 6-15

6-15 Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and ethnicity
6-16

6-16 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans did not use VA
health

care in past 12 months 6-17

6-17 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans never used VA
health

care 6-18

7-1 Percent distribution of veterans with self-reported disabilities and
disability

ratings 7-2

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

7-2 Percent distribution of veterans with self-reported disabilities by
self-reported

service-related disabilities 7-2

7-3 Percent distribution of veterans with self-reported disabilities by
application

for disability benefits and age 7-3

7-4 Percent distribution of veterans by status of most recent claim
application

and age group among those who have applied for disability benefits 7-3

7-5 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans did not apply
for VA

disability benefits and age group 7-4

7-6 Percent distribution of veterans by ease of getting VA disability
benefits

and age 7-5

7-7 Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected disability

compensation, non-service-connected disability pension, and age 7-6

7-8 Percent distribution of veterans receiving service-connected
disability

compensation by importance of service-connected disability compensation

to meeting financial needs and age 7-6

7-9 Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of disability
benefits

and age 7-7

7-10 Percent distribution of veterans receiving service-connected
disability

compensation by understanding of disability benefits and age 7-8

7-11 Percent distribution of veterans by education or training benefits

(other than vocational rehabilitation) and period of service 7-10

7-12 Percent distribution of veterans by use of education and training
benefit

and period of service 7-11

7-13 Percent distribution of veterans by importance of education and
training

benefits in meeting educational goals or preparing for better job and
period

of service 7-12

7-14 Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of education and
training

benefits and period of service 7-13

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

7-15 Percent distribution of veterans by likelihood of using VA benefits
for

education or training and period of service 7-13

7-16 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans will not use
VA

educational or training benefits and period of service 7-14

7-17 Percent distribution of veterans by use of vocational
rehabilitation services

from VA and period of service 7-16

7-18 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans have not used
any VA

vocational rehabilitation services and period of service 7-17

7-19 Percent distribution of veterans by importance of vocational
rehabilitation

services in meeting educational goals or obtaining employment and period

of service 7-18

7-20 Percent distribution of veterans by current living quarters and age
7-19

7-21 Percent distribution of veterans by use of loans obtained through
VA loan

program and age 7-20

7-22 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans did not use VA
loan

program and age 7-21

7-23 Percent distribution of veterans by life insurance from VA and
period of

service 7-23

7-24 Percent distribution of veterans by life insurance from other
sources and

period of service 7-23

7-25 Percent distribution of veterans by reasons for not having VA life
insurance

coverage and period of service 7-25

7-26 Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of life insurance
benefits

and period of service 7-26

8-1 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of veteran
burial\
benefits 8-2

8-2 Percent distribution of veterans by awareness of VA Memorial
Affairs\
programs and gender 8-2

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

8-3 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of veteran
burial\
benefits and race 8-3

8-4 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of veteran
burial\
benefits and ethnicity 8-4

8-5 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of veteran
burial\
benefits and age 8-4

8-6 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and gender
8-5

8-7 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and race
8-6

8-8 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and
ethnicity 8-7

8-9 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and age
group 8-7

8-10 Percent distribution of veterans by disposition of cremated remains
for\
veterans indicating cremation as a burial plan 8-8

8-11 Percent distribution of veterans by disposition of cremated remains
and\
age for veterans indicating cremation as a burial plan 8-8

8-12 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for burial in a
national or\
state Veterans' Cemetery and veteran awareness of burial benefit 8-9

8-13 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for burial in a
national or\
state Veterans' Cemetery and veteran awareness of burial benefits for\
veterans not planning to have their cremated remains scattered 8-9

8-14 Percent distribution of veterans by main reasons given for wanting
burial\
in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery 8-10

8-15 Percent distribution of veterans by main reasons given for not
wanting\
burial in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery 8-11

8-16 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for use of a
VA-provided\
headstone or marker and veteran awareness of burial benefit 8-12

table of contents (continued)

List of Tables (continued)

Table Page

8-17 Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for use of a
VA-provided\
headstone or marker and veteran awareness of burial benefits for
veterans\
not planning to have their cremated remains scattered 8-12

8-18 Percent distribution of veterans by main reasons given for not
planning to\
use a VA-provided headstone or marker 8-13

8-19 Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of veteran burial
benefits\
veteran awareness of burial benefits 8-14

8-20 Percent distribution of veterans by ability to obtain information
about\
veteran burial benefits and veteran awareness of burial benefits 8-15

8-21 Percent distribution of veterans by ability to obtain information
about\
veteran burial benefits and age group 8-16

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2001 National Survey of Veterans (NSV) is the fifth in a series of
comprehensive nationwide surveys designed to help the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) plan its future programs and services for
veterans. The information gathered through these surveys will help VA to
identify the needs of veterans and then allocate resources in ways that
will ensure these needs can be met.

The NSV is conducted under the general authorization of U.S. Code Title
38, Section 527. This section authorizes the VA Secretary to gather data
for the purposes of planning and evaluating VA programs. Westat, under
contract to VA, conducted the 2001 NSV.

####  Study Objectives

The NSV was conducted to obtain information VA may use in planning and
allocating resources for programs and services for veterans. It also
provides a snapshot profile of the veteran population. Data collected
through the NSV enables VA to: follow changing trends in the veteran
population; compare characteristics of veterans who use VA services with
those of veterans who do not; study VA's role in the delivery of all
benefits that veterans receive; and update information about veterans to
help the Department develop its policies.

The survey collected key sociodemographic information to permit
examination of responses across subgroups. The sociodemographic
variables used as crossing variables in this report include: gender;
age; race; and ethnicity (defined as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino or not
Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino). Selected data are also examined by:
health care priority group (as defined by the Veterans Health
Administration); branch of service; period of military service; and
awareness of burial benefits.

####  Study Methodology

The 2001 National Survey of Veterans was administered to selected
veterans using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI)
technology. The sampling approach utilized a dual frame methodology. The
majority of cases came from houses called using random digit dialing
(RDD) methodology. Additional veterans were selected from files of
veterans who enrolled in VA health care or who received compensation or
pension from VA. This second group is referred to as the list sample.
Participation was voluntary and the information collected from each
veteran is confidential.

Data collection began February 12, 2001, and ended November 12, 2001. A
total of 20,048 interviews (12,956 from the RDD sample and 7,092 from
the list sample) were completed. Survey data were weighted to represent
the entire non-institutionalized veteran population. Weighting
incorporated the probability of selection, survey nonresponse, and
households with more than one telephone number. Readers wishing
information beyond that contained in this report may refer to the *2001
National Survey of Veterans Design and Methodology Final Report*.

####  Study Findings

One key issue addressed by the survey concerned communicating benefits
to veterans. VA was seen as the primary source for information about
veteran benefits. Almost one-half of the veterans were satisfied or very
satisfied with their ability to get this information.

The average age of the 2000 veteran population was 58 years old, with
the largest group of veterans between the ages of 45 and 64. Female
veterans, as a group, tended to be younger than male veterans. Virtually
all veterans reported only one racial category. A higher percentage of
female than male veterans classified themselves as Black, this may
reflect the increased proportion of both racial minorities and women in
the armed forces in recent years. Virtually all of the veteran
population reported having been married at some point in their lives,
with three-quarters saying they were currently married. Most veterans
reported having greater than a high school education; a higher
proportion of female than male veterans reported having bachelor's
degree or higher. Over one-half of the veterans reported that they were
currently working, with another one-third saying they were retired.

One-half of the veterans reported serving in the Army; this percentage
increased as the age of the veteran increased. The largest percentage of
veterans reported serving in the Vietnam era, followed by the
post-Vietnam era. A higher proportion of female than male veterans
served in the post-Vietnam or Gulf War periods; these findings may also
reflect increasing participation of females in the military service.

Most veterans rated their health as excellent, very good or good, with
this proportion decreasing with age. Self-assessment of health status
varied by gender and race, but not by ethnicity. Only a small proportion
of veterans reported difficulty with daily living activities, with the
percentage of veterans reporting difficulties tending to increase with
age. Proportionally more Black veterans than veterans from other racial
groups reported having high blood pressure, in addition, Black veterans
were the only racial group for which diabetes was among the top five
health problems. American Indian or Alaska Native's were more likely
than veterans of other races to report not receiving any medical
treatment. Male veterans were almost twice as likely as were female
veterans to report treatment for high blood pressure and heart trouble,
while female veterans were much more likely than their male counterparts
to report suffering from severe chronic pain.

Most veterans reported having private insurance; this coverage varied by
age. White veterans were more likely than veterans from other racial
groups to be covered by Medicare. Hispanic veterans were much less
likely than non-Hispanics to report Medicare coverage, and more likely
not to mention any insurance coverage. Over three-quarters of veterans
reported using non-VA health care only; this tended to decrease with
age, and was lowest among Black veterans. The most common reasons cited
for not using VA health care were use of other sources for health care,
followed by not needing any care and believing they were not entitled or
eligible for health care benefits. Of those veterans who never used VA
health care, more than one-fifth also reported not being aware of VA
health care benefits.

Application for VA disability benefits was highest among the youngest
veterans. Close to one-half of veterans reporting a disabling condition
reported applying for disability benefits. This proportion decreased
with age. The majority of these veterans said that their disability
payments were important in meeting their financial needs and that they
thoroughly understood their benefits. Most veterans using education or
training benefits used them for college or university study, and about
two-thirds said these benefits were very or extremely important in
helping them meet their educational or career goals. Most veterans who
owned a home reported taking advantage of the home loan guarantee
program. The most common reasons mentioned by veterans not using the
program were lack of awareness, they did not need or want loan
assistance, or they did not believe they were eligible, although
perceived red tape was also cited.

Over one-half of veterans said they were aware of their entitlement to
be buried in a national or state Veterans Cemetery. Relatively few
veterans, however, reported the intention to take advantage of this.
Awareness of all burial benefits was higher among older veterans. The
honor associated with burial in a national shrine was the most commonly
stated reason for wanting burial in a veterans cemetery, while wanting
to be buried close to other family members was the most common reason
for [not]{.underline} wanting burial in a national or state veterans
cemetery. Close to one-half of all veterans indicated they did not
thoroughly understand their available veteran burial benefits, although
a similar proportion thought it would not be difficult to obtain
information about burial benefit programs.

1\. INTRODUCTION

The 2001 National Survey of Veterans (NSV) is the fifth in a series of
comprehensive nationwide surveys designed to help the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) plan its future programs and services for
veterans. The information gathered through these surveys will help VA
identify the needs of veterans and then allocate resources in ways that
ensure the needs of veterans can be met.

The NSV is conducted under the general authorization of U.S. Code Title
38, Section 527. This section authorizes the VA Secretary to gather data
for the purposes of planning and evaluating VA programs. Westat, under
contract to VA, conducted the 2001 NSV.

Data collected through the NSV enables VA to do several things:

-   Follow changing trends in the veteran population;

-   Compare characteristics of veterans who use VA services with those
    of veterans who do not;

-   Study VA's role in the delivery of all benefits that veterans
    receive; and

-   Update information about veterans to help the Department develop its
    policies.

The next section of this chapter provides a brief description of the
2001 NSV instrument, sampling, data collection, and weighting. Following
this is a first glimpse at a critical set of findings provided by the
2001 NSV: what veterans reported about their access to information about
VA benefits. The chapter concludes with an outline for the remainder of
the report.

The examination of access to VA information is placed at the beginning
of this report because of the central importance to the VA mission of
communication with veterans. In the strategic planning process, VA has
recognized the cross-cutting role of communications in delivering
world-class service to veterans and their families. The analyses
reported here will provide insight into how veterans might find out
about their VA benefits and how satisfied they are with their access to
information and will provide a context for understanding and
interpreting the reports of survey responses in many of the chapters
that follow.

# 1.1 The 2001 National Survey of Veterans

The 2001 National Survey of Veterans was conducted via telephone survey.
The sampling approach utilized a dual frame methodology. The majority of
cases were contacted using random digit dialing (RDD) methodology. This
was augmented by a list sample selected from files of veterans who
enrolled in VA health care or who received compensation or pensions from
VA. Participation was voluntary and the information collected from each
veteran is confidential.

Westat used computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) methodology
to administer the NSV 2001. Data collection began February 12, 2001, and
ended November 12, 2001. A total of 20,048 interviews (12,956 from the
RDD sample and 7,092 from the list sample) were completed. The
interviewers achieved a screener response rate of 67.6 percent. The RDD
sample achieved a 76.4 percent response rate for the extended interview.
The list sample had a 62.8 percent overall response rate for the
extended interview. The lower response rate for the list sample is
attributable to difficulties in locating veterans whose administrative
data were no longer accurate. Results were within one percent of Vetpop
2000[^1] estimates, before benchmarking to the Census 2000 Supplementary
Survey (C2SS)[^2]. Data collection also reached the completion targets
overall and for the RDD and list samples.

####  NSV 2001 Target Population

The NSV 2001 target population includes veterans living in private
households in the US and Puerto Rico. Thus, institutionalized veterans,
homeless veterans, and veterans living outside the US and Puerto Rico
are not covered in the survey. The reference period for the NSV 2001 is
the year 2000[^3]. The under-coverage in the survey due to non-telephone
households and the households with unlisted numbers belonging to
"zero-listed telephone banks" was corrected with a raking procedure that
used veteran population estimates from the C2SS. The control total of
veteran population for the raking procedure was 25,196,036 veterans,
which included the Puerto Rico veteran population. Although the C2SS did
not include Puerto Rico, the raking procedure used the control totals
that included Puerto Rico veteran population. The marginal totals for
the Puerto Rico veteran population were estimated from 1990 Census
counts using a model.

The current VA population model, VetPop2001, is based on several data
sources, including administrative data from VA, DOD, and the Social
Security Administration, and uses 1990 Census data as part of its
baseline, since it was developed before the release of data from the
2000 Census. The universe is all veterans, including those in
group-quarters, those residing in U.S. Island Territories and foreign
countries, and veterans of the uniformed Public Health Service and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The VetPop2001 estimate
of the number of veterans for the U.S. and Puerto Rico as of September
30, 2000, with adjustments based on the Census 2000 data on veterans by
state, is 25.5 million.

Survey data were weighted to represent the entire veteran population
residing in private households in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Weighting
incorporated the probability of selection, survey non-response, and
households with more than one telephone number. Chapter 2 and Appendices
B and C of this report contain a more detailed discussion of sampling
and weighting procedures. Readers interested in additional information
about sampling and weighting procedures may refer to the *2001 National
Survey of Veterans Design and Methodology Final Report*.

####  VA Administrative and Survey Data Comparisons

NSV estimates differ from VA administrative data because of 1)
differences in time frame, 2) survey errors, and 3) administrative data
system errors. The time frame differences are due to NSV interviews
being spread out over several months, February 12, 2001 through November
12, 2001, and each interview having its own time frame---12 months prior
to the date of the interview. Administrative data, on the other hand,
are available for given fiscal years or at one point in time including
at the end of the fiscal year. Survey error can be from veterans failing
to recall all relevant events in the 12-month period or reporting events
that occurred more than 12 months before the date of the interview.
Administrative data system error can occur because of duplication or
omission of records.

Two examples of differences between estimates and administrative records
are:

-   The VA outpatient care estimate from NSV 2001 is 4.0 million
    outpatients. VA administrative numbers were below the survey
    estimate---3.6 for FY 2000 and 3.7 million from for FY 2001. And

-   The VA hospital care estimate from NSV 2001 is 555,000 patients. VA
    administrative counts were below the survey estimate---353,000 for
    FY2000 and 361,000 for FY2001.

The NSV 2001 also provided a second higher estimate of VA provided
health care---5.2 million total VA health care unique counts. This
second survey-based estimate was developed by including a special
additional set of health care questions not asked on past national
veterans surveys along with the VA inpatient and outpatient estimates.
These questions asked the surveyed veterans about emergency room care,
prescription medications, environmental hazards, psychological
counseling, in-home health care and prosthetics care. Veterans, who had
answered no to other questions on inpatient stay or outpatient visits,
sometimes responded yes to these questions and indicated the care was
received at VA or paid for by VA. Clearly some veterans did not think of
these kinds of medical care without prompting. Also, VA inpatient and
outpatient administrative records do not include counts of all veterans
receiving these kinds of care.

Particularly noteworthy from the survey estimates are the: 1) estimated
273,000 VA (or VA paid) emergency room visits not included in the VA
inpatient/outpatient counts, and 2) estimated 500,000 prescription
medications without VA patient visits (The VA administrative pharmacy
file does not show high enough fiscal year usage to explain these extra
prescriptions estimated by the survey).

It is possible that the priority 7 veterans enrolling in VA health care
(the number increased by 44 percent from FY2000 to FY2001) are either
reporting intended use of the VA health care system or some usage is not
being recorded by the VA administrative system. Also, differing time
frames of VA administrative data and survey estimates could again
explain some of the discrepancy.

VA administrative data show that 2.3 million veterans living in the
United States or Puerto Rico received compensation payments in September
2000 and September 2001. The NSV 2001 estimates 2.6 million veterans
received compensation payments over the survey interview period. It is
possible that some of the veterans interviewed do not distinguish
between military disability payments and VA compensation payments. Some
veterans (an estimated 60,000) also reported receiving pension and
compensation payments when, in fact, veterans who have service-connected
disabilities and non service-connected disabilities that qualify for
pension must choose only one type of payment.

The NSV 2001 estimates 248,000 veterans were currently (2001) receiving
non-service-connected disability pensions. The September 2001 VA
administrative file shows a count of 346,000 veterans receiving a
pension. VA administrative data for the end of FY 2000 show 362,149
veterans receiving pension payments.

One reason that the survey estimate may be lower is because interviewers
only asked veterans who regarded themselves as having a disabling
condition if they were currently (2001) receiving non-service-connected
disability pensions. Based on other survey questions interviewers asked
of all veterans on sources of 2000 family income, not all veterans
receiving a VA pension consider themselves to have a disabling
condition. In fact, if you base your estimate on sources of family
income in the year 2000 reported in the survey, 413,000 veterans were
receiving a VA non-service-connected disability pension. This second
estimate is higher than the VA administrative records.

Estimates from the NSV 2001 should not be presented as official VA
counts. But they are useful in distinguishing users and nonusers of VA
programs and can be used to highlight possible problems with VA
administrative record databases. It is tempting to view administrative
records as true numbers, but it is important to remember that large and
complicated administrative file systems can be subject to errors of
duplication and omission.

####  Survey Data and Reporting Formats

Survey data displayed in each table of this report were evaluated for
small sample sizes and precision. Data in any cell where the sample size
for the denominator was less than 30 were replaced with the symbol "NR"
for "Not Reported," and this footnote appears at the bottom of these
tables: "NR: Sample size for the denominator less than 30." In any cell
where the sample size for the denominator was between 30 and 59
inclusive or the relative standard error was greater than 30 percent, an
asterisk was appended to the percent estimate and this footnote appears
at the bottom of the table: "\* Low precision and/or sample size for the
denominator between 30 and 59."

Estimates for the number of veterans for each item or category are
rounded to the nearest hundred. Percent estimates have been reported
with one decimal and rounded to add to 100 percent using a controlled
rounding algorithm. The controlled rounding procedure rounds the first
digit after the decimal upward for the percentages with the largest
second digits after the decimal in such a way that the percentages add
up to 100 percent.

# 1.2 Veteran Access to Information About VA Benefits

Access to benefit information (and knowledge that the information
exists) is crucial for veterans to be able to use those benefits. As
shown through repeated mentions in VA's 2001-2006 Strategic Plan,
communication is a key element in VA's core values:

*We are committed to open, accurate, and timely communication with
veterans, employees, and external stakeholders.*

*We are committed to improved access for veterans and their families
through facility location and design, and innovative uses of information
technology.*

VA's enabling goal is to "create an environment that fosters the
delivery of One VA world-class service to veterans and their families
*through effective communication* and management of people, technology,
business processes, and financial resources." (Emphasis added.) One of
the core sections of the 2001 NSV dealt with access to information about
veteran benefits.

Respondents were first asked where they would go to access information
about VA benefits. Respondents offered sources in their own words, and
were encouraged to report up to six sources. Interviewers did not
suggest any sources, but used the list of sources shown in Table 1-1 to
record responses.

Two thirds (66.7 percent) of veterans reported that they would go to VA
itself if they needed information about their VA benefits. About 12
percent of veterans said that they would use the VA toll free number and
a similar proportion said they would use the VA web site. Less than 1
percent of veterans

Table 1-1. Percent distribution of veterans by sources of information
about VA benefits

  -------------------------------------------------------- --------------
                                                           Total

  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)                  66.6

  VA: Toll-free telephone number                           12.4

  VA web site                                              12.2

  Other Internet or web site                               5.0

  Veterans Service Organization (VFW, American Legion)     13.8

  VA Benefits Booklet (Federal Benefits for Veterans and   0.9
  Dependents)                                              

  Social Security office                                   0.7

  Another government agency                                10.0

  Senior citizens group (AARP)                             0.2

  Health advocacy group (MS Society; American Association  0.4
  for the Blind; Easter Seals; March of Dimes)             

  Doctor or doctor's office                                0.7

  Employer or former employer                              0.2

  Another veteran                                          1.7

  Family or friends                                        2.1

  Newspaper or magazine                                    0.7

  TV or radio                                              0.1\*

  Some other person or place                               5.3

  Nowhere                                                  3.9

  Number of veterans†                                      25,196,000
  -------------------------------------------------------- --------------

\*Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one source of information about benefits.

reported that they would use the VA benefits booklet[^4]. These
responses suggest that veterans prefer to get their information directly
from VA rather than from other agencies and that contact be personal or
web-based rather than written. It may also be the case that veterans had
the VA benefits booklet in mind when providing the general response
'VA', or that many veterans do not know about the booklet.

After a question about knowledge of VA benefits, the questionnaire asked
veterans' satisfaction with benefits information. Table 1-2 presents
veterans' responses to this item.

Table 1-2. Percent distribution of veterans by satisfaction with ability
to get information about VA benefits

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
|                                                         | Total      |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Very satisfied                                          | 15.4       |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Somewhat satisfied                                      | 30.4       |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied                      | 24.9       |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Somewhat dissatisfied                                   | 13.6       |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Very dissatisfied                                       | 9.2        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Don't need to know anything                             | 2.0        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Unknown                                                 | 4.5        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Total                                                   | 100.0      |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Number of veterans†                                     | >          |
|                                                         | 25,196,000 |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred.

About 46 percent of veterans said that they were satisfied with their
ability to get the information they need about veterans' benefits. A
sizeable percentage, however, said they were dissatisfied or very
dissatisfied with their access to information (22.8 percent combined).
This suggests that for many veterans, access to information about
veterans' benefits may be a barrier to awareness and understanding of
the benefits and services available to them.

The next question asked whether veterans needed any information about
their veterans' benefits in the past year. As shown in Table 1-3,
slightly more than 20 percent of veterans reported that they needed
information about their veterans' benefits in the past year.

Table 1-3. Percent distribution of veterans by need for information
about VA benefits in the past year

  ------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
                                                          Total

  Yes                                                     21.5

  No                                                      77.9

  Unknown                                                 0.6

  Total                                                   100.0

  Number of veterans†                                     25,196,000
  ------------------------------------------------------- ---------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred.

Table 1-4 examines the interaction between these last two items. The
results show a difference in satisfaction according to need for
information. Veterans who said they needed information were more likely
than those overall to report that they were either somewhat or very
dissatisfied with their ability to get information (37.9 percent versus
22.8 percent). This difference comes primarily from the neutral
("neither satisfied nor dissatisfied") category. This is logical, as
those needing information are more likely to have strong feelings one
way or the other than are those who say they have not needed information
on their benefits.

Table 1-4. Percent distribution of veterans by satisfaction with ability
to get veterans benefit information, among all veterans and among
veterans needing information

+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
|                        | All veterans | Veterans needing            |
|                        |              | information                 |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Very satisfied         | 15.4         | 14.4                        |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Somewhat satisfied     | 30.4         | 30.3                        |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Neither satisfied nor  | 24.9         | 14.9                        |
| dissatisfied           |              |                             |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Somewhat dissatisfied  | 13.6         | 20.0                        |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Very dissatisfied      | 9.2          | 17.9                        |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Don't need to know     | 2.0          | 0.6                         |
| anything               |              |                             |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Unknown                | 4.5          | 1.9                         |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Total                  | 100.0        | 100.0                       |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+
| Number of veterans†    | 25,196,000   | > 5,411,700                 |
+------------------------+--------------+-----------------------------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

The final question on information needs asks whether the respondent has
access to the Internet. As shown in Table 1-5, more than 60 percent of
veterans reported having access to the Internet.

Table 1-5. Percent distribution of veterans by access to the Internet

  ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------
                                                        Total

  Yes                                                   61.9

  No                                                    38.0

  Unknown                                               0.1

  Total                                                 100.0

  Number of veterans†                                   25,196,000
  ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred.

In summary, VA was seen as the primary source for information about
veterans' benefits. Almost one-half of veterans said they were satisfied
with their ability to get this information, with a quarter reporting
being neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. When focused on veterans who
reported actually needing information in the past year, dissatisfaction
with their ability to get information went up markedly. Finally, most,
but not an overwhelming percentage, of veterans report having Internet
access. These results suggest that VA should continue its efforts to
facilitate communication with veterans via the Internet. The VA web
site, while important, is still evolving as a resource for veterans.

# 1.3 Organization of the Report

The remainder of this report provides analysis on a number of topics and
content areas of interest to VA, in addition to several appendices. The
content of each of these sections is as follow:

-   Chapter 2 describes the study protocol, including basic information
    on study design and data collection.

-   Chapter 3 provides a descriptive profile of the 2001 veteran
    population.

-   Chapter 4 describes veterans' military service experience.

-   Chapter 5 discusses the health status of veterans including medical
    conditions and limiting disabilities.

-   Chapter 6 presents data on the types of medical care veterans
    received over the last year, where that care was obtained, and how
    the cost of the care was paid.

-   Chapter 7 describes veterans' knowledge and use of Veterans Benefits
    Administration Programs including compensation and pension programs,
    educational programs, vocational rehabilitation and employment
    programs, the Home Loan Guaranty Program, and the VA life insurance
    programs.

-   Chapter 8 provides information on veterans' knowledge and use of the
    Veteran Burial Benefits.

-   The appendices to the report contain the survey instrument and
    detailed information on the sampling and weighting methodology.

2\. Study METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents a summary of the 2001 National Survey of Veterans
(NSV 2001) study methodology. The chapter begins with a recounting of
steps taken and issues addressed during development of the NSV 2001
survey instrument. Following this section on questionnaire development,
survey sample design, survey administration, and survey yields are
briefly reviewed.

# 2.1 Questionnaire Development

The NSV 2001 was designed to collect information to help the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) respond to many of its policy,
planning, and budgetary challenges. Many of these challenges were
included in questionnaire design considerations from the start of this
project. To further ensure that the NSV 2001 would be useful to a large,
diverse group of stakeholders, the 1992 NSV instrument and results of
the 1992 National Survey of Veterans Utilization Study[^5] were reviewed
before formally beginning questionnaire construction. In the last phase
of development results of the Utilization Study were integrated into the
existing design of the proposed NSV 2001 instrument and sampling
methodology.

The 1992 National Survey of Veterans Utilization Study, conducted in
1999, was designed to identify the uses to which stakeholders, both
inside and outside VA, utilized previous NSV results and allow them to
articulate their anticipated information needs from a future NSV. For
the study, a total of 51 interviews were conducted among a diverse group
of stakeholders. One major finding of the study was that while the 1992
survey included many important and useful questions, the 1992 instrument
did contain serious gaps and did not provide some information important
to VA planners. Nonetheless, despite shortcomings, the general pattern
of interview responses revealed that current users of the information
would likely continue to use the results provided by a new NSV.

Both internal and external VA stakeholders requested more detailed
information on service patterns for special subpopulations to ensure
fairness of service delivery and to meet special needs. For example,
stakeholders wanted more information on minority, female, and homeless
veterans, as well as other special subpopulations, such as veterans
exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam or veterans who served in the Gulf
War. Another primary finding was strong support for a survey effort to
collect data that would allow analysts to distinguish between those
veterans who do and do not currently use VA programs. Many of the
stakeholders interviewed noted an increased need for information that
could be used to plan, manage, and evaluate programs. Although many of
the organizations have their own survey efforts focused on their program
offerings, all VA organizations indicated a desire for information on
veterans who do not use VA programs as a part of their overall planning,
policy, and evaluation efforts.

Based on the 1992 NSV Utilization Study, several structural and content
changes were made to the survey instrument to address VA's needs and to
increase the usability of the next NSV. As in previous administrations,
the final NSV 2001 instrument collected information about each veteran's
military background and sociodemographic characteristics. The survey
also asked about veterans' perception of need and recent use of six
benefit areas:

-   Health Care;

-   Disability;

-   Mortgage Loan;

-   Life Insurance;

-   Education and Training; and

-   Burial Benefits.

Additional survey topics collected data on other sources of assistance
veterans used, access and barriers to use of the service, veterans'
unmet needs, future plans to use benefit programs, and how veterans
prefer to receive information about the service. Finally, the NSV 2001
included a separate module about veterans' recent need for VA
information, preferred media, and access to and use of the Internet.

The survey design phase, which began in September of 2000, also resulted
in the adoption of several key survey design features:

-   Use of telephone interviewing as the data collection mode;

-   Use of CATI technology for questionnaire administration; and

-   Use of a dual frame sample design that augmented a random digit
    dialing (RDD) sample with a VA List Sample.

# 2.2 Sample Design

The NSV 2001 target population includes veterans living in private
households in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Thus, institutionalized
veterans, homeless veterans, and veterans living outside the U.S. and
Puerto Rico are not covered in the survey. Additionally, the survey was
also required to provide information on veteran population subgroups of
particular interest. These subgroups included: the veteran population
classified according to the mandatory health care enrollment group
(groups 1 through 6) criteria[^6], female veterans, African American
veterans, and Hispanic veterans. The precision required for survey
estimates for the total population and each of the subgroups of interest
was a 95 percent confidence interval of +/- 5 percent or less.

Sample design decisions were largely driven by the requirement for
precise survey estimates for each of the mandatory and one discretionary
health care enrollment groups. A dual frame design was adopted as a
method for meeting these requirements. Some enrollment groups could be
relatively easily located in the general adult population. For these
groups, use of an RDD sample frame was an efficient approach. Other
enrollment groups could be more efficiently contacted using a list frame
where the list was constructed from the VHA Healthcare enrollment file
and the VBA Compensation and Pension (C&P) file. The major design issue
was determining the relative sample allocations from the RDD and list
frames. Appendix B details the issues associated with sample allocation.

To meet the variety of sample objectives and precision requirements, a
dual frame sampling plan was developed that called for the completion of
13,000 veteran interviews from randomly selected households (the RDD
Sample). This was augmented by 7,000 veteran interviews completed from a
List Sample selected from two VA administrative files. By completing
20,000 veteran interviews from these two samples, NSV 2001 provides
national estimates for veterans overall and for important subgroups.

# 2.3 Survey Administration

Survey administration includes the conduct of the survey pretest,
interviewer training and quality control, and the actual survey data
collection.

####  NSV Pretest

Prior to initiating survey administration, an extensive survey pretest
was conducted. This was done to thoroughly test all survey components.
The NSV 2001 pretest was conducted between February 12, 2001 and March
4, 2001. At that time, the List Sample contact procedures were still in
development, so the pretest was administered using only RDD sample
cases. During the pretest, interviewers called 21,609 telephone numbers
and completed a total of 519 interviews with veterans. This three-week
period allowed evaluation of every facet of survey administration.

Information gained from the pretest was used to evaluate:

-   Questionnaire design, content, wording, and structure;

-   Length of interview administration;

-   The functioning of the computerized CATI questionnaire and CATI case
    management and call scheduling software;

-   Interviewer training; and

-   The interviewing process itself.

The pretest revealed that the CATI instrument/program worked as intended
(e.g., questions were presented as intended and skip patterns were
followed). Additionally, no problems were found with the CATI system's
call scheduling, case management, or data storage functions. However,
the pretest did yield useful changes. First, modifications were made to
initial sample yield assumptions to reflect actual completion rates
realized during the pretest. It was also learned from the pretest that
the average length of the interview was over the target administrative
length of 30 minutes. Finally, interviewer training curriculum was
changed to increase focus on one area that presented difficulties for
interviewers and respondents during the pretest -- correctly identifying
current household members. An additional benefit of the pretest was that
it afforded VA an excellent opportunity to observe the methodologies and
procedures planned for the main data collection phase.

####  Interviewer Training and Quality Control

Interviewer recruitment began in January of 2001 and continued as the
data collection requirements for NSV increased. Project-specific
training for the NSV 2001 began on February 10, 2001 with an initial
group of 31 interviewers. In the 5 months following the first training
session, another 267 interviewers were trained in ten separate sessions,
bringing the total number of NSV 2001 interviewers trained to 298. After
production was underway, additional training sessions were conducted on
special topics, such as:

-   Proxy interviewing;

-   Refusal conversion;

-   Tracing calls; and

-   Language problem cases.

Interviewers selected to participate in these special sessions were
observed by supervisors to possess skills relevant for the operation for
which they were trained.

During data collection, the primary method of ensuring that interviewers
continued to accurately administer the NSV 2001 questionnaire was
through interviewer monitoring. Project staff and telephone center
supervisors monitored an average of 8 percent of all NSV 2001
interviews.

####  Data Collection

The NSV 2001 survey administration was a complex undertaking.
Incorporated into the survey task were screening requirements designed
to establish respondent eligibility followed by a questionnaire that
contained skip patterns and required the performance of range, logic,
and consistency checks during the course of survey administration. To
facilitate data collection, the NSV 2001 survey was administered using a
computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system. The CATI system
automated all operations thereby allowing interviewers to concentrate
upon only the questions to be asked and the coding of responses provided
by the veteran. The selection of questions to be asked, given skip
patterns, their order, and the performance of range, logic, and
consistency checks were all performed by CATI in the background.

The CATI system also managed the scheduling of calls to members of the
NSV sample. Initial contact with a sample member was managed using the
method of "time slicing." This method scheduled initial calls in a
rotation including daytime, evening, weekday, and weekend contact
attempts to maximize the probability of contact. Once contact was
established with a sample member, the CATI system kept track of the
member's status (whether eligible or ineligible for the survey) and
scheduled call-backs at appointed times, if necessary, to complete the
interviewing process.

To increase response rates, several special data collection operations
were implemented. All List Sample veterans were sent an advance letter
to inform them of their selection to participate in the survey. This
letter explained the survey's purpose, urged veterans to cooperate and
complete a survey, and established the survey as a valid project of the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans were also provided a
toll-free number they could call to voice any questions or concerns they
might have. Other mail operations included the mailing of a background
letter to RDD Sample cases requesting a written explanation of the
survey before proceeding. Additionally, a proportion of veterans
initially refusing to participate in the survey were sent letters (where
valid addresses were available) requesting their cooperation in the
survey effort.

The NSV 2001 data collection period extended from February 12, 2001
through November 12, 2001. Nearly 300 interviewers participated in the
data collection phase, which resulted in 20,048 completed interviews
(12,956 from the RDD Sample and 7,092 from the List Sample). The average
interview time for RDD Sample veterans was 33.3 minutes, while List
Sample veterans took an average of 38.7 minutes per completed interview.
It was expected that List Sample veterans would take longer to complete
the interview because they generally have more medical conditions and
medical treatment experiences to report. List Sample veterans were also
more likely to have a service-connected disability that required them to
complete an additional survey module about that disability.

# 2.4 Survey Yields

The NSV 2001 had a total sample target of 20,000 completed interviews.
Of this total, 13,000 were expected to come from the household screening
of RDD telephone numbers and 7,000 from the List Sample. At the
completion of survey administration, NSV 2001 realized 100.2 percent of
the overall target by completing 12,956 interviews from the RDD Sample
(99.7 percent of goal) and 7,092 interviews from the List Sample (101.3
percent of goal).

As part of the NSV 2001 sample design, interview completion targets were
also set by sample stratum for both the List and RDD Samples. The main
objective of the List Sample stratification was to augment the sample
for the veteran population classified according to the mandatory health
care enrollment priority group (groups 1 through 6) criteria and for
female veterans. List Sample interview targets were also set for
Hispanic and African American veterans. Both List and RDD Sample size
targets were set in line with the distribution of the veteran population
(by subgroup) provided by VA. Table 2-1 (List Sample) and Table 2-2 (RDD
Sample) compare the target and achieved List Sample completed interviews
by priority groups

Table 2-1. Target versus achieved List Sample completed interviews by
priority group

  --------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
  Priority        Target             Achieved           Percent of target

  1               1,239              1,410              113.8

  2               1,200              1,354              112.8

  3               1,636              1,758              107.5

  4               931                549                59.0

  5               1,231              1,179              95.8

  6               763                842                110.4

  Total list      7,000              7,092              101.3
  --------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------

Table 2-2. Target versus achieved RDD Sample completed interviews by
priority group (Observed)

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  Observed Priority Target            Achieved          Percent of target

  1                 295               371               125.8

  2                 271               300               110.7

  3                 661               741               112.1

  4                 69                12                17.4

  5                 3,731             2,636             70.7

  6                 36                1,479             4,108.3

  7                 7,937             7,417             93.4

  Total RDD         13,000            12,956            99.7
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

####  List Sample

Targets were exceeded for four of the six priority groups. The two
groups falling short were priority group 5 (96 percent of target), and
priority group 4 (59 percent of target). A review of survey yields
reveals that the original expectations for this group underestimated the
proportion of priority group 4 veterans that would be ineligible due to
institutionalization or death. The proportion ineligible among the
priority group 4 veterans was 30.9 percent, whereas fewer than 5 percent
of veterans in priority groups 2, 3 and 6 were ineligible, and just over
7 percent of priority groups 1 and 5 veterans were ineligible.

####  RDD Sample

For the RDD Sample, a target of 662 completed female veteran interviews
was set and 699 interviews were completed (105.6 percent of target). The
targets for African American and Hispanic veterans were 1,066 and 520
interviews, respectively. A total of 983 interviews were completed with
African American veterans (92.2 percent of target), and 558 interviews
with Hispanic veterans (107.3 percent of the target).

Table 2-2 shows that, although we met the overall target for the RDD
Sample, the individual priority groups varied considerably. According to
the veteran population distribution used for the NSV 2001 sample design,
the two smallest priority groups were groups 4 and 6. However, the
number of veterans in priority group 4 turned out to be only a fraction
(14.5 percent) of what we projected from our assumed distribution.
Conversely, the number of veterans belonging to priority group 6 was
almost 40 times greater than expected given the population distribution
provided by VA. This is partially due to the fact that the absolute
numbers for the RDD targets for priority groups 4 and 6 were also very
low, which led to large percentage differences. Also, for Priority 6 the
definition for the target population was slightly different than what
was used to count the achieved number. Data used to estimate the target
population was only available for veterans using VA facilities solely
for treatment of environmental exposures, whereas the observed
population considered anyone stating they had been exposed to
environmental hazards regardless of treatment. The RDD Sample completed
interviews for priority group 5 also fell significantly short, at just
over 60 percent of the target.

3\. THE VETERAN POPULATION

Approximately 25.2 million veterans of the U.S. uniformed services were
living in the United States and Puerto Rico at the end of 2000. Although
veterans comprise a richly diverse group, most veterans are White,
non-Hispanic, married males. Overall the average age of a veteran is 58
years old, with the largest group of veterans between the ages of 45 and
64. Most veterans are currently employed, have a combined family income
of more than \$50,000, and have completed high school.

The NSV 2001 surveyed individuals who served their full obligation of
active duty in the military, or received early discharge for a medical
condition, reduction in force, hardship, or at the convenience of the
military. Active duty military service members and dishonorably
discharged veterans were excluded from the survey.

This chapter summarizes demographic information about veterans. In
addition, it describes historical changes in the veteran population.
Characteristics detailed in this chapter include gender, age, race,
ethnicity, marital status, education, and employment status. Because men
and women veterans differ substantially on some of these demographic
characteristics, comparisons are made by gender.

# 3.1 Gender

Female veteran demographic characteristics are quite different from
those of their male counterparts. For example, female veterans tend to
be younger, have a higher education level, and include a greater
percentage of minorities. One plausible explanation for these gender
differences is the increased number of women in armed forces since the
cessation of the draft. Although, the majority of veterans are male,
almost 6 percent of veterans are female. That is increase of 2 percent
from the 1992 figures where females made up 4 percent of the veteran
population. Given these gender differences, descriptions of veteran
demographic characteristics in the remaining sections include gender
comparisons.

# 3.2 Age

Respondents were asked to give their birthdate. Age was then calculated
from this information. The average age of all veterans was 58 years.
More specifically, 21.1 percent of the veteran population was under the
age of 45, 41.2 percent were between the ages of 45 and 64, and 37.1
percent of the population was 65 years or older. These findings reflect
the continuing trend of the aging veteran population. In comparison to
the 1992 veteran population, the percentages of veterans in the youngest
age cohort decreased (21 percent vs. 32 percent), the age percentage of
the oldest age cohort increased (38 percent vs. 26 percent), and the
middle cohort remained virtually unchanged (42 percent vs. 41 percent).

Gender comparisons shown in Table 3-1 indicate that almost 4 in 5 male
veterans are 45 years and older. This percentage of male veterans over
45 reflects their participation in the major wars of the last century.
In contrast, female veterans tend to be younger. More than half of
female veterans are under the age of 45. This gender difference between
male and female veterans is due in part because females did not enter
into the armed forces in great numbers until 1975. However, there is
also a smaller peak in the female veteran age distribution at the older
ages, reflecting their participation in WWII. Approximately 12 percent
of female veterans are 75 years or older.

Table 3-1. Percent distribution of veterans by age and gender

  --------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                        Total            Males            Females

  Less than 25 years    1.1              0.8              4.7

  25-29 years           2.7              2.4              7.9

  30-34 years           5.3              4.9              12.6

  35-39 years           5.3              4.8              13.6

  40-44 years           6.7              6.1              16.4

  45-49 years           8.1              7.8              13.6

  50-54 years           13.4             13.8             6.5

  55-59 years           11.1             11.5             3.8

  60-64 years           8.6              8.9              2.8

  65-69 years           10.1             10.6             2.4

  70-74 years           10.7             11.2             3.4

  75-79 years           9.5              9.7              6.4

  80 years or older     6.8              6.9              5.5

  Unknown               0.6              0.6              0.4\*

  Total                 100.0            100.0            100.0

  Number of veterans†   25,196,000       23,712,400       1,483,600
  --------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

# 3.3 Race and Ethnicity

The majority of veterans surveyed reported only one racial group with
the highest proportion classifying themselves as White (84.8 percent).
About 9 percent identified themselves as Black, while American
Indian,[^7] Asian, and Native Hawaiian[^8] each comprise less than one
percent. Of the 2.2 percent veterans who reported two or more races, the
largest percentage classified themselves as American Indian or Alaska
Native/White (Biracial American Indian-White).

Similar to results found in the 1992 National Survey of Veterans, Whites
and Blacks accounted for 93.6 percent of today's veteran population.
Overall, the number of minorities serving in the Armed Forces is
increasing, leading to a more socially and ethnically diverse military.
This trend is reflected in the veteran population as well. This increase
in the minority veteran population may have significant ramifications,
especially in terms of health care needs, programs, and possible
benefits.

Similar to the gender differences in veterans' ages, men and women
veterans also differ in race and ethnicity. About 9 percent of male
veterans classified themselves in a minority racial group (any racial
group other than White), in contrast to 17.1 percent of female veterans.
This differential was primarily between male and female veterans who
classified themselves as Black (8.4 percent vs. 15.7 percent,
respectively). About equal proportions of male and female veterans were
self-identified as Hispanic (4.5 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively).

In order to determine race and ethnicity, respondents first were asked
whether they were Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino. Next, they were read a
list of racial categories and asked to select one or more to describe
their race. These categories, and the percent of veterans selecting
them, are displayed in Table 3-2.

Table 3-2. Percent distribution of veterans by race, ethnicity, and
gender

+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                                | Total     | Males     | Females   |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Race                           |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total One Race               | 94.7      | 94.8      | 93.2      |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > White                        | 84.8      | 85.4      | 76.1      |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Black or African American    | 8.8       | 8.4       | 15.7      |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > American Indian or Alaska    | 0.6       | 0.6       | 0.9       |
| > Native                       |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Asian                        | 0.3       | 0.3       | 0.3       |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Native Hawaiian or Pacific   | 0.2       | 0.1       | 0.2       |
| > Islander                     |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total Two or More Races      | 2.2       | 2.2       | 3.0       |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > American Indian or Alaska    | 1.4       | 1.4       | 2.0       |
| > Native/White                 |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Race Unknown                 | 3.1       | 3.0       | 3.8       |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total Race                   | 100.0     | 100.0     | 100.0     |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                                |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Ethnicity                      |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino | 4.5       | 4.5       | 4.1       |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Not Spanish, Hispanic, or    | 95.2      | 95.2      | 95.4      |
| > Latino                       |           |           |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Unknown                      | 0.3       | 0.3       | 0.5       |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total Ethnicity              | 100.0     | 100.0     | 100.0     |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Number of veterans†            | 2         | 2         | 1,483,600 |
|                                | 5,196,000 | 3,712,400 |           |
+--------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
only one sub-category under "Total Two or More Races" is shown because
all other categories were too small to report.

# 3.4 Marital Status

Respondents were asked their marital status. As Table 3-3 indicates, the
majority of veterans are currently married (74.9 percent). In fact, more
than 90 percent of the veteran population have been married at some
point in their lives. Slightly more than one in ten are divorced (11.4
percent), while less than one in ten (7.2 percent) reported that they
have never been married.

Table 3-3. Percent distribution of veterans by marital status and gender

  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
                          Total           Males           Females

  Married, living with    73.3            74.5            54.9
  spouse                                                  

  Married, not living     1.6             1.5             3.2
  with spouse                                             

  Widowed                 5.3             5.1             8.0

  Divorced                11.4            10.9            18.5

  Legally separated       1.0             1.0             1.1\*

  Never been married      7.2             6.8             13.8

  Unknown                 0.2             0.2             0.5\*

  Total                   100.0           100.0           100.0

  Number of veterans†     25,196,000      23,712,400      1,483,600
  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Similar to other demographic patterns described in this chapter, marital
status patterns differ between male and female veterans. Although both
male and female veterans are most likely to be married, female veterans
are twice as likely as their male counterparts to be either divorced or
never married. Moreover, female veterans in comparison to male veterans
are less likely to be currently married (54.9 percent vs. 74.5 percent,
respectively).

The proportion of married veterans decreased slightly from that in 1992.
At that time, 62 percent of the female veterans and 78 percent of the
male veterans were married.

# 3.5 Level of Education

Respondents were asked the highest grade or year of school they had ever
completed. Almost 60 percent of veterans have more than a high school
diploma (58.8 percent). About 11 percent have not received a high school
diploma; this percentage has decreased since 1992, when 17.1 percent of
veterans had not completed high school.

The level of education achieved differs for male and female veterans. A
higher percentage of female veterans have a bachelor's degree or higher,
compared to their male counterparts (28.2 percent vs. 22.7 percent,
respectively).

Table 3-4. Percent distribution of veterans by education and gender

  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
                          Total           Males           Females

  Less than high school   11.1            11.7            1.7\*
  graduate                                                

  High school graduate or 29.9            30.5            20.5
  GED                                                     

  Post high school        35.8            34.9            49.4
  schooling/training                                      

  Bachelor's degree or    23.0            22.7            28.2
  higher                                                  

  Unknown                 0.2             0.2             0.2\*

  Total                   100.0           100.0           100.0

  Number of veterans†     25,196,000      23,712,400      1,483,600
  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

# 3.6 Employment Status

Respondents were asked whether they had worked or were looking for work
the week prior to the survey. If not, they were asked why. From the
responses to these questions, veterans were classified into employment
categories displayed in Table 3-5. More than 50 percent (54.9 percent)
of the 2000 veteran population was employed. Almost one-third (32.0
percent) of veterans were retired, 3.6 percent were not working but were
looking for a job, and 6.9 percent were disabled. These proportions are
similar to those found in the 1992 survey.

Due to their relative youth, a higher percentage of female veterans were
currently employed (60.0 percent) compared to their male counterparts
(54.6 percent). Moreover, a lower percentage of female veterans were
retired compared to male veterans. In fact, twice as many male veterans
were retired, compared to female veterans (33.0 percent vs. 16.9
percent, respectively).

Table 3-5. Percent distribution of veterans by employment status and
gender

  --------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
                                          Total        Males        Females

  Working, or on vacation or sick leave   54.9         54.6         60.0
  from work                                                         

  Not working, but looking for work       3.6          3.5          5.1

  Retired                                 32.0         33.0         16.9

  Disabled                                6.9          7.0          5.8

  Stopped looking for work because could  0.2          0.2          0.4\*
  not find work                                                     

  Temporarily laid off from work          0.2          0.2          0.3\*

  Taking care of home and family          0.8          0.4          7.5

  Going to school                         0.4          0.3          1.7

  Other                                   0.7          0.6          1.8

  Unknown                                 0.3          0.2          0.5\*

  Total                                   100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†                     25,196,000   23,712,400   1,483,600
  --------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

# 3.7 Family Income

Respondents were asked to report their total family income, before taxes
and deductions, for tax year 2000. More than one-third (34.7 percent) of
the 2000 veteran population had a combined family income of more than
\$50,000. A slightly higher proportion of female veterans reported
family income over \$50,000, compared to male veterans (37.3 percent vs.
34.6 percent, respectively). Although smaller, this gender difference
was also found in the proportion reporting a family income of \$10,000
or less (6.3 percent of female veterans, 5.2 percent of male veterans).

Table 3-6. Percent distribution of veterans by family income and gender

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
                    Total             Males             Females

  \$10,000 or less  5.3               5.2               6.3

  \$10,001 to       12.1              12.1              12.1
  \$20,000                                              

  \$20,001 to       13.9              14.0              12.7
  \$30,000                                              

  \$30,001 to       12.5              12.5              12.9
  \$40,000                                              

  \$40,001 to       10.8              10.7              11.9
  \$50,000                                              

  Over \$50,000     34.7              34.6              37.3

  Unknown           10.7              10.9              6.8

  Total             100.0             100.0             100.0

  Number of         25,196,000        23,712,400        1,483,600
  veterans†                                             
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

# 3.8 Historical Perspective and Trends

The number of female veterans is increasing, although the size of the
female veteran population lags far behind that of the male veteran
population. On the 1992 survey, females made up 4 percent of the veteran
population whereas on the 2001 NSV, females made up 6 percent of the
veteran population. In addition to the increase in the number of female
veterans, the number of minority veterans has also increased.

The percentage of veterans who report being married on the 2001 NSV
(74.9 percent) decreased slightly from the percentage of veterans who
reported being married in the 1992 population (77.3 percent). Inversely,
the percentage of veterans on the 2001 NSV who report being divorced or
legally separated (12.4 percent) increased slightly over veterans in the
1992 survey (10.6 percent). The other marital status categories remained
virtually unchanged.

Overall, the educational levels of veterans have continually increased
since 1986[^9]. For both 1992 and 2001 surveys, at least 50 percent of
all veterans reported having some advanced schooling or training (i.e.,
greater than high school graduate or GED). The percentage of veterans
who received some advanced schooling or training on the 2001 NSV (58.7
percent) was higher than the 1992 survey (53.0 percent). Paralleling
this trend, the percentage of veterans who reported having less than a
high school degree on the 2001 survey (11.1 percent) was lower than the
comparable group of veterans in the 1992 survey (17.0 percent).

4\. Military Service Experience

# 4.1 Introduction

The previous chapter discussed results showing that socio-demographic
characteristics of the veteran population have changed over time. For
example, women, minorities and better-educated individuals make up a
larger proportion of the veteran population compared to years past.
Differences in veterans' military experiences, like differences in
socio-demographic characteristics, may have a differential impact on
health status, health needs, insurance needs, and current benefits.
Thus, understanding the military service characteristics of the
ever-changing veteran population is essential to developing policies and
programs that meet those veterans' needs.

In this chapter, we examine four key aspects of veterans' military
service experience:

-   Branch of service;

-   Period of service;

-   Combat exposure; and

-   Service-connected disability.

We describe service experiences for all veterans, and compare these
experiences by gender, age, race, and Hispanic[^10] ethnicity.

# 4.2 Branch of Service

Respondents were asked whether they had ever served on active duty in
each branch of the military, as well as the Public Health Service,
Environmental Services Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II
(WWII). Women respondents were also asked whether they had ever served
in any of the women's corps and auxiliary corps.

As Table 4-1 illustrates, about 50 percent of all veterans served in the
Army, almost 25 percent in the Navy, 20 percent in the Air Force, 10
percent in the Marine Corps, and slightly more than 1 percent in the
Coast Guard. One out of four veterans reported serving in one of the
special branches (e.g., Merchant Marines during WWII; Women's Army
Auxiliary Corps \[WAAC\]; Women's Army Corps \[WAC\]).

**Gender and Branch of Service.** Table 4-1 also illustrates several
gender differences in branch of service evident among these veterans.
Women were less likely than men to have served in the Army (41.0 percent
vs. 50.8 percent, respectively) and the Marine Corps (7.7 percent vs.
10.0 percent, respectively). Women were more likely than men to have
served in the Air Force (27.5 percent vs. 19.1 percent, respectively).
About the same proportion of women as men served in the Navy (23.7
percent and 24.5 percent, respectively). Very few male veterans (2.0
percent) served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. About 25 percent of
women veterans served in one of the women's special branches, with the
largest proportion (10.8 percent) having served in the WAC.

Table 4-1. Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and
gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  Army                               50.2         50.8         41.0

  Navy                               24.4         24.5         23.7

  Air Force                          19.6         19.1         27.5

  Marine Corps                       9.9          10.0         7.7

  Coast Guard                        1.4          1.4          0.9\*

  Women's Army Auxiliary Corps       1.8          NR           1.8
  (WAAC)                                                       

  Women's Army Corps (WACs)          10.8         NR           10.8

  Women Accepted for Voluntary       6.7          NR           6.7
  Emergency Service (WAVES)                                    

  Navy Nursing Corps (NNC)           1.5          NR           1.5

  Air Force Nursing Corps (AFNC)     2.8          NR           2.8

  Women's Air Force Service Pilots   0.2\*        NR           0.2\*
  (WASPS)                                                      

  Coast Guard Women's Reserve        0.3\*        NR           0.3\*
  (SPARS)                                                      

  The Public Health Service, the     0.2          0.2          0.4\*
  Environmental Services                                       
  Administration or the National                               
  Oceanic and Atmospheric                                      
  Administration                                               

  U. S. Merchant Marine              2.0          2.0          NR

  Number of veterans†                25,095,000   23,629,800   1,465,200
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59; NR: Sample size for the denominator less than 30.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one branch of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

**Age and Branch of Service.** Age differences in branch of service also
were found among these veterans, as shown in Table 4-2. The proportion
of veterans who served in the Army increases across age cohorts from 43
percent of those veterans less than 35 years of age to 60 percent of
those veterans age 75 years or older. Conversely, the proportion with
Marine Corps service decreases from 18 percent of those veterans in the
youngest age cohort to 6 percent of veterans in the oldest age cohort.
Proportion of veterans with Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard service
varied little across age cohorts.

Veterans with service in the women's corps tend to be in the older age
cohorts. This is not surprising, given that many of the separate women's
corps (e.g., Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service \[WAVES\],
Women's Airforce Service Pilots \[WASP\]) were disbanded after WWII.

**Race and Branch of Service.** Table 4-3 displays race comparisons of
branch of service. A larger proportion of Blacks veterans (60.3 percent)
served in the Army compared to any other racial group. A larger
proportion of White and biracial American Indian-White veterans served
in the Air Force (19.9 percent and 20.1 percent vs. 15.4 percent to 17.5
percent for other races). Among Black veterans, proportionately fewer
(14.3 percent) served in the Navy, compared to veterans of other races
(21.9 to 25.7 percent). Aside from the main service branches, the number
of veterans of racial groups other than White reporting service in the
special branches (e.g., WAAC; WAVES) is too small to make comparisons.

**Ethnicity and Branch of Service.** Table 4-4 illustrates comparisons
of branch of service by Hispanic ethnicity. Proportionately more
Hispanic veterans served in the Army and the Marine Corps, compared to
non-Hispanic veterans (54.3 percent vs. 50.0 percent respectively in the
Army, 15.2 percent vs. 9.6 percent respectively in the Marine Corps).
Proportionately fewer Hispanic veterans served in the Navy, compared to
non-Hispanic veterans (17.9 percent vs. 24.7 percent, respectively).
Aside from the main branches, the number of Hispanic veterans reporting
service in the special branches (e.g., WAC; WAVES) is too small to make
comparisons.

Table 4-2. Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and age

  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                    Total        Less than\  35-44\      45-54\      55-64\      65-74\      75 years\
                                 35 years    years       years       years       years       or older

  Army              50.2         43.1        42.4        48.6        48.4        53.8        59.7

  Navy              24.4         24.7        24.0        23.0        24.5        23.9        26.8

  Air Force         19.6         15.0        23.2        18.0        20.6        19.5        20.3

  Marine Corps      9.9          17.5        11.5        12.0        9.0         7.3         6.1

  Coast Guard       1.4          1.4         1.6         1.3         1.0         1.2         2.1

  Women's Army      1.8          0.1\*       0.9\*       1.6\*       4.5\*       1.0\*       6.9\*
  Auxiliary Corps                                                                            
  (WAAC)                                                                                     

  Women's Army      10.8         0.1\*       3.4\*       23.2        27.3        20.7\*      17.4
  Corps (WACs)                                                                               

  Women Accepted    6.7          0.0         0.8\*       5.2\*       16.2\*      14.6\*      29.1
  for Voluntary                                                                              
  Emergency Service                                                                          
  (WAVES)                                                                                    

  Navy Nursing      1.5          0.3\*       1.1\*       0.2\*       3.0\*       3.5\*       5.8\*
  Corps (NNC)                                                                                

  Air Force Nursing 2.8          0.1\*       1.5\*       5.5\*       6.9\*       1.2\*       5.6\*
  Corps (AFNC)                                                                               

  Women's Air Force 0.2\*        0.0         0.0         0.2\*       0.5\*       0.2\*       1.1\*
  Service Pilots                                                                             
  (WASPS)                                                                                    

  Coast Guard       0.3\*        0.0         0.0         0.0         0.0         0.0         2.6\*
  Women's Reserve                                                                            
  (SPARS)                                                                                    

  The Public Health 0.2          0.1\*       0.2\*       0.2\*       0.4         0.2\*       0.2\*
  Service, the                                                                               
  Environmental                                                                              
  Services                                                                                   
  Administration or                                                                          
  the National                                                                               
  Oceanic and                                                                                
  Atmospheric                                                                                
  Administration                                                                             

  U. S. Merchant    2.0          NR          NR          NR          NR          1.2         3.1
  Marine                                                                                     

  Number of         25,095,000   2,264,300   3,003,700   5,393,700   4,935,700   5,243,100   4,114,700
  veterans†                                                                                  
  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59; NR: Sample size for the denominator less than 30.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one branch of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

Table 4-3. Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and
race

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 16%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="6">One race</td>
<td colspan="2">Two or more races</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td>Total</td>
<td>Total<br />
one race</td>
<td>White</td>
<td>Black or<br />
African American</td>
<td>American Indian or Alaska Native</td>
<td>Asian</td>
<td>Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander</td>
<td>Total<br />
two or<br />
more races</td>
<td>American Indian or Alaska Native/White</td>
<td>Race unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Army</td>
<td>50.2</td>
<td>50.3</td>
<td>49.2</td>
<td>60.3</td>
<td>52.2</td>
<td>53.3</td>
<td>42.0*</td>
<td>50.9</td>
<td>53.0</td>
<td>47.7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Navy</td>
<td>24.4</td>
<td>24.6</td>
<td>25.7</td>
<td>14.3</td>
<td>24.3</td>
<td>23.9</td>
<td>9.9*</td>
<td>22.0</td>
<td>21.9</td>
<td>21.2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Air Force</td>
<td>19.6</td>
<td>19.6</td>
<td>19.9</td>
<td>17.5</td>
<td>15.4</td>
<td>17.7*</td>
<td>28.6*</td>
<td>21.3</td>
<td>20.1</td>
<td>16.7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Marine Corps</td>
<td>9.9</td>
<td>9.6</td>
<td>9.5</td>
<td>10.9</td>
<td>12.0</td>
<td>6.4*</td>
<td>19.5*</td>
<td>12.0</td>
<td>11.6</td>
<td>17.1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Coast Guard</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>1.4</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>0.6*</td>
<td>0.8*</td>
<td>1.9*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>1.4*</td>
<td>1.9*</td>
<td>1.3*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC)</td>
<td>1.8</td>
<td>1.8</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>1.3*</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>5.8*</td>
<td>6.4*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Women’s Army Corps (WACs)</td>
<td>10.8</td>
<td>11.2</td>
<td>12.1</td>
<td>4.5*</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>13.0*</td>
<td>16.5*</td>
<td>0.4*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES)</td>
<td>6.7</td>
<td>7.1</td>
<td>8.4</td>
<td>1.2*</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>2.4*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Navy Nursing Corps (NNC)</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>1.5</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>1.1*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>1.7*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Air Force Nursing Corps (AFNC)</td>
<td>2.8</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td>3.4*</td>
<td>0.9*</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>0.6*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS)</td>
<td>0.2*</td>
<td>0.2*</td>
<td>0.3*</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS)</td>
<td>0.3*</td>
<td>0.3*</td>
<td>0.4*</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>NR</td>
<td><blockquote>
<p>NR</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>The Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration
or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</td>
<td>0.2</td>
<td>0.2</td>
<td>0.2</td>
<td>0.1*</td>
<td>0.7*</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>0.7*</td>
<td>0.1*</td>
<td>0.2*</td>
<td>0.3*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>U. S. Merchant Marine</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>2.0</td>
<td>2.6*</td>
<td>2.8*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>NR</td>
<td>3.2*</td>
<td>1.1*</td>
<td>1.0*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Number of veterans†</td>
<td>25,095,000</td>
<td>23,763,200</td>
<td>21,289,000</td>
<td>2,206,000</td>
<td>158,500</td>
<td>73,200</td>
<td>36,500</td>
<td>552,900</td>
<td>360,600</td>
<td>778,800</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59; NR: Sample size for the denominator less than 30.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
only one sub-category of "Total Two or More Races" is shown because all
other categories were too small to report; percent estimates will not
sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one branch of
service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

Table 4-4. Percent distribution of veterans by branch of service and
ethnicity

  ------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
                                  Total         Spanish,      Not Spanish,
                                                Hispanic, or  Hispanic, or
                                                Latino        Latino

  Army                            50.2          54.3          50.0

  Navy                            24.4          17.9          24.7

  Air Force                       19.6          16.2          19.7

  Marine Corps                    9.9           15.2          9.6

  Coast Guard                     1.4           0.6\*         1.5

  Women's Army Auxiliary Corps    1.8           0.0\*         1.9
  (WAAC)                                                      

  Women's Army Corps (WACs)       10.8          2.3\*         11.2

  Women Accepted for Voluntary    6.7           0.0\*         7.0
  Emergency Service (WAVES)                                   

  Navy Nursing Corps (NNC)        1.5           0.0\*         1.6

  Air Force Nursing Corps (AFNC)  2.8           3.5\*         2.8\*

  Women's Air Force Service       0.2\*         0.0\*         0.2\*
  Pilots (WASPS)                                              

  Coast Guard Women's Reserve     0.3\*         0.0\*         0.3\*
  (SPARS)                                                     

  The Public Health Service, the  0.2           0.0           0.2
  Environmental Services                                      
  Administration or the National                              
  Oceanic and Atmospheric                                     
  Administration                                              

  U. S. Merchant Marine           2.0           2.3\*         2.0

  Number of veterans†             25,095,000    1,111,800     23,899,600
  ------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred; ;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity; percent estimates will
not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one branch of
service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

# 4.3 Period of Service

Respondents were asked the dates when they entered and left military
service. Based on these dates, period of service was determined. The
periods into which veterans were classified included: WWII; between WWII
and the Korean Conflict; the Korean Conflict; between the Korean
Conflict and the Vietnam Era; the Vietnam Era; post-Vietnam Era; and the
Gulf War. Respondents could be classified into more than one period of
service, so percentages displayed in related tables do not sum to 100.

Table 4-5 shows that the largest percentage of veterans report that they
served during the Vietnam Era (36.1 percent), followed by the
Post-Vietnam Era (27.9 percent) and the era between the Korean and
Vietnam eras (25.6 percent). This pattern has changed slightly since the
1992 NSV, when the majority of veterans reported that they served during
the Vietnam Era (33.5 percent) or WWII (30.0 percent).

Table 4-5. Percent distribution of veterans by period of service and
gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  World War II                       20.5         21.0         12.0

  Between World War II and the       6.7          7.0          2.4
  Korean Conflict                                              

  Korean Conflict                    16.9         17.7         5.0

  Between the Korean Conflict and    25.6         26.7         8.0
  the Vietnam Era                                              

  Vietnam Era                        36.1         37.3         16.2

  Post-Vietnam Era                   27.9         26.3         53.8

  Gulf War                           13.9         12.4         37.0

  Number of veterans†                25,095,000   23,629,800   1,465,200
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

**Gender and Period of Service.** Proportionately more women veterans
served during the two most recent periods, compared to men veterans.
Almost 54 percent of female veterans served during the Post-Vietnam Era
compared to 26 percent of male veterans. In addition, proportionately
three times as many female veterans served during the Gulf War compared
to men (37.0 percent vs. 12.4 percent, respectively). These findings
reflect increasing participation of women in military service in the
past few decades.

**Race and Period of Service.** As described above, the largest
proportion of veterans served during the Vietnam Era (36.1 percent),
while the second-largest proportion served during the post-Vietnam Era.
Table 4-6 illustrates that this pattern is reversed among Black and
American Indian veterans. The proportion of minority veterans who served
during the post-Vietnam Era and Gulf War is also markedly higher than
that of White veterans. This reflects the increasing racial diversity
observed among military service members in recent decades.

Table 4-6. Percent distribution of veterans by period of service and
race

  -------------- ------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- -------------- ---------
                                      One race                                                             Two or                   
                                                                                                           more                     
                                                                                                           races                    

                 Total                Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\    American       Race
                                      one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\   Indian or      unknown
                                                                American    Alaska              or Other   more      Alaska         
                                                                            Native              Pacific    races     Native/White   
                                                                                                Islander                            

  World War II           20.5         21.1         22.4         10.1        8.1        20.4     4.9\*      11.1      12.0           9.7

  Between World          6.7          6.8          7.1          4.6         5.7\*      9.8\*    4.0\*      5.7       7.2            3.5
  War II and the                                                                                                                    
  Korean                                                                                                                            
  Conflict                                                                                                                          

  Korean                 16.9         17.2         17.7         13.3        11.5       13.5\*   18.0\*     13.6      16.5           9.5
  Conflict                                                                                                                          

  Between the            25.6         26.0         26.8         18.8        18.9       24.1     27.0\*     21.2      25.9           17.9
  Korean                                                                                                                            
  Conflict and                                                                                                                      
  the Vietnam                                                                                                                       
  Era                                                                                                                               

  Vietnam Era            36.1         35.8         35.9         34.8        34.6       36.3     56.1\*     44.2      45.0           38.2

  Post-Vietnam           27.9         27.3         25.2         45.8        50.5       32.5     56.2\*     39.1      34.1           37.7
  Era                                                                                                                               

  Gulf War               13.9         13.3         11.9         26.4        19.6       32.0     16.6\*     19.2      14.9           27.0

  Number of              25,095,000   23,763,200   21,289,000   2,206,000   158,500    73,200   36,500     552,900   360,600        778,800
  veterans†                                                                                                                         
  -------------- ------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- -------------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
only one sub-category of "Total Two or More Races" is shown because all
other categories were too small to report; percent estimates will not
sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one period of
service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

**Ethnicity and Period of Service.** Table 4-7 compares Hispanic and
non-Hispanic veterans and the periods during which they served.
Proportionately more Hispanic veterans served during the post-Vietnam
Era and the Gulf War, compared to non-Hispanic veterans. Fewer Hispanic
veterans served between WWII and the Vietnam Era, compared to their
non-Hispanic counterparts. These results mirror those seen in
comparisons of race and period of service, indicating the increasing
diversity of military service members.

Table 4-7. Percent distribution of veterans by period of service and
ethnicity

  -------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                   Total        Spanish,     Not Spanish,
                                                Hispanic, or Hispanic, or
                                                Latino       Latino

  World War II                     20.5         10.2         21.0

  Between World War II and the     6.7          3.1          6.9
  Korean Conflict                                            

  Korean Conflict                  16.9         10.6         17.2

  Between the Korean Conflict and  25.6         17.9         26.0
  the Vietnam Era                                            

  Vietnam Era                      36.1         34.9         36.1

  Post-Vietnam Era                 27.9         35.9         27.5

  Gulf War                         13.9         25.9         13.3

  Number of veterans†              25,095,000   1,111,800    23,899,600
  -------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity; percent estimates will
not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one period of
service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

# 4.4 Combat Exposure

Respondents were asked questions about combat and combat-related
military experiences. These questions included whether the veteran had
served in a combat or war zone and had been exposed to dead, dying, or
wounded people. As Table 4-8 displays, nearly 39 percent of veterans
said they had served in a combat or war zone, while 36 percent said they
had been exposed to dead, dying, or wounded people during their military
service.

**Gender and Combat Exposure.** As might be expected, male veterans were
much more likely to have served in combat or a war zone than were women
veterans (40.6 percent vs. 12.0 percent, respectively). Male veterans
were also more likely than their female counterparts to have been
exposed to dead, dying or wounded people, although the difference is not
as striking.

Table 4-8. Percent distribution of veterans by service in combat or war
zone or exposure to dead, dying, or wounded and gender

+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|                               | Total      | Males       | Females   |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| Served in Combat or War Zone  |            |             |           |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > Yes                         | 38.9       | 40.6        | 12.0      |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > No                          | 60.1       | 58.3        | 87.8      |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > Unknown                     | 1.0        | 1.1         | 0.2       |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > Total                       | 100.0      | 100.0       | 100.0     |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| Exposed to Dead, Dying, or    |            |             |           |
| Wounded People                |            |             |           |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > Yes                         | 36.4       | 37.2        | 24.4      |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > No                          | 62.9       | 62.1        | 75.2      |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > Unknown                     | 0.7        | 0.7         | 0.4       |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| > Total                       | 100.0      | 100.0       | 100.0     |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| Number of veterans†           | 25,095,000 | 23,629,800  | 1,465,200 |
+-------------------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

**Period of Service and Combat Exposure.** Table 4-9 shows that, in
general, the proportion of veterans who reported serving in a combat or
war zone decreases across the periods of service after WWII, then
increases during the Vietnam and Gulf War periods. More WWII veterans
said they served in a combat or war zone, followed by veterans who
served between WWII and Korea and those who served during the Vietnam
era, compared to veterans of other periods of service. Although the
relatively high proportion with combat exposure among those who served
between WWII and Korea seems at odds with peacetime service, this may
simply represent veterans who had already served during WWII and
experienced combat then.

A similar pattern (i.e., highest during WWII service and immediately
thereafter, second-highest during Vietnam era service) is seen in
exposure to dead, dying, or wounded people.

Table 4-9. Percent distribution of veterans by service in combat, war
zone, or exposure to dead, dying, or wounded and period of service

+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
|            | T    | Wo  | B   | Kor | Be    | Viet | Pos | Gu  |
|            | otal | rld | etw | ean | tween | nam\ | t-V | lf\ |
|            |      | War | een | Co  | K     | Era  | iet | War |
|            |      | II  | Wo  | nfl | orean |      | nam |     |
|            |      |     | rld | ict | Con   |      | Era |     |
|            |      |     | War |     | flict |      |     |     |
|            |      |     | II  |     | and   |      |     |     |
|            |      |     | and |     | Vi    |      |     |     |
|            |      |     |     |     | etnam |      |     |     |
|            |      |     | Ko  |     | Era   |      |     |     |
|            |      |     | rea |     |       |      |     |     |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| Served in  |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
| Combat or  |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
| War Zone   |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > Yes      | 38.9 | 6   | 5   | 4   | 31.9  | 48.1 | 3   | 3   |
|            |      | 0.3 | 2.8 | 2.4 |       |      | 1.5 | 8.1 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > No       | 60.1 | 3   | 4   | 5   | 67.1  | 51.1 | 6   | 6   |
|            |      | 8.7 | 6.5 | 6.9 |       |      | 7.3 | 0.7 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > Unknown  | 1.0  | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0   | 0.8  | 1.2 | 1.2 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > Total    | 1    | 10  | 10  | 10  | 100.0 | 1    | 10  | 10  |
|            | 00.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |       | 00.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| Exposed to |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
| Dead,      |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
| Dying, or  |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
| Wounded    |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
| People     |      |     |     |     |       |      |     |     |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > Yes      | 36.4 | 4   | 4   | 3   | 30.0  | 45.9 | 3   | 3   |
|            |      | 9.7 | 2.9 | 4.8 |       |      | 2.3 | 1.7 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > No       | 62.9 | 4   | 5   | 6   | 69.4  | 53.5 | 6   | 6   |
|            |      | 9.2 | 6.3 | 4.6 |       |      | 7.0 | 7.6 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > Unknown  | 0.7  | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6   | 0.6  | 0.7 | 0.7 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| > Total    | 1    | 10  | 10  | 10  | 100.0 | 1    | 10  | 10  |
|            | 00.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |       | 00.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+
| Number of  | 25   | 5,1 | 1,6 | 4,2 | 6,42  | 9    | 7,0 | 3,4 |
| veterans†  | ,095 | 49, | 80, | 45, | 6,500 | ,057 | 05, | 83, |
|            | ,000 | 100 | 600 | 600 |       | ,200 | 000 | 600 |
+------------+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------+-----+-----+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total number of veterans is smaller than the sum of the groups
because veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

# 4.5 Service-Related Disability and Service-Connected Disability Rating

All respondents were asked whether they had a disabling condition. Those
who answered affirmatively were asked whether their disabling condition
was service-related. In addition, everyone was asked whether they had a
service-connected disability rating.

A service-connected disability is any disability incurred in or
aggravated during a period of active military service where the veteran
did not receive a dishonorable discharge or the disability was not due
to willful misconduct of the veteran. In general, a service-connected
disability evaluated as 10 percent or more disabling by VA entitles a
veteran to receive disability compensation.[^11] Service-related
disability, on the other hand, is a self-reported disabling condition.
Table 4-10 shows that almost 14 percent of veterans said they had a
service-related disability. The same proportion said they had a
service-connected disability rating, as Table 4-11 displays.

**Gender and Service-Related Disability.** Gender differences in
service-related disability are displayed in Tables 4-10 and 4-11. A
slightly higher percentage of male veterans than female veterans report
having a service-connected disability (13.9 percent vs. 12.7 percent,
respectively). The difference in proportion of male and female veterans
reporting a disability rating is even smaller (13.8 percent vs. 13.5
percent, respectively).

Table 4-10. Percent distribution of veterans by service-related
disability and gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  Yes                                13.8         13.9         12.7

  No                                 16.6         16.8         12.0

  Not Applicable or Unknown          69.6         69.3         75.3

  Total                              100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   23,712,400   1,483,600
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Table 4-11. Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected
disability rating and gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  Yes                                13.8         13.8         13.5

  No                                 85.1         85.1         85.6

  Unknown                            1.1          1.1          0.9\*

  Total                              100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   23,712,400   1,483,600
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

**Branch of Service and Service-Related Disability.** Table 4-12
compares the proportion of veterans reporting a service-related
disability in the different military branches. Comparing only the major
services (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard), the
highest proportion of veterans reporting a service-related disability
was among those who had served in the Marine Corps (16.7 percent). The
next highest proportion was found among those who had served in the Army
(15.0 percent). The lowest proportion reporting a service-related
disability was found among Navy veterans (11.4 percent).

Veterans from the special branches (e.g., women's corps; WAVES) were
more likely to have service-related disabilities, compared to veterans
from the major services. About 17 percent of WAC (Women's Army Corps)
veterans and 16 percent of WWII Merchant Marine veterans reported having
a service-related disability. The number of veterans in the other
special branches that reported a service-related disability (e.g., WAAC;
WAVES) is too small to make comparisons.

Table 4-12. Percent distribution of veterans by service-related
disability and branch of service

  ------------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
                     Total        Army         Navy        Air Force   Marine      Coast
                                                                       Corps       Guard

  Yes                13.9         15.0         11.4        14.1        16.7        11.8

  No                 16.5         18.1         16.3        15.9        14.1        18.2

  Not Applicable or  69.6         66.9         72.3        70.0        69.2        70.0
  Unknown                                                                          

  Total              100.0        100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of          25,095,000   12,593,500   6,130,500   4,909,000   2,487,400   356,100
  veterans†                                                                        
  ------------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because veterans
could indicate more than one branch of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

Table 4-13 displays the proportion of veterans who report having a
service-connected disability rating, comparing veterans from different
branches. Among the major branches, Marine Corps veterans are most
likely to report having a disability rating (16.4 percent), followed by
veterans of the Air Force (16.0 percent) and the Army (14.8 percent).
Navy veterans (10.7 percent) are the least likely to report having a
disability rating. Among the special branches, about 20 percent of WAC
veterans and 12 percent of WWII Merchant Marine veterans report having a
service-connected disability rating. The number of veterans in the other
special branches that reported having a disability rating (e.g., WAAC;
WAVES) is too small to make comparisons.

Table 4-13. Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected
disability rating and branch of service

  ------------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------
                     Total        Army         Navy        Air Force   Marine      Coast
                                                                       Corps       Guard

  Yes                13.8         14.8         10.7        16.0        16.4        12.3

  No                 85.1         84.0         88.4        83.3        81.9        87.2

  Unknown            1.1          1.2          0.9         0.7         1.7         0.5\*

  Total              100.0        100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of          25,095,000   12,593,500   6,130,500   4,909,000   2,487,400   356,100
  veterans†                                                                        
  ------------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total number of veterans is smaller than the sum of the groups
because veterans could indicate more than one branch of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

**Period of Service and Service-Related Disability.** The general trend
in the proportion of veterans who report a service-related disability is
upward across the periods of service after WWII, as Table 4-14
indicates. However, the higher proportions among veterans who served
later may be an artifact of the fact that a higher proportion of
veterans from earlier periods have already died. A similar trend can be
observed in the proportion of veterans who say they have a
service-connected disability rating (see Table 4-15).

Table 4-14. Percent distribution of veterans by service-related
disability and period of service

  ------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
                Total        World War   Between     Korean      Between     Vietnam\    Post-Vietnam   Gulf\
                             II          World War   Conflict    Korean      Era         Era            War
                                         II and\                 Conflict                               
                                         Korea                   and Vietnam                            
                                                                 Era                                    

  Yes           13.9         13.6        14.0        11.7        12.5        18.5        19.6           22.5

  No            16.5         28.6        25.1        22.7        18.8        11.6        7.4            3.0

  Not           69.6         57.8        60.9        65.6        68.7        69.9        73.0           74.5
  applicable or                                                                                         
  unknown                                                                                               

  Total         100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0          100.0

  Number of     25,095,000   5,149,100   1,680,600   4,245,600   6,426,500   9,057,200   7,005,000      3,483,600
  veterans†                                                                                             
  ------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

Table 4-15. Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected
disability rating and period of service

  ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------
              Total        World War   Between     Korean      Between     Vietnam Era Post-Vietnam   Gulf\
                           II          World War   Conflict    Korean                  Era            War
                                       II and\                 Conflict                               
                                       Korea                   and Vietnam                            
                                                               Era                                    

  Yes         13.8         14.2        16.3        13.3        12.8        18.1        20.4           24.2

  No          85.1         84.6        82.6        85.9        86.6        80.9        78.6           74.5

  Unknown     1.1          1.2         1.1\*       0.8         0.6         1.0         1.0            1.3

  Total       100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0          100.0

  Number of   25,095,000   5,149,100   1,680,600   4,245,600   6,426,500   9,057,200   7,005,000      3,483,600
  veterans†                                                                                           
  ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

5\. HEALTH STATUS

This chapter discusses results from the NSV 2001 on self-reported health
status. The NSV collected general information on health status and
whether current health was a limiting factor in performing selected
daily activities (i.e., climbing stairs, pushing a vacuum). Information
was also collected on the impact of health problems in performing daily
activities (walking, bathing, shopping, getting dressed, eating).
Veterans were asked whether or not they received medical treatment in
the past year for a list of specific health conditions (high blood
pressure, stroke, heart trouble, cancer, drug abuse/alcoholism,
post-traumatic stress disorder).

####  Health Care Enrollment Priority Groups

The Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 established a
national enrollment system to manage inpatient and outpatient care for
veterans. The law required that most veterans must enroll to receive
care. Veterans who have a service-connected disability rated 50 percent
or more or if seeking care for a service connected disability do not
have to enroll, although all veterans are encouraged to enroll. The
national enrollment system is based on seven categories of patients,
with category 1 receiving the highest priority. Following enrollment,
health care service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis,
rather than the health care priority groups.

The definitions of the health care enrollment priority groups at the
time of the NSV 2001 data collection were:

-   **Priority 1.** Veterans with service-connected conditions rated 50
    percent or more disabling.

-   **Priority 2.** Veterans with service-connected conditions rated 30
    to 40 percent disabling.

-   **Priority 3.** Veterans who are former POWs. Veterans with
    service-connected conditions rated 10 to 20 percent disabling.
    Veterans discharged from active duty for a compensable condition
    that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Veterans
    awarded special eligibility classification under 38 U.S.C., Section
    1151.

-   **Priority 4.** Veterans who receive increased pension based on a
    use of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently
    house-bound, and other veterans who are catastrophically disabled.

-   **Priority 5.** Veterans with nonservice-connected and veterans with
    noncompensated service-connected conditions who are rated zero
    percent disabled, and whose income and net worth are below an
    established threshold.

-   **Priority 6.** All other eligible veterans who are not required to
    make co-payments for their care. This includes:

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-   World War I and Mexican Border War veterans;

-   Veterans solely seeking care for disorders associated with exposure
    to a toxic substance, radiation, or for disorders associated with
    service in the Persian Gulf; and

-   Veterans with service-connected conditions who are rated zero
    percent disabled but who are receiving compensation from VA.

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-   **Priority 7.** Veterans with nonservice-connected disabilities and
    veterans with noncompensated service-connected conditions who are
    rated zero percent disabled, and who have income or net worth above
    the statutory threshold and who agree to pay specified co-payments.

The distribution of the total veteran population classified according to
the seven health care enrollment priority groups is displayed in Table
5-1. Slightly more than half of veterans (56.1 percent) fall into
Priority Group 7. Of the remaining veterans, the largest proportion
(21.1 percent) fall into priority group 5.

Table 5-1. Percent distribution of veterans by health care enrollment
priority groups

  -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
                                               Total

  Priority group 1                             2.9

  Priority group 2                             2.3

  Priority group 3                             5.7

  Priority group 4                             0.1

  Priority group 5                             21.1

  Priority group 6                             11.2

  Priority group 7                             56.1

  Unknown                                      0.6

  Total                                        100.0

  Number of Veterans                           25,196,000
  -------------------------------------------- --------------------------

NOTE: Priority groups were determined by classifying the self-reported
data of all respondents according to VA health care enrollee criteria
and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

# 5.1 Health Status

In the NSV 2001, veterans were asked to assess their health status as
excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. As Table 5-2 illustrates,
nearly half of veterans (45.6 percent) reported their health as very
good or excellent; 3 out of 4 veterans (75.7 percent) assessed their
health as excellent, very good, or good.

Table 5-2. Percent distribution of veterans by health status and health
care priority group

  ------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------
               Total        Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3  Priority 4 Priority 5  Priority 6  Priority 7

  Excellent    16.8         2.0        5.0        8.4         1.1\*      8.5         18.1        21.7

  Very good    28.8         8.4        15.7       21.9        5.0\*      18.3        29.0        35.0

  Good         30.1         22.6       35.9       35.8        11.9\*     32.3        31.2        28.6

  Fair         16.3         32.0       27.5       22.5        20.8       26.2        15.5        10.9

  Poor         7.9          34.7       15.5       11.3        59.0       14.6        5.9         3.7

  Unknown      0.1          0.3\*      0.4\*      0.1\*       2.2\*      0.1\*       0.3\*       0.1\*

  Total        100.0        100.0      100.0      100.0       100.0      100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of    24,509,900   682,200    561,600    1,404,100   20,900     5,063,700   2,802,700   13,838,900
  veterans†                                                                                      
  ------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because
insufficient data were available to determine a priority group for some
respondents.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent. Priority groups were determined by classifying the
self-reported data of all respondents according to VA health care
enrollee criteria and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

**Health Care Priority Group and Health Status.** Health care priority
groups vary widely in self-assessed health status. Priority 7 has the
highest proportion of veterans assessing themselves as excellent or very
good, while Priority 1 and 4 have the lowest proportion rating their
health as excellent or very good. The percent of veterans whose health
status is fair or poor also differs widely by health care priority
group.

Overall, 24.2 percent of surveyed veterans rated their health as fair or
poor. Nearly 4 out of 5 veterans (79.8 percent) in Priority 4, however,
assessed their health as fair or poor. Because these veterans are
permanently housebound or catastrophically disabled, this is not
surprising. The second highest proportion reporting fair or poor health
is found in Priority 1, which includes veterans with service connected
conditions rated as 50 percent or more disabled.

**Age and Health Status.** The trend in self-reported health status is a
decreasing proportion reporting excellent or very good health as age
increases, as shown in Table 5-3. For each age group, the largest
proportion rated themselves as having excellent or very good health. The
only exception was found among veterans age 75 or older, the largest
proportion of whom rate their health as fair or poor (37.9 percent).

Table 5-3. Percent distribution of veterans by health status and age

  ------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                Total        Less than   35-44 years 45-54 years 55-64 years 65-74 years 75 years or
                             35 years                                                    older

  Excellent     16.8         29.0        22.8        15.7        18.6        13.1        8.6

  Very good     28.8         37.3        35.0        30.4        29.4        25.2        19.9

  Good          30.1         23.6        28.6        31.7        27.5        32.4        33.3

  Fair          16.3         8.6         10.2        14.2        15.8        19.7        25.4

  Poor          7.9          1.5         3.2         7.9         8.6         9.5         12.5

  Unknown       0.1          0.0         0.2\*       0.1\*       0.1\*       0.1\*       0.3\*

  Total         100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of     24,509,900   2,288,100   3,021,700   5,390,800   4,901,100   5,087,500   3,678,300
  veterans†                                                                              
  ------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent.

The only age group that does not fit this pattern of decreasing health
with increasing age is the 55-64 age group. A slightly higher proportion
of these veterans rated their health status as excellent, compared to
the next youngest age group (18.6 percent vs. 15.7 percent for those in
the 45-54 age group). The 55-64 age group does fit the age trend,
however, in the proportion rating themselves in fair or poor health.
Veterans in this age group may be more strongly affected by the social
desirability to appear healthy, compared to their older counterparts.
This might cause the apparent bump in health status.

It comes as no surprise that older veterans do not rate their health
status as highly as do younger veterans. Comparisons of veterans less
than 65 years of age to veterans 65 years old or older, displayed in
Table 5-4, indicate that proportionately more younger veterans rate
their health as excellent or very good (52.0 percent vs. 34.2 percent,
respectively). Proportionately more older veterans rate their health as
either fair (22.1 percent) or poor (10.7 percent) compared to younger
veterans (13.1 percent fair and 6.3 percent poor).

Table 5-4. Percent distribution of veterans by health status and age
(under 65 and 65 or older)

  ------------------------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
                                 Total         Less than     65 years or
                                               65 years      older

  Excellent                      16.8          19.9          11.2

  Very good                      28.8          32.0          23.0

  Good                           30.1          28.6          32.7

  Fair                           16.3          13.1          22.1

  Poor                           7.9           6.3           10.8

  Unknown                        0.1           0.1\*         0.2

  Total                          100.0         100.0         100.0

  Number of veterans†            24,509,900    15,680,000    9,372,600
  ------------------------------ ------------- ------------- -------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent.

**Race, Ethnicity, and Health Status.** Table 5-5 compares health status
by race. Veteran self-assessed health status varies strikingly by race.
The highest proportion rating their health as excellent or very good is
found among Asian veterans (49.8 percent), followed by White veterans
(46.8 percent). The biracial American Indian[^12]-White group had the
smallest proportion assessing their health as excellent or very good
(32.1 percent), while Black veterans had the second-smallest proportion
(35.5 percent). The proportion reporting their health as fair or poor
was highest among American Indian veterans (35.5 percent), biracial
American Indian-White veterans (34.6 percent) and Black veterans (33.6
percent). This proportion is lowest among White veterans (22.9 percent)
and Asian veterans (20.0 percent).

Table 5-6 compares Hispanic[^13] and non-Hispanic veterans in terms of
their self-reported health status. Hispanic veterans did not differ from
other veterans in terms of the proportion assessing their health as
excellent or very good (45.7 percent vs. 45.6 percent, respectively).
About 3 percentage points more Hispanic veterans assessed their health
as fair or poor, compared to non-Hispanic veterans (27.2 percent vs.
24.1 percent, respectively).

Table 5-5. Percent distribution of veterans by health status and race

  ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- --------- ---------
                           One race                                                             Two or                                       
                                                                                                more                                         
                                                                                                races                                        

              Total        Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\              American                 Race
                           one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\             Indian or                unknown
                                                     American    Alaska              or Other   more                Alaska                   
                                                                 Native              Pacific    races               Native/White             
                                                                                     Islander                                                

  Excellent   16.8         16.9         17.3         12.6        18.2       24.2     15.8\*     13.3      9.8                      16.8      

  Very good   28.8         28.9         29.5         22.9        22.7       25.6     30.1\*     23.6      22.3                     29.2      

  Good        30.1         30.1         30.1         30.8        22.7       28.7     18.9\*     31.8      33.1                     29.5      

  Fair        16.3         16.2         15.4         23.4        19.3       16.1     25.6\*     19.3      20.4                     18.1      

  Poor        7.9          7.8          7.5          10.2        16.2       3.9\*    9.6\*      11.8      14.2                     6.4       

  Unknown     0.1          0.1          0.2          0.1\*       0.9\*      1.5\*    0.0        0.1\*     0.2\*                    0.0       

  Total       100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0       100.0      100.0    100.0      100.0     100.0                    100.0     

  Number of   24,509,900   23,196,600   20,754,600   2,177,600   158,200    69,700   36,500     551,600   357,500                  761,600   
  veterans†                                                                                                                                  
  ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- --------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
only one sub-category of "Total Two or More Races" is shown because all
other categories were too small to report.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent.

Table 5-6. Percent distribution of veterans by health status and
ethnicity

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ------------
                                     Total        Spanish,    Not Spanish,
                                                  Hispanic,   Hispanic, or
                                                  or Latino   Latino

  Excellent                          16.8         17.8        16.8

  Very good                          28.8         27.9        28.8

  Good                               30.1         27.1        30.2

  Fair                               16.3         17.0        16.3

  Poor                               7.9          10.2        7.7

  Unknown                            0.1          0.0         0.2

  Total                              100.0        100.0       100.0

  Number of veterans†                24,509,900   1,088,300   23,339,100
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent.

**Gender and Health Status.** Table 5-7 compares the self-reported
health status of male and female veterans. A larger proportion of women
veterans rated their own health as excellent or very good, compared to
their male counterparts (53.9 percent vs. 45.0 percent, respectively).

Table 5-7. Percent distribution of veterans by health status and gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  Excellent                          16.8         16.5         20.8

  Very good                          28.8         28.5         33.1

  Good                               30.1         30.2         28.2

  Fair                               16.3         16.6         12.5

  Poor                               7.9          8.1          5.1

  Unknown                            0.1          0.1          0.3

  Total                              100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†                24,509,900   23,042,600   1,467,300
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent.

Female veterans are younger as a group than male veterans, which may
explain their better health. Almost 83 percent of women veterans are
less than 65 years old, compared to only about 63 percent of male
veterans (shown in Chapter 3, Table 3-1). Gender comparisons of the
health status of younger (under age 65) and older veterans (age 65 or
older), displayed in Table 5-8, show that indeed only the younger female
veterans assessed their health more highly than did male veterans in
either age group. The highest proportion of veterans who rated their
health as excellent or very good was found among younger female veterans
(58.7 percent), while the lowest proportion was that of the older female
veterans (31.0 percent). The proportion of male veterans, younger and
older, fell in between (51.4 percent and 34.3 percent, respectively).

Table 5-8. Percent distribution of veterans by health status, gender,
and age

  -------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
                       Males                     Females      

                       Less than 65 65 years or  Less than 65 65 years or
                       years        older        years        older

  Excellent            19.7         11.3         23.5         8.2

  Very good            31.7         23.0         35.2         22.8

  Good                 28.8         32.6         25.8         39.1

  Fair                 13.3         22.1         10.6         21.9

  Poor                 6.4          10.8         4.6          7.8\*

  Unknown              0.1\*        0.2          0.3\*        0.2\*

  Total                100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†  14,390,300   8,516,400    1,211,400    249,400
  -------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table excludes those veterans for whom there was a proxy
respondent.

# 5.2 Functional Limitations

NSV 2001 asked veterans to indicate whether they had difficulties with
functional activities that people do every day (e.g., eating, toileting,
managing money, going places) due to health reasons. These activities
have been organized into two groups, referred to as Activities of Daily
Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The
proportion of veterans reporting difficulties ranged from as few as 3.7
percent for preparing meals to as many as 15.3 percent for going places
within walking distance.

Overall, only a small proportion of veterans reported any difficulties,
as Table 5-9 illustrates. These proportions are highest for activities
that involve moving around or walking. For ADLs, the fewest veterans
identified eating as a difficulty (4.4 percent), followed by using or
getting to the toilet (5.5 percent) and bathing or showering (7.3
percent). The largest percentage of veterans identified getting into or
out of chairs as difficult (14.7 percent), walking across a room (11.4
percent), and controlling bladder or bowels (10.4 percent).

Table 5-9. Percent distribution of veterans by activities of daily
living and instrumental activities of daily living

  -------------------------------------- --------------------------------
  ADLs                                   Percent reporting difficulty

  Eating                                 4.4

  Using the toilet or getting to it      5.5

  Bathing or showering                   7.3

  Getting dressed                        9.0

  Controlling bladder or bowels          10.4

  Walking across a room                  11.4

  Getting in or out of chairs or bed     14.7

  IADLs                                  

  Preparing meals                        3.7

  Managing money, such as paying bills   5.0

  Using the telephone                    5.2

  Doing light housework                  7.6

  Shopping for personal items            8.5

  Shopping for groceries                 8.9

  Going to places out of walking         11.0
  distance                               

  Going places within walking distance   15.3

  Number of veterans†                    25,196,000
  -------------------------------------- --------------------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one category.

In terms of IADLs, the lowest proportion of veterans reported
difficulties preparing meals (3.7 percent), managing money (5.0
percent), and using the telephone (5.2 percent). The highest proportion
had difficulties going places within walking distance (15.3 percent) and
going places out of walking distance (11.0 percent).

To facilitate comparisons of different veterans in terms of their
functional limitations, ADLs and IADLs were collapsed into an overall
indicator of the presence and number of ADLs and IADLs. Difficulties
with ADLs are generally considered more limiting than difficulties with
IADLs. Table 5-10 indicates that more than two-thirds of veterans (67.2
percent) reported no difficulties with ADLs or IADLs. Seven point one
percent of veterans reported only IADL difficulties, while 16.3 percent
had difficulties with one or two ADLs. Only 9.3 percent reported
difficulties with more than two ADLs.

**Health Care Priority Group and Functional Limitations.** The
proportion of veterans reporting functional limitations differed widely
by health care priority group. The highest proportion reporting
difficulty with five or more ADLs was found in Priority 4 (48.4
percent), which is defined by home-bound veterans or those who require
assistance with ADLs. Across the other priority groups, the relative
proportion with high limitations is higher among the higher priority
groups and lower among lower priority groups, as Table 5-10 illustrates.
This suggests that VA\'s priority groupings map well onto veterans\'
functional status and underlying health status.

Table 5-10. Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation
and health care priority group

  ------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------
                Total        Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3  Priority 4 Priority 5  Priority 6  Priority 7

  None          67.2         18.9       35.4       50.2        5.6\*      51.1        70.9        78.4

  IADL only     7.1          11.5       11.6       9.6         7.1\*      10.3        5.5         5.5

  One to two    16.3         31.7       31.8       25.9        18.9\*     22.5        16.2        11.5
  ADLs                                                                                            

  Three to four 5.4          19.1       13.1       8.0         20.0\*     9.6         4.3         2.7
  ADLs                                                                                            

  Five or more  3.9          18.5       7.7        6.3         48.4       6.5         3.0         1.8
  ADLs                                                                                            

  Unknown       0.1          0.3\*      0.4\*      0.0         0.0        0.0         0.1\*       0.1\*

  Total         100.0        100.0      100.0      100.0       100.0      100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of     25,196,000   719,400    580,900    1,441,600   29,000     5,326,400   2,828,300   14,125,600
  veterans†                                                                                       
  ------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because
insufficient data were available to determine a priority group for some
respondents. Priority groups were determined by classifying the
self-reported data of all respondents according to VA health care
enrollee criteria and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

**Age and Functional Limitations.** Table 5-11 compares functional
limitations by age of veterans. The majority of all age groups except
for veterans 75 years or older reported no difficulty with ADLs or
IADLs. Not surprisingly, proportionately more older veterans had
functional difficulties, relative to younger veterans. The only
exception to this was among those age 55-64 years, where a slightly
higher percent reported no difficulties compared to veterans 45-54 years
(71.6 percent vs. 70.8 percent, respectively).

Table 5-11. Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation
and age

  -------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                 Total        Less than   35-44 years 45-54 years 55-64 years 65-74 years 75 years or
                              35 years                                                    older

  None           67.2         83.7        76.4        70.8        71.6        63.5        45.8

  IADL only      7.1          4.5         4.9         5.2         6.2         8.7         11.9

  One to two     16.3         8.9         11.7        14.1        13.8        19.3        25.8
  ADLs                                                                                    

  Three to four  5.4          1.7         3.8         5.6         5.3         5.3         8.6
  ADLs                                                                                    

  Five or more   3.9          1.1         2.9         4.2         3.0         3.2         7.8
  ADLs                                                                                    

  Unknown        0.1          0.1\*       0.3\*       0.1\*       0.1\*       0.0         0.1

  Total          100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of      25,196,000   2,288,600   3,030,300   5,415,100   4,946,000   5,256,400   4,116,100
  veterans†                                                                               
  -------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

To highlight differences between older and younger veterans, Table 5-12
collapses the age groups into two categories: under 65 years, and age 65
or older. A smaller proportion of older veterans had no functional
limitations, compared to their younger counterparts.

Table 5-12. Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation
and age (under 65 and 65 or older)

  ------------------------------ ------------ --------------- ------------
                                 Total        Less than 65    65 years or
                                              years           older

  None                           67.2         74.0            55.7

  IADL only                      7.1          5.4             10.1

  One to two ADLs                16.3         12.8            22.2

  Three to four ADLs             5.4          4.6             6.8

  Five or more ADLs              3.9          3.1             5.2

  Unknown                        0.1          0.1\*           0.0

  Total                          100.0        100.0           100.0

  Number of veterans†            25,196,000   15,680,000      9,372,600
  ------------------------------ ------------ --------------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

**Race, Ethnicity, and Functional Limitations.** Minor differences in
functional status were found among veterans of different races and
ethnicity, as shown in Tables 5-13 and 5-14. White and Asian veterans
had the highest proportion with no functional limitations (68.4 percent
and 68.8 percent, respectively), while biracial American Indian-White
and American Indian veterans had the lowest proportions (51.2 percent
and 56.4 percent, respectively). About the same proportions reported
difficulty with only IADLs. Twice as many Black, American Indian, and
biracial American Indian-White veterans as White veterans (7.6 percent,
7.2 percent, and 7.0 percent vs. 3.4 percent, respectively) reported
difficulties with five or more ADLs; the overall percentage, however,
was quite low regardless of race. Hispanic and non-Hispanic veterans did
not differ in terms of functional limitations.

Table 5-13. Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation
and race

  ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- -------------- ---------
                           One race                                                             Two or                   
                                                                                                more                     
                                                                                                races                    

              Total        Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\    American       Race
                           one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\   Indian or      unknown
                                                     American    Alaska              or Other   more      Alaska         
                                                                 Native              Pacific    races     Native/White   
                                                                                     Islander                            

  None        67.2         67.5         68.4         59.7        56.4       68.8     53.9\*     55.2      51.2           67.3

  IADL only   7.1          7.0          7.1          6.1         8.6        7.4\*    12.3\*     9.7       8.8            7.8

  One to two  16.3         16.3         15.9         19.6        20.8       15.6     21.5\*     20.1      22.6           13.3
  ADLs                                                                                                                   

  Three to    5.4          5.3          5.1          7.0         7.0        3.9\*    4.7\*      8.8       10.4           7.0
  four ADLs                                                                                                              

  Five or     3.9          3.8          3.4          7.6         7.2        2.0\*    7.6\*      6.2       7.0            4.0
  more ADLs                                                                                                              

  Unknown     0.1          0.1          0.1\*        0.0         0.0        2.3\*    0.0        0.0       0.0            0.6\*

  Total       100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0       100.0      100.0    100.0      100.0     100.0          100.0

  Number of   25,196,000   23,857,100   21,370,900   2,216,600   159,900    73,200   36,500     557,500   360,800        781,400
  veterans†                                                                                                              
  ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- -------------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
only one sub-category of "Total Two or More Races" is shown because all
other categories were too small to report.

Table 5-14. Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation
and ethnicity

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Spanish,     Not Spanish,
                                                  Hispanic, or Hispanic, or
                                                  Latino       Latino

  None                               67.2         64.3         67.4

  IADL only                          7.1          7.1          7.1

  One to two ADLs                    16.3         16.4         16.3

  Three to four ADLs                 5.4          7.5          5.3

  Five or more ADLs                  3.9          4.7          3.8

  Unknown                            0.1          0.0          0.1

  Total                              100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   1,122,200    23,990,200
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity.

**Gender and Functional Limitations.** Table 5-15 compares functional
limitations of male and female veterans. Female veterans reported fewer
difficulties with ADLs than did male veterans. A higher percentage of
female veterans had no ADL or IADL difficulties, compared to male
veterans (70.8 percent vs. 67.0 percent, respectively). Further, a
higher percentage of male veterans reported difficulties with three or
more ADLs than did female veterans (9.4 percent vs. 7.6 percent,
respectively). The overall percentage, however, was very low. Since
female veterans are, as a group, younger than male veterans, women\'s
higher functional status is not surprising.

Table 5-15. Percent distribution of veterans by functional limitation
and gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  None                               67.2         67.0         70.8

  IADL only                          7.1          7.1          7.3

  One to two ADLs                    16.3         16.4         13.9

  Three to four ADLs                 5.4          5.4          4.6

  Five or more ADLs                  3.9          4.0          3.0

  Unknown                            0.1          0.1          0.4\*

  Total                              100.0        100.0        100.0

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   23,712,400   1,483,600
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

# 5.3 Health Conditions

In the NSV 2001, veterans were asked to report whether they had received
medical treatment in the past year. They could select from a list of 20
health conditions that included physical problems such high blood
pressure, cancer, and stroke, and emotional problems such as
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug or alcohol abuse. Table
5-16 displays these results.

The proportion of veterans reporting treatment in the past year for one
of these health conditions ranged from 0.3 percent for immune deficiency
disease to 55.8 percent for eye or vision problems. Other common
problems mentioned included high blood pressure (34.5 percent),
arthritis or rheumatism (26.8 percent), heart trouble (15.9 percent),
and severe chronic pain (15.1 percent). Almost 4 percent (3.8 percent)
reported treatment for PTSD, and another 6.2 percent reported treatment
for other mental or emotional problems. Slightly over 1 percent (1.2
percent) reported getting treatment for drug or alcohol problems.

**Health Care Priority Group and Health Conditions.** Table 5-16 also
displays a comparison of health care priority groups\' responses to
health condition treatment in the past year. Generally speaking, the
proportion of veterans reporting treatment for each condition decreased
across the priority groups (with the exception being Priority Group 4).
Although the relative proportions of priority groups reporting medical
treatment for any particular problem varied widely, the rank order of
problems was fairly similar across groups. For example, eye or vision
problems was the most common problem across all priority groups, while
the proportion with this problem ranged from a high of 76.5 percent of
Priority 1 veterans to a low of 52.7 percent of Priority 7 veterans.
Among the five most common problems for all priority groups were
arthritis or rheumatism and high blood pressure. Severe chronic pain
also ranked among the top five problems for all groups except those in
Priority 7.

Priority 1 was characterized by relatively high proportions receiving
treatment for many problems. For example, more than half of this group
(54.2 percent) received treatment for severe chronic pain, compared to
between 8.8 and 44.6 percent for the other priority groups. Nearly one
in three Priority 1 veterans (29.9 percent) received treatment for PTSD,
one in four received treatment for another mental or emotional problem
(26.5 percent), and one in four were treated for some other serious
condition (24.9 percent).

Table 5-16. Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and
health care priority group

  ------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------
                     Total        Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3  Priority 4 Priority 5  Priority 6  Priority 7

  High blood         34.5         47.9       45.7       39.6        44.2       41.7        28.9        31.2
  pressure                                                                                             

  Lung trouble       9.2          20.3       15.3       13.7        27.1\*     13.3        11.0        6.0

  Hearing condition  9.3          22.9       18.2       14.8        30.9       12.0        6.3         7.1
  that requires a                                                                                      
  hearing aid                                                                                          

  Other ear, nose,   12.9         27.9       22.0       19.2        29.3       13.6        16.8        10.0
  or throat                                                                                            
  condition                                                                                            

  Eye or vision      55.8         76.5       69.0       62.6        62.5       56.7        58.0        52.7
  problem, including                                                                                   
  needing glasses                                                                                      

  Cancer             7.4          11.3       10.4       9.8         15.3\*     9.1         5.8         6.4

  Heart trouble      15.9         28.1       25.1       20.1        34.0       22.2        12.2        12.8

  Stroke             3.0          6.7        3.3        3.1         17.0\*     5.9         1.9         1.9

  Kidney or bladder  10.2         24.4       15.8       14.0        27.6       14.6        8.2         7.5
  trouble                                                                                              

  Arthritis or       26.8         54.7       47.3       38.6        48.1       33.1        24.5        21.2
  rheumatism                                                                                           

  Hepatitis C or     1.6          5.7        2.2        2.8         10.6\*     2.8         1.7         0.8
  other liver                                                                                          
  disease                                                                                              

  Immune deficiency  0.3          1.6\*      0.2\*      0.2\*       2.7\*      0.4         0.2\*       0.2
  disease like                                                                                         
  HIV/AIDS                                                                                             

  Diabetes requiring 11.2         17.7       14.9       12.3        22.6       15.7        9.7         9.1
  insulin or diet                                                                                      
  treatment                                                                                            

  Stomach or         13.0         37.4       25.7       19.4        35.9       15.2        13.9        9.6
  digestive disorder                                                                                   

  Severe chronic     15.1         54.2       38.7       27.0        44.6       19.7        15.5        8.8
  pain                                                                                                 

  Drug abuse or      1.2          3.2        1.3        0.9         0.5\*      2.6         1.4         0.6
  alcoholism                                                                                           

  Post-traumatic     3.8          29.9       11.8       6.0         13.5\*     5.6         4.8         1.0
  stress disorder                                                                                      
  (PTSD)                                                                                               

  Other mental or    6.2          26.5       12.4       8.3         18.6\*     8.7         6.4         3.6
  emotional problems                                                                                   

  Accident-related   8.2          15.6       11.0       11.5        12.8\*     9.7         8.9         6.6
  injury                                                                                               

  Other serious      9.4          24.9       17.5       12.5        38.9       11.0        9.8         7.2
  condition                                                                                            

  No medical         17.6         1.8        4.4        9.4         1.9\*      13.9        17.5        21.3
  treatment                                                                                            
  mentioned                                                                                            

  Number of          25,196,000   719,400    580,900    1,441,600   29,000     5,326,400   2,828,300   14,125,600
  veterans†                                                                                            
  ------------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one health condition; the total estimate is larger than the
sum of the groups because insufficient data were available to determine
a priority group for some respondents.

NOTE: Priority groups were determined by classifying the self-reported
data of all respondents according to VA health care enrollee criteria
and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

**Age and Health Conditions.** Table 5-17 compares health problems by
age. Veterans of different ages also varied in the kinds of health
problems for which they received treatment. Some problems become more
prevalent with age (e.g., eye and vision problems, high blood pressure,
arthritis or rheumatism). A few problems become less prevalent with age
(e.g., accident-related injury, hepatitis C or other liver disease),
while some were more prevalent among the middle age groups (e.g., PTSD,
mental or emotional problems).

Table 5-17. Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and
age

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|                |      | y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| High blood     | 34.5 | 4.8  | 13.8 | 27.7 | 39.0 | 49.1 | 51.7 |
| pressure       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Lung trouble   | 9.2  | 4.5  | 5.4  | 8.0  | 7.8  | 11.6 | 15.0 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Hearing        | 9.3  | 0    | 1.4  | 3.6  | 6.6  | 13.5 | 25.2 |
| condition that |      | .5\* |      |      |      |      |      |
| requires a     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| hearing aid    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Other ear,     | 12.9 | 12.0 | 13.4 | 13.6 | 13.0 | 11.9 | 13.3 |
| nose, or       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| throat         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| condition      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Eye or vision  | 55.8 | 28.7 | 37.2 | 58.5 | 58.3 | 63.6 | 68.4 |
| problem,       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| including      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| needing        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| glasses        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Cancer         | 7.4  | 0    | 1.4  | 2.9  | 6.5  | 11.9 | 16.6 |
|                |      | .8\* |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Heart trouble  | 15.9 | 2.5  | 4.9  | 8.9  | 15.1 | 24.1 | 31.6 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Stroke         | 3.0  | 0    | 0.6  | 1.5  | 2.4  | 4.8  | 7.0  |
|                |      | .3\* |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Kidney or      | 10.2 | 2.4  | 5.1  | 7.4  | 9.0  | 12.5 | 20.3 |
| bladder        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| trouble        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Arthritis or   | 26.8 | 6.6  | 13.3 | 24.3 | 27.7 | 34.3 | 40.6 |
| rheumatism     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Hepatitis C or | 1.6  | 0    | 1.7  | 3.2  | 1.3  | 1.2  | 1.2  |
| other liver    |      | .3\* |      |      |      |      |      |
| disease        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Immune         | 0.3  | 0    | 0    | 0.4  | 0    | 0    | 0    |
| deficiency     |      | .3\* | .5\* |      | .1\* | .2\* | .2\* |
| disease like   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| HIV/AIDS       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Diabetes       | 11.2 | 0    | 2.8  | 8.2  | 13.6 | 17.4 | 16.1 |
| requiring      |      | .8\* |      |      |      |      |      |
| insulin or     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| diet treatment |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Stomach or     | 13.0 | 7.1  | 11.4 | 14.4 | 13.4 | 13.2 | 15.2 |
| digestive      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| disorder       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Severe chronic | 15.1 | 10.0 | 16.1 | 17.9 | 15.9 | 13.0 | 15.3 |
| pain           |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Drug abuse or  | 1.2  | 1.3  | 2.9  | 2.2  | 0.7  | 0.4  | 0    |
| alcoholism     |      |      |      |      |      |      | .4\* |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Post-traumatic | 3.8  | 2.4  | 3.9  | 7.1  | 3.7  | 1.6  | 2.8  |
| stress         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| disorder       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| (PTSD)         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Other mental   | 6.2  | 6.2  | 9.9  | 9.2  | 4.9  | 2.9  | 5.2  |
| or emotional   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| problems       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Ac             | 8.2  | 11.3 | 12.7 | 11.5 | 6.8  | 4.3  | 5.5  |
| cident-related |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| injury         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Other serious  | 9.4  | 5.8  | 8.1  | 10.0 | 9.5  | 8.8  | 12.2 |
| condition      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| No medical     | 17.6 | 44.3 | 32.3 | 17.7 | 14.7 | 9.6  | 5.2  |
| treatment      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| mentioned      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 25   | 2    | 3    | 5    | 4    | 5    | 4    |
| veterans†      | ,196 | ,288 | ,030 | ,415 | ,946 | ,256 | ,116 |
|                | ,000 | ,600 | ,300 | ,100 | ,000 | ,400 | ,100 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one health condition.

To highlight young-old age differences, Table 5-18 compares these
results among veterans under 65 years and those 65 years or older. The
three most prevalent problems were the same for both groups, (i.e., eye
or vision problems, high blood pressure, and arthritis or rheumatism),
although the relative frequency for each was higher in the older age
group.

Table 5-18. Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and
age (under 65 and 65 or older)

+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                                  | Total     | Less than | 65 years  |
|                                  |           |           |           |
|                                  |           | 65 years  | or older  |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| High blood pressure              | 34.5      | 25.3      | 50.2      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Lung trouble                     | 9.2       | 6.9       | 13.1      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Hearing condition that requires  | 9.3       | 3.7       | 18.6      |
| a hearing aid                    |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Other ear, nose, or throat       | 12.9      | 13.1      | 12.5      |
| condition                        |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Eye or vision problem, including | 55.8      | 50.0      | 65.7      |
| needing glasses                  |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Cancer                           | 7.4       | 3.4       | 14.0      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Heart trouble                    | 15.9      | 9.1       | 27.4      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Stroke                           | 3.0       | 1.4       | 5.7       |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Kidney or bladder trouble        | 10.2      | 6.7       | 15.9      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Arthritis or rheumatism          | 26.8      | 20.7      | 37.1      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Hepatitis C or other liver       | 1.6       | 1.9       | 1.2       |
| disease                          |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Immune deficiency disease like   | 0.3       | 0.3       | 0.2\*     |
| HIV/AIDS                         |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Diabetes requiring insulin or    | 11.2      | 7.8       | 16.8      |
| diet treatment                   |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Stomach or digestive disorder    | 13.0      | 12.4      | 14.1      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Severe chronic pain              | 15.1      | 15.7      | 14.0      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Drug abuse or alcoholism         | 1.2       | 1.7       | 0.4       |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Post-traumatic stress disorder   | 3.8       | 4.7       | 2.2       |
| (PTSD)                           |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Other mental or emotional        | 6.2       | 7.5       | 3.9       |
| problems                         |           |           |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Accident-related injury          | 8.2       | 10.2      | 4.8       |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Other serious condition          | 9.4       | 8.9       | 10.2      |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| No medical treatment mentioned   | 17.6      | 23.5      | 7.7       |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Number of veterans†              | 2         | 1         | 9,372,600 |
|                                  | 5,196,000 | 5,680,000 |           |
+----------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one health condition.

**Race, Ethnicity, and Health Conditions.** Table 5-19 compares health
conditions of veterans of different races. Across all racial groups, eye
or vision problems, high blood pressure, and arthritis or rheumatism are
the three most prevalent problems. Proportionately more White, Asian,
and biracial American Indian-White veterans reported vision problems
(56.4 percent, 61.3 percent, and 57.1 percent, respectively), while more
Black veterans reported high blood pressure (41.2 percent). Black
veterans were also the only racial group to have diabetes among their
top five problems. However, a higher percentage of American Indian
veterans reported having diabetes (14.7 percent) than did Black veterans
(13.4 percent).

Table 5-19. Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and
race

  ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- --------- ---------
                                  One race                                                             Two or                                       
                                                                                                       more                                         
                                                                                                       races                                        

                     Total        Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\              American                 Race
                                  one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\             Indian or                unknown
                                                            American    Alaska              or Other   more                Alaska                   
                                                                        Native              Pacific    races               Native/White             
                                                                                            Islander                                                

  High blood         34.5         34.8         34.2         41.2        31.2       29.0     26.3\*     32.6      36.2                     26.6      
  pressure                                                                                                                                          

  Lung trouble       9.2          9.2          9.5          7.1         12.3       6.9\*    1.9\*      12.8      14.7                     6.6       

  Hearing condition  9.3          9.4          9.9          4.3         8.3        8.7\*    2.9\*      8.2       9.2                      7.0       
  that requires a                                                                                                                                   
  hearing aid                                                                                                                                       

  Other ear, nose,   12.9         12.9         13.0         11.5        16.6       8.5      14.7\*     15.6      17.8                     11.6      
  or throat                                                                                                                                         
  condition                                                                                                                                         

  Eye or vision      55.8         55.8         56.4         49.8        50.1       61.3     69.4\*     55.0      57.1                     55.4      
  problem, including                                                                                                                                
  needing glasses                                                                                                                                   

  Cancer             7.4          7.5          7.7          5.7         5.7        2.8\*    2.0\*      7.7       10.5                     3.3       

  Heart trouble      15.9         16.0         16.5         11.6        13.4       15.7     11.3\*     19.6      19.5                     10.1      

  Stroke             3.0          3.1          3.0          3.7         2.0\*      0.9\*    0.0        4.5       4.9                      1.1\*     

  Kidney or bladder  10.2         10.2         10.1         10.8        12.1       9.2\*    6.3\*      13.4      16.1                     7.8       
  trouble                                                                                                                                           

  Arthritis or       26.8         26.7         26.5         28.5        27.9       23.8     20.5\*     32.2      36.4                     25.4      
  rheumatism                                                                                                                                        

  Hepatitis C or     1.6          1.6          1.5          2.0         3.6\*      5.0\*    7.6\*      3.2       2.8                      1.8\*     
  other liver                                                                                                                                       
  disease                                                                                                                                           

  Immune deficiency  0.3          0.3          0.2          0.6         0.0        0.0      0.3\*      0.4\*     0.4\*                    0.2\*     
  disease like                                                                                                                                      
  HIV/AIDS                                                                                                                                          

  Diabetes requiring 11.2         11.0         10.8         13.4        14.7       7.5\*    15.5\*     11.3      14.1                     14.7      
  insulin or diet                                                                                                                                   
  treatment                                                                                                                                         

  Stomach or         13.0         12.9         13.0         12.7        14.5       5.3\*    17.4\*     16.4      19.5                     13.9      
  digestive disorder                                                                                                                                

  Severe chronic     15.1         14.8         14.3         20.0        23.2       5.2\*    16.7\*     26.0      30.8                     14.4      
  pain                                                                                                                                              

  Drug abuse or      1.2          1.2          1.0          3.1         3.2\*      0.0      9.1\*      2.0       2.4                      1.4\*     
  alcoholism                                                                                                                                        

  Post-traumatic     3.8          3.6          3.2          7.4         8.6        2.2\*    8.0\*      7.8       9.0                      5.5       
  stress disorder                                                                                                                                   
  (PTSD)                                                                                                                                            

  Other mental or    6.2          6.1          5.9          7.8         8.1        2.8\*    4.1\*      9.0       11.7                     6.3       
  emotional problems                                                                                                                                

  Accident-related   8.2          7.9          7.7          9.4         12.3       7.5\*    14.7\*     14.7      13.7                     13.4      
  injury                                                                                                                                            

  Other serious      9.4          9.4          9.3          10.2        7.0        6.2\*    14.8\*     12.0      12.8                     6.6       
  condition                                                                                                                                         

  No medical         17.6         17.5         17.1         20.9        27.5       16.9     19.8\*     18.4      14.1                     19.9      
  treatment                                                                                                                                         
  mentioned                                                                                                                                         

  Number of          25,196,000   23,857,100   21,370,900   2,216,600   159,900    73,200   36,500     557,500   360,800                  781,400   
  veterans†                                                                                                                                         
  ------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- --------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
only one sub-category of "Total Two or More Races" is shown because all
other categories were too small to report; percent estimates will not
sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one health
condition.

Table 5-20 compares health conditions of Hispanic and non-Hispanic
veterans. The difference between Hispanic and non-Hispanic veterans was
slight for most problems. Hispanic and non-Hispanic veterans received
medical treatment most often for the same three problems---eye or vision
problems, high blood pressure, and arthritis or rheumatism---but the
proportion of Hispanic veterans reporting these problems was lower than
the proportion of non-Hispanic veterans. Fewer Hispanic veterans than
non-Hispanic veterans reported getting medical treatment for many
problems. The exceptions to this were for: ear, nose, and throat
conditions; diabetes; stomach problems; severe chronic pain; drug and
alcohol problems; PTSD; mental or emotional problems; and
accident-related injuries. Further, more Hispanic veterans did not
mention any health problems, compared to non-Hispanic veterans (22.3
percent vs. 17.4 percent, respectively).

Table 5-20. Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and
ethnicity

  -------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                   Total        Spanish,     Not Spanish,
                                                Hispanic, or Hispanic, or
                                                Latino       Latino

  High blood pressure              34.5         28.7         34.8

  Lung trouble                     9.2          7.6          9.3

  Hearing condition that requires  9.3          6.7          9.4
  a hearing aid                                              

  Other ear, nose, or throat       12.9         13.8         12.9
  condition                                                  

  Eye or vision problem, including 55.8         50.8         56.0
  needing glasses                                            

  Cancer                           7.4          3.3          7.6

  Heart trouble                    15.9         10.8         16.1

  Stroke                           3.0          2.4          3.1

  Kidney or bladder trouble        10.2         8.7          10.2

  Arthritis or rheumatism          26.8         22.8         26.9

  Hepatitis C or other liver       1.6          2.2\*        1.6
  disease                                                    

  Immune deficiency disease like   0.3          0.5\*        0.3
  HIV/AIDS                                                   

  Diabetes requiring insulin or    11.2         14.8         11.0
  diet treatment                                             

  Stomach or digestive disorder    13.0         14.3         13.0

  Severe chronic pain              15.1         16.2         15.0

  Drug abuse or alcoholism         1.2          2.2          1.2

  Post-traumatic stress disorder   3.8          5.9          3.7
  (PTSD)                                                     

  Other mental or emotional        6.2          8.1          6.1
  problems                                                   

  Accident-related injury          8.2          10.9         8.1

  Other serious condition          9.4          8.1          9.4

  No medical treatment mentioned   17.6         22.3         17.4

  Number of veterans†              25,196,000   1,122,200    23,990,200
  -------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity; percent estimates will
not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one health
condition.

**Gender and Health Conditions.** Male and female veterans differed in
some respects in terms of the health conditions for which they received
medical treatment, as Table 5-21 illustrates. For veterans of both
genders, eye and vision problems were the most prevalent condition. For
some other conditions, men and women veterans differed greatly. About
twice as many male veterans as female veterans received treatment for
high blood pressure (35.5 percent vs. 18.6 percent, respectively). Men
were also more likely than women to report heart trouble (16.3 percent
vs. 9.6 percent, respectively). As noted earlier, the younger age of
female veterans as a group likely contributes to these differences.
Female veterans were more likely than their male counterparts to report
severe chronic pain (18.7 percent vs. 14.8 percent). Female veterans
were also slightly more likely to report no medical treatment in the
past year (19.4 percent vs. 17.5 percent, respectively).

Table 5-21. Percent distribution of veterans by health conditions and
gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  High blood pressure                34.5         35.5         18.6

  Lung trouble                       9.2          9.2          9.1

  Hearing condition that requires a  9.3          9.7          3.1
  hearing aid                                                  

  Other ear, nose, or throat         12.9         12.6         17.8
  condition                                                    

  Eye or vision problem, including   55.8         55.8         55.4
  needing glasses                                              

  Cancer                             7.4          7.6          3.3

  Heart trouble                      15.9         16.3         9.6

  Stroke                             3.0          3.1          1.5

  Kidney or bladder trouble          10.2         10.1         10.8

  Arthritis or rheumatism            26.8         26.9         24.0

  Hepatitis C or other liver disease 1.6          1.6          1.5

  Immune deficiency disease like     0.3          0.3          0.3\*
  HIV/AIDS                                                     

  Diabetes requiring insulin or diet 11.2         11.5         6.3
  treatment                                                    

  Stomach or digestive disorder      13.0         13.0         13.5

  Severe chronic pain                15.1         14.8         18.7

  Drug abuse or alcoholism           1.2          1.3          0.8\*

  Post-traumatic stress disorder     3.8          3.8          3.9
  (PTSD)                                                       

  Other mental or emotional problems 6.2          5.7          14.3

  Accident-related injury            8.2          8.1          10.0

  Other serious condition            9.4          9.2          11.8

  No medical treatment mentioned     17.6         17.5         19.4

  Unknown                            0.2          0.2          0.2\*

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   23,712,400   1,483,600
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one health condition.

6\. HEALTH CARE

This chapter discusses results from the NSV 2001 on use of health care
services. The NSV collected information about veterans' current health
insurance plans or programs, including Medicare (Part A, Part B);
Medicare managed care; HMO; Medigap/Medicare supplemental health
insurance; Medicaid (Medi-Cal); CHAMPUS; TRICARE; other government
health care programs; or private health insurance. Information was also
collected on veterans' use of VA and non-VA health care services within
the past 12 months. These included emergency room use, outpatient care
(number of visits), and inpatient care (number of overnights
hospitalized). Additionally, NSV collected data on how services were
paid for (CHAMPUS/TRICARE, HMO, Medicare, private health insurance, VA).
If VA health care benefits had not been used in the past year or were
not used, veterans were asked why they did not use them.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the nation's largest
integrated health care system. The VHA mission is to serve the needs of
America's veterans by providing primary care, specialized care, and
related medical and social support services. VHA employs approximately
180,000 health care professionals at 163 hospitals, more than 800
community and facility-based clinics, 135 nursing homes, 43
domiciliaries, 206 readjustment counseling centers, and various other
facilities. Historically, VA's health care has been provided through a
hospital-based delivery system. However, in recent years VHA
restructured health care delivery to emphasize managed care through an
extended network of community-based clinics and ambulatory care units.

Demographic trends indicate that VHA will continue to face the challenge
of providing efficient and effective long-term care and geriatric
services to an aging veteran population over the next decade. The
percentage of older veterans is increasing as the percentage of younger
veterans is declining.

# 6.1 Health Insurance Coverage

As seen in Table 6-1, veterans report having a number of health
insurance coverage types. These types fall into the following five major
modes:

-   Medicare,

-   Medigap or Medicare supplemental,

-   CHAMPUS or TRICARE,

-   Other government-provided health service plans, and

-   Private insurance.

Some veterans report more than one type of coverage. For example, some
report coverage by both Medicare and a supplemental Medigap plan.[^14]
The table also shows subsets of coverage within these major modes of
coverage, such as Medicare Part A only and Part B only coverage. Nearly
two out of three veterans (63.0 percent) report coverage by some form of
private insurance, either non-HMO (37.2 percent) or HMO (25.8 percent),
while more than one out of three (39.3 percent) report some form of
Medicare. Another type reported frequently was Medigap or Medicare
Supplemental insurance (18.0 percent). Ten percent of veterans did not
mention any insurance coverage.

**Health Care Priority Group and Health Insurance Coverage.** Table 6-1
also compares priority groups in terms of their insurance coverage. The
pattern of coverage varies by priority group. A larger percentage of
veterans in Priority 1, 4, and 5 report Medicare coverage than report
private coverage. The reverse is found among Priority 2, 3, 6, and 7,
where more veterans report coverage in private plans than in Medicare.

**Age and Health Insurance Coverage.** Health insurance varies by age
group, as shown in Table 6-2. For example, the proportion of veterans
reporting Medicare coverage increases across the age groups, while the
proportion of veterans with private health insurance decreases. The
percentage of veterans reporting no insurance coverage also decreased as
the age of veterans increased. Other types are mentioned by
proportionately more veterans in the middle age groups, compared to
oldest and youngest age groups (e.g., CHAMPUS or TRICARE).

Medicare eligibility criteria effectively separates the types of
coverage reported by the age of veterans. More than 95 percent of
veterans age 65 and older (96.0 percent) report Medicare coverage, while
only 5.5 percent of veterans under 65 do so. Table 6-3 displays
comparisons of health insurance coverage by veteran age, with age
divided into less than 65 years and 65 years or older. Nearly
three-quarters of younger veterans (74.7 percent) report some form of
private medical insurance, compared to only 43.3 percent of older
veterans. Younger veterans also reported no insurance coverage more
frequently than older veterans (15.3 percent versus 1.0 percent,
respectively).

Table 6-1. Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and
health care priority group

  --------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------
                        Total        Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3  Priority 4 Priority 5  Priority 6  Priority 7

  Medicare              39.3         47.1       36.5       38.2        75.0       57.1        19.7        36.2

  Medicare managed care 11.0         8.7        9.7        10.1        9.0\*      17.0        6.1         10.1
  or Medicare HMO                                                                                         

  Medicare Part A for   2.4          6.0        2.5        2.1         7.9\*      4.2         1.3         1.8
  hospital care only                                                                                      

  Medicare Part B for   1.0          1.3        0.9        0.9         5.7\*      1.9         0.4\*       0.8
  visits to doctor                                                                                        
  offices only                                                                                            

  Both Medicare Part A  24.2         28.0       22.8       24.5        52.8       32.9        11.4        23.2
  and Part B                                                                                              

  Medigap or Medicare   18.0         13.8       16.2       18.3        23.3\*     23.1        8.5         18.1
  Supplement health                                                                                       
  insurance plan                                                                                          

  Medicaid/Medi-Cal     3.5          3.1        3.2        3.4         13.4\*     14.6        0.0         0.0

  CHAMPUS or TRICARE    7.1          24.0       30.2       20.6        1.6\*      3.3         10.9        4.6

  Other                 3.5          8.2        9.5        6.1         1.7\*      2.9         3.6         3.0
  government-provided                                                                                     
  health insurance or                                                                                     
  health service plan                                                                                     

  Private Non-HMO       37.2         23.7       28.6       33.5        3.7\*      24.2        40.4        43.0

  Private HMO           25.8         11.3       19.5       23.1        1.3\*      13.1        35.6        30.1

  No insurance coverage 10.0         17.7       11.3       10.9        15.4       19.1        8.5         6.2
  mentioned                                                                                               

  Unknown               0.4          1.2        0.8\*      0.4\*       3.5\*      0.7         0.2\*       0.2

  Number of veterans†   25,196,000   719,400    580,900    1,441,600   29,000     5,326,400   2,828,300   14,125,600
  --------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because
insufficient data were available to determine a priority group for some
respondents; percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans
could indicate more than one type of insurance.

NOTE: Priority groups were determined by classifying the self-reported
data of all respondents according to VA health care enrollee criteria
and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

Table 6-2. Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and age

  --------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                        Total        Less than   35-44 years 45-54 years 55-64 years 65-74 years 75 years or
                                     35 years                                                    older

  Medicare              39.3         1.1\*       3.6         6.2         8.0         95.5        96.6

  Medicare managed care 11.0         0.8\*       1.1         1.9         1.8         27.5        26.3
  or Medicare HMO                                                                                

  Medicare Part A for   2.4          0.0         0.5\*       0.6         0.7         6.3         4.7
  hospital care only                                                                             

  Medicare Part B for   1.0          0.0         0.2\*       0.2         0.2\*       2.2         2.7
  visits to doctor                                                                               
  offices only                                                                                   

  Both Medicare Part A  24.2         0.2\*       1.6         2.9         4.8         58.6        61.4
  and Part B                                                                                     

  Medigap or Medicare   18.0         0.4\*       0.5\*       0.5         1.7         43.0        51.3
  Supplement health                                                                              
  insurance plan                                                                                 

  Medicaid/Medi-Cal     3.5          1.3         1.6         2.1         1.7         7.3         5.4

  CHAMPUS or TRICARE    7.1          4.5         9.6         8.9         9.9         5.4         3.4

  Other                 3.5          2.3         3.5         3.7         3.5         4.0         3.4
  government-provided                                                                            
  health insurance or                                                                            
  health service plan                                                                            

  Private Non-HMO       37.2         36.7        37.1        37.9        43.4        34.3        32.8

  Private HMO           25.8         35.2        36.5        35.8        34.4        11.3        7.6

  No insurance coverage 10.0         22.1        16.0        15.5        11.6        1.0         1.0
  mentioned                                                                                      

  Unknown               0.4          0.8\*       0.5         0.7         0.2\*       0.1\*       0.2\*

  Number of veterans†   25,196,000   2,288,600   3,030,300   5,415,100   4,946,000   5,256,400   4,116,100
  --------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one type of insurance.

Table 6-3. Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and age
(under 65 and 65 or older)

  ----------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
                                            Total        Less than\   65 years\
                                                         65 years     or older

  Medicare                                  39.3         5.5          96.0

  Medicare managed care or Medicare HMO     11.0         1.5          27.0

  Medicare Part A for hospital care only    2.4          0.5          5.6

  Medicare Part B for visits to doctor      1.0          0.2          2.4
  offices only                                                        

  Both Medicare Part A and Part B           24.2         2.9          59.8

  Medigap or Medicare Supplement health     18.0         0.9          46.7
  insurance plan                                                      

  Medicaid/Medi-Cal                         3.5          1.7          6.5

  CHAMPUS or TRICARE                        7.1          8.7          4.5

  Other government-provided health          3.5          3.4          3.7
  insurance or health service plan                                    

  Private non-HMO                           37.2         39.3         33.6

  Private HMO                               25.8         35.4         9.7

  No insurance coverage mentioned           10.0         15.3         1.0

  Unknown                                   0.4          0.5          0.1\*

  Number of veterans†                       25,196,000   15,680,000   9,372,600
  ----------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one type of health
insurance.

**Race, Ethnicity, and Health Insurance Coverage.** Table 6-4 reports
insurance coverage by race. A larger proportion of White veterans are
covered by Medicare, compared to veterans of other races. This is not
surprising, since White veterans are older as a group, compared to other
races. White veterans also more frequently report having some type of
private insurance than do veterans of other races, although this
difference is less striking. Asian veterans reported the highest
percentage of CHAMPUS or TRICARE coverage (17.9 percent), relative to
other veterans. Proportionately more Black, biracial American
Indian-White, American Indian, and Asian veterans did not mention any
insurance coverage (17.6 percent, 16.3 percent, 15.7 percent, and 14.7
percent, respectively) than did White veterans (8.6 percent).

Table 6-5 compares insurance coverage for Hispanic and non-Hispanic
veterans. The percentage of Hispanic veterans reporting Medicare
coverage is nearly half that of non-Hispanic veterans (23.2 percent vs.
40.0 percent, respectively). Slightly fewer Hispanic veterans reported
private non-HMO insurance coverage, relative to non-Hispanic veterans
(30.4 percent vs. 37.5 percent, respectively), but more Hispanic
veterans reported having private HMO coverage (30.1 percent of Hispanic
vs. 25.6 percent of non-Hispanic veterans). More Hispanic veterans did
not mention any insurance coverage, compared to non-Hispanic veterans
(19.0 percent vs. 9.6 percent, respectively).

Table 6-4. Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and
race

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 16%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="6">One race</td>
<td colspan="2">Two or more races</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td>Total</td>
<td>Total<br />
one race</td>
<td>White</td>
<td>Black or<br />
African American</td>
<td>American Indian or Alaska Native</td>
<td>Asian</td>
<td>Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander</td>
<td>Total<br />
two or<br />
more races</td>
<td colspan="2">American Indian or Alaska Native/White</td>
<td>Race unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Medicare</td>
<td>39.3</td>
<td>40.1</td>
<td>41.5</td>
<td>28.4</td>
<td>23.5</td>
<td>29.4</td>
<td>27.3*</td>
<td>29.0</td>
<td colspan="2">33.4</td>
<td>22.0</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Medicare managed care or Medicare HMO</td>
<td>11.0</td>
<td>11.2</td>
<td>11.3</td>
<td>10.0</td>
<td>7.7*</td>
<td>10.1</td>
<td>17.7*</td>
<td>8.6</td>
<td colspan="2">9.5</td>
<td>8.4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Medicare Part A for hospital care only</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>2.6</td>
<td>1.7*</td>
<td>5.3*</td>
<td>3.1*</td>
<td>3.0</td>
<td colspan="2">3.3</td>
<td>1.6*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Medicare Part B for visits to doctor offices only</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>1.0</td>
<td>1.9</td>
<td>0.6*</td>
<td>0.9*</td>
<td>0.0</td>
<td>1.2*</td>
<td colspan="2">1.3*</td>
<td>0.5*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Both Medicare Part A<br />
and Part B</td>
<td>24.2</td>
<td>24.8</td>
<td>26.2</td>
<td>13.0</td>
<td>13.1</td>
<td>11.4*</td>
<td>6.5*</td>
<td>15.4</td>
<td colspan="2">18.5</td>
<td>10.8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Medigap or Medicare Supplement health insurance plan</td>
<td>18.0</td>
<td>18.5</td>
<td>19.7</td>
<td>8.0</td>
<td>4.7</td>
<td>12.6</td>
<td>4.7*</td>
<td>8.4</td>
<td colspan="2">10.2</td>
<td>8.9</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Medicaid/Medi-Cal</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>3.1</td>
<td>6.9</td>
<td>4.8*</td>
<td>5.0*</td>
<td>5.6*</td>
<td>3.4*</td>
<td colspan="2">2.6</td>
<td>2.9</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>CHAMPUS or TRICARE</td>
<td>7.1</td>
<td>7.1</td>
<td>6.8</td>
<td>8.7</td>
<td>9.3</td>
<td>17.9</td>
<td>10.5*</td>
<td>9.4</td>
<td colspan="2">9.3</td>
<td>7.3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Other government-provided health insurance or health service
plan</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>3.4</td>
<td>3.3</td>
<td>4.0</td>
<td>15.4</td>
<td>9.2*</td>
<td>1.0*</td>
<td>8.0</td>
<td colspan="2">7.3</td>
<td>2.7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Private Non-HMO</td>
<td>37.2</td>
<td>37.5</td>
<td>39.0</td>
<td>25.3</td>
<td>28.2</td>
<td>27.6</td>
<td>8.4*</td>
<td>32.9</td>
<td colspan="2">33.1</td>
<td>30.5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Private HMO</td>
<td>25.8</td>
<td>25.6</td>
<td>24.8</td>
<td>33.1</td>
<td>32.1</td>
<td>30.4</td>
<td>41.2*</td>
<td>26.8</td>
<td colspan="2">21.8</td>
<td>30.4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Percent distribution of veterans by</p>
<p>No insurance coverage mentioned</p></td>
<td>10.0</td>
<td>9.5</td>
<td>8.6</td>
<td>17.6</td>
<td>15.7</td>
<td>14.7</td>
<td>20.3*</td>
<td>15.5</td>
<td colspan="2">16.3</td>
<td>18.5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>Unknown</td>
<td>0.4</td>
<td>0.3</td>
<td>0.3</td>
<td>0.5*</td>
<td>1.3*</td>
<td>1.4*</td>
<td>0.0*</td>
<td>1.1*</td>
<td colspan="2">1.3*</td>
<td>1.2*</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Number of veterans†</td>
<td>25,196,000</td>
<td>23,857,100</td>
<td>21,370,900</td>
<td>2,216,600</td>
<td>159,900</td>
<td>73,200</td>
<td>36,500</td>
<td>557,500</td>
<td colspan="2">360,800</td>
<td>781,400</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one type of health insurance.

Table 6-5. Percent distribution of veterans by type of insurance and
ethnicity

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------
                                     Total        Spanish,     Not Spanish,
                                                  Hispanic, or Hispanic, or
                                                  Latino       Latino

  Medicare                           39.3         23.2         40.0

  Medicare managed care or Medicare  11.0         9.7          11.1
  HMO                                                          

  Medicare Part A for hospital care  2.4          1.6\*        2.5
  only                                                         

  Medicare Part B for visits to      1.0          0.3\*        1.1
  doctor offices only                                          

  Both Medicare Part A and Part B    24.2         10.7         24.8

  Medigap or Medicare Supplement     18.0         7.3          18.4
  health insurance plan                                        

  Medicaid/Medi-Cal                  3.5          3.6          3.5

  CHAMPUS or TRICARE                 7.1          5.9          7.2

  Other government-provided health   3.5          2.3          3.6
  insurance or health service plan                             

  Private Non-HMO                    37.2         30.4         37.5

  Private HMO                        25.8         30.1         25.6

  No insurance coverage mentioned    10.0         19.0         9.6

  Unknown                            0.4          1.1\*        0.4

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   1,122,200    23,990,200
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity; percent estimates will
not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one type of
health insurance.

# 6.2 Health Care Received in the Past Year

Veterans were asked to indicate types of health care they had received
in the past 12 months. Veterans could mention more than one type of
health care received in the previous 12 months, so columns may not sum
to 100 percent. As Table 6-6, displays, the most frequently mentioned
type of health care was for prescriptions; more than three in four
veterans (76.7 percent) received this type of care in the past 12
months. Also frequently mentioned were outpatient care (74.1 percent),
prostheses (including hearing aids and eyeglasses) (24.6 percent), and
emergency room care (23.4 percent).

**Health Care Priority Group and Health Care Received in the Past
Year.** Table 6-6 also displays results that compare health care
priority groups in the kinds of medical treatment they received in the
past 12 months. Tables include all veterans who reported their medical
treatment in the past year, not just veterans enrolled in the national
health care enrollment system (see Chapter 5 introduction for further
explanation). Prescription services are the most commonly mentioned type
across all priority groups. Outpatient care ranges from a low of 69.4
percent for Priority 5 veterans to a high of 86.6 percent for Priority 1
veterans. The incidence of prescription services ranges from 74.2
percent for Priority 7 to 96.4 percent for Priority 4.

The proportion of veterans reporting emergency room and inpatient care
varies considerably by priority group. The highest reported rates of
emergency room and inpatient care are for veterans in Priority 4 (61.2
percent and 59.6 percent, respectively). Veterans in Priority 4 also
report the highest incidence of in-home health care (26.6 percent) and
prosthetic services (39.6 percent). Since these veterans are classified
into Priority 4 because they are permanently house-bound or
catastrophically disabled, these findings are not surprising.

The lowest percentage of emergency room care and inpatient care is found
among veterans in Priority 7 (19.0 percent and 11.7 percent). Veterans
in Priority 6 also report relatively low incidences of emergency room
and inpatient care.

**Age and Heath Care Received in the Past Year.** Table 6-7 compares
health care received in the past 12 months by age group of veterans.
Some types of health care varied consistently by age. The proportion of
veterans reporting outpatient and inpatient services, prescription
services, in-home health care, and prostheses increased across the age
groups. For example, only 7.2 percent of veterans under 35 years of age
reported inpatient care in the past 12 months while 24.1 percent of
veterans 75 years or older reported inpatient care. Conversely,
psychiatric treatment or counseling is reported by a smaller percentage
of older veterans.

Table 6-8 displays age comparisons of health care received in the past
12 months for two groups of veterans, those under age 65 and those age
65 or older. Across all health care types, proportionately more older
veterans reported receiving such care, compared to younger veterans. The
only exceptions to this are for psychiatric treatment or counseling and
treatment for environmental hazard.

Table 6-6. Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and health
care priority group

  ----------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------
                    Total        Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3  Priority 4 Priority 5  Priority 6  Priority 7

  Emergency room    23.4         43.9       33.6       29.2        61.2       30.0        21.8        19.0

  Outpatient        74.1         86.6       86.1       83.5        81.8       69.4        76.3        73.4

  Inpatient         14.3         28.5       20.9       16.1        59.6       19.2        12.0        11.7

  Prescriptions     76.7         95.1       91.7       86.4        96.4       77.3        75.6        74.2

  Treatment for     1.6          12.7       7.0        3.2         11.5\*     1.6         4.3         0.0
  environmental                                                                                       
  hazard                                                                                              

  Psychiatric       6.7          32.9       14.1       9.5         10.5       9.0         7.6         3.7
  treatment/                                                                                          
  counseling                                                                                          

  In-home health    3.8          9.5        4.8        5.1         26.6       6.1         2.7         2.6
  care                                                                                                

  Prostheses        24.6         51.4       37.5       32.6        39.6       22.3        26.1        22.4

  Number of         25,196,000   719,400    580,900    1,441,600   29,000     5,326,400   2,828,300   14,125,600
  veterans†                                                                                           
  ----------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because
insufficient data were available to determine a priority group for some
respondents; percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans
could indicate more than one type of health care.

NOTE: Priority groups were determined by classifying the self-reported
data of all respondents according to VA health care enrollee criteria
and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

Table 6-7. Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and age

+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
|                    | T    | Less | 35  | 45  | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                    | otal | than | -44 | -54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|                    |      |      |     |     |      |      | ears |
|                    |      | 35   | ye  | ye  | y    | y    |      |
|                    |      | y    | ars | ars | ears | ears | or   |
|                    |      | ears |     |     |      |      | o    |
|                    |      |      |     |     |      |      | lder |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Emergency room     | 23.4 | 23.0 | 2   | 2   | 18.8 | 22.3 | 29.1 |
|                    |      |      | 5.9 | 3.4 |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Outpatient         | 74.1 | 59.7 | 6   | 7   | 76.6 | 80.4 | 79.4 |
|                    |      |      | 8.1 | 1.3 |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Inpatient          | 14.3 | 7.2  | 7.9 | 1   | 12.8 | 18.5 | 24.1 |
|                    |      |      |     | 0.8 |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Prescriptions      | 76.7 | 57.4 | 6   | 7   | 79.2 | 84.0 | 87.0 |
|                    |      |      | 6.3 | 3.7 |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Treatment for      | 1.6  | 0    | 1.2 | 2.7 | 1.8  | 1.2  | 1.0  |
| environmental      |      | .9\* |     |     |      |      |      |
| hazard             |      |      |     |     |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Psychiatric        | 6.7  | 8.9  | 1   | 1   | 5.8  | 2.7  | 2.5  |
| tr                 |      |      | 0.6 | 1.4 |      |      |      |
| eatment/counseling |      |      |     |     |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| In-home health     | 3.8  | 1    | 1.7 | 2.4 | 2.3  | 4.9  | 8.9  |
| care               |      | .1\* |     |     |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Prostheses         | 24.6 | 13.8 | 1   | 2   | 26.4 | 26.9 | 30.0 |
|                    |      |      | 6.8 | 6.0 |      |      |      |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+
| Number of          | 25   | 2    | 3,0 | 5,4 | 4    | 5    | 4    |
| veterans†          | ,196 | ,288 | 30, | 15, | ,946 | ,256 | ,116 |
|                    | ,000 | ,600 | 300 | 100 | ,000 | ,400 | ,100 |
+--------------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one type of health care.

Table 6-8. Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and age
(under 65 and 65 or older)

  --------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
                              Total          Less than 65   65 years or
                                             years          older

  Emergency room              23.4           22.4           25.3

  Outpatient                  74.1           70.6           79.9

  Inpatient                   14.3           10.3           21.0

  Prescriptions               76.7           71.7           85.3

  Treatment for environmental 1.6            1.9            1.1
  hazard                                                    

  Psychiatric                 6.7            9.1            2.7
  treatment/counseling                                      

  In-home health care         3.8            2.1            6.7

  Prostheses                  24.6           22.6           28.3

  Number of veterans†         25,196,000     15,680,000     9,372,600
  --------------------------- -------------- -------------- --------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one type of health care.

**Race, Ethnicity, and Health Care Received in the Past Year.**
Differences in type of health care received were found among veterans of
different races and ethnicity, as shown in Tables 6-9 and 6-10. Compared
to all other races, White veterans had the highest percentage of
outpatient care and a high percentage of prosthetic use. Black veterans
reported a high percentage of emergency room use, compared to others.
American Indian veterans had the highest percentage of inpatient
services use and a high proportion of psychiatric treatment or
counseling services use. Biracial American Indian-White veterans
reported high percentages using outpatient services and the highest
percentage of emergency room services, prescription services,
psychiatric treatment or counseling and prosthetic use of all racial
groups. Compared to non-Hispanic veterans, proportionately fewer
Hispanic veterans reported receiving all types of health care, except
emergency room, treatment for environmental hazard, psychiatric, and
in-home health care. For these four, slightly more Hispanic veterans
reported their use, relative to non-Hispanic veterans.

Table 6-9. Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and race

  --------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
                               One race                                                             Two or               
                                                                                                    more                 
                                                                                                    races                

                  Total        Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\    American   Race
                               one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\   Indian or  unknown
                                                         American    Alaska              or Other   more      Alaska     
                                                                     Native              Pacific    races     Native/    
                                                                                         Islander             White      

  Emergency room  23.4         23.0         22.3         30.2        25.7       17.4     27.0\*     32.4      33.3       28.1

  Outpatient      74.1         74.4         75.2         68.3        63.2       65.1     61.2\*     72.1      73.9       64.4

  Inpatient       14.3         14.4         14.3         15.7        18.5       8.7\*    8.9\*      14.1      15.7       10.1

  Prescriptions   76.7         77.1         77.4         75.2        70.3       65.4     60.0\*     76.7      81.4       65.7

  Treatment for   1.6          1.6          1.4          2.6         3.4\*      4.3\*    1.6\*      3.3       3.2        1.5\*
  environmental                                                                                                          
  hazard                                                                                                                 

  Psychiatric     6.7          6.5          6.2          9.3         11.9       2.6\*    5.7\*      13.0      14.4       8.1
  treatment/                                                                                                             
  counseling                                                                                                             

  In-home health  3.8          3.7          3.6          4.9         3.7\*      0.5\*    12.8\*     5.3       4.7        3.0
  care                                                                                                                   

  Prostheses      24.6         24.8         25.2         21.0        22.9       19.8     19.3\*     24.0      26.4       20.4

  Number of       25,196,000   23,857,100   21,370,900   2,216,600   159,900    73,200   36,500     557,500   360,800    781,400
  veterans†                                                                                                              
  --------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one type of health care.

Table 6-10. Percent distribution of veterans by type of care and
ethnicity

  ----------------------------- ------------ -------------- ----------------
                                Total        Spanish,       Not Spanish,
                                             Hispanic, or   Hispanic, or
                                             Latino         Latino

  Emergency room                23.4         25.7           23.3

  Outpatient                    74.1         62.9           74.6

  Inpatient                     14.3         9.6            14.5

  Prescriptions                 76.7         67.7           77.1

  Treatment for environmental   1.6          2.1            1.6
  hazard                                                    

  Psychiatric                   6.7          7.7            6.6
  treatment/counseling                                      

  In-home health care           3.8          3.9            3.8

  Prostheses                    24.6         18.4           24.9

  Number of veterans†           25,196,000   1,122,200      23,990,200
  ----------------------------- ------------ -------------- ----------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity; percent estimates will
not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one type of
health care.

# 6.3 Sources of Health Care

Veterans were asked to indicate whether VA provided the health care they
received in the past 12 months. A classification of health care source
was constructed from survey responses as VA care only, non-VA care only,
and use of both VA and non-VA. As Table 6-11 displays, more than
three-quarters of veterans (76.6 percent) used only non-VA health care
in the past year. Seven point four percent used VA only, while 16.0
percent used both VA and non-VA health care.

**Health Care Priority Group and Source of Care.** Table 6-11 also
compares source of health care received in the past year by priority
group. Usage patterns vary considerably by priority group. For example,
well over half of the veterans in Priority Groups 1, 2, and 4 received
their care either exclusively from VA or from VA plus non-VA sources
(82.0, 57.1, and 79.1 percent, respectively). By contrast, over 80
percent of veterans in Priority 6 and 7 report only receiving non-VA
care (86.3 and 88.1 percent, respectively).

**Age and Source of Care.** Table 6-12 compares type of veteran health
care received in the past 12 months by age group of veterans. Results
show that regardless of age, the proportion of veterans who use VA
health care only is very low, between 5.6 and 8.4 percent. The
proportion of veterans using both VA and non-VA sources increases across
age groups, except among the 55-64 age group.

Table 6-11. Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and
health care priority group

  ----------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------
                    Total        Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3  Priority 4 Priority 5  Priority 6  Priority 7

  Use of VA health  7.4          30.4       18.6       12.0        33.1       15.5        3.4         2.6
  care only                                                                                           

  Use of non-VA     76.6         18.0       42.9       57.8        20.9\*     60.8        86.3        88.1
  health care only                                                                                    

  Use of both VA    16.0         51.6       38.5       30.2        46.0       23.7        10.3        9.3
  and non-VA health                                                                                   
  care                                                                                                

  Total             100.0        100.0      100.0      100.0       100.0      100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of         22,223,200   707,100    557,400    1,353,900   28,200     4,695,600   2,453,800   12,317,500
  veterans†                                                                                           
  ----------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because
insufficient data were available to determine a priority group for some
respondents; percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans
could indicate more than one type of health care.

NOTE: Priority groups were determined by classifying the self-reported
data of all respondents according to VA health care enrollee criteria
and are not limited to actual VA enrollees.

Table 6-12. Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and age

+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|               | Total | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|               |       | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|               |       |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|               |       | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|               |       | y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|               |       | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|               |       |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Use of VA     | 7.4   | 6.0  | 5.6  | 8.4  | 7.6  | 8.1  | 6.9  |
| health care   |       |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| only          |       |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Use of non-VA | 76.6  | 85.3 | 82.6 | 77.2 | 79.7 | 73.0 | 69.2 |
| health care   |       |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| only          |       |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Use of both   | 16.0  | 8.7  | 11.8 | 14.4 | 12.7 | 18.9 | 23.9 |
| VA and non-VA |       |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| health care   |       |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total         | 100.0 | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|               |       | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of     | 22,22 | 1    | 2    | 4    | 4    | 4    | 3    |
| veterans†     | 3,200 | ,755 | ,452 | ,638 | ,410 | ,919 | ,933 |
|               |       | ,000 | ,900 | ,800 | ,600 | ,800 | ,500 |
+---------------+-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
used some sort of health care in the last 12 months.

To highlight young-old age differences, Table 6-13 compares source of
health care for younger and older veterans (younger than 65 years and 65
years of age or older). When combined into two groups, the difference
between younger and older veterans appears to be predominately in terms
of using both VA and non-VA care and non-VA care exclusively. Older
veterans less frequently report exclusive use of non-VA care.

Table 6-13. Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and age
(under 65 and 65 or older)

+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                                 | Total     | Less than | 65 years  |
|                                 |           |           |           |
|                                 |           | 65 years  | or older  |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Use of VA health care only      | 7.4       | 7.3       | 7.6       |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Use of non-VA health care only  | 76.6      | 80.1      | 71.3      |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Use of both VA and non-VA       | 16.0      | 12.6      | 21.1      |
| health care                     |           |           |           |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Total                           | 100.0     | 100.0     | 100.0     |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Number of veterans†             | 2         | 1         | 8,853,300 |
|                                 | 2,223,200 | 3,257,300 |           |
+---------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
used some sort of health care in the last 12 months.

**Race, Ethnicity, and Source of Care.** Table 6-14 compares source of
health care for veterans of different races. White veterans have the
smallest proportion using exclusively VA health care (6.4 percent) and
the largest proportion using exclusively non-VA health care (78.3
percent). More black veterans use VA health care only (13.9 percent),
relative to all other races, followed by biracial American Indian-White
veterans (10.7 percent).

Table 6-14. Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and race

  ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- ---------
                            One race                                                             Two or                             
                                                                                                 more                               
                                                                                                 races                              

               Total        Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\              American       Race
                            one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\             Indian or      unknown
                                                      American    Alaska              or Other   more                Alaska         
                                                                  Native              Pacific    races               Native/White   
                                                                                      Islander                                      

  Use of VA    7.4          7.1          6.4          13.9        9.7        9.0\*    10.6\*     12.6      10.7                     12.0
  health care                                                                                                                       
  only                                                                                                                              

  Use of       76.6         77.0         78.3         64.3        70.5       71.9     72.4\*     65.2      67.1                     73.2
  non-VA                                                                                                                            
  health care                                                                                                                       
  only                                                                                                                              

  Use of both  16.0         15.9         15.3         21.8        19.8       19.1     17.0\*     22.2      22.2                     14.8
  VA and                                                                                                                            
  non-VA                                                                                                                            
  health care                                                                                                                       

  Total        100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0       100.0      100.0    100.0      100.0     100.0                    100.0

  Number of    22,223,200   21,112,000   18,987,700   1,910,600   131,100    56,400   26,200     477,200   316,600                  634,000
  veterans†                                                                                                                         
  ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
used some sort of health care in the last 12 months.

Table 6-15 displays a comparison of Hispanic and non-Hispanic veterans'
sources of health care. The largest contrast between ethnicities is in
the use of VA health care only, which about one in 8 Hispanic veterans
use (12.0 percent), compared to about one in 14 non-Hispanic veterans
(7.2 percent). Ethnic differences are less striking in use of both and
of non-VA health care only.

Table 6-15. Percent distribution of veterans by source of care and
ethnicity

  --------------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------
                                    Total        Spanish,      Not Spanish,
                                                 Hispanic, or  Hispanic, or
                                                 Latino        Latino

  Use of VA health care only        7.4          12.0          7.2

  Use of non-VA health care only    76.6         73.4          76.8

  Use of both VA and non-VA health  16.0         14.6          16.0
  care                                                         

  Total                             100.0        100.0         100.0

  Number of veterans†               22,223,200   888,900       21,263,700
  --------------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide a category of Ethnicity.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
used some sort of health care in the last 12 months.

# 6.4 Reasons for Not Using VA Health Care

Veterans who did not use VA health care in the past year were asked to
give the reasons why they did not use it. Table 6-16 provides the
reasons veterans gave for not using VA health care in the past year. The
most frequently cited reason for not using VA health care in the past
year was that the veteran has other sources for health care; about 40
percent of non-users gave this reason. About one out of five non-users
said they did not require health care in the past year (20.9 percent),
did not believe they were eligible for health care benefits (20.1
percent), or perceived VA health care as inconvenient (18.2 percent).
About 17 percent said they were not aware of VA health care benefits
(16.6 percent). Only one in 25 non-users said they did not think VA
health care would be as good as that available elsewhere (4.0 percent),
while less than two in 100 non-users mentioned having been treated
rudely by VA health care providers (1.4 percent) as reasons for not
using VA health care.

Veterans who reported that they had never used VA health care were also
asked to give the reasons why they had not. Table 6-17 displays these
reasons. Whether the time frame is the past year or ever, there is
considerable overlap in the most common reasons cited for not using VA
health care with the most common being the use of another source for
health care. Almost one out of three non-users said they had other
sources for health care (31.8 percent), while nearly one in four said
they did not need health care (23.7 percent). About one in five veterans
said they were not aware of VA health care benefits (21.6 percent) or
they did not believe they were eligible for VA health care (20.4
percent). The least commonly mentioned reasons were: did not think VA
health care would be as good as that available elsewhere (3.1 percent);
too much trouble or red tape in the application process (3.0 percent);
and did not know how to apply (2.3 percent).

Table 6-16. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans did not
use VA health care in past 12 months

  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------
                                                            Total

  Uses other sources for health care                        40.2

  Did not need any care                                     20.9

  Did not believe self entitled or eligible for health care 20.1
  benefits                                                  

  VA care is inconvenient                                   18.2

  Not aware of the VA health care benefits                  16.6

  Other                                                     10.7

  Did not need or want assistance from the VA               7.8

  Never considered getting any health care from the VA      5.4

  Didn't think VA health care would be as good as that      4.0
  available elsewhere                                       

  Applying for health care benefits too much trouble or red 3.5
  tape                                                      

  Did not know how to apply for health care benefits        2.1

  Treated rudely in past                                    1.4

  Unknown                                                   0.4

  Number of veterans†                                       19,978,000
  --------------------------------------------------------- -------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;.
percent estimates will not add to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one reason;

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
not used VA health care during the past 12 months

Table 6-17. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans never
used VA health care

  ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------
                                                              Total

  Uses other sources for health care                          31.8

  Did not need any care                                       23.7

  Not aware of the VA health care benefits                    21.6

  Did not believe self entitled or eligible for health care   20.4
  benefits                                                    

  VA care is inconvenient                                     13.3

  Other                                                       9.5

  Did not need or want assistance from the VA                 8.0

  Never considered getting any health care from the VA        5.1

  Didn't think VA health care would be as good as that        3.1
  available elsewhere                                         

  Applying for health care benefits too much trouble or red   3.0
  tape                                                        

  Did not know how to apply for health care benefits          2.3

  Number of veterans†                                         16,396,700
  ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to more than 100 because veterans could
indicate more than one reason.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
never used VA health care.

7\. VETERAN BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS

The Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) continues a tradition of
providing benefits and services to the veteran population that began
with the establishment of the first pension program for veterans in
1789.[^15] Currently, VBA provides a wide range of education and income
benefits and services to veterans through 58 VA regional offices.
Benefits and services are provided by VBA in the following areas:
disability compensation and pension, education, home loans, vocational
rehabilitation and employment, and life insurance.

These five program areas are the focus of this chapter. For each area,
survey data about program use, helpfulness of these programs from the
veterans' perspectives, and veteran awareness and understanding of the
programs are reported.

# 7.1 VA Disability Compensation and Pension Programs

In general, eligible veterans may receive two types of monetary benefits
for disability, which include service-connected disability compensation
and pension funds. Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to
veterans with service-connected disabilities. VA pension programs
provide income support to veterans and survivors (with wartime service)
for a nonservice-connected disability or death. Disability pension
programs, which serve veterans and survivors who are experiencing
financial hardship, are means tested.[^16]

**Applying for Disability Benefits.** Veterans who said they had a
disabling condition were asked whether they had ever applied for
disability benefits from VA. Those who said they had applied were asked
the status of their most recent claim application. If they had not
applied for benefits, veterans were asked the main reasons why they had
not. Self-reported disabled veterans were also asked whether they agreed
with the statement that getting VA disability benefits was easy. These
results are displayed in Tables 7-1 though 7-6. This analysis is
restricted to veterans who indicated they had a disabling condition or
who refused or did not know the answer to that question. Veterans
without a disabling condition who indicated they had a service-connected
disability rating (or who refused or did not know the answer to that
question) were also asked these questions but their responses are not
included in these tables.

More than 8 million veterans reported having a disabling condition (32.1
percent of the veteran population), as Table 7-1 displays. Table 7-2
illustrates that, among veterans with disabling conditions, 43.1 percent
(3.5 million) indicated the condition was service-related. An additional
5.4 percent were unsure whether their condition was service-related.
Almost 14 percent, or roughly 3.5 million veterans, reported they had
received a service-connected disability rating. This latter number
includes veterans who did not report that they had a disabling condition
as well as those who did.

Table 7-1. Percent distribution of veterans with self-reported
disabilities and disability ratings

  --------------------------------------------- -------------------------
                                                Total

  Disabling condition                           32.1

  Disability rating                             13.8

  Number of veterans†                           25,196,000
  --------------------------------------------- -------------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred.

Table 7-2. Percent distribution of veterans with self-reported
disabilities by self-reported service-related disabilities

  --------------------------------------------- -------------------------
                                                Total

  Service-related                               43.1

  Not service-related                           51.5

  Unsure                                        5.4

  Total                                         100.0

  Number of veterans†                           8,089,000
  --------------------------------------------- -------------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
a disabling condition.

Table 7-3 indicates that, among the approximately 8.1 million veterans
with a self-reported disabling condition, 43.5 percent stated that they
had applied for VA disability benefits. Of those who had applied, 61
percent said that their most recent application had been approved (Table
7-4). The youngest cohort of veterans was most likely to be in process
with their applications (25.4 percent) while the oldest cohort of
veterans was most likely to have had their most recent application
denied (24.8 percent).

Table 7-3. Percent distribution of veterans with self-reported
disabilities by application for disability benefits and age

+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|             | Total | Less  | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65-74 | 75    |
|             |       | than  |       |       |       |       | years |
|             |       |       | years | years | years | years |       |
|             |       | 35    |       |       |       |       | or    |
|             |       | years |       |       |       |       | older |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Applied     | 43.5  | 65.7  | 55.6  | 58.2  | 40.4  | 31.5  | 34.7  |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Never       | 56.1  | 34.3  | 44.2  | 41.5  | 59.2  | 68.0  | 64.6  |
| applied     |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Unknown     | 0.4   | 0.0   | 0.2\* | 0.3\* | 0.4\* | 0.5\* | 0.7\* |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total       | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Number of   | 8,08  | 39    | 72    | 1,73  | 1,50  | 1,78  | 1,90  |
| veterans†   | 9,000 | 2,100 | 7,200 | 9,400 | 7,300 | 5,000 | 4,600 |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses from those veterans who
indicated they had a disabling condition.

Table 7-4. Percent distribution of veterans by status of most recent
claim application and age group among those who have applied for
disability benefits

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|                |      | Y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Approved       | 61.0 | 54.9 | 64.7 | 62.3 | 61.6 | 59.4 | 60.6 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Waiting for    | 12.6 | 19.3 | 13.2 | 12.2 | 13.9 | 12.5 | 8.9  |
| decision from  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| VA regional    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| office         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Waiting for    | 4.0  | 6.1  | 5.0  | 4.5  | 5.0  | 3.1  | 1    |
| decision about |      |      |      |      |      |      | .5\* |
| appeal         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Denied         | 18.8 | 16.2 | 14.3 | 17.4 | 15.6 | 22.3 | 24.8 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown        | 3.6  | 3    | 2    | 3.6  | 3.9  | 2.7  | 4.2  |
|                |      | .5\* | .8\* |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total          | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|                | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 3    | 257  | 404  | 1    | 608  | 562  | 661  |
| veterans†      | ,520 | ,500 | ,300 | ,011 | ,700 | ,600 | ,100 |
|                | ,400 |      |      | ,400 |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
applied for VA disability benefits and who indicated they had a
disabling condition.

Veterans with a self-reported disabling condition who did not apply for
disability benefits most frequently gave the following reasons for not
applying:

-   Didn't think was entitled or eligible (40.6 percent);

-   Didn't need the assistance (22.7 percent); and

-   Not aware of VA service-connected disability program (12.7 percent).

Table 7-5. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans did not
apply for VA disability benefits and age group

  ------------------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- -----------
                      Total       Less      35-44\    45-54\    55-64\    65-74\      75 years\
                                  than\     years     years     years     years       or older
                                  35 years                                            

  Not aware of VA     12.7        24.2      16.2      12.8      15.9      10.4        10.4
  service-connected                                                                   
  disability program                                                                  

  Didn't think was    40.6        38.1      42.4      41.2      43.8      40.9        37.3
  entitled or                                                                         
  eligible                                                                            

  Getting military    0.9         0.5\*     1.2\*     1.3\*     0.4\*     0.3         1.6
  disability pay                                                                      

  Getting disability  2.1         0.2\*     0.8\*     1.9\*     2.7       2.8         1.6\*
  income from another                                                                 
  source                                                                              

  Didn't think        5.1         1.6\*     3.3\*     7.8       4.8       5.3         4.4
  disability severe                                                                   
  enough                                                                              

  Didn't know how to  3.2         16.1      4.5\*     3.3       4.7       2.0         1.3\*
  apply                                                                               

  Didn't want any     3.1         3.5\*     1.8\*     2.2\*     2.0\*     4.2         3.8
  assistance                                                                          

  Didn't need         22.7        15.4      17.5      14.2      20.1      27.2        27.4
  assistance                                                                          

  Applying too much   4.8         8.2\*     8.8       7.6       3.2       4.0         3.5
  trouble or red tape                                                                 

  Never thought about 7.1         5.2\*     5.7\*     5.0       7.0       7.4         8.9
  it                                                                                  

  Other\*\*           17.0        11.7\*    19.3      22.7      15.4      14.6        17.2

  Unknown             1.5         2.7\*     0.3\*     1.1\*     1.3\*     1.0\*       2.3

  Number of veterans† 4,534,500   134,600   321,600   722,000   892,100   1,214,400   1,231,100
  ------------------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

\*\*Reasons for not applying for benefits was asked as an open-ended
question with ten pre-established categories for interviewer coding of
responses. When interviewers could not readily code responses into one
of the pre-established categories, responses were transcribed and coded
as "other." The "other" category contains a variety of responses,
including: disability not service-related; lost records; inconvenience;
and bad treatment by VA in past. None of the themes in the
"other-specify" comments were frequent enough to permit analysis across
groups.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one reason.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
a disabling condition but had not applied for VA disability benefits.

Table 7-5 also shows that older veterans were more likely than younger
veterans to report that they did not need the assistance; while younger
veterans were more likely than older veterans to indicate that they did
not understand how to apply. It is important to note that when looking
at age differences in these responses, older veterans represent a select
group of these cohorts of veterans, i.e., the long-term survivors.
Interpretation of their responses must take into account the fact that
many members of these cohorts are no longer alive. Had they been
surveyed years ago, their responses may have been different from the
current respondent group.

The veterans most likely to be eligible for disability benefits are
those with a self-reported service-related disability or with a
disability rating. Among these veterans, about 38 percent agreed with
the statement that it was or would be easy to get the disability
benefits to which they are entitled. Younger veterans were somewhat less
likely to agree with this statement than were older veterans.

Table 7-6. Percent distribution of veterans by ease of getting VA
disability benefits and age

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|                |      | y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly agree | 8.7  | 6    | 5.4  | 7.7  | 9.9  | 11.0 | 10.3 |
|                |      | .6\* |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Agree          | 29.2 | 23.0 | 24.9 | 25.5 | 29.9 | 33.3 | 36.4 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Neither agree  | 13.1 | 22.0 | 17.0 | 14.0 | 12.5 | 11.0 | 7.2  |
| nor disagree   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Disagree       | 23.1 | 22.0 | 25.4 | 24.5 | 22.5 | 20.8 | 22.7 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly       | 21.9 | 24.5 | 25.3 | 26.1 | 21.3 | 19.1 | 14.9 |
| disagree       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown        | 4.0  | 1    | 2    | 2    | 3.9  | 4.8  | 8.5  |
|                |      | .9\* | .0\* | .2\* |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total          | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|                | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 4    | 380  | 536  | 1    | 771  | 665  | 818  |
| veterans†      | ,425 | ,600 | ,000 | ,233 | ,263 | ,600 | ,600 |
|                | ,400 |      |      | ,200 |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
a disabling condition that they thought was service-related or those who
indicated they had a service-connected disability rating.

**Receiving Disability Benefits.** Veterans who said they had a
disabling condition or a disability rating were asked whether they were
receiving service-connected disability compensation or
non-service-connected disability pension. Those who reported that they
were receiving disability compensation were further asked about the
importance of that compensation in meeting their financial needs. Tables
7-7 and 7-8 display these results.

As Table 7-7 indicates, nearly 9 in 10 veterans with a self-reported
disabling condition or disability rating reported that they currently
receive service-connected disability compensation. Only about 1 in 20 of
these veterans (6.3 percent) received non-service-connected disability
pension funds. This percentage does not represent the entire population
of veterans receiving non-service connected disability funds, but rather
the subset of veterans with a self-reported service-related disability
or with a disability rating.

Table 7-7. Percent distribution of veterans by service-connected
disability compensation, non-service-connected disability pension, and
age

+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|               | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|               | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|               |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|               |      | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|               |      | y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|               |      | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|               |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Receiving     | 88.2 | 94.1 | 91.7 | 89.4 | 89.6 | 82.7 | 86.5 |
| serv          |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| ice-connected |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| disability    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| compensation  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Receiving     | 6.3  | 1    | 2    | 6.9  | 5.1  | 11.1 | 5.8  |
| non-serv      |      | .4\* | .5\* |      |      |      |      |
| ice-connected |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| disability    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| pension       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Receiving     | 2.0  | 0.0  | 2    | 1.5  | 3.1  | 2.0  | 2.6  |
| both          |      |      | .3\* |      |      |      |      |
| compensation  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| and pension   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Receiving     | 2.3  | 1    | 2    | 1    | 2.0  | 3.3  | 2.7  |
| neither       |      | .4\* | .4\* | .5\* |      |      |      |
| compensation  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| nor pension   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown       | 1.2  | 3    | 1    | 0    | 0    | 0    | 2.4  |
|               |      | .1\* | .1\* | .7\* | .2\* | .9\* |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total         | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|               | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of     | 2    | 195  | 327  | 875  | 506  | 460  | 604  |
| veterans†     | ,982 | ,800 | ,600 | ,100 | ,400 | ,000 | ,900 |
|               | ,700 |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated that
they received regular disability payments from the VA and who either
indicated that they had a disabling condition or that they had a
service-connected disability rating or refused or did not know the
answer to any of those questions.

Table 7-8. Percent distribution of veterans receiving service-connected
disability compensation by importance of service-connected disability
compensation to meeting financial needs and age

+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|               | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|               | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|               |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|               |      | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|               |      | y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|               |      | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|               |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Extremely     | 36.1 | 42.9 | 44.9 | 43.3 | 35.1 | 27.7 | 24.9 |
| important     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Very          | 26.3 | 19.2 | 22.4 | 19.8 | 25.8 | 33.4 | 35.4 |
| important     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Moderately    | 14.8 | 11.1 | 15.5 | 13.9 | 12.7 | 14.7 | 19.1 |
| important     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Slightly      | 12.9 | 13.7 | 9.5  | 11.6 | 15.3 | 14.9 | 13.1 |
| important     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Not at all    | 8.5  | 11.0 | 6.6  | 10.0 | 10.2 | 7.6  | 6.1  |
| important     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown       | 1.4  | 2    | 1    | 1    | 0    | 1    | 1.4  |
|               |      | .1\* | .1\* | .4\* | .9\* | .7\* |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total         | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|               | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of     | 2    | 184  | 307  | 795  | 469  | 389  | 539  |
| veterans†     | ,692 | ,300 | ,900 | ,200 | ,600 | ,600 | ,100 |
|               | ,200 |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+---------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
were receiving service-connected disability compensation.

Approximately 62 percent of veterans receiving service-connected
disability compensation said that their disability payments were
extremely or very important to meeting their financial needs. Across all
age groups, at least 60 percent of veterans consistently said that these
payments were extremely or very important to meeting their financial
needs.

**Understanding Disability Benefits.** Veterans who said they had a
service-related disability were asked how strongly they agreed with the
statement that they thoroughly understood the disability benefits to
which they are entitled. Tables 7-9 and 7-10 display these results.

Table 7-9. Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of
disability benefits and age

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | 35   | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|                |      | y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      | ears |      |      |      |      | o    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly agree | 15.1 | 12.1 | 12.8 | 16.6 | 15.9 | 18.3 | 12.5 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Agree          | 36.1 | 25.1 | 30.4 | 35.1 | 33.8 | 42.5 | 44.2 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Neither agree  | 12.0 | 14.1 | 13.0 | 12.5 | 15.6 | 10.2 | 8.0  |
| nor disagree   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Disagree       | 21.2 | 28.2 | 27.2 | 21.8 | 19.4 | 15.3 | 19.2 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly       | 12.6 | 20.2 | 15.8 | 12.1 | 11.8 | 11.5 | 8.5  |
| disagree       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown        | 3.0  | 0    | 0    | 1.9  | 3.5  | 2.2  | 7.6  |
|                |      | .3\* | .8\* |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total          | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|                | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 4    | 350  | 536  | 1    | 771  | 665  | 818  |
| veterans†      | ,425 | ,600 | ,000 | ,233 | ,300 | ,600 | ,600 |
|                | ,400 |      |      | ,200 |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they had
a disabling condition that they thought was service-related

Table 7-10. Percent distribution of veterans receiving service-connected
disability compensation by understanding of disability benefits and age

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | y    |
|                |      | 35   |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | y    | y    | y    | y    | y    |      |
|                |      | ears | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | o    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly agree | 20.5 | 14.5 | 17.8 | 22.3 | 22.1 | 25.5 | 16.7 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Agree          | 42.0 | 30.5 | 34.9 | 39.4 | 40.0 | 47.4 | 52.0 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Neither agree  | 11.6 | 18.9 | 14.1 | 11.7 | 14.2 | 8.6  | 7.3  |
| nor disagree   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Disagree       | 17.3 | 22.4 | 24.6 | 18.6 | 15.6 | 11.2 | 14.6 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly       | 6.0  | 13.2 | 7.9  | 6.1  | 5.5  | 5.0  | 3.8  |
| disagree       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown        | 2.6  | 0.5  | 0.7  | 1.9  | 2.6  | 2.3  | 5.6  |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total          | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|                | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 2    | 184  | 307  | 795  | 469  | 389  | 539  |
| veterans†      | ,692 | ,300 | ,900 | ,200 | ,600 | ,600 | ,100 |
|                | ,200 |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
received service-connected disability compensation.

Approximately 51 percent of these veterans agreed that they thoroughly
understood the benefits to which they are entitled, while about 34
percent disagreed. Younger veterans were less likely than older veterans
to agree that they thoroughly understood their benefits.

It should be noted, however, that not all of these veterans actually
received service-connected disability compensation. Those who did not
receive this compensation, especially those who had not been through the
application process, may not have felt that they thoroughly understood
the benefits to which they were entitled. Table 7-10 presents the same
information as Table 7-9 based on only those veterans who indicated that
they received service-connected disability compensation. Of those
veterans, 62.5 percent agreed that they understood their benefits, while
23.3 percent disagreed. The age difference noted among all disabled
veterans is still apparent among veterans receiving service-connected
disability compensation. Among younger veterans who received
service-connected disability compensation, a substantial proportion
(35.6 percent among those less than 35 years of age and 32.5 percent
among those between 35-44 years of age) disagreed that they understood
their benefits, compared to about 16 percent of those in the 65-74 age
group, and 18.4 percent of those in the 75 and older age group.

# 7.2 Educational Programs

VBA education programs provide veterans with educational resources to
supplement opportunities missed because of military service. These
programs are also meant to help the armed forces and reserves to recruit
and retain members. For members of the armed forces, VA educational
benefits also assist in the adjustment to civilian life.[^17]

The provisions of VA-provided education programs have changed over the
years, which may have influenced veterans' use of educational benefits.
Because of these changes in benefits related to period of service, many
survey responses in this section are examined by period of service.
There have been five major education initiatives for veterans, including
the following:

-   In 1944, the Serviceman's Readjustment Act provided World War II
    (WWII) veterans with up to 4 years of education or training
    assistance, including tuition, books, fees, supplies, and a
    subsistence allowance.

-   In 1952, the Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, directed at
    Korean War veterans, reduced financial benefits and imposed new
    restrictions on veterans using the benefit. Veterans were permitted
    a maximum of 36 months of education/training and were expected to
    pay tuition costs out of subsistence allowances.

-   In 1966, the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act, provided Vietnam
    and Vietnam-era veterans one month (and later 1½ months) of
    educational benefits for each month of service.

-   In 1977, the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Act
    provided 2:1 matching funds to service members for their
    contributions to an education fund.

-   In 1984, the Veterans Educational Assistance Act, popularly known as
    the Montgomery GI Bill, provided educational assistance in exchange
    for completing 3 years of active duty or 2 years of active duty and
    4 years in the reserve. The service member was also required to
    contribute to an educational fund.[^18]

This section describes survey results on VA education benefit use,
barriers to use, and expectations for future benefit use.

**Education Benefit Use.** Respondents were asked whether they had
received any education or training benefits from VA. If so, they were
asked how they used their education benefit and how important their VA
education benefit had been in helping them to meet their education goals
or preparing them to get a better job. These results are displayed in
Tables 7-11 through 7-13.

Overall, 40.1 percent of veterans said they had used VA education or
training benefits since they left the military (Table 7-11). The
percentage of those reporting that they had used these benefits was
highest for those who served during the Vietnam era (49.2 percent) and
lowest for those who had served during the Gulf War (30.2 percent). The
proportion of veterans using education-training benefits among those who
served during the Gulf War will likely increase over the next few years
because veterans generally have up to ten years after their separation
to use their education-training benefits. (See Table 7-15 for
expectations about future use.)

Table 7-11. Percent distribution of veterans by education or training
benefits (other than vocational rehabilitation) and period of service

+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|            | T    | Wo  | Bet  | Ko   | Bet  | Vie  | Post | Gulf |
|            | otal | rld | ween | rean | ween | tnam | -Vie |      |
|            |      | War | W    | Conf | Ko   |      | tnam | War  |
|            |      | II  | orld | lict | rean | Era  | Era  |      |
|            |      |     | War  |      | Conf |      |      |      |
|            |      |     | II   |      | lict |      |      |      |
|            |      |     | and  |      | and  |      |      |      |
|            |      |     |      |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|            |      |     | K    |      | tnam |      |      |      |
|            |      |     | orea |      | Era  |      |      |      |
+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Received   | 40.1 | 4   | 38.0 | 42.1 | 37.1 | 49.2 | 34.7 | 30.2 |
| education  |      | 2.1 |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| or         |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| training   |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| benefits   |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Did not    | 59.5 | 5   | 61.7 | 57.7 | 62.3 | 50.4 | 65.1 | 69.5 |
| receive    |      | 7.1 |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| education  |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| or         |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| training   |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| benefits   |      |     |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown    | 0.4  | 0.8 | 0    | 0    | 0.6  | 0    | 0    | 0    |
|            |      |     | .3\* | .2\* |      | .4\* | .2\* | .3\* |
+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total      | 1    | 10  | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|            | 00.0 | 0.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of  | 25   | 5,1 | 1    | 4    | 6    | 9    | 7    | 3    |
| veterans†  | ,095 | 49, | ,680 | ,245 | ,426 | ,057 | ,005 | ,483 |
|            | ,000 | 100 | ,600 | ,600 | ,500 | ,200 | ,000 | ,600 |
+------------+------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

Among those who had used their educational and training benefits, most
veterans (60.5 percent) used their benefits for college or university
study (Table 7-12). Approximately 38 percent used their benefits for
business, technical, or vocational training, and 15.3 percent used them
for apprenticeship or on-job training programs. Based on these
responses, the proportions of veterans using these benefits for college
or university study or for business, technical and vocational training
appear to have steadily increased in more recent periods of service
while the percentage of veterans using the benefits for apprenticeship
or on-job training has decreased in more recent periods of service. This
trend may reflect changes in labor market education requirements.

Approximately 67 percent of veterans who had used VA educational and
training benefits indicated that these benefits were either extremely or
very important in helping them meet their educational or career goals
(Table 7-13). When veterans' responses were examined across period of
service, the percentage of veterans emphasizing the importance of these
benefits to achieving their goals steadily increased to a high of 80
percent among Gulf War veterans. This reflects enlistment incentives
promulgated in recent years, which have encouraged people to volunteer
by emphasizing the education benefits they can obtain through military
service.

Table 7-12. Percent distribution of veterans by use of education and
training benefit and period of service

+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
|               | To  | W    | B   | Ko   | B   | Vie  | Pos | G   |
|               | tal | orld | etw | rean | etw | tnam | t-V | ulf |
|               |     | War  | een | Conf | een |      | iet |     |
|               |     | II   | Wo  | lict | Kor | Era  | nam | War |
|               |     |      | rld |      | ean |      | Era |     |
|               |     |      | War |      | Co  |      |     |     |
|               |     |      | II  |      | nfl |      |     |     |
|               |     |      | and |      | ict |      |     |     |
|               |     |      | Ko  |      | and |      |     |     |
|               |     |      | rea |      | V   |      |     |     |
|               |     |      |     |      | iet |      |     |     |
|               |     |      |     |      | nam |      |     |     |
|               |     |      |     |      | Era |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| College or    | 6   | 51.3 | 5   | 55.5 | 5   | 63.8 | 6   | 7   |
| university    | 0.5 |      | 4.3 |      | 8.8 |      | 7.2 | 5.0 |
| coursework    |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| for bachelor  |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| or graduate   |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| degree        |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Busine        | 3   | 34.9 | 3   | 38.2 | 3   | 39.2 | 4   | 3   |
| ss/technical/ | 7.5 |      | 9.3 |      | 9.6 |      | 0.0 | 5.4 |
| vocational    |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| training for  |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| certificate/  |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| diploma       |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| A             | 1   | 22.2 | 1   | 15.3 | 1   | 14.5 | 1   | 1   |
| pprenticeship | 5.3 |      | 7.5 |      | 1.9 |      | 2.0 | 0.5 |
| or on-job     |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| training      |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| program       |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Took          | 9.6 | 8.8  | 9.8 | 8.3  | 1   | 11.4 | 7.4 | 6.9 |
| c             |     |      |     |      | 3.5 |      |     |     |
| orrespondence |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| courses       |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Flight        | 3.7 | 7.0  | 5.8 | 4.8  | 4.5 | 2.8  | 2.2 | 1.  |
| training      |     |      |     |      |     |      |     | 7\* |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Tutorial      | 8.6 | 8.7  | 6.2 | 9.0  | 9.3 | 8.5  | 8.1 | 7.0 |
| assistance,   |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| refresher     |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| courses, or   |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| deficiency    |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
| training      |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Teacher       | 2.5 | 2.1  | 2.3 | 1.8  | 2.1 | 2.6  | 3.3 | 2.  |
| certification |     |      |     |      |     |      |     | 3\* |
| program       |     |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Other         | 4.1 | 4.7  | 4.7 | 6.1  | 5.4 | 3.7  | 2.2 | 3.6 |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Unknown       | 0.5 | 0.8  | 0.  | 0    | 0.  | 0    | 0.  | 0.  |
|               |     |      | 4\* | .4\* | 7\* | .2\* | 3\* | 2\* |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+
| Number of     | 1   | 2    | 6   | 1    | 2,4 | 4    | 2,4 | 1,0 |
| veterans†     | 0,1 | ,207 | 43, | ,796 | 20, | ,494 | 45, | 60, |
|               | 78, | ,400 | 700 | ,700 | 600 | ,000 | 600 | 900 |
|               | 300 |      |     |      |     |      |     |     |
+---------------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service; percent
estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than
one use of education and training benefits.

NOTE: This question was asked of those who indicated they had received
any education or training benefits from the VA since they left the
military or who refused or did not know the answer to that question.

As discussed earlier, when looking at age differences (or period of
service differences) in responses, older veterans represent a select
group among these cohorts of veterans, the long-term survivors.
Interpretation of their responses must take into account that a higher
proportion of these cohorts have died. Had those missing veterans been
surveyed years ago, their responses may have been different from those
of the current respondent group. Moreover, these questions about the
impact of educational benefits on their lives ask older veterans to
recall feelings and facts from many years ago. Their responses may be
somewhat biased by the extended length of time between the events and
the current survey.

Table 7-13. Percent distribution of veterans by importance of education
and training benefits in meeting educational goals or preparing for
better job and period of service

+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|             | T    | W    | Bet  | Ko   | Bet  | Vie  | Post | Gulf |
|             | otal | orld | ween | rean | ween | tnam | -Vie |      |
|             |      | War  | W    | Conf | Ko   |      | tnam | War  |
|             |      | II   | orld | lict | rean | Era  | Era  |      |
|             |      |      | War  |      | Conf |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | II   |      | lict |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | and  |      | and  |      |      |      |
|             |      |      |      |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | K    |      | tnam |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | orea |      | Era  |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Extremely   | 37.4 | 33.4 | 36.2 | 35.1 | 32.3 | 36.9 | 44.5 | 55.0 |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Very        | 29.3 | 30.8 | 29.7 | 28.9 | 31.1 | 30.2 | 26.2 | 25.0 |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Moderately  | 14.4 | 14.1 | 12.4 | 14.0 | 16.2 | 14.3 | 14.0 | 11.0 |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Slightly    | 7.8  | 8.2  | 7.4  | 8.4  | 8.8  | 7.8  | 6.8  | 3.7  |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Not at all  | 10.4 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 12.8 | 10.5 | 10.3 | 7.5  | 4.6  |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown     | 0.7  | 1.0  | 0    | 0    | 1    | 0    | 1.0  | 0    |
|             |      |      | .8\* | .8\* | .1\* | .5\* |      | .7\* |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total       | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|             | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of   | 10   | 2    | 643  | 1    | 2    | 4    | 2    | 1    |
| veterans†   | ,178 | ,207 | ,700 | ,796 | ,420 | ,494 | ,445 | ,060 |
|             | ,300 | ,400 |      | ,700 | ,600 | ,000 | ,600 | ,900 |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This question was asked of those who indicated they had received
any education or training benefits from the VA since they left the
military or who refused or did not know the answer to that question.

**Understanding Education Benefits.** Respondents were asked how
strongly they agreed with a statement that they thoroughly understood VA
education and training benefits to which they were entitled. These
results are displayed in Table 7-14. Overall, about 47 percent of
eligible veterans agreed that they understand VA educational/training
benefits to which they were entitled.

Table 7-14. Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of
education and training benefits and period of service

  ------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------
                      Total        Vietnam Era  Post-Vietnam   Gulf War
                                                Era            

  Strongly agree      13.4         14.1         14.1           18.3

  Agree               33.5         33.1         29.7           30.6

  Neither agree nor   15.8         17.1         15.5           13.7
  disagree                                                     

  Disagree            20.0         20.5         21.7           21.1

  Strongly disagree   12.3         12.0         17.4           15.6

  Unknown             5.0          3.1          1.6            0.7

  Total               100.0        100.0        100.0          100.0

  Number of veterans† 23,246,700   8,614,600    6,192,500      3,134,700
  ------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who didn't believe they were entitled
to or eligible for education and training benefits. The "total" column
includes responses for all periods of service.

**Future Education Benefit Use.** In general, veterans are entitled to
use their education and training benefit for up to 10 years after
discharge from service. Veterans who had been discharged within the past
10 years were asked how likely they were to use these benefits in the
future. Veterans who said they were not at all likely to use their VA
education benefits were asked to state the main reasons why they were
not likely to do so. These results are displayed in Tables 7-15 and
7-16.

Table 7-15. Percent distribution of veterans by likelihood of using VA
benefits for education or training and period of service

  ------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------
                      Total        Vietnam Era  Post-Vietnam   Gulf War
                                                Era            

  Very likely         37.5         24.1         29.3           37.5

  Somewhat likely     25.7         26.9         27.5           25.7

  Not at all likely   35.6         47.8         42.2           35.6

  Unknown             1.2          1.2\*        1.0            1.2

  Total               100.0        100.0        100.0          100.0

  Number of veterans† 3,364,400    479,400      2,127,700      3,364,400
  ------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This question was only asked of veterans who were within 10 years
of their discharge or release date.

Among veterans who had been discharged within the last 10 years, 63.2
percent said that they are somewhat or very likely to use their
educational benefits in the future (Table 7-15). Not surprisingly, the
proportion was smallest among Vietnam Era veterans, and largest among
Gulf War veterans. Among those who said they were not at all likely to
use their benefits, the most common specific reason given for not using
these benefits was that they do not need education or training (26.3
percent). Nearly one in five veterans said they did not believe they
were entitled to these benefits (19.2 percent).

Table 7-16. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans will
not use VA educational or training benefits and period of service

  ------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------
                      Total        Vietnam Era  Post-Vietnam   Gulf War
                                                Era            

  Not aware of VA     12.0         3.1\*        10.7           12.0
  education or                                                 
  training benefits                                            

  Didn't believe      19.2         12.1         17.6           19.2
  entitled or                                                  
  eligible for                                                 
  education or                                                 
  training benefits                                            

  Did not know how to 1.9          0.1\*        1.9            1.9
  apply for education                                          
  or training                                                  
  benefits                                                     

  Did not need any    26.3         38.9         29.1           26.3
  education or                                                 
  training                                                     

  Did not need or     7.8          9.8          8.9            7.8
  want assistance                                              
  from VA                                                      

  Too much trouble or 3.6          1.4\*        3.0            3.6
  red tape                                                     

  Never considered    2.7          3.1\*        2.8            2.7
  getting any                                                  
  education or                                                 
  training from VA                                             

  Did not pay into    0.7\*        0.2\*        0.9\*          0.7\*
  training funds                                               
  during active duty                                           

  Other\*\*           38.1         39.1         37.9           38.1

  Unknown             0.8\*        0.4\*        0.8\*          0.8\*

  Number of veterans† 1,240,300    235,200      919,800        1,240,300
  ------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

\*\*Reasons for not applying for benefits was asked as an open-ended
question with ten pre-established categories for interviewer coding of
responses. When interviewers could not readily code responses into one
of the pre-established categories, responses were transcribed and coded
as "other." The "other" category contains a variety of responses,
including: already have a good job; no time for educational activities;
and not interested in getting more education. None of the themes in the
"other-specify" comments were frequent enough to permit analysis across
groups.

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one use of education and training benefits.

NOTE: This question was asked of those who were within 10 years of their
discharge or release date and who indicated that they were not at all
likely to use VA benefits for education or training or refused or didn't
know the answer to that question.

# 

# 7.3 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) helps
veterans with service-connected disabilities become employable in order
to obtain and maintain suitable employment. When the severity of
disability prohibits suitable employment, VR&E assists those veterans in
achieving independence in daily living. Additionally, VR&E provides
educational and vocational counseling for eligible service members,
veterans, and dependents.[^19]

Veterans responding to the section of questions concerning disabilities
also were asked whether they had ever used VA vocational rehabilitation
services. If they reported they had not used VA vocational
rehabilitation services, veterans then were asked the main reason why
they had not. Veterans who reported they had used VA vocational
rehabilitation services were asked how important these services were in
meeting their education goals or obtaining employment. Results for
veterans who report receiving service-connected disability compensation
are displayed in Tables 7-15 through 7-17. Analyses for this report were
restricted to this group because vocational rehabilitation services are
particularly relevant for this group of veterans.

About 1 in 5 veterans who reported receiving service-connected
disability compensation also reported that they received vocational
rehabilitation services from VA at some point (Table 7-17). The
proportion of veterans indicating that they had received vocational
rehabilitation services from VA varied by period of service. The lowest
proportion receiving VA vocational rehabilitation services were in
military service between the WWII and Korean Conflict eras (14.4
percent) and the largest proportions serving in the post-Vietnam Era
(24.6 percent) and during the Gulf War (23.2 percent).

Table 7-18 shows that, among veterans who said they had not received VA
vocational rehabilitation services from VA, the most common reason was,
not needing any financial assistance from VA (30.0 percent). About 1 out
of 8 veterans said that they had not received these services from VA
because they never considered applying (13.3 percent), while more than 1
in 10 said they did not because they didn\'t think their disability was
severe enough (11.4 percent). Veterans from earlier periods of service
were more likely to report that they had never considered applying than
were veterans serving in the later periods of service.

Table 7-17. Percent distribution of veterans by use of vocational
rehabilitation services from VA and period of service

+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|            | To  | W    | Bet  | Ko   | Bet  | Vie  | Post | Gulf |
|            | tal | orld | ween | rean | ween | tnam | -Vie |      |
|            |     | War  | W    | Conf | Ko   |      | tnam | War  |
|            |     | II   | orld | lict | rean | Era  | Era  |      |
|            |     |      | War  |      | Conf |      |      |      |
|            |     |      | II   |      | lict |      |      |      |
|            |     |      | and  |      | and  |      |      |      |
|            |     |      |      |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|            |     |      | K    |      | tnam |      |      |      |
|            |     |      | orea |      | Era  |      |      |      |
+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Yes        | 2   | 14.1 | 14.4 | 14.7 | 14.4 | 20.6 | 24.6 | 23.2 |
|            | 1.1 |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| No         | 7   | 84.5 | 85.0 | 84.7 | 85.2 | 79.1 | 75.0 | 76.5 |
|            | 8.3 |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown    | 0.6 | 1.4  | 0    | 0    | 0    | 0    | 0    | 0    |
|            |     |      | .6\* | .6\* | .4\* | .3\* | .4\* | .3\* |
+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total      | 10  | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|            | 0.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of  | 2,6 | 604  | 205  | 426  | 643  | 1    | 1    | 612  |
| veterans†  | 92, | ,800 | ,500 | ,000 | ,600 | ,327 | ,114 | ,700 |
|            | 200 |      |      |      |      | ,600 | ,400 |      |
+------------+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who reported that they
received service-connected disability compensation.

Table 7-18. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans have
not used any VA vocational rehabilitation services and period of service

+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
|                | To  | Wo  | B   | Kor | Bet  | V   | Pos | G   |
|                | tal | rld | etw | ean | ween | iet | t-V | ulf |
|                |     | War | een | Co  | Ko   | nam | iet |     |
|                |     | II  | Wo  | nfl | rean |     | nam | War |
|                |     |     | rld | ict | Conf | Era | Era |     |
|                |     |     | War |     | lict |     |     |     |
|                |     |     | II  |     | and  |     |     |     |
|                |     |     | and |     | Vie  |     |     |     |
|                |     |     |     |     | tnam |     |     |     |
|                |     |     | Ko  |     | Era  |     |     |     |
|                |     |     | rea |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Didn't think   | 1   | 1   | 1   | 1   | 9.9  | 1   | 1   | 1   |
| disability was | 1.4 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 1.3 |      | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.1 |
| severe enough  |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Didn't know    | 6.5 | 4.9 | 6.  | 4.4 | 4.3  | 6.3 | 6.6 | 8.2 |
| how to apply   |     |     | 4\* |     |      |     |     |     |
| for or get     |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| needed         |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| benefits       |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Didn't want    | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.  | 1.8 | 2.4  | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.  |
| financial      |     |     | 6\* |     |      |     |     | 0\* |
| assistance     |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| from VA        |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Didn't need    | 3   | 3   | 3   | 3   | 35.4 | 3   | 3   | 2   |
| financial      | 0.0 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 6.4 |      | 2.3 | 0.9 | 3.0 |
| assistance     |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| from VA        |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Applying was   | 3.7 | 4.1 | 6.1 | 4.9 | 4.2  | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| too much       |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| trouble or red |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| tape           |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Never          | 1   | 1   | 1   | 1   | 13.5 | 1   | 1   | 1   |
| considered     | 3.3 | 6.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 |      | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| applying       |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Got assistance | 2.9 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.3  | 3.0 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
| from somewhere |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| else           |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Got            | 4.0 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 5.0 | 4.4  | 4.3 | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| better/didn't  |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| need           |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| assistance any |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| more           |     |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Just had claim | 0.  | 0.  | 0.  | 0.  | 0    | 0.  | 0.  | 1.  |
| approved       | 6\* | 2\* | 4\* | 3\* | .6\* | 5\* | 3\* | 1\* |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Other\*\*      | 3   | 2   | 3   | 2   | 34.5 | 3   | 3   | 4   |
|                | 5.2 | 7.0 | 1.7 | 9.4 |      | 5.0 | 7.7 | 3.0 |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Unknown        | 3.4 | 5.4 | 3.  | 2.7 | 1.6  | 2.6 | 1.5 | 2.  |
|                |     |     | 2\* |     |      |     |     | 0\* |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Number of      | 2,1 | 5   | 1   | 3   | 548  | 1,0 | 8   | 4   |
| veterans†      | 07, | 10, | 74, | 61, | ,500 | 50, | 36, | 69, |
|                | 100 | 900 | 700 | 000 |      | 600 | 300 | 000 |
+----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

\*\*Reasons for not using vocational rehabilitation benefits was asked
as an open-ended question with nine pre-established categories for
interviewer coding of responses. When interviewers could not readily
code responses into one of the pre-established categories, responses
were transcribed and coded as "other." The "other" category contains a
variety of responses, including: issues related to age or disability;
denied benefits; not eligible for benefits; and lack of awareness of
benefits. None of the themes in the "other-specify" comments were
frequent enough to permit analysis across groups.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service; percent
estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than
one reason.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated that
they received service-connected disability compensation and had never
used vocational rehabilitation services from VA.

Interpretation of older veterans' responses must take into account that
many members of these cohorts are no longer alive. Had those missing
veterans been surveyed years ago, their responses may have been
different from the current respondent group. Moreover, these questions
ask older veterans to recall feelings and explanations from many years
ago. Their responses also may be somewhat biased by the extended length
of time between the events and the current survey.

Table 7-19 illustrates that overall, about 69 percent of veterans who
received VA vocational rehabilitation services said that these services
were extremely or very important in meeting their educational goals or
helping them get a job. The proportion of veterans reporting that these
services were extremely or very important increased in more recent
periods of service. It ranged from 61 percent for those who served
during World War II to just under 77 percent for those who served during
the Gulf War. Once again, period of service differences may reflect
actual differences in the importance of vocational rehabilitation, or it
may reflect memory bias or unique characteristics of the surviving
members of the older cohorts of veterans.

Table 7-19. Percent distribution of veterans by importance of vocational
rehabilitation services in meeting educational goals or obtaining
employment and period of service

+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|             | T    | W    | Bet  | Ko   | Bet  | Vie  | Post | Gulf |
|             | otal | orld | ween | rean | ween | tnam | -Vie |      |
|             |      | War  | W    | Conf | Ko   |      | tnam | War  |
|             |      | II   | orld | lict | rean | Era  | Era  |      |
|             |      |      | War  |      | Conf |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | II   |      | lict |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | and  |      | and  |      |      |      |
|             |      |      |      |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | K    |      | tnam |      |      |      |
|             |      |      | orea |      | Era  |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Extremely   | 41.7 | 23.9 | 31.6 | 36.2 | 40.1 | 38.8 | 49.4 | 54.0 |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Very        | 26.9 | 37.1 | 34.5 | 29.1 | 24.0 | 28.6 | 23.0 | 22.9 |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Moderately  | 10.7 | 11.2 | 9    | 12.9 | 9.1  | 10.0 | 11.7 | 11.9 |
| important   |      |      | .0\* |      |      |      |      |      |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Slightly    | 6.0  | 9.7  | 9    | 7.4  | 7.9  | 7.2  | 4.4  | 2    |
| important   |      |      | .8\* |      |      |      |      | .6\* |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Not at all  | 12.5 | 14.6 | 15.1 | 12.5 | 17.6 | 14.4 | 9.5  | 5    |
| important   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      | .4\* |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown     | 2.2  | 3    | 0.0  | 1    | 1    | 1    | 2    | 3    |
|             |      | .5\* |      | .9\* | .3\* | .0\* | .0\* | .2\* |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total       | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|             | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of   | 567  | 85   | 29   | 62   | 92   | 272  | 273  | 142  |
| veterans†   | ,600 | ,200 | ,600 | ,700 | ,800 | ,900 | ,900 | ,100 |
+-------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated that
they received service-connected disability compensation and had received
vocational rehabilitation services from VA.

# 7.4 Home Loan Guaranty Program

The Home Loan Guaranty Program provides housing credit assistance to
veterans and service persons with the objective of enabling entry into
the home-buying market. Assistance is provided through the Government's
partial guaranty of loans made by private lenders in lieu of the
substantial down payment and other investment safeguards required in
conventional mortgage transactions. Veterans' loans may be used to
purchase a home, to purchase a residential unit in certain condominium
projects, to build a home, to refinance an existing home loan, or to
improve a home by installing solar heating or other energy conservation
measures.[^20]

Respondents were asked whether they owned their current residence, and
whether they had received any home loans since they left the military.
Veterans who responded affirmatively were asked if they had used VA home
loan program to purchase a home, make home improvements, or refinance a
home loan. Veterans who had not used VA home loan program were asked the
main reasons why they did not. These results are displayed in Tables
7-20 -- 7-22.

Nearly 4 out of 5 veterans (78.1 percent) owned their current residence,
as Table 7-20 indicates. As might be expected, the percentage of home
ownership steadily increased from 44.8 percent in the youngest age
groups to 88 percent of those in the 65-74 age group and 85.5 percent of
those in the 75 and older age group.

Table 7-20. Percent distribution of veterans by current living quarters
and age

+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|             | Total | Less  | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65-74 | 75    |
|             |       | Than  |       |       |       |       | Years |
|             |       |       | Years | Years | Years | Years |       |
|             |       | 35    |       |       |       |       | or    |
|             |       | Years |       |       |       |       | Older |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Owned/being | 78.1  | 44.8  | 66.5  | 77.3  | 84.8  | 88.0  | 85.5  |
| bought by   |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| vet or      |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| someone in  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| vet's       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| household   |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Rented for  | 17.6  | 41.7  | 28.4  | 19.4  | 12.3  | 9.4   | 10.9  |
| cash        |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Occupied    | 3.8   | 13.1  | 4.8   | 2.9   | 2.3   | 2.2   | 3.0   |
| without     |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| payment of  |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
| cash rent   |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Unknown     | 0.5   | 0.4\* | 0.3\* | 0.4   | 0.6   | 0.4   | 0.6\* |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total       | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Number of   | 25,19 | 2,28  | 3,03  | 5,41  | 4,94  | 5,25  | 4,11  |
| veterans†   | 6,000 | 8,600 | 0,300 | 5,100 | 6,000 | 6,400 | 6,100 |
+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

Among those veterans who had ever gotten a loan to purchase a home, make
home improvements, or refinance a home loan, about 60 percent had used a
VA loan at some point. This proportion varied little by age group (Table
7-21).

Table 7-21. Percent distribution of veterans by use of loans obtained
through VA loan program and age

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | Than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | Y    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | 35   | Y    | Y    | Y    | Y    |      |
|                |      | Y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      | ears |      |      |      |      | O    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Purchase a     | 57.8 | 59.7 | 61.5 | 62.1 | 55.1 | 54.0 | 57.5 |
| home           |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Make home      | 1.1  | 0    | 0    | 1.0  | 1.3  | 1.3  | 1.4  |
| improvements   |      | .3\* | .1\* |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Refinance a    | 4.7  | 7.7  | 8.2  | 6.5  | 4.7  | 2.2  | 1.8  |
| home loan      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| No VA loan     | 40.7 | 40.3 | 38.0 | 36.3 | 43.5 | 44.3 | 40.4 |
| used           |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown        | 0.9  | 0.0  | 0    | 0.8  | 1.0  | 1    | 1.8  |
|                |      |      | .4\* |      |      | .0\* |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 14   | 840  | 1    | 3    | 3    | 3    | 2    |
| veterans†      | ,434 | ,200 | ,571 | ,412 | ,213 | ,080 | ,228 |
|                | ,000 |      | ,000 | ,800 | ,500 | ,700 | ,400 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one use.

NOTE: This question was asked only of those who responded that they had
gotten any loans to purchase a home, make home improvements, or
refinance a home loan or who refused or did not know the answer to this
question.

Table 7-22 displays the reasons veterans gave for not using a VA loan to
buy a home. About 1 in 5 respondents (19.3 percent) said lack of
awareness of the program was why they had not used a VA loan. This
varied little by age, with the exception of the under-35 age group,
where only about 12 percent gave this reason. The older age groups were
more likely than their younger counterparts to say that they did not
need or want loan assistance from VA. This ranged from a low of 7.7
percent in the under age 35 group to a high of 29.1 percent in the age
75 and older group of veterans. About 1 in 10 veteran homebuyers thought
that applying for a VA loan would be too much trouble or red tape. This
proportion was higher among the middle cohorts (12-15 percent) and lower
among the youngest and oldest cohorts (10 percent and 7-9 percent,
respectively).

Table 7-22. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons veterans did not
use VA loan program and age

+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                | T    | Less | 3    | 4    | 5    | 6    | 75   |
|                | otal | Than | 5-44 | 5-54 | 5-64 | 5-74 | Y    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | ears |
|                |      | 35   | Y    | Y    | Y    | Y    |      |
|                |      | Y    | ears | ears | ears | ears | or   |
|                |      | ears |      |      |      |      | O    |
|                |      |      |      |      |      |      | lder |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Not aware of   | 19.3 | 12.5 | 16.4 | 17.5 | 22.7 | 19.0 | 21.1 |
| VA loan        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| program        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks not     | 11.3 | 7.4  | 16.7 | 9.7  | 15.9 | 10.4 | 5.9  |
| eligible for   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| VA loan        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Did not know   | 4.4  | 6    | 6.4  | 5.5  | 4.8  | 3.3  | 2.3  |
| how to apply   |      | .0\* |      |      |      |      |      |
| for a loan     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Did not need   | 18.6 | 7.7  | 10.5 | 12.9 | 18.2 | 23.2 | 29.1 |
| or want loan   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| assistance     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| from VA        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks         | 10.8 | 10.0 | 11.7 | 14.7 | 11.5 | 9.1  | 6.9  |
| applying for   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| VA loan too    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| much trouble   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| or red tape    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Never          | 10.7 | 5    | 5.4  | 10.1 | 11.0 | 12.5 | 14.2 |
| considered     |      | .6\* |      |      |      |      |      |
| getting a loan |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| from VA        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks amount  | 1.9  | 3    | 4.8  | 1.7  | 2.3  | 0    | 0    |
| needed larger  |      | .5\* |      |      |      | .9\* | .3\* |
| than VA        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| maximum        |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks VA      | 1.2  | 0    | 3.8  | 1    | 1.4  | 0    | 0    |
| inspection or  |      | .9\* |      | .0\* |      | .7\* | .2\* |
| appraisal      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| requirements   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| too stringent  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks VA      | 3.4  | 5.9  | 4.1  | 5.6  | 3.1  | 2.0  | 1    |
| funding fee    |      |      |      |      |      |      | .3\* |
| too high       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks other   | 2.6  | 6.0  | 2    | 3.3  | 3.6  | 1    | 0    |
| fees or costs  |      |      | .2\* |      |      | .4\* | .7\* |
| too high       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| (e.g., closing |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| costs)         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks no      | 0    | 1    | 0    | 0    | 0    | 0    | 0    |
| adjustable     | .4\* | .2\* | .5\* | .2\* | .6\* | .1\* | .1\* |
| rates          |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| available      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks seller  | 1.2  | 0    | 1    | 1.5  | 1.9  | 0    | 0    |
| would not sell |      | .7\* | .0\* |      |      | .7\* | .5\* |
| if used VA     |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| loan           |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Thinks         | 1.8  | 2    | 3    | 1.7  | 1.8  | 1.5  | 0    |
| wouldn't       |      | .5\* | .7\* |      |      |      | .7\* |
| qualify for VA |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| loan           |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Applied but    | 2.1  | 4    | 2    | 2.4  | 1    | 1.9  | 2.1  |
| not approved   |      | .2\* | .1\* |      | .1\* |      |      |
| for VA loan    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Other\*\*      | 27.1 | 39.4 | 32.7 | 30.4 | 22.5 | 25.2 | 23.6 |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown        | 3.3  | 2    | 2    | 1.6  | 3.2  | 4.2  | 5.7  |
|                |      | .5\* | .3\* |      |      |      |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of      | 5    | 338  | 597  | 1    | 1    | 1    | 899  |
| veterans†      | ,879 | ,800 | ,400 | ,239 | ,397 | ,365 | ,400 |
|                | ,000 |      |      | ,400 | ,200 | ,900 |      |
+----------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

\*\*Reasons for not using a VA loan was asked as an open-ended question
with ten pre-established categories for interviewer coding of responses.
When interviewers could not readily code responses into one of the
pre-established categories, responses were transcribed and coded as
"other." The "other" category contains a variety of responses,
including: assumed an existing loan; could get better rates with a
commercial loan; and loan process took too long. None of the themes in
the "other-specify" comments were frequent enough to permit analysis
across groups.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one reason.

NOTE: This question was asked of those who indicated they had not used
the VA loan program to purchase a home, make home improvements, or
refinance a home loan.

# 7.5 Life Insurance Program

Government life insurance programs were created to provide life
insurance at a "standard" premium rate to members of the armed forces
who are exposed to the extra hazards of military service, especially the
deadly hazards of war. Few commercial insurance companies offer
insurance that includes coverage against death while in the armed
forces. Those that do offer such policies charge a high premium because
of the additional risk. Members leaving the armed forces are eligible to
maintain their government insurance through VA following discharge. In
general, new life insurance programs were created for each wartime
period after World War I[^21], so this discussion includes comparisons
by period of service.

Respondents were asked whether they were currently covered by VA life
insurance, and whether they had any other life insurance. If they were
not covered by VA life insurance, respondents were asked what were the
main reasons they were not. All respondents were asked how much they
agreed with the statement that they understood VA life insurance
benefits to which they are entitled. These results are displayed in
Table 7-23 -- 7-24.

Only 10.8 percent of all respondents said they were covered by VA life
insurance. This proportion varies substantially by period of service,
however. Veterans from the three earliest service periods are more
likely to have VA life insurance (21.0-27.2 percent) compared to
veterans from the later service periods (5.7-12.9 percent).

Table 7-23. Percent distribution of veterans by life insurance from VA
and period of service

+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|            | T    | W    | Bet  | Ko   | Bet  | Vie  | Post | Gulf |
|            | otal | orld | ween | rean | ween | tnam | -Vie |      |
|            |      | War  | W    | Conf | Ko   |      | tnam | War  |
|            |      | II   | orld | lict | rean | Era  | Era  |      |
|            |      |      | War  |      | Conf |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | II   |      | lict |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | and  |      | and  |      |      |      |
|            |      |      |      |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | K    |      | tnam |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | orea |      | Era  |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Has life   | 10.8 | 23.5 | 27.2 | 21.0 | 8.1  | 5.7  | 8.1  | 12.9 |
| insurance  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| from VA    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Does not   | 86.5 | 74.7 | 71.4 | 77.5 | 89.7 | 91.2 | 88.0 | 83.3 |
| have life  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| insurance  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| from VA    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown    | 2.7  | 1.8  | 1.4  | 1.5  | 2.2  | 3.1  | 4.0  | 3.8  |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total      | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|            | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of  | 25   | 5    | 1    | 4    | 6    | 9    | 7    | 3    |
| veterans†  | ,095 | ,149 | ,680 | ,245 | ,426 | ,057 | ,005 | ,483 |
|            | ,000 | ,100 | ,600 | ,600 | ,500 | ,200 | ,000 | ,600 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

About 75 percent of veterans had life insurance coverage from another
source than VA. This proportion did not vary much by service period, as
Table 7-24 illustrates.

Table 7-24. Percent distribution of veterans by life insurance from
other sources and period of service

+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|            | T    | W    | Bet  | Ko   | Bet  | Vie  | Post | Gulf |
|            | otal | orld | ween | rean | ween | tnam | -Vie |      |
|            |      | War  | W    | Conf | Ko   |      | tnam | War  |
|            |      | II   | orld | lict | rean | Era  | Era  |      |
|            |      |      | War  |      | Conf |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | II   |      | lict |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | and  |      | and  |      |      |      |
|            |      |      |      |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | K    |      | tnam |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | orea |      | Era  |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Has life   | 75.0 | 68.6 | 71.7 | 73.4 | 78.3 | 80.3 | 77.1 | 70.1 |
| insurance  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| from       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| sources    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| other than |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| VA         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Does not   | 24.3 | 30.4 | 27.4 | 25.8 | 21.1 | 19.1 | 22.3 | 29.3 |
| have life  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| insurance  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| from       |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| sources    |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| other than |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| VA         |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown    | 0.7  | 1.0  | 0    | 0.8  | 0.6  | 0.6  | 0.6  | 0    |
|            |      |      | .9\* |      |      |      |      | .6\* |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total      | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|            | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of  | 25   | 5    | 1    | 4    | 6    | 9    | 7    | 3    |
| veterans†  | ,095 | ,149 | ,680 | ,245 | ,426 | ,057 | ,005 | ,483 |
|            | ,000 | ,100 | ,600 | ,600 | ,500 | ,200 | ,000 | ,600 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

Table 7-25 displays reasons veterans gave for why they did not have VA
life insurance. Among veterans without VA life insurance, the largest
proportion said they did not have VA life insurance because they were
not aware of VA insurance benefits (34.6 percent). Veterans who served
during WWII and between WWII and the Korean Conflict were least likely
to say they were not aware of VA life insurance benefits (17.1 percent
and 18.1 percent, respectively), while about twice as many of those
serving after the Korean Conflict gave this reason.

The second-most common reason among all veterans (13.0 percent) was that
they didn't believe they were eligible for VA life insurance benefits.
Proportionately more veterans who served in recent service periods said
they did not believe they were eligible, compared to veterans who served
in earlier periods. Among veterans who served from WWII to the Korean
Conflict, another common reason was allowing their policy to lapse
(15.1-20.9 percent). Among those who served after the Korean Conflict,
the proportion giving this reason was much lower (about 6 percent of
each service period group).

Table 7-25. Percent distribution of veterans by reasons for not having
VA life insurance coverage and period of service

+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
|              | T    | Dur | B   | Dur | Bet  | Dur | Pos | G   |
|              | otal | ing | etw | ing | ween | ing | t-V | ulf |
|              |      | Wo  | een | the | the  | the | iet |     |
|              |      | rld | Wo  | Kor | Ko   | V   | nam | War |
|              |      | War | rld | ean | rean | iet | Era |     |
|              |      | II  | War | Co  | Conf | nam |     |     |
|              |      |     | II  | nfl | lict |     |     |     |
|              |      |     | and | ict | and  | Era |     |     |
|              |      |     |     |     | Vie  |     |     |     |
|              |      |     | Ko  |     | tnam |     |     |     |
|              |      |     | rea |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Not aware of | 34.6 | 1   | 1   | 2   | 39.7 | 4   | 3   | 3   |
| VA insurance |      | 7.1 | 8.1 | 4.7 |      | 1.7 | 9.0 | 2.4 |
| benefits     |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Didn't       | 12.8 | 6.0 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 15.2 | 1   | 1   | 1   |
| believe      |      |     |     |     |      | 3.0 | 5.4 | 1.0 |
| entitled or  |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| eligible     |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Did not know | 3.4  | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.7  | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| how to apply |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| for benefits |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Did not need | 9.1  | 1   | 1   | 1   | 9.1  | 9.1 | 8.1 | 9.1 |
| any          |      | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 |      |     |     |     |
| insurance    |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Did not need | 3.7  | 5.4 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 3.7  | 3.1 | 2.8 | 4.0 |
| or want      |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| assistance   |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| from the VA  |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Too much     | 0.8  | 0.9 | 0.  | 0.6 | 0.5  | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| trouble or   |      |     | 2\* |     |      |     |     |     |
| red tape     |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Never        | 6.8  | 6.4 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.7  | 7.0 | 5.6 | 5.7 |
| considered   |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| getting any  |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| insurance    |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| from the VA  |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Elected to   | 0.7  | 1.2 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 0.8  | 0.3 | 0.  | 0.  |
| forgo        |      |     |     |     |      |     | 6\* | 6\* |
| coverage     |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| while on     |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| active duty  |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Never        | 7.8  | 1   | 1   | 1   | 6.2  | 6.8 | 6.1 | 6.8 |
| converted    |      | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 |      |     |     |     |
| active duty  |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| life         |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| insurance    |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| policy to    |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| veterans     |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
| policy       |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Allowed      | 9.6  | 2   | 1   | 1   | 6.2  | 6.3 | 6.3 | 5.6 |
| policy to    |      | 0.9 | 6.6 | 5.1 |      |     |     |     |
| lapse        |      |     |     |     |      |     |     |     |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Other\*\*    | 25.3 | 2   | 2   | 2   | 22.4 | 2   | 2   | 3   |
|              |      | 8.3 | 7.3 | 7.3 |      | 4.4 | 7.5 | 4.1 |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Unknown      | 4.1  | 5.9 | 8.3 | 5.5 | 3.9  | 3.1 | 3.7 | 3.4 |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+
| Number of    | 21   | 3,8 | 1,1 | 3,2 | 5    | 8,2 | 6,1 | 2,9 |
| veterans†    | ,695 | 47, | 99, | 92, | ,762 | 54, | 61, | 03, |
|              | ,100 | 700 | 700 | 900 | ,100 | 800 | 400 | 100 |
+--------------+------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

\*\*Reasons for not having VA life insurance was asked as an open-ended
question with ten pre-established categories for interviewer coding of
responses. When interviewers could not readily code responses into one
of the pre-established categories, responses were transcribed and coded
as "other." The "other" category contains a variety of responses,
including: already covered or converted to private insurance; cost; and
not having any insurance. None of the themes in the "other-specify"
comments were frequent enough to permit analysis across groups.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service; percent
estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate more than
one reason.

NOTE: This question was asked only of those who indicated they are not
currently covered by life insurance from the VA; also, this table
excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from the National
Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

**Understanding VA Life Insurance Benefits.** As Table 7-26 displays,
only about 1 in 4 veterans agreed that they thoroughly understood VA
life insurance benefits to which they are entitled. Compared to their
later-serving counterparts, veterans from earlier service periods were
more likely to agree that they thoroughly understood VA life insurance
benefits to which they are entitled.

Table 7-26. Percent distribution of veterans by understanding of life
insurance benefits and period of service

+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
|            | T    | Du   | Bet  | Du   | Bet  | Du   | Post | Gulf |
|            | otal | ring | ween | ring | ween | ring | -Vie |      |
|            |      | W    | W    | the  | the  | the  | tnam | War  |
|            |      | orld | orld | Ko   | Ko   | Vie  | Era  |      |
|            |      | War  | War  | rean | rean | tnam |      |      |
|            |      | II   | II   | Conf | Conf |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | and  | lict | lict | Era  |      |      |
|            |      |      |      |      | and  |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | K    |      | Vie  |      |      |      |
|            |      |      | orea |      | tnam |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly   | 5.3  | 8.8  | 10.1 | 8.2  | 4.3  | 3.8  | 4.6  | 6.9  |
| agree      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Agree      | 18.0 | 29.7 | 29.1 | 27.5 | 14.8 | 12.0 | 13.5 | 20.0 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Neither    | 15.1 | 15.0 | 13.5 | 13.9 | 15.5 | 15.2 | 15.9 | 15.3 |
| agree nor  |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
| disagree   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Disagree   | 27.3 | 22.5 | 22.6 | 23.6 | 27.7 | 29.3 | 29.1 | 27.8 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Strongly   | 25.4 | 8.9  | 10.6 | 15.7 | 26.4 | 32.4 | 32.8 | 27.7 |
| disagree   |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |      |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Unknown    | 8.9  | 15.1 | 14.1 | 11.1 | 11.3 | 7.3  | 4.1  | 2.3  |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Total      | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    | 1    |
|            | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Number of  | 25   | 5    | 1    | 4    | 6    | 9    | 7    | 3    |
| veterans†  | ,095 | ,149 | ,680 | ,245 | ,426 | ,057 | ,005 | ,483 |
|            | ,000 | ,100 | ,600 | ,600 | ,500 | ,200 | ,000 | ,600 |
+------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is smaller than the sum of the groups because
veterans could indicate more than one period of service.

NOTE: This table excludes veterans who received a medical discharge from
the National Guard or Reserves but never served on active duty.

8\. BURIAL BENEFITS

VA's National Cemetery Administration's memorial-related programs honor
veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that
commemorate their service to our Nation. Veteran burial benefits include
a gravesite in any of the national cemeteries that have space available,
opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care of the gravesite, a
government headstone or marker, a grave liner for casketed remains, a
burial flag[^22], and a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to
the family.

As of September 30, 2002, the National Cemetery Administration
maintained more than 2.5 million gravesites at 120 national cemeteries
in 39 states and Puerto Rico as well as 33 soldier's lots and monument
sites. In addition, more than 325,000 full-casket gravesites, 68,000
in-ground gravesites for cremated remains, and 35,900 columbarium niches
are currently available. Approximately 13,900 acres of land lie within
established National Cemetery Administration installations. Just over
half are undeveloped and have the potential to provide more than 3.4
million gravesites.

In FY 2002, the National Cemetery Administration provided for more than
89,000 interments, and supplied more than 348,000 headstones and
markers. In addition approximately 289,000 Presidential Memorial
Certificates were delivered to the family members, friends, and loved
ones of deceased veterans.

This chapter describes NSV results related to VA burial benefits. This
module of the survey contained nine items. These nine items asked the
veteran whether he or she had heard of specific burial benefit programs
(VA headstones and markers, burial in a National or State Veterans'
Cemetery, Presidential Memorial Certificates for next of kin), and
collected information on veteran burial plans and preferences. These
items also collected veteran reasons for wanting/not wanting to be
buried in a veterans' cemetery, and asked whether the veteran intended
to use a VA-provided headstone or marker. Similar to other survey
modules the "Burial Benefits" module collected information on how well
the veteran understood VA burial benefits and how difficult the veteran
thought it would be to obtain information about these benefits.

# 8.1 Veteran Awareness of Burial Benefit Entitlements

Table 8-1 summarizes veteran awareness of the three VA burial benefits.
The program for which veterans indicate the most awareness is burial in
a national or state Veterans' Cemetery, followed by VA headstones and
burial markers in private cemeteries, and Presidential Memorial
Certificates for next of kin of deceased veterans.

Table 8-1. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of
veteran burial benefits

  ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
                                                    Total

  Burial in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery  58.8

  VA headstones and burial markers in private       44.2
  cemeteries                                        

  Presidential Memorial Certificates for next of    13.3
  kin of deceased veterans                          

  Number of veterans†                               25,196,000
  ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one benefit.

Tables 8-2 through 8-4 provide data on veteran awareness of VA burial
programs by gender, ethnicity and race. This ordering of awareness
remains the same regardless of veteran gender, ethnicity, or race.

Table 8-2. Percent distribution of veterans by awareness of VA Memorial
Affairs programs and gender

  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
                                     Total        Males        Females

  Burial in a national or state      58.8         58.5         63.4
  Veterans' Cemetery                                           

  VA headstones and burial markers   44.2         44.1         46.0
  in private cemeteries                                        

  Presidential Memorial Certificates 13.3         13.2         14.4
  for next-of-kin of deceased                                  
  veterans                                                     

  Number of veterans†                25,196,000   23,712,400   1,483,600
  ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one benefit.

Table 8-3. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of
veteran burial benefits and race

  -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- ------- -------------- --------- ----
                              One race                                                                       Two or                           
                                                                                                             more                             
                                                                                                             races                            

                 Total        Total\       White        Black or\   American   Asian    Native     Total\            American       Race      
                              one race                  African     Indian or           Hawaiian   two or\           Indian or      unknown   
                                                        American    Alaska              or Other   more              Alaska                   
                                                                    Native              Pacific    races             Native/White             
                                                                                        Islander                                              

  VA headstones  44.2         44.4         44.7         42.4        39.0       38.8     40.8\*     44.5              43.5           38.8      
  and burial                                                                                                                                  
  markers in                                                                                                                                  
  private                                                                                                                                     
  cemeteries                                                                                                                                  

  Burial in a    58.8         58.8         59.2         56.7        45.7       55.0     58.1\*     59.8              59.1           57.1      
  national or                                                                                                                                 
  state Veterans                                                                                                                              
  Cemetery                                                                                                                                    

  Presidential   13.3         13.2         12.8         16.3        16.2       17.9     14.1\*     15.8              12.3           13.6      
  Memorial                                                                                                                                    
  Certificates                                                                                                                                
  for next of                                                                                                                                 
  kin of                                                                                                                                      
  deceased                                                                                                                                    
  veterans                                                                                                                                    

  Number of      25,196,000   23,857,100   21,370,900   2,216,600   159,900    73,200   36,500     557,500           360,800        781,400   
  veterans†                                                                                                                                   
  -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- ------- -------------- --------- ----

\*Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one benefit.

Table 8-4. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of
veteran burial benefits and ethnicity

  ----------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ------------
                                      Total        Spanish,    Not Spanish,
                                                   Hispanic,   Hispanic, or
                                                   or Latino   Latino

  Burial in a national or state       58.8         56.8        58.8
  Veterans Cemetery                                            

  VA headstones and burial markers in 44.2         36.1        44.6
  private cemeteries                                           

  Presidential Memorial Certificates  13.3         13.5        13.3
  for next-of-kin of deceased                                  
  veterans                                                     

  Number of veterans†                 25,196,000   1,122,200   23,990,200
  ----------------------------------- ------------ ----------- ------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their Ethnicity; percent estimates will not sum
to 100 because veterans could indicate more than one benefit.

Table 8-5 summarizes veteran awareness of VA burial programs by age. A
greater percentage of older veterans than younger veterans indicate an
awareness of burial in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery, and VA
headstones and burial markers in private cemeteries.

Table 8-5. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran awareness of
veteran burial benefits and age

  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                    Total        Less than   35 - 44     45 - 54     55 - 64     65 - 74     75 years or
                                 35 years    years       years       years       years       older

  Burial in a       58.8         47.2        52.1        58.9        58.9        62.9        64.7
  national or state                                                                          
  Veterans'                                                                                  
  Cemetery                                                                                   

  VA headstones and 44.2         29.9        35.6        43.0        40.9        50.6        55.7
  burial markers in                                                                          
  private                                                                                    
  cemeteries                                                                                 

  Presidential      13.3         13.2        13.4        12.5        11.4        14.6        15.0
  Memorial                                                                                   
  Certificates for                                                                           
  next of kin of                                                                             
  deceased veterans                                                                          

  Number of         25,196,000   2,288,600   3,030,300   5,415,100   4,946,000   5,256,400   4,116,100
  veterans†                                                                                  
  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age; percent estimates will not sum to
100 because veterans could indicate more than one benefit.

# 8.2 Veteran Burial Plans

The survey also asked veterans about their burial plans in terms of the
type of burial (i.e., in-ground casket burial, cremation, or some other
plan). Table 8-6 summarizes veteran burial plans in terms of all
veterans as well as by gender. In general, at a rate of approximately 2
to 1 over cremation, most veterans indicate plans for an in-ground
casket burial. About 7 percent of veterans remain undecided about their
burial plans, and nearly 3 percent indicated that they have made other
plans.

Table 8-6. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and
gender

  ------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
                                  Total         Males         Females

  In-ground casket burial         59.8          60.2          53.0

  Cremation                       30.3          29.8          38.5

  Undecided                       6.6           6.7           5.1

  Some other plan                 2.7           2.7           2.7

  Unknown                         0.6           0.6           0.7\*

  Total                           100.0         100.0         100.0

  Number of veterans†             25,196,000    23,712,400    1,483,600
  ------------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

When comparing male veterans to female veterans, a slightly higher
percentage of male veterans indicate plans for an in-ground casket
burial than female veterans. A slightly higher percentage of female
veterans indicate plans for cremation than male veterans.

Table 8-7 examines veteran burial plans by race. Except for Asian
veterans, the general veteran preference is for an in-ground casket
burial. Black/African American veterans indicated plans for an in-ground
casket burial at a rate of approximately 5.6 to 1 over cremation. About
an equal number of Asian veterans indicated an in-ground casket burial
as indicated cremation. When compared to the other racial groups, a
higher percentage of Asian veterans indicated that they are presently
undecided about their burial plans.

Table 8-8 summarizes veteran burial plans by ethnicity. Spanish,
Hispanic, or Latino veterans indicated plans for an in-ground casket
burial at a rate of about 2.6 to 1 over cremation. This rate is slightly
higher than that of non-Spanish, Hispanic or Latino veterans who
indicated plans for an in-ground casket burial at a rate of about 2 to 1
over cremation

Veteran burial plans by age group are summarized in Table 8-9. Veteran
age and burial plans do not appear to be strongly correlated.

Table 8-7. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and
race

  ----------- ------------ ------------ -------- ------------ ------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------- ------- -------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- -------------- --------- ---------
                                        One race                                                                                                                 Two or                                      
                                                                                                                                                                 more                                        
                                                                                                                                                                 races                                       

              Total                     Total\                White               Black or\            American            Asian            Native               Total\             American                 Race
                                        one race                                  African              Indian or                            Hawaiian             two or\            Indian or                unknown
                                                                                  American             Alaska                               or Other             more               Alaska                   
                                                                                                       Native                               Pacific              races              Native/White             
                                                                                                                                            Islander                                                         

  In-ground   59.8         59.8                  57.9                 78.0                   57.3                 39.7             64.7\*              52.5               48.7                     65.4      
  casket                                                                                                                                                                                                     
  burial                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  Cremation   30.3         30.6                  32.2                 13.8                   35.9                 44.9             25.2\*              35.3               38.9                     19.9      

  Undecided   6.6          6.4                   6.5                  6.0                    4.6\*                13.3\*           7.2\*               6.6                7.4                      9.9       

  Some other  2.7          2.6                   2.8                  1.6                    2.2\*                1.0\*            2.9\*               4.6                4.4                      2.8       
  plan                                                                                                                                                                                                       

  Unknown     0.6          0.6                   0.6                  0.6\*                  0.0                  1.1\*            0.0\*               1.0\*              0.6\*                    2.0\*     

  Total       100.0        100.0                 100.0                100.0                  100.0                100.0            100.0               100.0              100.0                    100.0     

  Number of   25,196,000   23,857,100            21,370,900           2,216,600              159,900              73,200           36,500              557,500            360,800                  781,400   
  veterans†                                                                                                                                                                                                  
  ----------- ------------ ------------ -------- ------------ ------- ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------- ------- -------- ---------- --------- -------- --------- -------------- --------- ---------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Table 8-8. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and
ethnicity

  ------------------------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
                                 Total         Spanish,      Not Spanish,
                                               Hispanic or   Hispanic or
                                               Latino        Latino

  In-ground casket burial        59.8          63.3          59.6

  Cremation                      30.3          24.2          30.7

  Undecided                      6.6           9.1           6.4

  Some other plan                2.7           2.7\*         2.7

  Unknown                        0.6           0.7\*         0.6

  Total                          100.0         100.0         100.0

  Number of veterans†            25,196,000    1,122,200     23,990,200
  ------------------------------ ------------- ------------- -------------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their Ethnicity.

Table 8-9. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran burial plans and
age group

  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                    Total        Less than   35 - 44     45 - 54     55 - 64     65 - 74     75 years or
                                 35 years    years       years       years       years       older

  In-ground casket  59.8         62.8        57.8        58.0        56.7        62.9        61.7
  burial                                                                                     

  Cremation         30.3         26.7        31.2        32.6        33.4        27.6        28.8

  Undecided         6.6          7.3         7.5         6.5         7.4         5.8         5.3

  Some other plan   2.7          2.3         2.8         2.2         2.1         3.1         3.5

  Unknown           0.6          0.9\*       0.7         0.7         0.4\*       0.6         0.7

  Total             100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of         25,196,000   2,288,600   3,030,300   5,415,100   4,946,000   5,256,400   4,116,100
  veterans†                                                                                  
  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

\* Low precision and/or sample size for the denominator between 30 and
59.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

## 8.2.1 Disposition of Cremated Remains for Veterans Indicating Cremation as a Burial Plan

Those veterans who indicated cremation as a burial plan were also asked
what they planned to have done with their cremated remains (i.e., placed
in a columbarium, buried, scattered, or something else). Table 8-10
indicates that nearly two-thirds of these veterans said that they
planned to have their cremated remains scattered. This finding is true
of male veterans as well as female veterans.

Table 8-10. Percent distribution of veterans by disposition of cremated
remains and gender for veterans indicating cremation as a burial plan

  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
                          Total           Males           Females

  Placed in a Columbarium 7.4             7.7             5.7

  Buried                  18.8            18.9            18.4

  Scattered               64.7            64.6            65.7

  Some Other Arrangement  9.0             8.9             10.2

  Total                   100.0           100.0           100.0

  Number of veterans†     7,803,200       7,222,300       580,900
  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Table 8-11 indicates that a greater percentage of younger veterans than
older veterans plan to have cremation cremated remains scattered.

Table 8-11. Percent distribution of veterans by disposition of cremated
remains and age for veterans indicating cremation as a burial plan

  ----------------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                    Total       Less than 35 - 44   45 - 54     55 - 64     65 - 74     75 Years or
                                35 Years  Years     Years       Years       Years       Older

  Placed in a       7.5         2.5       7.0       6.5         6.0         10.0        11.3
  columbarium                                                                           

  Buried            18.8        6.0       10.5      13.0        18.4        23.4        36.7

  Scattered         64.7        84.0      72.3      72.6        67.3        55.7        43.5

  Some other        9.0         7.5       10.2      7.9         8.3         10.9        8.5
  arrangement                                                                           

  Total             100.0       100.0     100.0     100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of         7,803,200   628,000   965,800   1,802,000   1,650,600   1,481,500   1,214,400
  veterans†                                                                             
  ----------------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred;
the total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans did not provide their age.

## 8.2.2 Burial in a National or State Veterans' Cemetery

The survey included the question, "Do you think you will be buried in
either a national or state Veterans' Cemetery?" Table 8-12 tabulates
responses for all veterans and includes information in terms of those
veterans who indicated that they were aware of this burial benefit and
those who were not.

Table 8-12. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for burial
in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery and veteran awareness of
burial benefit

  ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
                     All veterans      Veterans aware    Veterans not
                                       of\               aware of burial
                                       burial benefit    benefit

  Yes                14.1              18.7              7.4

  No                 55.3              52.8              59.0

  Undecided          10.0              8.5               12.0

  N/A                20.6              20.0              21.6

  Total              100.0             100.0             100.0

  Number of          25,196,000        14,812,500        10,272,300
  veterans†                                              
  ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: N/A are Veterans who have indicated cremation and that cremated
remains will NOT be buried or placed in a columbarium

About 14 percent of all veterans reported that they plan to be buried in
either a national or state Veterans' Cemetery. Veterans who are aware of
this burial program are about 2.5 times more likely to indicate plans to
be buried in either a national or state Veterans' Cemetery than are
veterans who are not aware of this program. This may indicate the
effectiveness of VA information and awareness programs on burial plans.

When veterans who are planning cremation and indicating plans to have
their cremated remains scattered are removed from the analysis, the
percentage of veterans planning burial in either a national or state
Veterans' Cemetery increases to nearly 18 percent (Table 8-13).

Table 8-13. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for burial
in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery and veteran awareness of
burial benefits for veterans not planning to have their cremated remains
scattered

+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
|                 | All veterans   | Veterans aware | Veterans not   |
|                 |                | of             | aware of       |
|                 |                |                | burial         |
|                 |                | burial         | benefits       |
|                 |                | benefits\*     |                |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Yes             | 17.7           | 23.4           | 9.4            |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| No              | 69.7           | 66.0           | 75.3           |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Undecided       | 12.6           | 10.6           | 15.3           |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Total           | 100.0          | 100.0          | 100.0          |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Number of       | 20,001,200     | 11,852,700     | 8,056,500      |
| veterans†       |                |                |                |
+-----------------+----------------+----------------+----------------+

\* Veterans indicating an awareness of at least one of the three burial
benefits

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
were not planning to have their cremated remains scattered after
cremation.

**Reasons for Wanting/Not Wanting to be Buried in a National or State
Veterans' Cemetery.** As a follow-up to the question, "Do you think you
will be buried in either a national or state Veterans' Cemetery,"
veterans responding with a "Yes" or a "No" are asked to clarify their
response by giving the main reasons for their answer. Veterans were able
to provide an unprompted free response to this question, and multiple
reasons were permitted. These responses were recorded in several
pre-established categorical responses for each item.

**Reasons for Wanting to be Buried in a National or State Veterans'
Cemetery.** Table 8-14 provides the tabulations of reasons provided by
veterans for wanting to be buried in either a national or state
Veterans' Cemetery. Table 8-14 also lists the pre-established categories
for recording the veteran responses. The most mentioned reason given for
wanting to be buried in either a national or state Veterans' Cemetery
was "honor of burial in a National Shrine." It was mentioned by 47.2
percent of the veterans. "Cost" was the next most mentioned reason at
26.9 percent, followed by "friends or family buried there" (16.9
percent). "Quality of services" was only mentioned by 10 percent of the
veterans.

Table 8-14. Percent distribution of veterans by main reasons given for
wanting burial in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery

  -------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                                         Total

  The honor of burial in a national      47.2
  shrine                                 

  Cost                                   26.9

  Friends or family buried there         16.9

  Quality of services                    10.0

  Some other reason                      23.4

  Number of veterans†                    3,545,600
  -------------------------------------- --------------------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one reason.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
were planning to be buried in a national or state veterans cemetery.

**Reasons for Not Wanting to be Buried in a National or State Veterans'
Cemetery.** Table 8-15 summarizes veterans' reasons for not wanting to
be buried in either a national or state Veterans' Cemetery. The most
mentioned reason given for not wanting to be buried in either a national
or state Veterans' Cemetery was "wanted location close to other family
members." It was mentioned by 44.6 percent of the veterans. "Made other
arrangements" was the next most mentioned reason at 41.2 percent.
Remaining reasons were mentioned by less than 10 percent of the
veterans.

Table 8-15. Percent distribution of veterans by main reasons given for
not wanting burial in a national or state Veterans' Cemetery

  ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
                                                    Total

  Wanted location close to other family members     44.6

  Made other arrangements                           41.2

  Didn't know eligibility criteria                  8.6

  Veterans' cemetery too far away                   6.6

  Didn't know how to make arrangements with VA      2.4

  VA services don't accommodate religious           0.7
  preferences                                       

  Too difficult to make arrangements with VA        0.6

  Wanted services that weren't available at         0.3
  Veterans' cemetery                                

  Quality of service                                0.2

  Unable to make advance arrangements with VA       0.2

  Some other reason                                 15.5

  Number of veterans†                               13,933,000
  ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one reason.

NOTE: This table only includes responses of those who indicated they
were not planning to be buried in a national or state Veterans'
Cemetery.

#### 8.2.3 Veteran Plans for Use of a VA-provided Headstone or Marker

Table 8-16 tabulates responses to the item, "Do you think you will have
your burial place marked by a headstone or marker provided by the VA?"
These responses are tabulated first for all veterans and then in terms
of those veterans who indicated that they were aware of this burial
benefit and those who were not.

Table 8-16. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for use of
a VA-provided headstone or marker and veteran awareness of burial
benefit

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
                    All veterans      Veterans aware    Veterans not
                                      of\               aware of burial
                                      burial benefit    benefit

  Yes               33.5              44.9              24.5

  No                29.7              24.8              33.6

  Undecided         16.2              12.5              19.0

  N/A               20.6              17.8              22.9

  Total             100.0             100.0             100.0

  Number of         25,196,000        11,140,300        13,959,500
  veterans†                                             
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

NOTE: N/A are Veterans who have indicated cremation and that cremated
remains will NOT be buried.

As shown in Table 8-16, about 33 percent of all veterans indicate plans
to have their burial place marked by a headstone or marker provided by
VA. Veterans who are aware of this burial program are about 1.8 times
more likely to indicate their intent to use it than are veterans who are
not aware of this program; an indication perhaps of the effectiveness of
VA information and awareness programs on burial plans.

When the data are tabulated just for the population of possible users
(i.e., veterans not planning to have their cremated remains scattered),
the percentage of veterans planning to have their burial place marked by
a headstone or marker provided by the VA increases to 42.2 percent.
About 20 percent of the veterans who could be considered possible users
of this benefit indicate that they are undecided about whether or not
they would use this benefit (Table 8-17).

Table 8-17. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran plans for use of
a VA-provided headstone or marker and veteran awareness of burial
benefits for veterans not planning to have their cremated remains
scattered

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
                    All veterans      Veterans aware    Veterans not
                                      of\               aware of burial
                                      burial benefit    benefit

  Yes               42.2              54.6              31.8

  No                37.4              30.2              43.5

  Undecided         20.4              15.2              24.7

  Total             100.0             100.0             100.0

  Number of         20,001,200        9,153,200         10,763,200
  veterans†                                             
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred; the
total estimate is larger than the sum of the groups because some
veterans either refused or did not know the answer to the question about
awareness of the benefit.

NOTE: This table only includes responses from those who indicated they
were not planning to have their cremated remains scattered after
cremation.

####  Reasons for Not Planning to Use a VA-provided Headstone or Marker

As a follow-up to the question "Do you think you will have your burial
place marked by a headstone or marker provided by the VA?" veterans
responding with a "No" were asked to clarify their response by giving
their main reasons for not planning to use this particular benefit.

Table 8-18 indicates that approximately 42 percent of veterans who
indicated that they would not use this benefit reported that they had
"made other arrangements" as a reason for not planning to mark their
burial place with a headstone or marker provided by VA.

Table 8-18. Percent distribution of veterans by main reasons given for
not planning to use a VA-provided headstone or marker

  ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------
                                                 Total

  Made other arrangements                        42.3

  Didn't know about markers and headstones for   35.9
  veterans                                       

  Want headstone similar to other family members 13.7

  Doesn't like VA markers or headstones          4.0

  Number of veterans†                            7,486,100
  ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------

† Estimate of number of veterans is rounded to the nearest hundred;
percent estimates will not sum to 100 because veterans could indicate
more than one reason.

NOTE: This table only includes responses from those who indicated they
were not planning to use a VA‑provided headstone or marker.

About 36 percent of these veterans indicated that they "didn't know
about markers and headstones for veterans" as a reason for not planning
to mark their burial place with a VA-provided headstone or marker.

#### 8.3 Understanding Veteran Burial Benefits

As a measure of their understanding of their burial benefits, veterans
were asked how much they agreed or disagreed with the statement, "I
thoroughly understand the veteran benefits available to me." The
response scale is a 5-point "Strongly agree" through "Strongly disagree"
scale with a mid-point of "Neither agree nor disagree."

Table 8-19 summarizes responses to the item measuring veteran
understanding of burial benefits. This table includes data for veterans
who indicated that they were aware of their burial benefits (i.e., aware
of at least one of the three programs), as well as data for veterans who
did not indicate an awareness of any VA burial benefits.

Table 8-19. Percent distribution of veterans by veteran understanding of
veteran burial benefits and veteran awareness of burial benefits

  ---------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                         All veterans     Veterans aware   Veterans not
                                          of\              aware of burial
                                          burial           benefits
                                          benefits\*       

  Strongly agree         6.3              8.4              1.9

  Agree                  26.7             34.8             10.6

  Neither agree nor      17.2             18.4             14.9
  disagree                                                 

  Disagree               26.9             24.3             32.1

  Strongly disagree      18.3             10.3             34.4

  Did not answer or did  4.6              3.8              6.1
  not know                                                 

  Total                  100.0            100.0            100.0

  Number of veterans†    25,196,000       16,820,700       8,375,400
  ---------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------

\* Veterans indicating an awareness of at least one of the three burial
benefits.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

About 33 percent of veterans reported that they thoroughly understand
("strongly agree" or "agree") the veteran burial benefits available to
them, while 45 percent indicated that they do not thoroughly understand
("disagree" or "strongly disagree") the veteran burial benefits
available to them. As would be expected, veterans aware of these
programs are more likely to understand them. This is a possible
indication that VA burial benefit awareness programs are also
informative.

### 8.3.1 Ease or Difficulty in Obtaining Information about Veteran Burial Benefits

As a measure of the veteran's perception about how easy or difficult it
would be to obtain information about veteran burial benefits, the
veteran is asked, "If your family needed to get information about
veteran burial benefits, how easy or difficult do you think it would be
for them to find it?" The response scale is a 5-point "very easy"
through "very difficult" scale with a mid-point of "neither easy nor
difficult."

Table 8-20 provides the responses to the item measuring a veteran's
perception of the ease or difficulty of obtaining burial benefits
information. In addition to tabulations for all veterans, Table 8-20
includes data for veterans who indicated that they were aware of their
burial benefits (i.e., aware of at least one of the three programs), and
data for veterans who did not indicate an awareness of any VA burial
benefits.

Table 8-20. Percent distribution of veterans by ability to obtain
information about veteran burial benefits and veteran awareness of
burial benefits

  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
                          All veterans    Veterans aware  Veterans not
                                          of\             aware of burial
                                          burial          benefits
                                          benefits\*      

  Very easy               11.6            14.8            5.3

  Easy                    33.7            38.8            23.4

  Neither easy nor        11.8            11.8            11.9
  difficult                                               

  Difficult               27.2            23.2            35.2

  Very difficult          11.7            8.0             19.0

  Did not answer or did   4.0             3.4             5.2
  not know                                                

  Total                   100.0           100.0           100.0

  Number of veterans†     25,196,000      16,820,700      8,375,400
  ----------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

\* Veterans indicating an awareness of at least one of the three burial
benefits.

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred

About 45 percent of all veterans indicated that they thought it would be
easy or very easy to obtain information about veteran burial programs,
while approximately 39 percent indicated that they thought it would be
difficult to very difficult to obtain information about veteran burial
benefits. This finding does not seem to be influenced by veteran
awareness of VA burial programs. Slightly more than one half (53.6
percent) of the veterans who indicated an awareness of veteran burial
programs also reported that they thought it would be easy or very easy
to obtain information about veteran burial benefits. About an equal
proportion (54.2 percent) of the veterans who did not indicate an
awareness of veteran burial programs also indicated that they thought it
would be difficult to very difficult to obtain information about veteran
burial benefits. The finding regarding the ease of difficulty in
obtaining VA burial information is probably more influenced by the fact
that older veterans seem to be more confident that it would be easy to
very easy to obtain information about burial benefits than younger
veterans (Table 8-21), and older veterans represent a greater proportion
of the veteran population.

Table 8-21. Percent distribution of veterans by ability to obtain
information about veteran burial benefits and age group

  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                    All veterans Less than   35 - 44     45 - 54     55 - 64     65 - 74     75 years or
                                 35 years    years       years       years       years       older

  Very easy         11.6         7.8         9.5         10.5        11.0        14.3        14.3

  Easy              33.7         26.2        26.3        31.6        32.9        38.1        41.7

  Neither easy nor  11.8         18.4        15.3        13.8        12.4        8.4         6.8
  difficult                                                                                  

  Difficult         27.2         31.2        30.4        29.2        27.0        25.3        22.5

  Very difficult    11.7         15.2        16.5        12.9        13.4        8.5         6.2

  Did not answer or 4.0          1.2         2.0         2.2         3.3         5.4         8.5
  did not know                                                                               

  Total             100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0       100.0

  Number of         25,196,000   2,288,600   3,030,300   5,415,100   4,946,000   5,256,400   4,116,100
  veterans†                                                                                  
  ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

† Estimates of number of veterans are rounded to the nearest hundred.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

  ------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
  CATI                Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing

  CHAMPUS             Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed
                      Services; an insurance program which covers active
                      duty and retired career military persons, their
                      dependents and survivors.

  Domiciliary         Facility that provides care and living space for
                      persons who cannot otherwise live independently.
                      Domiciliaries do not provide skilled nursing
                      services.

  Enrollment Groups   Seven-level enrollment system. Enrollment groups
                      range from veterans with no compensated
                      service-related disabilities who have income or net
                      worth above a specified threshold and who agree to
                      pay specified co-payments (Group 7) to
                      service-connected conditions rated 50 percent or more
                      disabling (Group 1).

  Health Care         Veteran population estimates or health care user
  Priority Groups     estimates classified using self-reported survey data
                      simulating enrollment group criteria.

  HMO                 Health Maintenance Organization.

  Hispanic            The National Survey of Veterans definition includes
                      answers to survey questions on Race and Hispanic
                      Origin (Questions SD9 and SD10). Veterans who said
                      "yes" when asked if they were of Hispanic origin or
                      who did not answer "yes" to any of the four offered
                      racial groups, but self-assessed their race as
                      "other" and provided a "race" that the Census Bureau
                      defines as "Hispanic" were classified as Hispanic.

  Inpatient Care      Treatment for at least one overnight stay at a
                      hospital or other similar medical facility such as
                      specialized treatment centers for drug/alcohol abuse.

  Medicaid            State health insurance programs for low-income
                      persons.

  Medicare            Federal health insurance programs which cover
                      everyone 65 and over as well as certain disabled
                      persons.

  Military Retirement Monetary payments received by service member upon
  Pay                 retirement as a result of successful completion of
                      required years of active and reserve service, based
                      on grade and total service longevity.

  Outpatient Care     Visits to doctors offices, clinics, HMOs, and
                      hospital outpatient facilities; outpatient care also
                      includes psychiatric and substance abuse treatments,
                      routine examinations, and shots.

  Public health       The National Survey of Veterans definition: Medicare,
  insurance           Medicaid, CHAMPUS, military or DoD health programs,
                      Indian health insurance, and other state or federal
                      public health programs.

  RDD                 Random Digit Dialing

  Service-connected   Monetary benefits, called disability compensations,
  disability (SC)     are paid to veterans who are disabled by an injury or
  compensation        disease incurred or aggravated during active military
                      service in the line of duty. The service of the
                      veteran must have been terminated through separation
                      or discharge under conditions that were other than
                      dishonorable. Monetary benefits are related to the
                      residual effects of the injury or disease. The
                      amounts of the benefits are set by Congress.
                      Disability compensation is paid in monthly payments.

  Service-connected   Classification based on determination of percent
  disability rating   disabled. Typically limited to disabilities
                      attributable to injury or disease incurred or
                      aggravated during active military service.

  Service-related     Self-reported disability or disabling condition which
  disability or       is thought to be service-related by respondent.
  disabling condition Veterans in this category may or may not have a SC
                      rating or receive SC disability compensation.

  TRICARE             The Department of Defense's regional managed health
                      care program for service families.

  VA pension          Veterans may be eligible for support if they have
                      limited income when they have 90 days or more of
                      active military service, at least one day of which
                      was during a period of war. Their discharge from
                      active duty must have been under conditions other
                      than dishonorable. They must be permanently and
                      totally disabled for reasons neither traceable to
                      military service nor to willful misconduct. Payments
                      are made to qualified veterans to bring their total
                      income, including other retirement or Social Security
                      income, to an established support level. Countable
                      income may be reduced by unreimbursed medical
                      expenses. Pension is not payable to those who have
                      assets that can be used to provide adequate
                      maintenance.

  Veteran             The National Survey of Veterans definition: An
                      individual who served their full obligation of active
                      duty service in the military, or received an early
                      discharge for a medical condition, hardship,
                      reduction in force, or at the convenience of the
                      military. Individuals who received dishonorable
                      discharges or who were still on active duty at the
                      time of the survey were not eligible.
  ------------------- -----------------------------------------------------

[^1]: The VetPop 2000 is a veteran population projection model developed
    by the Office of the Actuary, Department of Veterans Affairs. It is
    the official VA estimate and projection of the number and
    characteristics of veterans as of September 30, 2000. Details of all
    aspects of the development and content of the model are available
    from the Office of the Actuary, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810
    Vermont Avenue NW, Washington DC 20420.

[^2]: The Census 2000 Supplementary Survey (C2SS) was a Decennial Census
    program designed to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting long
    form type information at the same time as, but separate from, the
    Decennial Census. Data collection ran January 2000 through December
    2000. The C2SS provided an early look at the detailed
    characteristics of the U.S. population in 2000 to include
    demographic, social, economic, and housing data from a national
    sample of 700,000 households in 1,203 counties. Group quarters were
    not included in the sample.

[^3]: The data collection field period for the survey was February
    through November 2001. Nearly all of the survey items that address
    use or nonuse of VA Health Care Services use a reference period of
    \"during the past 12 months,\" Individual and household income
    questions are for the year 2000.

[^4]: The VA benefits booklet is a common reference for the pamphlet
    entitled, *Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents*, published
    by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Public Affairs.

[^5]: See 1992 National Survey of Veterans Utilization Study (Westat,
    1999), for more detailed information about study methodology and
    results.

[^6]: The NSV 2001 actually provides data on the population of enrollees
    plus potential enrollees classified by enrollment group criteria.
    Since the question, \"Are you enrolled in VA healthcare\" was not
    asked on the NSV 2001 we cannot distinguish between responses of
    healthcare enrollees or non-enrollees.

[^7]: This includes American Indian and Alaskan native.

[^8]: This includes native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.

[^9]: *National Survey of Veterans* (NSV9503), Department of Veterans
    Affairs, National Center for Veteran Analysis and Statistics, April
    1995

[^10]: This includes veterans who identified themselves as having
    Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino ethnicity.

[^11]: A small percent of veterans with less than a 10 percent rating
    receive compensation.

[^12]: This includes veterans who identify as American Indian or Alaska
    Native.

[^13]: This includes veterans who identified as Spanish, Hispanic, or
    Latino.

[^14]: In a small number of cases, veterans did not report coverage by
    one of the major modes of coverage such as private insurance but did
    report coverage by one of the major mode subtypes of coverage such
    as a private HMO.

[^15]: VA History in Brief

[^16]: Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for
    Fiscal Year 2001

[^17]: Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for
    Fiscal Year 2001

[^18]: VA History in Brief

[^19]: Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for
    Fiscal Year 2001

[^20]: Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for
    Fiscal Year 2001

[^21]: Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for
    Fiscal Year 2001

[^22]: Burial flags are provided by the Veterans Benefits Administration
    (VBA)