I first posted this topic more out of disbelief for the way soldiers are being cheated out of their benefits by the VA, and mislead by the military when exiting active duty. I thought it was the Department of Defense deciding to redefine the term "Veteran" so that they would not have to be held accountable for all the men and women coming home with serious injuries and mental disorders (this is another topic). The more I read the more I find out that the term “Military Veteran” has never really been definitively defined by our government for the purposes of determining benefits for active military service.

It seems that the VA can redefine “veteran” depending on the type of benefit a person is seeking. Rob Powers has written an article for About.com where he goes through the major benefits provided by the VA, and lists the criteria to qualifying, as a “veteran”, for specific benefits.

After all this, Powers writes “… even if you meet all of the above conditions, you may not be able to receive health care benefits from the VA. The number of veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year.” So, I ask you, with all the back log of claims, all the cases at the VA appeals board, all the veterans who are without medical insurance, and while our military is out defending us:

Who in Washington is defending Veterans?