VA Benefits: A Moral and Historical Obligation

Recent claims, such as one made in The Economist, suggest that VA benefits are overly generous and should be reduced. Such arguments overlook critical historical, ethical, and practical considerations. The notion that veterans—those who have served and sacrificed—should receive anything less than robust support is not just shortsighted but profoundly unjust. To understand why, we must explore the government’s troubling history of experimenting on its own military personnel and the enduring physical and psychological toll of combat.

A History of Exploitation: Government Experiments on Service Members

The U.S. government and military have a long history of using military personnel—and sometimes civilians—as unwitting subjects in experiments. These experiments often caused severe harm and highlight the responsibility the government has to those who serve. Here are some of the most infamous examples:

1. Chemical and Biological Weapons Testing

• Operation Sea-Spray (1950): The military released bacteria over San Francisco to study how biological agents would disperse in urban areas. Several residents became ill, and at least one died.
• Project 112/Project SHAD (1960s-1970s): The Department of Defense conducted tests exposing military personnel to chemical and biological agents such as VX nerve gas and sarin.

1. Nuclear Radiation Exposure

• Operation Crossroads (1946): Sailors were stationed near nuclear bomb tests in the Pacific to observe the effects on ships and personnel.
• Radiation Experiments (1940s-1970s): Civilians and soldiers were deliberately exposed to radiation, including plutonium injections, to study its effects.

1. Mind Control and Psychedelics

• MK-Ultra (1950s-1970s): The CIA and military experimented with LSD and other drugs to explore mind control and interrogation techniques, often without informed consent.

1. Agent Orange

• During the Vietnam War, the military used Agent Orange, a defoliant containing dioxin. This led to severe health issues for veterans and local populations. Testing was conducted on military personnel before deployment.

1. Mustard Gas Experiments

• In World War II, soldiers—often from minority groups—were subjected to mustard gas testing to study racial differences in response to chemical agents.

1. Sleep and Stress Studies

• Soldiers endured extreme sleep deprivation, isolation, and stress to understand psychological and physical resilience.

1. Vaccination and Drug Trials

• During the Gulf War, experimental anthrax and botulinum vaccines were administered to soldiers, causing lasting health complications for many.

1. Electromagnetic and Microwave Radiation

• Experiments in the 1960s and 1970s studied the effects of electromagnetic radiation, including the exposure of embassy workers to microwave beams (the “Moscow Signal”).

The Moral Obligation to Support Veterans

These historical abuses underscore why every veteran deserves comprehensive support and compensation. Beyond these experiments, many veterans return from service with injuries—both visible and invisible—including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic illnesses. Their sacrifices demand that they be taken care of, without undue bureaucratic hurdles or concern over minor instances of fraud.

The Numbers: Veterans and VA Benefits

The Challenges of the VA Compensation System

One of the most frustrating aspects of the VA benefits system is its complex and often counterintuitive compensation math. For example, reaching a 100% disability rating is not as straightforward as adding up individual ratings. The VA uses a formula where disabilities are combined in a diminishing scale, meaning a 50% disability combined with another 50% does not equal 100%; instead, it equals 75%. This convoluted system makes it difficult for veterans to achieve the full compensation they deserve, even when their conditions warrant it.

• Veteran Population: As of 2023, there are approximately 16.5 million veterans in the United States.
• Veterans Receiving VA Benefits: About 25% of veterans receive some form of VA benefits, ranging from healthcare to disability compensation. This means nearly 4 million veterans rely on these services.

While the majority of veterans do not receive VA benefits, those who do often face significant challenges accessing and navigating the system. Simplifying and expanding these benefits is essential to fulfilling the government’s obligations.

A Call to Action

Critics like Mark Duggan of Stanford have argued that “once you qualify, you have an incentive to not get better.” This statement is deeply flawed and dismissive of the realities veterans face. Many conditions veterans are compensated for do not improve over time—in fact, they often worsen. Chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia and severe conditions such as heart disease are not comparable to temporary ailments like the flu. Additionally, permanent injuries like the loss of limbs have no possibility of recovery. Veterans are not seeking compensation for minor issues; they are addressing significant, life-altering health challenges that require sustained care.

Critics often focus on the small percentage of individuals who may misuse the system. However, this focus distracts from the overwhelming majority of veterans who genuinely need support. Simplifying access to benefits, increasing funding, and addressing systemic inefficiencies are far more pressing concerns than preventing a few bad actors. As noted only 25% of veterans are in the system, they all should be. Instead of trying to cut, it needs further expansion.

To argue against robust VA benefits is to ignore history, dismiss sacrifice, and fail in our collective moral duty. Veterans have given their all for this country. It is not just policy but a moral imperative to ensure they are supported in every way possible.