Legislative Victories The VFW played an instrumental role in virtually every significant piece of veterans’ legislation passed in the 20th century, as well as bills enacted in the 21st century. Note: In each case, this is the year an act was passed or an institution established. For more information, contact the VFW National Legislative Service at vfwac@vfw.org. 1917 War Risk Insurance Act Amendments 1918 Vocational Rehabilitation Act (P.L. 178) 1919 Census Act Rider on Veterans Preference Discharge Allowance 1920 Widows and Orphans Pension Act (Spanish-America War) 1921 Veterans Bureau Act 1923 Veterans Preference Point System 1924 House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs World War Adjusted Compensation Act 1925 Senate Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs 1926 Spanish-American War benefits New Johnson Act (WWI benefits) 1930 Veterans Administration (VA) World War Service Disability Pension Act (P.L. 522) 1931 Bacharach Amendment (P.L. 743) allows borrowing on WWI bonus certificates 1933 Wagner-Peyser Act: Veterans Employment Service 1934 Pension for widows of WWI vets 1936 VFW congressional charter signed by President Roosevelt Bonus bonds ($2.4 billion) to WWI vets redeemable 1938 Armistice Day (Nov. 11) legal holiday 1940 National Service Life Insurance Selective Service & Training Act 1943 Benefits to WWII veterans (P.L. 10) Disabled Veterans Rehabilitation Act 1944 GI Bill of Rights (P.L. 346) Veterans Preference Act 1946 Veteran Emergency Housing Act 1947 Bureau of Veterans Re-employment Rights (BVRR) 1950 Vocational Rehabilitation Act 1951 Servicemen’s Indemnity & Insurance 1952 Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (Korean War GI Bill) 1954 Veterans Compensation Act Nov. 11 declared as Veterans Day (P.L. 380) 1962 Veterans Benefits Act (Cold War GI Bill) 1966 Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act (P.L. 89-358) (Vietnam War GI Bill) 1970 Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 1972 Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act 1973 Federal court agrees veterans preference applies to state jobs 1974 Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (vocational rehabilitation) 1976 Veterans Education & Employment Assistance Act 1977 Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Act 1978 Veterans preference preserved Veterans & Survivors Pension Improvement Act Veterans Day returned to Nov. 11 1979 Vietnam Veterans Outreach Program (creates Vet Centers) 1980 VFW calls for Agent Orange study Veterans Rehabilitation & Education Amendments 1981 Former POW Benefits Act Veterans Health Care, Training & Small Business Loan Act 1982 Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated 1983 Emergency Veterans Job-Training Act 1984 Montgomery GI Bill Veterans Dioxin & Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards Act (P.L. 98-542): Agent Orange & Atomic Exposure 1987 New GI Bill Continuation Act 1988 Radiation-Exposed Veterans Compensation Act Department of Veterans Affairs Act Veterans Judicial Review Act 1989 VA becomes a Cabinet department Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 1990 Agent Orange service-connection 1991 Agent Orange Act (P.L. 102-4) Persian Gulf War Veterans Assistance Act (P.L. 102-25) 1992 Veterans Health Care Act 1996 Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act 1999 Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act 2003 Concurrent receipt for military retirees rated 50% disabled or more 2004 Full concurrent receipt for military retirees rated 100% disabled Traumatic Injury Insurance supplemental created 2005 Protestors banned from military funerals Stolen Valor Act signed into law 2006 VFW calls for VA/military health care system review after Walter Reed outpatient debacle 2008 Record VA discretionary budget approved GI Bill for the 21st Century signed into law 2009 Advance Appropriations for VA becomes law 2010 Family Caregiver Legislation signed into law Ensured all VA and DOD health care programs met minimum health care coverage standards 2011 VOW to Hire Heroes Act VFW stopped TRICARE premiums from increasing annually 2012 Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act Extended USERRA protections to veterans working for TSA 2013 Reinstated military Tuition Assistance programs New Stolen Valor Act signed into law Stopped Creation of Distinguished Warfare Medal (Drone Medal) 2014 Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 In-State Tuition for Post-9/11 GI Bill eligible veterans Advance Appropriations for VA Benefits 2015 Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act Eliminated 1 percent COLA reduction penalty on future military retirees Created government match to military Thrift Savings Plan accounts Updated 1/2025 2016 Toxic Exposure Research Act to evaluate impact on descendants Enhanced fertility treatment and adoption services 2017 Forever GI Bill gives veterans a lifetime to use GI Bill benefits Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act Global War on Terrorism Memorial Improved VA hiring and retention authorities Veterans Choice Program improvements and expansion Declassifying toxic exposure documents Prevented significant copayment increases for TRICARE 2018 Expanded caregiver benefits to veterans of all eras Consolidated community care into one improved program Established a process to evaluate and improve VA facilities to better serve veterans Defeated proposed cuts to Individual Unemployability 2019 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act Elimination of the Widow’s Tax 2020 Added bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and parkinsonism to VA’s list of presumptive conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange Changed the statutory definition of Vietnam veterans to include individuals who served in the Republic of Vietnam from Nov. 1, 1955, to Feb. 27, 1961 Deborah Sampson Act Elimination of the 12-year limit on using Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits 2021 Expanded maternity care options from community providers PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act 2022 Honoring our PACT Act Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act UCMJ reform on sexual assault and harassment 2024 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which included the Not Just A Number Act

Pashtun Pashtuns (also called Pushtan, Paktun or Pathan) are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Though their exact numbers are uncertain and as with other communities are contested, previous estimates have suggested that they make up around 42 per cent of the population. They live mainly in the south and the east of the country. They have a distinct language called Pashto (an official language since 1936) but also speak Pakhto, which are both Iranian dialects that fall within the Indo-European group of languages. They are generally able to speak Farsi when necessary, often relying on the language in the context of trade dealings in the region. It is speculated that Pashtuns are descendants of Eastern Iranians, who immigrated to the area from Persia. However, there is also an interesting legend, which claims that they actually originate from one of the ancient tribes of Israel. Pashtuns are Sunni Muslims and can also be found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan (about 14 million). They are seen as the historic founders of the Afghan Kingdom, with an apparent predominance in administration power until recently. The social structure of the Pashtuns is based on the Pashtunwali (or Pukhtunwali) code, which is a mixture of a tribal code of honour and local interpretations of Shari’a. This requires the speaking of Pashtu and the adherence to established customs. Hospitality, protection of their guests, defence of property, family honour and protection of the female relatives are some of the most important principles for Pashtuns. They rely on the tribal council jirga for the enforcement of disputes and local decision-making, as well as the seclusion of women from all affairs outside the home. A major aspect of the Pashtunwali code emphasizes personal authority and freedom. Women are required to wear full-face and full-length garments known as the burka. Pashtun culture is celebrated for its traditional music, dancing, poetry and storytelling. A majority of Pashtuns rely upon agriculture (irrigated wheat) and animal husbandry for their source of income, with some involved in trading in these and other commodities. Population relocation and poverty caused by the chronic lack of stability in Afghanistan has led to a rise in drug trafficking, mainly opium via Pakistan to Europe and North America. The difficult living conditions together with the lack of clean water and health care contributes to a short life expectancy of only about 46 years. Those living in the Kabul area seem to enjoy slightly better living standards. Tribal divisions Despite their past political dominance, Pashtuns have never formed a homogeneous group, and many have fallen victim to oppression at the hands of the elites from their own community. The power and leadership of individuals are perhaps what divides Pashtuns, not only into different tribes but also into numerous sub-tribes, each isolated within their own borders. Interference in each other’s affairs has caused conflict among sub-tribes throughout their history. Yet despite their infighting, they have generally rallied to form a unified front when challenged by external threats or interference by a central non-Pashtun government. Pakistan’s policy has been mainly supportive of the Pashtuns, especially in more recent times, but does not support the claim for self-determination of the 13 million Pashtuns living in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, out of fear of losing part of their territory.

https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2024-02-26/veterans-affairs-toxins-burn-pits-health-care-13126769.html?fbclid=IwAR3t70NNkj1tH64b-WLMwgO9ZR_cN3sD-VgO5hvivwO1LYiwjs5Z_-Tchwo

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3651970/for-service-members-access-to-mental-health-care-streamlined-under-brandon-act/

https://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/va-disability-pay-rates.html

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https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/veterans-suicidal-eligible-free-health-care-va-rcna65608