VETERAN POPULATION OF WASHINGTON CO. DECLINES
Posern presents his 2022 annual report during
Tuesday's county commissioners meeting.
Washington County’s veteran population saw a noticeable drop in 2022 from the year prior.
During Veterans Service Officer Eric Posern’s annual report for Veterans Affairs (VA) presented to county commissioners on Tuesday, he stated that the county’s estimated number of veterans for 2022 was 1,909. The veteran population was 2,136 in 2021.
Posern said the VA has not provided an explanation as to the reason for the decline, but he believes COVID-19’s effects on older age groups were a contributor.
The veteran population estimates, produced by the VA Predictive Analytics and Actuary Service, are current as of September 30, 2022.
Despite the lower population, the amount that local veterans received in federal VA assistance increased over the previous year, totaling approximately $21,484,000 in 2022 in comparison to $19,008,000 in 2021.
Included in the $21,484,000 is $13,481,000 in compensation and pension, $6,939,000 in medical care, $607,000 in educational and vocational rehabilitation, and $457,000 in insurance and indemnities.
There were 583 unique patients who were treated at a VA health care facility in 2022, down from 601 the year before. The $6,939,000 in medical care in 2022 is also down from 2021’s reported total of $7,621,000.
Posern reminded the court and the public of their invitation to Monday’s Memorial Day program at the Brenham American Legion Hall, beginning at 11 a.m.