Military service may be a national commitment, but the level of support veterans receive after their service often depends less on the uniform they wore and more on their ZIP code. New research from CCK Law sheds light on striking inequities in how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) distributes benefits across states.
The study shows that geography plays a defining role in determining whether veterans access robust disability compensation, quality medical care, and timely claims assistance—or face gaps that leave them struggling to secure the resources they were promised. In some cases, the differences in per-veteran spending are two to three times greater depending solely on where a veteran resides.
A Stark State-by-State Divide
At a national level, the VA distributes billions of dollars annually in benefits. But CCK Law’s analysis reveals that the share each veteran ultimately receives varies dramatically.
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California: $12.8 billion distributed to 1.6 million veterans — about $8,000 per veteran.
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Texas: $13.5 billion distributed to 1.5 million veterans — roughly $9,000 per veteran.
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Vermont: $500 million distributed to 34,000 veterans — more than $14,700 per veteran.
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Alaska: $1.2 billion distributed to 64,000 veterans — nearly $18,700 per veteran.
These examples highlight a persistent imbalance: while large states like Texas and California command the highest overall allocations due to sheer population size, they lag far behind smaller states when measured on a per-person basis. Meanwhile, states with fewer veterans, such as Alaska and Vermont, often receive disproportionately higher levels of support for each individual.
Rural Barriers Compound the Problem
The disparities are not only numerical. Veterans in rural states face additional structural disadvantages that directly affect their access to health care and claims processing. According to the research, common barriers include:
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Longer wait times for medical appointments, as demand outpaces available providers.
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Limited access to claims assistance, leaving veterans without the help needed to navigate a complex appeals process.
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Travel burdens, with some veterans forced to drive several hours to reach their nearest VA clinic or hospital.
For veterans in remote communities, these logistical hurdles can make benefits they have earned effectively out of reach. This inequity runs counter to the federal promise that every veteran should have equal access to support, regardless of geography.
Equity vs. Geography
The research underscores a fundamental question: why should a veteran in Vermont receive significantly more support than one in Florida, Texas, or California? As CCK Law notes, veterans earned these benefits through service, yet the uneven distribution suggests the system rewards geography rather than equity.
This imbalance is not just about money. It touches on fairness, accountability, and the broader responsibilities of federal systems to deliver uniform access. For many veterans, the current model feels like a lottery of location, with their well-being dependent on the state they happen to call home after leaving active duty.
Implications for Policy and Accountability
The study provides a valuable dataset for examining how federal programs function unevenly across the country. Beyond veterans’ issues, it points to a larger theme: disparities in the way Washington allocates resources at the state level.
For policymakers, the findings highlight several pressing challenges:
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Reassessing funding formulas to ensure veterans in large states are not shortchanged compared to those in smaller ones.
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Expanding rural access through telehealth, mobile clinics, and outreach programs to bridge geographic gaps.
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Strengthening claims assistance so veterans have adequate legal and administrative support no matter where they live.
Without reforms, the VA risks perpetuating a two-tier system where some veterans enjoy comprehensive support while others are left behind.
A Story with National Reach
For journalists, the CCK Law report opens the door to a range of important stories. It offers clear data on regional inequality, sheds light on federal funding disparities, and provides a human-centered angle through the lived experiences of veterans navigating uneven systems.
The research also raises questions about state-level accountability. Why do some states secure higher per-capita support? How much is driven by advocacy, infrastructure, or local political will? And what can lagging states do to close the gap?
The Bigger Picture
Military service unites veterans under a shared commitment to country, but the benefits they receive afterward remain fragmented by geography. With billions in federal spending at stake, the inequities exposed by CCK Law’s study call for a closer look at whether the current system fulfills its promise of equal treatment.
Until those gaps are addressed, veterans will continue to face the unfair reality that the quality of their support depends not on what they gave in service, but on where they live today.
