A Historical Perspective on Medical and Military Culture at the VA

Aaron Jackson is finishing his PhD work in the history of health sciences at UCSF with a focus on the veterans' healthcare system. As a veteran himself, Aaron is particularly interested in how disability works as an administrative category in the determination of which veterans are eligible for health care through the VA, and which are excluded. These determinations have historically changed, but there are a few constants, including the cultural conflicts that exist between medical and military cultures, which will be the focus of this discussion.