Unlike civilian families, military households experience uniquely complex pressures — above everyday obstacles– shaped by repeated deployments, prolonged separations, and the lasting effects of service-related risks.
Even more critically, these burdens do not always end when a deployment concludes; rather, they can also follow families into the uncertainty of reintegration, particularly when a veteran eventually develops an unanticipated serious illness.
In these moments, spouses, parents, and children frequently assume roles that extend far beyond traditional household responsibilities, as they juggle caregiving demands alongside financial adjustments and emotional strain. Worse still, when the patient passes away, these compounded hurdles do not simply dissipate; in most cases, they tend to escalate and leave survivors to navigate mounting obligations.
This is not a distant concern —it is a pressing reality, especially in Connecticut, where a large chunk of over 134,200 veterans continue to face service-related challenges.
Tackling the unseen burden of survivors after a veteran’s death
As documented, thousands of veterans across Connecticut have worked in environments where exposure to hazardous substances was a routine part of duty rather than an exception. According to a census, more than a quarter of this occupational group served during the Vietnam War when herbicides such as Agent Orange were very common, while nearly half have fought in the Gulf War when the armed forces extensively used burn pits to dispose of solid waste.
Beyond combat zones, military responsibilities tied to naval operations, aviation, and base maintenance have also involved frequent contact with asbestos, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—all of which were embedded due to their superior strength and resistance to degradation. However, what these service members did not foresee was that what seemed like a typical aspect of their job could later make them susceptible to pollution that can trigger life-altering illnesses.
The Bradley Air National Guard Base in Hartford County, for instance, has confirmed that it used firefighting foam containing harmful PFAS compounds. In addition, the Naval Submarine Base in New London County likewise reported the presence of asbestos components in the area.
Alarmingly, many of the conditions caused by these chemicals are characterized by long latency periods, which means their symptoms may not appear until several decades have passed. As a result, by the time veterans and their families become aware of these conditions, they may be unprepared for the sudden medical, emotional, and financial needs that follow.
In most cases, spouses and parents become the primary caregivers —managing strict treatment schedules, coordinating specialist appointments, and providing daily support, often while sacrificing their own employment. With this, household income may decline sharply just as medical and care-related expenses rise, forcing families to redirect savings and resources that were intended for long-term stability. Over time, these demands can erode financial security and strain emotional well-being—leaving dependents vulnerable to mounting stress even after the veteran passes away.
Veterans’ survivors deserve equitable support
Following an extended period of confronting the medical, financial, and administrative necessities associated with a veteran’s passing, families may require additional assistance to maintain stability. Because of this, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has enforced the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program aimed at providing a monthly benefit of $1,699 to qualified dependents of a service member whose demise occurred on or after January 1, 1993.
This rate may also increase when considering other aspects, such as when a veteran perished before the aforementioned date, the spouse is diagnosed with a disability, or there are still minor children. Moreover, the widowed must not have remarried before a specific age to become eligible for the assistance.
Yet while this support plays an important role, it does not always account for the personnel’s rank, years of service, or lifetime earnings, which can limit its ability to help impacted households. This is in contrast with the federal employees’ retirement system, which allows survivors to receive as much as 55% of the retiree’s unreduced annual benefit.
Other programs —including the Survivors’ Pension, educational and career assistance, and CHAMPVA’s health coverage— likewise offer additional aid, but even these have specific requirements and limitations.
Resolving these differences is critical to assuring that veterans’ dependents have access to support that meets their needs. Policymakers and stakeholders may reassess how existing programs can be adjusted or complemented to truly reflect the circumstances of survivors.
After all, families who have shared in the sacrifices of service members deserve adequate resources that ensure stability and security even when their loved ones have already departed.
Cristina Johnson serves as a veteran advocate at the Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit that raises awareness of veterans’ exposure to toxic substances.