For Veterans

Blogs

How Togus VA Medical Center Supports Rural Veterans in Maine

How Togus VA Supports Veterans in Small Towns

April 22, 20262 min read

Almost one out of every four Veterans in America lives in a rural area. That means small towns, long roads, and wide‑open spaces. These places are peaceful, but they can also be far from big hospitals.

The VA works hard to make sure rural Veterans can still get good care close to home. No Veteran should have to drive hours just to see a doctor.

One place doing this well is the Togus VA Medical Center in Maine.

Togus VA Medical Center

Togus is part of the VA Maine Healthcare System. It’s one of 10 locations that help Veterans across the state.

The campus has a long story behind it. The main building was first built in 1858 as a hotel. In 1866, the government bought it and turned it into a home for Civil War Veterans. Back then, it was called the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.

Over time, it grew into the medical center Veterans know today.

Togus now offers:

  • Primary care

  • Specialty care

  • Mental health services

  • Hearing services

  • Care for older Veterans

  • A 100‑bed nursing home

The campus is huge, more than 500 acres of woods, buildings, and even a national cemetery. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Most importantly, Veterans say the care is strong. About 96% of Veterans there say they can usually or always get a primary care appointment when they need one.

Life in Chelsea, Maine

Togus sits in Chelsea, Maine, just eight miles from the state capital, Augusta.

Chelsea is surrounded by nature. You’ll find:

  • Forests

  • Hiking trails

  • The Kennebec River

A favorite spot is the Viles Arboretum. It has six miles of walking trails where you can hike, snowshoe, picnic, or watch wildlife.

If you like indoor activities, you can visit Maine’s State House or Fort Western in nearby Augusta.

Chelsea has a lower cost of living than many places in the U.S. Life moves slower here. In the fall, the leaves turn bright red, orange, and yellow. It’s a peaceful, friendly place to live.

Job Opportunities at Togus

Togus VA Medical Center is hiring.

They are looking for:

  • Health care providers

  • Support staff

If you want to serve Veterans and make a real difference, Togus could be a great place to work.

Veterans deserve strong care no matter where they live. Togus is one example of a VA facility working hard to make that happen.


For more jobs, look at USAJobs

https://www.usajobs.gov/search/results/?k=Department%20of%20Veterans%20Affairs&l=Togus,%20Maine&p=1&r=25&hp=public


rural veterans healthcareTogus VA Medical CenterVA Maine Healthcare Systemveterans healthcare rural areasVA hospital Maine
Back to Blog

Transparency & Legal Notice

VA Claims Navigator (VACN) is an independent, veteran-led nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VACN is not a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), accredited representative, attorney, or authorized VA claims agent.

Our mission is to provide education, training, and informational resources that help veterans better understand the VA disability claims process.

Veterans remain responsible for preparing and submitting their own claims to the VA.

Free assistance may also be available through VA-accredited representatives and organizations such as:

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• The American Legion
• State and county veterans service offices
• Other accredited representatives and attorneys

Participation in VACN training programs is completely voluntary, and our goal is to provide veterans with knowledge and clarity so they can make informed decisions about their claims.

Any examples or information shared through our website or training programs are provided for educational purposes only and do not guarantee outcomes. Every VA claim is unique, and results will vary.

Information provided by VACN should not be considered legal, medical, or official VA advice.

VACN does not file, submit, or represent veterans in VA disability claims.

Any donations or membership proceeds help fund training, educational resources, and future veteran support initiatives, including:

• veteran mental health programs
• scholarships
• family support efforts