[Taking care of the sick veteran--mental health care within the Department of Veterans Affairs, USA].

The article describes the functioning of the system of mental health care for veterans in the U.S. on the example of the state of California. Two clinical cases illustrating the issue of mental health disorders in this population of patients have also been presented. Veterans as well as active duty soldiers and civilian employees of the military compose a group of patients suffering from mental health problems, requiring increased attention of clinicians not only in the U.S. but in all countries that are engaged in military missions.