Uncategorized

A newly proposed piece of legislation, California Senate Bill 1124 (SB 1124), aimed at helping Veterans with their VA disability claims will in fact do the opposite, restricting their freedoms and leaving them with less help navigating a complicated system.

One of President Donald J. Trump’s most significant accomplishments in his first term was overhauling the Veterans Affairs Department, specifically reforming and upgrading medical care for veterans.

During my time serving as a U.S. senator, many New Hampshire veterans contacted my office seeking help in navigating the complex and confusing process of filing a claim for disability benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Years have passed since I left the Senate, but the VA has failed to fix this broken system. The claims process is still excruciatingly bureaucratic, and veterans are still waiting far too long to get their benefits or are getting less than they deserve.

As the echoes of Veterans Day celebrations linger in our hearts and minds, it is essential to recognize that the significance of this day extends beyond the parades and expressions of gratitude. It is important to remember that when it comes to addressing the challenges faced by veterans in the Hawkeye State, their service matters. One truth is clear in the complex arena of policies and bureaucracy: Iowa’s 162,000 veterans deserve unparalleled support and service.

One of America’s longest running inside-the-beltway battles on domestic policy took a turn for the better last month with the American Legion showing leadership among Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) over who can help millions of veterans file disability claims.

According to Military Times, Chanin Nuntavong, the Legion’s executive director broke ranks with his peer major VSOs, finally acknowledging that for-profit companies can join the benefits community to help alleviate hundreds of thousands of backlogged claims, provided they get accredited by the Veterans Administration (VA).

Disabled veterans are not stupid. Why are some members of Congress and even some Veteran Service Organizations acting like they are?

It’s no secret that the Department of Veterans Affairs has its challenges. I’m not here to attack the VA or the men and women who work there for all the right reasons. The department certainly has hurdles to overcome, from a six-figure backlog of disability claims to a ballooning budget to infrastructure and staffing issues. At the end of the day, we are grateful that our federal government dedicates massive resources to the cause of protecting and caring for those who have made untold sacrifices for our country.