Noteboom The Law Firm

Department of Veterans Affairs 10% Budget Increase for 2013

In a mid-February announcement President Barak Obama revealed a $13.4 billion increase in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fiscal budget for 2013. This increase, which is more than 10% from the 2012 budget, puts the VA’s operating finances at more than 2.25 times greater than it was at the start of the Iraq War in 2004.

As troops return home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and add to the number of veterans in the U.S. eligible for veteran’s benefits and resources run by the VA, the budget increase is a welcome relief. The post-9/11 G.I. Bill has made available several additional resources for education, employment, and support for veterans and their families, adding to the VA’s expenses.

The budget increase is being half-allocated to existing mandatory programs such as the pension and disability benefits. The other funds may be used to help develop discretionary programs and support the VA medical programs. Some highlights of the allocations include: 

• $1 billion to the Veterans Job Corps initiative;
• $1.4 billion for homeless veteran support programs;
• $7.2 billion for long-term veteran care;
• $3.3 billion for technology enhancements for existing programs;
• $6.2 billion for mental health services; and
• $258 million for veterans’ cemeteries.

The VA provides many resources and benefits for disabled veterans to help with medical care, employment, education, and housing. Disabled veterans may seek many types of benefits by applying for veterans’ disability benefits through the VA.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.