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New Legislation Will Make Veterans Aware Of Their Benefits

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) recently introduced legislation that, if passed, would force the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify all "new" veterans of all the benefits to which they are eligible. As a result, the legislation will improve veterans' access to VA health care.

Sen. Gillibrand pioneered her legislation because she felt veterans were not receiving the treatment they deserved given their sacrifices for this country. Sen. Gillibrand denounced the incredible amount of bureaucracy veterans have to deal with attempting to claim the benefits they earned with their service. There are too many veterans "falling through the cracks."

Sen. Gillibrand's legislation will force the VA to work directly with the Department of Defense (DoD) in a proactive manner. Their combined efforts will focus on developing a practical and upbeat approach to bringing veterans to their earned benefits.

There are thousands of veterans not aware of, and therefore not receiving, the benefits to which they are entitled. For many, those benefits are completely necessary for their survival.

What many veterans do not know is all veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are entitled to 5 years of free health care following their separation from the military. Sen. Gillibrand's legislation would automatically enroll veterans in the VA's health care system as opposed to waiting for the veterans to come to it.

President Obama agrees with Sen. Gillibrand's plan to make benefits more available to veterans. To make sure that plan is implemented, he has ordered the DoD and the VA to simplify their file transfers.

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 veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.