VA Breaks Records but Veterans Deserve More

As a veteran and advocate, I'm glad to see the Department of Veterans Affairs processing over 1 million claims in fiscal year 2024 at the fastest rate in its history. After decades of struggling with immense backlogs, it's a relief that more of us are finally getting the compensation and benefits we've earned through our service. (https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-processed-its-one-millionth-veteran-benefits-claim-fy2024/)

The PACT Act has been a gamechanger, allowing the VA to provide care for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic hazards. With over 3.5 million new claims filed since that landmark legislation, it's no wonder the VA has expanded its workforce by 50% and looked to technology to meet the increased demand.

But let's be clear - the VA still has a long way to go to make things right for America's veterans.

While they hit the 1 million claims milestone almost six weeks faster than last year, the backlog of pending claims over 125 days still sits at over 42,000. That's 42,000 injured or ill veterans stuck in limbo, unable to access the care and compensation they desperately need after sacrificing for this nation.

I'm pleased the overall grant rate is up to 60.4% this year, including 75.1% of PACT Act claims. But that also means hundreds of thousands of claims are still being denied or delayed each year. As someone who has been through the VA bureaucracy, I know how grueling and dehumanizing that process can be for veterans already struggling.

And even when claims are granted eventually, the VA's work is not done. I've heard far too many stories of veterans with approved claims who still faced unconscionable wait times, lack of access to quality care, or bureaucratic runarounds when trying to actually utilize their hard-earned benefits.

So while I absolutely commend the VA staff working hard to make progress on the backlog, I caution against any sort of victory lap. This is merely the baseline of what our nation owes its veterans - taking them at their word, believing their testimony about injuries and toxic exposures, and providing them with timely, fully resourced health services and disability compensation.

For every headline about percentages and numbers, there are thousands of human stories of veterans suffering from depleted cancer treatments, mental health crises, homelessness and financial ruin because of the VA's Byzantine processes. We cannot allow fatigue or complacency to set in.

As an advocate, I will continue pushing for an end to the stratification and inequities still plaguing the system. Why are claims for certain groups of veterans approved at higher rates than others? Why are appeals processes so onerous and tilted in the VA's favor? Why do rural and minority veterans disproportionately lack access to high quality VA care and services?

The pressure must stay on the VA and our elected leaders to fully fund, streamline and humanize the entire benefits system. We will accept nothing less than having every veteran's sacrifice honored through fair and timely care and compensation.

These metrics are nice. But until no veteran falls through the cracks, the VA's work is truly never done.

H.R.1472 - Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017

Currently, only 4 of our US Representatives from Arizona have co-sponsored this bill and it is still in committee. Congresswoman Sinema is an original co-sponsor. Representatives McSally, Gallego and O’Halleran have signed on as well.

Send your Congressman an email urging them to co-sponsor this legislation.

Support our disabled veterans!

This bill expands eligibility for the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include members of the Armed Forces or veterans who are seriously injured or who became ill on active duty prior to September 11, 2001 (currently, limited to service after September 11, 2001).

Services to caregivers of veterans under such program are expanded to include child care services, financial planning services, and legal services.

The bill terminates the support program for caregivers of covered veterans on October 1, 2022, except that any caregiver activities carried out on September 30, 2022, shall be continued on and after October 1, 2022.

The bill authorizes the transfer of entitlement to post 9/11 education assistance to family members by veterans who are retired for a physical disability or who are seriously injured veterans in need of family caregiver services, without regard to length-of-service requirements.

The VA is authorized to pay monthly special compensation to seriously injured or ill veterans in need of personal care services and to their caregivers.

Flexible work schedules or telework are authorized for federal employees who are caregivers of veterans.

The Public Health Service Act is amended to designate a veteran participating in the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers as an adult with a special need for purposes of the lifespan respite care program.

An interagency working group is established in the executive branch to review and report on policies relating to the caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

The VA shall provide for studies on members of the Armed Forces who commenced service after September 11, 2001, and veterans who have incurred a serious injury or illness, including a mental health injury, and their caregivers.