Kilmer Pushes VA to Improve Services for Tribal Veterans Seeking Benefits
Washington, D.C. – Today, Kilmer received a commitment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that the agency will make a push to ensure tribal veterans have access to benefits. Leigh Bradley, the VA General Counsel, wrote a letter to Kilmer detailing that the agency will look at recognizing tribal organizations who can represent veterans requesting benefits.
The letter came after Kilmer authored report language in a House Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill directing the VA to properly recognize tribes as veteran service organizations by using existing authority so that they could help veterans.
Currently, the VA has not identified tribal governments as veterans’ service organizations. This makes it harder for the tribes and their employees to help Native American veterans receive missing benefits or proper compensation.
“If you serve our country than we should have your back,” said Kilmer. “But all too often, Native American veterans find themselves trapped in red tape trying to access the benefits they deserve. Even worse, tribal resources that could help them navigate the process don’t have permission to do so. I’m glad the VA is looking into getting tribes the right designation so they can help Native American veterans get the care they are owed.”
In the letter to Kilmer, the VA detailed the agency continues to look for ways to get tribal veterans claiming VA benefits access to representation.
Bradley wrote: “In that regard, we are pleased to inform you that VA is actively evaluating options for rulemaking to authorize VA to recognize certain organizations affiliated with tribal governments as “Tribal organizations” for the purpose of representing claimants for VA benefits in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their claims.”
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