If you’re a veteran, you know how difficult it can be to navigate an extremely bureaucratic system after returning home. Paperwork and meetings aren’t exactly what a veteran, especially one who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder or another disability, wants to be doing with their time.
NPR’s Steve Walsh said without someone to help navigate veterans benefits, they can often be overwhelming and difficult.
One example he gave is in difference of payment. Veterans may not notice this difference, but Walsh said the latest data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows that Indiana, as an example, gives veterans $4,935 each year. This is the state with the 35th most veterans. If veterans in Indiana got as much as veterans in the state with the 35th highest return, Utah, they’d get an additional $558. If it were upped to the national average, they’d receive $1,153 more, on average.
This led one retired general to tell Walsh that he believes Indiana has “neglected veterans,” as they clearly have a lack of education as to what their benefits are.
Without clear education on benefits from VA, it will take the veteran being proactive and working with someone who can help them understand their benefits. Working with an attorney or representative can take some of the mystery out of the process, something that can mean saving time and money.
While there are many competent and well meaning service officers, volunteers and representatives available to assist veterans in navigating the claim process, it ultimately may take the assistance of skilled legal counsel to obtain the the benefits Veteran are entitled. The Law Offices of Harold W. Conick & Associates, Ltd. is committed to winning the highest level of VA benefits available for our veteran clients.
