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Obama, Durbin Legislation Requiring VA to Notify IL Veterans About Historically Low Disability Pay Passes Congress and Will Soon be Signed into Law

Friday, November 18, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Date: November 18, 2005

Obama, Durbin Legislation Requiring VA to Notify IL Veterans About Historically Low Disability Pay Passes Congress and Will Soon be Signed into Law

WASHINGTON - Legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify veterans living in states that have historically received below-average disability compensation payments, provide them with information on how to request a review of past claims and how to submit new claims passed Congress today and will soon be signed into law.

"When the VA makes a mistake, they have an obligation to correct it," said Obama. "Veterans in Illinois have been shortchanged by the VA for decades simply because of where they live. This legislation is an important step towards righting that wrong by notifying veterans that they may not have received the benefits that they earned, and explaining to them their right to request a review of their claims."

Obama and Durbin's amendment was included as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The legislation would require the VA to:

  • Inform veterans of the past history of below-average disability compensation payments by the VA to veterans in these states. States whose average annual disability compensation payment was less than $7,300 would qualify as below average. In 2003, Illinois veterans received an average of $6,802.

  • Provide veterans in these states with information on how to request a review of past claims and ratings and how to submit new claims. The VA would inform these veterans through mailed notifications to all veterans in the states currently receiving disability compensation, as well as other communications, such as broadcast or print advertisements, to notify veterans whose past claims may have been improperly denied.


In December, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Illinois veterans receive disproportionately less disability pay, on average, than veterans in 49 of the 52 states and territories. Other states where veterans will receive notification include: Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, Ohio and New Jersey.