The Pentagon states that close to 30,000 members of our armed forces have sustained injuries resulting in permanent or extended removal from the battlefield, but the real number of soldiers forever changed by fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan is much higher. In 2003, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) treated more than 13,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan; that number has since increased to more than 200,000.
While I remain opposed to our continued presence in Iraq, I recognize that our troops have given everything that can be asked by their country and deserve the best care possible. Under new Democratic leadership, our veterans are finally getting the attention and funding from Congress they deserve. The funds we're devoting to our veterans make much-needed investments in facility upgrades, staffing and care that our growing ranks of veterans require.
Congress has provided historic increases in veterans' health care and benefits. These funds will help meet the needs of veterans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and help compensate for the president's past shortchanging of veterans. They also have kept the president's unnecessary fee increases from harming veterans.
California is home to more than 2.2 million veterans, with the Central Coast hosting more than 36,000 vets. As the vice-chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, I have worked hard to improve the service and care of all our country's veterans, and I'm very proud to support our many local programs.
The bottom line is that Congress is finally offering our veterans and active duty forces the consideration they deserve. We will continue to battle the president's veto threats and will work hard to maintain high funding levels for our veterans programs. It's the least we can do.
VA Benefits Claim Backlog
One of the most pressing issues for over 400,000 disabled veterans and military retirees, is the ongoing backlog in the processing of benefits claims at the VA. That is why as part of the veterans' budget includes funds to hire and train thousands of claim processors to alleviate this backlog and replace retiring staff.
One of the most pressing issues for over 400,000 disabled veterans and military retirees, is the ongoing backlog in the processing of benefits claims at the VA. That is why as part of the veterans' budget sent to the president this week, funding is included to hire and train an additional 1,800 claim processors to alleviate this backlog and replace retiring staff.
While this will help alleviate the backlog, there are still thousands of individuals collecting military retirement pensions which have been held hostage to ongoing delays in the VA benefits compensation backlog. Some of these retirees have waited two, three or up to five years waiting for the VA to finish processing their claim. As part of a bill approved by the House of Representatives, H.R. 3997, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2007, language was included at my request to allow recipients of military retirement pensions to collect on the excess taxes paid while waiting for the approval of their VA benefits claims.
Currently, the IRS statute of limitations allows only affected disabled military retirees to file a claim for a refund of their tax overpayment for the prior 3 years. The language in H.R. 3997 extends the statute of limitations up to 5 years from the date a claim was filed. This refund means thousands of dollars for disabled retirees.
Fort Ord Veterans Cemetery Update
As you may know, a Department of Veterans Affairs report concluded that the most expeditious way to establish a veterans' cemetery at Fort Ord is via the State Cemetery Grants Program, as opposed to the National Cemetery Program. Under the State Cemetery Grants Program, the federal government covers all construction costs, but the state must commit to covering annual operations and maintenance costs. Due to budgetary concerns, California has been reluctant to make this yearly funding commitment. But with public-private partnership language that I was able to include in last year's Department of Veterans' Affairs funding bill, a road map was established for the creation of a Fort Ord State Veterans Cemetery by relieving the State of California of the annual operations and maintenance costs, while providing a new revenue stream that will allow the state to apply to the federal government to start construction.
This partnership is key to making a state cemetery a reality. State-level legislation, sponsored by Assembly Member John Laird, provides the means for state involvement in this public-private partnership. Now that a plan has been worked out on how to move forward as soon as possible on a cemetery, members of the Federal, State and local governments along with representatives of the veterans community have come together to move the process forward. At my urging, the Fort Ord Reuse Authority is poised to put up the funding to complete the design and planning of the cemetery.
Veterans on the Central Coast have been waiting a long time for a veterans' cemetery, and with the establishment of this partnership, their dream for the Fort Ord State Veterans Cemetery will be fulfilled.
New VA/DOD Clinic for the Central Coast
Any veteran who has made the trek from our region to the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital can tell you that it's more than just a quick trip to the doctor. Add to this the fact that many veterans also face the additional challenges of being disabled and it is plain to see our area is in dire need of expanded veterans' services. The current clinics in Capitola and at the former Fort Ord are simply not capable of meeting all the needs of our veterans and the military.
Any veteran who has made the trek from our region to the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital can tell you that it's more than just a quick trip to the doctor. Add to this the fact that many veterans also face the additional challenges of being disabled and it is plain to see our area is in dire need of expanded veterans' services. The current clinics in Capitola and at the former Fort Ord are simply not capable of meeting all the needs of our veterans and the military.
Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding to move forward on the siting and design of a new outpatient clinic. Soon a feasibility study will be conducted to determine the exact size and needs of our region's veterans.
While the former Fort Ord may be disappearing behind the site of new homes, schools and shopping centers the area's veterans and many of its troops are still here. Their needs do not change even if our community does.
Too many of our veterans have to drive too far for health care, and making that care available locally is a top priority.
Don't Forget About the Veterans History Project!
The Library of Congress and the American Folklife Center have established an exciting program to honor our nation's war veterans by chronicling the wartime experiences of all those people who served our country during World War I, World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf wars. This is a great program that will allow your memories, accounts, and documents of war to be preserved for future generations.
The Veterans History Project is open to any American wartime veteran, or any civilian that has contributed to a war effort. The program is an excellent way to add your voice to our nation's history and to preserve your stories for future generations. If you would like more information about the Veterans History Project or would like to arrange an interview with one of my staff members, please feel free to contact my Santa Cruz district office, or visit the Veterans' History Project website.
As I'm sure you will agree, it is important that our Central Coast veterans are represented in this project and I encourage you to contribute your own experiences. I also welcome suggestions and assistance in expanding the reach of this project to as many local veterans as possible. It is an honor to represent you in Congress and I thank you for your service to our nation.
Military Academy Nominations
Each year it is my privilege to nominate exceptional young men and women to our nation's service academies. The opportunity for a quality education and the honor of attending a service academy make these nominations highly competitive. I hope all motivated students living in California's 17th Congressional District will consider these fine opportunities for education and service to our country. Candidates to an academy must reside in California's 17th Congressional District, be a U.S. citizen, and never have been married.
If you are a high school student or know of an interested student, I encourage you to contact my Santa Cruz District Office or visit my website and access the "Helping You" section pertaining to Academies.
MY CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE CAN ASSIST YOU
If you need assistance or clarification about VA policies, your health care, or your compensation claim, please complete a Constituent Casework Request Form or call either of my district offices - Salinas (831) 424-2229, Santa Cruz (831) 429-1976 to request assistance.
Thank you, as always, for your service to our country.
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