Building once again on his pledge to make West Virginia's veterans a top priority, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, worked to pass a package of veterans legislation in the House of Representatives Wednesday that will honor veterans by improving veterans' health care, strengthening benefits for our men and women currently serving, and providing long overdue benefits for veterans and military retirees who have already served.

"In a few days, on Memorial Day, we will come together across the country to somberly pay tribute to the sacrifices made by so many men and women in our Armed Forces," Rahall said. "It is fitting that we precede this day of remembrance by passing legislation that honors the service of our soldiers beyond mere words and passing celebrations, but through action and tangible assistance."

Among the legislation passed Wednesday, The Veterans Outreach Improvement Act, H.R. 67, will allow the VA to partner with state and local governments to reach out to veterans and their families to ensure they receive the benefits for which they are eligible and to assist them in completing their benefits claims. Federal grants would be directed to states with large and growing populations of veterans. This measure has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

"The legislation we passed today takes another step in fulfilling our promises in the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century," Rahall said. "I remain committed to honoring our veterans through deeds rather than words, and to building a future worthy of their sacrifice."

A second bill passed Wednesday, the Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act, H.R. 612, will extend the eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge and release. This bill is meant to address the health conditions which may not be evident right after a veterans discharge from service.

"Under the Bush Administration's enrollment ban policy, many veterans are being denied health care," Rahall said. "This legislation will reverse this shameful policy and give our brave troops some additional time to get the help they often need."

The third major bill passed Wednesday is a bill that will ensure that veterans are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury, a common injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and, if diagnosed, that they receive proper treatment. The legislation, H.R. 2199, Traumatic Brain Injury/Rural Outreach Act, will require the Department of Veteran Affairs to screen veterans for TBI, calls for a comprehensive program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation and establishes a TBI transition office at each of the 21 polytrauma network sites nationwide.

Under the legislation, VA resources would also be expanded to provide rural communities with "mobile vet centers" for mental health services and benefits outreach.

"More than half of the combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan have associated brain injuries, making this legislation absolutely imperative," Rahall said. "The mobile vet center, too, will be an invaluable asset to the rural communities they will serve."

These bills will now move on to the Senate for consideration.