One of my top priorities is supporting the brave men and women who fought courageously for our nation.  We must honor their commitment and sacrifice, as well as that of their families.  As a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am working hard to ensure that we provide the care and assistance every veteran has earned.

Casework Assistance

My office is here to help you resolve difficulties you may be having with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Some of the services that my office may be able to assist you with include:

• Determining the current status of a pending application/claim
• Requesting a claim to be expedited for terminal illness or emergency
• Locating military service and medical records
• Obtaining military service medals or ribbons

If you are in need of assistance, please visit my Help with a Federal Agency page to contact me directly.

Other useful links for veterans:

• G.I. Bill Educational Benefits
• Home Loan Guarantee Services
• Locate a VA Facility
• Medical Benefits
• Military Awards and Decorations
• Military Records
• Veterans History Project
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits

VA Medical Facilities

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently selected San Joaquin County as the next site of a new outpatient clinic and 120-bed nursing home for the area’s veterans.

This facility, expected to be completed in 2015, will provide services such as radiology, physical therapy, dental, audiology, optometry, and will include a pharmacy.  The construction and staffing of the new facility will bring an estimated 900 jobs to the area.

In addition, the VA announced that it will expand services at the current community based outpatient clinic at French Camp to provide care for additional veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am also committed to fighting for the continuation of services at the Livermore VA facility.  When I met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs this year, I urged him to keep this important resource in veterans’ hands.  I’m going to keep working for veterans in the Tri-Valley to have access to the services they need.

Legislation

I am the author of the Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009 – H.R. 1546, which would establish a special panel within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assess its current capacity treat veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the signature wound of current conflicts.  The panel would recommend new policies for the care and rehabilitation of veterans with TBI and help establish TBI-specific education and training programs for the VA’s health professionals.  H.R. 1546 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 27, 2009.

I also wrote and passed a resolution honoring the Tri-Valley based Sentinels of Freedom organization.  Sentinels of Freedom provides four-year scholarships to severely injured veterans as they transition from military to civilian life.  This includes support to enroll in school, find and maintain a job, and obtain housing.  H.Res.461, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on November 2, 2009, recognizes the organization’s service and commitment to America’s veterans.

Outreach

Veterans Workshops - I regularly hold workshops to bring services for veterans into the community.  Workshops are an opportunity to meet face to face with caseworkers and get information from local veterans groups and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans Advisory Board - Since 2007, my Veterans Advisory Board, made up of veterans from throughout the 11th district, has met regularly to discuss the expansion of veterans’ services and how to improve treatment of veterans from all conflicts, including veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. I will continue to meet with the Advisory Board to hear about issues of concern to veterans in our area.

Veterans History Project - The Veterans History Project collects and preserves the firsthand accounts of American war veterans by archiving video and audio recordings of their remembrances at the Library of Congress.  Each year, I host local recording sessions in partnership with high school and college students as part of the Veterans History Project.  For more information or to participate, contact my office or visit the Veterans History Project website.

Holiday Cards for Our Troops – The holiday season can be a stressful time of year for the men and women who serve our country, particularly for those who have returned from overseas with injuries.  As part of my annual “Holiday Cards for Our Troops” program, constituents honor our men and women in uniform by collecting holiday cards, which my office delivers to soldiers recovering from battle and sends to soldiers stationed overseas.