Veterans

Serving Those That Serve Us

Care for our nation’s warriors doesn’t end when their service in the military is over.  In Southern Arizona, we are committed to looking out for those who looked out for us.

I have the honor of representing nearly 94,000 veterans in Southern Arizona and issues affecting them remain very important to me.  My Veterans Advisory Council and local Veterans Service Organizations continue to provide constructive input on the changing needs of today’s Veterans.

Today, our veterans’ population continues to grow even as the average age of our vets gets younger and younger.  Since being sent to Congress, my priorities have focused on ensuring our servicemembers are fully equipped when they are sent to do the work of our nation and that they are fully cared for when they return home.  From initiatives that increase access to behavioral health care for members of the Guard and Reserve to efforts to eliminate the backlog of VA claims, I have successfully pushed for increased accountability, responsiveness, and funding to treat the most urgent needs of our veterans’ community.

During the 111th Congress, I have sponsored several bills that will improve educational opportunities and access to care for veterans and increase benefits for retirees.

• The Post-9/11 GI Bill Patch Act (H.R. 4064)
• The Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness Act (H.R. 2698)
• The Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act (H.R. 2699)
• The Reserve Component Retirement Retirement Equity Act (H.R. 1695)

I have also led the charge to establish a Veterans Center in Sierra Vista and expand Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in both Tucson and Sierra Vista in response to the increased demand for these unique services from new and older vets.

In August 2010, I held a Veterans Community Discussion at Pima Community College so that Arizonas could learn about the important issues facing veterans and their families.

Veterans Services and Frequently Asked Questions

If you have specific questions about your individual benefits, please contact my office for assistance.  My dedicated team of casework professionals stand ready to serve.

•    How can I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
•    How can I get education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill?
•    How can I get medical benefits?
•    How can I get a home loan?
•    How can I get life insurance?
•    How can I get vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits?
•    How can I get survivor benefits?
•    What drug benefits are available?
•    How can I get a copy of my military records?
•    How can I apply for a medal, award, or decoration that I earned while in the service?
•    What other services are available to me?

Veteran Affairs (VA) Locations in Southern Arizona

•    Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
•    Casa Grande
•    Green Valley
•    Safford
•    Sierra Vista
•    VA Northwest Tucson
•    VA Southeast Tucson
 

Related Content

Here are a few other links that may be of interest:

Arizona Department of Veterans Services
Military OneSource
Please visit the Veterans History Project to see how you can help collect and preserve the personal accounts of U.S. wartime veterans.

Check out www.warriorgateway.org to find out about local services and jobs.