Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13) introduced H.R. 1982, the Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009. The legislation is designed to ensure that the Department of Veterans of Affairs (VA) acknowledges receipt of first-time claims. The bill would require the VA to respond to claims submitted by veterans or family members of military service personnel seeking benefits by mail or by phone within 60 days.

“Many veterans who file claims for disability or health benefits do not know if the Veterans Administration ever received the claim. After weeks of waiting, many spend hours trying to follow up just to confirm receipt of their materials,” said Congresswoman Kilpatrick. “The men and women who serve our country deserve better. This bill provides them with the basic courtesy of letting them know that their claim has been received. At the very least, we must let them know that their government hears them.”