Washington, D.C. -  Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly sent a letter to Congressman John Hall, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Ranking Member Doug Lamborn calling on them to include in upcoming veterans disability legislation a requirement that the Veterans Administration (VA) provide temporary or partial disability ratings immediately to seriously-injured combat-disabled veterans, thereby enabling them to receive disability benefits sooner than under the current system.
 
“Our current system is failing to provide America’s veterans with the care they deserve,” Donnelly said. “I wrote this letter to stress the importance of reforming the disability claims process so it is more efficient and better serves our veterans.”

This past November, Donnelly introduced The Immediate Benefits for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007, which would assign a temporary disability rating to combat-disabled veterans upon their return home or upon their receipt of a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. This would enable them to collect disability benefits until a permanent rating is assigned, which can take months to occur.

“I will continue to fight on behalf of our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation. Our current system is unacceptable. Our veterans deserve to receive their disability benefits in a timely fashion, and I look forward to working with the Veterans Affairs Committee to see that this happens,” Donnelly stressed.

To read a copy of Donnelly’s letter to Congressmen Hall and Lamborn, click here.

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