Bipartisan Bill Addresses Legislation for Veterans

Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act

Congressional negotiators have crammed two years’ worth of pending legislation for veterans into one bill they hope to get approved by the end of the summer. Called the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act, the bipartisan measure approved by members of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees is drawing attention for a provision to provide health care for former residents of Camp Lejeune, N.C., who were exposed to contaminated well water between 1957 and 1987.

The bill also contains other provisions that would affect a wide swatch of veterans. These provisions include streamlining the VA benefits claims process, allowing veterans to decide whether they want to receive updates by email and requiring VA to help veterans obtain private medical records that might be relevant to a claim. Further, a controversial VA process of recouping disability pay for the month in which a veteran dies would end, with survivors allowed to keep the full month of benefits. Other provisions in the bill include a requirement that the VA keep a centralized database on sexual assaults on VA property; improving access to veterans living in rural areas; expanding rehabilitation programs for veterans with TBI; and requiring service dogs to by admitted to any public VA building.

Legal Assistance with Veterans’ Claims

Veterans Help Group can help veterans and their families file claims related to contamination exposure at Camp Lejeune. We offer a free consultation and case evaluation for all veterans who need help getting VA benefits. Call (855) 855-8992 or complete our free online case evaluation form to learn how we can help you.