FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday September 22,
2008
CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
IAVA Executive Director Joins Senator Clinton and Congressman Hall at
Press Conference Monday to Support Key Veterans Legislation
Critical Bill Seeks to Overhaul
VA Benefits Claims System
NEW YORK - On Monday
September 22 at 11:00 am ET, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest
nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group, will join Senator Hillary
Clinton (D-NY) and Congressman John Hall (D-NY19) to announce the introduction
of a Senate companion bill to the "Disability Claims Modernization Act" (H.R.
5892). This important piece of legislation would modernize and streamline the benefits
claims system in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and help to ensure that
veterans and their families receive the compensation to which they are entitled
in a timely manner.
"Right now, too many wounded veterans are going broke while
waiting for their claims to be processed.
The VA is caring for 21st century veterans with 20th century
standards and technology. By making
desperately needed improvements to the system, we can ensure that those who
have sacrificed for our nation are not left waiting for their benefits," said
Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA). "IAVA is grateful to Senator Clinton and Congressman Hall for their
commitment to overhauling the VA benefits claims system."
This legislation provides critical provisions to modernize
and upgrade the quality and efficiency of care for veterans and their families.
Specifically, it provides for revisions to the disability rating system, updates
the process by which the VA adjudicates claims, and extends key benefits to veterans'
families. The changes in the bill would
bring significant relief to thousands of veterans who have struggled with the current
inefficient and bureaucratic benefits claims process. Led by the efforts of Congressman Hall and the
support of 79 bi-partisan co-sponsors, the "Disability Claims Modernization Act"
(H.R. 5892) passed the House unanimously in July 2008. It is currently under
review in the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Senator Clinton is announcing the introduction of a companion bill in
the Senate.
A press conference where Senator Clinton,
Congressman Hall and Paul Rieckhoff will be among the speakers will take place
on Monday, September 22 at 11am ET at the Cortlandt Manor
Town Hall, 1 Heady Street, Cortlandt
Manor, NY, 10567.
It is open to the media.
Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq veteran originally from Garrison,
NY, is the Executive Director of Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org).
IAVA is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 100,000
veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states.
To arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or
an Iraq
veteran who can share a personal story of navigating the VA claims system,
please contact Chrissy Stevens at (212) 982-9699 or
