Buried in the just-passed VA budget bill is an amendment that requires the VA to inform Illinois veterans that they may not have received benefits at a proper level and tells them how to ask for a review of an existing benefits claim and how to file a new claim. The outcome of these new claims and claim reviews could substantially raise monthly compensation for thousands of veterans and would include retroactive payments.
This new VA requirement applies not only to veterans in Illinois, but also to veterans in Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Indiana and Connecticut. The VA was found to be granting veterans' benefits in those six states at a rate lower than in other states.
It's interesting to note that Indiana is on this list. Yet, Rep. Buyer, who claims to be fighting for the veterans in his Fourth Indiana Congressional District, is silent on this issue. One would think that he would be praising Senators Durbin and Obama for helping Indiana veterans. But, kind words for Democrat politicians would not be well-received by the Republican hierarchy that put Buyer into the Chair at HCVA and now demands his absolute loyalty. At least the veterans of Indiana have two good Illinois Senators to look after them.
I have no doubt that Rep. Buyer will continue his politically-motivated war on veterans by using the words of others. His campaign of third-party slurs fits right in with current Republican Party politics. His disregard for veterans in his own district has caused them, for many years, to receive VA benefits at a level lower than veterans in other states.
Rep. Steve Buyer's position as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs demands a higher standard of conduct when it comes to serving veterans. Will he try to elevate himself to that higher standard, or will he continue to show contempt and disrespect for those who have given so much for this country?
This new VA requirement applies not only to veterans in Illinois, but also to veterans in Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Indiana and Connecticut. The VA was found to be granting veterans' benefits in those six states at a rate lower than in other states.
It's interesting to note that Indiana is on this list. Yet, Rep. Buyer, who claims to be fighting for the veterans in his Fourth Indiana Congressional District, is silent on this issue. One would think that he would be praising Senators Durbin and Obama for helping Indiana veterans. But, kind words for Democrat politicians would not be well-received by the Republican hierarchy that put Buyer into the Chair at HCVA and now demands his absolute loyalty. At least the veterans of Indiana have two good Illinois Senators to look after them.
I have no doubt that Rep. Buyer will continue his politically-motivated war on veterans by using the words of others. His campaign of third-party slurs fits right in with current Republican Party politics. His disregard for veterans in his own district has caused them, for many years, to receive VA benefits at a level lower than veterans in other states.
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