Finding A Better Path to Support Veterans
Brave men and women veterans have sacrificed greatly for our nation, yet many face significant challenges when transitioning back to civilian life, from visible injuries to mental health struggles like PTSD. Tragically, between 2016 and 2020, 882 veterans in Michigan alone died by suicide, underscoring the critical need for better mental health support systems alongside physical care. The mental health challenges veterans face are often invisible, yet profoundly impactful, making it crucial that we address these issues comprehensively.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made strides in providing support for mental health, but veterans often encounter barriers to receiving timely and effective care. A report by the VA highlights that around 1 in 5 veterans experience some form of mental health condition, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. Yet, despite these significant needs, many veterans still struggle to access the care and benefits they are entitled to due to the complexities of the VA system.
One of the key barriers veterans face is the complex and often frustrating VA disability claims process. Despite the benefits they are entitled to, only a small percentage of veterans currently receive VA disability compensation. The national average is 23%, and in Michigan, the figure is even lower. A Craig DeRoche shares, this gap is largely due to bureaucratic red tape and the difficulty many veterans face in navigating the system on their own.
To address this, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman has introduced the PLUS for the Veterans Act of 2023, a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming the VA disability claims system. The bill would create a pathway for private consulting agents to gain accreditation as VA-approved actors. These consultants, who work on a contingency basis, could help veterans navigate the claims process, using their expertise to provide personalized assistance that is currently lacking in the system. According to Craig DeRoche, the bill would “fill gaps in the current system” and “expand access and choice while offering new protections.”
Currently, many veterans are unaware that private consulting agents even exist, as these entities are not listed as VA resources. The PLUS Act would change this by allowing private agents to become VA-accredited through a thorough review process, offering veterans more options for assistance. Additionally, the bill would impose criminal sanctions on unscrupulous actors who might try to exploit veterans, ensuring greater accountability and protection for those in need.
The importance of addressing veterans' mental health cannot be overstated. Mental health care is as essential as physical care in supporting veterans' successful reintegration into civilian life. In fact, according to the National Veterans Foundation, untreated mental health conditions can exacerbate feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, making it harder for veterans to navigate the disability claims process. The PLUS Act offers a crucial step forward in ensuring that veterans have access to the necessary resources—both for mental health support and for navigating the often daunting VA claims process.
The challenges veterans face after their service are real and pressing, and legislation like the PLUS Act represents a much-needed step toward improving their access to the benefits they deserve. As DeRoche concludes, for those who have “sacrificed so much, the least we can do is to take measures to expand veteran access and choice when it comes to how they navigate the process of receiving VA benefits.” By supporting such reforms, we can ensure veterans receive the care and recognition they have earned—both mentally and physically.
References:
DeRoche, Craig. “Reforming the VA Disability Claims System.” [Link to original article]
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2022). "Mental Health." [VA.gov](https://www.va.gov)
National Veterans Foundation (2023). "Mental Health Issues for Veterans." [NVF.org](https://nvf.org)
By: Carley DeRoche
Executive Director