Las Vegas Sun - Proposed Nevada bill would limit who assists veterans with benefits

On March 11th, the Last Vegas Sun ran a story about a proposal being considered in the Nevada Legislature that would prohibit Nevada Veterans from using private services to get help in applying for VA disability benefits, restricting their choice and ability to get needed benefits.

VBG CEO Josh Smith, VBG clients and community partners, and concerned veterans spoke in opposition to the proposal during a meeting of the Assembly’s Committee on Government Affairs. Smith discussed the flawed system he witnessed as a disability rater at the VA and said VBG has assisted thousands of veterans as they navigated the VA disability claims process.

Brandon Mills, a service-disabled U.S. Army veteran and Southern Nevada Veterans Chamber of Commerce member, said he was speaking on his own behalf against AB 145. He believes VA-accredited representatives alone can’t meet “overwhelming demand” for claims assistance and independent organizations are needed to fill that gap. “AB 145 is not about protecting veterans. It is about restricting their choices, pitting vets against vets and lifting a giant middle finger to those that sacrificed for our country,” Mills said. “Passing this bill would send a clear message that Nevada values bureaucracy over the well-being of those who served.”

Read the full article here

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