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Dear Neighbor,

This past year has been extremely challenging for veterans who need better resources and medical care. When I have the opportunity to speak with veterans, they all share similar frustrations and have similar stories. It is heartbreaking. This was especially highlighted during our Veterans' Legislative Roundtable at our Gainesville District Office in January. 

The VA's appeals system is particularly broken, followed by Community Care and the VA's resistance to authorize visits in the community. I have been diligently working with the House of Representatives and the Senate to fix these recurring issues.

The third, and perhaps the most disturbing issue our veterans face is the non-accredited benefits representatives who scam the widowed survivors of deceased veterans. These fraudsters take widows and family members on costly rides, offering a variety of services (including estate planning) which cost them money and create a delay in their benefits. 

North Central Florida will not roll over. If you know me, you know that I believe in government accountability, and my team and I will continue to take on the VA and fight for you. You answered our nation's call and served our country—it's the least we can do. Together we can strive to hold the VA accountable.

With all that's happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can read below about what we've been up to this week, and as always, you can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For the Republic,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack                                                                                Proudly Representing Florida's Third Congressional District

Legislative Update

I signed on to a letter requesting VA Secretary McDonough expand PACT Act benefits to veterans serving in the Panama Canal Zone.

• Groups of veterans are still excluded from receiving the same benefits as others under the PACT Act.
• The letter, drafted by Rep. Maria Salazar and Rep. Joaquin Castro, urges the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) establish a presumption of service-connected disability for veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone (PCZ) between January 1, 1958, and December 1999 and developed diseases consistent with herbicide exposure.
• The letter coincides with Rep. my cosponsorship of the Panama Canal Zone Act, which seeks to codify a presumption of service-connected disability for Panama Canal Zone Veterans.

• The bill would exclude loans to veterans from the definition of a "member business loan" for lending credit unions. Under current law, credit unions can only lend up to 12.25 percent of the credit union's assets. By excluding veteran loans from this cap, credit unions would have more freedom to lend to veteran-owned businesses, which already face difficulties in accessing credit.

Office of General Counsel, VA Q&A

Question: Is VA accreditation required to assist a veteran in preparing his or her claim?

Answer: Yes. Accreditation means the authority granted by VA to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits in 38 C.F.R. § 14.627(a). Unaccredited individuals may provide other services to veterans so long as they do not assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits.

The License Plate That Supports Florida Veterans

The Florida Veterans Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to those who have contributed to supporting Florida veterans by purchasing a Gadsden Flag license plate.

Through the sales of these distinctive plates, the foundation raises funds that help provide essential programs, services, and outreach materials. With each purchase, supporters display their solidarity with veterans and actively participate in improving their well-being and honoring their sacrifices. Get your plate today here.

Vet Tix For You & Your Family

Vet Tix is a national nonprofit organization that provides free event tickets to give something to those who gave. Vet Tix supports veterans and service members by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences during and after their years of service to our country, delivering experiences to last a lifetime. Becoming a member is free; to join, one just has to be a veteran (all eras), a member of the military, or the immediate family member of a service member who was killed in the line of duty.

The cost of attending live entertainment events can range anywhere from over $200- $500 for a family or four, making these all-American events far too expensive for many of the families to attend.

Vet Tix receives donated tickets from professional and collegiate sports teams, concert and performing arts venues, artists/performers, and private donors who aren’t going to use their tickets, entertainment promoters from motor sports, rodeos, festivals, and more. It receives tickets to many major concert tours, performing arts such as Hamilton, and even major sporting events such as the NFL Super Bowl.

Fully Developed Claims

When you file a claim, you have two options on how you prepare and submit your claim. The first option is a standard claim, where the VA helps you collect the records and documents that make up your claim. This option is covered by 38 CFR 3.159 and is commonly referred to as the VA's duty to assist you in obtaining the evidence you need to substantiate your claim. They will make reasonable efforts to find all the evidence that is needed to move forward in the process. However, when the team attended a recent VA Committee Subcommittee hearing on VA appeals, we learned that one of the major reasons for denials and remands is the VA fails time and again in their duty to assist.

What we are hearing is those who file a fully developed claim in the beginning have a higher degree of success and likelihood of approval in a shorter amount of time.

The other option is a fully developed claim, where you compile all the supporting documents yourself and submit them to the VA as a package. This places the burden of proof on you and your accredited representative. However, the time you spend in compiling the supporting documents from the first medical episode of care and following treatment helps you build a package where the validity of your claimed condition(s) is readily recognized by the VA. This moves you out of the VA development line much faster if all the evidence is attached to your claim. It allows your claim to move to a rating specialist faster and for them to give your claim the green light to move on for its review and authorization. In looking at the inquiries we receive, we are finding a great deal of time can be wasted while the VA looks for information to substantiate your claim or appeal.

We encourage you to sit down with our many accredited service officers and discuss the best path for you to take when filing a claim.

Marion County Honor Guard

I am so proud of the Marion County Honor Guard. This team keeps giving to our Marion County veterans and their families by providing ''Final Salute'' services. This past year they performed 176 funerals and participated in 32 community events. This is an amazing accomplishment from our veteran volunteers and we commend them on everything they have done to continue serving our community. 

Great American Spit-Out

In observation of the Great American Spit-Out on February 22, VA reminds veterans that "It's Never Too Late" to stop using smokeless tobacco. VA offers a variety of treatment options, including prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapy, and tobacco use cessation counseling to veterans who want to stop using dip or chew.

Click here to download digital and print materials. Share these materials to help us promote the Great American Spit-Out and VA's tobacco use treatment resources.

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