The Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs met this evening and heard a presentation on Veteran benefits in West Virginia. Approximately 30% of all veterans receive some form of disability compensation monthly, which is when the VA provides a tax-free benefit designed to compensate veterans with injuries that are service-connected, and that number rises to 40% for post-9/11 GWOT veterans.  Veterans are assigned a rating that determines the amount of money they will receive monthly. Veterans’ ratings at a 10% receive roughly $170, and 100% ratings receive roughly $4,000 a month. Over 9,000 veterans in West Virginia have 100% ratings, bringing in over $400 million a year in the state. Honorable discharge is not needed to receive the disability benefit. It has implications for access to healthcare and education for veterans and their families, who rate at 100%. The entirety of tuition at WVU would be covered for veterans rated at 100%. Benefits can be applied for on paper or online; legal assistance is not required.
The presenter stated that the main shortfalls for WV veterans are:
- Access to paperwork
- Access to reliable internet
- Access to medical records
- Inability to reach someone on the phone
- Access to knowledge and a lack of education from the VA on navigating their system
- Compensation and Pension examinations are hours away, scheduled on short notice.
- Erroneous materials coming out of VA
The presenter also states that unlawful companies are charging veterans thousands of dollars illegally for “consulting” services and advisory services on claims. The presenter displayed letters that the VA OGC sent outlining illegal practices. Presently, Texas, North Carolina, Maine, New Jersey, and various other states are pursuing lawsuits against companies.
The presenter states that the legislature could help by passing a bill that creates a cause of action for consumer protection against those not in compliance with federal law.
Previous bills, known as the Plus Act and the GUARD Act, were introduced in prior sessions but not passed. The presenter states that all anyone needs to do is comply with the existing law.
