SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 11

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Craig W. Brandt

 

 

 

 

 

A JOINT MEMORIAL

URGING CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND THE DELAY IN THE VETERANS AFFAIRS' SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES SYSTEM'S FAILURE TO MAKE RATING DETERMINATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

 

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a significant number of people who have served in the United States armed forces and have contributed greatly to the security of the state and this great nation; and

     WHEREAS, a significant number of veterans in New Mexico were injured in combat or while training for combat; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of veterans affairs' schedule for rating disabilities is based on a veteran's severity of the veteran's service-connected condition and determines how much disability compensation the veteran will receive each month in benefits; and

     WHEREAS, the veterans affairs' disability rating system has consistently taken months and sometimes years to properly rate veterans who made huge sacrifices by serving; and

     WHEREAS, determinations for veterans with terminal diagnoses are taking several months when these determinations are supposed to take no more than thirty days; and

     WHEREAS, many veterans suffer from physical and severe mental health issues brought on or exacerbated by military service; and

     WHEREAS, many veterans cannot fully participate in the workforce or earn a living due to these injuries, nor can they afford the health care needed to deal with these health problems; and

     WHEREAS, many veterans are not aware that their military retirement benefits do not cover end-of-life care, including care in a long-term care facility, home health care and numerous other benefits only available to veterans with a minimum seventy percent service-connected rating; and

     WHEREAS, previously, the disability rating system was functioning more smoothly, and determinations were being done in a more expeditious manner; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of veterans affairs has failed to maintain the standards and time lines to award disability benefits in a timely manner;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that congress be urged to investigate the United States department of veterans affairs and the veterans affairs' schedule for rating disabilities system's failure to make rating determinations in a timely manner; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congress be requested to honor the country's commitment to all veterans by requiring that the department of veterans affairs determine disability ratings within ninety days of filing for determination and that determinations be expedited within thirty days for claims based on terminal illness and for veterans who have been placed in hospice; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congress be requested to acknowledge and address the United States department of veterans affairs' failure to protect veterans who have suffered so much for the freedoms that people enjoy in the United States; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation.

- 3 -