Risch Urges VA to Ensure Veterans With Service-Related Conditions Receive Full Benefits

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins urging the VA to correct an error by the Biden administration unfairly denying veterans with service-related conditions their hard-earned benefits.

"[. . .] under the previous administration, many Idaho veterans suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and other presumptive conditions were required to undergo additional burdensome testing and, in some cases, their disability claims were outright denied. These brave men and women answered the call to serve and should never be unjustly refused our support," wrote Risch. "I appreciate your efforts to turn the page on the VA's past shortcomings, and I am confident that under your leadership the VA will rise to meet modern challenges. Claims processors must receive clear and consistent training to ensure presumptive conditions are properly recognized, and that veterans do not have to contend with bureaucracy to access their earned benefits."

Presumptive conditions are illnesses and disabilities assumed to be caused by a veteran's military service, such as those related to Agent Orange exposure, certain cancers, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Read the full letter here.

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