News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Veterans who do not know about the benefits they are entitled to can visit the local Disabled American Veterans office.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 117 Commander Tim Werre said the biggest change in legislation regarding disabled benefits is what the DAV calls presumptives. Werre said veterans who have a disease or particular type of cancer from spending extended time in an area of conflict, can now qualify for disability.
“Legislation changes often enough where veterans are not always up to speed with the latest change in legislation that makes it easier or harder to make a claim,” Werre said. “You will qualify for disability based upon that ailment because you were at that location. That way you don’t have to prove that it is service-connected anymore. It’s presumed that it is service-connected because you were in that area of the world.”
Werre said as legislation changes veterans who have been denied in years past can now be approved for disability. Werre said the more veterans who make full use of the benefits will hopefully bring better benefits in the future.
“The bigger the demand and the use of these benefits shows Congress and shows our leaders that there is a need,” Werre said. “There is also an interest in getting taken care of.”
Werre said veterans should visit the DAV office in Cookeville if they have any questions or need assistance in filing disability claims.
