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Public Policy Priorities

VetsFirst is dedicated to proactive advocacy on key issues that impact veterans with disabilities, their dependents and survivors. VetsFirst will remain on the frontlines until these critical issues are addressed and veterans and their families can attain a greater quality of life and improved health.

2011 Public Policy Priorities

1. Fostering Community Integration and Independence

  • Veterans with disabilities must have the opportunity to fully participate in our nation’s economy because meaningful, accessible employment allows veterans to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
  • Veterans with disabilities must have access to appropriate VA- and community- based organization provided services and supports that allow them to live independently and be contributing members of their communities.

2. Ensuring Timely Access to Quality VA Health Care and Benefits

  • The VA must ensure that veterans with disabilities have access to all aspects of VA health care – including needed prosthetics and orthotics – that foster independence and empowerment.
  • Congress and the VA must ensure the modernization of the VA’s claims adjudication system to end the excessive claims processing times and improve adjudication accuracy.

3. Recognizing the Sacrifices of Families and Survivors

  • Congress and the VA must ensure that veterans with disabilities of all eras and their families have access to the tools and financial support needed to assist our nation’s veterans with disabilities.
  • Congress must increase the VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefit and eliminate the offset of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities.

4. Promoting the Rights of Veterans with Disabilities within the VA and the World

  • The Senate must ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure the U.S. remains the leader in disability rights and spurs disability rights advancement throughout the world.
  • VA must implement regulations, policies and procedures that comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to ensure that VA programs and services are accessible to veterans with disabilities.