Veterans Issues: the “Collateral Matters”

There’s a story that’s been told tens of thousands of times in recent decades.

It goes something like the following: a young person signs up to serve their country in the U.S. Armed Forces. This young person fulfilled the term of their contract, was discharged, and either went back home or elsewhere to start a new life.

But because of the thing(s) that happened to this young person while they served - which could involve a deployment to a combat zone or not - this young person begins their new civilian life carrying with them any combination of visible or invisible wounds, debilitating or life-threatening health conditions, or other matters which otherwise detrimentally affect this person’s efforts to prosper following their exit from the service.

Though this story is as old as history itself, it was not until recently in that governments - most especially the U.S. Government - enacted policies which reflect the idea that a government that asks young people to serve for the common defense acquires a sacred duty to care for them when their service has given them serious and oftentimes lifelong injuries. In 1865, mere weeks before the end of the Civil War and his own life, President Abraham Lincoln established a home for disabled volunteer soldiers.

There is a lot of history between 1865 to the present, but the veterans home created by President Lincoln in that year was followed by other programs, initiatives, legislation, and agencies over the ensuing century.

Eventually, in 1988, the Department of Veterans Affairs was established in its current form under President Reagan. This action elevated the VA to a cabinet-level agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government. This means that the agency head of the VA, i.e., the Secretary, took their place alongside other secretaries of the other cabinet-level agencies, such as the Department of Defense, Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security. The elevation of the VA and its chief executive agent to a cabinet-level agency and position reflects the collective American belief in upholding the sacred duty to care for those who signed up to serve, and who now suffer some type of debilitating condition as a result.

Eligible veterans are entitled to a multitude of benefits, depending on his or her circumstance. While these VA benefits are dependent upon eligibility, the most common of these benefits are disability pension and ongoing medical care.

As a general matter, any veteran who has a medical condition related to their military service should either visit the VA’s website, contact an organization that assists veterans with the VA claims process, or contact an attorney familiar with VA procedure to help them determine their eligibility for any and all of these potential benefits. These resources should also be the go-to for a veteran who is currently experiencing homelessness or other serious circumstances.

All veterans must understand that there are many, many groups and individuals in and outside of government (federal, state, and local) that are ready and willing to help. All veterans must also understand that there is no better time than now to start this process, and to never be afraid to ask for help.

But the reach of government can only go so far. The practical reality is that veterans who have a condition related to their service - even if the veteran is being taken care of by the VA through disability payments and health care - oftentimes find themselves with a host of other problems. These problems can include substance abuse and consequent criminal charges for possession of an illegal substance or a DUI charge. These problems can also include family law matters including custody and divorce. They can also include debt-related matters, landlord-tenant matters, employment matters. Frankly, these “collateral matters” can be anything that we would expect from a individual who is struggling to thrive because of a serious, life-changing issue.

These “collateral matters” that many veterans face are sometimes the biggest hurdle that the veteran needs to overcome in order to fully prosper.

Malizia Law LLC fully supports our veterans. I am a veteran myself. At Malizia Law LLC, veterans facing these “collateral matters” are eligible for a reduced fee or no fee at all. Moreover, if I cannot help you, I promise that I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

Give me a call, anytime.

V/R,

Joe