Seeking common ground on benefits

On Thursday, American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division Director Barry A. Searle Director, along with VA&R Assistant Director Ian de Planque, met with several veterans service organizations (VSOs) - including the Military Order of the Purple Heart, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars - to discuss common ground on how the system of veterans benefits can be amended to improve the system for veterans.

With a congressional roundtable on the topic next week scheduled for March 18, it is important for VSOs to find common ground where a unified front can be presented to strengthen support of measures before Congress and maximize the support efforts the VSOs provide. Common themes have included a focus on quality of decisions over quantity and replacing VA's ineffective work credit system.