House Republicans push for backlog commission

By Leo Shane III
Published: May 23, 2013

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers unhappy with the continued claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs are now pushing for a new commission to find new solutions to the problem.

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., are sponsoring a bill to create a 15-person panel to weigh in on the VA’s claims processing and evaluation. The commission would exist for 180 days, and offer a series of recommendations to more quickly get veterans their benefits payouts.

College rankings include online veterans programs

By Leo Shane III
Published: May 7, 2013

WASHINGTON — U.S. News and World Report for the first time has included analysis of online degree programs for veterans in its 2013 college rankings, out today.

Researchers in recent years have included online-only programs in their annual report, but said they included the veteran-specific rankings in recognition of the challenges that population faces.

VFW, SVA announce new student vet help program

By Leo Shane III
Published: May 2, 2013

WASHINGTON — Student veterans having trouble getting through the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits helplines now have another resource for their GI Bill problems.

On Wednesday, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Student Veterans of America launched their new “1 Student Veteran” program, designed to provide answers and assistance on a host of benefits issues for veterans attending college.

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