I know what it’s like to fight for your life – and then come home and have to fight for your benefits. 

When I stepped on an IED in Afghanistan in 2012, I lost portions of all four limbs. My recovery was long, painful, and filled with questions. But one thing was always clear: I wasn’t going to give up, and I wasn’t going to do it alone. I had people around me who knew how to navigate the system. People who helped me cut through the confusion, the paperwork, and the bureaucratic runaround that too many veterans still face today. 

That’s why the CHOICE Act (H.R. 3132) matters so much. 

Veterans need help — real help — when filing disability claims. And they deserve the freedom to choose who gives them that help. Over the years, private companies have stepped up where the system has fallen short. They’ve filled the gap between what the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofits can do, and what veterans actually need. And they’ve done it with expert-level knowledge and mission-first commitment. 

But unless Congress acts, that choice — that critical support — is at risk. 

The CHOICE Act protects veterans’ right to work with consultants when preparing their initial claims, while also holding bad actors accountable. It says: yes, you can get expert help, and no, we won’t let scammers take advantage of your situation. It creates oversight, sets clear rules, and makes sure fees are only tied to actual results — not empty promises. 

Because I talk to veterans every day who are overwhelmed by the process, this is personal for me. They want to get it right. They’re proud, just like I was. But pride doesn’t file claims. Pride doesn’t track down service records or interpret medical evaluations. And it sure doesn’t get you through a system that’s often stacked against you. 

The truth is, most people don’t even realize how complicated the VA claims process is until they’re in it. One wrong form, one missed deadline, one unclear diagnosis, and your claim can be delayed for months or denied altogether. That’s why experts matter.

And that’s why the CHOICE Act isn’t just good policy, it’s a lifeline. 

To be fair, I’ll give credit where it’s due. Under the Trump administration, the VA has made real strides. Cutting the claims backlog by 25% in just a few months is no small thing. I appreciate that effort. It’s a step in the right direction. 

But the backlog isn’t the only problem. Veterans also need the freedom to work with the right team from the beginning, not just after they’ve been denied or stuck in limbo. The CHOICE Act gives them that chance. It protects thousands of veteran jobs, promotes transparency, and keeps the door open for real, effective support. 

Veterans didn’t ask for a handout. We asked for the benefits we sacrificed for and the ability to get them without being stuck in a bureaucratic maze. 

Let’s make it simple: Veterans deserve choice. They deserve expert help. And they deserve a system that works for them, not against them. 

Congress, it’s time to finish what the VA has started. Pass the CHOICE Act. Give our veterans the support, protection and freedom they’ve earned. 

We didn’t quit on this country. Don’t quit on us. 

Travis Mills, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, is founder of the Travis Mills Foundation.