From U.S. Senator Mark Kirk -
As we approach Memorial Day, we honor those who wore the uniform and defended our freedom. We salute these heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and we honor those returning service men and women who traveled across the world to keep our nation safe.
I know you agree that our veterans should have the best possible access to care and assistance when they return home. It is unacceptable that Illinois veterans are forced to wait an average of 465 days to process a disability claim. This is one of the longest waits in the nation.
To confront the veterans disability benefits backlog, I have joined with several senators to understand why veterans are forced to wait so long and how we can end the problem. Last week, I met with Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eric Shinseki and Secretary of Defense (DoD) Chuck Hagel to discuss how to seamlessly combine DoD and VA medical records to cut down on claim wait times. As your Senator, I will work to honor my fellow veterans by reducing this backlog. This problem has become a bureaucratic nightmare for our veterans and will require a coordinated and ongoing solution until our veterans get the benefits they deserve.
On Monday, flags will fly at half-staff across the nation in memory of those who sacrificed everything to make this country great. Let us join together to show our appreciation for all who serve and remember those courageous Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe.
It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.
Very Truly Yours,
Mark Kirk U.S. Senator
