Veterans' Benefits Legislation Signed by President

Veterans’ Benefits Legislation Signed by President

Changes to Claims Process Suggested by  Well-Known Military Law Attorney 

Washington, DC  – After passing the Senate in unanimous consent, President Bush today signed into law the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. The act includes a wide range of provisions that provide further service to the nation’s veterans, including compensation enhancements and labor, education, and housing benefits for veterans.
 
Additionally, the Act strengthens the protections provided under the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA.) The new legislation clarifies that there is no statute of limitations placed upon USERRA claims. It also streamlines the claims process for veterans and allows for more timely Department of Labor investigations of potential violations of veterans’ employment rights.
 
Mathew B. Tully, one of the leading military law attorneys in the nation, has frequently joined the members of the Senate and House veterans’ affairs committee to push for quicker processing of veterans employment and disability claims through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Labor.

Several of the suggestions provided by Tully, particularly those pertaining to the need for an update of the claims system, were incorporated into the new legislation.
 
"I’ve seen the need for this legislation not only on a personal level as a reservist, but also for the veterans who reach out to me each day looking for the assistance they need," said Tully, who serves as the founding partner of the New York and Washington, DC based law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC. "The improvements made to the system through the Act will undoubtedly provide these veterans with the benefits they deserve in return for serving our nation."
 
Tully is available for comment on the changes expected to occur as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. For more information about the legislation or to speak with Tully, please contact Caitlin Merrill at 518-218-7100 or via email at [email protected].