The Department of Veterans Affairs is violating veteran’s rights. This historic decision comes from a federal appeals court.
“The court held that this was a violation of constitutional due process. There wasn't a proper set of procedures in place to allow these claims to be processed in an efficient manner,” Brian Shannon said.
Roy Velez was stripped of two military sons; he reacts to the news of the court ruling.
“The courts deciding that, that just shows the lack of what we really need as far as care for our soldiers,” Velez said.
Currently veterans are forced to wait weeks or months for critical mental health care and years for disability benefits.
“I think mainly it's either because there is a shortage of people to work and help with the VA's.” Velez said.
“They're covered by statute that authorizes these services, but it's just taking a long time to be process,” Shannon said.
Texas Tech law professor, Brian Shannon says the VA now has three options. Make the choice of seeking a review from all members of the 9th Circuit Court, petition directly to the Supreme Court, or choose not to appeal and try to implement different procedures and processes.
Paul Sullivan runs Veterans for Common Sense and he has been pushing for an overhaul of the agency. He believes the most serious problem with the VA, is the paperwork when it comes to filing disability claims.
“There are more than one million veterans waiting for an answer for disability benefits from VA. That's why the courts finally had to step in and say, VA you have to fix this,” Sullivan said.
Years into the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, thousands of soldiers who come back are finding it difficult to adjust.
“These guys come back and needless to say they commit suicide,” Velez said.
“There is supposed to be a suicide prevention coordinator to help veterans who might be suicidal, yet there isn't one,” Sullivan said.
Mental health issues are plaguing many veterans.
“Men and women out in the battlefield can come back and work with these soldiers to bring them back to reality,” Velez said.
Too often, too many soldiers find reality more than they can handle when they have to wait too long for help.
