Va Bill Would Give Vets Attorney Rights

[jessejames]

http://www.armedforcesnews.com/ci/index.php

VA Bill Would Give Vets Attorney Rights

Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., ranking minority member on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., ranking minority member on the committee’s subcommittee on disability assistance and memorial affairs, have introduced a bill (HR-4914) that would permit veterans to hire an attorney when they disagree with a benefits claims decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, veterans are not allowed to hire an attorney until the end of the administrative appeals process, specifically, after the Board of Veterans Appeals has rendered a decision. The restriction on attorney representation dates from the Civil War era when concern that lawyers would prey on sick and disabled veterans resulted in legislation which limited the fee attorneys could charge to $10. Although the $10 limit no longer applies, veterans are currently prohibited from hiring an attorney to appeal an initial VA decision.

[jessejames]

Found this out after my Post. Lane Evans has been one of the best friends Veterans has ever had in Congress, we ARE going to miss him! JJ

=================

NEWS

CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

(17TH DISTRICT - ILLINOIS)

VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, RANKING MEMBER

ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE

2211 Rayburn Office Building-Washington, D.C. 20515 Tel: 202-225-5905

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT:

1:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME, TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2006

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS

ON FUTURE PLANS

This is a tough day for me. I am announcing that I will not run for reelection and will retire at the end of my current term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

When I announced in 1998 that I had Parkinson's Disease, my doctor said that this condition would not interfere with my work and that I would be able to perform at a high level for a number of years. That window of opportunity is now closing.

I fully expected that I would continue my work for the foreseeable future following this current break from the office. But I have come to recognize that the time needed to address my health makes it difficult to wage a campaign and carry out my work as representative. I will return soon and to the best of my ability complete the important work of this term in my roles as representative and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

This decision is especially tough because this job means so much to me. I believe strongly in serving people and working to make a positive difference in their lives. Every day has been rewarding and I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish and the fights I've made.

I thank my family and everyone who has worked with me -- great friends, terrific colleagues, a dedicated staff, fellow vets. And I appreciate the support of people I never met before who would ask how I was doing and tell me to keep up the good fight. I'll be doing that in the weeks and months ahead and look forward to thanking every one of you personally for all you have meant to me.

To my constituents and veterans across this country, it is an honor and privilege to represent you.

Semper Fi,

Lane Evans

[john999]

Alex said that the biggest roadblock for vets getting lawyers to do their claims are the service organizations, especially the DAV. They would be out of a job since they could never compete with competent lawyers. The lawyer would probably get a percentage of your back pay and award like SSA but it would be worth it I think.

[Pete53]

We will all miss Lane Evans I wish him well he has given many years of wonrderful service to all Veterans.