Gov. Perry Applauds Sen. Cornyn’s Efforts to Address National VA Claims Backlog

Gov. Rick Perry released the following statement regarding U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to address the growing backlog of disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

"Our wounded warriors have endured injuries in defense of freedom. It's unacceptable that they now endure long waits on their disability claims due to endless spools of bureaucratic red tape. I applaud Sen. Cornyn's efforts to alleviate the backlog and I have full confidence that the Texas model of cooperation between the VA and various state agencies will help our veterans get the timely assistance they deserve."

In November 2009, Gov. Perry directed the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to create a Claims Processing Assistance Team to help address the VA backlog, and authorized funding from the governor's office to support up to 12 new veterans counselors to expedite veterans' benefits claims. Additionally, in July 2012, Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Speaker Straus authorized the TVC to use $1.5 million from its 2012-2013 biennial budget to address the ongoing backlog of veterans' claims.