Empowering Veterans Through Choice, Smart Regulation, and Care

By William Taylor

Read it in RealClear Defense

(Photo Credit: Ohio Press Network)

Veterans Day brings Americans together to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. We must reflect not only on their sacrifices but also how we support them as they return to civilian life. At Veterans Guardian, our mission is deeply rooted in empowering Veterans by providing them with the resources, guidance, and support that they deserve. This is why we started this business almost a decade ago – to stand alongside those who have stood for us.

There is currently a stalled debate taking place in Congress that will dramatically shape the way in which Veterans can secure the disability benefits that they have rightfully earned. One path, that has failed year-after-year to move forward, and while well-intentioned, will limit a Veteran’s options for assistance and remove private sector expertise entirely from the process. The other path – the one that my company and I have been advocating for – will expand Veterans’ choice and access while placing strict penalties on bad actors. 

One of the most troubling challenges a Veteran can face is navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims process. It is crucial that our representatives pursue policies and reforms that make this process easier for Veterans. The system can often be overwhelming and bureaucratic. Unfortunately, it leaves too many Veterans without the benefits and VA rating they rightfully earned. This is where reforms like the Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services (PLUS) Act come in.

The PLUS Act is designed to continue to provide Veterans' access to professional assistance when filing disability claims. It acknowledges that Veterans should have the freedom to choose who helps them with their claims, whether it's a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), an accredited attorney, or a reputable private claims consultant. By broadening the spectrum of available resources, the PLUS Act ensures that Veterans are not limited to overburdened systems but can seek personalized, effective assistance tailored to their unique needs and experiences.

Supporting our Veterans is one of the few bipartisan issues that unites all Americans. I believe that the PLUS Act has something for those with varying perspectives in our incredibly polarized political moment.  PLUS will allow more resources to flow through the government to help people who need it. It will also crack down on bad actors with real penalties, while allowing the private sector to break through logjams in our policymaking process. I am very optimistic that this is the correct compromise for America’s struggling disabled Veteran community.

My optimism is fueled in part by activity in state legislatures this session. So far, the alternative that denies Veteran choice, modeled after the failed federal GUARD Act, has either failed or been purposefully stalled in 20 states. Whereas the PLUS Act is now law in Louisiana, and has passed at least one critical hurdle in Hawaii, Georgia, Arizona, and Kentucky this year, and will be revisited with new momentum in 2025. The trend is clear – Veterans need more options, and we support the call for additional reasonable regulation that achieves that goal.

The importance of choice cannot be overstated. Veterans deserve options that align with their preferences and circumstances. Some may find the support they need within traditional VSOs, while others might benefit from the specialized services that reputable private organizations offer. The PLUS Act reinforces this right to choose and provides safeguards from malpractice and bad actors. This legislation is a Veteran-centered approach that respects individual needs and fosters the best possible outcomes for those who choose to use it.

By working together, sharing resources, and advocating for policies that expand access and options, we can create a more robust support network that truly honors our Veterans to fill gaps in services that are so desperately needed.

This Veterans Day, as we pay tribute to those who have worn the uniform, let us also commit to actions that make a tangible difference in their lives. Supporting legislation that improves Veterans' access to necessary services is a vital step that cannot be prolonged any further. We can send a clear message that we value their contributions and service and that all Veterans receive the benefits they've earned at a fair rating to which they are entitled.

Let's remember that honoring Veterans is more than ceremonial gestures; it's about taking meaningful steps to support them in practical and honest ways.

Not just on Veterans Day, but every day, we should strive to stand united in our commitment to serving those who have served us. Together, we can make a difference – one Veteran at a time.