Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Doing Right by Our Veterans

President John F. Kennedy once said, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” Each Veterans Day, we take time to honor our brave veterans. These women and men have served our country with courage. They’ve made great sacrifices to protect our freedoms. We owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never repay. One way we can support them is by ensuring that they get the benefits they earned. I’m proud of the work my office has done in helping veterans and their families overcome bureaucratic failures. 

As we remember our veterans, let us also think about their families. The sacrifices of military families often go unnoticed. They stand by their loved ones, supporting them through deployments and challenges. We must ensure they receive the help they need as well. 

Beth is one example. She reached out to my office asking for help. She had a heavy heart because her husband, a veteran, had passed away. Since January of 2019, Beth had been trying to get the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) she was owed.  But for reasons unknown to her, the Veterans Administration (VA) delayed a decision on Beth’s claim. She and her Veterans Service Officer (VSO) were confused and frustrated by the poor customer service. She needed answers, but the process seemed endless. After she contacted my office, we took action. My office contacted the Veterans Benefit Administration on her behalf. Soon after that, Beth received great news. She was awarded over $78,000 in backpay, along with monthly payments of $1,600. 

Our office also works to help veterans directly. Michael is one such example. Michael had developed leukemia related to his time serving our country. Despite his leukemia, the VA denied him compensation, inaccurately claiming he was “asymptomatic.” His appeal went unheard for months – until he contacted my office. We worked with Michael and the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure they understood his situation. Thankfully, the VA acknowledged they made an error. They issued Michael $83,000 in backpay. They also awarded him monthly compensation to help as he continues to treat his disease. 

Many veterans and their families face financial challenges after retirement. They should not have to suffer additional hardship because the federal bureaucracy can’t do its job. My team and I are committed to ensuring that all veterans receive the benefits they have earned. These stories are just a few examples of the successes my team has had serving Nebraska’s veterans. 

In addition to individual cases, I am proud to support larger initiatives to help veterans. Veterans have given so much to our country. It is only right that they keep more of their hard-earned money. That’s why I introduced the Tax Cuts for Veterans Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal income tax on military retirement benefits, just as we did for state taxes in Nebraska when I was Governor. In addition, I support the Major Richard Star Act to provide combat-injured veterans with less than 20 years of military service their full benefits. 

As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s thank them for their service and listen to their stories. We must understand their experience and the challenges they may face. Then we must honor our veterans not just with words, but also with action. Together, we can work to make a difference in their lives and that of their families.