Released 9/15/22 | Tags: Caregivers, Veteran's Benefits
NVLSP Applauds VA Interim Final Rule To Extend PCAFC Program For Legacy Veterans & Caregivers Until Sept. 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2022
WASHINGTON—The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) issued the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement of the interim final rule submission today to the Federal Register to extend the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers eligibility for certain Veterans and their family caregivers through Sept. 30, 2025.
“NVLSP applauds the VA’s announcement that it will extend Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) eligibility for certain Veterans and their Family Caregivers through Sept. 30, 2025, in light of our client Veteran Warriors’ recent win in federal court. This is a step in the right direction that will afford veterans and caregivers some very valuable peace of mind as VA reassesses their cases and conducts program improvements,” said NVLSP Director of Litigation Renee Burbank. “NVLSP calls on VA to use the additional time to implement new changes to VA’s regulations that will ensure all seriously injured veterans and their caregivers get the support and benefits they need and deserve.”
In its filing, the VA noted that these changes were a result of the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the Veteran Warriors, Inc. v. Sec’y of Veterans Affairs case which challenged the Final Rule’s eligibility requirements adopted by the VA regarding the PCAFC. NVLSP with the pro bono assistance of Sidley Austin LLP filed the petition on behalf of Veteran Warriors. You can read the Court’s decision here.
About NVLSP
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1981. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 22 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVLSP has represented veterans in lawsuits that compelled enforcement of the law where the VA or other military services denied benefits to veterans in violation of the law. NVLSP’s success in these lawsuits has resulted in more than $5.2 billion being awarded in disability, death and medical benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their survivors. NVLSP offers training for attorneys and other advocates; connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help when seeking disability benefits; publishes the nation’s definitive guide on veteran benefits; and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org.
Media contact:
For NVLSP: Patty Briotta, office 202-621-5698 or email: patty@nvlsp.org