Apparently half a century isn’t too long. The Department of Veterans Affairs said last week that it would end years of litigation and repay Mr. MacKlem, 88, for six decades’ worth of disputed disability compensation, about $400,000.
“This case has been resolved, and Mr. MacKlem will receive V.A. disability compensation retroactive to April 1, 1950,” the department said in a statement.
But Mr. MacKlem’s case isn’t even unique. Of the 850,000 disability claims currently pending before the department, more than 35,000, or 4 percent, are from World War II veterans.
Is this the best we can do for veterans?
As a member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA), I’m proud that Mr. MacKlem’s case was fought by the President of NOVA.
For more, read about it at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/us/veteran-denied-disability-to-be-repaid-after-60-years.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=veteran%20gets%20disability%20benefits&st=cse