Bill designed to help veterans passed by U.S. House, Senate

WASHINGTON — An amendment added to the National Defense Authorization Act by U.S. Senator Gary Peters in June has passed both in the U.S. House and Senate.

The ‘Fairness for Veterans Act’ makes veterans who have a less than honorable discharge on their military records eligible for certain assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill will help veterans who were discharged from the military due to negative behavior as a result of suffering from mental trauma.

“Right now these veterans don’t have access to the VA; they don’t have access to the medical help that they deserve and that they have earned. This will be an opportunity for them to go back to the board, show that they are suffering from PTSD, have credible medical evidence and get that discharge changed and as a result will get the treatment that they need,” said Peters.

The bill is expected to be signed by President Obama in the near future.