Delaware lawmakers praise progress on benefits for DE veterans but say more attention is needed

Delaware legislators on both sides of the aisle are pleased with a U.S. Department of  Veterans Affairs (VA) report that shows Delaware veterans received record levels of care and benefits to Delaware veterans in fiscal year 2024.

Nevertheless, state legislators say that while they’re impressed with the progress that’s been made in recent years, there’s a lot more than can and should be done in 2025 and beyond, including creation of a dedicated outreach team and addition of state Cabinet-level support for Delaware veterans.

“I applaud the effort and urgency the Veterans Administration is putting forth to provide care and services for our veterans,” said Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Long Neck. “We have an obligation to make sure every eligible veteran receives the benefits they earned while serving and sacrificing for our great nation.”

The service numbers from this past year represent a promising improvement in medical care and disability claims processing, he said. 

“Rightfully so, the Veterans Administration has stepped up to increase medical care services and claims processing for our aging veterans, especially veterans from the Vietnam era,” he said. 

Here are some highlights of last year’s services: 

1. Providing more world-class health care to veterans: VA delivered more than 338,000 health care appointments to Delaware veterans this year, and 1,242 Delaware veterans enrolled in VA health care.
2. Delivering more earned benefits to more veterans: 18,480 Delaware Veterans received compensation, and 255 received pension benefits this year, representing an estimated $459 million and $3.6 million in earned benefits, respectively. Additionally, the VA processed 7,678 disability benefit claims for Delaware veterans, with an overall grant rate of 62.2%.
3. Earning veteran Trust: Nationwide, veteran trust in VA reached 80.4% this year, an all-time record and an increase of 25% since 2016. Veteran trust in VA health care also reached 92%, another record.
4. Supporting veterans in crisis: VA provided no-cost emergency health care this year to more than 160 Delaware veterans in acute suicidal crises.
5. Supporting a record number of survivors of veterans: 182 Delaware survivors received pension benefits this year, representing an estimated $2.14 million in earned benefits. Additionally, 1,712 spouses and dependents in Delaware received Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, representing an estimated $34,700,000.00 in earned benefits.
6. Supporting a record number of women veterans: 2,594 women veterans in Delaware received compensation, representing an estimated $70.8 million in earned benefits. Additionally, 162 women veterans in Delaware enrolled in VA health care. VA now has more women veterans enrolled in its healthcare system than ever before.

“What is shown in the data provided highlights that there has been a lot of growth and development through focused and intentional actions taken to improve the VA services nationwide and in our state,” said Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, D-Wilmington.

Many of the challenges that veterans have voiced over the years, he said, are not only being heard, but addressed in a very inclusive and respectful manner. 

While progress is being made, Hilovsky said outreach in the First State remains a problem.  

“We are one of few states without a dedicated outreach team,” he said. “Our well-trained Veterans Service Officers are too few to help our Veterans as they assist and advise on all questions related to their military service.  We need more appointment availability, especially in Sussex County.”

More appointment access will only happen when the medical staff is larger, and the clinic size is bigger, Hilovsky said.

He claimed most agree that the state’s local veterans need a larger medical facility, one with an acute care clinic and an emergency department.  

“We need advanced technology testing sites, and as our veterans age, we must provide the testing and treatment closer to home,” he said. “We also must expand our Veteran Directed Care Program to ensure our veterans can remain in the comfort of their home if they can at a much more affordable cost to all.”

He also wants to see expanded treatment options and innovative care options to veterans struggling with suicide ideations, citing that the U.S. loses 24 veterans a day due to suicide.

That’s a national tragedy, he said, one that needs to be reversed with urgency. 

“There is still a long way to go, but we are definitely doing better for our veterans in the state of Delaware,” Chukwuocha said. 

Hilovsky believes a Delaware Cabinet-level Secretary for Veterans Affairs would help with some of the shortcomings and give representation and a voice to the state’s 70,000 veterans and 35,000 dependents.

“The Cabinet Secretary will elevate the status of the Office of Veterans Affairs and Delaware Veterans Commission by providing a bridge between the valuable work done every day by those groups and the Delaware Governor’s Office,” he said. “This must happen this year and will have bipartisan support in the House and Senate.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.