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STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Signing of the ‘Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000’
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For immediate Release
November 9, 2000
Statement BY THE PRESIDENT
Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 4864, the "Veterans
Claims Assistance Act of 2000." The Act reaffirms and clarifies
the duty of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist claimants in
developing evidence pertinent to their claims for VA benefits. It eliminates the previous
requirement that a claim be well-grounded before VA's duty to assist
arises. The Act requires the Secretary to make reasonable efforts
to assist a claimant in obtaining evidence to substantiate his or
her claim unless it is clear that no reasonable possibility exists that
the Secretary’s assistance would aid in substantiating the claim. As
under current law, the Secretary must consider the entire record of
evidence and when there is an approximate balance of positive and
negative evidence regarding an issue material to the determination of a
matter, the Secretary must give the benefit of the doubt to the
claimant.
Veterans seeking benefits from this Government are deserving of all
reasonable assistance that VA has to offer. The benefits administered by
the Secretary are a means by which the Nation expresses its profound
gratitude for the many sacrifices our veterans have made to protect and
defend our freedom. Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans,
is an especially appropriate time for us to ensure that we will continue
to pay our debts to these men and women. This Act demonstrates to
veterans and to all those currently serving in our military and to those
who may serve in the future,
that America honors its commitments to those who have served, I am very
pleased to approve this new law.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
The White House
November 9, 2000 |
