July 2022 — MHCE Newsletter

20 | MHCE - News www.mhce.us JULY 2022 EDITION
Navajo Nation Authorized to File Benefit Claims
for Veterans
VA Secretary Denis McDonough
recognized the tribal government
program's status during a visit to Gallup
on June 28, t he Farmington Daily
Times reported.
"We've been negotiating this with
President Nez and his team. They are the
first tribe to take up this new authority,"
McDonough said. "I'm thrilled that
we can announce that today and as
importantly, put it into action."
He added that this is part of the VA's
work to make sure tribal nations have
a seat at the table. This includes having
veteran service officers on tribal lands
who can submit veterans' benefits
claims to the VA.
McDonough's visit came a day after
it was announced that a group of
bipartisan senators ended the review
process on recommendations by the
VA to close outpatient clinics in several
states, including those in Gallup,
Española, Las Vegas and Raton.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez
noted that the accreditation achieved by
the tribal government's VA will greatly
help Navajo veterans, many who face
difficulties in traveling to VA centers
outside the tribal land.
"Today marks a milestone with our
partnership with the VA [and] also our
Navajo Nation VA," Nez said.
Last month, Nez's office announced that
the Navajo Nation VA met the criteria
and standards to be accredited through
the federal VA's Tribal Representation
Expansion Project.
There are now five Navajo Nation VA
staff members accredited under the
project and who can process federal
benefits claims for veterans, according
to a release from Nez's office.
Navajo Nation VA Director James
Zwierlein told the Daily Times that
the employees work in the tribe's VA
offices in Shiprock, Crownpoint, Tsé
Bonito, Chinle and Tuba City.
A sixth person is being trained to work
in the Fort Defiance office, he added.
The news release stated the staff
members have taken in and submitted
83 claims into the federal VA system
since May 2.
In remarks at the June 28 event,
Zwierlein said these claims were filed
on behalf of Navajo veterans but there
are more veterans, including non-
Navajo and non-Native American, in
line for claims assistance.
McDonough also participated in a
town hall with Nez, U.S. Sen. Martin
Heinrich, D-N.M., and U.S. Rep.
Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M. at the
University of New Mexico campus in
Gallup.
According to Nez's office, the group
heard from veterans, members of the
Navajo Nation Veterans Advisory
Council and state and tribal leaders
about health care, benefits claims
and the need for expansive care for
traditional healing and mental health
services.
TO ADVERTISE
contact nathan.stiles@mhce.us