July 2022 — M2CC Newsletter

WWW.M2CC.US Monthly Newsletter | 17
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.
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
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.