Daniel Akaka: “today I want to discuss one of the many potential problems that will face this Nation in the aftermath of Hurricane…”

“today I want to discuss one of the many potential problems that will face this Nation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We have all heard the stories of the displacement of thousands of citizens from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Many of these people have lost everything--their homes and belongings destroyed. Undoubtedly, some of these people are veterans with claims they wish to appeal from the Board of Veterans' Appeals to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Under current law, a veteran has 120-days to file a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If a notice of appeal is not filed within the 120-day window, the veteran essentially loses the right to appeal and might not receive benefits to which the veteran is entitled. Given the current conditions in the gulf coast region, Congress must conclude that 120 days is not enough time for a veteran to file a notice of appeal. The sheer stress of the situation and the possibility that veterans and their advocates may not have access to the appropriate files makes 120 days for appeals unreasonable. I have submitted legislation that extends the window for a notice of appeal from 120 days to 240 days for a veteran affected by Hurricane Katrina. This extension will provide appropriate relief to those attempting to rebuild their lives. Veterans should not be additionally burdened during these turbulent times.…”