Heeding the call to “march forth,” Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and VFW Auxiliary members packed the house alongside Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt as he testified before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs held on March 4, 2025.
Armed with a DD Form 4, which is the standard enlistment contract for those entering service into the Armed Forces of the United States, Lipphardt launched into his testimony with the document held high and his comrades amassed behind him in the Dirksen Senate Office Building chamber where the hearing was being held. Amidst the administration’s push to cut government spending, Lipphardt reminded lawmakers that the enlistment contract is “more than an employment agreement” and that by law, service members are entitled to receive pay and benefits.
“This isn't charity. This is a contract,” said Lipphardt. “Everyone who served honorably, like every member of the VFW, met our end of this agreement. We demand our leaders do the same. By contract, you must ensure the VA has the resources and staff to provide veterans their full earned benefits. This is not an ask. Honor the contract!”
2025 Congressional testimony of VFW National Commander Al LipphardtLipphardt then thanked both veterans’ affairs committees for drafting and passing the PACT Act in 2022, the historic bill that provided health care and benefits to generations of veterans exposed to toxins during their time in service. He then pointed out gaps in coverage and that Congress still has more work to do.
“The military is an inherently hazardous profession,” said Lipphardt. “We must take care of our K2 veterans, those who served at Fort McClellan, veterans exposed to radiation, ‘forever chemicals,’ and others. The VFW urges Congress to conduct oversight of VA’s presumptive process because veterans cannot keep waiting.”
Lipphardt then explained the difficultly for service members to transition from military to civilian life and how vital it was for both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to actively support them through that process. He called on Congress to pass legislation like the TAP Promotion Act and to establish a position in the DOD to ensure service members are given every opportunity to thrive in their transition.
“The VFW urges Congress to establish an Under Secretary of Defense for Transition,” said Lipphardt. “This position is essential for effective management and accountability. Improving transition has the potential to enhance recruitment and retention, lowers risk for suicide, and sets veterans on a path to success.”
Lipphardt then transitioned into addressing challenges veterans face with mental health. He asserted the VA sometimes overprescribes medications, particularly antidepressants. He then implored Congress and the VA to research alternative treatments and solutions for veterans to break the cycle of overmedication.
“The VFW believes there are additional ways to effectively treat PTSD. VA should receive funding to research and deliver those treatments today,” said Lipphardt.
The next priority Lipphardt delivered was a subject the VFW has railed against for years – unaccredited, predatory claims consultants the VFW calls Claim Sharks. He described their practices, such as obtaining fraudulent medical opinions from their own providers, accessing veterans’ login credentials for VA websites and call centers, and charging veterans the equivalent of 5-10 months of their future disability payments.
“The VFW understands that some veterans are willing to pay for claims help,” said Lipphardt, “but these companies cannot be allowed to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars at the expense of disabled veterans.” …...more
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