OutServe-SLDN Applauds VA for extending benefits to LGB veterans and families

(Washington, DC - June 29, 2015) Moments ago the Veterans Affairs Department announced that same-sex couples in states across the country will now have access to previously denied benefits following the Supreme Court's landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision that granted marriage equality in all 50 states.

LGB veterans and their families will no longer be denied VA benefits including but not limited to disability pay, home loan guarantees, death pensions and burial rights based on the laws of the states where they have lived and worked, the department announced.

The Veterans Affairs Department will send out new guidance to all staff and will temporarily halt any benefit applications that would have been denied under previous guidelines.

"VA will work quickly to ensure that all offices and employees are provided guidance on implementing this important decision with respect to all programs, statutes, and regulations administered by VA," according to a statement.

Statement on this decision by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director

"With the Supreme Court decision efficiently answering any lingering questions and closing this "loophole" as it pertains to Title 38 of the U.S. Code, OutServe-SLDN applauds the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in providing benefits to our LGB veterans and their families to ensure that all have access to their earned VA benefits, regardless of their state of residence and sexual orientation.

"This is a critical step that will help to make sure that every lesbian, gay and bisexual U.S. veteran and their family has the same access to the benefits that they have earned in their service to our country.

"Our LGB veterans should never have been denied these benefits because of the state they live in or because of their sexual orientation. LGB veterans and their families deserve and will now have the respect, dignity and protections that they have earned. Giving these benefits was and is the right thing to do. It is the American thing to do.

"We again applaud the Veterans Affairs administration for implementing these guidelines and opening benefits swiftly and unequivocally. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with the VA to continue to bring about equality to the LGBT community within the veteran community."

OutServe-SLDN (OS-SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. With more than fifty chapters and 60,000 subscribers around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.