Lawmakers Evaluate Services for War Vets

How Texas veterans apply for benefits and the quality of mental health care they receive will be under the microscope in the state Senate.

The Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committee is scheduled to meet Monday to learn more about the Texas Veterans Commission's Claims Representation and Counseling program.

Senators will also hear testimony on the status of mental health services for veterans and Texas Military Forces, also known as the Texas National Guard. They will evaluate peer counseling programs, aftercare provided for units within their local communities, and efforts to address the secondary mental health and substance abuse issues.

Many members of the Texas guard served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The committee wants to know if veterans are getting the benefits and care they deserve.