A local veteran is doing his part to help pass national legislation which could help all veterans and future veterans when it comes to disability and retirement benefits. Knoxville resident Michael Braman, a veteran who served more than 19 years in the military and is the current Senior Vice Commander for the Iowa Veterans of Foriegn Wars is using his positions with the VFW and his own personal story to help pass national legislation. According to Braman, he currently receives disability from Veterans Affairs but despite his nearly 20 years of service does not receive any retirement compensation as the retirement is routed through Veterans Affairs which helps pay for his disabilities.

Braman says the VFW is using his story to help change the law to allow veterans to receive both their disability and retirement which they earned during their time in service. He tells KNIA/KRLS News veterans should get the same disability and retirement benefits that are afforded to most civilians. He says if a civilian works a job long enough to receive retirement and they are also disabled they can receive both retirement compensation and disability benefits, something that is not currently offered to veterans. 

According to Braman the push for legislation change in Washington DC was put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic began and he says currently with all the crises throughout the country it could take awhile to see new laws and regulations passed.