Re: “ ‘The most terrible thing I’ve ever been though’ ’’ by Brian MacQuarrie (Page A1, March 25): The heartbreaking story of a Marine Corps veteran who died while battling the US Department of Veterans Affairs highlighted a number of problems associated with filing federal VA claims and the delays experienced in claims processing. Although disheartening for this Arkansas veteran and his family, these are issues that should be significantly reduced in Massachusetts.

A Massachusetts law enacted in 1861 enables communities throughout the Commonwealth to provide benefits and support services to veterans and dependents through local veterans service officers, or VSOs. In 2014, the Legislature passed VALOR Act II, outlining the requirement for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services to train and certify VSOs in managing our state veterans benefit program as well as processing claims, pensions, and other benefits through the VA.

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that mandates the level of benefits and support services for veterans and dependents. Although VA claim processing can be a challenge, Massachusetts residents have access to a local VSO who is trained and certified by the state to process and manage VA claims.

Jeffrey A. Chunglo

President

Massachusetts Veterans’ Service Officers Association

Arlington