Grand Rapids – Ten years after a Grand Rapids Marine’s struggle sparked a change, Michigan’s Fairness for Veterans Act is now helping over 21,000 veterans across the nation gain full access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The legislation, written by Sen. Gary Peters (D‑MI), requires the Department of Defense to give liberal consideration to discharge upgrades for service members diagnosed with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or related conditions incurred during service.
From the streets of Grand Rapids to a statewide law
Patrick, a Marine who served in Afghanistan, returned home with two traumatic brain injuries. A less‑than‑honorable discharge left him homeless on the streets of Grand Rapids and barred from the medical care he needed. He sought shelter at the West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program (WMVAP), where vice president Thornell Billingslea heard his story.
“There are a lot of them like Patrick,” Billingslea said. “They wait years and years for assistance.” Billingslea took Patrick’s case to Sen. Peters, who used the veteran’s experience as the catalyst for the Fairness for Veterans Act.
How the law works
The act directs the Department of Defense to review petitions for discharge upgrades when a veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or related conditions tied to military service. By offering “liberal consideration,” the law aims to correct discharge decisions that were influenced by untreated mental‑health issues.
Since its passage, the Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs reports that roughly 21,000 veterans nationwide have received upgraded discharge status and, consequently, access to health care, education benefits, and other VA programs they were previously denied.
Veterans see real‑world results
Patrick, now living in Louisiana, says he is “doing well” after receiving his upgraded discharge. Billingslea emphasizes that many veterans still need to navigate the VA system, but the law provides a clear pathway for those willing to apply.
“If you serve and you get to a point in your life that you need and can’t afford to pay for an operation or medication, even though you’ve built a good life, you should be given healthcare,” Billingslea explained. “That’s what we owe them.”
Sen. Peters’ broader veteran agenda
Beyond the Fairness for Veterans Act, Sen. Peters has supported other veteran‑focused legislation, including the Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act, which expands apprenticeship opportunities for veterans, and the PACT Act, which provides health care and benefits to those exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other toxic substances during service.
“We have an obligation as a country to stand behind those who have stood on the front line for us,” Peters told FOX 17. “We should do everything we can to make sure they can transition into civilian life, provide for their families, and secure their future.”
What families and communities can do
Veterans and their families are encouraged to contact their local VA office or organizations like WMVAP for assistance with discharge upgrade petitions. Early diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and TBI can strengthen a veteran’s case for an upgrade.
Community groups across Michigan continue to advocate for veterans’ rights, emphasizing that honoring those who served aligns with the nation’s Christian and family values.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
