ICYMI: Bilirakis Continues Work to Help Local Veterans

Helping our nation's Veterans has always been a top priority of mine. This year will be no different. I am currently working to help our local Veterans receive the quality care, benefits, and services they deserve. Recently, ABC Action News and Bay News 9 reported on two developing stories affecting Veterans in our area. I look forward to helping these heroes.

Reservists sickened by bad water during training at Camp Lejeune will get benefits and care

The VA has announced it would expand disability benefits for veterans exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

For the first time marine reservists who trained there will be eligible for VA health care. The plan comes six months after the I-Team questioned the VA about reservists being left out of the Camp Lejeune Health Care Act.

The Marine reservists we met with are suffering certain health conditions directly linked to the Camp Lejeune.

Congressman Gus Bilirakis got involved and help is on the way…

Read more and watch the report here.

Injured Tarpon Springs Army Ranger asks VA for help

In Tarpon Springs and beyond, Levi Eaves is considered a hometown hero.

The Army Ranger was injured by an explosive device last year.

Even the President of the United States rallied with Eaves for his recovery….

His injuries were so severe that Eaves lost a leg from the explosion. He has dozens of scars from surgeries, including one down his stomach…

But Eaves said that not all his war injuries were properly documented by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. His disability form lists the trauma not considered to be related to Eaves' military service. "Residuals from blast injuries" is one item on that list.

"When you classify blast injuries as not part of military service, I couldn't tell you where else I sustained a blast injury," Eaves said.

And according to the document, his stomach scar is not related to his military service either.

"They have the scar on my nose in the report, but not the 10-inch scar on my stomach or the 30-something other scars," Eaves said.

Because of the review, Eaves is entitled to only 60 percent disability.

He also fears the VA won't acknowledge the injuries that are not supported by the report. After almost losing life for his country, the soldier finds it all mind-boggling.

"I want to see us back up our word that if you go out there and get hurt, we told you we'll take care of you, we'll take care of you," Eaves said.

Eaves said he knows there are other injured soldiers going through similar fights. It's why he's sharing his story. He wants the VA or even Congress to take a look at the problem and come up with a solution.

Eaves is appealing the VA's decision. He has also reached out to Congressman Gus Bilirakis for help….

Read more and watch the report here.