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State: Many Veterans Not Getting Aid They Deserve

The state Department of Veterans Services is pressing for compliance of a law that requires every town to hire a veterans' services agent because so many people who served in the military and their dependents are not getting benefits to which they are entitled.

Officials say veterans and their dependents may be missing out on cash and medical services because veterans agents are unaware of the aid, not working state-mandated hours, or not working hard enough to identify retired service members in their towns.

Veterans Secretary Coleman Nee tells The Boston Globe the push for compliance comes at a time when aging veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are in need of services while Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are returning home.

Many towns resist hiring a veterans agent because of the costs.

This program aired on October 25, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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