[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Pages 2834-2835]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000

November 9, 2000

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 4864, the ``Veterans Claims 
Assistance Act of 2000.'' The Act reaffirms and clarifies the duty of 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist claimants in developing 
evidence pertinent to their claims for VA benefits. It eliminates the 
previous requirement that a claim be well-grounded before VA's duty to 
assist arises. The Act requires the Secretary to make reasonable efforts 
to assist a claimant in obtaining evidence to substantiate his or her 
claim unless it is clear that no reasonable possibility exists that the 
Secretary's assistance would aid in substantiating the claim. As under 
current law, the Secretary must consider the entire record of evidence, 
and when there is an approximate balance of positive and negative 
evidence regarding an issue material to the determination of a matter, 
the Secretary must give the benefit of the doubt to the claimant.
    Veterans seeking benefits from this Government are deserving of all 
reasonable assistance that VA has to offer. The benefits administered by 
the Secretary are a means by which the Nation expresses its profound 
gratitude for the many sacrifices our veterans have made to protect and 
defend our freedom. Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, 
is an especially appropriate time for us to ensure that we will continue 
to pay our debts to these men and women. This Act demonstrates to 
veterans and to all those currently serving in our military and to those 
who may serve in the future, that America honors its commitments to 
those who have served. I am very pleased to approve this new law.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 November 9, 2000.

[[Page 2835]]

Note: H.R. 4864, approved November 9, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
475. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.