SAN FRANCISCO, California – Eighty-five-year-old Aquilino Delen said he put his life at risk fighting for America during World War II.

Delen, a former farmer in Batangas, was recruited to join the Philippine Guerilla Forces at age 18. But despite his service during the war, Delen’s claim for his lump sum benefit worth $15,000 has been denied.

The Department of Veterans Affairs say there is not enough information from the National Personnel Records Center at St. Louis, Missouri to prove Delen’s active duty.

“I feel so sad. I truly believe I deserve that benefit,” said Delen.

Recent data from the Department of Veterans Affairs show that about 41,300 claims have been received, 6,000 claims are pending, 14,000 have been approved and 11,000 have been denied.

Notice of Disagreement

Filipino veteran advocates like Rudy Asercion said it is not exactly a lost cause.  He said veterans can file an appeal before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We are urging (Department of Veterans Affairs) Secretary Eric Shinseki to immediately attend to the appeals of Filipino Veterans because of their old age,” said Asercion.

A Filipino veteran who wants to file an appeal before the Board of Veterans’ Appeal must first write them a letter stating why he disagrees with the denied claim. This is called the Notice of Disagreement.

Advocates say the Filipino veteran filing an appeal must then supply the Department of Veterans Affairs with additional documents, such as notarized affidavits from at least 2 persons who were alive during World War II and witnessed the veteran during active service.

But Asercion said this requirement could be challenging.

“Our veteran’s average age is between 85 and 86 years old. So the chances of them finding other people in that age who can testify that they served during the war are remote,” he said.

Challenging as it may be, Asercion said this is the only way for the denied claims to be reconsidered.

Filipino veterans have one year to appeal the decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs, from the date when their claims were denied. Balitang America