FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 2, 2025) – Attorney General Russell Coleman is urging a federal court to restore two veterans’ education benefits they earned despite the objection of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. General Coleman and every other attorney general in the country filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran.
Since 1944, Congress has passed several laws, commonly known as “G.I. Bills”, to provide for educational and other benefits for those who served in uniform. Kentucky is home to nearly 300,000 veterans.
In their brief, the attorneys general argue that the VA has adopted an overly restrictive interpretation of the G.I. Bills that contradicts the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough. That decision confirmed that veterans who qualify are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite this clear precedent, the VA continues to unlawfully limit benefits, depriving veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities.
“The courageous men and women who wore our country’s uniform deserve our respect, gratitude and the benefits they’ve earned. Along with attorneys general from all 50 states, I’m proud to stand up for those who sacrificed to keep our families safe and free,” said Attorney General Coleman. “These veterans lived up to their end of the bargain, it’s time for the VA to do the same.”