RIO GRANDE CITY – A years-long wait for benefits has a Rio Grande Valley veteran hoping for change.

Jose Luis Pena says he didn’t hear about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ resources until 21 years after his service in the Vietnam War.

His first claim was filed in 2007 and he was finally granted benefits in 2015.

Pena says he hopes younger men and women in the military don’t go through what he’s experienced.

KRGV’s Frank McCaffrey reached out to a veterans service officer in Hidalgo County to see if the claims process is being improved for veterans.

Samuel Perez Jr. says the VA program has been revamped and is now allowing program deals with active duty troops.  

The VA also has a webpage set up to explain pre-discharge claims. It answers questions about what benefits can be received and when a claim can be filed. 

Watch the video above for the full story.