If I may, I would just like to touch on another reason why the ombudsman is important.
The Bureau of Pensions Advocates was set up so that any veteran or client of the Department of Veterans Affairs would have access to a legal advocate. The problem is that like the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, it is seen to be part of VAC. Therefore, trying to get veterans to trust lawyers who work within the department is itself a problem. Knowing that you're dealing with an independent body may encourage people to come forward and state what they have in terms of a grievance.