Both Democratic candidates for president are touting their fight for military veterans as they prepare to make one last swing through Montana, which claims the highest veteran population per capita in the country.

On Wednesday, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., released a report on the difficulties Montana veterans face when obtaining treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. He also outlined his agenda to improve Montana's VA services.

On Thursday, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY., released her own report highlighting plans to improve VA services and ways she'd work for Montana veterans.

"Hillary will ensure that every veteran in Montana and all across America will have health care," a press release from the Clinton camp read. "She will work so that every veteran receives the benefits they have earned and the assistance they need -- right from the start."

Obama also outlined the issues he would address if elected president.

"Senator Obama believes that the unique challenges that veterans in Montana face in getting access to PTSD treatment demands the attention of our nation's leaders at the highest level," the Obama camp wrote. "As president, he will ensure that the VA system in Montana will get the oversight, direction and resources required to meet our solemn obligation to Montana's veterans."

Press releases from both camps came out after an AP story reported that the number of troops with new cases of PTSD jumped by 50 percent in 2007. Records show that nearly 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with the illness since 2003.

To tackle the issue, Obama says he would provide full funding to the VA, including "additional resources to improve care at the VA hospital at Fort Harrison," along with community-based outpatient clinics across the state.

Obama's agenda would also launch a new effort to recruit and train mental health professionals at VA facilities, and require mental health screenings for every Montana vet returning from deployment.

His plan would also direct his "Secretary of Veterans Affairs to launch an investigation into Montana's VA and other cases like it, where there are clear disparities in the provision of veteran's benefits for PTSD."

Clinton said she would tackle VA issues in the state and beyond, including a "GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century," which would fund undergraduate education for service members and offer education for specialized trade or technical training.

Clinton says she would fully fund the VA, provide affordable and quality health care for veterans, work to reduce veteran homelessness, and expand TRICARE access.

"As president, Hillary will commit to getting a fair, accurate, and timely decision for every veteran filing a disability claim," the Clinton camp writes. "She will increase the number of qualified VA evaluators to reduce the backlog of claims."

The issue of slow claims processing has come up at several listening sessions held across the state by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Difficulties in finding work have also been an issue for some, and one Clinton hopes to address as president.

"Hillary will increase funding for the Helmets to Hardhats Program," the press release promises. "This program links veterans with local job opportunities in the construction and trade industries by offering apprenticeship programs that teach veterans through on-the-job training supplemented by classroom instruction."