Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Don’t Exclude ‘Non-Combat’ Disabled From Vet Pay Reforms

I agree with the Dole-Shalala reform package that the Bush administration is putting together for veterans with disabilities from war. But I also feel very strongly that it should extend to all disabled veterans not just combat veterans.

Combat-disabled veterans should get everything they are entitled to. I want to be very clear on this point. But why leave out the rest of us who also have disabilities from serving our country?

I am a 30-percent disabled veteran and I know what I went through to get that rating. I have other disabilities too which await a decision by the Board for Veterans Appeals. It has not been fun.

Whatever the Dole-Shalala study can do to improve quality of life of disabled veterans is welcomed. Senator Dole, as a wounded World War II veteran understands first hand what it is like. But President Bush has not proven to me he is doing much for the nation’s 26.5 million veterans. He talks a great talk at veterans’ organization functions. But all he does is blow hot air. As a member of the American Legion I’m sick of it.

Veterans have given so much and yet have to fight for the little we get from Congress and presidents. They should be ashamed. The incident at Walter Reed Army Medical Center brought this to light and I’m glad it did.

TROY GILMORE, JR.
Orlando, Fla.

Will the legislation being drafted by the Bush administration, based on the Dole-Shalala Commission recommendations, apply only to veterans injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars or will it be inclusive of all veterans injured in conflict such as Desert Storm, Somalia, Grenada and Vietnam?

Veterans have suffered financially as a result combat injuries from all wars.

RAYMOND HENDERSON
USMC Vietnam Veteran
Via e-mail

The executive order that President Bush signed establishing of the Dole-Shalala commission directed that it evaluate the “coordination, management and adequacy of the delivery of health care, disability, traumatic injury, education, employment, and other benefits and services to returning wounded Global War on Terror service members” and then to “recommend ways to ensure that programs provide high-quality services.”

The commission recommendations therefore are targeted by charter to a limit veteran population. The Bush administration itself is not bound by its own direction to the commission. It could propose reforms to the disability retirement and compensation beyond Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. However, moving the current population of disabled veterans under a reformed disability scheme would be complex and costly and probably won’t occur. The administration hasn’t signal yet how Dole-Shalala reforms should be applied retroactively.

Many disabled veterans are worried that the Dole-Shalala reforms include a reduction in VA disability compensation for lost earnings at age 65 when veterans become eligible for social security. However, that feature is part of an entirely revised compensation package that also includes an immediate military annuity on separation, a new VA quality-of-life payment and new VA transition payment. Payment levels for all of these features are still to be determined. – Tom Philpott

I hope they get it worked out for the disabled vets from 9-11 on but it sounds like they admit to screwing the combat disabled Korean and Vietnam vets all these years. I don't see them doing anything to make it right for them. Once again, “Too little, too late”

STEVE BEHR                               
New Johnsonville, Tenn.

I'm a Marine Vietnam combat-wounded and disabled veteran. I think this bill Bush is trying to get passed stinks. It shows preferential treatment to a group of troops who, although they have had a difficult task and mission, shouldn’t over shadow the sacrifice of veterans who preceded them.

Current military personnel are better paid than their predecessors were and, to some degree, cared for better. The type of wound I received, if it happened today, I would have been stateside in a couple of days and would have received a better examine and better care.

Also, my mustering out discharge, even though I complained during the final physical about my disability and difficulties I had, I was told to keep quite and just go to the VA. Otherwise, I was warned, I could be kept in the service indefinitely until my case was reviewed and quite possibly sent back to Vietnam. Had a better system been in place, I could have received a proper examine there and then and a medical discharge.

So where's the equity for all veterans who have suffered. Treat us all the same. Don’t focus solely on current war veterans to gain political points.

RICHARD A. VALDEZ
Via e-mail

WWII FILIPINIO VET PENSIONS

It's a shame that after 60 years American legislators are still fighting over this issue.

My father was a Bataan Death March survivor. As far as I know, he did not receive anything for his loyalty to the United States. He died 30 years ago in the Philippines still believing the USA is a great nation and still singing “God bless America.” Like thousands of Filipinos who fought side by side with the Americans, he was ignored afterwards.

He was like the Philippines itself, which also was left behind after being used by a world power. How many WWII veterans remain? The number are s dwindling. They will all die soon. Until then, I guess U.S. lawmakers will continue to fight over their compensation.

VERONICA JUPSON
Wife of a USN Retiree
Memphis, Tenn.

KEEP EXISTING PRIME NETWORKS

I’m a retired disabled veteran who is married and pays the $460 a year for TRICARE Prime, which everyone agrees is a pretty good price for health insurance. It is a benefit afforded to me and people like me, to include regular retirees, because of our sacrifice for our country.

I live in state with only one military base, to my knowledge. Sure, I can drive 45 minutes to get free veterans’ healthcare but what about my wife and future family?

If the new TRICARE contracts allow the government to take my TRICARE Prime insurance away because I don’t live within 40 miles of a base, that would mean a lot more out-of-pocket expenses for my family every time we get sick or need medicine. This would be an outrage and slap in the face to all who have served.

Why does the government persist in trying to save money by cutting veterans benefits? There are plenty of government programs to save money on.

JASON MAJOR
Cincinnati, Ohio

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit...

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