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| Posted: August 1, 2007 |
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Since inadequate facilities were uncovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, new attention has been given to veterans' health needs. Two experts on veterans' medical care answer your questions. |
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| Alan Gold of St. Louis asks: |
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| Will there be any increase in disability payments for disabled veterans from Vietnam or other wars? As I am a DAV I am curious as to any increase for PTSD. I find it very hard to live on what I receive for my physical and mental injuries. |
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| Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Ward Casscells responds: |
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The question of disability payments for disabled veterans should be directed to the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, in 2004, the Department of Defense joined with the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a world class partnership to deliver seamless, cost-effective, quality services for our veterans, service members, military retirees and their families. Called the Joint Executive Council (JEC), this group is led by high level officials from both organizations and its purpose is to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of benefits delivery and find solutions to issues such as disability payments and streamlining the transition from DoD to VA care. The number one priority for both agencies is caring for our beneficiaries, and ensuring the highest level of services are provided. |
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| Jason Forrester of Veterans for America responds: |
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Currently, the only increases planned for veterans with disabilities from wars prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are annual cost-of-living increases. There is a bill currently being considered by Congress (H.R. 303, The Retired Pay Restoration Act) that would allow disabled veterans with a disability rating of 50 percent or more to receive their VA compensation and military retirement pay or combat related special pay concurrently. I suggest contacting one of your local Veterans Service Organizations for more information. A directory of VSOs produced by the VA can be found at: http://www1.va.gov/vso/.
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