War on Veterans: A Veterans Day Opinion from Disabled American Veterans
(Excerpts)
11/9/2005 5:16:00 PM
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is an op- ed statement on Veterans Day from Arthur H. Wilson, CEO of Disabled American Veterans:
War on Veterans
By Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant/CEO, Disabled American Veterans
On Veterans Day, as our nation remains at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the President and Members of Congress will call on America to support our troops and talk about how much we owe our men and women in uniform. But instead of honoring its commitment to those whose service and sacrifice have kept us free and safe, our government has launched a devastating assault on benefits for America's veterans.
...
More recently, benefits for disabled veterans have come under renewed attack. The government is reviewing the claims of some 72,000 veterans who are rated by the VA as totally disabled and unemployable due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The review is focused on claims that may have been improperly granted, yet there are no plans to examine claims that may have been improperly denied.
This ill-advised review will divert much-needed resources from the VA's overload of disability compensation claims yet to be processed and comes at a time when one in four of those returning from the war in Iraq are expected to suffer from PTSD or other mental health problems.
...
Veterans shouldn't have to fight proposals to limit eligibility or means test disability compensation. They shouldn't have to fight negative stereotypes that veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental conditions related to their military service are just "gaming the system." They shouldn't have to fight their own government after fighting America's enemies.
So, next time you see one of those "Support Our Troops" signs or car magnets, remember the men and women who help keep us free and safe. But let's make sure their service and sacrifice are not forgotten when they come home. Support our veterans.
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11/9/2005 5:16:00 PM
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is an op- ed statement on Veterans Day from Arthur H. Wilson, CEO of Disabled American Veterans:
War on Veterans
By Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant/CEO, Disabled American Veterans
On Veterans Day, as our nation remains at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the President and Members of Congress will call on America to support our troops and talk about how much we owe our men and women in uniform. But instead of honoring its commitment to those whose service and sacrifice have kept us free and safe, our government has launched a devastating assault on benefits for America's veterans.
...
More recently, benefits for disabled veterans have come under renewed attack. The government is reviewing the claims of some 72,000 veterans who are rated by the VA as totally disabled and unemployable due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The review is focused on claims that may have been improperly granted, yet there are no plans to examine claims that may have been improperly denied.
This ill-advised review will divert much-needed resources from the VA's overload of disability compensation claims yet to be processed and comes at a time when one in four of those returning from the war in Iraq are expected to suffer from PTSD or other mental health problems.
...
Veterans shouldn't have to fight proposals to limit eligibility or means test disability compensation. They shouldn't have to fight negative stereotypes that veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental conditions related to their military service are just "gaming the system." They shouldn't have to fight their own government after fighting America's enemies.
So, next time you see one of those "Support Our Troops" signs or car magnets, remember the men and women who help keep us free and safe. But let's make sure their service and sacrifice are not forgotten when they come home. Support our veterans.
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posted by Threshing Machine | 7:37 PM
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