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Subscribe to RSSDisabled veterans — many already beset by bungled health-care benefits or by a lack of health insurance — are facing still another bureaucratic log jam: a year-plus lag in simply calculating how much each vet is losing in wages specifically due to their long-term wounds.
According to a report issued Monday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an initiative by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to revise its disability-ratings schedule has become alarmingly bogged down. The GAO put Congress on alert that lawmakers may need to step in to jump start the effort.
In 2009, VA recognized a critical need to overhaul how it rates the disabilities of former service members, including an entirely fresh analysis into the amount of earnings that non-working, disabled veterans are losing in today’s economy. That ratings schedule hasn’t been fully rewritten since 1945.
There's good and the bad here, according to the GAO:
The positive: “The current revision effort takes a more comprehensive and empirical approach than VA’s past efforts,” the GOA reported. “VA has hired full-time staff to revise the rating schedule’s medical information and plans to conduct studies to evaluate veterans’ average loss of earnings in today’s economy.”
The not so positive: “This change, in part, has resulted in VA falling behind schedule. As of July 2012, VA is over 12 months behind in revising criteria for the first categories of impairments.”
After digging deeper into the red-tape tangle, GAO experts found that VA hasn’t figured out how to churn out more timely research “on the impact of impairments on earnings,” and that the agency doesn’t have a solid plan (specific benchmarks or updated deadlines) as to how to finish the project.
Related: President Obama orders VA to expand suicide prevention services
Related: VA won't cover costs of service dogs assigned for PTSD treatments
Related: For service members pondering early retirement, costs can pinch home budget
Related: Vets rely on patchwork safety net during hard financial times
And given the massive work overload already afflicting VA, the agency urgently needs a written strategy to plot out the potential effects any disability-schedule changes will have on operations, “including impacts on an already strained claims workload,” the report said.
Modernizing the disability-compensation schedules would ultimately make VA leaner, the GAO said, just as costs are mounting to financially care for thousands of disabled U.S. troops.
“It is important that VA update and maintain its rating schedule to reflect current medical and labor market information to avoid overcompensating some veterans with service-connected disabilities while under-compensating others,” the report said.
Last year, VA spent roughly $40 billion on disability compensation for 3.4 million veterans, MilitaryTimes reported.
This sentence in the report may (or may not) provide solace to those veterans who are unable to hold down jobs: “VA agreed with the recommendations and noted plans to address them,” according to the report’s authors.
In the meantime, however, the GAO suggested that Congress may want “to consider various options to modernize VA's disability benefits program ... and, if necessary, propose relevant legislation for congressional consideration.”
For example, the report said, a new bill might impel the creation of “explicit quality of life payments” to veterans who have service-connected disabilities.
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I would like to see the following plan implemented that would revitalize the economy, stick it to the bankers who caused the mess and help those in the most unfortunate of circumstances because they were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan:
1) Congress should pass and the president should sign a law seizing all foreclosed "bank-owned" homes (after all, aren't they technically owned by the US taxpayer since we paid for them when the banks got their bailout?)
2) Hold a lottery of all certified 50%+ wounded/disabled Iraq/Afghanistan veterans and GIVE them these homes.
3) Provide that all municipalities will exempt for 5-10 years any and all assessments and property taxes on these properties (as a token of appreciation for all they have lost: Friends in combat, limbs on the battlefield, years in the workforce or college, etc.)
According to a New York Times article from May 22, 2011 (I believe) the banks held almost 1 million foreclosed properties with an additional nearly 3 million being in the pipeline.
THIS WOULD:
*Allow these wonded veterans the opportunity to focus on recovery and education instead of mortgage and property tax payments
*Clear the backlog of homes that are keeping the market from recovering and keeping prices depressed due to a flood of below-market value homes in neighborhoods across the US
*Push up the price of existing homes on the market (supply v. demand)
*Help push more housing construction, which, historically, has been seen as the bellweather of economic turnarounds
*Increased housing construction = increased hiring = lower unemployment
Will the Republicans vote against this on the grounds of "socialism"?? Why oh why do they hate America's wounded veterans?
And, should the veteran decide to sell the home, he/she would pay the capital gains tax on the home (after all, they got it for free). This would still provide them with financial stability during their long road to recovery.
Three reasons I see that this would never work:
1 It is the right thing to do
2 It is bipartisan
3 It would get no one re-elected
Robert,
The true tragedy is that a few of the foreclosures were the homes of troops on active duty in the "war-zones". Foreclosures outlawed by Congress, but conveniently glossed over by accident by most of the big mortgage servicers.
But, a thought does come to mind, Will this improve the wounded warrior's life? Will this person be able to care for the property? Pay the other expenses, like utilities or major repairs? Will they be near to needed services, both for them and their families?
Bob W,
Yep, that's about the truth, right there.
That is a nice attempt. However your cutting your nose off to spite your face. Hate them or love them, banks still provide needed services. Unless you want to Nationalize Banking altogether. Those who have pensions and retirement funds in these banks would be wiped out. Fees for services would go through the roof. Housing for Vets is critical, but you must consider that they still need to eat, have a viable means of transportation to Medical Facilities etc. Instead why don't we ask this question. How come the Federal Government has not fixed the VA? It's been broken since the day it was formed. Bureaucracy and a failure to measure quality of services rendered, along with a heavy dose of denial has crippled the VA.
We as a Nation need to admit the Federal Government is broken. Broken at the very foundation. Until we are ready to make the effort to fix it, everyone suffers. Someday we have to quit blaming everybody else and accept that it is you and I that are responsible for what is wrong with our Nation.
Thank You to all the Vets.
You being a patriot forgot to mention that gay vets should have the right to marry whom they choose as well though
leftrightcenter
A homosexual is what a homosexual does, no more and no less. I chuckle when the liberals use the catchy phrases, "gay, gay marriage, same sex marriage" . Here's some factual information about the "innocent homosexual lifestyle". Just do a simple yahoo or google search- Homosexuals and Their Diseases and The Diseases of Homosexuals.
Wow, it usually takes a bit of effort to look like a bigoted idiot on the internet, yet you've managed to do it in just a few words. Well done.
Ok clever guy, show me one disease that a homosexual can get that a straight person can't. I dare ya.
Good idea, but too narrow. The disabled vets with the most ignored problems are those who served between 1973 to 1991. Military members killed or wounded during the Iran-Contra debacle, the current Korean DZ, or even during training accidents are ignored, shunned, and denied essential benefits, as well as had their records doctored to deny any action. I even know of Korean War era veterans (now in their 80s and late 70s) who are having to fight just to get into the VA system. Most don't even want in the system, but the alternative of medicare is even worse.
The main problem lies with veteran supporting system. Whether VA, SSA, or any number of government supported agencies that have popped up recently, they are mainly ran but bureaucrats, retired military officers, or retired senior NCOs. Most of these are concerned with moving up and number one, just like the rest of the time they spent in the military. The only way to fix the problem is give the system a good flushing starting from the top and then independent GAO published review.
I did the math on the article the amount come to roughly $11,000+ a year in compensation. Most people in the VA system do not and will not see the $11,000+ a year and if then do it has probably taken them years of fighting, some attorney fees, and the aggravation of known some military doctor wrote something the wrong and VA didn't agree with the wording.
A footnote before closing - MOST senior officers NCOs will be rated at 90-100% disability by the military because of stress, when they retire. This give them a tax free or nearly tax free retirement check and benefits for life. The last stress I saw in a General officer was when his aide brought him luke warm coffee!
Sir you are right, but the hard fact is that thte way sthe system is designed IS for the VET to fail! My wife and I along with our doctors had to fight tooth and nail. but we won. It was an intense fight, but well worth it!!
sigseccer, there are plenty of good retired military folks working in the VA system, and most arent concerned with promotion. they've got a military pension, and they're getting another decent paycheck on top of that, they arent too concerned about career advancement and just do their jobs.
your math skills are flawed. a 50% disabled single vet gets about $800 per month, and it goes up to around $2600 for 100% disabled, so $11,000 a year is very realistic. the rates are slightly higher for married folks. most officers and SNCOs are not rated at 90-100% for stress. there is a very comprehensive compensation table put out by congress that the VA must follow, and it is pretty difficult to get that high.
Thank for your blog, God Bless You. I am a 100% disabled Veteran, and I wonder how other vets cope and survice on the penitence that the VA provides us. Thank goodness for soup and pork and beans.
Considering the quality of people hired by the VA and other government agencies, I'm not surprised at the continuing mess. Maybe if congress were subjected to these programs instead of their own, things would rapidly improve.
To work for the VA you have to be a vet, DAVS first consideration, all supervisors and management 04 and above-easy fix.
Those in the Veterans Administration have real problems with numbers. They can only count to nineteen, with their shoes and socks off, and using one finger to point with. They cannot comprehend complex problems even though they read them while moving their lips and following the words with their finger! What a joke!
There are some that work in the VA who do more than their fair share of work to resolve veterans' issues... but the kind of drive and anger that they have, which enables them to push through the stupidity around them, is rare. It gets burned out after a while, and then you're faced with mediocre assistance.
I am in nursing school at USF and do my clinicals at a VA hospital. I have seen these nurses go above and beyond when it comes to taking care of their patients, many of whom their families have forgotten. There are young vets whose families have just disappeared when it became apparent that the vet's care was more than they wanted to handle. Imagine having the knowledge that the only reason you are forced to stay in a hospital is because your supposed loved ones no longer care. The nurses are highly trained and care more than they are ever compensated for. That is partly the reason why the VA has rules regarding how many hours they are allowed to work, no more than 60 hours a week to prevent burn out.
My husband is also a 100% service connected vet and I am a veteran. I have seen the absolute worst in healthcare, not in a VA hospital but in civilian ones. Is the VA overwhelmed right now??? Yes! And they are making due with what they are given by our elected officials. Until the VA is properly funded and people in the know are allowed to help make the rules, the VA will continue to make due with what they are given for which they do an OUTSTANDING job!!!
God it irritates me when people talk about the Veterans Administration and do not explain they are de grading the bean counters not the medical staff..because all the problems listed in the article are due to the administrative bean counters who may be a step below idiiot, because they are still fighting with us veterans because of something that happened after WWII, so remember the medical staff has saved my life more than once but the bean counters have screwed me every chance they get!~~Now to address the comments above some areas are stuck with sub standard health care, because the politicians are so busy being @!$%#s and fighting for their agenda rather than fighting for the Americans, and if you want the health care to get worse just vote for Republicans because they hate us, they lilke to make veterans but they hate us and screw us every chance they get!~~
ted escott- Sorry to irritate you! Those of us who do defend the VA, do so because no one ever separates the "bean counters" from the medical staff & support workers. Unfortunately, the bean counters are legally bound by the laws and regulations that our elected officials vote for. If you have had trouble getting the compensation that you deserve, I would suggest getting an advocate to assist you. My husband was awarded 100% and yes it took over a year for the process to be completed. But the payments were back dated. Having a great advocate was key to my husband being rated appropriately. Advocates are available through the VFW, American Legion and AMVETS free of charge. Depending on the state that you live in, there may be other groups that have funding for advocates. They know the dance very well and can usually assist a veteran in being rated appropriately.
i'm using AMVETS right now, they've made the process very easy, pretty much did all the work...
Please U.S. government: DO what you have to do to make it right for these people. ANyone that serves in combat deserves , at least, to have a job waiting for them on their return - lacking that - free education and placement help so that a good job can be had.
Try being a sick desert storm veteran recognized by the DOD but told your not sick and not a desert storm veteran by law as the VA sees it.
I hope everyone on this board recognizes that this is the most difficult question faced by any judge or jury. How much is a life worth? How much is your eyesight worth? Your hearing? Your ability to speak or chew? One leg? Two legs? One arm? Two arms? Being a paraplegic for rest of your life? A quadraplegic? A quick and vibrant mind, shattered - unable to concentrate or stay on task, to even remember simple tasks? A healthy set of lungs forever ruined by a corrosive gas or smoke? Or even the ability to have children, your own genetic offspring? Does it matter that the victim was a bright young doctor with a rich carrier ahead? Or a broom-handler? And then decide that of 10k-20k cases all be treated exactly the same, when obviously these were 10k-20k individuals?
The U.S. has been in an open period of war since 1990--thanks Bush I and II!
So of COURSE there are issues developing in the V.A. system! We have the largest surge of veterans ever in the history of this country because the United States decided to involve itself in countries that we had no business messing with. Now we've lost trillions in defense spending and the human costs are becoming unmistakable.
I'm one of those veterans caught up in the backlog. Per the request of the boss at one of my temp jobs--who looked me straight in the eye, called me "unemployable" due to my disability, and suggested that I apply to increase my percentage--I submitted my paperwork last year to increase my benefits from 10%. (When I first applied for service-related benefits in 2005, I was rated at 0%. I had to apply again, and go through the long wait again, in order to get the 10%.)
For you to be considered unemployable by the VA you need to be rated at 60% service connected. Don't give up hope, get your senators and congressional members to help you as they are required to by law. You may also want to get help from the DAV.
bureaucratic .. how can anyone mention this term in the same paragraph with someone that has pledged to defend the very ones that seek to deny medical care for wounds from the wars started by the leaders of the nation. It makes me sick to my stomach. This is not the America I was born in and not the one that I was taught to respect. I am simply behind the times and don't get it.
The Politicians need to stop splitting hairs with Veterans Benefits on all sides.
No Tax Cuts to the Wealthy until the word to Vets and Retired Vets is kept on their Health Care.
Both Parties sent them to War, now they need to Keep their Word like Vets kept their Word.
99% of Veterans have no idea of what the future holds for them, they just follow orders. In the 2012 NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) the word of no cost Health Care for life for Retired Vets was broken even further by increasing Tricares Costs even more. This is a disgrace and A Broken Word to those who served weather they agreed with a War or not, they still kept their word but the Leadership of America did not.
The VDBC commission during President Bush's term stated that disabled veterans compensation should be raised by 25% to compensate them for lost wages, pain and suffering and the quality of life issues they deal with. That report was thrown on the shelf with the rest of the President Commissions work that gets ordered up when ever a problem shows it ugly side like the fiasco at Walter Reed, the human testing the military did from 1955 thru 1975. The government loves to have commissions, they seldom follow the ideas the panel suggest after months of hearings and investigations.
The last time the VA adjusted anything was when General Omar Bradley was in charge of it back in 1955. That was before I was born.
The time it takes from submitting claim to approval is not 12 months. If you believe that, then I have some beach front property for sale. The claims would speed up if those working at the regional offices would take their thumb out of their butt and actually work for once.
Been dealing with the VA on my service connected disabilities and still get the run around even when they have the medical paperwork in front of them.
So true...it's a damn shame! Now older Vets with claims that haven't even been completely worked/processed are pushed to the side for our newer batch of combat Vets...God Bless us all.
actually, the vietnam vets claims had been the recent priority with the new agent orange compensation. the current folks had been waiting behind them...
I am surprised that anyone would volunteer in the U.S. Military... they treat Veterans like garbage. Noone who serves their country ' especially during War Time' should come home and have to worry about A JOB, A PLACE TO LIVE, OR HEALTHCARE BENEFITS....
I mean really!....You want them to die for you, but when they need help , you turn your back....
God Bless America!
The VA is overwhelmed. They are doing the best they can under the circumstances. I feel sorry for the folks that work there being subject to so much ridicule and name calling like its all their fault. Im just grateful as a veteran that my country is willing to help me out. No I dont like to wait either but the line is long.
I'm a Vietnam era vet, and submitted a claim 14 months ago for 6 issues. I have been called in to the VA for them to look at two of the 6 claims. Only four more to go. Spoke with my rep from a service arganization this morning and he expects my claim to be worked on for at least several more months. Isn't that dandy! Imagine the confusion our WWII vets are having trying to negotiate the damned VA system. Try calling the f'n VA to try and get any info from them. There are a lot of employees at the damn VA that work their tails off to help us, but they are far outnumbered by deadbeats that are there to hold a job and work toward a gov't retirement. My worst nightmare is being placed in a VA hospital. You go there to die, period! I actually had one dirtbag draft dodger tell me to stop complaining, the medical services are free. Sorry, but the services were bought and paid for on battlefields all over the world. My Dad fought the damn VA for years on a claim, and it was eventually approved, just before he died at age 89. Ain't that like the gov't! Please remember, always preceed the damn VA with a four letter word, they've earned it!
Obama proposed the largest increase in the VA in 30 years but republicans opposed it as too expensive. I don't understand the logic for the party that proposes to increase military spending 260 billion a year. Twenty billion extra for the VA would go a long way.
Good Bye America!
I have frequented these discussions, hoping to share with others things that I thought would help others see the very thing that is about to destroy this very country that we love. I dedicated 15 years of my life for this country. A country I was willing to die for, but now, now I just want to leave and find a place where I can be free of all the hate and unfair justice that OUR Government rains down upon defenseless HUMANS. I have spoken in great detail about the amounts of innocent children, mothers and fathers being laid to rest because some hyped up American teen-age soldier gets to decide who lives or DIE under the watch of his Command!
I am outraged at how gullible people are! Every facet of your physical being is being attacked and all you can do is think to fight back out of fear that you will not live to see another day. How dare you even call yourself humans! We have been at this for how long? Educate yourself and learn that these dirty, slithering pieces of @!$%# we call politician's are using a theory of control called "The Hegelian Dialect." In a nutshell, they create a problem, i.e., A racist movie about Prophet Muhammad. Then wait for the crowds reaction; then provide a solution. Now think of that in a reverse method, we will be waiting for Government to provide recourse for the terrorist attacks that will ensue; hence martial law. Learn it folks, this is why the Kennedy's were killed, MLK, and Malcolm. Killed because PEACE can not and will not be allowed, for any reason.
Every perception of reality has some form of formal group control. Don't believe me, then research ,"The Asch Experiment." Scientific proof of you being lead, proof that has been tested again and again. Its a sad thing.
Maybe one or two of you will read this, for that I say, "Thank You!"
But, because we have not learned that WE ARE THE MACHINE we are going to ask for the wars, death, famine, and pestilence that man has created FOR HIMSELF. Which is called the Lucerferian conflict/dialect.
Good Bye America!
SGT. Mulkey
U.S. Army, Retired
from another retired vet..what are you talking about?! please seek help. seriously.
BD!
If you researched anything that I presented you would see that I am speaking from an esoteric point of view. Do the research and then get back at me after you have studied psychological control and warfare. While you are it, please put some humility in it as well.
I know you may find this hardto believe, but a guy in a cave did not kill the people in the towers. Please watch "The Asch Experiment" Learn about group conformity. Then take a gander at, "The Stanford Prison Experiment (ref: Abuse of power).
If you can't connect the dots, then please allow others to show you the way.
BD!
I took the time to find something for you also that may remind you of why the vets are not getting the service that they deserve.
http://youtu.be/HP7L8bw5QF4
I was given the word by retired vets while at NNMC Bethesda that it be wise if hand carrying my medical records to invest in making a copy. I was active duty then. After I left the service due to draw downs and VSI program. Eight years went by when my neck went south I went to the County VA Rep. and she helped me file, I still had my records at home, she made a copy for her files and sent a copy with my claim. Three weeks went by and I received a letter from the VA claiming there were missing pages. BS. I called and made an appointment with my rep. and she pulled my records and made copies of the "missing pages" she then made about six phone calls and within three weeks I received an appointment to have a determination exam. and two weeks later I received my pro-rated first check. I was lucky in the fact that I got good gouge at Bethesda and I had a good rep. Later while searching for other records I was at a VA site that claimed there was 6 million records available. I have told active duty service members to do the same as I and make a copy of their medical record and keep it updated and in a safe place. Before there is any police action, war, or any other form of hostility there should be an automatic increase in VA funding joined at the hip. There should also be a all inclusive draft with 0 deferrals. Using war as an employment source for the poor and unemployed makes it easier for people to justify those actions.
i made 3 copies of my medical records when i retired, and need to get around to making a digital copy. unfortunately, many of these folks complaining on here do not have copies of theirs, or there hadnt been good documentation of their medical treatment while in the service. that makes it difficult for the VA to evaluate you, and for you to prove something was connected to your military service, not before or after, especially when you file your claim years later...
THIS ADMINISTRATION couldn't care less about Veterans because we are US Citizens of Generations:
The Kenyan's priorities are MUSLIMS or we would not have US Military helping the Black Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, Librya(and makiing certain the Communist Chinese oils flow continues--we pay for that, too) and Egypt all overthrown with USA monitized printed debt dollars to guaranteed bankruptcy--2nd term...coming to all of us...should this EVIL continues via fools.
THE DREAM ACT for The Race=666=LaRaza ills,
aka illegals, illegitimates sob stories continued.
not only welcomed but donated the SEATS where our US Military would be seated which they earned by giving their lives...all now for the ILLEGALS, illegitimates...welcomed and rewarded
What other nation not only welcomes but REWARDS its invaders...and this is continued by Carter, Bu@!$%#es, Clintonisatas...wwe are SLAVES on our own soil and fools...we are lied to everytime one of the bureaucrats hits the TV...
EVIL vs One Nation Under GOD
The VA is going to go broke! Why aren't we confiscating the millions of $$$ that are being found, like in Iraq?
It seems every day, the news comes out with more ways to screw over our service members and veterans. So, we are setting up a non-profit to help our Sm and veterans with Service Animals ("SA"), Therapy Dogs (TD), and pets. We felt we just had to do this since the VA is not doing the right thing by our SM and veterans. Plus, because this will be done by victims of SA discrimination, a federally-admitted attorney and other attorneys who love animals/do animal law, with help from a white-shoe law firm and the Bar Assn, people can feel comfortable donating amid the wave of NP scandals and people coming to me asking where they can donate and/or leave money in their wills to causes involving animals, veterans, and/or any other underdogs. Just the other day, the VA announced it will not provide funding effective Oct 5 for PTSD/TD dogs. They claim they don't have enough evidence of their efficacy. Are they kidding me-all SA, TD and pets provide enormous, measurable benefits. The pipeline for SA for any disabled person is severely clogged-it takes a lot of money and time for that, although Congs. Steve Israel and Grimm introduced a bill for a pilot program for the VA to start getting SA provision to SM. I mentioned funding for the SA and TD programs could easily come just from enforcing and collecting fines against animal abusers, puppy mills, stores that sell sick pets, etc. Pets also provide a lot fo comfort to alol of those suffering-the SM and their families. However, in all these cases, taking care of a pet costs money. We will provide help in adopting a rescue, and get veterinarians, pet supply companies (food, beds, toys, prescription and non-prescription meds, etc.), trainers and more to donate services and/or products. SA, TD and pets are two totally different animals, legally. So, while a landlord (or any place open to the public) cannot refuse a SA, they can refuse TD and of course, pets. However, we are also working on legislation to apply the SA rules regarding rentals to TD for veterans and hopefully, pets. Many people coming out of the service have to leave for financial reasons and get an apt., and it is hard to find affordable places to live that allow pets and TD so this is another way to help financially, emotionally and physically.
It seems every day, the news comes out with more ways to screw over our service members and veterans. So, we are setting up a non-profit to help our Sm and veterans with Service Animals ("SA"), Therapy Dogs (TD), and pets. We felt we just had to do this since the VA is not doing the right thing by our SM and veterans. Plus, because this will be done by victims of SA discrimination, a federally-admitted attorney and other attorneys who love animals/do animal law, with help from a white-shoe law firm and the Bar Assn, people can feel comfortable donating amid the wave of NP scandals and people coming to me asking where they can donate and/or leave money in their wills to causes involving animals, veterans, and/or any other underdogs. Just the other day, the VA announced it will not provide funding effective Oct 5 for PTSD/TD dogs. They claim they don't have enough evidence of their efficacy. Are they kidding me-all SA, TD and pets provide enormous, measurable benefits. The pipeline for SA for any disabled person is severely clogged-it takes a lot of money and time for that, although Congs. Steve Israel and Grimm introduced a bill for a pilot program for the VA to start getting SA provision to SM. I mentioned funding for the SA and TD programs could easily come just from enforcing and collecting fines against animal abusers, puppy mills, stores that sell sick pets, etc. Pets also provide a lot fo comfort to alol of those suffering-the SM and their families. However, in all these cases, taking care of a pet costs money. We will provide help in adopting a rescue, and get veterinarians, pet supply companies (food, beds, toys, prescription and non-prescription meds, etc.), trainers and more to donate services and/or products. SA, TD and pets are two totally different animals, legally. So, while a landlord (or any place open to the public) cannot refuse a SA, they can refuse TD and of course, pets. However, we are also working on legislation to apply the SA rules regarding rentals to TD for veterans and hopefully, pets. Many people coming out of the service have to leave for financial reasons and get an apt., and it is hard to find affordable places to live that allow pets and TD so this is another way to help financially, emotionally and physically. BTW, the working acronym was to be LEGAL TLC, because it was originally supposed to use public education and helping with legislative changes to help underdogs, human and animal (and that acronym worked) but we are changing it to allow for extra-attention to SM and veterans. Info is on a website if you search under Suffolk County Animal Law Carol
This whole "review" sounds like a very bad deal for veterans as a whole. Sounds like they want to compensate similarly disabled veterans differently based on whether or not they've been able to find a job (and how much that job pays). What a crock.
In no way do I consider my VA disability compensation adequate for the loss to my quality of life and resulting health problems. I'd gladly give it up to be healthy again and enjoy doing the activities that I used to be able to do. However, since I've managed to land a good paying desk job, it sounds like under this plan they would want to cut my compensation lower than it already is. Sickening.