Pentagon may be shorting troop benefits (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Pentagon may be shorting troop benefits

By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer
42 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - An injured soldier's disability should be determined
by Veterans Affairs officials — and not the Pentagon — because the
Army might be shortchanging troops, a presidential commission was
told on Monday.

At a public meeting, the nine-member commission on veterans care
chaired by former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., and former Health and Human
Services Secretary Donna Shalala delved into ways to cut down on
paperwork and problems in the disability ratings system.

Under the current system, each of the armed services assign ratings
to service members when they become injured. The ratings determine
whether the service member is discharged from active service and
if so, the amount of disability benefits to which he or she is
entitled. The VA operates a separate system to determine benefits
for retired veterans.

Critics say the Army rates its injured soldiers at a lower level of
disability compared with the other armed services and the VA so it
can save on the costs of disability payments.

-snip-

"We want to add our voice to others deeply disturbed by concerns
of lowballing in Army disability ratings," said Robert Norton, deputy
director for the Military Officers Association of America. "The
ratings gaps are unacceptable."

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070423/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/veterans_care_2

[BOSSHOG]

1. Is this another example of conservatives "taking care of the troops?"

An organization involved in warfare actively seeking to save on costs of disability benefits. How truly American. Those troops can feel that support, give em a magnet.

[indepat]

3. BOSSHOG:, hereinafter I shall refer such as this as another example of 'pukes again pissing

on the troops.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Thank you my friend

Conservatives are extremely callous about our troops and their welfare and medical needs. They think waving a flag and putting a magnet on a car is all that is needed. I find it incredibly sad coming from those who say they are so damned patriotic being members of the base of the party of responsibility and integrity. They are just a bunch of slogan shouters, with no backbone and zero real patriotism

[BOSSHOG]

2. I got blown the fuck up in Iraq and all I got was this lousy 10% disability rating

- A war based on lies - trillions
- A failed strategy by a moron - trillions
- A great big humongous wing in the bush library holding all his fuckups - priceless

[Monkeyman]

5. BOSS the kids I deal with I have to appeal every case for them

They are shorting these kids every dam time

[BOSSHOG]

6. Do you appeal

service ratings to the VA? Does the VA do a good job of setting those records straight? Damn Monkeyman I wish you didn't have that job, I wish it wasn't necessary.

[Monkeyman]

7. Right To The VA But Backlog is huge some cases two years

I wish it wasn't Brother but someone got to stand and fight I made that promise I will keep it

[peacetalksforall]

8. The money Cheney and friends get to put in their pocket must be

pinched.

What a sucker nation to believe these horrible thief=leaders.

[Monkeyman]

9. Ya look at his tax return

[Ganja Ninja]

10. The MBA President is running the country like a business.

Screwing the employees to make his bottom line look a little better. Can't afford tax breaks and honoring the commitment to the wounded vets so someone has to get screwed. That's all wounded veterans are to them, employees. People that deserve limited compensation and limited benefits.