Support the troops AND the vets

[Sapphire Blue]

Operation Truth is sending a group of vets to meet with Congressmembers...

http://www.optruth.org//main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=legislativeAction&lnav=2


Support Veterans with PTSD - support H.R. 1588

http://www.optruth.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=contactCongress&lnav=2

[proud patriot]

1. Thanks for the heads up

:patriot:

[Sapphire Blue]

2. You're welcome

I posted this in GD, and it's tanking... so looked aroung for another forum to post it... hadn't been here before... I'm still fairly new here... IMO, this needs attention...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3624009

[dbeach]

3. HR 1588 DOES WHAT??

My pal says it includes an item where every disabled Veteran could be called in for a review to determine if they still deserve the disability..

I can't call back from DAV or my Cong. On this sensitive area

[Sapphire Blue]

4. For the full text of H.R.1588

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c109query.html ...enter 'H.R.1588'


(The list of 60 Co-sponsors can be found under 'Bill Summary & Status file')


SEC. 901. IDENTIFICATION OF DEFICIENCIES IN PTSD DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS.

(a) Evaluation of Adjudication of Claims- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the National Center for PTSD, shall obtain an evaluation of the quality and consistency of adjudication of claims for PTSD, including the adequacy of service-connected compensation examinations for rating purposes and the extent to which veterans who are service-connected for PTSD are actually employed and employable.

(b) Report- Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report that includes the following information and recommendations:

(1) The types of evidence sufficient to confirm combat experience for veterans filing claims for PTSD based on combat.

(2) The policies and procedures used to obtain confirmation of a stressor, including documentation of service in combat for claims based on PTSD.

(3) Based on a representative national sample, the number and percentage of veterans for each period of war whose claims for PTSD have been denied based upon the lack of a credible stressor.

(4) Based on a representative national sample, the number and percentage of veterans for each period of war whose claims for PTSD have been denied based upon the lack of a diagnosis of PTSD.

(5) Based on a representative national sample, the number and percentage of veterans for each period of war whose claims for PTSD have been granted and the rating which was initially awarded for that claim.

(6) The number of initial and subsequent claims and average time to process claims for PTSD which have been granted (including the rating assigned and any determination as to employability) and denied for each regional office for a consecutive six month period.

(7) The number and percentage of initial claims for PTSD selected from a representative national sample during a consecutive six month period which had a compensation and pension examination conducted in compliance with best practices for PTSD examinations.

(8) The number and percentage of examinations selected from a representative national sample during a consecutive six month period in which the compensation and pension examinations for PTSD were judged to be inadequate.

(9) The number and percentage of claims for PTSD selected from a representative national sample during that consecutive six month period for which the examination was returned as inadequate.

(10) The maximum, minimum and average time based upon a representative national sample allocated for completion of an initial compensation and pension examination for PTSD.

(11) An assessment comparing the employment of veterans rated for psychiatric impairments with similar ratings based upon physical impairments including, the number of veterans in each sample who are employed on a full time or part time basis, the average time such veterans have been unemployed and a comparison of the amount of work lost from employment due to disability and the average earnings of veterans in each group.

(12) Taking into account criteria such as the information in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), including its companion publication, the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles (SCO), published by the Department of Labor, examples of the types of employment that an average veteran rated at 30 percent, at 50 percent, and at 70 percent disabled for PTSD can be expected to obtain and retain.

(13) The number of claims for PTSD appealed to the Board of Veterans Appeals during fiscal year 2005, including the specific issue appealed (service-connection, effective date, rating) and the results of such appeals (affirmed, denied, remanded, other disposition).

(14) Recommendations for improving the accuracy and consistency of PTSD examinations, claim development and decisions.

(15) Barriers to successful employment for veterans who have been service-connected for PTSD.

(16) Recommendations for removing barriers to employment for veterans who have been service-connected for PTSD.

(17) Recommendations for legislative changes which could improve the potential for vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons service-connected for PTSD.

SEC. 902. CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING MEDICAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PTSD.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop--

(1) criteria for determining those medical conditions that are as likely as not to be associated with PTSD; and

(2) standards for determining when secondary service-connection should be granted for those conditions.

[dbeach]

5. thanx for response..

I just called the DAV and said that they had not read H.R. 1588 which has 8 different versions...

My concern is Regan tried to call in disabled Vets for an extra review in 80s..DAV exposed it..and it did not happen

curret VA director is former RNC chairman and will cut VA budget in true repuke style..07 budget will be huge cuts..{thats from well placed conection and accept as fact}

Vets groups better wake up cuz the budget cutters don't care..

Bad omen when Smith was replaced with Buyer and when James Nicholsen became director...


Most hostile anti - Veteran admin in US History..