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UPDATE: VETS' COMMISSION CHAIR GETS CONGRESSIONAL OK TO

STUDY SSDI BENEFITS FOR VETERANS -- REP. STEVE BUYER,

SEN. LARRY CRAIG, REP. DUNCAN HUNTER AND REP. IKE

SKELTON ALL GIVE THUMBS UP TO STUDY

Background story here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20APR%2006/newsflash04-24-2006-8.htm

Lt. Gen. Terry Scott (U.S. Army, ret.), who is Chairman of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission (VDBC), wants to study vets who get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as well as VA compensation.

The goal is an offset (reduction) in payments to veterans.

The VDBC's charter doesn't allow this, so, in an unconstitutional move, he asked Congress to interpret their own law, to give him permission to do this.

And, unbelievably, he's got that permission.

I have just two documents on this...more are on the way...including legal arguments and a "civics lesson" from an attorney representing a major veterans' service organization.

I will have a complete article later in the week...but, here's what I have now.

Veterans...it's time to get angry.

---------------

Gen. Scott asked four Congressional Committees: 

“Some Commissioners believe that this charge [the VDBC’s charter] should be interpreted broadly to mean all related benefits received by disabled veterans under the laws of the United States to include…SSDI payments…the Chairman would appreciate clarification of the intent of Congress in writing or in person during the next Commission public meeting May 19, 2006”

I have received copies of two responses.

They are reproduced, in part, below.

First, is a letter to Gen. Scott signed jointly by Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs: 

"It is our opinion that you are not limited to evaluating only those benefits created for veterans, and a review of the mandate does not restrict your examination to title 10 or title 38...we would find helpful a thorough review of benefits provided in their totality. To look at the benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to the exclusion of others will not provide Congress with a complete understanding of the benefits that are provided to veterans and their survivors."

Second is a letter to Gen. Scott signed jointly by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services and Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), Ranking Member of the same Committee: 

"It is our view that a comprehensive review under the laws of the United States would inescapably include an examination of the Social Security Disability Insurance program and that the Commission would be remiss in its responsibilities if it were to choose to ignore any form of Federal compensation provided to such veterans."

---------------

Well, it looks like a done deal.  Now Gen. Scott must get the entire 13-member VDBC to vote on this at the May 19 meeting.

Right now it appears the panel is close to evenly divided on the issue.

I think it's time to make a big noise.

Gen. Scott's email at the VDBC is:  veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com  

This email is good for all Commission members.

The Commission's phone number is:  (202) 756-7729

That's it for now.  More info to follow later this week including a legal analysis of the situation.

Larry Scott

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

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