UPDATE: MORE FROM VETS' COMMISSION MEETING AND THE 11-2 VOTE

TO STUDY SSDI -- OBSERVATIONS FROM A VET AT THE MEETING --

VSO TESTIMONY -- AND, TESTIMONY FROM COMMISSIONERS

WHO DID NOT BELIEVE THE SSDI STUDY SHOULD BE DONE

Latest background here with all back links... http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20MAY%2006/newsflash05-21-2006-7.htm

Yes, the Veteran' Disability Benefits Commission has voted 11-2 to study vets who get SSDI and VA compensation.

We have all kinds of interesting information for you.  So, I will break this up into three parts.

First will be some random thoughts sent to me by a veteran who was at the meeting where the discussion and vote on SSDI took place.

Second will be snippets of testimony from VSOs with links to the complete documents.

Third will be part of the testimony from six Commissioners who felt the SSDI study should NOT go forward...with links to the complete documents.

I should have more documents early in the week...and we should have some feedback from the VSOs at that time, as well.

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Thoughts from a veteran who was at the VDBC meeting (and, thanks for sharing this with us):

"There were VSO reps speaking...about this subject and all had essentially one word to say about any 'study' into SSI as a so called 'veterans benefit.'  That word was NO!  As all the speakers noted, SSI is not a veterans benefit.  It is essentially an insurance resource for all Americans who may become eligible for it.  As SSI is not an entitlement associated with military service, suggesting it is a 'benefit' is essentially mixing apples and oranges.  Darn, it's tough to miss the obvious, isn't it."

"There was some back and forth by several of the commissioners.  The one woman on the commission [Jennifer Sandra Carroll , LCDR, USN (Ret)] made a resounding statement about how not only is this issue inappropriate but she succinctly pointed out that no matter what compensation veterans or disabled veterans receive, there is no way to adequately quantify the losses they experience associated with family separations, emotional and mental trauma not only sustained due to combat or other violence but through family separations and basically life experiences.  She made a strong statement...the strongest of the group."

"They 'promised,' including the chairman, that this information would not be used to 'offset' VA C&P but frankly, they can't guarantee anything once the genie is out of the bottle.  They said if they didn't do this someone else would.  They said they were the best to study and understand this aspect of compensation because of their backgrounds.  Personally, I don't think anyone needs to be doing this unless someone is going to do this for everyone in America receiving SSI.  Why pick on vets? "

"Lt. Gen. Scott commented at the meeting...that the Members of Congress who wrote letters to him were all invited to speak before the Commission on the subject of SSI & disabled vets.  None appeared.  Isn't it interesting how quick they are to send a letter but when asked to back up their paperwork, they 'no show.'  Rep. Lane Evans however, sent a representative..."

"...it was mentioned by one of the VSO representatives that it was wrong for the commission to go beyond the scope of their charter to solicit as they did, the non-binding comments of the various Members who wrote back to the commission.  Specifically, it was noted that Congress is responsible for legislation while courts were the ones empowered to make legal judgments.  The issue here is that we have laws on the books in America and that for the commission to delve into this 'fishing expedition' would exceed the legal authority of the commission."

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From Richard F. Weidman, Executive Dir. for Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America:

*****

Full document here.....

From VADM Norbert R. Ryan, Jr. USN (ret), President Military Officers Association of America:

Full document here.....

From the Paralyzed Veterans of America:

Full document here.....

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Here is part of a dissenting opinion by Commissioner Joe Wynn:

Full document here.....

And, here is part of a dissenting opinion from Commissioners Nick Bacon, Larry Brown, Jennifer Carroll, Butch Joeckel and Rick Surratt:

Full document here.....

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All of these documents are worth reading from first word to last.

More on this issue in the coming days..................

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Larry Scott

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

	Web www.vawatchdog.org

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