Veterans Left Behind......AGAIN!

[Gimpy]

Veterans Left Behind as VA Continues Drastic Cut Backs:

Vietnam Veterans of America ....5/27/2005

10:36:00 AM


To: National Desk

Contact: Mokie Porter Vietnam Veterans of America, 301-585-4000, Ext. 146; http://www.vva.org

WASHINGTON, May 27 /U.S. Newswire/

-- The Budget Resolution passed by both houses of Congress will result in staff reductions in every VA Medical Center at a most inauspicious time?as veterans return from the war in Iraq and as increasing numbers of veterans need care from the system, said Thomas H. Corey, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).

The impact will be significant among those returning troops who suffer from mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), those who have sustained loss of limbs, and other serious injuries. In addition to devastating decreases in the availability of care for veterans that will result from such budget cuts, the VA seems determined to contest even long-standing disability compensation for PTSD from veterans currently receiving VA benefits and health care.

A recent VA Inspector General's (IG) report concluded that following a brief review of certain grants of service-connected benefits for PTSD, the "subjectivity" involved in such determinations has resulted in over-granting of benefits. As a result, the VA will be reviewing PTSD grants between 1999 and 2004, with an eye toward revoking benefits if the claim was adjusted incorrectly.

"VVA believes that the "subjectivity" offered to the IG report is a euphemism for poor training and quality control of VA adjudication staff. "We must make it crystal clear to Congress that the budget appropriation for fiscal year 2006 year is at least $3.5 billion less than what is needed to fund the VA medical programs adequately," Corey said.

"This is a critical time. Without these resources, veterans will have longer waits to see specialists, much-needed maintenance will be deferred, and medical equipment will not be purchased."

"Together, through the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform veterans service organizations will demonstrate against these drastic cutbacks. Veterans' health care is not a welfare program. It is a benefit earned by rendering honorable service to our country. If we don't act forcefully now, we will continue to witness the erosion of what was one of the finest health care programs in the nation."


------ Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."

http://www.usnewswire.com/

End####

[Glenda M. Carter]

This is a real concern. I have spoken with those who provide services to Veteran's at our Veteran's Medical Center. They are frustrated and concerned because services are being cut at a time they need to increase.

If we as a nation send our people into war then we as a nation have a responsibility to care for our Veteran's and their families. As you know war changes us forever.
PTSD is not a condition that magically goes away. (just one issue)

Through the research for my book, I have found that the current war has triggered many Vietnam issues with Veteran's and their families. Issues that need resolve. In essence many of us from the Vietnam era are just now beginning to deal with unresolved issues.

We all know Vietnam was a different kind of war. Our war was not even called 'war' but 'conflict'. We did not have the support and acceptance in our society that were and are given to people of other wars. We were not able to openly discuss our losses and communalize our grief.
I for one think it is important for us to stand up and say it is not ok to dissolve the services for our Veteran's and their families.

I encourage everyone to stay in touch with those who represent us in Washington D.C. Let's not make the mistake of turning on each other but let's take our concerns to those who make the decisions and claim to represent the people of our country.

Let us stay united by not letting the politics get in the way of what is right.

I have only recently joined this site. I am finding many issues to respond too. I'm sorry if I am speaking to quickly but I've been silent for way to long.
Thanks for letting me be here.

glenda, author of Sacred Shadow, Sacred Ground: A Vietnam War Widow's Journey Through Unresolved Grief.

[Boats]

Speaking one's mind is the right thing to do. So far they haven't taken that from us yet. It's just that sometimes the facts are not all clear and clarification is needed.

Issues are what are and will remain there until the majority all get on the same page.

HC is our best one for issues and he's got the right verbiage to put it into something that's difficult to argue. He gathers his facts and makes the world aware of his findings and you can't fault him for that.

Most on this site are quite knowledgeable and have been around the block a few times. Many are reserve in nature and others will tell you exactly where to get off.

This site allows one to express issues mostly veteran types but we have seen a few who tend to get into other areas which at times are quite refreshing.

We all support our troopers past and present. Our motto is never forget - and thats almost impossible to do. Many here are weathering some illnesses and old wounds. We are putting our mileage on every year. Pretty soon we all become a statistic of which normally result the words - THE END!

So don't worry about saying something that may be out of text or goes against the grain. Get it out and if your wrong - we will tell you for sure.

Other than that have a good day.

[Gimpy]

right Glenda..........It IS a major concern that hopefully more folks will get involved with.

And no..................you're NOT speaking up "too quickly" either. I appreceiate your response and hope and pray more folks will take it upon themselves to contact their elected officials, their local newspapers, news media, etc. to spread the word that these injustices MUST STOP!

Welcome aboard! .......this is a great web site with lots of fine folks that I'm sure you'll find informative, friendly (most of the time anyway), and very, very patriotic and well versed in veterans issues.

[Boats]

Glenda

P.S. Welcome Aboard - I should have said that first.