Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 03/10/2003

Dear Sgt. Shaft
On March 19, 2001, you wrote in the Washington Times about the Retired Pay Restoration Act H.R.303, being sponsored by Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and S.170, being sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). I wonder if you could give me an update on the issue. I am a veteran that falls into this dilemma. 

Thank you.
Ed S.
Internet user in Maryland

Dear Ed:
The latest on concurrent receipt:: in short, we're in a standby mode waiting to see how DoD defines the application process and guidelines for approval to implement the limited concurrent receipt authority provided in last year's defense bill. The key will be in how expansive DoD interprets the Congressional guidance for a special compensation to eliminate the offset of retired pay for those with combat disabilities that resulted in a Purple Heart decoration, regardless of the VA disability; and those with 60-100% VA disabilities caused by armed conflict, hazardous duty, war simulations, or "instrumentalities of war" (military vehicle accidents, fumes, gases, etc.).

Veterans’ organizations are working on two objectives: first, to immediately include reservists in the recently passed legislation. Last year's law excludes reservists because they do not have 20 years of active duty -- although they have a reserve retirement, even though they have a Purple Heart or otherwise qualifying disability. 

Second, depending on how expansive DoD makes the rules, legislation could be pursued that would further expand the definitions (perhaps to a performance-based disability), as well as disability percentages covered. 

Shaft Shot
To Tammy Lytle, president of the National Press Club, and her speakers committee. Ms. Lytle cancelled the March 12 appearance of U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), replacing him at the last minute with an actor and actress, showing where the Press Club’s priorities are. Ms. Lytle’s discourteous treatment of the United States Senator is a piteous profile in bad manners. It is also a slap to the face to more than 100 persons who had already made reservations to hear the distinguished Senator. Good friend Chuck Hagel sits on three committees: Foreign Relations; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and the Select Committee on Intelligence. Sen. Hagel is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion Subcommittee and the Senate Banking International Trade and Finance Subcommittee. He also serves as the Co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Hagel was president of McCarthy & Company, an investment banking firm in Omaha. He is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran (including two Purple Hearts) and former Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration. He served side by side in Vietnam with his brother Tom, as infantry squad leaders with the U.S. Army's 9th Infantry Division.

His many honors for his contributions to civic life include The Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Creighton University, an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Bellevue University, the Secretary of Defense's Medal for Outstanding Civic Achievement, the first World USO Leadership Award and the Small Business Administration's Nebraska Veterans Advocate of the Year Award.

As we stand on the threshold of war, Sen. Hagel, no doubt, is more newsworthy than two entertainers.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge was happy to join the National Association of State Approving Agencies in their recent tribute to the staffs of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs. Don Sweeney, the association’s legislative director, said “the staffs have worked diligently with the leadership of the Committees over the last few years to make remarkable improvements in the education and training programs that are available to our Nation’s veterans and other eligible persons”. Improvements to the programs, more commonly known as GI Bills, have been numerous -- the most significant being an increase in the monthly benefit for full-time enrollment in an approved institutional program. In 1999 the monthly benefit under the Montgomery GI Bill for active duty service members was $536, a mere increase of $136 since the program’s inception in 1985. However, because of the work of the Committee leadership and their staff, the monthly benefit has been increased and now provides $900 for full time attendance. It is scheduled to go to $985 in October of 2003. 

To honor the work of the Republican and Democratic staffs of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees, each will be presented with a $1,000 scholarship to award to a selected reservist or veteran student at a college or university of their choice. “This is our way of trying to thank the people who work behind the scenes on a daily basis to help turn proposed concepts and ideas into reality”, said Sweeney. It is important to note that the scholarships are funded in part by a generous match provided by the Blinded American Veterans Foundation in honor of G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery, the former Chairman of the House Committee for whom the current GI Bill is named. 

The Sarge applauds the Congress for adoption of The Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill restored some health care funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs that was cut in the initial spending bills as passed by the House and the Senate. 

The Omnibus bill includes a total of $121.9 billion, of which $90.4 billion is discretionary spending. It also includes a $2.5 billion increase in funding for medical care over last year, $1.1 billion over the President’s request. Total funding for VA health care is $23.9 billion.

"I am pleased that the health care of our veterans was one of only four programs in the entire budget that was not subject to an across the board cut," said Senator Bob Graham, D-FL, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. "But I still remain concerned about the Administration’s suspensions in enrollment of priority 8 veterans and next year’s budget."

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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