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U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans
Affairs
Richard Burr
Ranking Member
825A Hart Senate Office Building • Washington,
D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2074 • FAX (202) 224-8908
http://burr.senate.gov |
Senate VA
Committee To Examine Disability Benefits Commission Recommendations
Hearing
to focus on reforming veterans disability compensation system
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 |
CONTACT:
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Chris Walker
Mark Williams |
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Phone: |
(202) 224-3154 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard
Burr announced today that members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs will hold a hearing on recommendations
from the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission (VDBC). The hearing will take place in room 562 of the Dirksen Senate
Office Building on January 24 at 9:30 AM. The hearing will feature testimony from the chairman of the VDBC and officials
from three veterans' organizations.
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WHO
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U.S. Senator Richard Burr |
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WHAT
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Senate VA Committee Hearing on Veterans' Disability
Benefits Commission (VDBC) Recommendations
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WHEN
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January 24, 2008
9:30 AM
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WHERE
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562 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC |
The VDBC issued its final report to Congress
on October 3, 2007. The report contained over 100 recommendations addressing all aspects of veterans benefits, from
health care to claims processing. The commission called for a system-wide reform of the benefits system, including removing
the disability rating function from the Department of Defense, updating the VA rating schedule, and placing a greater focus
on rehabilitation.
The VDBC was established by the National
Defense Authorization Act of 2004 to study laws relating to veterans and survivor compensation and assistance and VA's
implementation of those laws. The commission's thirteen members were appointed by the President and Congressional leaders.
Witnesses
Panel I
Lieutenant
General James Terry Scott (Retired), Chairman, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission
Panel II
Mr.
Todd Bowers, Director of Government Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Mr.
Gerald Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars, representing The Independent Budget;
Mr.
Steve Smithson, Deputy Director for Claims Service, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, The American
Legion
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