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05-12-05, 01:33 PM
Veterans Disability Commission Begins Work

WASHINGTON (May 11, 2005) - The Veterans' Disability Benefits
Commission, established by Congress to review benefits going to disabled
veterans and the survivors of deceased veterans, held its first meetings
May 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C.

The 13-member panel, chaired by retired Army Lt. Gen. James Terry Scott,
is scheduled to issue its final report to Congress in 15 months.

In setting up the commission, Congress instructed it to examine three
specific issues:

* the "appropriateness" of
compensation and other benefits for disabled veterans and for the
survivors of veterans who died from causes related to military service;
* "the appropriateness of the
level of such benefits"; and
* "the appropriate standard . . .
for determining whether a disability or death of a veteran should be
compensated."

The commission will take testimony at public meetings, oversee studies
of the United States' disability compensation systems, and receive input
from other organizations, including the Institute of Medicine and the
Department of Defense.

People interested in presenting oral or written testimony to the
commission should contact the panel's acting executive director, Ray
Wilburn, at (202) 273-7509, or via e-mail at vetscommission@va.gov.