tdiu Iu Issue From Senate Member-

[Guest Berta]

I just received this from one of our former members-

havent read it all-

the idea seems to sound absurd---

http://veterans.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseA...ear=2005&id=295

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Home » Newsroom and Photos » Press Releases

CRAIG WANTS VA TO HELP UNEMPLOYED VETERANS FIND WORK

October 28, 2005

Contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) With a dramatic rise in the number of veterans deemed unemployable, the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs took a look Thursday at what is driving the increase, and what steps can be taken to help those that can still work get the help they need.

At the hearing the Government Accountability Office reported that from fiscal years 1999 to 2004, the number of veterans receiving unemployability benefits more than doubled, from 95,000 to 197,000. There are now over 221,000 veterans who have been deemed unemployable by the VA.

(See pictures from the hearing by clicking on: 2005 - October 27 - Employability hearing. To watch the hearing on-line, Click Here to View Hearing.)

"With today’s modern technologies, individuals with disabilities have more opportunities than ever before to become productive members of society," said Chairman Larry Craig. "While the unemployability benefit may certainly be appropriate for some, the presumption must be that every individual with disabilities can overcome barriers to employment. A positive, employment-oriented attitude towards veterans with disabilities must be VA’s focus, and the eligibility assessment for IU should reflect that attitude."

Individual Unemployability, or IU, is a benefit paid to veterans with disabilities rated between 60-90 percent disabling and is granted when the veteran's individual circumstances suggest that gainful employment is unlikely because of the disability.

"The IU benefit should be viewed as the benefit of last resort," Craig said. "I reject the notion, put forth by some at the hearing, that veterans with disabilities can’t work, that we shouldn’t waste resources even making the effort to try, and that looking for work is somehow demeaning. We should provide people with every opportunity for financial growth."

Cynthia Bascetta, Director of the GAO’s Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues department told the committee that the VA could learn more from the private sector when dealing with people who have been deemed unemployable.

"Incorporating return-to-work practices could help VA modernize its disability program to enable veterans to realize their full productive potential without jeopardizing the availability of benefits for people who cannot work," Bascetta said.

That is just what the Chairman said he wants.

"I see a generation of people today, coming home, with substantial impairments, but with high hopes that they’re going to go back to productive lives. We ought to be doing everything we can to optimize those opportunities," Craig said.

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<<September 2005 October 2005

November 2005>>

28th - SENATE CONFIRMS THREE FORMER SENATE STAFFERS TO VA POSTS

28th - CRAIG WANTS VA TO HELP UNEMPLOYED VETERANS FIND WORK

25th - EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF DISABLED VETERANS DEEMED UNEMPLOYABLE, TO BE EXAMINED THURSDAY

20th - VA OFFICIALS PLEDGE "INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY" REORGANIZATION TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

19th - 16 YEAR OLD LIVING IN GERMANY GETS U.S. SENATE PAGE POSITION THROUGH CHAIRMAN LARRY CRAIG

18th - VA’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO BE HEARING FOCUS THURSDAY

12th - NEW MOBILE MRI MACHINE WILL AID VETERANS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO

5th - SENATE VOTES TO AWARD CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

3rd - SEN. CRAIG’S BILL SEEKS TO PRESERVE DIGNITY OF ARLINGTON AND OTHER NATIONAL CEMETERIES

3rd - U.S. SENATE HONORS VA EMPLOYEES FOR HURRICANE EFFORTS

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Edited November 7, 2005 by Berta

[jriverman]

I do not know about you guys but I am 66 years old and really do not feel like going back to work. When you get this age, things change both with your health and your mind. I have s.s. and my va check. I am making it just fine, can't live high but at least some quality of life. I do not feel anyone should advocate giving up their va check. This is just what the goverment wants and I hope you peope know that they have someone that monitors this site. Do you think they will try to take away from people over 65? Please post yours thoughts on this question. Without this money and a wife that just had 4 strokes, I do not know how I would make it.

Me too Red! I'm pushing 60 and have been IU for over 30 years. Supposedly I have a 'protected' rating.

If the golden check was to stop for just a couple of months I would have to file for bankruptcy and lose all the equity in my modest home, the car, etc.. Heck, I could try to get a little job and try to save the humble homestead but that would put me in the hospital and the ortho docs would finally get to take my 'good' leg. If I did have to get a job my SSDI would be in jepordy as well as the blessed Medicare that goes with it. I just had some heart surgery done at a top notch university hospital to the tune of $60,000 plus and it was all covered by Medicare. Yup, they stop my check and my whole world unravels real quick with the legs being the first thing to go and the ticker follows right behind. Somewhere along the way I would probably need some very expensive medical attention that the BEST VAMC could not provide. Who would foot the bill then??? Budget wise, I guess it would be cheaper to let me die - but, I'm a combat survivor and I don't die too well, especially when somebody is misusing their bureaucratic position to cancel out my existance. I have never been diagnosed with PTSD but I'm sure that I would get it inflicted on me by the jerks almost overnight (no fraud involved). Somehow I think this whole redo attempt by the VDBC will simply run out steam as the political opposition to it grows.

Riverman

ps - I just mailed in my $10 check and the enclosed paper Christmas decoration to the MOPH for the young troops coming back to the US hospitals. On it I wrote "You are my HERO! Thank you" Along time ago I decorated a tree on the ward with the cards and decos that got delivered. One of them said about the same thing and it really meant a lot. The handfull of un-patriots in congress need to get the message that you "thank" your heros, not yank them around. Let your reps know how you feel!!!

[Guest phubai70]

riverman - well said couldn't agree with you more

[timetowinarace]

The difference in ratings does not come from "physical health" or "mental health" while mental health does suffer a difference. The differance is "objective" or "subjective". The person without hands has an objective disability that can be seen and unquestioned. The person with PTSD "looks" normal but says s/he feels disabled. It also works against physical complaints and illness that are subjective. While my brain is physically damaged and I have neurological symptoms, they are still subjective and I look normal. Right or wrong examiners are going to err on the safe side for THEM so they do not have to explain why this normal (good looking I must say LOL) looking person that can walk is getting paid. Everytime a subjective disability is considered it will get the lowest rating possible. Pain, mental anguish, fatigue and how far you can REALLY move that joint cannot be seen, or felt or have guilt attached like missing limbs, scars and bullet holes. It is not that the VA Docs or the raters are saving the VA money. It is that THEY DON'T BELIEVE YOU BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FEEL IT. They will screw 98% of the Vets so 2% do not get what they don't deserve.

Time