The White House: "While Our Country Has Sometimes Been Divided, They Have Fought Together as One"
Already, we have closed or turned over to Iraq hundreds of bases. We’re moving out millions of pieces of equipment in one of the largest logistics operations that we’ve seen in decades. By the end of this month, we’ll have brought more than 90,000 of our troops home from Iraq since I took office -- more than 90,000 have come home. (Applause.)
Later in his speech, the President began to recount some of the accomplishments that earned that Slugger (a bat the DAV awarded to Obama), along with the accomplishments that came afterwards.
That includes the:
largest percentage increases to the VA budget in the past 30 years; help for about about 200,000 Vietnam vets who may have been exposed to Agent Orange, as well as help for Gulf War vets with specific infectious diseases; eliminating co-pays for catastrophically disabled veterans; increased funding for veterans' health care across the board; eliminating delays both in the funding for medical care and the claims process; pooling the wisdom of VA employees to help cut through red tape; and an ongoing fight to end homelessness amongst veterans, which has already seen significant progress.
His success so far eliminating the claims backlog, and his promise to stop it from returning with new claims processors and streamlined technlogy, was met with a "Hallelujah!"
He then spoke particularly to the concerns facing veterans coming out of the service today:
Finally, we’re keeping faith with our newest veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
We’re offering more of the support and counseling they need to transition back to civilian life. That includes funding the post-9/11 GI Bill, which is already helping more than 300,000 veterans and family members pursue their dream of a college education. (Applause.)
And for veterans trying to find work in a very tough economy, we’re helping with job training and placement. And I’ve directed the federal government to make it a priority to hire more veterans, including disabled veterans. (Applause.)
And every business in America needs to know our vets have the training, they’ve got the skills, they have the dedication -- they are ready to work. And our country is stronger when we tap the incredible talents of our veterans. (Applause.)
For those coming home injured, we’re continuing to direct unprecedented support to our wounded warriors in uniform -- more treatment centers, more case managers -- delivering the absolute best care available.
For those who can, we want to help them get back to where they want to be -- with their units. And that includes service members with a disability, who still have so much to offer our military.
We’re directing unprecedented resources to treating the signature wounds of today’s wars -- traumatic brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Applause.) And I recently signed into law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.
That’s a long name, but let me tell you what it does. It not only improves treatment for traumatic brain injury and PTSD, it gives new support to many of the caregivers who put their own lives on hold to care for their loved one. (Applause.)
And as so many of you know, PTSD is a pain like no other -- the nightmares that keep coming back, the rage that strikes suddenly, the hopelessness that’s led too many of our troops and veterans to take their own lives.
So today, I want to say in very personal terms to anyone who is struggling -- don’t suffer in silence. It’s not a sign of weakness to reach out for support -- it’s a sign of strength. Your country needs you. We are here for you. We are here to help you stand tall. Don’t give up. Reach out. (Applause.)
We’re making major investments in awareness, outreach, and suicide prevention -- hiring more mental health professionals, improving care and treatment.
For those of you suffering from PTSD, we’re making it a whole lot easier to qualify for VA benefits. From now on, if a VA doctor confirms a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, that is enough -- no matter what war you served in. (Applause.)
These are the commitments my administration has made. These are the promises we’ve worked to keep. This is the sacred trust we have pledged to uphold -- to you and all who serve.
Rightardia comment: The Major has a huge claim against the VA and he has noticed big changes in the VA in the past 18 months. He now has a primary care and a specialist doctor. The attitude of many of the people at both the VA Regional Office (VARO) and the VA medical Center (VAMC) has changed.
Many of the problems the VA has stem form the neglect of this organization during the Bush administration. George W. Bush actually ordered a review of all existing VA disabilities in 2005. Such a review is unnecessary because veteran's claims take years to be resolved and are subjected to extensive initial and pereidoc reviews.
What this review did was front load the VA with extra work that result in the neglect of current claims. The actual Bush memo follows:
Subject: NEW VA SECRETARY DIRECTIVE CALLS FOR REVIEW AND RE-EVALUATION OF ALL VETERANS SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLITY CLAIMS
Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2005 13:43:00 -0700 (PDT)
THIS DIRECTIVE AFFECTS ALL VETERANS RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY COMPENSATION, IN THAT THE SECRETARY'S DIRECTIVE REQUIRES THAT REGIONAL OFFICES REVIEW AND RE-EVALUATE ALL CURRENT AND PAST VETERANS CLAIMS.
THE CLAIMS THAT WILL PROBABLY BE REVIEWED WITH THE MOST SCRUTINY ARE THOSE VETERANS RATED AT 100% - AND THOSE RATE 50%-90%...
This extra workload put the VA into a tailspin and 1,000,000 VA claims were left open when Obama took office. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has been working hard to streamline the claims process and to eliminate this claims backlog.
A word of advice to veterans: The GOP is supportive of the Armed Forces, loves new weapons systems and won't hesitate to put service people in harm's way when Republicans start a new war.
But their voting record in support of veterans programs is checkered while the Democrats have consistently supported vet programs.
If you are a veteran and dependent on veterans programs for a home mortgage, a pension, medical care, or educational benefits, you should carefully consider the Democratic Party candidates that are running for representative and senate positions.
The Major had no luck with the first Republican representative he worked with on a VA claim; He got little more than 'lip service.' The second Republican Representative at least submitted Congressional Iquiries to the VA Congressional Liaison office in Washington.
Once the major contacted a Democratic senator, things started to happen. There is a clear difference in the way that Republicans and Democrats handle veteran's issues. Subscribe to the Rightardia feed: feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/IGiu
Netcraft rank: 14896
http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://rightardia.blogspot.com
Now, one of those chapters is nearing an end. As a candidate for President, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end. (Applause.) Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility.
And I made it clear that by August 31st, 2010, America’s combat mission in Iraq would end. (Applause.) And that is exactly what we are doing -- as promised and on schedule. (Applause.)
And I made it clear that by August 31st, 2010, America’s combat mission in Iraq would end. (Applause.) And that is exactly what we are doing -- as promised and on schedule. (Applause.)
Later in his speech, the President began to recount some of the accomplishments that earned that Slugger (a bat the DAV awarded to Obama), along with the accomplishments that came afterwards.
That includes the:
largest percentage increases to the VA budget in the past 30 years; help for about about 200,000 Vietnam vets who may have been exposed to Agent Orange, as well as help for Gulf War vets with specific infectious diseases; eliminating co-pays for catastrophically disabled veterans; increased funding for veterans' health care across the board; eliminating delays both in the funding for medical care and the claims process; pooling the wisdom of VA employees to help cut through red tape; and an ongoing fight to end homelessness amongst veterans, which has already seen significant progress.
His success so far eliminating the claims backlog, and his promise to stop it from returning with new claims processors and streamlined technlogy, was met with a "Hallelujah!"
He then spoke particularly to the concerns facing veterans coming out of the service today:
Finally, we’re keeping faith with our newest veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
We’re offering more of the support and counseling they need to transition back to civilian life. That includes funding the post-9/11 GI Bill, which is already helping more than 300,000 veterans and family members pursue their dream of a college education. (Applause.)
And for veterans trying to find work in a very tough economy, we’re helping with job training and placement. And I’ve directed the federal government to make it a priority to hire more veterans, including disabled veterans. (Applause.)
And every business in America needs to know our vets have the training, they’ve got the skills, they have the dedication -- they are ready to work. And our country is stronger when we tap the incredible talents of our veterans. (Applause.)
For those coming home injured, we’re continuing to direct unprecedented support to our wounded warriors in uniform -- more treatment centers, more case managers -- delivering the absolute best care available.
For those who can, we want to help them get back to where they want to be -- with their units. And that includes service members with a disability, who still have so much to offer our military.
We’re directing unprecedented resources to treating the signature wounds of today’s wars -- traumatic brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Applause.) And I recently signed into law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.
That’s a long name, but let me tell you what it does. It not only improves treatment for traumatic brain injury and PTSD, it gives new support to many of the caregivers who put their own lives on hold to care for their loved one. (Applause.)
And as so many of you know, PTSD is a pain like no other -- the nightmares that keep coming back, the rage that strikes suddenly, the hopelessness that’s led too many of our troops and veterans to take their own lives.
So today, I want to say in very personal terms to anyone who is struggling -- don’t suffer in silence. It’s not a sign of weakness to reach out for support -- it’s a sign of strength. Your country needs you. We are here for you. We are here to help you stand tall. Don’t give up. Reach out. (Applause.)
We’re making major investments in awareness, outreach, and suicide prevention -- hiring more mental health professionals, improving care and treatment.
For those of you suffering from PTSD, we’re making it a whole lot easier to qualify for VA benefits. From now on, if a VA doctor confirms a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, that is enough -- no matter what war you served in. (Applause.)
These are the commitments my administration has made. These are the promises we’ve worked to keep. This is the sacred trust we have pledged to uphold -- to you and all who serve.
Many of the problems the VA has stem form the neglect of this organization during the Bush administration. George W. Bush actually ordered a review of all existing VA disabilities in 2005. Such a review is unnecessary because veteran's claims take years to be resolved and are subjected to extensive initial and pereidoc reviews.
What this review did was front load the VA with extra work that result in the neglect of current claims. The actual Bush memo follows:
Subject: NEW VA SECRETARY DIRECTIVE CALLS FOR REVIEW AND RE-EVALUATION OF ALL VETERANS SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLITY CLAIMS
Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2005 13:43:00 -0700 (PDT)
THIS DIRECTIVE AFFECTS ALL VETERANS RECEIVING SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY COMPENSATION, IN THAT THE SECRETARY'S DIRECTIVE REQUIRES THAT REGIONAL OFFICES REVIEW AND RE-EVALUATE ALL CURRENT AND PAST VETERANS CLAIMS.
THE CLAIMS THAT WILL PROBABLY BE REVIEWED WITH THE MOST SCRUTINY ARE THOSE VETERANS RATED AT 100% - AND THOSE RATE 50%-90%...
This extra workload put the VA into a tailspin and 1,000,000 VA claims were left open when Obama took office. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has been working hard to streamline the claims process and to eliminate this claims backlog.
A word of advice to veterans: The GOP is supportive of the Armed Forces, loves new weapons systems and won't hesitate to put service people in harm's way when Republicans start a new war.
But their voting record in support of veterans programs is checkered while the Democrats have consistently supported vet programs.
If you are a veteran and dependent on veterans programs for a home mortgage, a pension, medical care, or educational benefits, you should carefully consider the Democratic Party candidates that are running for representative and senate positions.
The Major had no luck with the first Republican representative he worked with on a VA claim; He got little more than 'lip service.' The second Republican Representative at least submitted Congressional Iquiries to the VA Congressional Liaison office in Washington.
Once the major contacted a Democratic senator, things started to happen. There is a clear difference in the way that Republicans and Democrats handle veteran's issues. Subscribe to the Rightardia feed: feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/IGiu
Netcraft rank: 14896
http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://rightardia.blogspot.com
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