Obama: Progress made on (veterans) disability claims backlog

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - President Barack Obama assured disabled veterans Saturday that his administration is making progress on reducing a backlog of disability claims and said the number of requests for assistance has fallen by nearly one-fifth since peaking at more than 600,000 just a few months ago.

In an address at the Disabled American Veterans' convention in Orlando, Obama also announced a national plan to guide mental health research, as well as commitments from 250 community colleges and universities to help veterans earn college degrees or get the credentials they need to find jobs.

A chief concern for veterans is the backlog of disability claims for compensation for illness and injury caused by military service.

"After years of military service, you shouldn't have to wait years for the benefits you've earned," Obama said.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130810/DA838LS82.html

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President Barack Obama shakes hands with Disabled American Veterans National Commander Larry Polzin, before speaking in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013. After the event the Obamas will travel to Martha's Vineyard, Mass. to begin their family vacation. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

[indepat]

1. Does this mean the backlog is down to only 480,000? That's 480,000 lives plus

the lives of dependants who are adversely impacted by this inexcusable delay in processing. Shameful beyond comprehension, reason, and commin decency. What does it say when government cannot or will not take care of its wounded warriors?

[bhikkhu]

2. Now the GOP knows where they can cut some more funding

Obviously if they're catching up, it means they're overstaffed!

[Ash_F]

3. Thanks to Republican tax cuts for the wealthy

The VA could be hiring unemployed people to do the processing.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. It appears the VA has not improved in decades

.
.
.

I visited a VA hospital in San Diego in 79

What I saw disturbed me, will never be able to forget it.

Although I do not support the wars the USA keeps getting into/creating,

I think they should take better care of their citizens that suffer as a result of fighting their wars.

When I lived in San Diego, I had 2 room-mates who were vets from the Vietnam war.

Both were changed forever from what they did/saw over there.

They were not proud at all.

Sad, that.

CC

[Kingofalldems]

5. Kick and Rec for the veterans.