I second that !! 
Posted on 09/16/2002 2:46:37 PM PDT by Militiaman7
Brooks W. Outland, Concurrent Receipt Leglislation
September 3, 2002
The best way to get the word out to all of the military veterans in the country is via national television coverage. The first and most difficult task is to get the attention of the TV news broadcasters. If your story is not newsworthy, it rarely gets a second look!
In the thirteen years I’ve been working on the concurrent receipt issue, I’ve seen only four national TV news segments (NBC) regarding that important issue! Tom Brokaw’s NBC Nightly News considers the issue newsworthy!
I have written dozens of articles for my local newspaper’s letters-to-the-editor section in an effort to keep local veterans abreast of the situation regarding this legislation. On numerous occasions, I have also sent the articles to outside news agencies including the national TV news anchors. No interest - no response.
Quite by chance last week, I submitted yet another article on concurrent receipt to my local newspaper. By some quirk of fate, a copy of that article found its way to the desk of NBC Senior Correspondent, Mr. Fred Francis in Washington, D.C. Mr. Francis had been involved in the previously aired news segments on this issue, so the article caught his attention.
To make a long story short, Mr. Francis will interview me (on camera) this Thursday, September 5th. Finally, an opportunity to discuss this important issue with my comrades, right in their living room! The importance of this TV coverage cannot be overstated!
It is “crunch time” and grass roots support is required to ensure concurrent receipt approval will be a part of the 2003 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
To assist Mr. Francis in his desire to conduct another interview that day, my associates and I beat the bushes (for several days) until we were able to identify and locate another disabled military retiree. Mr. Francis will also interview disabled retiree Hank Nix who resides in Ozark, AL. Hank is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer with 16,000 hours in Army choppers and hundreds of students under his belt. Hank, by the way, is obviously a hero to his community - his house is located on Hank Nix Road!
I have pulled together the myriad pieces of paper from my files; I have consulted with my associates at the concurrent receipt headquarters for information . After assembling letters from other disabled retirees which have prodded me, over the years, to be a pro-active player in the fight to restore our retirement pay; I am prepared for Mr. Francis’ visit.
I fervently hope that Senators Levin, Warner, and Congressman Stump and Skelton will be watching the news broadcast when these interviews are aired, because they will determine the legislative outcome in the 2003 Defense Bill. We are trying hard to convince them that the Senate version of full concurrent receipt, unfunded as it is, has no chance for approval. Funding for the House version of partial concurrent receipt has already been identified. Hopefully, they will agree to replace the Senate version with the House version.
Realizing that an “all or nothing” attitude could kill-off any future effort, there should be little or no grumbling from those disabled retirees who have a 10% to 50% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
We must take this opportunity to ensure that our most disabled retirees who were denied the opportunities for second careers are fairly compensated.
Currently, we expect the interviews to be aired on NBC Nightly News, "Promises Kept" segment on September 16th, 6:30-7 pm ET.
It doesn't look like the Bush Administration will accept the Senate Version of Concurrent Receipt (100% Retired/Disabled Vets included) but will problably allow partial Concurrent Receipt for the (60-100% Disabled Vets). Although this still isn't right at least the most severely Retifred/Disabled vets are slated to get Concurrent Receipt in a 5 year phase in.
Concurrent Receipt is vitally important to the 60-100% Retired Disabled Veterans who are unemployable.
Congress has the ball and is running with it. The only obsticle to erasing this 100+ year scam is the Bush Administration, mainly Dr. David Chu, Assistant Secretary of Defense (he gave us TRICARE) and Secretary of Defense Rumsfieldt.
Money has already been appropriated by the House of Representatives to phase in CR or 60-100% Retired/Disabled Vets.
From crleglislation.com
· This has overwhelming support from our elected officials. 405 of 435 House members and 80 of 100 Senators support Concurrent Receipt. This is much more than needed to override any veto threat from President Bush.
· Only 13.5% of disabled retirees are in the 60-100% range. This is a small group of veterans that have given a lot to their country, and often are no longer able to work. While non-disabled retirees often go on to second careers and thrive, those with severe disabilities are just trying to survive.
· These severe disabilities are real. The VA has rigorous processes in place verifying and quantifying claims. Service medical records, independent diagnostic tests and VA doctor exams are all utilized to make valid determinations. Indeed the process is so rigorous, that the VA has been backlogged on claims since before the Gulf War.
· The House version is funded. This doesn't take new money or new cuts.
· This issue has national attention. On September 16th at 6:30, NBC has another segment on concurrent receipt scheduled. It's tentatively titled "Promises Kept."
Contact the following Senators or Representatives and tell them you support CR for Retired/Disabled Vets.
Toll Free number for the Capitol switchboard: 1-877-762-8762
Senator Levin - 269 Russell Senate Office Building
(202) 224-6221
FAX (202)224-1388
Email - senator@levin.senate.gov
Senator Warner - 225 Russell Senate Office Building
(202) 224-2023
FAX (202) 224-6295
Email - senator@warner.senate.gov
Rep Skelton - 2206 Rayburn House Office Building
(202) 225-2876
Rep Stump - 211 Cannon House Office Building
(202) 225-4576
FAX (202) 225-6328
Email - bob.stump@mail.house.gov
It's aready law (Public law 107-107) now we just have to get it funded.
I am in constant pain from my back and I am on OXYCONTIN just to be able to move. There is nothing that can be done to stop the back pain. There is no cartilidge remaining in my left knee and it is totally arthritic and also constantly painful. I have been admitted to the hospital three times for the chest pain and other symtoms related to the Cardiac Arrythmia. I had many many tests done to determine the severity of the heart problems, but the doctors can never find anything wrong with the heart muscle itself.
They gave me a service connected disability for the heart problems, Cardiac arrythmia, and several electrical blocks including a complete right bundle branch block which means that that the right side of my heart doesn't work at all. However, they gave me a ZERO percent disability because I was working as a computer programmer and it wasn't 'physically stressful'.
I recently underwent a 'sleep study' where it was documented that I do have 'significant' sleep Apnea. There are two types of sleep Apnea, Obstructive and Central Stem, with the first being treatable and the second untreatable. The second type, Central Apnea, is rated as life threatening and is the cause of the Cardiac Arrythmias, electrical blocks, chest pain and other heart related problems that I have been suffering with for 35+ years. I also have the obstructive Apnea which is why I have the CPAP machine. Despite the CPAP, The oxygen level in my blood falls so low I need the Oxygen.
The Central Apnea is in effect 24 hr hours a day and causes me to fall asleep during the day as well as affecting concetration and short term memory.
I have applied to the VA for reconsideration last May since I haven't been able to work for the past two years and I expect a ruling any day now. They will probably give me a 1 or 2 percent this time.
Retired (20+ vets)Vets pension. Usually 50% of base pay each month for life. (earned by longevity of service)
Disability Compensation: Given a veteran who has suffered illness, injury or wounds while on active duty. Must be proven over and over again as service connected, must be approved by the VA using their doctors. Given as a % computed by the VA 0% no compensation but medical services rendered, 100% total and permanently disabled. Cannot work!
All government employees except Retired Disabled Vets are allowed to draw their pension and disability compensation. Retired/Disabled Vets must pay back dollar for dollar from their retirement pay for the disability compensation they get. Depending on the paygrade when they retire, the government makes Retired Disabled Vets pay for their disability compensation, thereby depleting their pension (which was earned by longevity of service, 20 or more years of active duty) every month.
I second that !!
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