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BUYING-OUT DISABLED VETERANS
By Larry Scott (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)
How would the lump-sum buyouts work? Initially the VDBC will look at lump-sum payments to veterans who receive 10 per cent or 20 per cent disability payments, those veterans currently receiving $112 or $218 a month. The buyouts would be based on life expectancy with only a percentage of the total value offered. Most commonly mentioned is a 50 per cent buyout, but some have mentioned 30 per cent as a more prudent offer. (Example: If a veteran gets $218 a month from the VA and has a life expectancy of 20 years, his total compensation would be $52,320. The proposed buyouts would offer a cash settlement of somewhere between $15.696 and $26,160.)
One of the main arguments for lump-sum payments (besides saving the government money) is that the veteran can then invest his buyout and do much better financially in the long run. However, the CNA says the literature doesn't support that theory and told the VDBC "...younger, less educated, and lower ranking personnel would be more inclined to accept a VA lump-sum offer," and, "...funds received in lump-sum payments are often spent on consumer goods rather than spent on long-term investments," and, "...the decision to take a lump-sum payment may often not be an informed one."
There are more questions than answers. Here are just a few of the potential problem areas
If the veteran's service-connected condition worsened, would he be able to file a claim or would the condition now not be compensable? Many veterans will initially receive a 10 per cent or 20 per cent disability rating and then see it jump to as high as 100 per cent as they age and their particular condition worsens.
Would the VA continue to treat the veteran for the condition even though he wasn't getting compensation? Or, would the condition now be considered not to exist? The cost-savings to the government would be great and the cost to the veteran could be catastrophic.
What about another condition that occurs that is secondary to the original service-connected condition? How would that fit in? An example would be a veteran who receives disability for a bad knee. As that knee gets worse with age, back problems can arise and that could constitute a secondary disability that could be compensated.
Would the VA stop at the 10 per cent and 20 per cent disability ratings? Many feel that this would be just the beginning and that once the door is open, all disability ratings could be up for a lump-sum buyout.
Would the buyouts be retroactive? Or, would only "new" veterans fall under the plan? The largest savings for the government would be gained by including veterans currently receiving disability.
And, would the buyouts be mandatory or optional? The savings for the government would be greatest with a mandatory buyout plan. Could this be imposed on veterans?
The biggest question of all is: How can you buy-out a disability? Veterans receive disability compensation because their ability to perform everyday tasks has been diminished by wounds or injuries sustained while on active-duty. The compensation paid by the VA is meant to make up for income lost due to the disabilities. A lump-sum payment is antithetical to the concept of on-going compensation for an on-going disability.
Veterans and their families cannot underestimate the power being wielded by the VDBC. They truly are an instrument for "radical changes in the VA disability system." Their recommendations could forever alter the system of veterans' benefits in this country, leaving our veterans, their widows and children with fewer benefits and less compensation. Is this what our veterans deserve? Veterans' benefits are not a gift. They are not a welfare program. They are earned through service to country. They must not be diminished in any way.
Washington watchers feel the VDBC will approve the concept of lump-sum buyouts. We know the White House will approve. But, will Congress fall into line? Just another thing to think about when we go to the polls in November.
The VDBC's report to the President and Congress is due in late 2007. For the latest on this and other veterans' news, visit VA Watchdog dot Org.
#1 More on Jim Nicholson -- http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/cookingthevasbooks.htm
#2 More on the VDBC -- http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/vdbcstackeddeck.htm
#3 More on Rep. Steve Buyer http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/areyoureallyaveteran.htm
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