News and opinion about the VA and veterans' issues -- for all veterans and their families. http://www.vawatchdog.org The day the 110TH Congress is sworn in should be a day of rejoicing for America's veterans. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/jan3shouldbevetsday.htm Instead of administering life-saving medical care, VA called 911. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/clintonfuller2.htm Do not underestimate the power being wielded by the Vets' Commission. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/buyingoutdisabledveterans.htm The adversarial nature of the VA claims process is a fact of life. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/dontdenyveteranslegalrepresentation.htm VDBC wants offset for vets who get VA and SSDI compensation. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/pushtocutvabenefits.htm VA budget sham could cost vets 4 billion in healthcare. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/cookingthevasbooks.htm Also pushes enrollment fees, deductibles and co-pays. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/repstevebuyerpushesforvarunbypoliticalappointees.htm It was just a shuffle - Now the wait is inside the system. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/didthevareallyeliminatewaitinglists.htm PTSD vets face ugly battle with VA officials, politicians and media. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/veteranswithptsdfacecampaign.htm Because they don't have to. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/whydoesntthevatellveteransabouttheirbenefits.htm TSA wants a look at military and veterans' medical records. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/tsalookstovaanddodformentaldefectives.htm Republicans call it an increase - Vets' groups call it smoke and mirrors. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/bushsvahealthcarebudgetarecipefordisaster.htm Studies looked at outsourcing and closing VA hospitals. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/vadivertedhealthcarefundsforillegalstudies.htm Just six days after canceling one PTSD review, VA sneaks in another. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/secretivevalaunchesnewptsdreview.htm Rep. Steve Buyer uses the words of others to push his anti-veteran agenda. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/veteranstargetofthirdpartyslurs.htm Distortions and lies spell more trouble for veterans. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/itsbuyerbeware.htm Rep. Steve Buyer continues his war on veterans. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/veteransknowitsbuyerbeware.htm It's easier to praise the dead than it is to care for the living. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/veteransdayoranothermemorialday.htm VA Secretary, Senate Vets Chair Take Aim at Veterans Getting PTSD, IU Compensation. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/disabledveteranstakingfriendlyfire.htm New Mexico vet learns of PTSD review and commits suicide. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/theyresendingmebacktohellagain.htm American Forces Radio cancels the Ed Schultz Show. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/keepingtheuniformeduninformed.htm Review 72,000 PTSD claims -- it could save 500mil a year. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/veteransbenefitsarenotsafe.htm Congress pushes CIOs control agenda. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/ciopowergrabatva-rev2.htm By the time this administration is done there won't be a VA. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/dismantlingva.htm Short notice, tone of questions spells benefits trouble. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/vdbcsmisleadingquestions.htm Nicholson lays out confusing policy changes. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/secondsignaturepolicyrevisionsflawed.htm PTSD Claims under fire from VA - 72,000 claims to be reviewed. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/yourvabenefitsarenotsafe.htm It's not worth the trouble. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/thejanegame.htm VA waiting lists grow and Rep. Steve Buyer blames the VA instead of addressing underfunding issues. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/cluelessincommittee.htm Don't cross the GOP on VA funding -- your job is at risk -- just ask Anthony Principi and Chris Smith. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/jobinsecurity.htm VA Secretary Nicholson says it's not a crisis - the budget's only a billion dollars short. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/vahealthcarecritical.htm VA says a NO is a NO but a YES is really a MAYBE - and vet's wait and wait and wait. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/secondsignaturerequired.htm It's always easier to praise the dead than it is to deal with the living - just ask Rep. Steve Buyer. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/deadoralive.htm How to dismantle VA benefits and make it sound good -- right from the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/buyersonecheeksneak.htm The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission is stacked against veterans -- expect BIG changes in VA benefits. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/vdbcstackeddeck.htm Rep. Steve Buyer, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is trying to redefine your status -- and he's doing a good job. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/areyoureallyaveteran.htm Veterans are still waiting more than a year for surgery -- the promised funding never came through. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/shellgame.htm How vets lose the 2006 VA budget battle -- and did we ever. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/fivedsandvsos.htm The selling of VA benefits as welfare -- and the neo-cons are doing just that. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/welfarizingtheva.htm Democrats dig in and demand more for veterans -- somebody has to. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/battlelines.htm New VA chief must address issues -- wrong turns need to be corrected. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/principiout.htm The VA's attempt to end waiting lists has just moved them inside the system -- so, even if you're in, you wait some more. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/waitinglists.htm The VA's CARES Report is terribly flawed and, if implemented will be the ruin of the VA. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/caresreport.htm There's still trouble at the Portland, Oregon VA facility -- cancelled surgeries are just the tip of the iceberg. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/portlandvabudgetwoes.htm Surgeries cancelled at the Portland, Oregon VA facility. http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/portlandvabudgetcrunch.htm