Don't rush into reform of VA compensation

WASHINGTON — There has been much discussion recently, including in an Oct. 21 Washington Post editorial, about the Dole-Shalala commission on veterans' disabilities and the need for prompt action on its recommendations. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I have reviewed the recommendations, which focus primarily on collaboration between the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs on meeting the needs of service members injured in combat.

Most of the suggestions are worthy and, indeed, much work is under way on some of the points. There are, however, some conclusions about which I have serious concerns.

On the basis of its work over a relatively short period — the members' first public meeting was in mid-April, and they issued their report in late July — the commission recommended a restructuring of the Defense Department and VA disability systems. This recommendation has two key components that would fundamentally alter the manner in which the Pentagon and the VA administer those systems.

The first component — merging the departments' existing systems — has strong appeal. If enough obstacles can be overcome, it is possible that, for some subset of those leaving the military, it may prove feasible to have the two systems function collaboratively, with one physical exam and one disability rating for those who leave the service for medical reasons.

The second component, that the VA's compensation system should be fundamentally restructured, is far more problematic. The legislation that the White House drafted to carry out this recommendation would have Congress cede responsibility for the proposed retooling of the VA's compensation system to the secretary of veterans affairs, and it would require the secretary to accomplish this monumental task in just a few months.

Consider, in contrast, the findings of the congressionally mandated Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. That commission took a more systematic approach, carried out over 2 1/2 years, that focused exclusively on the complex and often inefficient disability structure that applies to all service members and veterans. It conducted 28 public meetings, carried out extensive research and received significant input from outside entities, including CNA Corp., which analyzes public-sector proposals, and the Institute of Medicine. Lawyers reviewed many of the issues the commission explored and provided historical context for much of the legislation that lays out the benefits available to disabled veterans and their families. This was the most extensive overview of the benefits provided to this nation's disabled veterans in more than half a century.