Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama addressed challenges faced by veterans in accessing disability benefits during a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing held in Washington. The hearing featured testimony from Cheryl Mason, Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director at Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Dr. Daniel Gade, Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army.

Senator Tuberville questioned whether a new commission should be established to review and improve the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), similar to previous efforts focused on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). “Thank you for your passion. This is a great panel. Thanks for doing this. We spend a lot of time doing things to help our veterans. I come from military family and been very passionate to me. ‘Right benefits for the right veterans.’ I think that’s what our […] title is here today. I’d like for anybody to answer this, I don’t know who to ask this question to. But many will remember that under the Veterans Access Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, a commission on care was established to develop recommendations to improve the VHA. The call for this commission came after a handle at the VHA.

Don’t each of you think that it’s time for a commission that was established to develop recommendation to improve the VBA and don’t our veterans deserve a system like this with a commission? Anybody wanna answer this? Push your button and have at it.”

Cheryl Mason responded positively: “Okay, I guess I’m gonna jump in.” Tuberville replied, “You’re first. Go ahead.” Mason continued, “Yes, I think your commission would be very, very well placed. I think it is needed to look at the VBA process like it’s supposed to do at VHA.”

Ryan Gallucci expressed concerns about forming another commission: “Thank you, Senator. I get nervous about the prospect of the commission, and there’s a reason why.” Tuberville acknowledged these concerns: “Well, we all do.” Gallucci added: “I remember with the care commission. We, as an organization, were a bit of champions of that. And it couldn’t make it past the first marker. You know, and now we’re seeing the repercussions of that. I know we’re talking about the benefits administration, but now with Veterans Health Administration, it’s become glaringly obvious that the infrastructure is in the wrong place, and it’s resulted in a higher cost for care.

I would argue that a forum like this is certainly a good start to have these discussions. I think they’re, you know, I know that […] Dr. Gade and I don’t agree on everything, but there are a few things that he said that I know […] we would agree on. As far as how we reform the system and incentivizing the right behavior by veterans who are only seeking the benefits that they’ve earned through their service contract.”

Tuberville raised issues stemming from recent legislation: “You know, with the passage and fast-tracked information of the PACT Act, it has put a strain on [the] disability claim processes. How can we simplify that? How can we make sure they both work? A lot of money has been put into this. Anybody?”

Dr. Daniel Gade commented on unintended consequences within current policies: “Senator, I’d like to I’d like to just briefly point out that there are several things in the PACT Act that are not only problematic from a sort of overloading the system point of view but also problematic from a moral point of view…The PACT Act makes hypertension presumptive condition for all Vietnam veterans who are exposed to Agent Orange…when your norm for age sex and race non-veterans…have same exact hypertension rates as veterans do…So we’re compensating for something…that is—forgive expression—but old fat people get hypertension…But what PACT Act did was [it] allowed people shift their responsibility…from themselves government…and therefore taxpayers taking bath on that.”

Seeking further input on improving claims processing efficiency Tuberville asked: “So anybody what simple changes do we need make sure disability claims go right people? Go ahead Ryan.”

Gallucci emphasized speeding up scientific assessment related to toxic exposures among service members—particularly referencing cases involving Karshi-Khanabad airbase exposure—and called for more urgency when making affected veterans whole after such exposures become evident.

“Senator,” Gallucci stated,“I would say…we need speed up science…I think one greatest detriments...is time takes identify when toxic exposure happened then make veteran whole…I think because frameworks set forth in PACT Act there needs be some urgency especially people like those served K-2.”

Tuberville closed his remarks by noting bureaucratic delays common in federal processes.

Senator Tuberville serves Alabama as part of several committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; HELP; and Aging.