PAGENO="0001" 4EP~R~4F U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION ~ HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETIETH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION MARCH 19, 1968 Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs (~/~V~ fr~r-~ PROPE~ ~ I STATE UNIVERSITy OLLE~ UI- ~Uth JEi~SEy LlBRAI~ CAMDEN, N. J, 08102 - - -C ~ Pages of all hearings are numbered cumulatively to permit a comprehensive index at the end of the Congress. Page num- bers lower than those in this hearing refer to other legislation. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 91-6700 WASHINGTON : 1968 611/3 V&Q 13 ~z PAGENO="0002" COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS OLIN E. TEAGUE, Texas, Chairman W. 3. BRYAN DORN, South Carolina JAMES A. HALEY, Florida WALTER `S. BARING, Nevada ROBERT A. EVERETT, Tennessee THADDEUS J. DTJLSKI, New York HORACE R. KORNEGAY, North Carolina RAY ROBERTS, Texas GEORGE E. BROWN, Ja., California DAVID E. SATTERFIELD III, Virginia HENRY HELSTOSKI, New Jersey JOSEPH Y. RESNICK, New York JAMES M. HANLEY, New York ROMAN C. PUCINSKI, Illinois E. ROSS ADAIR, Indiana WILLIAM H. AYRES, Ohio PAUL A. FINO, New York JOHN P. SAYLOR, Pennsylvania CHARLES M. TEAGUE, California SEYMOUR HALPERN, New York JOHN J. DUNCAN, Tennessee THEODORE R. KUPFERMAN, New York JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIDT, Arkansas WILLIAM LLOYD SCOTT, Virginia MARGARET M. HECKLER, Massachusetts OLIvEa E. MEADOWS, Staff Director SUBCOMMITTEES (Chairman and Ranking Minority Member ex officio Members of all Subcommittees) COMPENSATION AND PENSION HORACE R. KORNEGAY RAY ROBERTS JAMES M. HANLEY THADDEUS 3. DULSKI WALTER `S. BARING W. J. BRYAN DORN HENRY HELSTOSKI JOSEPH Y. RESNICK JAMES M. HANLEY ROMAN C. PUCINSKI W. J. BRYAN DORN, South Carolina, Chairman PAULA. FINO JOHN P. SAYLOR WILLIAM LLOYD SQOTT EDUCATION AND TRAINING GEORGE E. BROWN, Ja., California, Chairman SEYMOUR HALPERN CHARLES M. TEAGUE JOHN J. DUNCAN WILLIAM H. AYRES THEODORE R. KUPFERMAN WILLIAM LLOYD SCOTT HOSPITALS JAMES A. HALEY, Florida, Chairman WALTER S. BARING ROBERT A. EVERETT THADDEUS J. DULSKI RAY ROBERTS GEORGE E. BROWN, JR. W. 3. BRYAN DORN DAVID H. SATTERFIELD III ROMAN C. PUCINSKI JOHN J. DUNCAN WILLIAM H. AYRES PAUL A. FINO JOHN P. SAYLOR CHARLES M. TEAGUE SEYMOUR HALPERN THEODORE R. KUPFERMAN JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIDT HOUSING WALTER S. BARING, Nevada, Chairman RAY ROBERTS DAVID H. SATTERFIELD III HENRY HELSTOSKI JOSEPH Y. RESNICK HORACE H. KORNEGAY GEORGE H. BROWN, JR. HENRY HELSTOSKI WILLIAM H~. AYRES PAUL A. FINO SEYMOUR HALPERN JOHN J. DUNCAN MARGARET M. HECKLER INSURANCE ROBERT A. EVERETT, Tennessee, Chairman JOHN P. SAYLOR JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCIIMIDT MARGARET M. HECKLER II PAGENO="0003" CONTENTS Page Adair, Hon. E. Ross - 2721 Borg, Andy (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Brown, Hon. George B., Jr 2720 Callegary, Claude (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Catalog of Suggestions Presented to the Veterans Advisory Commission in Public Sessions and by Letter 2858-2973 Chairman (See: Teague, Hon. Olin B.) Dorn, Hon. W. J. Bryan 2721 Dulski, Hon. Thaddeus J 2721 Hall, Ralph B. (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Hanley, Hon. James M 2720 Heckler, Hon. Margaret M 2720 Houston, Herbert M. (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Jacobsen, Melvin L. (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) James, L. Eldon (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) McCurdy, Robert M. (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Members and Staff, U.S. Veterans Advisory Commission 2833-2857 Report of The U.S. Veterans Advisory Commission on the Veterans Bene- fits System 2729-2832 Rice, William N. (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Roberts, Hon. Ray 2721 Robinson, Col. Warren A. (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Teague, Hon. Olin E 2713, 27 15-2722, 2726, 2728, 2973 Wheeler, Pete (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) U.S. Veterans Advisory Commission (See: Veterans Advisory Commission) Veterans Advisory Commission: Borg, Andy, Member 2722 Callegary, Claude, Member 2722, 2723 Catalog of Suggestions Presented to the Veterans Advisory Commission in Public Sessions and by Letter 2858-2973 Hall, Ralph E., Member 2723 Houston, Herbert M., Member 2724 Jacobsen, Melvin L., Member 2725 James, L. Eldon, Member 2725-2726 McCurdy, Robert M., Chairman 2713-2728 Members and Staff, Biographical material 2833-2857 Report 2729-2832 Rice, William N., Member 2726 Robinson, Col. Warren A., Member 2726, 2727 Wheeler, Pete, Member 2727, 2728 III PAGENO="0004" PAGENO="0005" VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1968 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The committee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to call, in room 362, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Olin E. Teague (chairman of the com- mittee) presiding. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. The committee will come to order. I am sorry there are no more members here than there are. We don't usually wait, but every member has about two or three committee meetings going on. Some of us on this committee will have to leave at 11 :30 to go before the Rules Committee on a veteran housing bill. We hope to start some housing activity for veterans. I am sure there will be many more members come in and they can catch up with the reading before you get through. With that, I would like to turn the meeting over to you and let you present the Commission report in any way you want. Mr. McCu~y. Thank you, Mr. Teague, and what we lack in quan- tity we certainly have in quality. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Thank you. STATEMENT OP ROBERT M. McCURDY, CHAIRMAN, THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION Mr. MCCURDY. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, it is a great privilege for me to present to you the report that the members of the. U.S. Veterans Advisory Commission have just made to the Adminis- trator of Veterans' Affairs. This report is based primarily upon the hearings which were held throughout the United States starting in Seattle, May 6, 1967. We re- ceived over 1,400 recommendations during these hearings. I should like to present a copy of the catalog of the suggestions pre- sented to the U.S. Vetera.ns Advisory Commission in public sessions and by letter to become a part of the committee's record. Detailed tran- scripts of the hearings were made and are on file at the offices of the Commission in the Veterans' Administration building. The other members of the Commission who joined with me in pre- senting this report to the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs were Andy Borg, of Wisconsin; Claude Callegary, of Maryland; Melvin Dixon, of Florida; Ralph Hall, of Maryland; Herbert Houston, of Tennessee; Melvin Jacobsen, of Nevada; Eldon Jathes, of Virginia: William Rice, of Colorado; Col. Warren Robinson, of California; and Pete `Wheeler, of Georgia. 2713 PAGENO="0006" 2714 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION The 11 of us represent all of the major veterans' organizations, all sections of the country, all ages of veterans except the very youngest, and both major political parties. While we have not achieved unanim- ity on every item, we have reached a consensus. We would like to em- phasize not our detailed recommendations but our basic findings on the nature of the mutual relationship between the veteran and his country I can think of no better way of emphasizing this than to quote the first part of the introduction to our report.. [Reads:] The contribution of the veteran to the building of this nation during its first two centuries makes clear how important the role of the veteran must and will be to the future existence and growth of our society. In the future that service may take new and different form but its signifi- cance will remain unaltered. The security of this nation is based on the commit- meat of those citizens who have served in the uniformed forces of our country. This contribution on their part has nearly always involved the loss of economic opportunity; often it has required the sacrifice of the veteran's health, and in many instances it has cost the supreme sacrifice, life itself. The strength and prestige of this nation depends upon this continued con- tribution. The future status of this country depends on the mutual obligations and commitment between the Government and its citizens. As a return to veterans for their service, the nation has accepted three basic principles as fundamental commitments to the veteran popnlatiou. They may be defined generally as follows: (1) The commitment to compensate (a) disabled veterans for disability incurred in their nation's srevice, and (b) veterans' dependents for the loss of life or earning capacity of the veteran. (2) The commitment to promote the rehabilitation and readjustment to civilan life of those veterans who have suffered physical or economic loss because of their service to the nation. (3) The commitment to care for needy veterans who cannot be completely rehabilitated. We have found that the individual veteran is deeply concerned that these mutual obligations be kept in mind. The veteran of this country's wars is very conscious of his status as a veteran. The Commission has concluded that veterans' programs are largely fulfilling the Nation's responsibilities to its veterans and their de- pendents. Great credit is due both to the executive and legislative branches of our Federal Government for their activities in this regard. We are especially grateful to President Johnson for the lead that he has taken in veterans' affairs. The House Committee on Veterans' Af- fairs has always exercised earnest, determined effort on behalf of the American veteran, not only under its present chairman but under his distinguished predecessors. The legislation that has originated in this committee in recent years under Chairman Teague has been especially noteworthy. The Corn- mission is very grateful for the interest that the chairman, other mem- bers of this committee, and other members of Cougress have shown throughout the year we have been developing our report. After our many hearings and subsequent deliberations the Corn- mission arrived at certain general conclusions. These are: 1. Military service in times of national stress constitutes the highest response to the obligations of citizenship and should continue to be the basis of a reciprocal obligation on the part. of the Nation to provide reasonable assistance to veterans commensurate with the greater sacri- PAGENO="0007" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2715 flees experienced by them. With this in mind, the obligation to provide for the disabled and needy veteran as well as his dependents is a national commitment. 2. Veterans with disabilities incurred iii service in time of national peril should be given first priority in the range of special programs. 3. The payment of pensions to veterans for non-service-connected conditions is soundly based on the principle of economic need. 4. Hospital and domiciliary care, including institutional medical treatment, for non-service-connected disabilities should be provided for veterans of wartime and comparable service where the veteran is financially unable to defray the cost of private hospitalization. 5. Basic benefits, geared to serious non-service-connected needs, for veterans of war or similar periods should not be displaced or absorbed by general welfare programs. 6. The national obligation to provide liberally for disabled and needy veterans and their dependents must be met. through sound and enduring programs which can be supported without excessive demands on the financial resources of the Nation. 7. Young veterans returning from service should be given full op- portunity for rehabilitation and readj ustinent. 8. Veterans programs should be kept current with economic standards. 9. The Veterans' Admintration should be given Cabinet status. Further improvement could be macIc by establishing a Senate Commit- tee on Veterans' Affairs and by combining some of various Federal cemetery functions under the Veterans' Administration. The report of recommendations which we are submitting is based on these conclusions. Although we would like to see our 79 recom- mendations implemented immediately we are fully aware that there are limitations that will prevent this. We have therefore selected a few items which are urgent and should have immediate attention. These recommendations are: - Compensation-Basic compensation rate payable to service-con- nected totally disabled veterans be increased. Estimated first year cost. will be $139 million. Appropriate cost-of-living increase in compensation rates to vet- erans with 10-90 percent disabilities. Estimated first year cost will be $68 million. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. If you would let me comment right there, we have hearings scheduled in April for compensation bills, and I am sure that rate increases will be our first order of business. Mr. MCCURDY. Thank you, sir. Cemeteries-Imnprovements in cemetery administration. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. We will have hearings this month on ceme- teries. Mr. MCCtJRDY. Education-Vocational rehabilitation on less tliaii full-time basis-estimated first year cost will be $4 million. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. We will have hearings in April on education Mr. MCCURDY. Mr. Chairman, I am glad to see that we are still in agreement on our priorities. PAGENO="0008" 2716 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Dependency and indemnity compensation-Additional DIC pay- able to widows for each child. Estimated first year cost will be $5 million. Basic DIC rate to widows be increased. Estimated first year cost will be $30 million. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Did you people give any consideration to the fact that a boy may be drafted who just finished college or graduated from an academy and goes in the service as a private and the DIC paid his child and his widow, if he is killed, is tied to his pay as a pri- vate for the rest of her life? Did you give any kind of consideration to some kind of an increase based on what the man would normally have made if he lived? I can't get away from the fact that it seems unfair to me that a young man is killed with a potential of becoming a much better supporter of his family than he is at the time of his death, and we tie this DIC rate to his rank when he dies. We should have some kind of an increase through the years, and not freeze the DIC rate for the widow based on an assumption that her husband would have remained a private or a second lieutenant all his life. Mr. MCCURDY. We have made two recommendations in connection with this point, neither of which are exactly the point that you are making and with which I agree. The two points that we do make is that we do ask for an increase in the basic DIC rate and that in addition to the basic rate, when the increase in military pay comes along that not only will the 12 per- cent-or whatever percent may be in force at that time-be added, but that the increase be added to the basic rate. So in all instances these will go along with it and so accepting under the present law, the schedule that would give them these cost-of-living increases, commensurate with what the pay of the Army goes and, of course, the generosity of this committee and what they report in basic for DIC. It isn't quite what you are saying of the elimination in rank of a fellow that was a private who, in a few years, would probably be earning a general's pay. How do you reciprocate, for that is a most difficult. problem. While there was some discussion I don't believe that we arrived at any conclusion. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Bob, going back to education, did you people give any consideration to a young man that went to school under the war orphans program and then becomes a veteran in his own right? Mr. MOCURDY. No, I don't believe we discussed that. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. If any members have questions as we go through, I suggest that we cover each item. If anybody has a question, don't hesitate to ask it. Bob, generally what did you recommend on cemeteries? Mr. MOCURDY. We have a long recommendation in the book. I can briefly tell you what it is. It is recommendation No. 26 in the report that is completely documented in there. There were three steps that we thought were essential and necessary. PAGENO="0009" REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2717 The first step has been taken where control would come to this committee. We thought that was very essential that it is a purely veterans matter or largely a veterans matter and that it should be under the jurisdiction of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. The second step is that we believe that administratively it should be under the Veterans' Administration in its entirety, the entire system. The third step is that when and if these two are accomplished there should be a study to pull together the multiple regulations and procedures they have now into one orderly method. Concurrent with this, a very thorough survey should be made as to where cemeteries should be established and how many. Also, in order to adequately take care of those who might riot be accommodated or not want to be buried in a national cemetery, we have included in our recommendation an increase in the burial allowance. That is briefly what those four pages contain. Mr. TEAGIJE of Texas. You were not able to give any kind of a cost figure on cemeteries? Mr. MOCTJRDY. No, sir. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. I am sure it would be very difficult. Mr. McOuiwy. We thought about it but we did not know how to proceed or project that. Shall I proceed? Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Yes. Mr. MCCUIIDY. Payment for career service type benefit for death unrelated to service for veteran totally disabled 20 yea.rs or longer. Health services-Grant Vietnam veterans complete dental treat- ment for one year. Estimated first year cost will be $5 million. That is the end of our first group of priorities. Then we come to a second group that are with these but after it, if you know what I mean by "but after." Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Bob, before you go to the next group, I have a question with reference to veteran preference, which does not come under the ]urisdict.ion of this committee. Quite often a situation arises where, for example, you have a man who may have gone all the way through Vietnam, the heaviest fighting, with no disability, and he comes home. Another man has maybe not left this country at all, but he is hurt in an automobile accident. We come around to the. rule to hire the disabled for the postmasters jobs, and the boy who was hurt in the car wreck has preference over the boy who fought in Vietnam. Did you ieople get in that kind of situation? Mr. MCCUHDY. Not exactly in employment. We had a quite lengthy discussion on extra consideration in the form of compensation for the combat veteran. But. we stayed away from veterans preference in em- ployment because it wasn't under the VA and we thought that perhaps it was not the duty of our Commission to take. a position on that. I think that corrective legislation should be done on that case. That is a personal opinion and not the opinion of the committee, necessarily. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. All right, sir. Mr. MCCURDY. In addition there are other recommendations of high priority which should be enacted in this legislative year, if at all possible. These are: PAGENO="0010" 2718 REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION ALLEVIATION OF FINANCIAL NEEDS Pension not be reduced by reasons of fluctuation of income or estate after age 12. EDUCATION Educational assistance program for DIC widows. Estimated first year cost will be $1 million. Educational assistance program for wives of veterans permanently and totally disabled from service-connected causes. Estimated first year cost will be $5 million. HOUSING Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. On housing, did you people discuss taking the ceiling off of interest rates? Mr. MCCURDY. I did l1ot hear the question. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. In discussing housing were interest rates discussed, lifting the ceiling of interest rates, which has been a recom- mendation of the administration? Mr. MCOURDY. There was a discussion that we regretted the increase but I don't know what our Commission could do about that. It is part of the overall economic rate structure of our country, and it is very hard. Of course, as the chairman knows, I have always been for direct loans and the great profit that direct loans has shown to the VA would have a lot of money to finance the program involved with direct loans. That is a solution where you can completely control the interest rate, but I realize that politically that is a difficult problem. Direct loans to be made available to totally disabled service-con- nected veterans throughout the country. Liberalization of VA policy regarding liability for losses on de- faulted loans. Estimated first-year cost will be $2 million. INSURANCE DIC payable where veteran died in service or had a service-con- iiected disability and who had in-service waiver. Estimated first-year cost will be $2 million. Endorse legislation to improve the Government insurance program. 1-IEALTII SERVICES Eliminate ability to pay affidavit and counseling for veterans who have reached age 65. Nursing home care from contract hospitalization in Alaska and Hawaii. Increase in amount paid to State nursing homes. Estimated first- year cost will be $2 million. Medical benefits for wives and children of 100 peicont- disabled. Estimated first-year cost will be $12.5 million. Medical benefits for widows and children of veterans who die of service-connected causes. Estimated first-year cost- will be $10 million. PAGENO="0011" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2719 MISCELLANEOUS Continuation of benefits to widows who remarry after age 60. Esti- mated first-year cost will be $40 million. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Who remarry after age 60? Mr. MCCURDY. Who remarry after a~e 60. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Did you consider other aspects of this-for example, of stopping her pension while she is remarried and then if the marriage is terminatd- Mr. MCCURDY. We think that benefits should be restored at any age, if the second marriage is terminated. Mr. TEAGUE `of Texas. How did you arrive at this remarriage after age 60? Why not age 50,40,30? Mr. MCCURDY. At age 60-I suppose it was from the personal experience of some of our members, especially Mel Dixon, and I will use Mel because lie is not here `to `defend himself this morning. But he lives in Florida and they have a lot of these old folk's down there, and because she is going to lose her little pension if she gets married, they just won't get married. Mel says they should. Mr. TEAGUE of `Texas. Well, I agree with that. I think surely we can start younger than 60. Mr. MCCURDY. Th'at may `be an arbitrary age. I don't think we had prolonged discussion on at what age this should take place. I `think it was the unanimous t'hou'ght o'f t'he Commission that 60 was a good age to say that she has her pension `and if she :j~ `lucky `enough `t'o catch another man, we ought not to take her pension `away. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Surely that $40 million figure is a higher one. Mr. MOCURDY. It seemed so t'o me, but I am assured by VA that it is not. I questioned it t'oo, Mr. `Chairman. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. `Go right `ahead. Mr. MCCURDY. Recoupment of severance pay. These items represent the first priorities of this Commission. It is very difficult `to do this. Each person has his own `list of priorities. It is especially difficult because `of the keen interest of groups of veterans in each item and recommendation in our report. Each member of the Commission-and we had nearly perfect at- tendance-not only took part in the hearings but had many exchanges with veterans outside the formal sessions. All of these are reflected in our recommendations. I cannot close without complimenting the technical consultants named by the various service organizations. Their individual com- ments `and prepared position papers were of great value `and were very useful to the members o'f the Commission. The local members of the various posts and chapters of the several veterans organizations can be proud of their technical staffs. And in closing I again wish to thank the chairman and members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their interest and courtesy. We know that our report will be of great interest to the veterans of this country. We hope it will be valuable to you in your deliber- ations. I and t'he members of the Commission are available t'o answer questions. PAGENO="0012" 2720 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mr. Hanley, do you have `a question? Mr. HANLEY. I simply want to compliment Mr. MeCurdy and the Commission for their outstanding service to the cause of the veteran and the `cause of our Nation in general. It appears to me that they have come forth with what looks like a very comprehensive report on which actions we `~hou'ld be taking to improve upon our veteran benefits programs. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mrs. Heckler. Mrs. HECKLER. I `would like to `commend the Commission for their work on `this report `an'd I must say it would take me quite a while to read through the 1,400 recommendations presented to your group. I am interested in the widow's rights, but I agree with the chair- man-the right of remarried widows to receive benefits should not be limited to those widows who are aged 60 and older. I wonder if you talked about the use of veterans hospitals; did you go into whether or not `the veterans hospital care should `be extended to persons other than the veterans? Was this a part of your recommendations? Mr. MOCURDY. I am sorry-I could not understand the question. I could not hear the question. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Why don't you move `to the microphone, Mrs. Heckler? This room is not satisfactory. Mr. MCCURDY. I understand now. Do you mean the widows? Mrs. HECKLER. Yes. Mr. McCuimy. We had mixed testimony on this and in the testi- mony that we received throughout the `country, there was a great reluctancy on the part of many to open veterans hospitals to any- body but veterans. However, we d'id have many who testified on the same basis where beds are available that `it `should be o'pen to widows also. But other than that, no. Mrs. HECKLER. To reach a `conclusion on this, did you make a recommendation on whetber or not the veterans hospitals should be opened to widows? Is that part of your report? Mr. MCCtIRDY. Yes, we made a recommendation that the widows be `hospitalized. Mrs. HECKLER. What `about the national cemeteries and the `battle monuments? Di'd you make a recommendation as to who would have the authority over them? Would it be the Veterans' Administration? Mr. MCCURDY. We recommended that first this committee should have jurisdiction over `all of them; second, that the VA should have administrative authority `over all `of t'hem, except Interior and those national monuments. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mrs. Heckler, if you would yield for a second, it is my understanding that at the moment the administra- tion is making a study of whether a law is required or whether certain things can be done through Executive order. But we will be hearing something from `them soon as far `as the `battle monuments are concerned. Mr. TEAGtJE of Texas. Mr. Brown. Mr. Bnowx. No questions. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mr. Roberts. PAGENO="0013" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2721 Mr. ROBERTS. I just want to thank Bob and his committee. I think they have done a great job for ail the veterans of the country and it certainly makes our j oh on this committee much easier. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Mr. Adair. Mr. ADAIR. Mr. Cihairman, Bob, I am much impressed with the report of your committee and the work you have clone, you and all of your associates. I have just one somewhat extraneous quest~on in my mind. We are hearing a lot about commissions these days and reading about them in the newspapers. I wonder if your Commissin would like to volunteer to unclerstake a study of the situation in Vietnam flOw. Mr. MCCURDY. Within the extent of our capabilities. Mr. ADAIR. As the saying is, if we get into this Commission busi- ness, we could go further and do worse and probably will. Mr. Chairman, I have no comments otherwise. Mr. T~AGUB of Texas. Mr. Dorn. Mr. DORN. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to add my thanks to those of the other members of the committee-my personal deep appreciation to this outstanding Commission for another, I think, historic and significant milestone in the progress in the administration of our vet- erans' affairs. I think this will be a great contribution and we are deeply grateful to each member of the Commission and to you, Bob. We will see you later on today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. TEAGtJE of Texas. Mr. Dulski. Mr. DULSKI. No questions. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. I want to express my appreciation. I think this document, down through the years, will be something that every vet- eran will read and study. I would like to confer with you a little later about some witnesses when we do get into our different hearings, and before the year is over we will probably hold hearings on practically everything you have here. I hope to have a good veterans' year and I hope that many of ti1ese recommendations become law-. If it were not for want of money, it would be easy to handle veterans' problems. But money does get to be a problem, a serious problem, and I think you have made a moderate recommendation as far as the priorities are concerned, and I think if you had not clone that, that your Commission report would probably be filed away and studied. But I think with the priorities that you have set up that probably before the year is over you will see many of your recommendations in effect. We do have hearings scheduled for many of the things you have on the priority list, and probably now we will have some hearings on the other priorities you have listed. So, may I say that I certainly appreciate the work of the Commission. I would like to ask whether any members of the Commission would like to make a comment? Mr. MCGURDY. I think, Mr. Teague, with your permission, that all the members of the Commission would ]ike to take a minute or two to address the committee. PAGENO="0014" 2722 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Mr. TEAGTIE of Texas. Would you like to call on your members or would you like me to call on them? You have been serving with them and you may have a different priority than I have. Mr. McOu~~. We will start alphabetically and call on Andy Borg, of Wisconsin, the past national commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreigu Wars. Mr. BORG. Mr. Chairman of this Commission and Mr. Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, it has been a real pleasure for me to serve on this Commission. I feel that we have tried to do what we believe is for the best interests of the veteran and the widow and the orphan, keeping in mind, of course, money problems. I have never served on such a conscientious committee or commission as long as I can remember. I really hope that the recommendations that we have, made will be enacted into law, and they weren't made in this report. without a great deal of discussion and argument, and finally we voted and it. is our opinion on all the recommendations. I would like to call the chairman's attention to recommendation No. 79 which deals with the problem that you raised. You will note in our language that. we do believe that injuries or diseases incurred as a result of combat should receive special consideration and we thought that a study should be made. `We were not certain as to the amount. So it was the recommendation of the Commission that a study be made by the Veterans' Admims- tration. Again, let me say that I have been well pleased and happy to have had a part in preparing this report, and I personally am very proud of the document that we presented to you this morning. Thank you. Mr. MoCuminy. Mr. Claude L. Cailegary, of Maryland, the past national commander of the Disabled American Veterans. Mr. CALLEGARY. Mr. Chairman, men~bers of the committee, as you probably know, I started out on this Commission probably aware mostly of the problems of disabled veteraiis, service connected, which the DAV is concerned with. During the course of these hearings around the country, we heard from all the 50 States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and we heard about the problems not only of the service connected, but of the widows and the children and these people in the pension areas, the 72-year- old "big war" veterans, as our chairman calls them. We did pay, Mr. Chairman, special attention-for example, in recommendation No. 56-to the educational needs of widows. For example, we asked the Congress to confer on t.hat widow, educational benefits. In effect, what her hu~band was entitled to if lie would have lived. We felt this was a step forward. We got int.o a serious area, a small area, for example, of direct loans for totally disabled veterans. It is quite dbvious to us that these people could not purchase a home with the benefits they were getting and they could not qualify for loans and in many instances they were being discriminated against. The testimony on these points was very voluminous, as you well know. PAGENO="0015" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2723 We had many, many hearings. It is really a miracle of compression to put together the 1,400 recommendations that we had. I want to say to you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Congress and the committee, after the hearings were over and the testimony was in `and we were sitting, in effect, as a kind of a jury, that it was a real revelation to me that we could `bring it together and bring it to you. These recommendations in this document represent the feelings of the 25 million veterans in the United States. These are the prOblems they face. These are the solutions they ask us for. The older veterans caine to us and said, "You tell the Congress and the President we are in an area where we need help." So, Mr. Chairman, it was a great privilege for me to serve on the Commission aiid to come out of it at the end of the year, not only aware of the problems of the service connected, but of all the veterans. It has been a. privilege to appear before this committee. Mr. MOOTJRDY. Mr. Chairman, Melvin Dixon, the State director of Veterans' Affairs for the State of Florida, is unfortunately ill. He was an extremely strong member of our Commission and we regret his absence today. He made very notable contribut.ions to the work of the committee. I would like to present Mr. Ralph E. Hall of Maryland, the past national commander of AMVETS. Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, gentlemen, Mrs. Heckler, I think we would probably all be less than honest with ourselves if we didn't agree that when this Commission was founded initially there were very grave reservations as to what would actually result from the findings of thi.s Commission. I think we were accused of being a. rubber stamp for the VA, that. we would be under the influence of your committee. I think if you talk with any of the staff members of the VA, if you talk with the people who were there during our discussions with the VA, you will find that this was definitely not true. The Commission just did not buy their suggestions. We just literally digested everything that they gave to us as guidance and formed our own conclusions. I think your committee also will be justly proud of the work that was done by this Commission. I think that the report is going to be a milestone in veteran legislation for many, many years to come. We could not possibly have gone through the testimony that we received and not come up with something that will be of profound impact on veteran legislation. I think when you do have the oppor- tunity to fully digest what this report does have to say, that you will agree, too, that this Commission was an entirely unbiased Com- mission, not influenced by anybody except the testimony from the grassroots. I think you will be very, very proud of the report, as we certainly are as members of the Commission. Thank you. Mr. MCOURDY. I would like to present Mr. Herbert Houston of Tennessee, who is the past national commander of the Veterans of World War I. PAGENO="0016" 2724 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Mr. HOUSTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and nembers of the com- mittee. It is an honor for me to have had the opportunity to serve on this Commisison. This report that we are presenting to you this morning is a digest of recommendations of testimony that was received through- out the country from the hopelessness in the eyes of the 100-percent disabled veteran as he appealed for what he felt. was a need for increases in benefits to that of the less disabled veterans. We could not get from the witnesses an amount but each of them looked to us earnestly, appealingly, in their testimony, as you will find in this digest.. It is the digest of the testimony from widows in appealing their needs, from the aged veterans whose pathos in their tone of voice indicated they seemed to feel that at last their prayers have been answered and they could talk to someone. I say this is a digest. I think the words might be well studied by all people, and I know they will be by this distinguished committee. Mr. Chairman of the committee, I think two of the by-products coming out of this Commission's study is the opportunity for the various veteran's bodies of the country to sit down together. The past commanders knew the problems which they were con- fronted with in their organization, representing the older group, some of my colleagues representing some old and some younger groups. But as these gentlemen and ladies sat down together and heard each other, they increasingly changed their tone of appeal and their testimony. At the end the tone was for the needs of veterans and not for specific groups. The other thing, and I think the important thing, that will bear fruit in the years to come is the very fact that these people could come to someone. There seemed to be a fear at first, which is prevalent throughout our populus, that the Veterans' Administration or the Congress and some of us as individuals that they dare not approach. But just the opportunity to sit down and talk and tell their stories has meant much, I feel, to the veterans of our country. I am sure it will and it is our hope that it will reflect in the moral of veterans in the years to come. We know that we have not answered all the questions. We have deliberated in coming to the wording of this report long and dili- gently. Mr. Chairman of the committee, there is not a. "yes man" on this group. As you have the time to read the testimony of the meet- ings of this group, you will find that each member spoke out for his point and in many instances this is a compromise on the democratic way of doing things. IVe do present it. to you, and to the Nation, as a digest of the voice coming from the old and the young, from the boys who are now fight- ing for us in Vietnam to those who climbed San ,Juan Hill and all those in between. Again I i~epeat it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to serve on this Commission, which I feel will make its mark in ~the future of veterans' thinking for many years. Thank you. Mr. MCC[TRDY. Thank you. PAGENO="0017" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2725 I would like to present Melvin L. Jacobsen, the director of Veter- ans Affairs for the State of Nevada. Mr. JACOBSEN. Chairman Bob, Chairman Teague, members of the committee, it has been an education and a privilege to be on this Com- mission, especially with the type of men that are on this Commission. Our instructions in the beginning were to go out to the grassroots. We did go out to the grassroots. We listened to these people. We have talked to them individually before the Commission and this is the product of these hearings. I am very proud of this report and hope that you folks will be. I know this report will bring all of our veterans groups closer to- gether with a better understanding of what we, the people in the United States, are trying to do for the veteran and his dependents. Thank you, Bob. Mr. MCCURDY. Thank you. I would like to present Mr. Eldon James of Virginia, the past na- tional commander of the American Legion. Mr. JAMES. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, it would be an undue trespass on time if I tried to express my feelings about this effort. I might say very briefly that first of all I think it has been another exercise in democracy at. work as we heard very many witnesses all over the country. I can say to you for this Commission that we are exhausted from the exercise. The fortunate thing for us is that we are through, but for you it is a continuing process. We are grateful for the tenacity with which you go after your job continually. There are a lot of little tidbits in this report, members of the com- mittee, that may be easily lost because they are not particularly dra- matic, but they are there. As for example, some of us have little pet things that we are concerned about.. As for example, on page 57 there is a neat little statement at the bottom of that page that says, "The Commission recognizes the value in the terms of improved quality of mental care, of locating veteran's hospitals with reasonable proximity to medical teaching and research centers. "Unfortunately the number of such centers now and in the foresee- able future is so limited tha.t the total application, of this principle is unrealistic." We go on to conclude that though this is a fine prin- ciple and ideal, we must be realistic about modernization and construction in locations where there are not. medical centers at the time. I just cite that as an example of the fact that there are many, as I said, little tidbits in here that are of great magnitude, really. But I think the flavor of what we have tried to say can be sum- mnarized and the thought we have tried to keel) foremost in our minds could be summarized in the first conclusion, Mr. Chairman, on page 12 of the report, where we recognize that military service in times of national stress constitutes the highest response to the obligations of citizenship and should continue to be the basis of reciprocal obliga- tion on the part of the Nation to provide reasonable assistance to vet- erans commensurate with the greatest sacrifice by them. I think this is what we stand for, what this country was built on, and what we believe in and must keep in mind. Very peculiarly I 91-670 O-68----2 PAGENO="0018" 2726 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION work from the back to the front, back to the very first page of this report where we have expanded also the principle that we believe is so important, that the security of this Nation is based on the com- mitment of those citizens who have served in the uniformed forces of our country. This contribution on their part has nearly always involved the loss of economic opportunity, often it has required the sacrifice of the, vet- eran's health, and in many instances the supreme sacrifice of life itself. Then we go on to point out that the prestige and the strength of this Nation depends upon a mutual obligation, and that, if nothing else, is what we try to inject into the thinking of this report. Thank you. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. I have noticed a lot of tidbits and I iiotice `that one particular member of the committee got a number of his tidbits in there. Mr. McCtmDY. I would like to present Mr. William Rice, the direc- tor, of veterans' affairs from the State of Colorado. Mr. RICE. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, it has been a real pleasure and privilege to have been a member of this Commission. I have served over 20 years in the field of veterans' affairs and I felt that I knew some of the problems that our veterans in this country were faced with. When it became possible to meet with these individ- uals personally, in groups throughout the country, I realized that my thinking of some of the injustices that exist was correct, and that it was real rewarding to hear the testimony for these individuals to have their day in court. As this material was furnished me from transcript of meetings and studies that we have requested, I reread and studied and ended up buying another pair of glasses to be very sure I was reading correctly. I was real pleased to see that the veteran, in my thinking, was again going to be placed in the proper perspective. I think that perhaps the people in this country had forgotten the obligation to those that donned the uniform in this country, that `lie was not the first-class citizen he once was. As I went over this report and reviewed the discussions ~ve had which were at great length, this, as Mr. James said-the little tidbits in here-everyone had something to say. As we discussed the pros and cons, resolved the differences, the image of the veteran changed `and became what I think it should be. I know that you distinguished gentlemen on this committee are going to handle this report so that something read good will come out of it.. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve on this Commission. It is something that will give you the thinking of not only the Commission, but of all of those that appear before us. I thank you. Mr. MCCURDY. I would like to present, Col. Warren A. Robinsoii, a very distinguished retired officer, who in World War II was Mr. Teague's commanding officer. Colonel Robinson. Col. ROBINSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Colonel Teague, and members of this very fine committee, I wrote a speech last night to give here today. I spent hours doing it. I stopped PAGENO="0019" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2727 by the colonel's office this morning to have a cup of coffee and as I was leaving there, someone whispered into my ear, "Colonel Robby, you know there is such a thing as contempt of Congress." I said, "How much does it cost if you get found guilty," and they said, "Somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 and maybe 3 years in jail." I threw away my speech on the way over here. So I humbly come before you, sir, and say how proud I am to be here. How proud I am to have anything to do with this report and how proud I am to get some of those tidbits in there. That is a word you can play around with and probably end up in front of the Ethics Committee, too. But you don't know how hard it has been during this year, Mr. Chairman, to crawl on your hands' and knees and cry all the way before this Commission to get some of these things in here. Some `of the things I `lost, well, you will never hear of those. But I do hope that you won't just, `and I know you won't, accept these priorities that Bob has given you and `forget to look a little deeper, for instance on Recommendations 74, 75, and 76. Now I `know they may n'ot pertain to this committee, but we do hope that you will give it your blessing and `send it on to `Mr. Rivers and his very fine committee, `and tell him, "Look, we have done all the work for you-now, Mr. Rivers, let us see if ire can't do something for this `fine bunch of retired veterans who have been `long neglected and gotten only a few `of t'he crumbs from t'he veteran's table." Once again, thank y'ou for `letting me `say my p'iece. Once again, t!hank you for letting me `be on this very fine `Commission. `Mr. MOCURDY. I would like t'o present Mr. Peter Wheeler who is the director of veterans' affairs `from the State of Georgia. Mr. WHEELER. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, 1 am happy to `learn this morning what Colonel Robinson wa's d'oing last night, writing a speech. It `has :been a `great honor and a pleasure for me during the past year to serve `on this Commission `and to have the oppor- tunity of going into every `part of our great country and listening to veterans from every State in the Union tell us what they think the veteran's programs in our country should be. `The tiling that `ha's impressed me most i's the fact that in nearly every meeting that we held we had many veterans who traveled `at their own expense `hundreds of miles. Some slept in their automobiles at night, to have `all `opportunity to stand up and to sound off to a group that was sent out to hear what they thought, perhaps for the `first `time, they `had `an `opportunity to say exactly what they felt and express it in a way they wanted to. I think if we didn't d'o anything else, `by the fact that we listened to this group, we have accomplished a great deal. I was very pleased with the grass ro'ots report that we `received from al'l over the country. Veterans and nonveterans alike turned out to testify before the Com- mission. Tile thing that impressed me most about this report is that the members of this Commission, after listening to all of this testimony all over t.he United States, feel differently from the way that some groups have expressed themselves in the past-that the veteran is a select group, that he is entitled to some special consideration from a grateful PAGENO="0020" 2728 REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Government, a grateful Congress, and I am glad that this Commission felt that way, also. We `had a few witnesses, not in the majority but in the minority, who felt that the veteran's program was not a sound program. We gave everyone who wanted to speak an opportunity to be heard and I am glad that they were in the minority. But they at least were given a chance to speak up and be heard. It has been a great pleasure for me to have served on the Commission and I join with the other members of the Commission in hoping that this report will be of some use to you and the members of your com- mittee, Mr. Chairman. Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. Bob, I had a report on Colonel Robinson last night and I can assure you that my Ethics Committee would not in- terpret it as writing a speech. Colonel ROBINsoN. I thought that was what I was doing. Mr. MOCURDY. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, you have all been fur- nished a catalog and you will notice that in that catalog there are something like over 2,000 suggestions that came in either through testimony or by letter. Also you have in there where the recommendation comes from and at what meeting and what organization. That could be helpful. Then the total is reduced to a frequency table that I know will be helpful that will show the frequency of these duplicate recommendations that. finally boil down to 1,400. Then if you take the 1,400 and reduce it to 79 I know that the vast experience of all you gentlemen-~ou can appreciate what a job it was for us to do this sort of thing with 11 of us that are all rather rugged individuals. I want to commend and compliment the Commission. We did not always agree but we worked together, we stayed together, and we got out a report for which we all are justly proud. I believe that if there are no further questions, that would conclude our testimony. Mr. TEAGUE of T'exas. Are there any other questions? Without ob- jeetion the Commission's report and other material presented this morning will be included in the record at this point. (The material referred to follows:) PAGENO="0021" (272~)) PAGENO="0022" PAGENO="0023" THE U. S. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS ROBERT M. McCURDY, Chairman ANDY BORG CLAUDE L. CALLEGARY MELVIN T. DIXON RALPH E. HALL HERBERT M. HOUSTON MELVIN L. JACOBSEN L. ELDON JAMES WILLIAM N. RICE COL. WARREN A. ROBINSON PETER WHEELER STAFF TED C. CONNELL, Director, Field Operations THOMAS H. PRICE, Jr., Executive Secretary DAN W. BENEDICT, Technical Adviser MISS DORIS ANDERSON MILTON S. APPLEBAUM VICE ADMIRAL JOEL T. BOONE SAMUEL C. BORZILLERI IRVING B. BRICK, M. D. JOHN J. CORCORAN MIKE GORMAN HARVEY V. HIGLEY STANLEY J. ALLEN JOHN BOOTH JOHN FAUNTELROY A. LEO ANDERSON JAMES W. HAFEY IRVIN P. SCHLOSS J. C. WOOD HENRY WOYAK WILLIAM J. FLAHERTY WILLIAM B. GARDINER Technical Consultants AMERICAN LEGION JOSEPH HOLZKA AUSTIN KERBY C. W. MAYO, M. D. M. J. MUSSER, M. D. HOWARD A. RUSK, M. D. H. D. SHAPIRO, M. D. MILO J. WARNER JOHN L. HORGAN, JR. RALPH J. ROSSIGNUOLO BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION WILLIAM W. THOMPSON CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS HAROLD PAX FRANCIS J. LAMLEIN DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS CHARLES L. HUBER ALFRED T. BRONAUGH JOHN J. JACKSON Veterans Administration Consultants HERBERT F. MOORE JOHN E. WILLOUGHBY MRS. MARY FIELDS AMERICAN VETERANS COMMITTEE ROBERT R. NATHAN GEORGE A. SPIEGELBERG AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS AMVETS (27.31) PAGENO="0024" .2732 Technical Consultants--Continued DISABLED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION MAJOR ANDREW HOMANICH COLONEL D. GEORGE PASTON FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION EMIL F. BAKER SAMUEL ROSE ROBERT W. NOLAN ITALIAN-AMERICAN WAR VETERANS JOSEPH BOSCO JOHN F. NAVE PATRICK CHOPPY NICHOLAS RAIMO ANTHONY LOPOPOLO ANTHONY J. VOLPE JEWISH WAR VETERANS WILLIAM W. CARVER MEYER LIPPS LEGION OF VALOR LEONARD G. LOMELL W. WALLACE STOVER MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART RICHARD P. GOLICK HARRY A. SCHWEIKERT, JR. MILLARD RICE THE NATIONAL YEOMAN F MRS. MABEL V. PEASE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA HOWARD L. BENNETT WILLIAM P. GREEN POLISH LEGION OF AMERICAN VETERANS MICHAEL J. CZUCHRA THOMAS P. ROZGA THEODORE S. HOLTZ EDWARD C. SZYMANOWSKI MATHEW J. MISIUR RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION COLONEL JAMES W. CHAPMAN LT. COL. THOMAS A. KELLY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS COOPER T. HOLT FRANCIS W. STOVER NORMAN D. JONES VETERANS OF WORLD WAR I WALDRON E. LEONARD WAC VETERANS ASSOCIATION MRS. HELEN COOPER MISS YVONNE TROUT MISS ELIZABETH A. REILLY Administrative Staff MARLEE A. BENECKE N. CHRISTINE LOGAN LINDA BUSS CAROLYN L. REDMON SHIRLEY A. COATS HAZEL S. REDMON DOROTHY S. HERSHBERGER M. THERESE TAYLOR GRANT W. HOWARD KENNETH L. WALTON MARJORIE J. KIDD MARTIN J. WOLF THOMAS R. LINK NEAL ZIMMERMAN PAGENO="0025" 2733 U.S. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION SUITE 1033.1035 810 VERMONT AVENUE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20420 March 18, 1968 Honorable William J. Driver Administrator of Veterans Affairs Veterans Administration Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Driver: We are transmitting herewith the report of the United States Veterans Advisory Commission. This report is the result of many hours of hearings and consideration and is one in which each member of the Com- mission takes justifiable pride. Not every citizen will agree with each recommendation we have made for improvement in the veterans' benefits structure, but we believe that the recommendations as a group form the basis of a sound and progressive program. In our deliberations we have taken full account of the passage of Public Law 90-77, the "Veterans Pension and Readjustment Assistance Act of 1967," which implemented many of the President's recommendations contained in his January 31,1967 message and also of the recommendations contained in the recent message of January 30, 1968, on America's Servicemen and Veterans. We have also taken full cognizance of H.R. 12555 which has passed Congress and is awaiting Presidential action. Each member of the Commission is extremely grateful to the President for the leadership and interest that he has exerted in veterans' affairs. We wish to endorse the rec- ommendations made in his January 30, 1968 message. More particularly, we support his call for aresolutionexpressing the sense of Congress that private employers should give job priority to returning servicemen, and his recommenda- tion that a Veterans in Public Service Act be enacted pro- viding assistance to veterans in bringing their talents to the solution of some of the most urgent needs of rural and urban America today. Finally, we endorse with complete unanimity the state- ment in the President's message that every veteran who wants it should have the right to burial in a National PAGENO="0026" 2734 Cemetery situated closest to his home. While the attaining of this goal obviously requires long-range planning which could not be completed with the remaining life-span of the Commission, our recommendation in this field including the recommendation that the existing Federal cemeteries for veterans (with the exception of a few such as Gettysburg which are in reality national monuments administered by the Department of the Interior), be combined into one sys- tem to be administered by the Veterans Administration, will, we believe, constitute the initial step toward the achievement of this goal. During the time we have been serving as members of the Commission, veterans and others have brought certain matters to our attention which are purely matters of internal administration. We are transmitting a separate letter to you involving those administrative matters which we think merit your attention. In conclusion, we wish to express our thanks for the cooperation and assistance furnished by the staff and the technical consultants in arranging for ourhearings through- out the country and in the compilation in orderly fashion of the voluminous material from which we drew our recom- mendations. Sincerely, ANDY BORG ~ L. CLAUDE L. CALLEGARYO J..., MELVIN T. DIXON RA~fr(E. HALL HERBERT M. HOUSTON RO ERT M. McC RDY Y Chairman, Veterans Advisor Cómniis sion ELVIN~,Z JACOBSEN 4ØMES WILLIAM N. RI E ~1~SON PETER WHEELER 11 PAGENO="0027" 2735 Introduction and Background The contribution of the veteran to the building of this nation during its first two centuries makes clear how impor- tant the role of the veteran must and will be to the future existence and growth of our society. Inthe future that serv- ice may take new and different form but its significance will remain unaltered. The security of this nation is based on the commitment of those citizens who have served in the uniformed forces of our country. This contribution on their part has nearly always involved the, loss of economic oppor- tunity; often it has required the sacrifice of the veterans' health, and in many instances it has cost the supreme sac- rifice, life itself. The strength and prestige of this nation depends upon this continued contribution. The future status of this country depends on the mutual obligation and com- mitment between the government and its citizens. As a return to veterans for their service, the nation has accepted three basic principles as fundamental commit- ments to the veteran population. They may be defined generally as follows: (1) The commitment to compensate a) disabledveterans for disability incurred in their nation's service and b) vet- erans' dependents for the loss of life or earning capacity of the veteran. (2) The commitment to promote the rehabilitation and readjustment to civilian life of those veterans who have suffered physical or economic loss because of their service to the nation. (3) The commitment to care for needy veterans who cannot be completely rehabilitated. 111 PAGENO="0028" 2736 The evolution of these broad commitments began when America was an infant nation. The Commander of the Con- tinental Army, General George Washington, led the way when on June 8, 1783, in a letter to the Governors of all the States, he said in part: "It [benefits] was a part of their hire. . .it was the price of their blood and of your Independency, it is therefore more than a common debt, it is a debt of honour . . ." These concepts were strengthened whenAbraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address, called upon the nation - ". . . to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan. . ." Recently President Johnson placed.strong emphasis upon the precedents established by Washington and Lincoln in a message to the Chairman of the U. S. Veterans Advisory Commission, when he said: "Our government and our people have no greater obligation than to assure that those who have served their country and the cause of freedom will never be forgotten or neglected." And in his message of January 30, 1968, President Johnson reiterated these commitments in the following words: "America holds some of its greatest honors for the men who have stoOd in its defense, and kept alive its freedoms. "It shows its gratitude not only in memorials which grace city parks and courthouse squares across the land - - but more meaningfully in the programs which `care for him. . . and for his widow and his orphan.'" An evaluation of the manner in which the nation has ful- filled its commitments and the projection of guidelines for the future requires that the size and nature of the veteran population be shown. Thirteen percent of the total population of the United States on June 30, 1967, were veterans. This is slightly under 26 million human beings. Approxi- mately two million of them have become war veterans since August 5, 1964, because a responsive nation so classified them with the passage of the Veterans Readjustment Bene- fits Act of 1966. Prior to that Act, the war veteran population of our land had decreased from almost 13 percent iv PAGENO="0029" 2737 in 1947 to about 11 percent by March 1966. In the absence of an overall national effort similar to that of World War II, but with a continuation of present conditions, our veteran population will increase to a point where by the end of this century it should level off at 30 million citizens and will constitute approximately 10 percent of the nation's total population. When we add to this figure, the widows, orphans and dependents the total will approximate 50 percent of the total population. On June 30, 1967, the average age of the approximately 26 million veterans was 44 years. The average ages of veterans classified by major periods of conflict were - Spanish American War - 89 years; World War I - 73 years; World War II - 48 years; Korean Conflict -38 years; Post Korean Veterans - 28 years. The median age of the Post Korean Conflict veterans will rise to 41 years by the end of this century. The veteran over 65 years of age will not in this century constitute a majority of the veteran population. However, over half of the veterans who served prior to 1955 will be over 65 years of age within the next twenty years. With all of these considerations in mind we now turn to: (1) the manner in which the nation has accepted and fulfilled in the past its commitments to its veterans, (2) the nature of the Veterans Advisory Commission's responsibilities, the inquiries it has made and the approaches it has employed, and (3) the Commission's general conclusions as to the principles that should guide the nation as it faces its com- mitments to the veteran population. The Nation's Commitments The commitments made are all related in some degree to one another. Veterans of our wars have a strong pro- prietary feeling for these time-honored obligations. They are well aware that programs designed to fulfill these obligations have not only benefited themselves but have contributed to the health and well-being of the whole nation. (1) The commitment to compensate disabled veterans for disability incurred in their nation's service and their dependents for the loss of life or earning capacity of the veteran. This commitment has taken many forms during its evolution. It has been extended from simple money payments for the loss of bodily function or death to more fundamental and helpful remedies such as rehabilitation and education for the living veteran. The program has been so designed and so administered that abilities and needs of the individual veteran are carefully considered. V PAGENO="0030" 2738 An effective system of compensation to care for those who suffer economic handicap because of disability or death incurred in military service is essential to the maintenance of strong and efficient armed forces inafree society. Most of those who serve are not career military men. A veteran must receive compensation for disabilities incurred in service which prevent him from achieving his full potential in his civilian career. The program must be dynamic and sensitive to economic and social change and must be one in which the serviceman has full confidence. To fulfill part of this commitment, the Veterans Adminis- tration operates a large hospital and medicalcareprogram. In 1969, 856,000 service-connected and needy non-service- connected veterans will receive hospital care under the auspices of the Veterans Administration. In the same year another 6.7 million veterans will use Veterans Adminis- tration Outpatient facilities or visit their own physicians on a fee basis paid for by the Veterans Administration. While caring for veterans, the Veterans Administration contributes to the nation's medical manpower resources by helping to train and provide clinical experience for almost one-half of the physicians graduating each year in America. President Johnson in his January 30, 1968 message noted the contributions of the Veterans Adminis- tration in the training of medical manpower and directed the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to accelerate this training. One of the important residual benefits of this extensive medical complex is a research program encompassing research projects each year. Eighty five percent of these programs are related to t~he diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The other 15 percent are supportive investiga- tions. Although the veteran is the first to receive the benefits of this research, everyone derives benefits from these advances in medical science. Veterans Administra- tion investigators have been active in nearly all of the widely hailed medical breakthroughs and have taken the lead in many. (2) The commitment to rehabilitate veterans and to help them towards adjustment to civilian life. The concept of readjustment benefits that emerged during the second World War was a milestone in veterans' legislation. The legislation developed from this concept proved to be one of the most statesmanlike measures ever enacted. The largest program of adult education ever undertaken is the readjustment training made available to World War II, Korean, and Post -Korean veterans under the several GI Bills. vi PAGENO="0031" 2739 Over half the World War II veterans and almost half the Korean Conflict veterans eligible actually entered training. Nearly 450,000 veterans and 22,000 active duty servicemen entered training during the first year of the readjustment act affecting Post-Korean veterans. Throughout the early history of readjustment training, the courses of study pursued tended toward skilled trades and professional objectives. Recently, however, there has been a different trend consistent with changing times and opportunities. Only 30 percent of the World War II veterans in the educational program took college leveltraining. This has increased to 68 percent for the Post-Korean Conflict veterans. The number taking courses intrade and technical schools decl4ned from 33 percent following World War II to 28 percent for the first year of the Post-Korean Conflict velerans. On-the-job and farm cooperative training were not available to these latter veterans until the passage of Public Law 90-77, August 31, 1967. Government assisted veteran training has helped indi- vidual veterans by enabling them to earn more money and thus maintain a higher standard of living. Their raised standards of living and education tend to imbue their chil- dren with higher educational aspirations, so that veterans' training exerts a continuing positive impact on the nation's manpower resources. In addition to training benefits, the Veterans Administration has assisted eligible veterans to obtain housing credit by guaranteeing privately *financed mortgages and by making direct housing loans to veterans in rural areas or small communities where private credit is not generally available. Readjustment legislation has provided great benefits to the nation as a whole. These programs placed billions of dollars into the post-war economy, when such a stimulus was badly needed. Additional training provided veterans has enabled them to earn higher incomes. Increased income taxes that the.se veterans have paid and will pay over their lifetimes will reimburse the government for the investment in their education. All American society has profited from this legislation in other ways. Education has been accorded a higher value in the nation's economic and social order. The better educated country's work force has fostered a greater rate of economic growth. The veteran's sense of security has been buttressed both during service and afterwards by the various veterans' insurance programs. These programs were developed to restore to servicemen their normal status of insurability vii PAGENO="0032" 2740 which was lost by their wartime service. These have changed in accordance with economic, social, and military needs prevailing at the time, but the basic goal of providing insurance protection for families and dependents when needed most has been kept well in the forefront. (3) The commitment to care for needy veterans who cannot be completely rehabilitated. This commitment re- flects the time-honored conviction that the war veteran who has served his country in time of peril should be pro- vided a reasonable measure of financial relief when he is economically and physically disadvantaged. Administration of this program by the Federal Govern- ment on a national basis is necessary. There are wide variations in state and local programs for care of the needy and disabled. The veteran would lose .his sense of pride and personal dignity in receiving aid as a needy individual from various public and private social agencies rather than getting veteran benefits, and the country would have defaulted on its commitment if veterans programs were not adminis- tered on a national basis. State veterans agencies and vet- erans organizations do, however, play a vital part in the administration of the national program of veterans benefits. Their continuing assistance and full partnership continues to be a praiseworthy example of the necessity of bringing local and state needs to the forefront and of bridging the gap between the individual veteran and his Federal Government. The disability pension program provides payments which are limited by reasonable standards of need. This same policy of economic need is extended to the death pension program for surviving widows and orphans of veterans who have died from non-service-connected causes. Veterans receiving pensions and those receiving low incomes from other sources clearly cannot pay for medical care needed for their non-service-connected disabilities. In the interest of providing health care for these men who have served their nation but cannot now serve themselves, hospital and domiciliary care are provided in Veterans Administration facilities on a space-available basis. The Advisory Commission's Responsibilities The nature and needs of American society develop and change. With these changes, existing veterans programs may lose their effectiveness in achieving the ends for which they were created. They may become outmoded because of advancements in medical science or changes in social out- look. Some programs prove so successful that extension to viii PAGENO="0033" 2741 other groups of veterans or dependents is justified. In order to maintain the value of programs for veterans, assessments must be made periodically in light of social and economic changes. President Johnson recognized this need for periodic as- sessment of veterans programs. In his January 31, 1967, special message to Congress on veterans affairs, the President stated, "We must assure the continuing soundness of these programs." He then directed the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, "in consultation with leading veterans groups, to conduct a comprehensive study of the pension, compensation, and benefits system for veterans, their families, and their survivors." The President specified two goals for this study: "to assure that our tax dollars are being utilized most wisely and that our Government is meeting fully its responsibilities to all those to whom we owe so much." To fulfill the President's request, the Administrator of Veterans Affairs selected an eleven man study group, desig- nated as the Ti. S. Veterans Advisory Commission, including the former chairman of the National Rehabilitation Com- mission of the American Legion, as its chairman, with five immediate past National Commanders of leading veterans organizations, four state service directors and one retired military officer as members. This group, to carry out the President's request, heard testimony from all over the nation about the adequacy of present veterans programs and about veterans needs for new programs. In addition, they con- sulted with the nation's veterans' organizations, and con- ducted independent studies and evaluations. The U. S. Veterans Advisory Commission held hearings in cities across the country: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Brooklyn, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. In addition to these regional meetings, the Commission held two meetings in Washington, D. C. to facilitate presentation of testimony from national organiza- tions. Invitations to present testimony before the Commis- sion were extended to allveterans' organizations and citizens groups. Business, industrial, professional groups and the press were urged to appear as witnesses andpresent state- ments to the Commission. Full opportunity was given to all who wished to be heard and at each of its meetings, the Commission heard all interested citizens who wanted to testify. As a consequence, the Commission received over 1,400 different recommendations about veterans programs. The Commission's consultation with veterans' organiza- tions operated through several channels. Members of vet- erans' organizations, at the state and local levels, appeared ix 91-670 0 - 68 - 3 PAGENO="0034" 2742 at each regional meeting. Individuals and groups submitted comprehensive reviews of material germane to the Com.. mission's program. National organizations were encour- aged to summarize their recommendations at the two meetings in Washington, D. C. Veterans' organizations were also asked to nominate members to act as technical con- sultants to the Commission. These consultants workedwith the Commission and its staff in developing programs recommendations. The Commission also directed a series of staff studies as a result of information received during the hearings or from the submitted statements and reviews. These studies have provided the Commission with additional information on which to base final recommendations. Conclusions In assessing existing veterans programs, the Commis- sion has reached the unanimous conclusion that on the whole America's tax dollars applied to veterans programs are being wisely spent and that the existing veterans benefits programs are highly effective. The Commission has found a few areas in which pro- grams have outlived their usefulness. In most instances, public servants, mindful of these conditions, have either taken the initiative in uncovering them or have readily accepted the challenge of change in their desire to obtain the maximum of useful and productive benefits from each tax dollar spent. The Commission is satisfied that the tax dollars made available for the veterans programs havebeen wisely appropriated by the Congress and responsibly ex- pended by the government. The amount expended for veterans benefits has con- stituted a small and declining portion of all Federal ex- penditures and a smaller ratio to Gross National Product. The actual cost of veterans programs is expected to increase slowly to the end of the century, but this cost should con- tinue to decline in proportion to the total national production and total Federal expenditures. Expenditures for veterans benefits reached a high with World War II readjustment programs. In 1950, the cost of veteians programs was nearly one-fourth of all Federal expenditures. At present, however, it is less than four percent of the Federal budget and less than one percent in ratio to the Gross National Product. The estimated expend- itures in the 1969 budget are $7.3 billion which is still less than four percent of the Federal budget and still less than one percent of the Gross National Product. x PAGENO="0035" 2743 It is hard to predict the future of any program but based on present trends of veterans population, growth of the economy, and progress in social programs, it is believed that total veterans' expenditures, while increasing, will become a declining proportion of the total Federal budget and bear a lesser ratio to the Gross National Product, Almost all of the tax dollars expended onveterans bene- fits - - 75 percent of the Veterans Administration fiscal year 1969 budget - - go to veterans and their dependents in the form of cash benefits. This money is immediately funneled back into the nation's economy. Twenty-one percent of the 1969 budget will be spent on medical and hospital services for veterans, and less than one percent of the budget will be applied to the costs of construction and modernization of Veterans Administration facilities. Only three percent is utilized in general administration. The Veterans Administration has done an effective job of administering veterans benefits programs. It was estab- lished in 1930 as a means of combining the veterans pro- grams administered by several different government agencies. This consolidation was intended to achieve co- ordination of veterans programs, to establish consistency in their administration and in the quality of service given veterans, and to facilitate the government's communication with veterans. These goals have been fulfilled by the Vet- erans Administration. There has been a nearly unanimous opinion that the Veterans Administration has achieved a high level of quality in administration. The Commission therefore believes that it would be in the best interests of America's veterans for the Veterans Administration to continue administering all veterans pro- grams. Veterans benefits will continue to be varied an4 comprehensive for a long period to come. They should not be weakened by absorption into agencies which do not have experience in administering veterans benefits. From a practical standpoint, it is not feasible to scatter these highly interrelated programs. A single arm of the Federal Govern- ment which has no other function than to administer veterans programs and which is staffedwitha trained employee group dedicated to fulfilling the nation's commitment to veterans is, in the opinion of the Commission, the most effective way to carry out this highly important responsibility. Just as Veterans Administration functions should not be splintered among several agencies, individual veterans programs should not be displaced or absorbed by general welfare programs. It is sometimes contended that after a short readjustment period veterans with no service-con- nected disability should be considered in the same category as other citizens. Butveteranshavetakengreater risks and xi PAGENO="0036" 2744 have suffered personal burdens at times when America greatly needed their services. This generation and future generations will need the services of its citizens in military service no less than in the past~. The Commission believes that any phasing out of these programs would emphatically contradict the nature of the nation's obligation to its vet- erans. As to the second question propounded by the President, that is, whether veterans programs are fulfilling the nation's responsibilities to veterans and their dependents, the Com- mission replies in the affirmative, Veterans programs as they exists at present are fulfilling in large part the nation's responsibilities to its veterans and their dependents. The vast number of new programs and the continual process of change in old ones, as reflected by the substantial body of law enacted, is monumental testimony of the nation's effort. The overwhelming weight of testimony of hundreds of wit- nesses, from every state in the union, supports this con- clus ion. The Commission recognizes that changes and improve- ments can be made. These are detailed in our recommen- dations, which are based on the following conclusions: 1. Military service in times of national stress constitutes the highest response to the obligations of citizenship and should continue to be the basis of a reciprocal obligation on the part of the nation to provide reasonable assistance to veterans commensurate with the greater sacrifices experi- enced by them. With this in mind, the obligation to provide for the disabled and needy veteran as wellas his dependents is a national commitment. 2. Veterans with disabilities incurred in service in time of national peril should be given first priority in the range of special programs. 3. The payment of pensions toveterans for non-service- connected conditions is soundly based on the principle of economic need. 4. Hospital and domiciliary care, including institutional medical treatment, for non- service - connected disabilities should be provided for veterans of wartime and comparable service where the veteran is financially unable to defray the cost of private hospitalization. 5. Basic benefits, geared to serious non-service-con- nected needs, for veterans of war or similar periods should not be displaced or absorbed by general welfare programs. xli PAGENO="0037" 2745 6. The national obligation to provide liberally for dis- abled and needy veterans and their dependents must be met through sound and enduring programs which can be supported without excessive demands on the financial resources of the nation. 7. Young veterans returning from service should be given full opportunity for rehabilitation and readjustment. 8. Veterans programs should be kept current with eco- nomic standards. 9. The Veterans Administration should be given Cabinet status. Further improvement could be made by establishing a Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and by combining some of various Federal cemetery functions under the Vet- erans Administration. The Commis sion therefore presents the following recom- mendations to assist the President, Congress, and the Vet- erans Administration in making improvements in the present system and in establishing long-range goals for veterans programs. xiii PAGENO="0038" 2746 Contents CHAPTER I. COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE- CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND DEATH Recommendation No. Page 1. Basic compensation rate payable to service~connected totally disabled veterans be increased 1 Appropriate increase in compensation rates to veterans with 10-90 percent disabilities 2 3. Principal of equalization of compensa- tion payable for disabilities rated less than 100 percent 3 4. Additional DIC payable to widows for each child 4 5. Basic DIC ratetowidows be increased 5 6. Payment of career service type benefit for death unrelated to service for veteran totally disabled 20 years or longer 6 7. Payment of career service type benefit for death unrelated to service for former servicemen who had 30 or more years service 7 8. Study of appropriate presumptive periods for service connection for all chronic diseases 8 9. Date of admission to a private hospjtal be made the date of claim for increased compensation 8 10. Increase in special statutory awards 9 11. Loss of procreative power rather than anatomical loss to be deter- mining factor for statutory award - - - - 9 xv PAGENO="0039" 2747 CHAPTER I. COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE - DISABILITIES AND DEATH- - CONTINUED Recommendation No. Page 12. Discontinuation of statutory award and graduated ratings for arrested tuberculosis - - - 10 13. Aid and attendance for DIC widows - - - - - 12 14. Housebound allowance for DIC widows 12 15. Clothing allowance for veterans with prosthetic appliances 13 16. Assistance in purchase of specially equipped automobile for Vietnam era veterans - - 13 CHAPTER II. ALLEVIATION OF FINANCIAL NEEDS OF VETERANS AND SURVIVORS NOT CON- NECTED WITH MILITARY SERVICE 17. Pensions be maintained beyond public assistance level 15 18. Additional payments to pensioners for children attending school 16 19. Elimination of requirement to report income for certain pensioners who have reached age 72 17 20. Reduction of pension during periods of hospitalization be similar for both protected and current pension programs - 18 21. SGLI payments not be counted as income - - - 19 22. Prepayment on a mortgage be excluded from annual income 20 23. Joint bank accounts not be considered as income in computing death and disability pension 21 xvi PAGENO="0040" 2748 CHAPTER II. ALLEVIATION OF FINANCIAL NEEDS OF VETERANS AND SURVIVORS NOT CON- NECTED WITH MILITARY SERVICE --CON- TINUED Recommendation No. page Z4. Annual payments by management to a retired employee to cover costs of medical care under Social Security Act be excluded in determining annual income 21 25, Title 38, USC, be amended to exclude from consideration as income that portion of a claimant's retirement which is based solely on the number of dependents 22 26. Improvements in cemetery administration - - - - 22 CHAPTER III. EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING ASSIST- ANCE 27. Vocational rehabilitation on less than full time participation 27 28. Vocational rehabilitation training to restore employability lost due to technological changes 28 29. Supplementation of veterans educa- tional assistance from other Federal programs 29 30, Educational assistance program for DIC widows 30 31. Educational assistance program for wives of veterans permanently and totally disabled from service-connected causes- - - - 31 CHAPTER IV, HOUSING AND OTHER CREDIT ASSIST- ANCE 32. VA be allowed to expand direct loan areas throughout the United States 33 33. Maximum loan guaranty be increased from $7,500 to $10,000 and direct loans be increased to $20,000 34 34. Direct loans be authorized to totally disabled service-connected veterans throughout the country 35 xvii PAGENO="0041" 2749 CHAPTER IV. HOUSING AND OTHER CREDIT ASSIST- ANCE- -CONTINUED Recommendation No. page 35. Liberalization of VA policy regarding liability for losses on defaulted loans 36 36. Consideration be given to provide a group plan of mortgage protection life insurance as an integral part of the VA loan program 37 CHAPTER V. INSURANCE 37. NSLI program reopened for service- connected disabled veterans who are uninsurable at standard rates - - - 39 38. Double indemnity 40 39. Term insurance and a new dividend option 41 40. Payment of interest on delayed insurance payments 42 41. Adjust VSLI premiums 43 42. Conversion of SGLI to be effective six months after separation from service 44 43. DIC payable where veteran died in service or had a service-connected disability and who had in-service waiver 45 44. Endorse legislation to improve the Government insurance program 46 45. Government insurance to be exempt from taxation 48 CHAPTER VI. HEALTH SERVICES 46. Grant Vietnam veterans complete dental treatment for one year 49 xviii PAGENO="0042" 2750 CHAPTER VI. HEALTH SERVICES- -CONTINUED Recommendation No. page 47. Extension of fringe medical benefits to veterans with service on or after February 1, 1955 50 48. Eliminate ability to pay affidavit and counseling for veterans who have reached age 65 51 49. Outpatient medical benefits for veterans with service-connected conditions rated 100% 52 50. Special driver control devices be provided for certain veterans - - - 52 51. Nursing home care in Alaska and Hawaii 53 52. Extension of medical research program 53. Acceleration of hospital and domiciliary modernization and replacement 54. Achieve comparability of salaries of VA personnel 55. Expansion of training of medical and para-medical personnel - 56 56. Proximity to teaching and research centers only one factor in locating hospitals 57 57. Extension of five years for State nursing homeconstruction grants 58 58. Community nursing home program be expanded and consider direct admis sion from a private hospital 59 59. Eliminate six-month limitation to community nursing home for service-connected disability - - - - 60 xix PAGENO="0043" 2751 CHAPTER VI. HEALTH SERVICE- -CONTINUED Recommendation No. page 60. Increase in amount paid to State nursing homes 60 61. Authorize increase in reimburse- ment rate to community nursing homes - - 61 62. Institute program of matching construction tion grants for renovation and replace- ment of State domiciliary homes 61 63. Drugs for housebound veterans - - - - 62 64. VA not to provide services for Medicare 63 65. Medical benefits for wives and children of 100 percent disabled 63 66. Medical benefits for widows and children of veterans who die of service-connected causes 64 CHAPTER VII. GENERAL 67. Conditional discharge to be treated as final discharge 65 68. Establish deemed valid marriage provision - - 66 69. Payment of benefits to widows who remarry after age 60 and to widows whose remarriage is terminated 67 70. Recoupment of severance pay 68 71. No change in law pertaining to attorney fees 69 72. Wartime benefits extended to Mexican Border veterans 70 73. Study payment of compensation concurrently with longevity retired pay and VA pay all retired pay 70 74. Equalization of military retired pay 72 xx PAGENO="0044" 2752 CHAPTER VII. GENERAL--CONTINUED Recommendation No. page 75. Federally financed survivors benefits program for retired military 76. Amend Dual Compensation Act 73 77. DOD Commissary privileges for widows of veterans who died of service-connected causes - - - - 74 78. Legislation to protect interests of children and other beneficiaries of deceased veterans under legal disabilities 74 79. Study feasability of special allowances for death, injury, or disease incurred in combat - - - - 75 xxi PAGENO="0045" 2753 CHAPTER I ~ Compensation for Service-Connected ~ibi1ities and Death RECOMMENDATION NO. 1 The Commission recommends that the basic comp3nsation rate payable to the service-connected totally disabled vetS- eran be increased by $100 monthly. Background to Recommendation: The Disability Rating Schedule endeavors to evaluate the average impairment of earning capacities resulting in civil- ian occupations from service-related diseases or injuries. A. recent pilot study in connection with the Economic Validation of the Rating Schedule confirmed the unemploya- bility of the totally disabled. The study indicated that the totally disabled veteran does not have the capacity to earn a living and must rely solely on disability compensation for his economic support. Disability compensation at present rates of $300amonth for total disability imposes a standard of living on totally disabled veterans which is much lower than that which they would have attained except for their service-connected dis- abilities, and much lower than the median national income level of wage earners. Therefore, in order to compensate the totally disabled at a rate which would more closely ap- proximate their loss in earnings resulting from disabilities incurred in service, the Commission recommends that the 1~ PAGENO="0046" 2754 basic compensation rate payable to these veterans be increased by $100 per month. A similar increase is rec- commended in the higher s tat ut o r y awards, pending the completion of the re-evaluation of the rating schedule. RECOMMENDATION NO. 2 The Commission recommends that the compensation rates payable to veterans whose disabilities are evaluated from 10 to 90 percent be increased not less than the rise of the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index, since December 1, 1965. Background to Recommendation: In order to maintain compensation rates at levels which are economically realistic, it has been necessaryfromtime to time to adjust these rates to the changing cost of living in America. Most recently, compensation rate increases of about six percent were made in 1962 and 1965. Between the effective date of the last increase, December 1965, and December 1967, the cost of living (according to the Con- sumer Price Index) has risen 6.5 percent and is continuing to rise. The Commission wishes to establish the most equitable rate structure possible. This is not possibleuntil the study being undertaken on Economic Validation of the Rating Schedule is completed. Until this time, we want to protect the 10 to 90 percent disabled veteran from the economic cost resulting from substantial increases in the cost of living. Therefore, we recommend an appropriate increase in the compensation rates payable to these veterans, including the additional benefits for dependents. This recommendation is made in conjunction with our recommendation for a $100 monthly compensation rate in- crease for the totally disabled and for an increase in statu- tory allowances. 2 PAGENO="0047" 2755 RECOMMENDATION NO. 3 The Commission endorses the principle of equalization of compensation payable for disabilities rated less than 100 percent and recommends that this principle be given serious consideration In the current economic validation study of the rating schedule. Background to Recommendation: Disability compensation rates, from their inception in 1933 until June 30, 1952, were related to the stated degree of disablement in a manner which provided equal intervals between as signed evaluations. A disability rated 10 percent, for example, was paid ten percent of the amount payable for the 100 percent disability. Other percentage ratings bore a similar fixed ratio to the 100 percent disability rating. Public Law 356, 82d Congress, effective July 1, 1952, pro- vided proportionately greater compensation for the more seriously disabled based on the belief that economic im- pairment at that level and above was disproportionately greater than for lesser evaluations. This has been extended since that time. At present a veteran 10 percent disabled receives $21 per month; 30 percent disabled, $60 per month; 50 percent disabled, $113 per month; and 100 percent dis- abled, $300 per month in base compensation. This subject has probably occasioned more controversy than any other item intheveterans'program. Each regional hearing and each veterans organization has produced reso- lutions and recommendations endorsing the principle of payment of disability compensation in accordance with the proportion that the rated degree of disability bears to the amount that the 100 percent rating receives. The ratings assessed, by law, are based as far as prac- ticable upon the average impairment of earning capacity in civil occupations. These averages have never been sta- tistically determined. There are many disabilities which by their overwhelming nature, are obviously totally dis- abling. Assignment of lesser degrees of disabilityhas been a very thoughtful process based on the best medical, legal and occupational opinion, but has not been validated in any meaningful manner. The Veterans Administration, in cooperation with the Bureau of the Census, has recently undertaken a study in depth of the relationship of rated degrees of disability to the average amount of economic handicap borne by the 3 PAGENO="0048" 2756 veteran with the disability. The Commission feels that this validation is long overdue and shouldbe expedited. It further recommends that the principle of equalization of compensa- tion with degree of disability should be kept firmly in mind in the evaluation of the results of this survey. RECOMMENDATION NO. 4 The Commission recommends that an additional monthly payment of $20 for each child be made to widows receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, independent of any Social Security or Railroad Retirement payments. Background to Recommendation: At present, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to the widow of a veteran who died from service-connected causes at the monthly rate of $120 plus 12 percent of her husband's basic military pay. (Refer to Commission recommendation proposing an increase in this basic monthly rate). No additional amount is payable for children below age 18, except where the widow has two or more such children, and the monthly total of her Social Security benefits (under Title 42 U.S.C. 402), Railroad Re- tirement benefits (under Title 45 U.S.C. 228e), and special allowance (under Title 38 U.S.C. 412(a)), is less thanthe monthly Social Security payment--usually $136.20--the widow and children would receive if the deceased veteran had been fully and currently insured with an average monthly wage of $160. If this total in benefits is less than $136.20, the widow's rate of DIC is increased by $28 monthly for each child in excess of one, so long as the total amount of this increase does not exceed the difference between the $136.20 figure and the Social Security actually received. Adequate provision is contained in the law for children 18 years of age or over. However, the provisions made for widows during the trying years when they are raising their orphaned children tend to cause hardship. The hardship increases for widows with more than two children. At present, the widow with no children receives the same amount of DIC payments each month as the widow' with seven children under 18. The widow with seven children does have her DIC supplemented by Social Security payments, but these payments do not increase to cover more than two 4 PAGENO="0049" 2757 children. Thus, a widow with seven children could receive the same combined total of DIG and Social Security as she would receive if she had only two children. To alleviate this hardship imposed by present law on widows with several children, the Commission recommends that DIG payments to widows with children under age 18 be completely dissociated from Social Security benefits. Fur- ther, the Commission proposes to pay an additional monthly amount of $20 for each child to widows receiving DIG. Ad- ditional payments of $20 for each child offer the most equit- able substitute for the present law, and would prevent any reduction in the combined DIG and Social Security benefits a widow may receive. RECOMMENDATION NO. 5 The Commission recommends that the basic rate for DIC be increased from $120 to $130 per month and that the 12 percent of base pay provision be retained. In the future, the basic allowance should be adjusted in accordance with any increase in the appropriate service rank pay. Background to Recommendation: The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program was created to offset deficiencies in the prior death com- pensation and Servicemen's Indemnity programs. Under DIG, a widow whose husband died from service-connected causes receives $1 12 a month plus 12 percent of the current basic pay of a serviceman with the same rank and service. Since the January 1, 1957 effective date of the program, the basic rate has been adjudged inadequate. In 1963, the basic rate was increased to $120 per month. No change in this basic rate has since been made, despite a substantial increase in the cost of living. The payments have been in- creased with each military pay increase, but the widows of servicemen who were in the lowest pay grades and had short periods of service have not benefited significantly. The Commission believes these widows of men who gave their lives in service deserve compensation that is adequate in today's world. Therefore, we recommend that the basic rate for DIG be increased from $lZOto $130 per month, that 5 91-670 0 - 68 - 4 PAGENO="0050" 2758 the 12 percent of base pay provision be retained. In the future, the basic allowance should be adjusted in accordance with any increase in the appropriate service rank pay. RECOMMENDATION NO. 6 The Commission recommends payment of a career service type benefit at the same rates as those in the DIC program to survivors of veterans who at time of death, due to causes unrelated directly or Indirectly to service, were receiving compensation for a total disability which was permanent In nature and so rated for 20 years or longer. Background to Recommendation: The underlying purpose of the compensation program is to make up for loss of a veteran's earning capacity due to service-connected disability. In death cases, service- connected benefits are intended to provide support to the widow, children, or parents of a veteran whose death was related to service or to service-connected disability. In cases where total disablement has existed for 20 years or more, it is clear that the veteran has little oppor- tunity to provide for the care of his family after his death. He has not been able to earn entitlement to Social Security or other plans which would normally contribute to the sup- port of dependents. If his death is not related to service or to his service-connected disability, the veteran's family is not eligible for any death benefits, except perhaps pension. It is therefore recommended that a career service type benefit be established at the same rates as those in the DIG program to be paid in any case in which a veteran was re- ceiving or was entitled to receive compensationfor service- connected total disability which was permanent in nature and so rated for 20 years or longer, and death was not the result of service or misconduct. 6 PAGENO="0051" 2759 RECOMMENDATION NO. 7 The Commission recommends payment of career service type benefits, at the same rates as those in the DIC pro- gram, to widows of members or former members of the Armed Forces with 30 or more years of active duty and whose death was from causes unrelated to service, Background to Recommendation: The underlying purpose of the compensation program is to make up for the loss of a veteran's earning capacity due to service-connected disability. In death cases, service- connected benefits are intended to provide support to the widow, children, or parents of a veteran whose death was related to service or to service-connected disability. In cases where the veteran's full qupta of productive years were expended in the service of his country, it is clear that he had little opportunity to provide for the care of his family after his death. He was not able to earn entitle- ment to Social Security or other plans in an amount which would adequately contribute to support of dependents. If a veteran's death is not related to service or to his service- connected disability, the veteran's family is not eligible for VA death benefits, except perhaps pension. Although there is a Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan, its con- ditions for establishing entitlement tend to discourage gen- eral participation. As a result the veteran's widow is usually in financial straits. It is therefore recommended that widows of servicemen, or retired servicemen, who had 30 years or more of active duty and who died from nonservice.-connected causes, be eligible to receive a career service type benefit at the same rates as those provided in the DIG program, provided the deaths are not a result of misconduct. 7 PAGENO="0052" + 2760 RECOMMENDATION NO. 8 The Commission recommends that a study be made of the appropriate presumptive periods for service connection for all chronic diseases. Baclçground to Recommendation: In addition to compensating war service veterans for dis- abling conditions actually shown to have been incurred during service, the law specifies certain chronic diseases which are presumed to have begun during service if they become mani- fest to a compensable degree within the time limitations stated after discharge. Generally, the period is one year. Exceptions are made for tuberculosis andHansen's disease, which have a three-year presumptive period, and for mul- tiple sclerosis, which has a seven-year presumptive period. The Commission has had many representations asking for extension of presumptive periods for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, and chronic psy- chosis. It therefore requests that a study be made of the appropriate presumptive periods for service connection for all chronic diseases in the light of current medical knowl- edge. RECOMMENDATION NO. 9 The Commission recommends that the date of admission to a private hospital be made the date of claim for increased compensation during a period of hospitalization, provided the VA is notified within 90 days of discharge. Background to Recommendation: Under the present law, when a veteran is admitted to a Veterans Administration hospital for a service-connected disability, he is entitled to an increased amount of compen- sation during the period of hospitalization. The date of admission counts as the date of claim. If a veteran is ad- mitted to a private hospital for the same service-connected disability, he can only receive the increase from the date he notifies the Veterans A+dministration he is in the hospital. The Commission recommends that the increased payment 8 PAGENO="0053" 2761 should be made from the date of his admission to the private hospital, provided the Veterans Administration is notified within 90 days of his discharge from the hospital. RECOMMENDATION NO. 10 The Commission recommends an increase in the special statutory award of $47 for specified single disabilities based on the increased cost of living. Background to Recommendation: The cost of living has risen substantially since special statutory compensation awards were last increased in 1952. The fact that compensation rates were increased four times from 1952 to the present attests to the continuing need to adjust compensation payments to the cost of living. For some disabled veterans, the statutory award is all, or a major portion of, the actual compensation they receive. The problem of specific statutory awards is being studied in conjunction with the economic validation study. Until that study is completed, it is necessary that the, special awards be increased to keep pace with the increasing costs. There- fore, the Commission recommends an increase in the statu- tory awards to correspond with the increased cost of living since 1952. RECOMMENDATION NO. 11 The Commission recommends that loss of procreative power constitute the criterion to qualify for the special statutory compensation award. The Commission further .recomm ends that such change be for future application so that no one now receivingthis special award wilihave his compensation reduced because of such change in criterion. Background to Recommendatiqp~ The special monthly compensation paid for loss or loss of use of certain organs and senses (Section 314 (k) of Title 38 U.S.C.) was established to compensate for impairment other than economic, which is included in disability ratings. 9 PAGENO="0054" 2762 The special award provides compensation for such obvious and serious conditions as amputation of a limb, loss of an eye, deafness of both ears, or inability to communicate by speech. The law also provides this special award for veterans suffering anatomical loss or loss of use of a creative organ. However, with the loss of only one pairedprocreative organ, parenthood can still be achieved. Thus, benefits are now paid when there is, in fact, no absence of procreative power. History suggests that Congress intended to grant this special award for such defects as loss of procreative power. The Commission recommends the law be clarified so that in the future a loss of procreative power rather than organ will be the governing criterion. Toavoidhardship, however, we feel that veterans now receiving payment for anatomical loss or loss of use of a creative organ should continue to receive this payment, whether or not they retain procreative power. RECOMMENDATION NO. 12 The Commission recommends discontinuation of the statu- tory award and graduated ratings for arrested tuberculosis with the provision that veterans receiving compensation under the present law continue to receive payment. Background to Recommendation: At present, the law (Title 38 U.S.C., Section 314 (q)) pro- vides a minimum rate of disability compensation ($67 per month for wartime cases and $54 per month for peacetime cases) for veterans with service-connected tuberculosis which has reached a state of complete arrest. Section 356 of Title 38 U.S.C. prescribes gradually reduced disability ratings for tuberculosis during the 11-year period after the disease has first become arrested. A minimum rate of compensation for arrested tubercu- losis has been provided almost continuously since 1926. At that time, tuberculosis was a dread disease. It was believed that few persons suffering from the disease could expect to live more than 20 years; that even if arrested, the disease was almost certain to recur; and that the only effective therapy was the "rest cure"followedbya slow and progres- sive course of exercise. The death rate from tuberculosis 10 PAGENO="0055" 2763 in the United States in 1926 was 74.9 per 100,000 popula- tion. Medical authorities believed then that people with arrested tuberculosis would never have the strengthto meet the demands of their previous employment. The employa- bility of persons who had had tuberculosis was further cur- tailed by the popular attitude that since the disease was contagious, those sufferingfrom it should be avoided. The grim expectations of 1926 have not been realized. Experience has demonstrated that most World War I vet- erans receiving the minimum rate of compensation for ar- rested tuberculosis had no recurrence of the disease. Fur- thermore, the causes of death for this group closely resembled those of the general population. At present, modern methods of medical treatment achieve rapid and stable arrest of tuberculosis. These methods have accel- erated the decline in the occurrence, of the disease and have lowered the death rate from tuberculosis to a point of relative insignificance. In 1965, the death rate from tuberculosis in the United States was 3.8 per 100,000 population. By now, the general public has stopped considering those who have had tuberculosis as outcasts. Ordinarily, there is no loss of employability in cases of arrested tuberculosis. Veterans who have received modern treatment for the disease are generally able to return to their homes with assurance of normal industrial acceptance and full-time employment. Thus, the compensation these veterans receive (in the form of a statutory award) does not reflect average economic impairment, as compensation is intended to do. Because of this, the compensation received by veterans with arrested tuberculosis discriminates against all other veterans. The Commission feels that disability ratings for all vet- erans should be related to demonstrable physical impair- ment. We therefore recommend that veterans withtubercu- losis should be assigned a ~00-per cent disability rating during the period of active disease and for two years there- after, while convalescence takes place. After this two-year period, disability compensation should reflect actual eco- nomic impairment. If some degree of disability remains, the rating schedule provides ample authority and criteria for evaluating and compensating for such residual disability. To avoid hardship, however, we feel that veterans now receiving compensationunder the present law should continue to receive this payment. 11 PAGENO="0056" 2764 RECOMMENDATION NO. 13 The Commission recommends that an aid and attendance in the amount of $75 monthly be paid to DIC and death com- pensation widows with qualifying disablement. Background to Recommendation: The service-connected disability compensation program recognizes the need for additional allowances to help pay the costs resulting from unusually incapacitating residuals of diseases or injuries. One of the additional allowances pro- vided is for residuals which necessitate the need of regular aid and attendance. In 1951, an aid and attendance rate became payable under the nonservice-conhected disability pension program. In 1967, PL 90-77 extended the aid and attendance allowance for the first time to widows of pensioners, at the rate of $50 a month, upon establishing qualifying disablement. No ex- tension of this benefit has yet been made to the widows of veterans who died from service-connected causes. The Commission believes that widows of veterans who died from service-connected causes deserve treatment at least equal to that provided widows of pensioners. Therefore, we recommend that an aid and atendance allowance of $75 a month be paid to the qualifying widows of veterans who died from service-connected causes. RECOMMENDATION NO. 14 The Commission recommends an additional allowance with- in the DIC and Death Compensation programs of $50 per month, and within the Death Pension program of $35 per month for those widows who acquire a disability or disa- bilities causing them to become housebound. Background to Recommendation: The basis for widows' benefits rests in a tacit under- standing between the veterans and the Nation that in the event of the death of a veteran, reasonable provision would be made for the needs of his widow. In both the disability compensation and pension programs additional amounts were first provided for those veterans whose disabilities required regular aid and attendance, and later, were provided in lesser amounts for those whose disabilities rendered them housebound. The aid and attendance feature has been added 12 PAGENO="0057" 2765 to the death pension program but it is not yet available to widows of those who die of service-connected disabilities. The housebound allowance is not available to either program. The Commission believes that with the continuing in- crease in the number of aging widows in the population, many will become housebound and in need of regular aid and attendance. Either condition will impose intolerable hard- ship on what is largely a group of widows who have no one available to assist them in the routines of life nor the means to obtain this assistance. We recommend that a ~pecial al- lowance of $50 per month be provided to housebound DIC and death compensation widows, and $35 per month be pro- vided to housebound widows receiving pension who meet the criteria for these benefits. RECOMMENDATION NO. 15 The Commission recommends that a clothing allowance of $150 per year be provided to veterans who have incurred additional expenses because of clothing wear caused by prosthetic appliances. Background to Recommendation: Veterans who wear prosthetic appliances that cause excessive wear on clothes can now send their clothing to the Veterans Administration for repair. Because of the considerable period of time a veteran is thus deprived of his clothing, most of the cost is, in effect, absorbed by him. The Commission therefore recommends that veterans who have incurred additional expenses because of wearing of prosthetic appliances, be paid $150 a year as a special al- lowance. RECOMMENDATION NO. 16 The Commission recommends that Vietnam Era Veterans' eligibility for assistance in purchasing a specially-equipped automobile be made the same as that of World War U and Korean Conflict veterans. Background to Recommendation: Assistance towards the purchase of an automobile was initially provided by law for veterans of World War II who 13 PAGENO="0058" 2766 suffered service-connected loss, or permanent loss of use, of limbs or specified organic functions. The same benefit was extended to qualifying veterans of the Korean Conflict. Public Law 90-77, effective October 1, 1967, further extended this benefit to eligible veterans of service after January 31, 1955. However, the law requires that the qualifying disability must have been incurred "in line of duty as a direct result of the performance of military duty." Thus, veterans of wartime service, i.e., on or after Au- gust 5, 1964, must meet the same limitationas Post-Korean peacetime service veterans. This constitutes an inequityto Vietnam Era veterans. Therefore, the Commission recommends that legislation be sponsored to provide assistance in the purchase of an automobile for veterans of Vietnam Era service (on or after August 5, 1964) on the same basis as for veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict. 14 PAGENO="0059" 2767 CHAPTER II ,Tiation of Financial Needs To~Veterans and Survivors ~ Not Connected with Military Service The Commission recommends that pension, as a benefit for war veterans and their survivors, should be maintained as a Federal program providing financial aid above and be- yond the levels of public assistance and that, within rea- sonably improved limits, increases in other forms of In- come should not adversely affect veterans' pension benef its. Background to Recommendation: The pension program was devised by a grateful Nation and has developed from its birth as the recognition of an obligation to the war veteran population. As such, the pro- gram receives the annual approval of Congress, subject to change at all times to assure help to those qualified. Fundamentally it is a means supplement program for war veterans and their survivors who, because of conditions not related to service, become indigent or have insufficient income to meet the cost of food, housing, clothing, medical care, and other necessities. It provides financial aid to war veterans in need who are permanently and totally dis- abled from disease or injuries without regard to service origin. From the beginning it has been intended that it be offered and received in dignity. RECOMMENDATION NO. 17 15 PAGENO="0060" 2768 We recommend, within reasonably improved limits, that increases in other forms of income shall not adversely af- fect a veteran's or a survivor's pension benefit. Additionally, we recommend that pension, as a benefit for war veterans and their survivors, should be maintained as a Federal program providing financial aid above and beyond the levels of public assistance. RECOMMENDATION NO. 18 The Commjssion recommends that an additional $10 per month be paid in pension cases for each child attending school between the ages of 18 and 23. Background to Recommendation: Over the years, the need for advanced education and training to prepare children to take their place in society has greatly increased. Along with the increased need for such training, the cost of additional schooling has risen. Educational costs at the college level vary generally from $3,200 for one year at a high-cost private college to $1,050 for one year at a low-cost public college. Several public assistance programs are intended to help defray costs of education for the financially disadvantaged student: the College Work-Study Program, National Defense Student Loans, and Educational Opportunity Grants. How- ever, these programs are limited in their assistance. The children of veterans and widows receiving pension, and children entitled directly to pension, tendto need a great deal of financial assistance in order to pursue their educa- tions after age 18. Because of the very limited income of veteran and widow pensioners, it is difficult for them to accumulate a fund for their children's education. Seldom does an orphan have such funds available. Veterans and widows with dependent children receiving pension are permitted a maximum outside income of $3,000. Most of them receive far less. Almost 90 percent of all World War II and Korean Conflict pensioners with depend- ents- -the group most likely to have college-age children-~ have incomes of less than $2,000 annually. An orphaned child is limited to $1,800 annual income, exclusive of earn- ings to have entitlement to $38 per month. Thus, little, if any, money is available for pensioners to defray the costs of advanced training for their children. 16 PAGENO="0061" 2769 Every veterans' disability and death program since July 1940, has recognized the welfare of veterans' children, including the importance of their educations. For veterans receiving compensation for disabilities rated 50 percent or greater, additional compensation is paid for each child be- tween 18 and 23 who is pursuing an approved course of in- struction (section 2 (b) of PL 89-311). For widows receiv- ing death compensation, payments for children are continued to age 23, if the children attend school after age 18. Chi1drer~ of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities or who are totally disabled from service may elect to attend school under the War Orphans' Educational Program when they reach age 18. The children and orphans of pensioners are not so fortunately situated under the present law. Providing educational opportunity for as many &s possible has become a generally recognized national goal. In his special message to Congress on January 12, 1965, President Johnson declared, ". . .1 propose that we declare a national goal of full educational opportunity. Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not onlyfor his sake--but for the Na- tion's sake." To further this educational goal, and to remedy in part the existing inadequacy of pension for children pursuing additional schooling, th~ Commission recommends an ad- ditional payment of $10 per month in pension cases for each child between the ages of 18 and 23 who is continuing his education on a substantial basis (half-time or more). This increase is exceedingly modest * In most instances, it will not eliminate the need for a child to supplement available income in order to acquire an education. But this income would surely help toward the goal of additional training. RECOMMENDATION NO. 19 The Commission recommends that pensioners who have reached age 72 and who have been receiving disability or death pension for two years shall not have their pension re- duced by reason of fluctuation in annual income or estate. Background to Recommendation: The disability and death pension programs are intended as an honorable means of providing an income supplement to needy veterans or widows of wartime periods of service. The amount of pension payable, if any, is determined by the 17 PAGENO="0062" 2770 amount of other income to which the beneficiary is entitled. In cases where a pensioner has be~nonthe rolls for a num- ber of years and has grown to depend on the VA pension as an integral part of his financial security in old age, changes in income, which generally would be insignificant, should not be permitted to affect his pension materially. The Social Security system functions so that earnings are not a factor in the amount a retiree receives after his seventy-second birthday. Until age 72, the amount of benefits a retiree receives in any given year is directly related to his earnings and the number of months he has worked. Alter attaining age 72, however, the retiree is paid full benefits no matter how much he earns. The Commission believes the veterans' and dependents' pension system should operate in the same way, since almost all pensioners who have reached age 72 and have been re- ceiving pension for two years have static incomes. There- fore, the Commission recommends that when these two conditions are met, with certain safeguards, these pensioners be allowed to continue on the pension rolls without regard to income or estate conside rations * In many instances, the only practical effect would be that these elderly people would be relieved of the formality of reporting their incomes each year. If a pensioner's income decreases sufficiently, how- ever, he should beallowedtofilea revised income statement and his pension increased according to the pension rate schedule. This recommendation would assure aged pen- sioners of the same rate of pension without regard to in- creases that may occur in their income after age 72 if changes in dependency status occur which are material to pension entitlement, however, the pension would be adjusted accordingly. RECOMMENDATION NO. 20 The Commission recommends that the provisions of law providing for reduction of pension during periods of hos- pitalization be made similar for both the protected and cur- rent pension programs. Background to Recommendation: 38 USC 3203 (a) (1), as retainedbyPL 86-211, Sec. 9 (b), provides that, in cases of unmarried VA. hospitalized veterans without dependents, the basic rates of $66.15 and $78.75 payable to those receiving benefits under the "old" (pro- 18 PAGENO="0063" 2771 tected) pension program shall continue until the end of the sixth calendar month of VA maintenance. Thereafter, 50 percent of these amounts is withheld. The withheld amount is paid to the veteran in a lump sum upon termination of hospitalization. 38 Usc 3203 (d) (current), whichapplies to pension under Public Law 86-211, provides that, in similar cases, pension shall continue until the end of the second calendar month following the month of admis sion to the hospital. Thereafter, the award is reduced to $30 per month and the difference is not paid to the veteranupon termination of hospitalization. The only material difference in these two groups of vet- erans is that one applied for and received pension prior to July 1, 1960, while the second applied for and received pen- sion after that date, or elected to receive pension under Public Law 86-211. Legislative committees have made many studies of this subject during the past several years. The Commission believes that the amounts and length of reduction should be the same in both instances and there- fore recommends that hospital reduction provisions of both laws be amended so that awards will be reduced to 50 per- cent of entitlement or $30 a month, whichever is greater, the first day of the third calendar month after date of ad- mission to VA hospitalization. Further, that the amount withheld, not to exceed $500, will be paid in a lump sum to the veteran upon his approved discharge~. RECOMMENDATION NO. 21 The Commission recommends that SGLI payments not be counted as income against the parents' pension. Background to Recommendation: Pension is payable to disabled veterans with qualifying service and to their surviving dependents, based on need which is determined largely by income. Under the law, payments must be counted from all sources, with certain exceptions. The current pension law specifically excludes payments under policies of United States Government Life Insurance or National Service Life Insurance, and payments of serv- icemen's indemnity. However, no me nt i on is made of 19 PAGENO="0064" 2772 payments under a policy of Servicemen's Group Life Insur.. ance. Accordingly, if a pensioner becomes entitled to such insurance because his son is killed in service, the additional income could adversely affect his pension, and may even terminate the pension. The Commission believes that this was not the intent of Congress and therefore recommends that Servicemen's Group Life Insurance payments should be excluded in determining a parent's pension entitlement. This exclusion would avoid a severe financial penalty to a pen- sioner resulting from his loss of a child who is serving his country. RECOMMENDATION NO. 22 The Commission recommends that the prepayment on a mortgage in any amount in the year of death of the veteran or his spouse, or in the following year, be excluded in det- termining the survivor's annual income. Background to Recommendation: Current law requires that payments from all sources, except those specifically exempted, must be considered in determining entitlement to certain benefits. The proceeds of commercial life insurance, including that for mortgage satisfaction purposes, paid to the beneficiary, are included. However, if the mortgage insurance ispaidtothe mortgagee upon the death of the veteran or his spouse, in an amount equal to or less than the indebtedness against the property mortgaged, it is not counted as income of the survivor. If there remains any balance which is paid to the survivor, such balance is counted as income. Mortgage insurance is merely a form of life insurance regardless of its label. Life insurance may be intended as mortgage insurance but not bear the label. In many cases where insurance was not ob- tained or was unobtainable other funds may have been in- tended for mortgage satisfaction. The Commission recommends, therefore, that all mort- gage prepayments in whole or in part, whatever the source, be excluded in determining the survivor's income, when made in the year of death or the succeeding year. 20 PAGENO="0065" 2773 RECOMMENDATION NO. 23 The Commission recommends that joint bank accounts not be considered as income for purposes of computing entitle- ment to death and disability pension. Background to Recommendation: At present, the survivor inheriting a joint bank account must count one-half as income during the year the other person died for purposes of computing benefits. This serves to keep many off the benefit rolls during the first year after death of the veteran, who otherwise should be receiving benefits * The Commis sion therefore recommends that joint bank accounts not be considered as income for purposes of computing entitlement to death and disability pension. They would continue to be counted toward corpus of estate. RECOMMENDATION NO. 24 The Commission recommends that the annual payment by management to a retired employee under a thbor-manage- ment agreement to cover the costs of supplementary medical care under the Social Security Act be excluded in deter- mining annual income. Background to Recommendation: Current law requires that where income is a factor in determining entitlement to gratuitous benefits, payments of all kinds and from all sources will be considered, except those specifically excluded by law. Contributions made by a public or private employer to a public or private health or hospitalization plan for an active or retired employee can be excluded from income. However, where such amount is paid directly to the employee who, in turn, pays for a health or hospitalization plan, this cannot be excluded from income in determining benefit entitlement, unless it represents re- imburs ement for employer's obligation. Because of the obvious inequity in determining amount of income due solely to the method of payment, the Com- mission believes that the amount a retired pensioner re- ceives from his former employer to cover the costs of supplemental medical care under the Social Security Act should be excluded in determining income. 21 91-670 0 - 68 - 5 PAGENO="0066" 2774 RECOMMENDATION NO. 25 The Commission recommends that Title 38 USC be amended to exclude from consideration as income that portion of a claimant's retirement which is based solely on the number of dependents. Background to Recommendation: Where income is a factor in determining entitlement to gratuitous benefits, the law provides that income of all kinds and from all sources will be included, with several specific exclusions. Social Security benefits payable to a veteran or widow pensioner are included as incomeforallpurposes, and Rail- road Retirement benefits are included as income for all pur- poses except for prior law disability pensioners. Since Social Security entitlement, based on a worker's earnings, is also provided by law for a worker's wife and children, such payments to them are not considered as his income for pension purposes. Also, where payments are made to a widow and children, only the widow's benefit is considered income in determining her eligibility for VA benefits. However, Railroad Retirement benefits, by law, are paid only to the retired worker. Even though an addi- tional allowance is payable for dependents, they have no individual right to it, and thus, the entire payments must be considered as the retiree's income for pension purposes. A.dditional benefits solely because of the existence of de- pendents is common to other retirement systems, plans and programs, public and private. The same criteria applicable to income computation af- fect dependent parents receiving DIG. The Commission feels that this is inadequate and recommends the exclusion from the income computation of that portion of a retirement benefit based on a dependent's existence. RECOMMENDATION NO. 26 The Commission recommends several improvements in cemetery administration and burial allowance. Background to Recommendation: Four cemetery systems are managed by Federal agencies. The National Cemetery system operated by the 22 PAGENO="0067" 2775 Army is the largest. Overseas cemeteries are operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission. The Vet- erans Administration controls a number of cemeteries ad.. jacent to its installations. The Department of Interior manages, as part of the National Park Service, cemeteries transferred from A.rmy jurisdiction in 1933. Because the national system began as Civil War burial grounds, most of the cemeteries are in the East. Their expansion has been sporadic, and since 1950, no new ceme- teries have been added. The 85 cemeteries which constitute the national system occupy more than 3,700 acres of land and have potential for 1,200,000 gravesites, 58 percent of which have already been developed. Eighty percent of the developed gravesites are occupied or reserved, with the remaining 20 per cent available for burials. Approximately one million gravesites can be made available for future use within the current acreage. The Battle Monuments Commission controls 23 over- seas cemeteries, which are closed to burial except for bodies found on battlefields. The Veterans Administration has 24 cemeteries, six of which are closed; 131,000 of the total VA gravesites available are filledand3l5,000are open for future burials. The National Park Service controls, as national monuments, 13 cemeteries, which encompass 175 acres. Six of these cemeteries are still open, but availa- bility for future burials is limited. Eligibility for burials in Federally-operated cemeteries varies with the operating agencies. Eligibility for burial in the national cemeteries and the Park Service cemeteries embraces active duty personnel, as well as honorably dis- charged veterans of U.S. service or citizens who served honorably in allied Armed Forces, including their spouses and minor children. Eligibility for burial in the Battle Monuments cemeteries is closed except for cases previously mentioned. The Veterans Administration usually restricts eligibility to veterans who die in VA. facilities or in the vicinity thereof and whose bodies are unclaimed. Veterans' widows and children may be included under certain circum- stances. Although eligibility for burial in Federally-operated cemeteries legally extends to approximately 26 million living ex-servicemen, in practice, eligibility is limited by the restricted availability of space and by the geographical distribution of the cemeteries. In fiscal years 1963-65, approximately fifteen percent of all veterans who died were buried in Federal cemeteries. However, of those who died within 100 miles of a national cemetery in 1963, approxi- mately 50 percent were buried ma Federal cemetery. Thus, 23 PAGENO="0068" 2776 opportunity to exercise the benefit is unequal and will be- come more so as cemeteries are filled, If the rate of burial in national cemeteries should cpntinue as in fiscal years 1963-65, all developed gravesites will be filled by 1974 and the now undeveloped acreage would be exhausted before the year 2000. But the 1963-65 rate cannot be maintained be- cause of the imminent closing of some cemeteries, while others will continue in operation many years beyond the year 2000. The present jurisdictional arrangements involve four agencies of the government only one of which, the Battle Monuments Commission, has a primary.mission dealing with cemetery management. Proposals have been and con- tinue to be made that the four systems be merged under a single management. To the Commission, the Veterans Administration, which is organized to administer the affairs of veterans, is the most logical choice for administering cemeterial activities related to the interment of veterans. The Commission is pleased to note that on October 20, 1967, the House of Representatives transferred oversight of all Federal cemeteries where veterans are, or may be, buried, in this country and abroad, from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to the Veterans' Affairs Com mittee, with the exception of those few national cemeteries administered by the Secretary of the Interior as part of the National Park System. The Commission believes that the oversight of veterans cemeteries by the same Congressional body which deals with all other veterans legislative matters is distinctly a forward step. The Commission fully endorses the President's message of January 30, 1968, and believes that the recommendations contained herein fulfill the President's request for positive proposals to assure that veterans have an opportunity to be buried in a national cemetery near their home. The Com- mission also realizes that the question of entitlement for a cemetery plot cannot be isolated completely from the ques- tion of the current burial allowance. The Commission firmly believes that the existence of veterans burial allow- ances should not be compromised by the existence of any other burial or death benefit, public or private. While recognizing the progress that has been made, the Commis sion makes the following recommendations: (1) that the entire Federal cemetery function, with ex- ception of the Department of Interior cemeteries, be re- assigned to the Veterans A.dministration; 24 PAGENO="0069" 2777 (Z) that, without delay, the Administrator of Veterans Affairs conduct a study on methods of providing burial grounds for all veterans convenient to their homes; (3) that the Administrator establish uniform criteria for eligibility for burial in the Federal cemetery system; (4) that Arlington National Cemetery be reopened to all eligible veterans until it is completely filled; (5) that the burial allowance for veterans be increased to $400, $100 of which shall be reserved for payment toward a gravesite for those not buried in national cemeteries; (6) that the burial allowance not be denied to any veteran because of the existence of any other burial or death bene- fit, public or private. 25 PAGENO="0070" 2778 Educational and Training Assistance RECOMMENDATION NO. 27 The Commission recommends that veterans with service- connected disabilities be allowed to pursue vocational rehabilitation on a part-time basis. Background to Recommendation: The vocational rehabilitation program (chapter 31, title 38 U.S.C.) provides training for veterans of World War II and later service who have been handicapped by service. The program intends to help restore the employability of these veterans to an extent consistent with their degrees of disability. The law provides that training must be pursued on a full-time basis. Experience has shown that some disabled veterans have family responsibilities which preclude them from partici- pating in vocational rehabilitation training on a full-time basis. The option of part-time training would allowmanyof these men to learn a skill. Other veterans, while able to perform sometype of gain- ful employment despite their disabilities, would like to participate in such training on a part-time basis, in order to improve their employment status. Except for their CHAPTER III 27 PAGENO="0071" 2779 PAGENO="0072" 2780 PAGENO="0073" 2781 disabilities, these men would most likely have been able to attain more lucrative jobs and thereby achieve higher stand- ards of living. Thus, they should be permitted to take vocational rehabilitation on a part-time basis while they are employed so that they can achieve the positions and in- come they might have attained but for their service-connected disabilities. The President has recognized the problem and has pro- posed its solution in his message to the Congress of Janu- ary 30, 1968. He stated therein: "Presently, a disabled veteran can take Vocational Rehabilitation and receive a training allowance only if he trains full-time. This restriction may present him with a hard choice: either leave his job for train- ing, or forego the training itself. "Clearly, that choice is unfair. "The disabled veteran should be able to keep his job while he prepares for a better one through vocational training, drawing the allowance it provides." This statement clearly and concisely expresses the views of this Commission. Therefore, the Commis sion recommends p r o v i d in g service-connected disabled veterans with the opportunity to take vocational rehabilitation training on half-time and three - quarter-time bases. Pro-rata subsistence allowance rates would be paid the veteran, and no subsistence allowance would be paid for less than half-time training. Part-time training would be limited to institutional training, unless the Administrator determined that it would be in the veteran's best interest to pursue on-the-job training on a part-time basis. RECOMMENDATION NO. 28 The Commission recommends that when otherwise qualified vocational rehabilitation training be made available to vet- erans who lose employability due to technological changes in their occupations. Background to Recommendation: The vocational rehabilitation program is intendedto help restore the employability of veterans handicapped by service. Once veterans have received vocational rehabilitation 28 PAGENO="0074" 2782 training and have had their employability restored, their eligibility for further training terminates, except in the following circumstances: 1. The veteran's service-connected disability has in- creased in severity so that he cannot perform the employ- ment for which he was trained; 2. The training previously afforded the veteran is found to be inadequate to restore the veteran's employability; or 3. Experience has indicated that the employment for which the veteran was trained is not available. In our increasingly complex society, economic adjust- ments are often required by the changed nature of jobs. The physically and mentally handicapped have more difficulty adjusting to these changes than the non-disabled. In recog- nition of this problem, the Commission recommends subject to reasonable time limitations, establishing a fourth category under which veterans may enter training, if they lose em- ployability due to technological changes in the occupations in which they were employed, whether or not they were previously rehabilitated under veterans vocational rehabili- tation programs. RECOMMENDATION NO. 29 The Commission recommends that eligible veterans, on the basis of established need, be permitted to receive educational assistance from other Federal programs to supplement their G. I. Bill benefits. Background to Recommendation: In order to prevent the duplication of benefits paid from the Federal Treasury, paragraph 1781 of. title 38 U.s.c. provides, in effect, that no educational assistance allowance under chapters 34 or 35 will bepaidto a veteran while he is enrolled in and pursuing an educational program paid by the United States, if payment of the allowance would constitute a duplication of benefits. In cases of duplication, a veteran will usually elect to receive the VA benefit, since this is generally greater than an educational opportunity grant. However, the veteran may need another grant to supplement his G.I. Bill assistance. For example, under Part IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, educational opportunity grants, ranging from $200 to $800 a year, are awarded a limited number of undergradu- ates with exceptional need. These grants are intended to 29 PAGENO="0075" 2783 be supplemented by other sources of assistance, such as the work-study and low interest guaranteed loan programs pro- vided under the Higher Education Act of 1965. However, the veteran is presently denied the choice of accepting both an educational opportunity grant and his G.I. Bill allowance, no matter how great his need. To remedy this sort of situation, the Commission rec- ommends that eligible veterans, on the basis of established need, be permitted to receive educational assistance from other Federal programs in order to supplement their G.I. Bill benefits. The needs criterion would limit the amount of Federal aid a veteran may accept under the non-G.I. Bill program to the total amount required for reaching his edu- cational objective. This criterioii would apply only to the concurrent receipt of G.I. Bill and other Federal educational benefits. RECOMMENDATION NO. 30 The Commission recommends establishment of an educa- tional assistance program for widows receiving DIC. Background to Recommendation: Upon the deaths of their husbands, widows of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities often face an abrupt loss of adequate financial support, andmust,in many instances, adjust their living standards to a substantially lower level. Barring employment or remarriage, their ex- pectations for income are limited to VA benefits and, perhaps, to Social Security. At present, the currentmonthly DIC payment for all widows averages $153.79. The modest security provided by DIC should not induce widows to lead withdrawn or sheltered lives. It is preferable and necessary to encourage widows to return to the "main stream," both economically and socially. This goal could be furthered through additional training and education. Additional training would make it possible for widows to supplement their income, thereby enabling them to achieve a comfortable standard of living. The national economy would benefit from such training because the costs of train- ing would eventually be returned as additional income tax revenues. In addition, the nation would gain needed skills for its manpower resources. 30 PAGENO="0076" 2784 Widows receiving DIC as of June 30, 1967, numbered 153,105. Of these, an identifiable group now evolving from the hostilities in Vietnam (and elsewhere around the globe) is estimated in excess of 8,300. Theseyoungerwidows have attracted considerable concern because many of them were married before they had a chance to complete their educa- tion ortopracticetheir skills inawork setting. It is obvious that this group would benefit from additional education and training. Older widows receiving DIC would also gain, for now they often experience difficulty in finding employment because of their age or because their skills are outmoded. The Commission recommends a training program for all widows receiving DIC. We believe such training should be directed toward a goal assuring employment, rather than function as a program of general education. Under our program, financial assistance would be pro- vided each eligible widow by increasing her DIC at the rate of $100 per month while enrolled in and pursuing an approved full-time program. For minimum schooling of three regular class sessions per week, widows would receive $60 per month in addition to DIC payments. Entitlement to training would* extend for a maximumof 36 months. Eligibility for enroll- ment in this program would expire at the end of eight years from the date of death of the veteran from whom eligibility is ~1erived or from the date of legislative enactment, which- ever is later. Criteria for approval of courses and measurement of full-time and part-time training would parallel those which apply to enrollment under Chapter 35, Title 38 U.S.C. Counseling for this training program would be optional but required for a second change in program or for re-entry after termination for unsatisfactory progress or conduct. RECOMMENDATION NO. 31 The Commission recommends establishment of an educa- tional assistance program for wives of veterans who have a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability. Background to Recommendation: Totally disabled veterans and their families must rely on VA compensation for support. Although. this level of 31 PAGENO="0077" 2785 maintenance is above poverty criteria, it is, in most cases, much less than the standard of living which the veteran, but forhis service disability, could have expectedtoprovide for his family. It is seldom possible to rehabilitate the totally disabled veteran economically. Therefore, an equitable alternative lies in a program of educational assistance for the veteran's wife. Such a program would enable her to supplement the income of the family of the veteran totally incapacitated due to service. Thus, the Commission recommends a program of edu- cation and training for the wives of veterans who have a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service- connected disability. This program would be similar in all respects to that proposed for widows receiving DIC, except that eligibility for enrollment would expire at the end of eight years fromthe date of a veteran's total disability rating or from the date of legislative enactment, whichever is later~ 32 PAGENO="0078" 2786 CHAPTER IV Housing ~ and Other ~1it Assistance RECOMMENDATION NO. 32 The Commission r e c o m m end s that the VA be allowed to expand its direct loan program throughout the United States. Background to Recommendation: The Veterans Administration is authorized to make direct loans only in rural areas, small cities and towns where private credit is not generally available. Veterans and servicemen residing elsewhere and need- ing to buy a home must find private lenders who are willing to make them a VA guaranteed loan. All too often, such veterans are unable to obtain g u a r a n t e e d loans. This usually occurs when there is a heavy demand for capital on the part of business and industry, so that the flow of money into mortgages is sharply curtailed. Loans can still be obtained, but the interest rates needed to compete for capi- tal funds tend to rise above the allowable rate for guaranteed loans. Thus, thousands of veterans who need homes cannot obtain loans to finance their purchases, and must forego, or at least defer, their purchases until some later date. Only 21 percent of the veteran population currently resides in areas eligible for direct loans, and the balance are subject to the disadvantages described above. This inequity is coupled with another problem for Vietnam Era 33 PAGENO="0079" 2787 veterans and active duty servicemen. Shortly after they received eligibility for VA loans in 1966, a severe credit shortage developed which sharply curtailed the availability of private capital for investment in VA guaranteed loans. Thus, these veterans are subjected to disadvantages which did not apply initially to World War II and Korean Conflict veterans. To rectify this inequity to Vietnam Era veterans and to extend equal loan assistance to veterans throughout the country, the Commission recommends that the VA be en- abled to expand its direct lending program throughout the country so that veterans and servicemen may purchase homes whenever and wherever they need them. If private lenders are willing to make VA guaranteed loans, the Con-i- mis sion believes this should constitute the preferred method. If, however, a qualified veteran is unable to find such a private lender, the VA should make the loandirectly. RECOMMENDATION NO. 33 The Commission endorses the proposal that the maximum loan guaranty be increased from $7, 500 to $10, 000, and recommends that the maximum direct loan amount be in- creased to $20, 000, Background to Recommendation: The VA loan guaranty is the Government protection af- forded to private lenders in lieu of the substantial down payments and shorter terms associated with conventional loans. There are no limitations on the amount of a guar- anteed loan, but the guaranty itself is limited to 60 percent of the loan amount up to a maximum of $7,500. If the VA guaranty provides less than adequate invest- ment protection, in the view of lenders and investors, these firms and institutions will withdraw from participation in the program. Veterans would then be obliged either to obtain more costly financing or to forego home purchases. When the $7,500 maximum guaranty was approved in 1950, the average amount of home loans guaranteed was $7,800 and most home loans were guaranteed for the maxi- mum 60 percent of the loanamountwithinthe $7,500 ceiling. In 1967, the average loan amount was $17,390 and the $7,500 guaranty afforded only 43 percent protection. 34 PAGENO="0080" 2788 In rural areas, small cities, and towns where guaranteed loans are not generally available, the VAmakes direct home loans to supplement the basic loan guaranty program. Gen- erally, the terms and conditions of direct loans should be as nearly equal to those of guaranteed loans as possible. Direct loans are subject to a maximum amount limitation, presently $17,500, except that, where cost levels require, the maximum may not exceed $25,000. A veteran obtaining a direct loan must make a down payment equal to the dif- ference between the purchase price of the house he buys and the maximum allowance amount for direct loans. The maximum amount of direct loans has been increased four times since the initial $10,000 maximum was established in 1950, in order to keep pace with the increasing cost of homes. In 1950, the average direct loan arriount was $6,400, but by 1967, it had increased to $12,200. Given these increases in average loan amounts for both guaranteed and direct loans, the Commission fully endorses and supports the proposal that the maximum loan guaranty be in c r e a s e d to $10, 000, that the maximum direct loan amount be increased to $20, 000, with the provision that the VA be permitted to make larger loans not to exceed $30, 000, in areas where cost levels so require. The increase in the maximum guaranty should, in the view of the Commission, serve to attract the investment of more private capital in guaranteed mortgage loans. In addition, such an increase would reduce the possibility of veterans being obliged to make substantial down payments on guraranteed loans, or having to undertake more costly financing, or forego home purchases. The recommended increase in the maximum direct loan amount would place veterans in non-urban areas on a practically equal footing with veterans in urban areas in respect to the amount of the loans available to them. In areas where construction costs are unusually high, such as Alaska, the maximum must be increased to $30,000 if vet- erans are to be properly served. RECOMMENDATION NO. 34 - The Commission recommends that direct loans be author- ized to totally disabled service-connected veterans through- out the country r e g a r dl e s s of the availability of private capital. Background to Recommendation: The VA is authorized to make direct loans only in rural areas, small cities and towns where private credit for making 35 PAGENO="0081" 2789 VA guaranteed loans is determinedto be not generally avail- able. Frequently, credit is short in other parts of the country as well. During such credit-short periods, veterans and servicemen are unable to find private lenders willing to make VA guaranteed loans. The paraplegic veteran who has obtained a $10,000 grant for a specially-adapted house finds that he cannot finance the remainder of his home pur- chase with a VA guaranteed loan, and must resort to more costly conventional financing. The Commission believes the 103,000 totally disabled service-connected veterans deserve assurance of the avail- ability of G.I. housing credit assistance. Therefore, we recommend that the VA be authorized to make direct loans, on a preferential basis, to 100 percent disabled service- connected veterans in any place of the country, without meeting all of the customary stringent requirements. RECOMMENDATION NO. 35 The Commission recommends liberalization in VA policy regarding liability for losses on defaulted loans. Background to Recommendation: When a veteran or serviceman obtains a loan guaranteed by the VA, he obligates himself to indemnify the VA for any loss sustained from default on this loan. A veteran may be released from this obligation upon reselling his property if he files the appropriate VA form and obtains the Agency's approval on the prospective buyer as an acceptable credit risk. If these arrangements have not been made, the veteran is still liable if a subsequent owner of the property defaults on the loan and the VA incurs a loss. In that event, the vet- eran is notified of the debt established against him, and he is requested to pay it. This default has been incurred by the last owner of the property and is usually unavoidable so far as the veteran is concerned. Yet, the veteran must accept the financial burden of paying off the debt. This burden is inconsistent with the benefit concept of the loan guaranty program. The Commission accepts the basic concept that a vet- eran or serviceman who obtains a VA loan should continue to be liable on the note until the loan is paid in full or until he is released from liability to the VA. However, the 36 91-670 0 - 68 - 6 PAGENO="0082" 2790 Commission believes some liberalization should be made in VA policy regarding liabilityfor losses on defaulted loans. The Administrator can waive recovery of overpayments arising out of any benefits administered by the VA as well as the payment of debts resulting from loan guaranty opera- tions. The provisions of law authorizing waiver are con- tingent upon a finding that the overpayment of debt arose "without fault on the part of the veteran," thus precluding a balancing of fault and denying waiver if the veteran is held to be even slightly at fault. To liberalize the loan guaranty operation and to stand- ardize VA policies, the Commission- recommends that the pertinent laws (38 USC 1820 (a) (4) and 3102 (a)) be amended to delete the requirementthat the veteranbe "without fault." In addition to these changes in present law, the Commission recommends that the VA continue its studies to solve the problems of relieving the veteran from financial liability resulting from events subsequent to his selling his home in good faith. RECOMMENDATION NO. 36 The Commission recommends that a full and immediate study be made of the possibility of making a group plan of mortgage protection life insurance an integral part of the VA loan program, with such coverage mandatory on future loans and optional on outstanding loans, and further that the study include recommendations on the manner of early im- plementation of such a program. Background to Recommendation: In most jurisdictions title to the property securing a guaranteed loan is held by the veteran and spouse either as tenants by the entirety or joint tenants. Therefore, the widow obtains title by operation of law upon the death of her husband subject to the existing GI loan, and the widow is still liable for the unpaid balance on the GI loan. Frequently, the expense of maintaining the home without the income formerly provided by her deceased husband necessitates the widow having to sell the property, often at a financial loss. In addition to the economic hardship which frequently results, widows tend to suffer social dislocation because they are uprooted from their homes and communi- ties. 37 PAGENO="0083" 2791 If the widow is unable to sell the property and is unable to make the mortgage payments, permitting the loan to go into default, the subsequent foreclosure may result in an indebtedness being established against her. Although such indebtedness ~ be established against the widow, the VA has taken a very liberal position in such cases and in prac- tically all instances has waived the indebtedness of the widow. Mortgage protection life insurance would avert these hardships by assuring funds for the payment of the outstand- ing balance on a guaranteed loan held bya veteran who dies. This would give the widow the privilege of determining whether, based on her particular situation, she may want to continue to reside in the property as a home for herself and children or to sell it under such terms as may be ad- vantageous to her in improving her overall financial con- dition. To make such insurance available to veterans at low cost, a large number would have to participate. In that case, one or more private insurance companies would be able to underwrite a group policy at less than ordinary commercial rates. It would cost only three percent more for commercial insurers to operate a group program than for the Government to operate a self-supporting group program. A group program for mortgage protection life insurance would be practicable only on new loans, where coverage and premium collections can be made almost automatically, unless specifically declined by the veteran. Insurance on outstanding loans would have to be entirely voluntary and would require evidence of insurability. A group mortgage life insurance program has both advantages and disadvantages. However, the Commission believes that such a program is worth immediate study. Therefore, we recommend that serious consideration be given to making a group plan of mortgage protection life insurance an integral part of the VA loan program, with Such coverage mandatory on future loans and optional on outstanding loans. The Commission further recommends that the study include considerations and recommendations looking toward early implementation of such a plan. 38 PAGENO="0084" 2792 CHAPTER V Insurance -~ RECOMMENDATION NO. 37 The Commission recommends that the NSLI progran~ be reopened for a limited period to allow World War II and Korean Conflict veterans who are uninsurable at standard rates because of service-connected disabilities to apply for an additional $10,000 insurance. Background to Recommendation: The idea of reopening the NSLI program has been under continuous discussion since the 1951 closing of the program. Congress authorized a limited reopening programfrom May 1965 to May 1966. The response indicated there would be little interest in a general reopening. Each World War II and Korean veteran had the opportunity to continue his Government insurance, following separation from service. Those veterans ingood healthupon separation were also able to fulfill any additional insurance needs through commercial coverage at standard rates. Those corning out of service with a serious service-connected dis- ability were not so fortunate - -if they retained their Govern- ment insurance, their maximum coverage was $10,000 because they were uninsurable inthe eyes of the commercial industry. If they did not retain their Government insurance, their dependents were destined to absorb the misfortune created by the military service-connected disability. I 39 PAGENO="0085" 2793 The Commission believes that an added $10,000 insurance should be made available at standard rates for World War II and Korean veterans who are uninsurable at standard rates because of service-connected disability. This cove rage would be in addition to any they already have. This addition would bring him up to the status of the man in similar con- dition discharged from service today. RECOMMENDATION NO. 38 The Commission recommends that the Veterans Administra- tion pursue the possibility of double indemnity for Government insurance policies, with the commercial insurance industry, and if not inordinately expensive, that it be added to the veterans insurance program. Background to Recommendation: The veterans insurance program has been limited to $10,000 since its inauguration in the War Risk Program of 1917. This limit continued in the establishment of USGLIin 1919, NSLI in 1940, VSLIandSDVIin 1951, and VRI and SGLI in 1965. The insurance industry offers the optionaldoubleindem- nity rider benefit to policyholders, at a small additional cost, and has done so for manyyears. Double indemnityoffers an inexpensive means by which the insured may afford an addi- tional measure of protection to his survivors. The Commission finds value in providing the option of double indemnity coverage to veterans. Therefore, we rec- ommend that the VA study this problem. If it is practicable and not inordinately expensive, the double indemnity option should be added to the veterans insurance program. It is assumed the commercial insurance industry would be willing to negotiate a premium rate to cover the cost of double indemnity, just as the industry was willing to do for Servicemen's Group Life Insurance. The total costs for double indemnity on USGLlandNSLlcouldbepaid from Fund earnings, resulting in no cost to the Government, and no out-of-pocket costs to the insured. If extended to VSLI and VRI policies, this would also be true regarding these Fund earnings. For the SDVI Program, there are no Fund earn- ings. For this reason, additional appropriations would be necessary. 40 PAGENO="0086" 2794 RECOMMENDATION NO. 39 The Commission recommends that NSLI participating plan policyholders (those receiving dividends) be permitted to exchange the dividend for permanent, paid-up insurance, on an annual basis, so as to assure some insurance cover- age at death should the policyholder be forced to drop his term policy in later yearsbecause of prohibitive premiums. Background to Recommendation: Over 2 million WW II NSLI policyholders continue to carry their insurance on a term basis - - - rene.wable every five years, at a premium based on their attained age. Unlike permanent plan insurance, which is underwritten at a premium rate which never changes, term insurance is underwritten on the basis of meeting all death claims which are expected to occur within the five-year age grouping of each renewed term period. During the early term periods, the insured enjoys extremely low premium rates which pay only for the insurance protection at the time and contribute nothing toward the later years. Older age groups, on the other hand, will experience more deaths, and the premium must be high during this periodoftimein order to cover the death claims of each higher age. The following shows the annual premium for a $10,000 term policy, not considering any dividend payment: $10, 000 Term Policy Age of Insured Annual Premium 45 55 65 75 $ 117.20 209.50 470.00 1,118.80 The rapid rise from age 65 dramatically portrays the mounting problem which will confront the term policyholder, and the premiumratewhichisrequiredbecause(1) a greater number of deaths will occur at the older ages, (2) there are continually fewer policyholders paying premiums which must be available to meet the death claims costs - - - thus the bur- den falls on the few remaining. In 1965, a Modified Life Plan was introduced as a low- priced solution to this inevitable problem. The plan, at a 41 PAGENO="0087" 2795 low premium which does not increase, provides full cover- age to age 65, after which time the amount of insurance will be reduced by 50 percent, while the premium rate continues at the same low level. Ten percent converted to this plan. 2 million did not. The Commission received much testimony from those who are concerned about the term insurance problem for older veterans. Most of the concern centered on the likeli- hood of loss of insurance coverage during the later years when it would be needed for final medical and funeral ex- penses. The Commission recommends a plan that would permit the insured to elect to exchange his annual dividend for a specified amount of permanent, paid-up non-participating insurance. As long as he continued his term policy, the annual dividend would assure the accumulation of additional amounts of coverage. For example, if the insured started this use of his dividends at age 45, at the end of 20 years he would have about $240 in p e r mane nt, paid-up, non- participating insurance for each $1,000 of term insurance he carried during those 20 years. Thus, a veteran with a $10,000 term policy would have nearly $2500 of paid-up in- surance at age 65. The amount of insurance which could be purchased with the dividends would vary inproportionto the age at entry into the plan. Permanent plan policyholders would be permitted to exchange their dividends on the same basis. RECOMMENDATION NO. 40 The Commission recommends that the Administrator author- ize the payment of interest on several types of delayed insurance payments, at a rate to be established in January of each year, except where the interest payment is $10 or less. Background to Recommendation: Veterans Administration policy (sustained by the Supreme Court) has been to award no interest on delayed insurance payments. The interest earned on a delayed payment is re- tained in the respective trust funds, and is passed on as dividends to all policyholders of participating insurance. 42 PAGENO="0088" 2796 There are two instances where the interest reaches sub- stantial proportions: (1) on amounts due because ofdeathof insureds and payment is delayed; and (2) in USGLI cases where the insured specifically requests the VA to withhold payment of all installments due him on account of his being totally and permanently disabled. Related to this are those instances where the insured, also totally and permanently disabled, is not paid the benefits to which he is entitled be- cause of being incompetent without a guardian. The Commission recommends that interest be paid, at a rate to be established in January of each year (except where the interest is $10 or less) on the following types of delayed insurance payments: a. Death Claims and Matured Endowments--beginning 31 days after date of death, or maturing of insurance, and ending on date preceding first payment to beneficiary. b. Total and Total Permanent Disability, Including Pre- mium Refunds Thereunder--beginning 31 days after receipt of claim together with necessary proof. c. Dividends and Cash Value--beginning 31 days after due, with a similar rule to be applied to any other miscel- laneous refundable amount. RECOMMENDATION NO. 41 The Commission recommends that the Veterans Administra- tion be permitted to adjust VSLI premiums commensurate with the Fund experience. Background to Recommendation: In 1951, PL 82-23 closed NSLI and USGLI to new issues and made available a term insurance policy to those sepa- rated from service on or after April 25, 1951, and before January 1, 1957. The program, Veterans Service Life In- surance (VSLI), was setup on a non-participating basis. The mortality basis used, however, was atahigher rate than re- quired for the program. The VSLI Fund is currently earning $3,000,000 a year, of which about $2,000,000 comes frominterest earned on the Fund in excess of that originally contemplated. The remain- ing $1,000,000 comes from term policyholders who are paying 43 PAGENO="0089" 2797 a premium which is higher than required. This accumulated ~profit is periodically transferred from the VSLI Fund to the U.S. Treasury. Transfers of this nature are likely to occur in the future. The Commission'does not believe Congress intended that the general population should profit at the expense of veter- ans. Some remedial legislation has previously been enacted, but additional action is required to maintain equity. There- fore, the Commission recommends that VSLI premiums be adjusted by the VA in accordance with earnings from the VSLI Fund. RECOMMENDATION NO. 42 The Commission recommends that coverage under Service- men's Group Life Insurance be extended to six months after separation instead of the present 120 days. The Commission further recommends that this coverage be continued indef i- nitely for those who are and remain totally disabled from date of separation from service. Background to Recommendation: Servicemen are now provided full coverage under the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance program for 120 days following separation from service, during which time no premiums are paid. It is also during this period of extended coverage that the veteran may elect to convert his Group in- surance to an individual commercial policy with any partici- pating company.. This privilege primarily benefits those with a service-connected disability, since it guarantees insura- bility at standard commercial rates irrespective of physical condition. Within this group of disabled, for whom the pro- gram is primarily concerned, are those who are totally dis- abled at time of discharge. Their total disabilities may vary from a physical losstoamentalincompetencyso severe that the conversion privileges may be overlooked and lost. The non-disabled veteran should also be provided addi- tional time following discharge to make the necessary adjust- ment to community life, establish financial earnings, and replace his SGLI coverage with an individual policy. Many will lack the funds with which to pay standard insurance rates at time of discharge, andthe 120-dayperiod does not provide a very long time for establishing financial stability. 44 PAGENO="0090" 2798 To help all veterans coping with readjustment to civilian life and to assist veterans totally disabled at time of dis-. charge, the Commission recommends thattheSGLlprogram be expanded to permit conversion of SGLI coverage to be effective six months after separation from service, and to provide SGLI coverage for those totally disabled at time of separation, for as long as they remain totally disabled. These extensions of the SGLI program should not entail ad- ditional premium payments. RECOMMENDATION NO. 43 The Commission recommends that a widow receiving death compensationbecause of her husband's in-service waiver of insurance premiums may elect to receive dependency and indemnity compensation as soon as she has been denied bene- fits in an amount equal to the insurance proceeds. The Commissionfurther recommendsthat the in-service waiver of premiums privilege be discontinued, effective one year after the insured is notified about the discontinuance, and that the insured pay premiums to the Veterans Administra- tion by direct payment or by deduction from service pay. Background to Recommendation: In 1951, Congress enacted the Servicemen's Indemnity Act ($10,000 free insurance) which in some respects was less advantageous to servicemen than their G.I. insurance. In order to disrupt as little as possible the insurance programs already in effect, provision was made to permit term policyholders on active duty to waive the entire pre- mium during service and for 120 days thereafter, while permanent plan policyholders could waive that portion of each premium representing the cost of the pure insurance risk. No new applications for in-service waiver of pre- miums were accepted after December 31, 1956. They could all continue their insurance after leaving the service by paying premiums. In 1957, the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program replaced the free insuranceunderthe Servicemen's Indemnity Act and the death compensation benefits paid to survivors. This new legislation was designed to provide higher benefits for most. Servicemen have been counseled on the effect premium waiver might have on survivors' 45 PAGENO="0091" 2799 benefits--as the family status changes, itmightbe advisable for a serviceman to cancel his in-service waiver of premi- ums so his survivors may receive the higher DIG payments. Another factor favoring DIG payments is that a portion of it varies with the monthly basic pay ~ being received by a serviceman whose rank and years of service are the same as those of the deceased veteran. Because DIG is more advantageous to widows than the death compensation they would receive if an in-service waiver were in effect, the Gommission recommends elimi- nation of the option of waiving payment of premiums while in-service, Thus, widows would no longer suffer a major penalty because of the slight advantage of postponing pay- ment of insurance premiums. In cases where widows are receiving death dompensation because of in-service waivers, some have already been de- nied benefits in anamountinexcessofthe $10,000 face value of their insurance. To assist these widows and others who will move into this situation, the Gommission recommends that on the date when a widow has been disadvantaged to the extent of the insured amount by virtue of the lower death compensation payments, she would have the option of con- tinuing death compensation or receiving DIG payments in- stead. RECOMMENDATION NO. 44 The Commission endorses and recommends passage of leg- islation now pending before the 90th Congress to improve the Government insurance programs. Background to Recommendation: The Gommission is concerned about amending the Gov- ernment insurance program in a number of ways. Several bills now pending in Gongres s des cribe the improvements the Gommission seeks. Therefore,weendorseandurgepassage of the following measures: a. H.R. 1389--to permit the policyholder to use cash surrender value, or matured endowment proceeds, to pur- chase annuities. b. H.R. 1391--to permit every USGLI and NSLI term policyholder, in the event of a policy lapse, to have five years from the date of lapse to effect reinstatement. This would eliminate the inequitable situationnowexisting, where some have three months to reinstate, while others have sixty- two months. 46 PAGENO="0092" 2800 C. H.R. 2910--amended to authorize several important changes to the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Program, which are: (1) Enlarge the classes of persons eligible for SGLI to include cadets at the U. S. Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academy, and Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy, who inadvertently were omitted from such coverage since they do not serve in a "commissioned, warrant or enlisted rank or grade;" (2) Terminate SGLI coverage at the end of the 31st day of a continuous period of absence without leave, instead of the date such absence commenced as provided in existing law; (3) Terminate SGLI coverage at end of the 31st day of a continuous period of (a) confinement by civilian authori- ties under a sentence adjudged byaciviliancourtor (b) confinement by military authorities under a court-martial sentence involving total foreiture of pay and allowances; (4) Terminate the right to convert the group insurance to an individual policy while on active duty, and limit the effective date of such conversions to the 12 1st day after separation or release from active duty- -the day after the normal termination date of SGLI coverage. In accordance with a previous recommendation, the Commission recom- mends that conversions be effective the day following ter- mination of SGLI coverage--6 months after separation. (5) Authorize payment of matured SGLIto a minor widow on her own behalf in a manner similar to that authorized under present law for National Service Life Insurance; (6) Specifically exempt SGLI benefit payments fromtax- ation, claims of creditors, and liability to attachment, levy, or seizure as provided in existing law (38 U.S.C. 3101 (a)) for other benefits due or to become due under laws admin- istered by the Veterans Administration; (7) provide that in the event a serviceman is totally disabled at the time of separation or release from active duty, his SGLI coverage would continue one year after sep- aration, or until his disability ceases to be total in degree, whichever is earlier. The Commission endorses the prin- ciple of this proposal as modified by a previous recom- mendation. (8) provide coverage for ROTC members, cadets, and midshipmen who serve on active duty for training for 31 days or more while attending summer field training or practice cruises; 47 PAGENO="0093" 2801 (9) Provide coverage for members of the Reserves of the uniformed services (including the National Guard and the Air National Guard) while on active duty or active duty train- ing for less than 31 days; while on inactive duty training scheduled in advance by competent authority to begin at a specific time and place; and while traveling directly to or from such duties. Provide for coverage and conversion rights if during such day or travel time the member suffers a disability or aggravation of a preexisting disability, which, within 90 days after such duty or travel date, (a) resulted in his death, or (b) rendered him uninsurable at standard premium rates according to the good health standards approved by the Administrator. RECOMMENDATION NO. 45 The Commission recommends that Government insurance payments be exempted from any taxation, including estate taxes. Background to Recommendation: USGLI and NSLI policies state that the proceeds are ex- empt from taxation. The United States Supreme Court has taken the view that the Federal estate tax was not ataxupon the property in the estate, but rather "an excise imposed upon the transfer of or shifting in relationship to property at death." The court held that the exemption of veterans benefits from taxation did not forbid the inclusion of the proceeds of Government life insurance in computing the gross estate of the decedent, for Federal estate tax purposes. Projections to the year 2000 reflect a substantial rise in economic conditions of both the nation and the individual. As a result, there will beanincreasingnumberofveteran~' es- tates which will exceed the current $60,000 estate tax limit, thus necessitating payment of substantial amounts of estate tax. Since life insurance is designed for the protection of the beneficiary, the Commission believes these monies should be protected for that explicit purpose. Therefore, we rec- ommend that Government insurance payments be exempted from any taxation, including estate taxes. 48 PAGENO="0094" 2802 CHAPTER VI Health Services RECOMMENDATION NO. 46 The Commission recommends extension to Vietnam Era veterans of a complete episode of treatment for all non- compensable dental disabilities found to be present within one year after discharge from military service. Background to Recommendatip~: In 1919, outpatient dental benefits were first authorized and instructions were given for the disposition of dental claims, for establishment of a rating schedule, and for pre- sumption of service connection for a one-year period after discharge. The veteran could apply for and be authorized treatment for service-connected disabilities repeatedly. Public Law 149, 83rd Congress (July 27, 1953), Fiscal Year Appropriation Act, discontinued the one-year presumptive period and instituted a time limit of one year after discharge for filing a claim. Emergency Interim Issue (EM 10-48), October 1, 1953, limited treatment to a one-time episode. The one-time rule was later amended to allow repeat treat- ment for service-connected conditions for(a) former POW's and (b) service-connected trauma, non-compensable condi- tions. Vietnam Era veterans have not been given the benefit of the limited statutory presumption of eligibility for outpatient 49 PAGENO="0095" 2803 dental benefits, although these benefits were extended to earlier war veterans. To establish equity for these recent veterans, the Commission recommends that Vietnam Era veterans be provided a complete episode of treatment for all non-compensable dental disabilities found to be present within one year after discharge from military service. We propose that eligible veterans be given up to one year from the date of separation to file application for this treatment, which must be finished within two years after application is completed. RECOMMENDATION NO. 47 The Commission recommends extension of certain fringe medical benefits to veterans of service on or after Feb- ruary 1, 1955. Background to Recommendation: Since the Korean Conflict, only veterans of the "Cold- War Period," which extends from February 1, 1955 to August 5, 1964, have been excluded from certain fringe medical benefits. The service of these men, however, may have occurred under conditions like those of war. In ~ddition, these men were conscripted and thus subjected to the same disruption in their individual lives as those who served during actual periods of war. Veterans of the Cold-War Period have already been extended certain benefits formerly restricted to wartime periods of service, such as G.I. educational assistance, hospitalization for nonservice-connected di s a b i lit i e s, various pre sumptions of service connection for disablement, and assistance in purchasing an automobile. Inaccordance with these precedents, and in recognition of the nature of service for veterans of the Cold-War Period, the Com- mission recommends that the following fringe medical benefits be extended to veterans with service on or after February 1, 1955: (1) Payment to State homes for part of the cost of hospitalization, domiciliary care, or nursing home care of "each veteran of any war" under 38 USC 641; (2) The program of grants to States to constructnursing home facilities for the care of war veterans (38 USC 5032); (3) Authority to use private contract beds for the hospital care of women veterans and of "veterans of any war" in a commonwealth orpossession for nonservice-connected con- ditions (38 USC 601 (4) C (ii) and (iii)); 50 PAGENO="0096" 2804 (4) Contract hospital care in the Veterans' Memorial Hospital, Republic of the Philippines, for a "veteran of any war" for nonservice-connected disability if he is unable to pay (38 USC 624); and (5) Two-year presumption of service connection for hospitalization or treatment of psychosis (38 USC 602.) RECOMMENDATION NO. 48 The Commission recommends that veterans with nonservice- connected disabilities and who have reached the age of 65 not be required to sign an affidavit stating they are unable to pay the cost of hospital care. Background to Recommenda~ç~ In 1924, Congress authorized the Veterans Bureau to use excess hospital facilities to care for veterans with non- service-connected disabilities who could not afford to pay for care in private hospitals. In subsequent legislation, the veteran was required to sign an oaththathe could not afford to pay for hospital care. In 1962, the VA initiated an ability to pay criterion com- putation and counseling program. If this formula identified the veteran as being able to pay for care, he was counseled. Approximately 18 percent of the veterans counseled withdrew their applications. The criterion program has furnished detailed statistical information on veterans with nonservice-connected disa- bilities who have applied for VA care. The economic profile of veterans age 65 and over reveals that they have a median annual income of $2,760 and significantly less hospital in- surance coverage and ready assets than other veteran groups. Nearly one-half of the older veterans who apply for care receive VA pension. Medically, this group requires care more frequently and suffers disabilities that result inlonger periods of hospitalization. Given these economic and medical characteristics, the Commission believes that the continuing application of the ability to pay affidavit seems to serve no real purpose. In fact, elimination of the counseling procedure would expedite the VA's admitting procedure. WethereforerecOmmefldthat ability to pay the cost of hospital care shall not be a factor in hospital admission for veterans who have attained the age of 65. 51 PAGENO="0097" 2805 RECOMMENDATION NO. 49 The Commission recommends that the Veterans Adminis- tration provide nonservice -connected outpatient medical. benefits for all veterans with service-connected conditions rated 100 percent disabling. Background to Recommendation: Veterans on the VA compensation rolls may be treated in VA outpatient clinics and home-town programs for their service-connected disabilities or related medical condi- tions. They may not receive such treatment for other medical conditions. However, it is the practice in VA hos- pitals to treat the "whole man" whether he is service- connected or not. The extension of general outpatient treat- ment to veterans with service-connected conditions rated 100 percent disabling would tend to reduce their inpatient needs, especially since they would not be forcedto go to the hospital for medical treatment which could be accomplished on an outpatient basis. An outpatient program for all their medical needs would tend to improve physical well-being, slow down physical deterioration, and alleviate some of the need among this group for hospital and nursing home care. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the VA provide a comprehensive outpatient medical care program in its clinics and home-town programs for the care of all conditions of those receiving compensation for 100 percent disability. Such a program should provide complete medi- cal care, including pharmaceutical prescriptions, but would provide dental care only to the extent that such care was required as adjunct to a medical condition. RECOMMENDATION NO. 50 The Commission recommends that legislation be enacted to classify special hand and foot driver control devices re- quired by certain categories of disabled veterans as pros- thetic devices, in cases where the veteran does not receive a grant to cover the cost of the vehicle. Background to Recommendation: The Veterans Administration has furnished grants to approximately 50,000 disabled veterans for the purchase o~ automobiles. Nearly 30,000 of these required driver control 52 91-670 0 - 68 - 7 PAGENO="0098" 2806 modifications of some sort to permit the disabled veteran to operate his vehicle. There are some veterans whose disabilities are not so severe as to establish entitlement for automobiles, but who require driver control devices. The C ommi s sion recommends that the se veterans initially be furnished these devices as prosthetic appliances. RECOMMENDATION NO. 51 The Commission recommends that the Veterans Adminis- trationbe authorized to furnish nursing home care in Alaska and Hawaii by transfer of patients from any hospital in which care has been furnished by the Veterans Administration. Background to Recommendation: There are no veterans hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii. Veterans suffering from nonservice-connected diseases and disabilities cannot be hospitalized in private hospitals at government expense. The Veterans Administration does, however, hospitalize nonservice-connected veterans in other government hospitals where we have specific contracts. Under present law this does not provide eligibility for com- munity nursing home care. The Commission recommends that the Veterans Administration be authorized to furnish nursing home care in Alaska and Hawaii by transfer of pa- tients from any hospital in which care has been furnished by the Veterans Administration. RECOMMENDATION NO. 52 The Commission recommends expansion of the Veterans Administration medical research program. Background to Recommendation: The Commission underscores the fact that the primary mission of the VA medical program is the provision of the highest quality of medical care to its veteran patients. We deeply appreciate the essential contributionthat medical re- search makes to the maintenance of a high-quality level of patient care. 53 PAGENO="0099" 2807 The VA hospital system affords unique opportunities for medical research. As President Johnson stated inhis mes- sage of January 30, 1968, the gain made from VA research makes it one of the nation's best investments. Its profes- sional resources and facilities have not only improved veterans' care, but have contributed to American medicine as a whole. The history of the contributions of veterans' medicine to the conquest and alleviation of disease and dis- ability is gratifying. Particularly noteworthy are the con- tributions to tuberculosis control and mental disease con- trol. Without the VA' s support in prosthetic device research, the situation might well be abysmal. While the Commission fully supports the VA medical research program and recommends expansion, it believes that mission oriented research should receive primary con- sideration and emphasis. The magnitude of the psychiatric load in VA hospitals indicates the need for a much greater allocation of research in this area of care. The problems of aging which now account for approximately one-third of VA admissions, require continuing and accelerated research effort. The Commission wishes to emphasize the need for ac- celerated research and application of methods for treatment of alcoholics. In addition to an expanded research program in this field, we would like to see alcoholic treatment centers established for veterans. The Commission is deeply concerned over the possibility that the VA hospital system could develop into two classes of hospitals having disparate quality levels of care. The very nature of research effort is the establishment of cen- ters of excellence. Talented researchers gravitate towards these centers which in turn receive greater financial sup- port and thereby attract even more researchers. There is no question that these medical centers furnish the highest level of patient care. Our concern lies with the VA hospitals which are isolated from these stimulating influences, both professional and budgetary. The Commission feels that the VA can, by the very nature of its organizationa' structure and capacity for leadership, apply imaginative approaches to raising the level of professional competence at these hospitals. Immediate and dynamic research is required to improve the delivery of the highest quality medical care to all veteran patients regardless of where they may be hospitalized. Some stimulation may come from the newly developing regional medical centers. The C omm i s s i on believes, 54 PAGENO="0100" 2808 however, that the Veterans Administration itself must fur- nish the necessary leadership, competence, and communi- cation so that each veterans' hospital may become a center of excellence. RECOMMENDATION NO. 53 The Commission recommends an acceleration of the pro- gram of modernization and replacement of the Veterans Ad- ministration hospital and domiciliary system. Background to Recommendation; The contribution that the VA-operated hospital system has made to the enhancement of medical technology in our country and its contribution to the general medical well being of that part of the veteran population entitled to the service the system provides is magnificent. No small part of the VA's ability to make these two major contributions may be attributed to a forward looking improvement, mod- ernization and new construction program of their plants. The tempo and magnitude of the improvement and moderni- zation of the physical plant and new construction has not been what it should be. It should be increased. The Com- mission strongly recommends that the new constructionand modernization program be materially increased in order to stay ahead of inroads of depreciation and obsole scence. RECOMMENDATION NO. 54 The Commission recommends that salaries for Veterans Administration personnel be raised to, and maintained at, levels which will enable the Veterans Administration to compete effectively in recruiting and retaining essential personnel. Background to Recommendationj The shortage of skilled manpower in almost every pro- fessional and technicaL area, throughout the nation, is a problem which has confronted the nation for several years. Although efforts are under way to alleviate this situation, it is impossible to predict when a supply-demand equilibrium 55 PAGENO="0101" 2809 might be achieved. Rapid technological advances in many fields have accentuated the present shortage of sufficiently skilled personnel. This is particularly true in such medical specialties as radiology, pathology, anesthesiology and psychiatry. The VA has developed an outstanding professional en- vironment by making available opportunities for perform- ance at the highest professional level and for continued participation in research and education. This has helped to improve its competitive position. However, VA ~alary levels, fixed by law, are below those in the private sector. If the VA is to continue to attract and retain physicians, nurses, lawyers, physical and social scientists and other skilled technicians with high capabilities, the Agency must be able to offer them salaries set at levels which more closely approximate those available elsewhere. Accordingly, the Commis sion recommends that salaries for VA personnel be raised to, and maintained at, levels which will enable the VA to recruit and retain in competi- tion with other demands for these scarce category per son- nel. RECOMMENDATION NO. 55 The Commission recommends expansion of the Veterans Administration program of training medical and paramedi- cal personnel. Background to Recommendation: The Commission shares the general concern of the nation over the growing national shortage of health service man- power, but it is particularlyconcerned, because the VA must compete for, attract, and retain a significant segment of the total health manpower supply available in the nation in order to maintain its medical program for veterans. Failure to maintain its competitive position in the face of ever-in- creasing demands on the supply of available medical man- power could result in the gradual deterioration of the health care provided to veterans. The shortage of health service manpower is considered acute today. It is expected to become even more serious in the immediate future. In his 1967 Health and Education Message, the President, Lyndon B. Johnson, stated: 56 PAGENO="0102" 2810 "Within the next decade this nation will need one million more health workers." Congress recognized the VA's potential for training health personnel with its unanimous passing of PL 89-785 in 1967. But the vast potential of the VA for training per- sonnel in the entire spectrum of healthoccupations has been incompletely utilized. The Commis sion strongly recommends that the VA utilize its network of hospitals and its skilled personnel to the greatest degree possible to trainmore personnel inthe health occupations. This action will serve not onlythe desired na- tional purpose, but will also better equip the Agency to per- form its function of caring for veterans. The Commission further wishes tocommendthePresidentfor recognizing this urgent issue and requesting the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to accelerate the training of medical specialists. RECOMMENDATION NO. 56 The Commission recommends that proximity to medical teaching and research centers be only one and not the con- trolling consideration in locating and modernizing hospitals. Background to Recommendation: The Commission recognizes the value in terms of im- proved quality of medical care of locating veterans hospitals in reasonable proximity to medical teaching and research centers. U~nfortunately, the number of suchcenters now and in the foreseeable future is so limit~ed that the total applica- tion of this principle is unrealistic. Limiting major modernization and new construction projects to such locations would seriously inconvenience large segments of the veteran populationthatare not located immediately adjacent to medical centers. Therefore, the C ommi 5 sion recommends that the Veterans Administration, in determining what hospitals should be constructed or what pre sent hospitals should be modernized, should use proximity to present teaching and research centers as only one and not the controlling consideration. 57 PAGENO="0103" 2811 RECOMMENDATION NO. 57 The Commission recommends that authorization for con- struction grants for state nursing homes be extended for five years beyond the June 30, 1969 expiration date. Background to Recommendation; The program of Federal participation in the construction of state home facilities for furnishing nursing home care was originally prescribed by Public Law 88-450 in August 1964. The law authorized $5,000,000per year for five years (FY 1965-1969) for up to 50 percent of costs of construction, renovation, and initial equipment. No appropriation was made for FY 1965 because time was needed for the VAto develop regulations and procedures, and for the states to develop their plans and submit applica- tions. In FY 1966, $2-l/Zmillionwas appropriated; $4 mil- lion was appropriated for FY 1967; and $4 million has been requested for FY 1968. To date, fifteen project applications have been received. Thirteen have been approved, and two are under review. As funds become available, commitment is made to applicant states in the order in which their completed applications are received. FY 1968 funds will be exhausted by approved applications. Part of the FY 1969 funds are also expected to be applied to projects already tentatively approved. Projects approved and under review will provide 1,632 beds for nursing home care in state homes. Total project costs exceed $26 million, and VA participation will be approxi- mately $11 million. States have already indicated an interest in providing 1,600 additional beds. Some states are now in the process of developing plans for submitting applications. Because of the success of this program in helping to meet the need for nursing home care facilities, the Commis- sion recommends that authorization for construction grants for state nursing homes be extended for five years beyond the June 30, 1969 expiration date. PAGENO="0104" 2812 RECOMMENDATION NO. 58 The Commission recommends that the community nursing home program be expanded as rapidly as possible, and that after such expansion, direct admission from a private hos- pital should be considered, with such safeguards as may be deemed necessary. Background to Recommendation: At present, a veteran, to be eligible for placement in a community nursing home must first have been admitted and received medical care at a VA hospital. The patient's se- lection for placement in a community nursing home is a team effort made at the ward level by the patient's physician, nurse, and social worker. The veteran's family is encour- aged to participate in the discharge planning and thereby facilitate the transition from the hospital to the community nursing home. When feasible, the patient is given the privi- lege of selecting a nursing home, and every effort is made to place him close to his family. However, patients are not admitted to veterans' hospitals for the sole purpose of trans- ferring them to a communitynursing home. There are some veterans who have elected to have their hospitalization in private hospitals but who need extended nursing home care. It is the opinion of the Commission that these veterans are unduly penalized by not having been hospitalized inveterans' hospitals and should have the opportunity for nursing home care under Veterans Administration auspices. However, the Commission is completely aware of the fact that the nursing home program operated by the Veterans Administration is a new program and that the present type of control is considered essential by the Veterans Adminis- tration. The Commission therefore recommends that the nursing home care program be expanded as soon as prac- ticable and that when such expansion takes place the Veterans Administration should consider receiving patients in corn- munity ~iursing homes directly from private hospitals, with safeguards determined necessary to assure that nursing home care at government expense is warranted. A require- ment of at least ten days' hospitalization might provide such a safeguard. 59 PAGENO="0105" 2813 RECOMMENDATION NO. 59 The Commission recommends elimination of the six-month limitation to community nursing home care for veterans whose hospitalization was primarily for a service-connected disability. Background to Recommendation: Current law provides that nursing home care may not be furnished by the Veterans Administration for more than six months in conjunction with any episode of hospitalization ex- cept where the Administrator determines that a longer period is needed. While it is clear that in most cases, the present law and regulations are adequate, the Commission feels that the limitation should be lifted as it applies to vet- erans whose prior hospitalization was primarily for treat- ment of a service-connected condition. Accordingly, the Commission recommends that the six-month initial limita- tion be eliminated for veterans whose hospitalization was primarily for a service-connected disability. RECOMMENDATION NO. 60 The Commission recommends that the amount paid to states for nursing home care be increased to one-ha]1 of the per diem cost of such care. Background to Recommendation: At present, the Veterans Administration pays the states $3.50 for each day a veteran receives nursing home care in a state home. This is obviously not enough, as the amount it pays private nursing homes will exceed $12.00 a day in many areas. It is the feeling of the Commission that if the states were given an increase, there would be an incentive for the states to operate more nursing home beds. This would be less expensive than providing care in private nursing homes. The Commission therefore recommends that the Veterans Administration be authorized to pay to the states one-half of the cost of nursing home care furnished each war veteran in a state home under 38 USC 641. 60 PAGENO="0106" 2814 RECOMMENDATION NO. 61 The Commission recommends that the Veterans Adminis- tration be authorized to increase the reimbursement rate to community nursing homes from one-third to 45 percent of the VA general hospital per diem rate. Background to Recommendation: During fiscal year 1967, the Veterans Administration reimbursed community nursing homes at an average per diem rate of $10.45 for care provided to its veteran bene- ficiaries. This amount was less than the average per diem rate paid to community nursing homes by the Social Security Medicare program. It is estimated that social Security paid approximately $14.60. The amount paid by the Veterans Ad- ministration was also considerably less than the average payment for such care from private funds. The problem of placing veterans in community nursing homes in high cost areas has become acute because of the present limit on VA reimbursement. Therefore, the Com- mission recommends that the Veterans Administration be authorized to pay community nursing homes up to 45 per- cent of the general hospital per diem rate, as is proposed in H.R. 7481, before the 90th Congress. RECOMMENDATION NO. ~.2 The Commission recommends that a program of matching construction grants for x~enovation and replacement of state domiciliary homes be instituted. Background to Recommendation: Under the provisions of Public Law 88-450, Federal aid is provided to the individual States for the construction of nursing home beds to be operated by the States as part of the State Soldiers Home Program. The law authorizes $5,000,000 per year for five years (FY 1965-1969) for up to 50 percent of the costs of construction, renovation, and initial equipment. 61 PAGENO="0107" 2815 There is no similar programconcerningthe construction of beds for State domiciliary care, eventhoughthis program, like the State nursing home program, provides needed care to eligible veterans who otherwise would be forced to seek their care directly from the VA. It would definitely be to the Government's advantage to start a program of renovating the State domiciliary homes, since the VA subsidy to the States for such care is limited to one-half the veterans' maintenance cost, with a maximum of $2.50 for each member-day of care provided. In com- parison, the VA is spending an average of $6.41 for each member-day of care provided within their 16 domiciliaries. Because of the success of the existing program in help- ing to meetthe veterans' needfordomiciliarycare facilities, and because of the states' interest in maintaining such homes, the Commission recommends that authorization for renova- tion of state domiciliary homes, including replacement of existing capacities, be granted for a five-year period, com- mencing with FY 1970. RECOMMENDATION NO. 63 The Commission recommends that veterans receiving house- bound benefits be provided drugs and medicines by the Vet- erans Administration without cost to the veterans. Background to Recommendation: A total of 15,118 veterans were receiving nonservice- connected pension plus housebound benefits as of June 30, 1967. Drugs and medicines are very costlyto veterans who are of such age, financial condition, and physical state that they receive a housebound allowance. Providing drugs to these veterans would be of great benefit and would not be costly to the Federal Government. Therefore, the Commis- sion recommends that veterans who are receiving pension plus the housebound allowance be entitled to receive drugs and medicines from the Veterans Administration without cost to the veterans. In addition, the Commission recom- mends that those who are receiving compensation plus the housebound allowance be similarly treated. 62 PAGENO="0108" 2816 RECOMMENDATION NO. 64 The Commission recommends that the Veterans Administra- tion not be made a provider of services for the purpose of reimbursement under the Medicare provisions of the Social Security Act. Background to Recommendation: The Social Security Act now provides that no payment may be made under the provisions of the act to any Federal provider of service or other Federal agency and no payment may be madetoanyproviderorpersonfor any item or serv- ice which the provider or person is obligated by a law of, or a contract with, the United States to render at public expense. Legislation has been introduced which would remove this restriction and permit the use of Federal hospitals in certain areas. Legislation has also been introduced that would pro- vide that the Veterans Administration be reimbursed from the Social Security trust fund for veterans 65 and over hos- pitalized in veterans hospitals. We believe that such action, would inevitably lead to the mixing of services provided by the nation to its war veterans with Social Security Medicare benefits, and that such a mixing of benefits is not to the best interest of veterans. The Commission therefore rec- ommends that the Veterans Administration hospital system be reserved for the treatment of veterans and that the VA's responsibility for their care and treatment riot be diluted. RECOMMENDATION NO. 65 The Commission recommends that medical benefits similar to those in the Military Medical Benefits Act be provided for wives and children of veterans who are on VA compen- sation rolls as 100 percent disabled. Background to Recommendation: In most cases, wives of veterans who are 100 percent disabled are not able to work because of the need for their presence in the home. Neither the wife nor the veteran who likewise cannot work is able to have a health insurance policy providing for care for the family. Severe illness 63, PAGENO="0109" 2817 poses an almost unbearable strain on financial resources in the absence of health insurance. The Commission be- lieves and recommends that the Veterans Administration should provide benefits similar to those in the Military Medical Benefits Act for these dependents. RECOMMENDATION NO. 66 The Commission recommends that medical benefits, simi- lar to those provided in the Military Medical Benefits Act, be provided for widows and children of veterans who die from service-connected causes. Background to Recommendation: The military medical benefits program provides inpatient and outpatient care, with some sharing of cost by the bene- ficiary, to the dependents of both those dying in service and deceased retired personnel. However, the VA hospital and medical care program applies only to veterans. The military medical benefits program was expanded by PL 89-614 to include civilian contract care, subject to a 25 percent sharing of costs by the beneficiary, plus a deducti- ble for outpatient treatment. The law, however, left without government health protection, the dependents of veterans who were discharged from service, without retired status, but who subsequently died from service-incurred disease or injury. There is no soundreasonfor this distinction. On the contrary, there is a Government obligation to provide care for the widows and children of these veterans. Such an obligation is analogous and almost equal to the traditional obligation and practice of providing medical care to veterans with service-connected conditions. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the VA provide hospital and outpatient benefits for widows and chil- dren of veterans who die from service-connected causes. The plan would exclude widows and children eligible for medical services under the Military Medical Benefits Act or the Medicare Section of the Social Security Act. Under the proposal, eligible widows and orphans would share to a mod- erate extent in the cost of medical services they receive. 64 PAGENO="0110" 2818 CHAPTER VII General The Commission recommends that under given circum- stances a conditional discharge should be treated as a final discharge for benefit purposes. Background to Recommendatjç~ Section 101 (2) of Title 38 Usc provides that "the term `veteran' means a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable." In the opinion of the Veterans Administration, this definition requires a definite break from service. Therefore, those who receive a discharge or release from one active status for the purpose of immediate assumption of another active :status have not received a discharge or release within the meaning of the subsection. The entire service involved is continuous and constitutes one period of active service ex-. cept in the event the person was eligible for complete sep- aration and could have returned to civilian life if he had so desired. The VA has encountered cases where servicemen have had eight or nine years of service and, although condition- ally discharged after three or four years of such service, were ineligible for disability ~ornpensation. or p e n s 1.0 n 65 `1 RECOMMENDATION NO. 67 PAGENO="0111" 2819 because they were not completely separated from service prior to discharge under dishonorable conditions, In many of these cases the period of service began during peace- time, extended into a period of war, and was ended by dis- honorable discharge long after the termination of the war. Some of these veterans had combat service and served honorably and faithfully during the full period of the war, but committed acts constituting willful and persistent mis- conduct during the past part of their service. In other cases, the veteran's widow and children may suffer. If a veteran dies after receiving a discharge under dishonorable conditions, his widow and orphans are not eligible to receive survivors' benefits based on his service prior to a previous conditional discharge. The Veterans Administration has pressed for amendment to permit benefits on the basis of conditional discharges for the period involved. H.R. 9241, 90th Congress, which would accomplish this, is now before the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The Commission supports the VA position and recom- mends that legislative action be taken to recognize condi- tional separation from service as a complete separation under given circumstances so that such service may be recognized for establishing entitlement to VA benefits. RECOMMENDATION NO. 68 The Commission recommends establishment of a deemed valid marriage provision for the wife of a veteran. Background to Recommendation: Whenever a widow cannot establish validity of her mar- riage to a veteran, but it is established that "she, without knowledge of any legal impediment, entered into a marriage with such veteran which, but for a legal impediment, would have been valid, and thereafter cohabited with him for one year or more immediately before his death, or for any period of time if a child was born of the purported mar- riage or was born to them before such marriage, the pur- ported marriage shall be deemed to be a valid marriage, but only if no claim has been filed by a legal widow of such veteran who is found to be entitled to such benefits." (38 USC 103 (a)) This provision recognizes that the nation 66 PAGENO="0112" 2820 owes a certain obligation to the woman who entered into a marriage relationship with a veteran which she believed to be valid, and at the time of his death was living with, caring for, and looking to him for support. While a woman may be eligible as a widow on the basis of such a "deemed valid marriage," this provision of law has no application to the "wife" of a veteran, since it is specifically limited to "gratuitous death benefits." There- fore, a veteran must establish the validity of his marriage to receive additional compensation for a wife, or to be con- sidered a veteran having a wife within the provisions govern- ing payment of certain benefits during hospitalization. Likewise, the validity of his marriage must be established to obtain the higher monthly pension rates and annual in- come limits provided for a married veteran. It seems to the Commission manifestly unfair to deny recognition to a woman as the wife of a living veteran, but on his death, to accord her a widow's status with full eligi- bility for benefits. In the interest of uniformity and fair play, the woman should be treated in the same manner while the veteran is living, as she is after his death. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the present requirement for a veteran to establish the legality of his marriage should be liberalized by applying the same criteria to the pur- ported marriage as govern in the case of a claim for death benefits. RECOMMENDATION NO. 69 The Commission recommends amendment of the definition of "widow" to enable reinstatement of gratuitous benefits upon termination of a widow's remarriage, and continua- tion of these benefits to widows who remarry after age 60. Background to Recommendation: The term "widow" is defined in 38 USC 101 (3) for pur- poses of entitlement to VA benefits (other than insurance) as a woman who, among other things, has not remarried after the veteran's death. Thus, benefits such as death pension, death compensation, or dependency and indemnity compen- sation, must be terminated if a widow remarries. Further payment of such benefits may be resumed only if the mar- riage is void or annulled. 67 PAGENO="0113" 2821 The VA assistance provided to widows of deceased vet- erans serves as a partial substitute for the economic loss suffered by the widow as a result of the death of her veteran- husband. The present bar to payment of benefits after a widow's marriage is based on the premise that, upon re- marriage, the widow will be supported by her new husband and that the Government is thereby discharged of its obli- gation. This approach has occasionally resulted in hard- ship, especially when the parties to the remarriage are aged and not in a position to augment their income by employment. Hardship also results if the remarriage is short-lived, for the widow often emerges from the second marriage in a worse economic position than before. The Commission therefore recommends amendment of the legal definition of "widow" to permit widows who re- marry after age 60, and widows whose remarriages termi- nate, to still be eligible to receive the gratuitous death benefits to which they were entitled before remarriage, provided the need criteria of the law are still met. In no event should an individual claimant benefit as the "widow" of more than one veteran. RECOMMENDATION NO. 70 The Commission recommends alleviation of the hardship situations which sometimes arise for recipients of disability severance pay because of unanticipated changes in disabil- ity. Background to Recommendation Members of the Armed Forces renderedunfittoperform their duties because of service-incurred disability, but who lack a sufficient combination of disability and length of service, to be paid retirement pay, receive disability severance pay. This is a lump sum payment which often amounts to thousands of dollars. Disability severance pay appears to be sound in its concept and serves a valuable function. In order to avoid double compensation for the same disability, the following provision was enacted (10 U.S.C. 1Z1Z (c)): The amount of disability severance pay received under this Act shall be deducted from any compensa- tion for the same disability to which the former 68 91-670 0 - 68 - 8 PAGENO="0114" 2822 member of the Armed Forces or his dependents be- come entitled under any law administered by the Veterans Administration. This provision sometimes creates hardship situations because of unanticipated changes in disability. Recoupment of disability severance pay generally takes an extended period of time, because low percentage disability ratings are usually involved. However, when a ten or twenty per- cent disabling condition becomes a totally disabling one requiring prolonged hospitalization, the recoupment pro- vision continues to bar payment of disability compensation to the veteran, thus terminating all income, which the veteran needs desperately for his family's maintenance. To alleviate this situation, the Commission recommends that recoupment of disability severance pay be at a monthly rate not in excess of the compensation to which a veteran would be entitled, based on his initial disability rating by the VA.. This recommendation is identical to H,R. 5645, a bill before the 90th Congress. RECOMMENDATION NO. 71 The Commission recommends that there should be no change In the law pertaining to attorneys' fees for handling cases before the Veterans Administration. Background to Recommendation: Various bar associations and legal groups have at various times recommended that the present limitation of $10 on fees payable to attorneys representing claimants in administrative proceedings before the Veterans Adminis- tration be eliminated. Bills which would remove limitations now placed upon attorney fees for services rendered before certain administrative agencies of the United States have been introduced in both Houses of the 90th Congress. A bill (S. 1073) passed the Senate on November 22, 1967, and hearings were held on a similar proposal (H.R. 10216) on July12, 1967. It is the opinion of the Commission that veterans have well-qualified advisers in the form of state and local service officers attached to the government and to the various veterans service organizations. The Commission therefore recommends that there should be no change in the law pertaining to attorneys' fees for handling cases before the Veterans Administration. 69 PAGENO="0115" 2823 RECOMMENDATION NO. 72 The Commission recommends that wartime veterans bene- fits be extended to Mexican Border veterans. Background to Recommendation: The extension of all wartime benefits to veterans of service in the Vietnam Era establishes the principle of according wartime status to veterans of service during undeclared warlike activities. Veterans of the Mexican Border Campaign, which ex- tended from January 1, 1911, to April 5, 1917, were moved to a foreign country and subjected to hostile fire in a necessary military campaign to contain aggressiveness by a foreign force. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the full range of wartime benefits be extended to vet- erans of Mexican Border service, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 901 (c) with reference to eligibility for burial flags, and to their survivors. RECOMMENDATION NO. 73 The Commission recommends that a study be made to de- termine the efficacy of authorizing the Veterans Adminis - tration to pay all military retirement benefits, and, the equity of permitting concurrent payment of VA disability compensation and retired pay for military personnel, based on longevity. Background to Recommendation: Disability compensation is a benefit intended to com- pensate a veteran for the reduction in civilian earning capacity from injuries or diseases attributable to his serv- ice in the Armed Forces and is determined solely upon the severity of ascertainable residuals. Military retired pay, based on longevity, is computed on the serviceman's length of service and attained rank. Where service related dis- ablement also exists, his retired pay is further computed using an alternative formula which considers the degree of disablement and the serviceman is awarded the greater of the two benefits. 70 PAGENO="0116" 2824 Retirement benefits may also be awarded for disable- ment which incapacitates a serviceman for further duty prior to a period of service which would permit him to retire based on length of service. Under the law, concurrent payment of military retired pay, however computed, and VA compensation is prohibited with one exception. Should retired pay exceed the amount of VA entitlement, the veteran may waive so much of his retired pay as is equal to his disability compensation. He would, thus, receive payments from both sources; however, the combined amount would equal the full amount of re- tired pay. Otherwise, he may not receive disability com- pensation without surrender of his full retired pay entitle- ment. Elections and re-elections between both benefits are permitted. In recent years, therehasbeenanincreasein the number of claims for VA benefits filed by persons receiving military retirement pay. Substantial overpayments often result because of concurrent benefits. When these occur, there is considerable administrative and program cost to both the VA and the Department of Defense. In addition, col- lection of overpayments often creates a hardship for the veteran, This has been a long-standing problem of communica- tion, which has been improved by numerous meetings be- tween VA and DoD representatives. But, in order to elimi- nate o v e r pay m e nt s altogether, there must be timely exchange of information between the two agencies (and sometimes with the veteran) and timely adjustment of the two awards. A. solution may lie in consolidating payments in one agency. This procedure would concentrate all vital inlor- mation at a point where award adjustment could be simul- taneous. This consolidation would not in any way affect the status of military retirees as a distinct class from veterans. Because the primary purpose of the VA is administra- tion of law relating to the relief and benefit of veterans and their dependents, and that of DoD is defense of the nation, a logical point for consolidation of information and awards would appear to be in the VA.. The equity of the bar against concurrent payment, where benefits from the Service Department are based solely on longevity, is also for reconsideration. This position is motivated by the absence of any similar prohibition against the concurrent payment of VA disability compensation and retirement benefits from other sources, such as Federal, 71 PAGENO="0117" 2825 State, and City Civil Service Commissions, Social Security, and other public and private retirement plans whether based on longevity or disablement. Conceding that the prohibition against duplication of payment for the same disability should be maintained, payments from the Federal treasury, based on separate entitling criteria, even to the same individual does not appear inequitable. RECOMMENDATION NO. 74 The Commission recommends e qu a Ii z at i 0 n of military retired pay. Background to Recommendation: Retired members of the uniformed services have suf- fered a loss in their earned compensation due to the action of Congress in 1958 of suspending, and later abandoning, the direct relationship between retired pay and current active duty rates. As a result, military retirees of the same rank, who have served exactly the same length of time, enduring equivalent hardships and dangers, now draw eight different rates of pay. The difference is not related to rank or length of service but solely to date of retirement. In illustration, the retired pay of a Sergeant (E-7) who retired in June 1958 after 24 years on active duty is $238.72. Retirement today, of a person with equal rank and years of service, would draw retired pay of $297.72, 24.7 per cent greater. A Major (0-4), with over 24 years of active duty, retiring in June 1958 would receive $429.70 per month, while his counterpart retiring today would receive $525.78, 22.3 per cent greater. In each case the lowest rate is for the oldest group of retirees and, as successive active duty pay raises and "cost of living" raisesfor retirees are made in the future, the disparity against the older groups will continue to increase. The Commission believes that elimination of this grow- ing inequity would do much to reestablish the good faith of the Government in carrying out its moral obligations. This action would also create confidence among current active duty servicemen that their earned rights would not also be swept away after completion of their service. 72 PAGENO="0118" 2826 Therefore, the Commission recommends that a request be made to the Secretary of Defense to initiate and lend his support to a legislative proposal for basing the computation of military retirement pay on current active dutypay rates. RECOMMENDATION NO. 75 The Commission recommends that a federally financed survivors' benefits program be established as an adjunct of the serviceman's retirement program. Background to Recommendation: The survivors' benefits program now available to serv- icemen is supported solely by the servicemenparticipating, who elect to contribute a specified portion of their retire- ment pay for this purpose. Because the program must be actuarily sound, a system of rigid rules of entitlement has emerged which does not meet the needs of servicemen's families. The Government now contributes to survivors' benefits programs for Civil Service employees and to railroad workers. In good conscience and equity, the Commission feels the nation cannot deny such support to members of the Armed Services. Therefore, the Commission recommends that a request be made to the Secretary of Defense to initiate and support the establishment of a federally financed survivors' bene- fits program as an adjunct of the present servicemen's retirement program. RECOMMENDATION NO. 76 The Commission recommends that the Dual Compensation Act of 1964 be amended to relieve restrictions imposed on retired regular members of the military service. Background to Recommendation: Under the provisions of the Dual Compensation Act of 1964, a retired officer of the regular military services who is employed in a civilian capacity by the Federal 73 PAGENO="0119" 2827 Government is required to forfeit a sizeable portion of his retired pay. This forfeiture of pay is not imposed on a re- tired career reservist, even though that reservist may be receiving the same amount of retired pay as the regular. It is difficult to reconcile the discriminatory treatment of the retired regular officer. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the Secretary of Defense and the Chair- man of the Civil Service Commission initiate and lend their support to a legislative proposal to amend the Dual Com- pensation Act of 1964. RECOMMENDATION NO. 77 The Commission recommends that Department of Defense commissary privileges be granted to widows of veterans who die of service-connected causes. Background to Recommendation: The Department of Defense grants commissary privi- leges to unremarried widows of members of the Armed Forces who die while on active duty, and to unremarried widows of retired members. This privilege is not accorded unremarried widows of veterans who die of service-con- nected causes and who were not retired members of the Armed Forces at the time of death. Therefore, the Commission believes that equity demands that these unremarried widows be authorized Commissary privileges. We recommend that the VA forward such a request to the Department of Defense. RECOMMENDATION NO. 78 The Commission recommends that legislation be enacted to protect the interests of children and other beneficiaries of deceased veterans who are under a legal disability and un- aware of their rights. Background to Recommendation: Death compensation, dependency and indemnity compen- sation and pension are payable from the first of the month in which a veteran died only if an application is filed within 74 PAGENO="0120" 2828 one year after the date of death; if the application is filed later, these benefits are payable from the date the claim is received in the VA. There are instances where adependentofadeceased vet- eran does not file a claim promptly, either because of negli- gence or ignorance of eligibility. This may result in the loss of substantial benefits. The Commission feels that some protection should be extended to the children of a deceased veteran who are under age 18, those who are permanently incapable of self-support and other incompetent benefici- aries. It recommends that legislation be proposed which would provide some retroactive benefits for these children prior to date of claim. The retroactive allowance would offer a measure of re- lief to all incompetent beneficiaries who were unable to protect their own rights. This would include the child of a prior marriage whose existence may have been unknown to the VA until the claim was received, as well as a child whose guardian neglected to file claim. The retroactive payment would be of particular value to a child who became perma- nently incapable of self-support before age 18 and whose initial claim was filed, e.g., 10 ormore years after the vet- eran's death. The Commission therefore recommends that legislation be enacted to protect the interests of children and other beneficiaries of deceased veterans who are under a legal disability and unaware of their rights. RECOMMENDATION NO. 79 The Commission recommends that a study be made of the possibility of establishing special allowances for death, injury, or disease incurred in combat. Background to Recommendation: The Schedule for Rating Disabilities establishes degrees of average economic impairment in civilian occupations flowing from specified residuals of diseases and injuries incurred during service in the Armed Forces. Monetary values are assigned by law for each of the evaluations con- tained in the Schedule. 75 PAGENO="0121" 2829 A monetary distinction exists between identical disable- ment based on whether it was acquired during wartime or peacetime service- -peacetime rates are 80% of the amount payable if the condition were related to wartime service, No distinction is contained in the law between wartime dis- ablement caused by routine service and those injuries in- curred as a result of combat. The Commission believes injuries or diseases incurred as a result of combat should receive special consideration, It therefore recommends that the Veterans Administration make a study of the possibility of establishing special allow- ances for death, injury, or disease incurred in combat. 76 PAGENO="0122" 2830 r7rvETiiANs YC~ff~N PAGENO="0123" 2831 PAGENO="0124" 2832 PAGENO="0125" 2833 ~,44eiabcrs aiid Staff of U.S. VeteraNs ~~4d'isor~ Co#imissioji PAGENO="0126" 2834 WILLIAM J. DRIVER Administrator of Veterans Affairs When he announced his selection of WilliamJ. Driver to be Administra- tor of Veterans Affairs on December 26, 1964, President Johnson said: "I am particularly pleased to announce Mr. Driver's ap- pointment since he is the first career official to administer the affairs of America's veterans. He is being promoted to the important post on the basis of outstanding achievement and demonstrated ability over aperiodof 16 years in the VA." The VA Administrator is a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He served from 1942 to 1946 as a commissioned officer with Headquarters, Adjutant General, European Theatre of Operations, and during his 1951 to 1953 recall to active duty he served as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Order of the British Empire, and the Croix-de-Guerre. Mr. Driver was born May 9, 1918, in Rochester, N.Y. He was gradu- ated cum laude from Niagara University in 1941 with a degree in Busi- ness Administration. To this was added an LLB degree in 1952 from George Washington University following several years of night class attendance at law school under the World War II G.I. Bill. In the summer of 1965 he received a Master's Degree in Public Administra- tion from George Washington University. PAGENO="0127" 2835 Joining the VA in Washington in February 1946 as Special Assistant to the Assistant Administrator for Contact and Administrative Service, Mr. Driver soon started on a chain of promotions that led to in- creasingly responsible positions. He was named Director of VA's huge Compensation and Pension Service in 1956, and in January 1958 became head of the entire Department of Veterans Benefits. In Febru- ary 1961 he was named to the No. 2 post in the VA as Deputy Adminis- trator, and he served in this position until he was named by President Johnson to be Administrator of Veterans Affairs. He has been chosen by the President to serve on several important committees including the Board of Foreign Scholarships, the Presi- dent's Committee on Health Ma np ow e r, the Joint-United State 5- Philippine Commission, the President's Council on Aging and the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. Administrator Driver is a 1964 winner of the coveted Career Service Award, and he holds the two highest awards granted by VA, the Ex- ceptional Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal as well as the Management Achievement Award of the Society for the Advancement of Management. He was awarded the AMVETS Silver Helmet. His wife, the former Marian McKay, is the daughter of Marion K. McKay, Professor-emeritus of Economics at the University of Pittsburgh, and Chairman of the Civil Service Board in that city. The Drivers have two Sons, Joe and Kellie and reside in Falls Church, Virginia. PAGENO="0128" 2836 ROBERT M. McCURDY Chairman As Chairman of the American Legion's National Rehabilitation Commis- sion for 23 years, Robert Mansfield McCurdy headed one of the major commissions of the nation's largest veterans' organization. He re- signed from this position May 4, 1967. During World War II, Mr. McCurdy was a member of the Special Com- mittee named to draft the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (the G.I. Bill of Rights), recognized as one of the most beneficial laws ever enacted by the United States Congress. After attending the University of Chicago and the Chicago YMCA College, he served with the First Indiana Infantry on the Mexican Border in 1916. Commissioned during World War I he served in the Army's 50th, 42nd and 6th Divisions in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the Gerardmer sector and Verdun. He retired as captain in June, 1922, with a service-connected disability, after 35 months of hospitali- zation. He was a charter member of Hamon Gray Post, American Legion, at LaPorte, md., and after moving to California, was Adjutant and Post Service Officer with Pasadena Post 13. He was voted life membership in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and he is a member of the Disabled American Veterans. In 1931 he supervised construction of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and later became its Manager. In ,1966, he was appointed by President Johnson as a member on the Joint United States-Philippine Government Commission on War Claims. PAGENO="0129" 2837 ANDY BORG Member Andy Borg, former Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, is a practicing Attorney in Superior, Wisconsin. He was elected District Attorney while still serving overseas in WW II as a Legal Officer with the 7th Fleet in the Pacific Theatre. Mr. Borg received his law degree at the University of Minnesota. He is a past President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Chamber of Commerce, and present member of the Superior Police and Fire Com- mission. His memberships include the American Legion, Eagles, Moose, Elks, A.F. & A.M., Shrine, Jesters, Chambers of Commerce, Bar Associations, and Community Chest. 91-670 0 - 68 - 9 PAGENO="0130" 2838 CLAUDE CALLEGARY Member Claude Callegary is a former National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. Prior to WWII,he was a truck driver. He enlisted in the U. S. Army nine months before Pearl Harbor and served in the Aleutians and New Guinea. He was injured in a plane crash in the Netherlands East Indies. Of the 14 aboard the plane, he was one of three survivors. Mr. Callegary was severelydisabled when discharged, and through the training provided under the G. I. Bill, he obtained a law degree, and is now a practicing Attorney in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1953 he was awarded the Maryland Governor's Certificate for Distin- guished Citizenship. He is a member of the Maryland Law and Water Conservation Commission. He is also one of six members of the Maryland Veterans Commission (a life-time appointment). Mr. Cal- legary recently returned from his second trip to the Far East and Vietnam, where he visited the sick and wounded in several hospitals. PAGENO="0131" 2839 MELVIN T. DIXON Member Melvin T. Dixon, State Service Officer, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs with Headquarters at St. Petersburg, is a disabled -World War II veteran. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1941, was Commissioned in 1943 and retired in 1945 as a Lieutenant. He received his education at the University of Tennessee, State Teachers College and Tennessee Polytechnical Institute. In February 1945, he joined the Veterans Administration as a Contact Representative at St. Petersburg. Four- teen months later he joined the Florida State Department of Veterans Affairs, becoming State Service Officer in 1949. He has been State Service Officer for the American Legion and AMVETS since 1949. PAGENO="0132" 2840 RALPH E. HALL Member Ralph E. Hall, National Executive Director of AMVETS with Head- quarters in Washington, D.C., makes his home in Suitland, Maryland. He is a Graduate of the University of New Hampshire, and was a World War II Combat Engineer. Two of his brothers were killed in action in WW II. Mr. Hall is a former National Commander of the AMVETS and in 1966 he became National Executive Director. His wife, a former school teacher, is National Coordinator of AMVETS. In 1962, she was the National President of the AMVETS Auxiliary. Mr. Hall was for- merly in the real estate business in Massachusetts, and before coming to Washington owned a large motel in Florida. PAGENO="0133" 2841 HERBERT M. HOUSTON Member Herbert M. Houston of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is Past National Com- mander of the Veterans of World War I. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1917 and became a commissioned officer. As a member of the American Expeditionary Forces he took part in the Battles of Aisne, Marne and Belleau Wood, where he was wounded. Mr. Houston is a Graduate of the University of Alabama, and did Grad- uate work at Vanderbilt University. He established and operated the Double H Ranch in Tennessee, dealing in Hereford cattle. He is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans of WW I, and the DAV. Mr. Houston is also a member of A.F. & A.M., is a Shriner, and spends considerable time working with civic organi- zations. PAGENO="0134" 2842 MELVIN L. JACOBSEN Member Melvin L. Jacobsen, a native of Nevada and presently residing in Reno, has been Nevada Commissioner for Veterans' Affairs since 1953. He served with the Navy Seabees in the South Pacific during World War II. Injured in action, he spent two years in hospitals. He trained as a watchmaker under the G.I. Bill. He is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS. PAGENO="0135" 2843 1. ELDON JAMES Member L, Eldon James of Hampton, Virginia, is Past National Commander of the American Legion. A practicing trial lawyer, he was graduated from William and Mary College and obtained a law degree from George Washington University. Mr. James was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves in World War II. He is a former President of the Hampton Lions Club and the Board of Directors of the Hampton Little Theatre. In 1966 Mr. James was given the Distinguished Service Award by the George Washington University Alumni. His city of Hampton, Virginia has bestowed a Distinguished Service Medalupontwoof her citizens Mr. James is the holder of one of these. PAGENO="0136" 2844 WILLIAM N. RICE Member William N. Rice of Fort Collins, Colorado, has been Director of the Colorado State Department of Veterans' Affairs since 1947. Mr. Rice attended the University of Oregon and the University of Chicago. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in WW II and after flying 25 combat missions, became an Instructor to combat crews. He is a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS. PAGENO="0137" 2845 COL. WARREN A. ROBINSON Member Col. Warren A. Robinson of San Pedro, California, a military career officer, held a commission in the U. S. Army for 31 years and is now retired. A graduate of West Point, he saw service in World Wars I and II and the Korean Conflict. He has many decorations including Silver and Bronze Stars with clusters, Purple Heart, French Medal of Honor and Croix-de-Guerre with Palm. PAGENO="0138" 2846 PETE WHEELER Member Pete Wheeler of Atlanta is Director of the Georgia Department of Veterans' Service. He is an Attorney, and has been admitted to prac- tice before all State and Federal Courts. He was graduated from the University of Georgia, and received law degrees from John Marshall Law School, Atlanta Law School and Augusta Law School. Mr. Wheeler is a Past president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. He served in the Army Infantry between 1942 and 1946 and is now with the Georgia National Guard as a Lt. Colonel in the Hq. and Hq. Detachment. PAGENO="0139" 2847 ARBON W. STRATTON Chief Benefits Director Arbon W. Stratton, head of the vast VA Department of Veterans Benefits, has been with the Veterans Administration since 1944. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and entered Government service with the U.S. Employment Service and the War Manpower Commission before coming with the Veterans Administration. After field service in Salt Lake City and Cheyenne as Authorization Officer and Adjudication Officer, he was transferred to Central Office, Washington, D.C. as a Legal Consultant in 1956. He moved through the directorships of the Compensation and Pension Service and the Operations and Evaluation Staff before becoming Deputy Chief Benefits Director in February, 1963. He became Chief in February, 1965. As head of the Department of Veterans Benefits, Stratton's responsibilities include compensation and pension, vocational rehabilitation and education, G.I. loans, G.I. insur- ance, War Orphan's Education and the Guardianship program. PAGENO="0140" 2848 DR. H. MARTIN ENGLE Chief Medical Director Chief Medical Director Dr. H. Martin Engle, has headed the na- tion's largest medical complex - the Veterans Administration's Department of Medicine and Surgery, since January 3, 1966. Formerly Director of the 6,000 bed Los Angeles VA Center, Dr. Engle is the first VA career physician to be named to the position in which he carries responsibilities for 165 hospitals and 224 clinics with a staff of 5,000 doctors and 15,000 nurses. Dr. Engle joined VA in 1946 as a medical officer at the VA center in Ft. Harrison, Mont., after World War II service (1942-46) as Army Medical Officer. His VA positions have included Assistant Chief of the Medical Service at the Portland, Ore., VAH; Chief of Medical Service, Spokane, Wash., VAH; Chief of Pro- fessional Services, Seattle VAH; Director, SaltLake VAH; and Director, Denver VAH. In May 1960, he became Deputy Chief Medical Director where he earned VA's highest honor, the Exceptional Service Award. Dr. Engle was made a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1949 and is a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators as well as a member of a number of medical associa- tions. PAGENO="0141" 2849 DR. RODERICK G. ST. PIERRE Associate Deputy Chief Medical Director of DM&S Dr. Roderick G. St. Pierre joined the Veterans Administration after serving in World War II in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He was Director of two VA Hospitals before becoming Area Medical Director for the New England-New York area. While directing the Topeka, Kansas, VA Hospital he was instrumental in developing one of the world's most outstanding psychiatric hospitals. He holds degrees from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and George- town University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. PAGENO="0142" 2850 DR. OREN 1. SKOUGE Deputy Chief Medical Director Dr. Oren T. Skouge, Deputy Chief Medical Director of the Veterans Administration's Department of Medicine and Surgery, entered the serv~ ice of the VA as a resident physician at the Minneapolis, Minn., VA hospital in February, 1946, after completing four years of service as a medical officer in the U. S. Army during World War II. He served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility until he was appointed director of the Oklahoma City VA hospital in March, 1957. He was transferred toVA's Central Office in Washing- ton, D.C., as Associate Deputy Chief Medical Director on April 1, 1966, and became Deputy Chief Medical Director, Nov. 14, 1966. PAGENO="0143" 2851 TED C. CONNELL Executive Director of the Veterans Advisory Commission Ted C. Connell of Killeen, Texas, was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1960 after serving as Junior Vice Commander -in- Chief and Senior Vice Commander - in- Chief and National Chief of Staff. He is one of the youngest men ever to serve in VFW's highest office. He also served as Junior Vice Commander and Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Texas. Connell entered the military on September 1Z, 1943, when he was 18 years old and saw service in the Pacific theatre with the 3 16th Tank Destroyer Battalion and other units. Connell is one of 10 brothers, eight of whom served with the Armed Forces during World War II. He joined the Bob Gray VFW Post 9192 in Killeen in 1947 and became Post Commander in 1950 subsequently serving as Senior Vice Commander and Commander of his District before advancing to the Department offices. In private life, Ted is one of the outstanding young businessmen in Texas. He owns and operates the Connell Chevrolet Company inKilleen and has an interest in several other businesses in his home community. PAGENO="0144" 2852 P. E. HOWARD Special Assistant to the Administrator of the VA A WW II Veteran, Gene Howard served in the Philippine Islands during the war. Former National Executive Director of the AMVETS, he now serves as Special Assistant to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs. PAGENO="0145" 2853 THOMAS HOWARD PRICE, JR. Executive Secretary to the Veterans Advisory Commission Executive Secretary to the Veterans Advisory Commission, Howard Price is a Federal career executive with 20-years service with the VA. He was graduated from Dartmouth College with an AB degree and saw service in World War II with the U.S. Navy. With the VA, Price served as Field Examiner, Chief of the Finance Division op- erations Section, Systems Analyst and Assistant Manager of the VA Regional Office at Manila in the Philippines. 91-670 0 - 68 - 10 PAGENO="0146" 2854 JOHN J. JACKSON Administrators Advisory Council John 3. Jackson, a member of the Administrators Advisory Council, is a ZO-year career employee of the Veterans Administration. He has served at Togus, Maine, and in Central Office as a Special Assistant to the Chief Benefits Director. An Attorney, he received his law degree at Northeastern University. In World War II he served with the Army in Counter Intelligence. PAGENO="0147" 2855 JOHN E. WILLOUGHBY Deputy Chairman, Administrators Advisory Council John E. Willoughby, Deputy Chairman of the Administrators Advisory Council, was in the U.S. Army in World War II and has held various positions as a VA executive for 22 years. He received degrees from the University of Michigan, University of Southern California and George Washington University. PAGENO="0148" 2856 HERBERT F. MOORE Director of Insurance Service Director of the Veterans Administration Insurance Service, Herbert F. Moore is a 20-year career Federal executive. He is an attorney, having received an LLB degree from National University, Washing- ton, D.C. He served in the Navy in World War II. Moore has held positions of increasing responsibility in the VA's Department of Vet- erans Benefits and was Director of the VA Center at Togus, Ma:Lne. PAGENO="0149" 2857 BILL STINSON Special Assistant to the Administrator Special Assistant Bill Stinson of Austin, Texas, a disabled Marine combat veteran of World War II, is a Special Assistant to William J. Driver, Administrator of Veterans Affairs, to handle liaison with the White House, Congress and State governments. Stinson's first job with the Veterans Administration was in Waco, Texas, where he was a file clerk. After working there four years, he left VA to attend Baylor University under the GI Bill. He became active in radio and television in Texas and was elected founding president of the United Press Broad- cast Association of Texas and he also served as vice president of the Associated Press Broadcasters Association of Texas. During the Presidential campaign of 1960, Stinson served as an aide on the Kennedy- Johnson national campaign staff. He was appointed Administrative Assistant to Governor Connally in Sept., 1963, and moved to his present position in Aug., 1965. PAGENO="0150" 2858 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION CATALOG OF SUGGESTIONS PRESENTED TO THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION IN PtH3LI0 SESSIONS AND BY LErrER Ea~p~anatory Notes This catalog covers the suggestions made in all open meetings of the Veterans Advisory Commission and supersedes prior catalogs. The original catalog covered five meetings with several others in prospect which required a code system which would permit orderly insertion of new material. It was hoped that sufficient number spac- ing was provided to permit this. This did not prove to be the case because of an unanticipated volume of suggestions in sev~ral areas. Renumbering was necessary. The alternative was to place catalog items in strange and awkward surroundings. Six broad benefit groups had been previously designated for pos- sible sub-committee study.. These six groups were used as the basis for this catalog. A seventh group (Miscellaneous) is added. For Group I the prefix number "10." is used. For Group II, "20.", and so forth. Each catalog item has following it the citation to the particular transcript in which it is found together with the name of the organ~.za- tion which offered it. For example, "AT 299 (AL)" indicates that the testimony regarding the item is to be found in the Atlanta transcript on page 299 and was proposed by the American Legion. The transcript and their abbreviations are: Seattle - ST Minneapolis MT Chicago - CT Boston - BT Las Vegas . LT Washington (July 26, 1967) - DOT Brooklyn - BKT Philadelphia PT Atlanta AT Oklahoma City OT Washington (October 2, 1967) DC2T The standard abbreviations of the titles of the maj or service or- ganizations are used in these citations. These are: American Gold Star Mothers AGSM Amvets AMVETS Army and Navy Union ANU American War Mothers AWM Blinded Veterans Association BVA Disabled American Veterans DAV Fleet Reserve Association FRA Gold Star Wives - GSW Italian American War Veterans - IAWV Irish War Veterans IWV Jewish War Veterans JWV National Oongress of Puerto Rican Veterans - NCPRV Paralyzed Veterans of America PVA Polish Legi.on of American Veterans PLAV Retired Officers Association ROA Regular Veterans Association - RVA Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW The tabulation of approximately 1500 letters received cannot be ac- cepted as statistically "pure" for a number of reasons. First, many let- PAGENO="0151" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2859 ters represent the view-s of groups without numeration of the partici- pants. Secondly, the issues have not been uniformly framed. In this respect the writers generally lack the sophisticated technical knowl- edge enjoyed by those who testified before the Commission and who had the benefit of the Commission's clarifying interrogation. This has led to the third element of "impurity": the necessity for the tabulator to arbitrarily use his judgment in catagorization. For example, sug- gestings for "increased benefits" without specification of an approach to this objective have been treated as suggestions for "increased pen- sion rates" (where pension is the benefit in question), although in some instances the content and context. have permitted them to be considered suggestions for "service pension." (It should be noted that a direct increase in pension rates, an increase in the income levels, or an exclusion of certain items as income will result in a general increase in the pension benefit.) Those who testified before the Commission, being more learned in veterans legislation and having broader interests, offered suggestions in many areas. The letters indicate that most were written from the author's personal frame of reference, and are generally pension oriented and World War I oriented. In spite of necessary inexactness the following tabulation is believed to present the consensus and is a fair indication of areas of priority. The tabulation is presented in the order of frequency. It should be mentioned for the benefit of any evaluation which may be applied that the use of mimeographed and stereotyped letters was quite high. CONTENTS Group I: Compensation for Service Connected Disabilities and Death; Related Benefits: Service Dates and Eligibility Factors. Distinctions in Compensation Rates Because of Nature of Service. Rating Schedule Policy; Criteria for Service Connection. Presumption of Service Connection. Protection. Individual Unemployability. Suggestions Pertaining to Claims Procedures, Effective Dates, Evaluations, Award Adjustments and other Administrative Practices. Compensation and Rates for Service Connected Disability: Statutory Awards. Disability Compensation (Rates). Additional Compensation Because of Dependents. Concurrent Entitlement to Several Benefits. Automobile Benefit. Suggestions Relating to Death Benefit Programs Generally. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Death Compensation. Group II: Alleviation of Financial Needs of Veterans and Survivors not Con- nected With Military Service: General Policy and Basic Concepts. Liberalization of Service Requirements. Suggestions Relating to Unemployability, Totality and Pernia- imency. Suggestions Relating to New' Programs Based on Factors other than Need. Suggestions Relating to Administrative Procedures, Award Ad- justments, Effective Dates, etc. PAGENO="0152" 2860 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Corpus of Estate. Income Questionnaires and Computation. Income Levels. Proposed Exclusions. Disability Pension Rates and Rates Generally. Housebound and Aid & Attendance Rates. Death Rates. Burial Benefits. National Cemeteries. Group III: Educational and Training Assistance: Vocational Rehabilitation. Education. War Orphans Education. Proposals for Educational Benefits for Widows and Others. Group IV: Housing and Other Credit Assistance: General Suggestions. Time Limitations. Direct Loans. Loan Guaranty. Secondary Loans. Loan Costs. Business Loans. Default Liability. Mortgage Insurance. Special Housing Suggestions. Group V: Insurance: General Suggestions. Servicemens Group Life Insurance. National Service Life Insurance. United States Government Life Insurance. Group VI: Medical Services: Hospitals: Suggestions Relating to General Policies and Procedures. Medical Personnel: Policies, Procurement, Salaries and Relations. Suggestions Regarding Specific Hospitals and Hospital Juris- diction (Construction, Modernization, Operation, etc.). Suggestions Relating to Eligibility, Priority, Admission and Discharge of Veterans. Suggestions Regarding Hospitalization of Paraplegics. Suggestions Relating to Hospital Benefits for Survivors and Dependents of Veterans. Nursing Home Care: Suggestions Relating to General Program. Suggestions of Local Interest. Suggestions Relating to the Program in State Homes. Suggestions Relating to Private Nursing Homes. Suggestions Relating to Appropriations and Grants for Nursing Care Construction. Suggestions Relating to Eligibility and Length of Care. Outpatient: General Suggestions. Suggestions Pertaining to Specific Localities. Suggestions for Extending Eligibility Based on Service Con- nection. Suggestions for Extending Eligibility Based on Factors Other than Service Connection. Suggestion Pertaining to Eligibility for Dependents and Survivors. Domiciliaries. Home Care. Group VII: Miscellaneous. Tabulation of Letter Suggestions. PAGENO="0153" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2861 GROUP 1.-COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND DEATH; RELATED BENEFITS Service Dates and Eligibility Factors 10.0004. Define "Veteran" as one who has served in the armed forces and who is not presently on active duty: DC2T 478 (MCL). 10.0008. Redefine active duty and active duty for training: OT 440-442. 10.0012. Redefine the war periods and the benefits payable for war service: OT 440-442. 10.0016. Consider all periods for which a campaign or expeditionary medal or ribbon was issued war periods: CT 65 (PLAV); BT 383 (MOPH). 10.0020. Consider a campaign or expedition involving hostilities a war period: AT 522 (VFW). 10.0024. Consider April 12, 1911 through April 5, 1917 to be a. *ar period: AT 462. 10.0028. Consider Mexican Border Service a war period: AT 402 (AL). 10.0032. Consider the Siberian Campaign to be war service: LT 201. 10.0036. Consider the period since 1940 to be a war period: LT 241 (AMVETS). 10.0040. Consider the period from 1947 to be a war period: BKT 102 (PVA). 10.0044. Consider the period from December 31, 1946 to June 7, 1950 a war period: MT 339 (VFW). 10.0048. Consider the period from January 31, 1955 to be a war period: BT 325 (DAV); AT 327 (AL); OT 315 (DAV). 10.0052. Provide that the Vietnam (Cold War) period began in 1955: ST 51 (DAV) ; ST 66 (DAy). 10.0056. Provide that the Vietnam Era began prior to August 5, 1964: ST45 (DAy). 10.0060. Provide that the Vietnam Era~ began January 1, 1961: AT 69 (DAy). 10.0064. Provide full and equal benefits for any service from August 5, 1964: BT 238 (AL); ST 37 (AMVETS); ST 66 (DAy); ST 44 (DAV); MT 35 (AMVETS); LT 299 (DAV); LI' 249 (VFW); DCI' 560 (IWV); BT 327 (DAV); BT 126 (VFW); CT 64 (DAV). 10.0068. Consider service in the Womens Auxiliary Army Corps to be entitling service to all war benefits: DCT 50 (PVA); DC2T 354 (WAC VETS). 10.0072. Review liberally all other than honorable discharges: CT 227 (AMVETS). 10.0076. Permit, eligibility to all benefits to those conditionally dis- charged from service honorably for immediate reentrance regardless of the character of the subsequent discharge: DC2T 243 (AL); DC2T 107 (VFW).' 10.0082. Permit full entitlement to survivors regardless of veteran's dishonorable discharge: AT 325 (AL). PAGENO="0154" 2862 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Di~stinctio~s in compensation rates because of nature of service 10.0204. Equalize compensation rates for war and peace service: ST 37 (AMVETS); MT 33 (AMVETS); BT 264 (AM- VETS); BT 328 (DAY); BT 361 (PVA); CT 225 (AM- VETS); CT 104 (VFW); CT 231 (AMVETS); DOT 523 and 533 (BVA) ; DCT 490 (FRA) ; DCT 483 (FRA); BKT 74 (AMVETiL1S); BKT 101 (PVA); OT 460; OT 381 (DAY); OT 179 (VFW); DC2T 36 (PVA); OT 401 (DAY); PT 91 (AMVETS); AT 233 (MOPH); DC2T 154 (PLAY) ; AT 321 (AL). 10.0208. Retain differential between war and peace rates: ST 33 (AL); CT 120 (VFW); CT 251 (MOPH); BT 81 (VFW) ; DC2T 557. 10.0212. Equalize compensation rates for war and peace service for th~ severely disabled : LT 213 (PVA). 10.0216. Permit war rates for deaths during active duty for training except in case of negligence, disobedience or willful mis- conduct: CT 103 (VFW) 10.0220. Provide increased compensation rate for the totally disabled service connected combat veteran: DC2T 440 (MOPH). 10.0224. Provide an increased compansation rate for combat injuries. DCT 495 (FRA) ; DC2T 556; DC2T 501; 10.0228. Provide at 25% increase for a combat disabled above the rate for the wartime disabled: DC2T 450 (MOPH). 10.0232. Permit full benefits for those entitled to war rates for disabili- ties incurred during extra hazardous service or under con- ditions simulating war: CT 33 (DAY); PT 509 (DAY); DC2T 323 (DAY). 10.0236. Provide increased awards for overseas war veterans: MT 341 (VFW) ;LT362. 10.0240. Provide a service connected rating of at least 50% for all overseas troops and sailors of WWII: AT 601. Rating schedule policy, criteria for service connection 10.0404. Provide service connected benefits on a more realistic scale developed in cooperation with the Department of Labor: OT 616 (AL). 10.0408. Provide for House Veterans Affairs Committee participation in adjustments in the Rating Schedule: PT 571 (DAY). 10.0412. Review and revise the Rating Schedule: CT 286 (AL); CT 124 (VFW); CT 112 (YFW); CT 225 (AMVETS); CT 187 (AL). 10.0416. Reevaluate the Rating Schedule every five years: OT 439. 10.0420. Weight the Rating Schedule to reflect changes in economic conditions: D~2T 104 (VFW). 10.0424. Provide a more current Rating Schedule permitting moie equitable rating procedure: LT 191 (MOPH). 10.0428. Expedite Rating Schedule review and provide for lessened life expectancy and social impairment: LI' 1'25 (AL); DC2T 105 (YFW). PAGENO="0155" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2863 10.0432. Provide for noneconomic aspects of disability in the Rating Schedule: LT 224 (AMVF1TS) BT 102. 10.0436. Provide special consideration for shortened life expectancy for the totally disabled: LT 300 (DAV). 10.0440. Consider the Rating Schedule as providing principles but not arbitrary rules: OT 578. 10.0444. Apply and interpret the Rating Schedule liberally: AT 119 (DAV). 10.0448. Direct primary concern to the totally disabled veteran: PT 103 (AMVETS). 10.0452. Revise the Rating Schedule to eliminate discrimination: BT 116 (VFW). 10.0456. Apply flexibility in borderline cases in keeping with the in- tent (but not letter) of the law: PT 152 (AL). 10.0460. Remind VA personnel (through the Administrator) that borderline cases should be resolved in the veteran's favor: AT 302 (AL). 10.0464. Provide the veteran the benefit of the doubt in all questions of service connection: ST 237. 10.0468. Reexamine VA procedures in cases where service evidence does not disclose treatment of a disability: BT 302 (DAy). 10.0472. Interpret liberally and accord more weight to "Buddy" state- ments: OT 350 (DAV) ; DC2T 193 (AMVETS) ; AT 322 (AL) ; AT 519 (VFW). 10.0476. Amend the regulations and Rating Schedule to clarify the "Time, place and circumstances" factor of 38 USC 354, and to define VA responsibility in obtaining official records of treatment alleged: AT 458. 10.0480. Liberalize continuity of disability requirements for purposes of service connection: AT 322 (AL). 10.0484. Determine conditions treated in service to be service connected regardless of continuity : AT 459. 10.0488. Waive need for veteran to provide medical evidence to show probability of a valid claim: AT 38 (DAV). 10.0492. Permit more latitude in service connection for POWs: PT 396 (AL) ; PT 404 (AL). Presum~ption.s of $ervice connection 10.0604. Presume deaths of ex-POWs to be service connected: ST 222 (MOPH); AT 521 (VFW); AT 535 (VFW). 10.0608. Presume deaths of ex-POWs from chronic diseases to be serv- ice connected: OT 509 (AL). 10.0612. Presume deaths of those who served on active duty for 30 years to be service connected: DCT 614 (AL). 10.0616. Presume deaths of those retired from service for longevity to be service connected: AT 295 (AL). 10.0620. Presume deaths from pathological or organic conditions, not involving misconduct, of those serving on active duty for 20 years or more to be service connected: AT 457. 10.0624. Presume deaths of disability retirees of the military to be service connected: DCT 488 and 498 (FRA). PAGENO="0156" 2864 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.0628. Presume deaths of servicemen retired because of 100% dis- ability to be service connected: DC2T (GSWA). 10.0632. Presume deaths of those servicemen retired because of 50% or greater disability to be service connected: DC2T 304 (DOA). 10.0636. Presume deaths of permanently and totally disabled service connected veterans to be service connected in the absence of misconduct: OT 618 (AL). 10.0640. Presume deaths of 100% disabled service connected veterans who were physically unable to provide financial security for their families to be service connected: AT 293 (AL). 10.0644. Presume deaths of those who for the two years immediately preceding were rated individually unemployable to be service connected: AT 232 (MOPH). 10.0648 Presume deaths of those with 100% service connected disabil- ity to be service connected: MT 72 (DAV); CT 112 (VFW); LT 124 (AL); LT 249 and 250 (VFW); DCT 525 and 535 (BVA); PT 573 (DAV) ; AT 2~34 (MOPII); AT 55 (DAy). 10.0652. Presume deaths of those whose service connected disabilities were evaluated at 100% disabling for the 20 years imme- diately preceding death to be service connected: AT 65 (DAV); PT 509 (DAV); OT 401 (DAV); MT 85 (DAV); CT 33 (DAV); AT 114 (DAV); DC2T 325 (DAV); AT 234 (MOPH). 10.0656. Presume deaths of those 65 years or older whose service con- nected disabilities were evaluated as 100% disabling for the 20 years immediately preceding death to be service con- nected: AT 324 (AL) ; AT 438. 10.0660. Presume deaths of those whose service connected disabilities were evaluated as 100% disabling to be service connected if 100% rating had been in effect for 20 years or veterans was over 65 years of age : AT 317 (AL). 10.0664. Presume deaths of those 100% disabled for 20 or more years to be service connected if from non-accidental causes: AT 34 (DAV). 10.0668. Presume deaths of those whose service connected disabiLities were evaluated as 100% disabling for 5 or 10 years prior thereto to be service connected: AT 335 (AL). 10.0672. Presume deaths of those whose service connected disabilities were evaluated as 100% disabling for 5 or more years prior thereto to be service connected: IDC2T 557; OT 439. 10.0676. Presume deaths of those whose service connected disabilities were 60% or more in degree to be service connected: ST 114 (VFW); LT 249 (VFW). 10.0680. Presume deaths of those whose service connected disabilities were 60% or more in degree for five or more years prior to death to be service connected: AT 538. 10.0684. Presume deaths of those with service connected spinal cord injury or disease to be service connected: DC2T 47 (P VA). 10.0688. Presume deaths of those who had ~vere debilitating disabili- ties of service origin for 20 or more years to be service con- nected: BT 366 (PVA). PAGENO="0157" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2865 10.0692. Presume deaths of those receiving aid and attendance allow- ances based on service connected disabilities and whose wives are the attendants to be service connected: CT 124 (YFW). 10.0696. Presume deaths of those receiving aid and attendance al- lowances based on service connected disabilities to be serv- ice connected: PT 554 (DAY). 10.0700. Establish service connection on basis of individual medical history and not on presumptions: DC2T 357A (American Medical Association). 10.0704. Apply chronic disease criteria to all classes of veterans: LT 293 (DAY); O'T 281 (DAY); OT 381 (DAY); OT 401 (DAy). 10.0708. Establish service connection fm preexistnig disabilities after completion of `two full enlistments in active duty: AT 535. 10.0712. Presume service connection for' any condition imposed on a service connected organ or system; AT 293 (AL). 10.0716. Extend presumptive periods for insideous diseases other than carcinoma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and muscular atrophies: OT 400 (DAY). 10.0720. Extend the presumptive periods for chronic diseases with regard to former POWs: PT 324 (YFW). 10.0724. Extend presumptive period for carcinoma, amyotrophic lat- eral sclerosis and muscular atrophies to 2 years: OT 380 (DAY). 10.0728. Extend presumptive period for carcinoma, amyothrophic lat- eral sclerosis and muscular atrophies to 3 years: OT 400 (DAY). 10.0732. Extend presumptive period for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to 7 years: OT 350 (DAY); PT 508 (DAY); DC2T 219 (AL). 10.0736. Extend presumptive period for multiple sclerosis and amyo- trophic sclerosis to 10 years: PT' 509 (DAY). 10.0740. Presume service connection for all disabilities acquired by POWs: ST 84 (YFW); ST 166 (Y'FW); ST 222 (MOPH); LT 325 (YFW); AT 520 (YFW). 10.0744. Presume service connection for' any chronic constitutional disease acquired by POWs: OT 491; AT 459. 10.0748. Presume service connection for almost any condition ac- quired `by a long term POW: PT 400 (AL). 10.0752. Presume service connection for any disease of unknown origin occurring within 20 years o'f release from POW status: DC'2T 192 (AMYETS). 10.0756. Presume service connection for chronic disease of POWs arising within 5 years following discharge: CT 31 (DAY). 10.0760. Presume servi'ce connection `for' any disability acquired by a prisoner of war of 12 months duration within 20 years of release from POW status: OT 461; OT 490. 10.0764. Presume service connection for' chronic bronchitis acquired by POWs within 5 years of discharge: CT 31 (DAY). 10.0768. Presume a minimum 10% evaluation for a nervous disorder acquired `by an ex-POW after discharge: AT 521 (YFW). PAGENO="0158" 2866 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.0772. Require the VA to research and review the presumptive pe- riods for malignancy: PT 96 (AMVETS). 10.0776. Presume service connection for carcinoma developing on the site of service connected disthilities: LT 279 (DAV); AT 294 (AL). 10.0780. Extend presumptive period for, malignant tumors to two years: PT 231 (AL). 10.0784. Extend presumptive period for carcinoma to three years: AT 519 (VFW). 10.0788. Extend presumptive period for cancer to 7 years: BT 121 (VFW) ; AT 457. 10.0792. Extend presumptive period for psychosis to two years: OT 400 (DAV); DC2T 222 (AL); PT 509 (DAV); PT 508 (DAV); PT 532 (DAV); OT 506 (AL); MT 84 (DAV); BT 264 (AMVETS); CT 37 (DAV); BKT 66 (AMVET'S). 10.0796. Liberalize VA attitude in establishing service connection for secondary `conditions: BT 120 (VFW). 10.0800. Liberalize policy for service connection of organic disabilities secondary to a neurotic condition: BT 318 (DAV). 10.0804. Restore service connection severed under the letter of Decem- ber 14,1954: PT 514 (DAV). 10.0808. Maintain evaluations for those who overcome their disabili- ties: DC2T 82 (VFW). - Protection 10.0904. Protect evaluations for muscle damage: MT 52 (DAV). 10.0980. Protect evaluations for chronic constitutional diseases: MT 52 (DAV). 10.0912. Protect statutory awards: CT 31 (DAV); DS2T 561 10.0916. Protect statutory awards in effect for 20 years: DC2T 317 (DAy). 10.0920. Protect combined degrees of disability : LT 270 (DAV). 10.0924. Provide that decreases in evaluations for less than one year shall not interrupt the 20 year period necessary for pro- tection: LT 272 (DAV); DC'2T' 316 (DAV). 10.0928. Provide that 100% evaluations in effect for 19 years sha].l not be reduced to a point which would create hardship: AT 319 (AL). 10.0932. Protect evaluations that have been in effect for 10 years: OT 505 (AL) Individual unemployability 10.1004. Provide statutory award for those who are 100% disabled under the Schedule and are also unemployable: LT 275 (DAV). 10.1008. Permit a 100% evaluation whenever service connected con- ditions are the major cause of unemployment: PT 575 (DAV). PAGENO="0159" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2867 10.1012. Permit a 100% unemployability rating for a single disability evaluated at 60% or a combination at 70% : AT 54 (DAV); 0T505 (AL). 10.1016. Permit a 100% unemployability rating for veterans with a service connected disability evaluated as 60% who develop additional disabilities preventing employment: OT 275 (VFW). 10.1020. Permit a 100% unemployability rating for 60% or more dis- ability where other evidence substantiates unemployability: AT 518 (VFW). 10.1024. Permit 100% unemployability ratings for veterans aged 55 years or older who have service connected disabilities 50% or greater in combination which prevent employment: PT 511 (DAy). 10.1028. Permit, on an extra schedular basis, 100% unemployability ratdngs for veterans age 55 and older whose service con- nected disabilities are evaluated as 50% or more: PT 323 (VFW). 10.1032. Permit an additional evaluation for unemployability for vet- erans 50% or more disabled under the Schedule: OT 439. 10.1036. Permit a 100% unemployability rating for service connected disabilities otherwise ratable as 50% or more after 6 months unemployment: MT 99 (VFW). 10.1040. Reexamine veterans one year after attaining arrest of service connected tuberculosis to determine if employability is restored: OT 511 (AL). 10.1044. Permit `assignment of an unemployability evaluation regard- less :~f the schedular degree of disability: DC2T 193 (AMVETS). 10.1048. Adopt the same standards for unemployability ratings for service connected disabilities as are used for pension pur- poses: MT 54-58 (DAV); MT 285; BT 241 (AL); AT 295 (AL). 10.1052. Provide an age factor in unemployability ratings: DC2T 563 (DAV); AT 273 (AL). 10.1056. Permit some degree of marginal employment where an un- employability rating is assigned: CT 31 (DAy). 10.1060. Eliminate unemployment questionnaires after unemploya- bility rating has been in effect for 10 or more years: LT 299 (DAy). 10.1064. Permit rating boards greater latitude in determining unem- ployability for compensation purposes: AT 37 (DAy); PT 323 (VFW). 10.1068. Permit an unemployability rating where cause is service con- nected disability in one limb and non service in the other: PT 231 (AL). 10.1072. Permit an unemployability rating where loss or loss of use of a limb is the case: AT 519 (VFW). 10.1084. Reevaluate the 100% disabled with regard to their mental stability and ability to work: PT 104 (AMVETS). PAGENO="0160" 2868 REPORT OF IJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Suggestions pertaining to clairn.s procedures, effective dates, evcdua- tion8, au'arcl adjustments, and other adv-tini&trative practices 10.2004. Review claim automatically upon hospitalization for a service connected disability: ST 87 (VFW). 10.2008. Evaluate service connected disability as 100% from date of hospital admittance for the condition: AT 294 (AL) ; CT 225 (AMVETS). 10.2012. Evaluate service connected disability as 100% after hosp~tali- zation for a 24-hour period for the condition: LT 294 (DAy). 10.2016. Provide a 100% evaluation for a convalescence period fol- lowing discharge from an NP hospital: AT 318 (AL); AT 321 (AL). 10.2020. Provide a graduated convalescent rating in NP cases fol- lowing hospital discharge: AT 437. 10.2024. Provide for a social survey in NP cases rated 50% or mole more where veterans fails to report for examination: AT 334 (AL). 10.2028. Continue policy of conducting examinations for compensatio:a purposes at Regional Offices: AT 332 (AL). 10.2032. Study justification for disparity' between psychosis and psychoneurosis: OT 507 (AL). 10.2036. Provide Special Rating Boards for consideration of hospital- ized service connected cases: BT 90 (VFW). 10.2040. Provide more administrative intervention by CO: BT 114 (VFW). 10.2044. Recognize the greater need for extra-schedular ratings by CO:BT 117 (VFW). 10.2048. Provide an extra-schedular evaluation board in each Regional Office: LT 288 (DAV). 10.2052. Liberalize Extension 6 (convalescent ratings) requirements: LT309 (DAV). 10.2060. Pay aid and attendance for service connected disability where veteran enters nursing home at his own expense: CT 124 (VFW). 10.2064. Permit increased aid and attendance allowance to those not eligible for VA nursing beds: CT 288 (AL). 10.2068. Discontinue withholding of compensation during .Jiospital- ization for those 100% disabled: CT 226 (AMVETS). 10.2072. Eliminate award adjustments because of hospitalization: AT 331 (AL). 10.2076. Increase to $3000 the estate limit permitted a hospitalized in- competent and establish $1000 as the level which permils resumption of compensation payments: OT 196 (VFW). 10.2080. Liberalize hospital reduction provisions to permit incom- petents to build a small estate for use on discharge: OT 375 (DAy). 10.2082. Apply special appointment procedure and consider the vetel- an's interest as well as the child's in cases of hospitalized incompetents: OT 452 (DAV). PAGENO="0161" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2869 10.2084. Improve facilities to relieve the backlog in original and rou- tine future examinations: AT 216 (AMVETS). 10.2088. Remove benefits restrictions on husbands and widows of female veterans: DC2T 355; DC2T 560; AT 494. 10.2092. Provide retroactive benefits from the date of passage of leg- islation entitling previously disallowed or denied claims: CT 118 (VFW). 10.2096. Provide utmost consistency in laws governing effective dates: LT127 (AL). 10.2100. Permit retroactive awards in cases where original claim pre- viously denied is allowed on new and material evidence: PT 147 (AL). 10.2104. Pay compensation from date of discharge in all cases where continuity of disability is established: OT 508 (AL). 10.2108. Reduce or discontinue awards from last day of calendar year in case of death of a dependent: AT 297 (AL). 10.2112. Continue paragraph 29 benefits 30 days beyond CBOC and post hospital treatment period in all cases of serious illness: LTl28andl35 (AL). 10.2120. Provide that the effective date of paragraph 29 benefits should be date of hospitalization in a VA or private hospital: AT 217 (AMVETS) ; DC2T 215 (AL). 10.2124. Provide that the effective date of increases shall be from first date of hospitalization in any hospital: AT 536. 10.2128. Provide that payment of retroactive awards shall be at cur- rent compensation rates: OT 508 (AL). 10.2132. Provide a 60% evaluation for a below the knee amputation: AT 520 (VFW). 10.2136. Provide a 50% evaluation for a below the knee amputation: MT 73 (DAV); MT 84 (DAY) ; LT 307 (DAy). 10.2140. Provide realistic and non-discriminatory auditory acuity rat- ings:BT 116 (VFW). 10.2144. Provide a total evaluation for total deafness: OT 506 (AL). 10.2148. Provide a compensable rating for hearing impairment re- quiring use of a hearing aid : MT 85 (DAy). 10.2152. Provide a more accurate method for determining hearing loss: AT 531. 10.2156. Eliminate audiological testing and substitute examinations reflecting everyday working and living conditions of the individual: AT 294 (AL). 10.2160. Improve facilities to expedite audiology examinations: AT 216 (AMVETS). 10.2164. Expedite hearing examinations: AT 322 (AL). 10.2168. Liberalize evaluations for psychosis and epilepsy: AT 37 (DAy). 10.2172. Provide a special rating for "Prisoner of War" syndrome: LT125 (AL). 10.2176. Restudy epilepsy evaluations: BT 117 (YEW); CT 124 (YFW). 10.2180. Provide increased consideration for social impairment in cases of neurosis and psychosis: BT 291 (DAY). 91-670-68------11 PAGENO="0162" 2870 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.2184. Provide `increased' evaluations `(for psychophysiological dis- orders (Code 9500) :BT290 (DAY). 10.2188. Permit the aid and attendance nilowance and the "house- bound" allowance based on psychoneurosis: BT 291 (DAY). 10.2192. Reexamine the compensation structure (Schedule of Di'sabil- `ity `Ratings) : BT 102. 10.2196. Reexamine degrees of disability provided by the Rating Schedule: BT 385 (MOPH). `10.2200. Establish more intermediate rates between 0% and 100%: MT 56 (DAY); MT 100 (YFW); MT 287; CT 225 (AMVETS) ;LT224 (AMYETS). 10.2204. Review rating tables `and evaluations in line with reality: AT 321 (AL). 10.2208. Establish a' minimum 10% evaluation for hypertension con- trolled by medication : MT `337 (YFW). 10.2212. Establish a minimum 10% evaluation for tuberculosis: MT 291. `10.2216. Update' digestive system evaluations: BT 116 (YFW). 10.2220. Establish a `minimum 10% evaluation for scarred duodenal bulb: MT"292. 10.2224. Update evaluations for visual impairment: BT' 116 (YFW). 10.2228. Evaluate loss or loss of u'se of an eye at 50% : MT 73 (DAY); `MT 84 (DAY). 10.2232. Increase evaluation for blindness of an eye or loss of an ear: CT 124 (`YFW). 10.2236. Establish a statutory award for "loss of the thuffib of the `major'h'and'duë to combat: `CT 287 (AL) ; CT 187 (YFW). 10.2240. Establish a compensable evaluation for `chronic cellulitis: 0T349 (DAY). 10.2244. Evaluate complete loss of funètion of a `kidney as 50% d.is- "ablin'g : `MT 73 (I)AY). 10.2248. `Establish `a statutory' award `for `loss or loss of use of a kidney due "to cdmbat `wounds: CT 187 (VFW); CT 287 (AL). 10~2252. Provide a statutory `award (38 USC 314 (k)) for loss of a kidney: Ct 226 (AMYETS). 10.2256. Provide a `statutory award (k) for loss of a kidney and loss "of a' `lung: D'~2T 317 (DAY) ; AT 269 (AL) ; PT 505-506 (DAY) ; DC2T 525. 10.2260. Add rating evaluations rather than combining them: AT 613; PT 507; OT 506 (AL). 10.2264. Liberalize the required amount `of additional disability nec- essary to elevate a 90% evaluation to a' conThined 100%: MT73 (DAY). 10.2268. Provide a statutory award for anal colostomy, total gastrec- tomy, and loss of 3 lung lobes: OT 349 (DAY). 10.2272. Provide compensation for the combined disability where the service connected loss or loss of use of a `leg or an eye is compounded by the loss or loss of use of the other leg or eye through non-service connected causes: OT 245 (VFWT). PAGENO="0163" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2871 10.2276. Provide compensation for the combined disability where the service connected loss or loss of use of an arm or a leg is compounded by loss or loss of use of the corresponding member through non-service connected causes: PT 552 (DAY); PT 233 (AL); DC2T 318 (DAY). 10.2280. Provide compensation for the combined disability where the service connected loss or loss of use of a limb or organ of sense is cornpounded.by loss or loss of use of the correspond- ing limb or organ through non-service connected causes: OT 507 (AL). 10.2284. Consider veneral diseases and residuals as disabilities and repeal provisions concerning willful misconduct: AT 572; CT 141 (YFW). 10.2288. Consider alcoholism.to be willful misconduct and bar benefits therefor: AT 608. 10.2292. Rate alcoholism in accordance with current thinking: PT 92 (AMYETS). Compensatwn and Rates for Service Connected Disability Statutory awards 10.3004. Review validity and equity of statutory awards to align them with the degree of disability for which they are granted and provide savings clause: AT 293 (AL). 10.3008. Increase all statutory awards: PT 400 (AL); OT 381 (DAY); AT .113 (DAY); OT 400 (~DAY); DC2T 450 (MOPH); BT 327 (DAY); BT 308 (DAY): BT 85 (YFW); LT 250 (YFW); BKT 208 (WWI); EKT 117 (DAY); AT 613; BT 102. 10.3012. Increase award for loss of an eye and loss of a limb: CT 40 (VFW). 10.3016. Provide a cost of living increase for statutory awards com- puted from 1945: ,BT 379. 10.3020. Provide a cost of living increase for loss of an extremity or body organ: CT 30 (DAY). 10.3024. Increase statutory awards by at least $20 per month :: CT 124 ,(YFW). 10.3028. Increase the "k" rate: AT 84 (DAY); PT 552 (DAY). 10.3032. Increase the "k" rate a minimum of 60%: AT 520 (VFW). 10.3036. Increase "k" rate. to $75 per month: PT 542 (DAY). 10.3040. Increase the "k" and "q" rates approximately 55%: DC2T 313 (DAY). 10.3044. Increase the `~k" . rate to $65: AT 130 (DAY). 10.3048. Increase the statutory award for loss of a limb or blindness to $60 per month: OT 275 (YFW). 10.3052. Increase the "k" rate to $60: OT 505 (AL); AT 65 (DAY); OT 357-358 (DAY); OT 262 (YFW); OT 244 (YFW). 10.3056. Increase statutory awards for amputees to $55: PT 505 (DAY); PT 70 (AMYETS). 10.3060. Increase the "k" rate to $55: DC2T 188 (AMYETS). PAGENO="0164" 2872 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.3064. Increase the "k" rate to $50: AT 269 (AL). 10.3068. Permit multiple "k" awards: MT 146 (VFW); CT 1.23 (VFW); OT 400 (DAV); AT 269 (AL). 10.3072. Review propriety of prospective "q" awards (arrested tuber- culosis) and of "k" awards for procreative organs: MT 147 (VFW). 10.3076. Reexamine propriety of "q" rate and, if eliminated, provE~de a grandfather clause: DC2T 275 (AL). 10.3080. Increase the "q" rate: BT 173 (WWI); OT 460; AT 835 (AL); AT 84 (DAy). 10.3084. Increase "q" rate to $100: PT 542 (DAV); OT 275 (VFW); OT 262 (VFW). 10.3088. Increase "q" rate to $60: AT 130 (DAy). 10.3092. Increase "q" rate to $80: AT 66 (DAy). 10.3096. Increase "q" rate to $75: PT 511 (DAV); OT 505 (AL). 10.4000. Permit payment of "q" as an additional rate rather than in lieu of compensation: CT 123 (VFW) ; OT 460. 10.4004. Increase rates in 38 USC 314 (1), (m), (n) and (p) by $50: PT 513 (DAy). 10.4008. Increase rates for (1) through (o) for the blind: PT 274 (BVA). 10.4012. Provide a special award for the expenses inherent in blind- ness: PT 382 (BVA). 10.4016. Increase the allowance for aid and attendance: BT 361 (PVA). 10.4020. Double the aid and attendance allowance: BT 361 (PVA). 10.4024. Provide an additional $250 per month for loss or loss of use of both arms: PT 506 (DAy). 10.4028. Provide a 100% increase in the aid and attendance allowance for spinal cord injury or disease: PT 38 (BVA). 10.4032. Reexamine rate structure with regard to the housebound who require aid and attendance or have combined disabilities entitling them to special rates: AT 269 (AL). 10.4036. Provide aid and attendance allowance for loss or loss of use of both hands: PT 325 (VFW). 10.4040. Permit retention of the statutory award in addition to entitle- ment to the housebound rate: PT 70 (AMVETS); CT 225 (AMVETS). 10.4044. Provide a clothing alowance for amputees: BT 253 (AMVETS); BKT 77 (AMVETS); BKT 120 (DAV); OT 401 (DAV); AT 535; DC 218-219 (AL); AT 131 DAy). 10.4048. Provide clothing allowance of $300 annually: AT57 (DAV); PT 517 (DAV) ; PT 535 (DAV) ; DC2T 319 (DAy). 10.4052. Increase the clothing allowance: LT 241 (AMVETS). 10.4056. Provide POWs a statutory award of $100 in addition to other compensation: OT 509 (AL). 10.4060. Provide all POWs compensation based on a minimum 50% evaiuation: AT 463. PAGENO="0165" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2873 10.4064. Provide an award of $5 per day for ex-POWs: ST 222 (MOPH); LT 193 (MOPH); LT 194 (MOPH) AT 234 (MOPH). 10.4068. Provide a statutory award of $25 for each Purple Heart holder: BT 386 (MOPH); CT 250 (MOPH). 10.4072. Provide a statutory award of $10 for the Purple Heart holder: AT 231 (MOPH). Disability compensation (rates) 10.5004. Provide the highest priority to a study of increases in com- pensation: DC2T 313 (DAV). 10.5008. Defer payment of any general increase and pay it in a lump sum at conclusion of the Vietnam war: BT 314 (DAy). 10.5012. Correct the improper relation of compensation and pension rates: ST 24 (AL). 10.5016. Correct the existing inequity in service connected payments to those over 65 years of age as compared to pension pay- ments to those who served 90 days without disability: OT 394 (DAY). 10.5020. Pay compensation in amounts proportionate to the degree the disability bears to 100%: MT 60 (DAY); MT 192 (AL); MT 336 (YFW); BT 118 (YFW); BT 264 (AMYETS); BT 385 (MOPH); BT 226 (AL); BT 393; CT 225 (AMVETS); CT 66 (DAY); CT 187 (AL); LT 250 (VFW); LT 339 (YFW); LT 324 (VFW); LT 270 (DAY); LT 223 (AMVETS); LT 124 (AL); LT 105 (~TWTJ); LT 348 (YFW); PT 252 (AL); OT 504 (AL); PT 148 (AL); PT 70 (AMYETS); AT 536; OT 61~ (AL); AT 232 (MOPH); AT 318 (AL); PT 425~ (PLAY); AT 321 (AL); AT 130 (DAY); DC2T 209 (AL); OT 249 (YFW); OT 339 (DAY); DC2T 188 (AMYETS); PT 338 (YFW); DC2T 155 (PLAY); AT 60 (DAY);AT65 (DAY);AT293 (AL);AT335 (AL); AT 437; AT 357 (AL); AT 518 (YFW); AT 613; AT 245 (AL); AT 34 (DAY); AT 84 (DAY); OT 439; DC2T 210 (AL); PT 227' (AL); PT 251 (AL); OT 416; OT 340 (DAY); DC2T 556; OT 394 and 395 (DAY). 10.5024. Begin program of paying compensation in amounts propor- tionate to the degree of disability by applying it to one percentage group a year starting with 40%: DC2T 210 (AL). 10.5028. Begin program of paying compensation in amounts propor- tionate to the degree of disability by gradually increasing each year amounts paid until true proportion is attained: DC2T21O (AL). 10.5032. Increase rates for those 10% to 40% disabled: BT 121 (YFW) ;AT321. 10.5036. Pay full amount for each disability separately up to a maxi- mum of 100% (without inclusion of statutory awards) : BT 327 (DAY). PAGENO="0166" 2874 REPORT OF ILS. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.5040. Increase compensation rates gellerally: ST 46 (DAV); ST 65 (DAV); ST 68 (DAY); ST 73 (DAY); ST 87 (VFW); MT 355; MT 247; BT 329 (DAY); BT 173 (WWTI); BT 101; BT 422; CT 157 (PYA); CT 54 (DAY); CT ~86 (AL); LT 293 (DAY); LT 307 (DAY); DCT 4:92 (FRA) ; DCT 522 and 532 (BVA) ; BKT 116 (DAY) PT 398 (AL); PT 90 (AMVETS); PT 338 (YFW); AT 319 (AL) ; AT 113 (I)AY) ; OT 395 (DAY) ; OT 185 (YFW); OT 351 (DAY); OT 304 (DAY); DC2T 37 (PYA): PT 320 (YFW). 10.5044. Increase compensation specifically for the war disabled: LT 307 (DAY). 10.5048. Pay an additional amount of $10 for 100% combat disab:ed and proportionally less for lesser disabilities: AT 271 (AL). 10.5052. Provide a cost of living increase in compensation rates: ST 214 (FRA); MT 32 (AMVETS); MT 85 (DAY); MT 124 (YFW); MT 137 (YFW); BT 320 (DAY); BT 324 (DAY); BT 330 (DAY); BT 360 (PVA); BT 345 (Italian American War Veterans); CT 30 (DAY) ; LT 69 (YFW) ; LT 223 (AMYETS); DCT 522 (BYA); AT 65 (DAY); AT 317 (AL); AT 520 (YFW); PT 425 (PLAY); PT 568 (DAY); PT 227 (`\TFWT); PT 301 (\TF~T); DC2T 310 (DAY); D~2T 187 (AMYETS); PT 292 (YFW) AT 213 (AMVETS); OT 172 (YFW); OT 191 (\TFWT); OT 217 (\TFWT); OT 373 (DAY); OT 314 (DAY); 01' 380 (DAY); OT 275 (YFW); PT 540 (DAY) ; OT 492; AT 437; OT 98 (WWI) 10.5036. Increase compensation rates automatically with increases in the cost of living: ST 46 (DAY); ST 60 (DAY); MT 91 (DAY); BT 2)4 (AMYETS); BT 384 (MOPH): CT 63 (PLAY): CT 122 (`\TFWT); LT 69 (1,TFWT). PT 179 (AL); PT 351 (WWI); PT 189 (AL); PT 569 (DAY) AT 454; PT 91 (AMYETS); PT 351 (WWI); AT 233 (MOPH); DC2T 155 (PLAY); DC2T 556; OT 243 (\TFWT): OT ~04 (AL); OT 43 (W~TJ): DC2T ~39 (AL) : DC2T 181 (AMYETS) ; AT ~6S (AL) : AT 3O~ (~TJ~W) : AT 294 (AL) prj~ 189 (AL). 10.5060. Provide a cost of living adjustment with each change of ~% in the cost of liv~ng: LT 339 (VFW) ; OT 314 (DAY) 10.5064. Increase compensation in accordance with increase in the cost of living based On a. yearly appraisal: OT 399 (DAY). 10.5068. Increase compensation consistent with the cost of living con- c~irrentiy with each military and Federal Employee pay increase: AT 33 (DAY). 10.5072. Increase compensation rates coincidentally with military P~Y increase: AT 311 (AL). 10.6008. Thcrease compei~sation payments to a parit~~ with the aver- age standard of living: DC2T 81 (YFW). 10.6012. Increa.se compensation in the higher rates to provide a. reason- able standard of living: DC2T 400 (AVC). PAGENO="0167" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2875 10.6016. Increase rates to "fairly compensate" for all loss, present and, pi~ospective, reasonably arising out of the injury: MT 350. 10.6020. Provide aminirnurn for the totally disabled of.$600 per month or an in6rease of $2000 per year: PT 541 (DAY). 10.6024. Increase compensation to between $6000 and $7000 per year for 100%, disa~bility (wartime) : MT 32 (AMYETS). 10.6028. Increase compensatioli to $6000per year. for 100%' disability. (wartime): ST 231 (VFW); ST 253 (VFW); CT 57 (DAY); PT 405 (AL); OT 376 (DAY); DC2T 124 (YFW). S 10.6032. Increase compensation to $5400 per yea:r (100% wartime).: BT 393; OT 243 (YFW); OT 298 (YFW); OT 341 (DAY). 10.6036. Increase compensation to $5400 per year when service con- nected wartime disability is a continuous 100%: LT 301 (DAY). 10.6040. Increase compensation to not less than $5100 per. year for 100% disability (wartime): MT 60 (DAY); PT 505 (DAY). 10.6044. Increase compensation to between $400 and $500 per month for the 100% wartime disabled psychotic veteran: PT 108, (AMYETS).. 10.6048. Increase compensation to at least $5000 per year for 100% disability (wartime) : CT 187 (AL). 10.6052. Increase compensation to between $4800 and $5200 per year for 100% disability (wartime): AT 268 (AL). 10.6056. Increase compensation to $4800 per year for 100% disabiii~ty (wartime): ST 104 (YFW); ST 113 (YFW); MT 192 (AL); BT 226 (AL); BT 290 (DAY); LT 123 (AL); LT 307 (DAY); LT 279 (DAY); BKT 79 (AMYETS); OT 244 (YFW); OT 307 (DAY); AT 357 (AL); DC2T 556: PT 203 (AL) ; DC2T 188 (AMYETS) ; AT 612 (PT 540-541 (DAY) ; AT 535, AT 583 (YFW) ; AT 293 (AL); AT 130 (DAY); AT 83 (DAY); OT 504 (AL). 10.6060. Increase all rates `by 10% but provide $400 per month for 100% service connected disability (wartime): AT 54 (DAY). 10.6064. Increase compensation for the 100% wartime disabled to $4800 per year with proportionate increase in the additional allowances for dependents: BT 85 (YFW). 10.6068. Increase the compensation rates by 30%: MT 336 (YFW). 10.6072. Increase the compensation rates by 20%: OT 454 (DAY); 0T492;0T504 (AL). 10.6076. Increase compensation to $4200 per year for 100% disability (wartime).: MT 51 (DAY); LT 250 (YFW); LT 348 (YFW); BKT 100 (PYA); AT 244 (AL). 10.6082. Increase compensation rates by no less than 15%: OT 270 (YFW). PAGENO="0168" 2876 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY CO~ISSION 10.6086. Increase the compensation rates by 10%: BT 264 (AM- VETS); CT 65 (PLAV); LT 223 (AMVETS); OT 275 (VFW); OT 359 (DAV); DC2T 155 (PLAV); AT 344 (AL); AT 351 (AL); DC2T 450 (MOPH) 10.6092. Provide a 10% increase in rates for disabilities acquired over- seas : LT 250 (VFW). 10.6096. Increase compensation rates to raise the average annual payment to $1500: PT 277 (VFW). AdditionaZ com~pensation because of dependents 10.6204. Provide a general increase in additional compensation be.- cause of dependents: ST 46 (DAV); ST 87 (VFW) ; DCT 522 and 533 (BVA) ; AT 181 (WWI) ; AT 245 (AL); 01' 270 (VFW) ; PT 4O5 (AL) ; AT 612; PT 401. 10.6208. Increase rates because of dependents by 50%: PT 50~ (DAy). 10.6212. Increase rates because of dependents by at least 10%: OT 50~ (AL). 10.6216. Increase rates because of dependents proportionately with in- crease in basic rates : LT 123 (AL). 10.6220. Provide additional compensation because of dependents for those 40% or more disabled: BT 385 (MOPH); BT 323 (DAV); BT 331 (DAV); ST 46 (DAV); CT 187 (AL); DC2T 315 (DAV); OT 351 (DAV); AT 34 (DAV); PT 505 (DAy); AT 113 (DAV); AT 65 (DAV); AT 23~ (MOPH); PT 91 (AMVETS); OT 380 (DAy). 10.6224. Provide additional compensation because of dependents for those 40% or more disabled and eventually extend it t~ those 30% or more disabled. OT 400 (DAy). 10.6228. Provide additional compensation because of dependents for those 30% or more disabled: MT 336 (VFW); CT 12~ (VFW); OT 491; OT 270 (VFW); AT 131 (DAV); AT 84 (DAy). 10.6232. Provide additional compensation because `of dependent's for those disabled in `any degree: MT 193 (AL); BT 257' (AMVETS); BT 308 (DAY); BT 226 (AL); BT 173 (WWI); BT 422; CT 226 (AMVETS); LT 124 (AL); LT 224 (AMVETS); DCT 490 (FRA); BKT 60' (AMVETS); PT 252 (AL); AT 535 and 536; PT 338 (VFW); DC2T 188 (AMVETS); DC2T 556; AT 334 (AL); PT 148 (AL); DC2T 348 (DAY); OT 1'T~ (VFW); OT 504 (AL); PT 203 (AL); OT 395 (DAIfl. 10.6236. Provide additional compensational because of dependents for those less than 50% disabled whose income is below the level of property: I)C2T 155 (PLAy). 10.6240. Provide more flexibility in paying additional compensation because of dependents taking into consideration the level `of poverty: CT 66 (PLAy). 10.6244. Increase additional compensation because of a dependent an additional $50 if the 50% disabled veteran is helpless, blind, bedridden, or unable to work: OT 275 (VFW). 10.6248. Provide `additional compensation because of a school chiM equivalent to WOE rates: ST 87 (VFW). PAGENO="0169" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2877 10.6252. Provide an increased (educational) amount for each acidi- tional dependent: BT 243 (AL). 10.6256. Increase `additional compensation because `of a wife to $50: AT 234 (MOPH). 10.6260. Increase additional amounts because of dependents to $50 for a wife and $35 for each child: AT 269 (AL). 10.6264. Increase additional amounts because of dependents to $50 for a wife and $25 for each child: AT 293 (AL). 10.6268. Increase `additional compensation `because of dependents to $35 for a wife and to $25 for each child: AT 65 (DAY). 10.6272. Provide `additional compensation because of children of $25 per child: DC2T 188 (AMVE'TS); PT 70 (AMVETS). 10.6276. Increase `additional compensation because of dependen'ts to $25 per dependent: BT 264 (AMVETS); BKT 74 (AMVETS). Concurrent entitlement to several benefits 10.7004. Conduct a study of dual `benefits: CT 354 (AL). 10.7008. Update the military retirees package to the cost of living: DC2T 501; PT 540 (DAY). 10.7012. Permit `concurrent receipt of longevity retirement and disabil- ity compensation without waiver; MT199 (AL); CT 224 (AMVETS); DOT 595 (ROA); DC2T 557; AT 294 (AL) ; AT 499; AT 338 (AL) ; DC2T 106 (VFW) ; DC2T 394 (ROA); DC2T 517 (ROA). 10.7016. Permit receipt of full military retired pay concurrently with compensation for 30% or greater disability : ST181 (ROA); ST 214 (FRA). 10.7020. Provide for payment by the VA of the difference between compensation and retired pay during the period the waiver is being processed: LT 71 (VFW). 10.7024. Shorten the waiting period required for payment `of retired pay and compensation: LT 131 (AL). 10.7028. Permit VA Form 21-526 to serve for one year as an election when compensation is the greater `benefit: LT 308 (DAY). 10.7032. Facilitate communication between `the VA and DOD on' elec- tions of compensation in lieu of retired pay: AT 463. 10.7036. Preclude possibility of VA administering military retired pay: ST 200 (ROA) ; ST 214 (FRA). 10.7040. Provide `a program for survivors of military retirees corre- lated to retired pay : DC 598 (ROA). 10.7044. Provide provisions for unremarried widows of retirees at a monthly rate equal to one-half plus 12% of retiree's monthly retirement pay: DC2T 293 (DOA). 10.7048. Eliminate the Dual Compensation laws with regard to officers of the Regular Army retired for disability: OT 349 (DAY). `10.7052. Eliminate provisions of the Dual Compensation laws requir- ing forfeiture of retainer and retired pay by those taking federal employment: DC2T 482 (MCL); DC2T 516 (ROA) ; DC2T 502; D~2T 393 (ROA). PAGENO="0170" 2878 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 10:7056. EquaJize military retirethent pay for similar conditions cf rank and service by restoring former method of computa- tion based on current active duty pay rates: DOT 603 (BOA); LT 180 (JWY); AT 171 (WWI); AT 542; DC2T 520 (BOA); AT 304 (AL); AT 491 (BOA); AT 624; DC2T288 (DOA);PT257 (AL). 10.7060. Provide the same retirement privileges for veterans releasel fromWWI and WV\TII service as was provided for Korean Conflict and subsequent service: PT 180 (AL); DC2T 48 (PVA); PT 199 (AL); LT 214 (PAY); DC2T 136 (VFW). 1o:7o~4. Permit retirement privileges to WWI and WWII veterans separated with a 30% or greater disability who remain at least 30% disabled: PT 305 (YFW). 10.7068. Permit military retirement in the highest grade; ~atisfactori1y held:DC2T246 (AL). 10.7072. Permit reelection between compensation and BEC: LT 352 (VFW). 10.7076. Permit concurrent payment of Employees Compensation tD Federal employees who are receiving benefits based on a service connected disability: OT 322 (DAY); OT 191 (YFW) ; DOT 517 (BOA). 10.7080. Provide benefits for survivors of those dying in service on a parity with those available to survivors of Civil Service Employees: DC2T 534. 10.1084. Establish special prcvisio1~s for survivors of those service- men who die while performing an assigned duty: DC2T 549. 10.7088. Provide an increase in benefits commensurate with interven- ing cost of living for survivors of those who died in serv- ice:DC2T 550. 10.7092. Study the Severance Pay progra~m for necessary changes: OT37O (DAY) ;0T457 (DAY). 10~70~6. Eliminate hardship created by recoupment of disability sev- erance pay: ST 24 (AL). 10.7100. Prvicle for recoupment of disability severance pay at th~ maximum rate for the degree of disability existing at thB time of discharge: OT 281 (DAY); DC2T 322 (DAY). 10.7104. Permit that compensation awards from which disability sev- erance pay must be recouped be retroactive to the date of separation: OT 348 (DAY); DO2T 106 (VFW). 10.7108. Permit deferral of receipt of disability sevethnce pay for a period not exceeding 5 years after separation: PT 513 (DAY). 10.7112. Eliminate recoupment of 75% of military readjustment pay froth VA disability benefits : DC2T 106 (VFW). 10.7116. Permit hospitalized incompetent retirees (EOR) resumption of award payments upon reduction of estate to $1000: 0T385 (DAY). PAGENO="0171" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2879 10.7120. Permit concurrent receipt of special monthly compensation and pension: CT 124 (YFW). 10.7124. Permit concurrent receipt of compensation and pension: ST 46 (DAY); ST 65 (DAY); ST 72 (DAY); MT 34 (AMYETS); MT 351; CT 225 (AMYETS); LT 276 (DAY); BKT 75 (AMYETS); AT 84 (DAY). 10.7128. Permit those entitled to compensation for service connected disability of 40% or less to receive concurrent pension pay- ments: CT 251 (MOPH). 10.7132. Permit receipt concurrently with compensation of a percent- age of the pension otherwise payable, computed by the difference between the degree of the service connected dis- ability and 100%: AT 35 (DAY); DC2T 556; DC2T 314 (DAY); AT 232 (MOPH); OT 401 (DAY). 10.7136. Charge amount of increase in veterans payment to the pen- sion program where veteran elects pension rather than com- pensation: B'T 329 (DAY). Automobile benefit 10.8004. Increase the automobile allowance: MT 71 (DAY) ; MT 124 (YFW) ; BT 118 (YFW) ; DC2T 319 (DAY). 10.8008. Increase the automobile allowance i~o the average cost of American automobiles: PT 182 (AL); PT 302 (YFW). 10.8012. Increase the automobile allowance proportionate to the inter- vening increase in prices of automobiles: PT 238 (AL). 10.8016. Provide automatic increases in the automobile allowances in keeping with increases in prices: PT 237 (AL). 10.8020. Increase the automobile allowance `to $2000: BT `263 (AMYETS); BKT 66 (AMYETS); OT 508 (AL). 10.8024. Increase the automobile allowance to $2400: BT 365 (PYA); 0T276 (YFW). 10.8028. Increase the automobile allowance to $2500: PT 94 (AM- YETS); PT 543 (DAY). 10.8032. Increase the automobile allowance to $2500 and sponsor an automobile insurance program for those veterans: DC2T 192 (AMYETS). 10.8036. Increase the automobile allowance to $3000: PT 279 (YFW); DC2T 217 (AL); DC2T 39 (PYA); AT 460. 10.8040. Extend entitlement to the $16000 automobile allowance, with interest, to otherwise eligible WWI veterans: PT 510 (DAY). 10.8044. Extend the automobile allowance to otherwise eligible peace- time veterans: DC2T 39 (PYA). 10.8048. Extend the automobile allowance to all otherwise eligible war veterans from April 20, 1898: OT 508 (AL). 10.8052. Provide the automobile benefit to "Cold War" veterans: BT 424. 10.8056. Provide the automobile benefits to Vietnam veterans: ST 45 (DAY); CT 131 (YFW); LT 335 (YFW). PAGENO="0172" T2880 REPORT O~ ILS. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.8060. Eliminate the requirement that the disability be "incurred in direct performance of duty" for entitlement to "ccld war" and Vietnam Era veterans to the automobile benefit: PT 93 (AMVETS); DC2T 216 (AL); OT 276 (VFW); OT 400 (DAV); AT 460. 10.8064. Furnish necessary hand controls for automobile as bei:ag prosthetic appliances: BT 365 (PVA) ; AT 460. .10.8068. Increase the automobile allowance by $125 for special driving equipment: MT 71 (DAY). 10.8076. Permit repetition of the automobile benefit: MT 71 (DAY). 10.8080. Permit receipt of the automobile benefit every three years: BKT 118 (DAY'). 10.8082. Exempt all taxes applied in purchase of an automobile by those receiving the automobile benefit: PT 518 (DAli). 10.8084. Sponsor a property damage and personal liability automo- bile insurance for service connected disabled veteran: A.T 542; PT 496 (BPOE). 10.8086. Allow $2400 for new or used automobile to veterans meeting disability requirement in the Rating Schedule: OT 276 (VFW). 10.8088. Amend the present law to provide for $1600 for conveyance for WWI and peacetime veterans meeting criteria for WWII and Korean Conflict: OT 400 (VFW). 10.8090. Automobile benefits to Vietnam Era veterans on same basis as WWII and Korean Conflict veterans: OT 276 (VFW). 10.8092. Extend time limit in which to apply for automobile or othBr conveyance, for indefinite period or 10 years: OT 455-456 (DAy). 10.8094. Extend time limit for filing application for automobile benefit to a minimum term of 10 years: OT 368 (DAV). iSuggestions re7ating to death benefit programs generally 10.9004 Permit award from date of death upon application filed with- in two years thereof: BT 87 (VFW). 10.9008. Provide equality in benefits for deaths after service due to service incurred disabilities and for in-service deaths : LT 71 (VFW) ; LT 87 (VFW) 10.9012. Define "widow" to conform to service department definition: LT 294 (DAy). 10.9014. Adopt a more restrictive policy in awarding death benefits where veteran and wife were separated: AT 325 (AL) 10.9016. Term service connected widows as "service widows" to dis- tinguish them from "veterans widows": DC2T 174 (GSWA). 10.9020. Liberalize the law to require only proof of the last marriage for widows: CT 194 (AL) ; CT 286 (AL). 10.9024. Recognize all widows in common-law marriage situation for death benefits regardless of provisions of the state laws: PT 256-257 (AL); CT 227 (AMVETS). 10.9028. Eliminate length of marriacve, requirements for widows: M.T 103 (VFW) ; CT 194 (AL~) ; LT 128 (AL). PAGENO="0173" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2881 10.9032. Reduce length of marriage requirements to one year: BT 239 (AL); BT 117 (VFW); UT 227 (AMVETS) ; CT 128 (VFW). 10.9036. Liberalize the length of marriage requirement: BT 423. 10.9038. Continue remarriage as a bar to death benefits: OT 234 (VFW). 10.9040. Remove remarriage as a bar to widows' benefits: BT 101; CT 175 (WWI) ; AT 151 (WWI). 10.9044. Provide a settlement payment to widows who remarry; DC2T 83 (VFW). 10.9048. Resume death benefits to a widow whose subsequent remar- riage is dissolved by death: CT 195 (AL) ; LT 298 (DAy). 10.9052. Resume death benefits to a widow whose remarriage is dis- solved by death or divorce: CT 101 (VFW); BKT 151 (&SW) ;DC2T244 (AL) ;PT51O (DAY) ;AT297 (AL); OT 403 (DAY) ; OT 461. 10.9054. Widow should not be entitled to benefits after remarriage: 0T234 (VFW). 10.9056. Resume death benefits to a widow whose subsequent marriage is ended by death or divorce prior to the separation of 5 years: PT 510 (DAY). 10.9060. Resume DIC benefits with application to a net worth test following termination of a subsequent marriage: DC2T 178 (GSWA). 10.9064. Continue benefits to a person over 65 years of age whose re- marriage is to a spouse also over 65 years of age: DC2T 48 (PVA). 10.9068. Permit payment of death benefits without regard to line of duty and misconduct determinations: OT 461; CT 141 (VFW); ST 24 (AL). 10.9072. Provide more control (by VA) over awards to children where the widow has remarried: AT 337 (AL). 10.9076. Consider children in veteran's household at time of death as dependents for death benefits: DC2T 192 (AMVETS). 10.9080. Provide special benefits to the survivors of those who die in performance of hazardous duty: DC2T 531. 10.9084. Raise compensation benefits retroactively in accordance with cost of living increase and pay these accrued amounts to survivors of reserve forces killed in Korea: DC2T 550. 10.9086. Provide benefits to the dependent parents of veterans with service connected, disabilities who die of non-service con- nected causes: AT 20 (AL). 10.9090. Provide a separate and equitable benefit for the widows of the service connected 100% disabled veterans who die of non-service connected causes: OT 368 (DAY) ; OT 452- 453 (DAY). 10.9094. Pay veteran's last full check to his next of kin upon death: PT 179 (AL). 10.9098. Continue full amount of award to the end of the `calendar year in which death of a dependent occurred: OT 281 (DAY). PAGENO="0174" 2882 REPORT OF 11.5. VETERANS' ADVISORY CO~ISSION 10.9102. Pay~ widow the monthiy rate to which the veteran was titled at death: BT 122 (VFW). 10.9106. Pay widow of a service connected veteran who was IQO% disabled for 5 years his rate of compensation: MT 20~ (AL). 10.9110. Continue same pay rate to widows whose htisbands were 100% disabled at time of death: AT 656. 10.9114. Pay widow 75% of the amount of the veteran's benefit: AT 158 (WWi~. 10.9118. Establish a service connected death program in lieu of present progranisto pay a widOw 50% of her htisband's benefit at .:death or $200 per mOnth plus $50 for each child; to pay Orphaned children $100 per mOnth for onechiIdand~$50 for each additional child, and to pay each parent $100 per mOuth :DC2T47(PVA). 10.9122. Permit widows an election between DIC and death compen- sation : MT 99 (VFW). 10.9126. Permit dependent of a veteran whosedeathwasdue to condi- tions of combat origin a righttoelection and reelection be- tween benOfits: CT 116 (VFW). 10.9130. Establish an aid and attendance allowance :for widows re- ceiving service connected benefits PT 553 (DAV) 10.9134. Establish an aid and attendance allowance for widows re- ceiving DIC: DC2T 136 (VFW). 10.9138. Establish an aid and attendance allowance for widows, chil- dren and dependent parents receiving DIC: DC2T 214 (AL). 10.9142. Provide an aid and attendance allowance of $100 for widows entitled to service connected benefits: PT 511 (DAV). 10.9146. Provide an aid and attendance allowance of $50 for widows entitled to service conneóted benefits: AT .94 (DAy). 10.9152. Provide counseling service for widows of veterans whose deaths are service connected :OT195 (VF-W). 10 9156 Inciease all service connected de'ith benefits AT 168 (W1~ I) PT 551and 552 (DAy). Dependency and indemnity compensation 10.9304. Revise the PlC program: OT 317 (AL). 10.9306. Eliminate PlC and restore death compensation: AT 656. 10.9308. Permit payment of ~ regardless of in-service NSLI waiver: AT 48 (DAV); AT 460; AT 538; AT 299 (AL). 10.9312. Pay PlC in-service waiver cases after final payment of in- surance is made :.DC2T 214 (AL). 10.9316. Pay PlC to widows automatically after amount of waived premiums in in-service waiver cases~ has been recouped: PT 578 (DAY). 10.9320. Pay PlC in in-service waiver cases upon recoupment of un- paid premiums of NSLI from death compensation: DC2T (GSWA). 10.9324. Pay DIC in in-service waiver cases upon recoupment of unpaid premiums of NSLI at the rate of 75% of the death compensation: AT 270 (AL). PAGENO="0175" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2883 10.9328. Allow widows otherwise eligible for DIC to change poorly made decisions of veterans: DC2T 175 (GSWA). 10.9332. Increase DIC rates: BT 115 (VFW); ST 68 (DAV); ST 214 (FRA); MT 72 (DAV); LT 348 (VFW); DOT 492 (FRA). 10.9336. Increase DIC rates in relation to the increased, cost of living and without relationship to military status of veteran: OT 616 (AL). 10.9340. Eliminate rank differential in DIC rates: MT 61 (`DAV); MT 92 (DAV) ; MT 145 (VFW) ; MT 195 (AL) ; MT 356'; BT 118 (VFW); BT' 22~ (AL) PT 147 (AL); OT `3~1 (DA.V) ; OT 401 (DAV); OT 510 (AL) ; CT 44 (VFW); PT 292 (VFW); OT 616 (AL). 10.9344. Increase DIC rates in the lowest category: BKT 141 (GSW); AT65 (DAV). 10.9348. Base minimum DIC rates on a sergeant's basic pay: BKT 149 (GSW). 10.9352. Provide that the percentage of basic pay used for computing DIC be proportionately greater for the lower ranks: MT `35 (AMVETS). 10.9356. Provide that benefits based on deaths due to hazardous serv- ice be computed on full pay rather than basic pay: DCT 534. 10.9360. Provide a DIC base of $120 plus $80 minimum for widow of a veteran dying on active duty: BKT 75 (AMVETS). 10.9364. Compute widow's DIC at $130 plus 12 per centum of basic pay of deceased husband: PT 512 (DAy). 10.9368. Increase DIC benefits of a widow by using a base of 18% of the serviceman's base pay :DC2T 183 (GSWA). 10.9372. Increase DIC rates by paying widow $120 plus 18% of vet- eran's base pay: AT 85 (DAy). 10.9376. Increase widow's DIC to a minimum of $150 per month plus 20% of the veteran's base pay, not to exceed the amount paid to a 100% service connected veteran: AT 269 (AL). 10.9380. Adjust DIC rate for widows of veterans of less than two years to base for veterans of four years service: DC2T 176 (GSWA). 10.9384. Increase minimum DIC for widows to $150: DC2T 176 (GSWA). 10.9386. Enact HR 5724 relaxing eligibility requirement for PlC to dependent survivors: DOT 357D. 10.9388. `Adjust PlC rates in' relation to the length of time claimant has been on the rolls: DC2T 82 (VFW). 10.9392. Increase PlC rates for widows: DC2T 324 (DAV) ; MT 145 (VFW); BT 422; BT 365 (PVA); CT 127 (VFW). 10.9396. Increase minimum DIC for widows: AT 321 (AL). 10.9400. `Increase DIC `for widows to $3600 per year: BKT 160 (GSW). 10.9404. Increase widow's DIC rate to a minimum of $200 per montlu CT 113 (VFW). 10.9408. Increase DIC for widows and children by 20% : AT 295 (AL). 10.9412. Increase PlC rates by 15% and provide for automatic cost of living increases: Li' 123 (AL). PAGENO="0176" 2884 REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 10.9416. increase PlC rates to widows and children to not less tha:a one half the amount of the seivice connected compensatio a the veteran was entitled to at the time. of death: AT 576. 10.9420. Provide automatic cost of living provisiOns for DIC: PT 351 (WWI); PT 189 (AL); DC2T 556; ST 60 (DAY); LT 123 (AL) ;AT294 (AL); 0T402 (DAY) 0T382 (DAY); OT 402 (DAY). 10.9424. Increase PlC rates in conformity upon a 3% increase in the cost of living: LT 340 (YFW). 10.9428. Provide a cost of living increase for widows and parentE: MT 194 (AL). 10.9432. Provide a cost of living increase for old DIC rates: MT 85 (DAY); AT 114 (DAY);AT34 (DAY);AT246 (AL); D~2T 557. 10.9436. Eliminate any effect of receipt of Social `Security and Rail- road Retirement benefits on payment of DIG to widows and children: AT 617; CT 37 (DAY) ; CT 127 (YFW) ; LT 123 (AL);AT552. 10.9440. Increase payments to DIC widows to $50 for each child but not to exceed maximum compensation payable to 100% dis- abled veterans: AT 270 (AL). 10.9444. Increase PlC payments to widows for children: AT 122 (AL); AT 357 (AL). 10.9448. Increase PlC payments to widows by $25 for each child: BKT61 (AMYETS) ; DC2T 211 (AL). 10.9452. Award widow fair rate of each child in her care: CT 188 (AL) ; CT 226 (AMYETS) ; CT 347 (AL). 10.9488. Increase PlC for children to provide $90 for one child $130 for two children, $1165 for `three children, `and $164 for more than three children plus $34 for `each child in excess of three: PT 512 and 513 (DAY). 10.9492. Increase rates of supplemental PlC to children by. $10: PT 513 (DAY). 10.9496. Increase PlC rates for parents: DC2T 212 (AL); AT 523 (YFW). 10.9500. Increase DIG rates to parents by 20%: AT 294 (AL). 10.9504. Apply the income rules applicable to death compensation for parents to DIG: UT 382 (DAY); OT 402 (DAY) ; MT 85 (DAY). 10.9508. Refine annual income levels: DC2T 212 (AL). 10.9512. Increase annual rncc)me levels: DC2T 212 (AL); AT 523 (YFW) ; MT 124 (YFW) ; BT 115 (VFW). 10.9516. Eliminate income levels: OT 509 (AL). 10.9520. Eliminate income `and need criteria for parents: BT 78 (YFW);PT398 (AL). 10.9524. Increase DIG income levels to $3600 for two parents living together and to $2400 for one parent: AT 246 (AL). 10.9528. Exclude Social `Security as income for DIG purposes: AT 247 (AL). 10.9532. Provide *a corpus of estate provision for parents: BT 116 (YFW). 10.9536. Increase income limits for dependent parents: AT 321 (AL'~. PAGENO="0177" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2885 Death compe'ivsation ~ 0.9704. Increase death compensation rates: AT 115 (DAV); OT 270 (VFW); PT 511 (DAV); ST 68 (DAY); MT 34 (AM- VETS); MT 99 (VFW); CT 186 (AL); DCT 492 (FRA) ;AT246 (AL). 10.9708. Increase d~ath compensation rates to provide $97 for a widow alone, $131 for a widow with a child and $34 for each additional child; $77 for one child in the absence of a widow, $104 for two such children, $132 for three such children with $28 for each additional child; $85 for a de- pendent father and mother, and $50 each for such parents alone: PT 512 (DAy). 10.9712. Provide a cost of living increase for death, compensation: MT 85 (DAV); AT 322 (AL); DCT 550. 10.9716. Provide a minimum rate of $70 for widows: OT 98 (WWI). 10.9720. Increase death compensation rate for a widow to $200 and provide $25 per child: PT 91 (AMVETS). 10.9724. Increase rates particularly where children are involved: AT 319 (AL). 10.9728. Increase parents rates: DCT 579 (AGSM). 10.9732. Increase rates for parents above $40 and $75: ST 114 (VFW). 10.9736. Increase the monthly income rates at which dependency of parents is presumed: MT 98 (VFW) ; BT 116 (VFW). 10.9740. Relax or eliminate income restrictions on death compensation: AT 115 (DAV) 10.9744. Increase income limitation for death compensation for parents not living together to $150 and for a couple to $225: AT 247 (AL). 10.9748. Consider eliminating triennial death compensation question- naire to dependent parents: CT 192 (AL). 10.9752. Exclude Social Security as income for death compensation purposes: AT 247 (AL). 10.9756. Provide a statutory award to surviving parents of veterans whose deaths are service connected: OT 492. GROUP U.-ALLEVIATION OF FINANCIAL NEEDS OF VETERANS AND SURVIVORS NOT CONNECTED WITH MILITARY SERVICE; NON-5ERVICE-CONNECTEI~ PENSION General policy and basic concepts 20.1000. Review pension program in depth: MT 33 (AMVETS). 20.1004. Study the Bradley Commission report with regard to pensions subsequent to WWI: PT 613 (WWI). 20.1008. Determine the basic family needs of the veteran family unit: PT 222 (AL). 20.1012. Base pension on need: DC2T 58 (WWI). 20.1016. Provide pensioners greater benefits than are available to those under the poverty program: LT 187 (MOPH). 20.1020. Determine the precise boundary of poverty: CT 214 (AL). 20.1024. Bring widows and survivoi~s up to the President's boundary of poverty ($3000) ; LT 186 (MOPH). 91-670-6S------12 PAGENO="0178" 2886 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY cO:MMISSION 20.1028. Provide pension rates never less than welfare payments: DC 2T (VFW); PT 146 (AL). 20.1032. Continue necessityf or examinations in pension case: MT 220. 20.1036. Relate pension rates properly to compensation rates: ST 24 (AL). 20.1040. Equalize rate,s between programs: MT .243; LT 285 (DAy). 20 1044 Diminish variance in payments for widows, veterans and parents: BT 116 (VFW). 201048 Liberalize PL 90-77 with regard to widows and orphans PT 352 (WWI). 20.1052. Liberalization of pension laws should apply only to PL 86- 211 :AT.336 (AL). 20.1056. Interpret the pension program as generously as possible: OP 577. 20.1060. Make pension benefits more . incentive oriented: DC 21 40 :(PVA) 20.1064. Provide a funded (paid-in pension program): OT :161 (WWI). Liberalisations of service requireimertts 20.2000. Reduce the 90-day service requirement to 70. days: AT .68 (DAy). 20.2004. Waive 90-day service requirements for those.with. spinal cord injuries: DO 2T 45 (PVA). 20.2008. Provide pensions for U.S. Army~urses. PT 423 (AEF). 20.2012. Extend the WWI. termination date to the date of signing of the peace treaty: BT343 (DAy). 20.2016. Provide benefits to the non-service disabled with peacetime service: BT 363 (PVA). 20.2020. Provide, pension for all catastrophically disabled paraplegic veterans regardless of period of service: . .LT 211-~212 (PAy). 20.2024. Extend entitlement for Vietnam. service: CT 131 (VFW); CT 132 (VF.W). 20.2028. Provide entitlement for service after August 1, 1964: BT 120 (VFW). 20.2032. Establish pension entitlement for the cold war period: MT 340 (VFW). 20.2036. Presume, with regard to requirement of 90 days service or dis- charge for disability, that veteran was sound at entrance into service: DC 2T 241 (AL). Suggestio~ relating to v'neimployability totality and per~manency 20.2500. Liberalize basic requirements of disability and unemploy- ability : AT 522 (VFW) ; OT. 402 (DAy). 20.2504. Liberalize the unemployment criteria: CT 347 (AL) ; LT 279 (DAy). 20.2508.' Permit an unemployability rating after. age 40. for a 40% dis- ability or a combination of 50%: AT 55 (DAy). PAGENO="0179" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2887 20.2512. Permit severely disabled paraplegics to be employed without effect On pensionentitlement :LT 212 (PAy). 20.2516. Permit pension entitlement to female veterans withoutregard to ability to do housework: AT 461. 20.2520. Permit pension entitlement after 30 days unemployability: AT 537. 20.2524. Eliminate requirement of permanency: OT 511 (AL). 20.2528. Eliminate requirement of permanency with regard to tuber- culosis and psychosis: AT 522 (VFW). 20.2532. Presume PT disability to exist at age 65: MT 196 (AL) ; BT 232 (AL); CT 193 (AL); CT 126 (VFW) ; LT 125 (AL); LT 152; OT 96 (WWI) ; DC2T 222 H (AL). 20.2536. Assume permanency upon diagnosis of active tuberculosis: AT324 (AL); 0T511 (AL) ;AT532. 20.2540. Presume permanent and total disability upon hospitalization for active tuberculosis: DC 2T 22211 (AL). 20.2544. Presume permanent and total disability of 65 year old vet- eran unemployed or hospitalized 1~or active tuberculosis: AT 283 (AL) ; DC 2T 22211 (AL). 20.2548. Permit pension on diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis until release to~ return to full employment: CT 112 (VFW). 20.2552. Provide temporary total awards: MT 356; MT 194 (AL); MT 138 (VFW); MT 64 (DAV); MT 69 (DAV); MT 336 (VFW); MT 126 (VFW); CT 194 (AL); CT 193 (AL); LT 348 (VFW); AT 297 (AL) ; DC 2T 556; OT 417; 0T388 (DAV). 20.2556. Provide temporary total ratings in unemployable cases re- gardless of the degree of disability: AT 535. 20.2560. Providetemporary total ratings after one month's hospitali- zation for a 100% disability: OT 387 (DAV); OT 192 (VFW). 20.2564. Permit pension for temporary total disability after six months and where it is reasonably probable total disability will continue an additional six months: BT 231 (AL). 20.2568. Permit temporary total awards if totally disabled for at least ayear:OT 618 (AL). 20.2572. Permit pension for total disability likely to continue for 12 months: OT 511 (AL). Suggestions ~relating to new programs based on factors other than need 20.3000. Oppose automatic pensions based on acquired age: DC2T 279. 20.3004. Provide a new pension system with increased limitations and rates and no exclusions from income: BT 395 et seq. 20.3008. Provide one pension law for veterans of all wars: OT 436; MT 351; MT 65 (DAV); MT 107 (VFW); MT 123 (VFW) ; MT 169 (WWI) MT 194 (AL) ; BT 345 (Italian American War Veterans); BT 324 (DAV); BT 158 (WWI) ; BT 208 (WWI). 20.3012. Provide a pension system for all veterans: LT 50 (WWI). PAGENO="0180" 2888 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.3016. Provide a pension for all overseas veterans: LT 320 (VFW). 20.3020. Permit increased pension for length of service: LT 360. 20.3024. Permit a continuous right of election between programs: MT 171 (WWI); MT 172 (WWI)~ BT 167 *(WWI); CT 193 (AL); CT 107 (VFW); CT 167 (WWI) AT 537; A.T 284 (AL); DC 2T 22211 (AL); AT 247 (AL); PT 279 (VFW); DC 2T 86 (VFW); PT 226 (AL); PT 279 (VFW); OT 262 (VFW); OT 348 (DAY); OT 1:L3 (WWI); OT 98 (WWI) MT 334 (YFW); CT 348 (AL'); LT 327 (VFW); DC 2T 57 (WWI); AT 68 (DAY); PT 610 (W1\TI). 20.3028. Provide for notification by the VA to claimants when one program gains in advantage over the other: OT 98 (WWI). 20.3032. Increase pension rates for WWI veterans: AT 521 (VFW). 20.3036. Provide a service pension for WWI veterans: MT 351; MT 248; BT 188 (WWI); CT 263; CT 349 (AL) ; CT 261; CT' 173 (WWI); LT 42 (WWI); LT 362; BKT 172 (VFW) PT 613 (WWI) ; PT 352 (WWI) ; DC 2T 359; DC 2T 138: (VFW); AT 170 (WWI); AT 176 (WWI); PT 423 (AEF). 20.3040. Provide a service pension for WWI veterans with a $3600 limitation: AT 135 (WWI). 20.3044. Provide a service pension of $100 per month: BT 31.8 (DAY); DCT 564 (IWY). 20.3048. Provide a $100 per month service pension to WWI veterans: DC 2T 189 (AMVETS). 20.3052. Provide WWI pensioners wi'thout dependents a pension of $75 per month: PT 293 (VFW). 20.3056. Provide WWI pensioners with depen'dents `a pension of $100 per month: PT 293 (VFW). `2.0.3060. Provide a pen'sion of at least $125 per month for WWI ve'b- erans:0T83 (WWI). 20.3064. Provide a service pension of $125 per month for WWI vet- eran's t'o be available at `a later date to other `war groups cr on attaining a certain age: BT 169 (WWI). 20.3068. Give special consideration to WWI veterans: BT 13 (WWI) ; BT 210 (WWI) BT 212 (WWI). 20.3072. Provide a special pension rate for WWI claimants: ST 155 (WWI) ; BT 159 (WWI). 20.3076. Provide special consideration `for those who qualified `for pen- sion prior to `age 60 and have `received it `for 5 years: MT 203 (AL). 20.3080. Provide pension without regard to earnings (other th'an em- ployment) to veterans over 65 years of age: OT 41 (WWI~. 20.3084. Provide a service pension `at age 65; AT `615; OT 323 (DAY); OT 41 (WWI) ; OT 93; PT 278 (VFW). 20.3088. Provide `as service pension of $100 per mon'th for WWI vet- erans~at age 65 : PT 494. 20.3092. Provide a service pension at age 68: OT 93 (WWI). 20.3096. Provide a service pension at age 70: CT 349 (AL). 20.3100. Provide special treatment for veterans at age 72: ST 32 (AL). 20.3104. Provide a maximum life pension to 72 year old veterans: LT32 (WWI) ;LT193 (MOPH). PAGENO="0181" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COi\~IISSION 2889 20.3108. Place veterans over 72 years of age on pension rolls regardless of income: OT 164 (WWI); OT 159 (WWI) OT 98 (WWI); OT 112 (WWI). 20.3112. Provide automatic eligiblity under the "old" program at age 72: PT 352 (WWI). 20.3116. Restore "old" law provisions: OT 606 (AL). 20.3120. Equalize "fringe" benefits of "old" and "new" programs: BT 232 (AL). 20.3124. Provide a $100 per month rehabilitation allowance to para- plegics and quadriplegics: BT 364 (PVA); CT 157 (PVA) ; BKT98 (PVA) ; DC2T42 (PVA). 20.3128. Permit SAW veterans a right of election between Aid and Attendance provisions of the pension programs: DOT 474 (TJSWV). 20.3132. Increase rate to veterans requiring nursing care who cannot receive it under VA auspices: CT 198 (AL). 20.3136. Permit "Housebound" awards under the "old" program: MT 335 (VFW); CT 192 (AL); CT 126 (VFW). 20.3140. Permit pension or compensation at 50% rate upon direct admission to nursing home: LT 299 (DAV). 20.3144. Afford additional pension benefit to those with service con- nected disabilities: CT 53 (DAV). 20.3148. Provide a 25% pension increase for Alaskan and Hawaiian claimants: ST 29 (AL); ST 80 (VFW); ST 158 (WWI). 20.3152. Continue housebound and aid and attendance allowance dur- ing hospitalization: BT 86 (VFW). 20.3156. Pay veterans in nursing homes aid and attendance allowance: CT 126 (VFW). 20.3160. Provide pensions to equal cost of nursing homes: AT 40 (DAV). 20.3164. Avoid giving certain widows benefits based on their dis- abilities: CT 185 (AL). 20.3168. Increase payments substantially to widows who have health problems: DC 2T 88 (VFW). 20.3172. Examine the discriminatory features of PL 90-77 with regard to widows entitlement to A & A: DC 2T 326 (DAy). 20.3176. Provide SAW widows a $50 A & A rate: DCT 474 (USWV). 20.3180. Provide A & A and housebound rates to widows and children: BT 86 (VFW). 20.3184. Provide housebound rates and medicines for widows: BT 104. 20.3188. Provide A & A rate to WWI widows if corpus does not exceed $5000: BT 118 (VFW). 20.3192. Provide A & A. rate for helpless children: DC 2T 555. Suggestions relating to administrative procedures, award adjustments, effective dates, etc. 20.3500. Discontinue reduction of awards because of hospitalization: AT 247 (AL). 20.3504. Apply hospital reduction provisions of the "old" law to the new law: BT 362 (PVA); AT 297 (AL); AT 284 (AL); D02T222H (AL). PAGENO="0182" 2890 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.3508. Apply hospital reduction features of the old law to veterans with spinal cord injuries: DC 2T 43 (PVA). 20.3512. Provide no reduction in pension after 2 months of hospitaliza- tion (new law): CT 226 (AMVETS); CT 157 (PVA); LT 125-126 (AL); LT 212 (PAY); OT 402 (DAY); PT 325 (YFW); OT 382 (DAY); OT 402 (DAY). 20.3516. Alleviate effect on pension of loss of dependent under old law: BT165 (WWI). 20.3520. Provide no adjustment in veterans awa:rd until six months from the last day of month of death of wife: PT 300 (VFW). 20.3524. Provide no adjustment in award until six months from the last day of month of dependents death: PT 179 (AL). 20.3528. Provide adjustment in veteran's award because of spouse's death to be made at end of calendar year where income is otherwise excessive: PT 293 (VFW); OT 510 (AL). 20.3532. Provide that adjustment of award because of an unantici- pated increase in income or estate be at the end of the year: AT'458; AT 538. 20.3536. Provide for reduction from the first of the following year upon elimination of a dependent: ST 115 (VFW). 20.3540. Pay veteran's pension to his widow through the year of his death : LT 252 (YFW). 20.3544. Reissue veteran's last ~he~k (uncashed) to his widow regard- less of her pension entitlement: PT 300 (VFW). Corpus of estate 20.3600. Increase the $10,000 corpus of estate limitation: AT 326 (AL). 20.3604. Increase the corpus of estate guideline from $10,000 to $20,000 : AT 353 (AL). 20.3608. Provide that entitlement should not be, barred because of an estate of $25,000 or less :,OT 512 (AL). 20.3612. Eliminate corpus of estate provision: BT 86 (VFW); CT 125 (YFW); CT 165 (WWI); AT 322 (AL): DC 2T 188 (AMYETS); OT 402 (DAY); OT 382 `(DAY); CT 127 (VFW) ; PT 226 (AL). 20.3616. Eliminate corpus of estate provisions with regard to wido'vs pension: OT 352 (DAY). 20.3620. Exclude proceeds of the sale of a personal residence from rLet worth consideration : BT 22'S (AL). 20.3624. Eliminate corpus of estate provision where estate was ac- quired through frugal struggling: PT 351-352 (W\V]I). income guestionnaires and computation 20.4000. Enclose a stuffer regarding changes in income and depend- ency status each year with the November pension check: 0T490. 20.4004. Insert a questionnaire reminder with the December and January checks : MT 340 (YFW). 20.4008. Provide each pensioner an account book for income `and ex- penses with a summary of eligibility rates: MT 123 (VFW). PAGENO="0183" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2891 20.4012. Send questionnaires in the anniversary month of the pension award : CT 113 (VFW) ; LT 147; OT 350 (DAY). 20.4016~ Compute income on basis of total income for the year or more fully explain the term "at rate of": AT 326 (AL). 20.4020. Undertake more development of income situations: AT 325 (AL). 20.4024. Change inconsistent computation of income: OT 450 (DAY). 20.4028. Establish one method of computing income for all programs incorporating most liberal provisions of each: AT 295 (AL). 20.4032. Compute income on a proportionate basis in reapplications for pension: OT 374 (DAY). 20.4036. Reexamine the income questionnaires: MT 34 (AMVETS). 20.4Q40. Simplify the annual income questionnaires: PT 152 (AL). 20.4044. Substitute a change of income card for the income question- naire:PT255 (AL). 20.4048. Eliminate all income questionnaires: BT 330 (DAV) ; DC 2T 264 (AL). 20.4052. Eliminate questionnaires and require reporting only when income exceeds an income level : MT 351. 20.4056. Assign a fixed figure to the individual pensioner and advise him income above that figure would constitute income: CT 143 (YFW). 20.4060. Eliminate income reporting when income is stabilized: MT 351. 20.4064. Eliminate questionnaires after income is static for three years:LT 127 (AL). 20.4068. Review the practice of requiring income questionnaires on behalf of incompetent veterans and eliminate where feasi- ble:CT 191 (AL). 20.4072. Review the necessity of requiring questionnaires from those receiving A & A CT 191-192 (AL). 20.4076. Relieve those receiving A & A continuously for a 10-year period of requirement of submitting a questionnaire: DC 2T45 (PVA). 20.4080. Eliminate questionnaires for those receiving A & A: PT 231 (AL). 20.4084. Review need for questionnaires from those permanently con- fined in institutions: CT 192 (AL). 20.4092. Consider triennial questionnaires for those whose income ap- pears fixed: CT 192 (AL). 20.4096. Eliminate questionnaires or process them at RO level: ST 114 (VFW) ;CT353 (AL) ;CT228 (AMVETS). 20.4100 Eliminate income questionnaire pilot study or revert to local handling: CT 35 (DAY). 20.4104. Eliminate questionnaires at age 60 or after 5 years; MT 131 (VFW) ; LT 349 (VFW). 20.4108. Eliminate income questionnaires for widows after receiving pension for 5 consecutive years or at age 60: AT 537. 20.4112. Eliminate veterans questionnaires at age 65: DC 2T 559 (AL) ; 0T490. 20.4116. Eliminate questionnaires after 65 year old veteran has quali- fied two successive years for pension: PT 351 (WWI). PAGENO="0184" 2892 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.4120. Eliminate questionnaires after age 65 or after 5 years: MT 123 (VFW) ; CT 134 (VFW). 20.4124. Eliminate questionnaires at age 65 or after a certain number of years: MT 196 (AL). 20.4128. Eliminate questionnaires for those 68 years or older or after a certain number of years: DC 2T 557; DC 2T 559 (AL). 20.4132. Eliminate questionnaires at age 70: CT 44 (DAV). 20.4136 Eliminate income questionnaires at age 70 or 72: BKT 211 (`~J~\TJ); ST 138 (WWI); ST 216 (F1RA); MT 244; MT 173 (WWI); MT 179 (WWI); BT 209 (WWI); CT 191 (AL); LT 51 (WWI); LT 298 (DAV); AT 275 (AT); AT 350 (AL) AT 345 (AL). 20.4140. Eliminate questionnaires at age 72 for those on the rolls for 2 years: DC 2T 60 (WWI). 20.4144. Eliminate questionnaires after age 72 and after veteran has been on the roll.s for 2 years: BT 158 (WWI); CT 176 (WWI) ;LT1O4 (WWI). 20.4148. Discontinue questionnnaires after age 72 or after receipt; of penSion for 10 years: AT 536; AT 181 (WWI); AT 296 (AL). 20.4152. Eliminate questionnaires at age 75: CT 347 (AL). 20.4156. Eliminate questionnaires at certain ages or after a certain time : MT 126 (VFW). Income levels 20.4500. Review the adequacy and present validity of the income levels: ST 23 (AL); ST 47 (11kV); MT 33 (AMVETS); CT 188 (AL) ; LT 172 ST 45 (DAV); BT 115 (VFW). 20.4504. Eliminate the income levels: MT 126 (VFW); BT 217 (WWI) ; LT 42 (WWI) ; LT 44 (WWI) ; OT 112 (WWI). 20.4508. Eliminate income levels for WW1 veterans and widows: BT 330 (DAV). 20.4512. Eliminate the levels for widows: DCT 465 (AWM). 20.4516. Eliminate the income levels at age 65 or 72; MT 351. 20.4520. Eliminate the income levels at age 72: LT 361; BKT 203 (WWI); AT 142 (WWI). 20.4524. Increase the number of income levels to six or more: AT 353 (AL). 20.4528. Preclude any increase in the number of income levels above 3: OT 443. 20.4532. Reduce the number of income levels from 3 to 2: AT 324 (AL). 20.4536. Provide one increased income level for claimants with de- pendents and for those without dependents: :OT 617 (AL). 20.4540. Provide a single increased level for single and for married veterans: BT 214 (WWI); BT 265 (AMVETS). 20.4544. Increase the lowest income level and related pension rate: BT 162 (WWI). 20.4548. Increase the income levels substantially or eliminate them: AT 115 (DAy). PAGENO="0185" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2893 20. 4552. Increase the income levels to reasonable amounts rather than to provide exclusions: AT 337 (AL). 20.4556. Increase income levels of the old program: OT 511 (AL); 0402(11kV). 20.4560. Increase the income levels of the new pension law: OT 402 (DAV). 20.4564. Raise the income levels: ST 24 (AL) ; MT 178 (WWI) ; MT 248; BT 345 (LAWV) ; BT 364 (PVA) ; BT 273 (WWI); BT 298 (DAV); BT 324 (DAV); BT 227 (AL); BT 122 (VFW); BT 173 (W'V\TI); BT 209 (WWI); BT 39 (VFW) ; BT 52 (VFW) ; BT 79 (VFW) ; CT 66 (DAV); CT 211 (AL); CT 348 (AL); CT 287 (AL); CT 169 (WWI); CT 143 (VFW); LT 59 (WWI); LT 341 (VFW); LT 340 (VFW); BKT 203 (WWI); PT 415 (AL) ; AT 323 (AL); AT 322 (AL); AT 318 (AL); AT 141 (WWI); OT 150 (WWI) ; AT 521 (VFW); PT 174; PT 456; AT 438' AT 614; AT 217 (AMVETS); DC 2T 273 (AL) ; 0T4177; 0T262 (VFW) ; PT 339 (VFW) ; OT 112 (WWI). 20.4568. Increase death pension levels: OT 403 (DAV); AT 618. 20.4572. Increase income levels for claimants with dependents: OT 383 (DAV). 20.4576. Increase levels for widows with children: LT 328 (VFW). 20.4580. Increase levels for widows: DCT 590 (ROA); DC 2T 63 (WWI); AT 149 (WWI). 20.4584. Increase levels for widows and children: AT 319 (AL). 20.4588. Establish income level in the amount of the family's need : PT 222(AL). 20.4592. Increase income levels automatically in conformity with in- creases in the cost of living: OT 510 (AL) ; OT 204 (AL); PT 223 (AL). 20.4596. Establish income levels above welfare concept of minimum income: OT 578. 20.4600. Raise the income levels for WWI: BT 101 (WWI). 20.4604. Increase the levels under both programs: MT 355. 20.4608. Increase the income level to $2000 for a widow alone: CT 171 (WWI). 20.4612. Increase levels for widows from $600 to $1800: LT 172 (FRA). 20.4616. Increase income levels to $800, $1600 and $2400 for veterans without dependents: OT 277 (VFW). 20.4620. Increase level for a single veteran to $2400: PT 71 (AM- VETS). 20.4624. Provides a program for widows without children consisting of 24 $100 increments up to $2400 with monthly payments from $90 to $15 : DC 2T 222D (AL). 20.4628. Provide a program for widows without children consisting of 24 $100 increments up to $2400 with monthly payments of $90 to $15 ($3 differences) : AT 279 (AL) ; DC 2T 222D (AL). PAGENO="0186" 2894 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY CO~Th~tISSION 20.4632. Provide income levels for widows without children of $12000, $1800 and $2400:: PT 495. 20.4636. Establish income levels with $100.intervals up to $2400 with payment of $135 for income of $100 or less with a $5 de- crease in the rate for each. level: AT 276 (AL); DC2T 222A (AL). 20.4640. Adjust all income levels in order to bar no pensioner receiving an income of $3000: OT 597 (WWI). 20.4644. Increase the highest income level for single veterans to $3000: PT 319 (VFW). 20.4648. Increase widows.income level to $3000'and provide a pension of no less than' $75 : AT 475. 20.4652. Increase the $3000'income level: PT 71 (AMVETS). 20.4656. Increase the $3000 income level substantially: OT 84 (WWI). 20.4660. Increase all income levels `by $400 : MT 335 (VFW). 20.4664. Provide a 15% increase in the.income levels with a cost of living provision: LT 127 (AL). 20.4668. Increase `all income levels by $500": MT 65 (DAV); LT 349 (VFW). 20.4672. Increase income levelsof bothiaws by $600: CT 125. (VFW); CT 127 (VFW); AT 312 (AL). 20.4676. Increase levels for veterans without dependents and widows without children to $800, $1400 and $2000 and, for veterans with dependents and widows with children to $1500, $2500 and $3500: PT 249 (AL). 20.4680. Increase income levels by 20% : AT 352 (AL) ; AT 345 (AL). 20.4684. Increase income levels for all: groups by $600: PT. 514. (DAV). 20.4688. Provide income levels for widows with children in 100 increments exteiidmg to. $3600 and with rates ranging from.$106 to $30 with $18 increase for'each additional child: AT 282 (AL) ; DC 2T 222 E (AL). `20.4692. Increase. levels (and rate's) to widows alone to $1800 ($64), $2400 ($48), and $3600 ($27) : OT 605 (AL). 20.4696. Increase income levels to $3600 (claimants with dependents) and to $2400 (single claimants): MT 193 (AL); BT 52 (VFW); CT 165. (WWI); LT 51 (WWI); LT 109. (WWI) ; LT 108 (WWI). 20.4700. Provide a guaranteed income of $3600 for single veteran, with the VA paying the difference after counting all in- come: DC 2T 125 (VFW). 20.4704. Increase $600 level' to $900: DC 2T 64 (WWI). 20.4708. Increase level to $2400 for single veterans and to $3600 for married veterans: AT 168 (WWI); AT 180 (WWI). 20.4712. Increase levels to $2400 for veterans without dependents and for widows `alone. and to $3600 for' veterans and widows with dependents in 100 increments: AT 248 (AL). 20.4716. Increase level to $3600 with greatest consideration to :low income pensioners: PT 86 (AMVETS.). 20.4720. Increase the levels to $2400 and $3600 with first priority to WWI:DC2T67. 20.4724. Provide a single income limitation for widows of $2400 for those without children and $3600 for those with children: AT 68 (DAV); AT 358 (AL); AT 296 (AL). PAGENO="0187" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2895 20.4728. Increase the levels to $3600 for veterans with dependents and to $2400 for single veterans: AT 135 (WWI); AT 358 (AL) ; AT 296 (AL). 20.4732. Increase levels to $2400 and $3600 for veterans with a de- pendent and widows with a child and to $1800 and $2400 for single veterans and widows alone: DC 2T 556. 20.4736. Increase levels for a widow alone to $2500 and for a widow with children to $3600: LT 177 (JWV). 20.4740. Provide income levels of $1600, $2600 and $3600 for veterans with dependents.: PT `495. 20.4744. Provi'de income levels for a widow with a child of $1600, $2600 and $3600: PT 495. 20.4748. Provide income levels' of $3000 for single claimants and $3600 for those with dependents: OT 112 (WWI). 20.4752. Increase levels for veterans with dependents to $1200, $2400 and' $3600: OT 277 (VFW)'. 20.4756. Increase levels for widows with children to $1200, $2400 and $3600: OT 278 (VFW). 20.4760. Provide income levels for claimants with dependents of $2000 and $3600 and for those without dependents of $1800 and $2700: O'T 510 (AL). 20.4764. Establish 36 leveLs with' $100 intervals and monthly payments ranging from $31 to $152 for veterans with a dependent with $5 added for each additional dependent: AT 279 (AL) ; DC2T222 B (AL). 20.4768. Provide two level's (and rates) for veterans with a dependent of $2000 ($155) `and $3600 ($135) with additional allow- ances for additional dependents: OT 511 (AL). 20.4772. Provide a level of $3600 for claimants with dependents and of $2400 for single claimants with a right of election: MT 161 (WWI). 20.4776. Increase income levels by $1000: BT 265 (AMVETS). 20.4780. Increase income levels for veterans with dependents by $1000: BKT75 (AMVETS). 20.4784. Provide income levels for single veterans of $1000, $2000 and $3000, and for those with dependents, $1500, $3000 and $4500: ST 29 (AL). 20.4788. Increase the levels for WWII and Korean conflict veterans to $45 (married) and$2500 (single) :BT330 (DAy). 20.4792. Increase the levels from $3000 to not less than $4500 or $5000: O'T 590 (WWI). 20.4796. Increase the level for married veterans to $4600 with an additional $20 per month pension if there are children under 21: PT' 319 (VFW). 20.4800. Establish the highest income level for single claimants at $3000 `and for those with dependents at $4800: ST 69 (DAy). 20.4804. Provide a guaranteed income of $4800 for veteran's with de- `pendents with VA paying the difference between that figure and all actual income: DC2T 125 (VFW). 20.4808. Raise the highest income level to $5000: ST 144 (WWI). 20.4812. Increase income levels for those over 65 to $3,222 for the single and `to $5,777 for the married: AT 143 (WWI). 20.4816. Double the income levels: ST 80 (VFW). PAGENO="0188" 2896 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Proposed exe1~sions 20.5000. Exclude all one payment items of income: AT 337 (AL). 20.5004. Eliminate commercial insurance from consideration as in- come: BT 86 (ITFW); CT 287 (AL); CT 117 (VFW); ~JT 128 (VFW); PT 292 (VFW); OT 510 (AL). 20.5008. Disregard widow's income where she has received less than $2500 insurance: DC2T 58 (WWI). 20.5012. Exclude from coi sideration commercial insurance not exceed-' lug $5000: BT 259 (AMVETS); BKT 62 (AMVETS). 20.5016. Exclude commercial insurance up to $10,000: BT 229 (AL) ; CT 191 (AL) ; LT 126 (AL); PT 514 (DAV) ; DC2T 557. 20.5020. Exclude all life insurance: DC2T 226 (AL). 20.5024. Exclude `all insurance not to exceed $10,000: DC2T 222G `(AL); DC2T 227 (AL); AT 282 (AL); DC2T 561. 20.5028. Exclude up to $10,000 of NSLI, TJSGLI and Servicemen's indemnity: AT 248 (AL). 20.5032. Exclude up to $20,000 commercial life insurance: AT 2~7 (AL). 20.5036. Exclude commercial insurance up to a certain amount: BT 173 (WWI). 20.5040. Exclude from consideration the proceeds of mortgage in- surance equal to the indebtedness on the property: DC 2T 224 (AL). 20.5044. Exclude disability and health insurance from consideration as income: MT 107 (VFW). 20.5048. Consider proceeds of insurance policies to be income receivccl in the year in which the veteran died: AT 619. 20.5052. Eliminate from consideration inheritance from a banking account held jointly wi'th spouse: BT 174 (WWI) ; BT 209 (~T\~TJ); CT 128 (VFW); LT 126 (AL); DC 2T 223 (AL) ; OT 510 (AL) ; DC 2T 561. 20.5056. Exclude one-half of the monies held jointly by veteran and wife at time of `his death: AT 618; PT 226 (AL). 20.5060. Exclude the sales price `of property: AT 337 (AL); CT 190 (AL). 20.5064. Exclude income from sale of property by widow: CT 128 (VFW) ; OT 113 (WWI). 20.5068. Exclude $1200 or all earned income of widow whichever is' the greater: AT 324 (AL). 20.5072. Eliminate income considerations for totally disabled veter- ans:DC2T559 (AL). 20.5076. Con'sider only income from gainful employment as VeteraIL'S income: CT 106 (VFW). 20.5080. Exclude widow's earnings from employment, regardless of dependents : AT 523 (VFW). 20.5084. Exclude all income except earnings from employment: CT 237 (VFW) ; OT 43 (WWI). 20.5088. Eliminate unearned income from consideration: BT BG (\TFWT). 20.5092. Eliminate wages from employment as income: PT 249 (AL). 20.5096. Permit proper expense deduction for wages: CT 348 (AL). PAGENO="0189" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY CO]~'ThilSSION 2897 20.5100. Exclude from income money not actually available :. BT 227 (AL); CT 190 (AL). 20.5104. Exclude income which is not available for maintenance and support: CT 189 (AL). 20.5108. Eliminate earned income and retirement income for veterans over 72 years of age : BT 274 (WWI). `20.5112. Discontinue consideration of wife's unearned income as vet- eran's income: ST 140 (WWI) ; CT 348 (AL); CT 168 (WWI); CT 227 (AMVETS); CT 190 (AL); LT 126 (AL). 20.5116. Exclude spouse's retirement pay from consideration as in- come: AT' 577. 20.5120. Discontinue consideration of wife's earned income as the ~Teteran's income: DC 2T 156 (PLAY). 20.5124. Exclude a larger amount of the spouse's income: BT 422. 20.5128. Exclude all of the spouse's earned income or $1500 whichever is greater: AT 282 (AL); DC 2T 222G (AL); AT 248 (AL). 20.5132. Exclude $3600 of the spouse's income: BT 229 (AL). 20.5136. Exclude all of the wife's income from consideration: AT 181 (WWTI); PT 351 (WWI); AT' 168 (WWI); AT 153 (WWI); AT 173 (WWI); DC 2T 58 (WWI); PT 293 (YFW) ; DC 2T 263 (AL); OT 510 (AL) ; AT 296 (AL). 20.5140. Reexamine Social Security and Retirement exclusions: MT 33 (AMVETS); CT 143 (VFW). 20.5144. Restore pensions which were reduced or terminated because of increased Social Security: CT 287 (AL). 20.5148. Continue to consider Social Security as income: DC 2T 272- 273 (AL); DC 2T 340 (DAY). 20.5152. Permit exclusion of 25% of all income: CT 297 (AMVETS). 20.5156. Permit exclusion of 20%-25% of Social Security and retire- ment: MT 351; CT 125 (YFW). 20.5160. Permit widows without children to exclude 20% of retire- ment `benefits: OT 278 (VFW). 20.5164. Increase the 10% exclusion of income from retirement plans to 25% : CT' 127 (YFW). 20.5168. Exclude 20% of Social Security `and all `other income for pen- sion purposes: OT 382 (DAY); OT 402 (DAY). 20.5172. Exclude 20% of all retirement income: PT 330 (VFW) ; AT 522 (YFW); OT 262 (VFW); OT 383 (DAY); OT 403 (DAY). 20.5176. Exclude all retirement benefits from contributory systems and 25% `of income from non-contributory sy'stems: AT 536. 20.5180. Exclude 50% of Social Security benefits: OT 349 (DAY). 20.5184. Eliminate the detrimental effect of considering Social Secu- rity and retirement benefits as income: `ST 24 (AL); ST 87-88 (YFW) ; ST 104 (YFW); ST 107 (YFW); ST 115 (YFW); ST 135 (WWI); ST 160 (WWI); ST 245; MT 335 (VFW); BT 264 (AMYETS); BT 231 (AL); BT 209 (WWI); CT 288 (AL); LT 249 (YFW); OT 158 (WWI); PT 514 (DAY); PT 204 (AL); AT 551; OT 578;DC2T85 (YFW). PAGENO="0190" 2898 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.5188. exclude increases in Social Security and retirement benefits as income: AT 312 (AL); PT 146 (AL); AT 359 (AL); At 142 (WWI); OT 491. 20.5192. Lighten or eliminate the penalty for a small increase in in- come: CT 189 (AL). 20.5196. Adopt the Social Security policy of limited reduction when income is excessive: LT 328 (VFW). 20.5200. Permit concurrent receipt of pension and gratuitous Social Security at age1'2: AT 438. 20.5204. Exclude $750 of Social Security from consideration as income: AT 171 (WWI). 20.5208. Exclude $900 of Social Security from consideration as in- come:AT 185 (WWI). 20.5212. Exclude $800 to $1000 of Social Security and Retirement ben- fiets:AT 157 (WWI). 20.521~. Exclude $900 of Social Security and ~Rertirement benefits: AT 135 (WWI). 20.5220. Exclude widow's Social Security from consideration: `CT 164 (WWT). 20.5224. Eliminate Social Security as an income item for WWI pensioners; LT 98 (WWI); LT 103 (WWI); IT 104 (WWI) ; PT 613 (WWI). 20.5228. Exclude from income that portion of Railroad Retirement based on dependents: BT 230 (AL) ; DC 2T 225 (AL); 0T382 (DAy). 20.5232. Exclude retirement benefits for those under age 65 with de- pendents: PT 293 (YFW). 20~5236. Exclude all retirement from income at age* 65: BKT `213 (WWI). 20.5240. Eliminate Social Security as income at age 72: DC 2T 66 (WWI). 20.5244. Exclude public and private retirement benefits from income to: the maximum Social Security payable: BT 231 (AL). 20.5248. Exclude Social Security and Retirement benefits as income: MT 351; MT 65 (DAY); MT 172 (WWI); MT 178 (W1~VI); MT 217; MT 335; MT 107 (YFW); BT 230 (AL); BT 364 (PVA); BT 442; BT 310 (DAY); BT 187 (WWI); BT 208 (WWI); BT 39 (YFW); BT 183 (WWI); BT 158 (WWI); CT 349 (AL); CT 348 (AL); ~T157(PVA); OT125(.VFW); CT164 (WWI); CT 127 (YFW); CT 167 (WWI); CT 163 (WWI): LI' 32 (WWI) ; LT 349 (YFW) ; LT. 126 (AL) LT 43 (WWI.); LT 51 (WWI); LT~ 186 (MOPH); LT, 298 (DAY): LT 212 (PAY); LT 340 (YFW); DOT 550 ,& 560 (IWV); DOT 465 (AWM); BKT 202 (WWI); OT 248 (VFW); DC2T66(WWI); DC 2T.138 (YFW); DC 2T 156 (PLAY) ;AT 296 (AL) ; AT 181 (WWI) ;AT 168 WWI; PT 299 (YFW); PT 540 (DAY); AT322 (AL) AT 92 (DAY); AT 142 (WWI);OT 590 (WWI); OT 607 (AL) ; OT 268 (YFW); OT 349 (DAY); PT 320 (YFW); OT 97 (WWI); PT 406; DC2T 559 (AL): DC~ 2T 188 (AMYETS); OT 510 (AL); OT 607 (AL): OT 112 (WWI); PT 179 (AL); PT 226 (AL); CT 127 (YFW). PAGENO="0191" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2899 20.5252. Exclude Civil Service and Foreign Service annuities from consideration as income: DC 2T 462. 20.5256. Permit waiver of excessive income: MT 336 (VFW). 20.5260. Permit waiver of any J?art of federal retirement benefits in order to receive pension: AT 324 (AL); PT 226 (AL). 20.5264. Permit veteran to waive up to 20% of Social Security or re- tirement from private sources: OT 278 (VFW). 20.5268. Permit pensioners to waive annuity increases made Thr medi- cal program purposes after award of pensions in order to reduce countable income: PT 251 (AL). 20.5272. Permit recoupment of Social Security and retirement con- tributions: MT 335 (VFW); PT 204 (AL). 20.5276. Permit recoupment of Social Security and Retirement con- tributions and thereafter exclude 10% of such benefit: AT 248 (AL); AT 283 (AL); DC 2T 222 G (AL). 20.5280. Exclude Social Security disability payments: DC 2T 44 (PVA). 20.5284. Exclude payments from endowment contracts: DC2T 557. 20.5288. Exclude expenses of the veteran's last illness paid before his death: AT 283 (AL); DC2T 222G (AL); AT 248 (AL). 20.5292. Exclude expenses of the last sickness and burial of a wife or child: BT 174 (WWI). 20.5296. Permit widows to deduct same expenses: MT 355; MT 137 (VFW). 20.5300. Exclude uT spinal cord injury cases all costs of medical care and prosthetic appliances: DC2T 44 (PVA). 20.5304. Exclude all unusual medical expenses: OT 510 (AL) ; AT 283 (AL); DC2T 222G (AL); MT 194 (AL); BT 228 (AL). 20.5308. Exclude expense of family's medicine: CT 202 (AL); LT 127 (AL) ; MT 123 (VFW). 20.5312. Exclude spouse's medical expenses is not admissable to a VA hospital: CT 202 (AL). 20.5316. Exclude the $3 monthly payment for medicare: OT 349 (DAy). 20.5320. Exclude payments made under private retirement systems to cover cost of supplementary medical care under Social Se- curity: DC2T 226 (AL). 20.5324. Exclude amounts derived from participation in a Community- Hospital-Industrial Rehabilitation program while hospital- ized in a VA, Federal or State Home: AT 283 (AL); DC 2T 22211 (AL). 20.5328. Exclude first year's wages of former psychotics being rehabili- tated through outside employment obtained by the VA: PT 251 (AL). Disability pension rates and rates generally 20.5400. Reexamine pension rates: MT 33 (AMVETS). 20.5404. Revamp the pay rates of the current pension acts: OT 267 (VFW). 20.5408. Raise the average disability pension payment to $1500: PT 277 (VFW). 20.5412. Raise the pensions of all veterans who are unable to work and have no other means of support: OT 507 (WWI). PAGENO="0192" 2900 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.5416. Provide a guaranteed income: CT 215 (AL); DC2T 69 (WWI) ; OT 14:9 (WWI). 20.5420. Provide a guaranteed income of $3900: OT 162. 20.5424. Guarantee a veteran with one dependent $4000 per year: DC2T 134 (VFW). 20.5428. Pay pensioners the difference between actual income and $300 or $400 per month: PT 162 (AL). 20.5432. Provide a guaranteed income for the lowest income level: BT 104. 20.5432. Increase the pension rates: ST 24 (AL); ST 80 (VFW); ST 87 (VFW); MT 355; MT 351; MT 70 (DAY); MT 271; BT 362 (PYA); BT 422; BT 273 (WWI); BT 149 (YFW); CT 212 (AL) ; LT 341 (VFW) ; LT 32 (WWI); LT 41 (WWI); LT 327 (YFW); BKT 203 (WWI); PT 363 (WWI); AT 324 (AL); AT 247 (AL); AT 120 (DAY); OT 158 (WWI); OT 383 (DAY); OT 403 (DAV) ; 0T402 (DAY). 20.5436. Increase the rates under the "old" law: MT 33 (AMVETS); MT 104 (YFW); BT 164 (WWI); BT 158 (WWI); LT 51 (WWI) LT 361; DC2T 85 (YFW) ; PT 319 (YFW); OT 402 (DAY) ; DC2T 42 (PVA). 20.5440. Increase old law rates commensurately with increase in liv- ing costs: OT 98 (~\7cJ1~\TJ) 20.5444. Increase pension rates for married veterans: AT 150 (M7WI). 20.5448. Provide an increase in veteran's pension for each dependent: AT337 (AL) ;AT325 (AL). 20.5452. Increase rates for the lowest income levels: ST 149 (WWI); BT52 (VFW) ; CT 135 (YFW). 20.5456. Increase the Spanish War rates: DCT 477 (USWV). 20.5460. Provide a cost of living increase: ST 135 (WWI); S'I' 214 (FRA) MT 85 (DAY); MT 178 (WWI); MT 193 (AL); BT 114 (YFW); BT 173 (WWI); BT 166 (WWI); BT 158 (WWI) BT 330 (DAY); CT 125 (VFW) CT 188 (AL); CT 349 (AL); CT 164 (WWI); PT 456; PT 415 (AL); DC 2T 125 (YFW); OT 43 (WWI); OT 191 (YFW); OT 217 (YFW); OT 314 (DAY); PT 293 (VFW). 20.5464. Provide an automatic cost of living provision; ST 60 (DAY); ST 150 (WWI) MT 178 (WWI); BT 209 (WWI) BT 183 (WWI); BT 177 (YFW) BT 126 (YFW); BT 384 (MOPH) CT 288 (AL) ; CT 212 (AL); CT 188 (AL); LT 102 (WWI); LT 104 (WWI); LT 51 (WWI) LT 127 (AL); LT 248 (YFW); BKT 203 (WWI); AT 217 (AMYETS); AT 294 (AL); AT 144 (WWTI); AT 136 (W~\TI); PT 223 (AL); DC 2T 60 (WWI); DC 2T 464; OT 43 (WWI); OT 113 (WWI). 20.5468. Provide an automatic increase in rates when cost of living index raises 3% for three consecutive months: PT 340 (YFW). 20.5472. Provide an automatic cost of living increase provision for quarterly application: CT 44 (DAY) 20.5476. Repeal the "old" law but protect the $78.75 rate as a mini- mum:DC2TS6 (YFW). PAGENO="0193" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2901 20.5480. Increase WWI pension rates by 20%: LT 52 (WWI). 20.5484. Increase rates by 20% : BT 86 (VFW). 20.5488. Increase rates by 25%; MT 335 (VFW). 20.5492. Increase rates by 50% : OT 267 (VFW). 20.5496. Increase old law rate to $100 :BT 166 (WWI). 20.5500. Increase pensions to $3000 per year; BKT 218 (WWI). 20.5504. Increase rate `for veteran and wife in the lowest income level to $150-$175,: CT 178 (WWI). 20.5508. Raise pensions to at least $150 per month for single persons in the lowest income level: DC 2T 71 (WWI); OT 77 (WWI) ; PT 314 (DAV). 20.5512. Provide a pension base rate of $150 for veterans and widows without dependents and provide increased amounts for each dependent: OT 617 (AL). 20.5516. Provide a $150 rate for those in the lowest bracket with pos- sible increase in a particular case if great need is shown: 0T239 (VFW). 20.5520. Increase rates (and income level's) for single veterans to $125 ($1800) and $60 (`$2700): `OT 511 (AL). 20.5524. Increase rates to $125 for a single veteran, to $135 for a veteran with a dependent, to $80 for a widow `alone, and to $95 for a widow wi'th a child : AT 145 (WWI). 20.5528. In'crease rates for single veterans to $124, for veterans with dependents to `$150 and `provide $15 for each additional child : AT 296 (AL). 20.5532. Increase ra'tes for lowest income `level to $115, $95 and $75: BT265 (AMVETS) ;BKT75 (AMVETS). 20.5536. Increase pension rates to $102.38 per month with income levels of $2400 and $3600 ~per year respectively for single veterans and those with dependents, excluding Social Se- `curity and retirement benefit's: MT 157 (WWI). 20.5540. Reexamine the dependen'cy allowances : MT 33 (AMVETS). 20.5544. Provide additional amounts for additional dependents: MT 193 (AL); MT 103 (VFW) BT 257 (AMVETS); BKT61 (AMVETS). 20.5548. Permit an additional $50 for children ages 18 to 23: BT 87 (\TF~\T). 20.5552. Establish a special $50 rate for child of veteran receiving disability pension if `child is 18 `but not over age 23 and attending an approved sdhool `full time: A'T 537. 20.5556. Provide $25 extra `pension for each dependent: BKT 75 (AMVETS). 20.5560. Increase additional `pension for dependents to $20 for one dependent; $25 for two, and $30 for three: AT 57. 20.5564. P'ay veterans an additional $15 for each dependent: CT 226 (AMVETS). Housebound and aid and attendance rates 20.6000. Increase Housebound rate to at `least $45 `per month: CT 126 (VFW). 20.6004. Increase the Aid and Attendance and Housthound rates: MT 266; BT 363 (PVA); AT 217 (AMVETS). 9 1-670-68----13 PAGENO="0194" 2902 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.6008. Increase the Aid and Attendance rate to $150 per month: AT 352 (AL). 20.6012. Increase rates for paraplegics: LT 212 (PAV). 20.6016. Equalize the Aid and Attendance allowances under both pro- grams: MT 334 (VFW); CT 192 (AL) OT 402 (DAV). 20.6020. Increase the Housebound rates for both programs: OT 402 (DAy). 20.6024. Increase Aid and Attendance rate under the old law: DC 2T 85(VFW). Death rates 20.6500. Increase rates for Spanish War Widows: DC2T 476 (USWV.).. 20.6504. Increase death pension rates': OT 403 (DAV); AT 181 `(WWI); AT `168" (WWI).' .20.6508. Establish a special $50 rate for children between ages 18 and 23 attending school full time regardless of widow's eligi- bility: AT 537. 20.6512. Increase widow's' pension one-third for each child: LI 63 (WWI). 20.6516. Equalize rates and income levels for widows with those for veterans: PT 515 (DAy). 20.6520. Increase widows' rates: ST 254 (WWI); MT 34 (AMVETS); MT 70 (DAV); MT 94 (DAV); BT 209; BT 158 (WWI); CT 97 (VFW); CT 167 (WWI); CT 97 (VFW); CT 167 (WWI); CT 169 (WWI); CT 166 (WWI); LT 104 (WWI); BKT 172 (VFW); AT 177 (WWI); DC2T 58 (WWI). 20.6524. Equalize death rates under both laws: AT 345 (AL) ; LT 177 (JWV). 20.6528. Increase widows' rates on a par with veterans' a.t age 65 and where disability is a bar to employment: AT 325 (AL). 20.6532. Provide a cost of living increase for widows: MT 138 (VFW); MT 173 (WWI); BT 51 (VFW); CT 125 (VFW); CT 127 (VFW). 20.6536. Increase rates for WWI widows: OT 159 (WWTI). 20.6540. Increase rates for widows in the low income level: BT 183 (WWI); DC2T 88 (VFW). 20.6544. Increase death `rates by at least 10%: OT 278 (VFW). 20.6548. Increase rate to $70 for WWI widows with income `not exc~ed- ing $1800 (exclusive of Social Security) : MT 158 (WWI). 20.6552. Provide a $75 rate for widows without children: LT 63 (WWI). 20.6556. Increase widows rate to $80: AT 149 (WWI). 20.6560. Provide rates (and income levels) for widows without chil- dren of $80 ($1800) and $45 ($2700) : OT 511 (AL). 20.6564. Increase rates for widows without children to $90 and for those with children to $115 with $15 for each additional child:AT.296 (AL). . , 20.6568. Increase rates (and income levels) for a widow with a child to $100 ($2000) and $70. (3600) with additional allowances for. additional children: OT 511 (AL). . PAGENO="0195" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2903 20.6572. Provide a $100 rate for unemployable widows with no income: LT248 (VFW). Burial benefits 20.7000. Provide burial benefits to "Cold War" veterans: ST 45 (DAV) ; CT 227 (AMVETS). 20.7004. Make burial benefits available for Vietnam service: CT 132 (VFW). 20.7008. Provide burial for peacetime after six months service: OT 403 (DAV) ; OT383 (DAV). 20.7012. Pay burial benefits to beneficiaries for use in their own dis- cretion: AT 215 (AMVETS). 20.7016. Provide full burial benefit of $250 for burials in Greece: AT 308 (AL). 20.7020. Permit no deduction of burial allowance because of payment by another agency: BT 345 (IAWV) ; BT 324 (DAV) ; CT 131 (VFW). 20.7024. Provide reimbursement allowance not to to exceed $350 in- cluding burial, funeral expenses and transportation of re- mains: OT 284 (VFW). 20.7028. Increase burial allowance generally: PT 73 (AMVETS); AT 115 (DAV); A'T 144 (WWI); OT 114 (WWI); AT 439; AT 333 (AL); ST 66 (DAV); BT 423; CT 131 (VFW); BKT 205 (WWI). 20.7032. Increase burial allowance to offset additional expenses in- curred as a result of the current national cemetery policy: DCT 35Th. 20.7036. Increase rates by $100: MT 37 (AMVETS); MT 181 (WWI); MT 189 (WWI); BT 259 (AMVETS); BT 324 (DAV) ; BT 345 (LAWV) ; DCT 359. 20.7040. Increase burial benefits by $75 to $100: AT 215 (AMVETS). 20.7044. Increase burial benefits by providing $100 to purchase a plot: PT 518 (DAV). 20.7048. Increase burial allowance an additional $100 if not buried in national cemetery: PT 495; AT 313 (AL). 20.7052. Award extra $100 for burial plot to person responsible or to funeral home: PT 101 (AMVETS). 20.7056. Increase burial allowance to $300 : BT 90 (VFW); BT 321 (DAY) ; AT 66 (DAY) ; AT 312 (AL) ; AT 36 (DAY). 20.7060. Increase burial allowance to $300 or $350: OT 103 (WWI). 20.7064. Increase burial allowance to $350: CT 227 (AMVETS); LT 352 (VFW); BKT 63 (AMVETS); BKT 73 (AM- VETS); AT 353 (AL); AT 344 (AL); OT 383 (DAY); OT 403 (DAY); AT 297 (AL); AT 252 (AL); PT 95 (AMYETS); PT 518 (DAY); DCT 296 (BOA); DCT 228 (AL). 20.7068. Increase burial allowance to $350 and pay without regard to allowance from any other source: DOT 47 (PVA). 20.7072. Increase burial benefit to $350 plus an increase if veteran dies in a VA facility, while hospitalized at VA expense, or in transit thereto: BT 79 (VFW). PAGENO="0196" 2904 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.7074. Increase allowance to $400: LT 346 (VFW) ; LT 53 (WWI); DOT 334 (DAY); PT 495. 20.7076. Increase burial allowance to $400 and award an additional $100 for gravesite if interment is not in national cemetery: AT 541. 20.7080. Increase burial allowance to $400, if interment is not in a national cemetery: PT 256 (AL); PT 277 (VFW). 20.7084. Increase burial allowance to $400 plus headstone installation and shipping fee for body from place of death to national cemetery: DOT 191 (AMVETS). 20.7088. Increased burial benefits to $500: BT 330 (DAY); BKT 168 (VFW);BKT32. 20.7092. Provide complete cost of burial for a direct service connected death: CT 112 (VFW). 20.7096. Restore contract burials: LT 251 (VFW). 20.7100. Provide for transportation, burial and incidental expenses for burial of in-service deaths in local or national ceme- tery: MT 340 (VFW). 20.7104. Award an allowance of $250 for burial plot for those not buried in a national cemetery: OT 352 (DAY). 20.7108. Provide an allowance for ineligible v~terans to cover cost of burial site as in Tower Bill (S. 2316) : DOT 360. 20.7112. Provide transportation and reimbursement regardless of place of death: LT 352 (VFW) ; DOT 297. 20.7116. Permit cost of transportation as an additional burial benefit: BT 259 (AMVETS) ; BKT 63 (AMVETS). 20.7120. Provide transportation costs of dependents of those bolow the tLhree top pay grades: AT 220 (AMVETS). 20.7124. Furnish, deliver and install headstones: BT 265 (AM- VETS) ; BKT 74 (AMVETS) ; PT 95 (AMVETS) ; 1)CT 296 (DOA). 20.7128. Provide grave marker in cases where one period of a service terminated honorably: ST 202. 20.7132. Allow military personnel accompanying the remains or a direct representative, after burial, to inform survivors of benefits entitled: AT 543. 20.7136. Provide Armed Forces trained personnel for a veteran f u- neral: OT 405 (DAY). 20.7140. Allow funeral directors to process application for burial allowance, headStones and markers: PT 155 (AL). 20.7144. Direct windows to service representative for assistance in burial application: PT 159 (AL). A7ational cemeteries 20.7500. Provide for establishment of a cemetery program: LI' 352 (VFW). 20.7504. Permit no priorities in burial rights in national cemetries: AT67 (DAY). 20.7508. Permit all eligible veterans burial in national cemeteries: PT 303 (YFW); DOT 295 (DOA); PT 292 (YFWT). 20.7512. Assure veterans ftmeral and burial in national cemeterfLes if preferred: DOT 386 (JWV). PAGENO="0197" REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2905 20.7516. Permit burial in all national cemeteries without discrimina- tion : AT 363 (AL) ; OT 172 (YFW). 20.7520. Provide appropriate legislation prohibiting burial in national cemeteries' of those otherwise entitled but has participated in subversive activities: UT 492. 20.7524. Prohibit burial in national cemeteries to veterans who have committed a crime against the country but otherwise eli- gible:DCT191 (AMYETS) ;AT266 (AL). 20.7528. Allow veterans to choose national cemetery of his choice~: DCT 304 (DOA). 20.7532. Conduct a survey by VA to determine and guarantee: ade- quacy: ST 67 (DAY). 20.7536. Conduct a study to determine future use and need of national cemetery: UT 517 (AL). 20.7540. Conduct a study of cremation : LT 226 (AMYETS). 20.7544. Provide national mausoleums at closed national cemeteries for cremated remains of veterans: BT 335 (DAY); BT 342 (DAY) ; LT 81 (YFW); PT 181 (AL) ; DCT 52 (PYA). 20.7548. Allow veterans to be cremated and buried in otherwise full national cemeteries: PT 468. 20.7552. Consolidate national cemetery program in one agency: CT 200 (AL). 20.7556. Place national `cemeteries in VA control: ST 22 (AL); ST 108-109 (YFW); ST 117 (YFW); MT 37 (AMYETS); MT 180 (WVVI); MT 130 (VFW); MT 174 (WWI); MT 215 (Polish Legion of AMVETS); BT 57 (YFW); BT 90 (YFW); BT 261 (AMYETS) ; BT 239 (AL); BT 303 (DAY); BT 386 (MOPH); CT 63 (PLAY); CT 250 (MOPH); CT 150 (YFW); LT 72 (YFW); LT 80 (YFW); LT 176 (JWY); LT 189 (MOPH); LT 224 (AMYET5); LT 251 (YFW); LT 313 (DAY); LT 345 (YFW); BKT 206 (WWI); DCT 560 (IWV); DCT 492 (FRA); DCT 191 (AMYETS); AT 266 (AL); AT 230 (MOPH); AT 221 (AMYETS); AT 144 (WWI); AT 541; OT 405 (DAY); UT 615 (AL); UT 517 (AL); UT 492; UT 386 (DAY); UT 114 (WWI); PT 424 (PLAY); AT 585 (YFW); DOT 334 (DAY); DOT 61 (WWI); AT 363 (AL); P'T 256 (AL); PT 269 (AL); PT 518 (DAY); PT 571 (DAY); PT 543 (DAY); DOT 229 (AL); DOT 91 (YFW); DOT 156 (PLAY); AT 499 (1ROA); AT 506 (~TFWT); DOT 558; PT 461; PT 494; PT 320-321 YFW); PT 204 (AL); DO2T 148 (PLAY); PT 68 (AL); CT 354 (AL); CT 289 (AL); CT 145 (YFW) ;AT585 (YFW) ;AT363 (AL). 20.7560. Place Congressional jurisdiction over national cemeteries in the Veterans Affairs Committee: CT 199-200 (AL); DOT 492 (FRA); AT 266 (AL); DOT 92 (YFW); PT 557 (DAY); PT 461; UT 416; UT 171 (YFW); PT 269; AT 303 (AL); DOT 334 (DAY); DOT 229 (AL); UT 517 (AL);PT337 (JWY). 20.7564. Control `of overseas military cemeteries should also be in VA: MT 105 (YFW); CT 150 (YFW); CT 230 (AMYETS). PAGENO="0198" 2906 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.7568. Preclude VA control over overseas military cemeteries: MT 180 (WWJ) 20.7572. Establish national cemeteries throughout the US section- ally, as research would indicate: DCT 296 (DOA). 20.7576. Expand national cemetery system for burial of honorably discharged: OT 321 (DAV). 20.7580. Initiate a comprehensive national cemetery program: PT 321 (VFW). 20.7584. Expand national cemetery system: DCT 191 (AM~ETS); DCT 393 (DOA); DCT 356 (WAC VETS); PT 234 (AL); PT 204 (AL); PT 256 (AL); PT 180 (AL); PT 177: PT 460; PT 569 (DAV); PT 463 & 495; PT 292 (DV); OT 416; AT 36~ (AL); AT 66 (DAV); AT 67 (DAY) ; AT 36 (DAV) ; AT 303 (AL) ; AT 333 (AL) AT 230 (MOPH); AT 439; AT 221 (AMVETS); 01' 46 (WWI); PT 256 (AL). 20.7588. Place cemeteries so they are readily available to all veterans: DCT7O (WWI). 20.7592. Increase national cemeteries in each state: ST 66 (DAY); * ST 105 (YFW); ST 246; MT 37 (AMVETS); MT 180 (WWI); BT 46 (YFW); BT 209 (WWI); BT 246 (AMYETS); BT 250 (AMYETS); BT 324 (DAY); BT 389 (MOPH); BT 345 (LAWV); CT 207 (AL); CT 137 (YFW); CT 231 (AMYETS); LT 80 (YFW); LT 104 (WWI); LT 319 (YFW); DCT 590 (ROA); AT 266 * (AL) ; AT 144 (WWI) ; AT 116 (DAY) ; AT 541; 01 405 * (DAY); OT 98 (WWI); OT 614 (AL) ; OT 492; OT 386 (DAY); OT 405 (DAY); PT 519; PT 110( AMYETS); PT 337 (YFW) ; PT 352 (WWI) ; DCT 191 (AMYETS); DCT 334 (DAY); DCT 386 (JWY) ; DCT 91 (YFW); DCT61(WWI) ; PT52 (PYA) ; PT 153 (AL). 20.7596. Purchase more land and reopen cemeteries: MT 125; BT 174 (WWI); BT 184 (WWI); BT 37 (YFW); BT 158 (WWI); BT :141 (YFW); BT 144 (YFW); BT 302 (DAY) ; CT 354 (AL); CT 131 (YFW) ; CT 145 (VFW); LT 51 (WWI) LT 251 (VFW) ; LT 334 (VFW) ; LT 345 (YFW); BKT 206 (WWI); PT 543 (DAY); PT 280 (YFW). 20.7600. Purchase more land for national cemeteries, especially Mary- land: PT 304 (YFW). 20.7604. Convert nearby battlefields, national parks and forest inte cemeteries when area's national cemetery is filled: PT 3~. 331 (YFW). 20.7608. Provide program or study for establishing memorial parks including mausoleums and columbariums: OT 405 (DAY). 20.7612. Increase cemetery space in Wisconsin: MT 95 (DAY). 20.7616. Provide national cemetery in each New England state: BT 66 (YFW); BT 37 (YFW); BT 221 (WWI); BT 261 (AMYETS); BT 239 (AL); BT 314 (DAY) BT 345 (TAWY). 20.7620. Provide national cemetery in New Hampshire: BT 216 (WWI). 20.7624. Expand national cemetery in New York: BT 424. PAGENO="0199" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2907 20.7628. Provide national cemetery in Maine: BT 290 (DAY). 20.7632. PrQvide national cemetery in Massachusetts: BT 90 (YFW); BT 160 (WWI); BT 321 (DAY); BT 309 (DAY). 20.7636. Provide national cemetery in Rhode Island: BT 77 (YFW). 20.7640. Use surplus land at YAH Newington, Connecticut for ceme- tery: BT 54 (YFW). 20.7644. Survey feasibility of additional ground at Little Rock, Fort Smith and Fayetteville, Arkansas: OT 171 (YFW). 20.7648. Provide national cemetery in Arizona: LT 319 (YFW). 20.7652. Include Fort Baynard cemetery in the national cemetery system: LT 334 (YFW). 20.7656. Provide national cemetery in Champion Hill, Mississippi: OT 615 (AL). 20.7660. Provide national cemetery in Oklahoma: OT 46 (WWI). 20.7664. Provide national cemetery at Fort Towson, Oklahoma: OT 107; OT321 (DAY) ; OT222 (YFW). 20.7668. Provide more cemeteries at Fort Reno, Oklahoma: OT 53; OT 321 (DAY) ; OT 222 (YFW). 20.7672. Provide national cemetery for Michigan: CT 207 (AL). 20.7676. Provide national cemetery for Philadelphia: PT 463. 20.7680. Provide more national cemeteries in Pennsylvania: PT 455. 20.7684. Expand cemetery programs in California and allocate addi- tional space: LT 313 (DAY). 20.7688. Establish three national cemeteries in California of over 100 acres: AT 235 (MOPH). 20.7692. Establish a third national cemetery in California: LT 151. 20.7694. Provide a cemetery at Old Camp Parks near Pleasanton, California: DOT 3570. 20.7696. Establish new cemetery in the Riverside, San Bernardino area: LT 189 (MOPH). 20.7700. Expand the Fort Rosecrans cemetery: LT 189 (MOPH). 20.7704. LTse Maremont Naval Air Station area as a cemetery: LT 80 (YFW).. 20.7708. Provide national cemetery in Ohio: CT 145 (YFW) ; CT 151 (YFW). 20.7712. Expand and, reopen Beverly cemetery in New Jersey: DOT 321 (YFW); PT 425; PT 205 (AL); PT 67 (AMYETS). 20.7716. Provide a national cemetery in metropolitan area between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in Maryland: PT 317 (YFW). 20.7720. Provide national cemetery for Delaware in Lower New Castle county: PT 561 (DAY). 20.7724. Provide national cemetery for Delaware near Delaware Memorial Bridge near recreation area: PT 560 (DAY). 20.7728. Provide national cemetery for Delaware: PT 292 (YFW). 20.7732. Provide more cemeteries near highly populated areas: CT 148 (YFW) ; LT 176 (JWY) ; PT 571 (DAY). 20.7736. Establish new cemeteries in low cost land areas: LT 72 (YFW). 20.7740. Purchase land in private cemeteries and convert into national cemeteries: PT 468. 20.7744. Consider using federal land wherever possible: LT 177 (JWY). PAGENO="0200" 2908 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 20.7748. Use surplus land held by U.S. Government as result of closed military installation for national cemetery: DCT 157 (PLAV). 20.7752. Establish a cemetery at each VA Hospital: LT 345 (VFW). 20.7756. Remove Arlington Cemetery from National System: BT 160 (WWI). 20.7760. Continue Arlington as a regular veterans cemetery: CT 148 (VFW). 20.7764. Allow burial of all honorably discharged veterans in Arlirig- ton as long as sites exist; OT 46 (WWI); DCT 61 (WWI) ; OT 284 (VFW) ; OT 517 (AL) ; OT 386 (DAV); OT 191 (VFW); OT 221 (VFW); OT 222 (VFW). 20.7768. Lift restrictions on burials in Arlington: AT 303 (AL); PT 270; PT 292 (VFW) ; DCT 229 (AL) ; DCT 149 (PLAY). 20.7772. Restore former burial procedures at Arlington National Cemetery: OT 352 (DAV); OT 118 (WWI). 20.7776. Rescind policy of burial of VIPs in Arlington National Cemetery: OT 321 (DAy). 20.7780. Make Arlington a National Monument: PT 77 (AMVETS); DCT51 (PVA). 20.7784. Use remaining space in Arlington for holders of Congres- sional Medal of Honor: DC2T 52 (PVA). 20.7788. Use parking area funds for Arlington National Cemetery for gravesites for honoraibly discharged veterans: OT 321 (DAV). 20.7792. Make Arlington a national monument when full: OT 144 (WWI). 20.7796. Designate a portion of Manassas Battleground as an Arling- ton Cemetery annex: AT 230 (MOPH). 20.7800. Eliminate use of recorded "Taps" in national cemeteries: LT 251 (VFW). GROUP 111.-EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING ASSISTANCE Vocational rehabilitation 30.1004. Extend and improve VR & E Program: AT 66 (DAy). 30.1008. Enlarge VR & E. Program: AT 23 (MOPH). 30.1012. Eliminate termination dates: LT 349 (VFW); LT 294 (DAV); DCT 543 (BVA); AT 552; AT 327 (AL); OT 268 (VFW). 30.1016. Extend termination date for World War II: ST 91 (VFW). 30.1020. Eliminate termination date if training or retraining is needed: DC2T (AMVETS); PT 515 (DAV); DC2T 345 (DAV). 30.1024. Eliminate termination dates for WW II where case warrants retraining: DC2T 141 (VFW). 30.1028. Permit program for WW II veterans not rehabilitated: MT 112 (VFW). 30.1032. Permit additional training to those 100% disabled who are now stabilized after repeated acute exacerbations: CT 113 (VFW). PAGENO="0201" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2909 30.1036. Permit rehabilitation on an indefinite basis to war veterans severely disabled whether or not service connected: AT 524 (VFW). 30.1040. Permit training or retraining for any war veteran to ensure economic security : LT 282 (DAY). 30.1044. Permit a vocational rehabilitation opportunity to every vet- eran: PT 331 (VFW); DC2T 142 (VFW). 30.1048. Eliminate deadlines and permit training for service connected and non service connected veterans: AT 538; ST 91 (VFW); MT 38 (AMVETS); LT 349 (VFW). 30.1052. Provide rehthilitation for disabled veterans unable to earn a decent wage: BT 326 (DAY). 30.1056. Make the program available to older veterans: MT 269. 30.1060. Permit part-time vocational rehabilitation: CT 229 (AM- VETS); LT 299 (DAY); LT 228 (AMYETS). 30.1064. Decentralize Montana cases to RO, Fort Harrison: ST 60 (DAY). 30.1068. Decentralize YR & E and WOE files: MT 352. 30.1072. Increase rates: MT 62 (DAY). 30.1076. Increase rates by at least $30: BT 87 (YFW). 30.1080. Increase rates by $10 for those who maintain a "B" average: BT 87 (YFW). 30.1084. Permit continued entitlement toward masters and doctors degrees when a "B" average is maintained: BT 87 (VFW). 30.1088. Remove 30% disability requirement: LT 329 (YFW); LT 341 (YFW) ; 0T404 (DAY). 30.1092. Provide benefits under the rehabilitation program to children of veterans with 50% or greater service connected dis- ability: OT 384 (DAY). Education 30.2000. Provide more realistic time limits for completion of educa- tion and amount of eligibility : PT 322 (YFW). 30.2004. Eliminate termination dates: BKT 183. 30.2008. Extend the benefit to service between 1947 and 1950: MT 35 (AMYETS). 30.2012. Provide a military requirement of at least 2 years service at age 18 with program to permit completion of education thereafter: OT 261. 30.2016. Provide entitlement for WW II veterans whose discharges have been recently corrected: AT 333 (AL). 30.2020. Increase eligibility time: MT 235. 30.2024. Permit educational allowance for 2 years of studies: BKT 42. 30.2028. Place the benefit for Vietnam veterans on a par with WW II: LT178 (JWY);LT230 (AMVETS). 30.2032. Allow 11/2 months of eligibility for each month of service: MT 174 (WWI); MT 339 (VFW); BT 384 (MOPH); BT74;BT416;CT253;CT65 (PLAY) ;LT258 (WWI); LT263 (WWI). 30.2036. Allow 11/2 days eligibility for each day of service: PT 204 (AL) ; OT 512 (AL) ; OT 404 (DAY),; DC2T 91 (VFW). PAGENO="0202" 2910 REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 30.2040. Provide additional entitlement of `/2 days for each day of service by war orphans: AT 345 & 350 (AL). 30.2044. Provide a minimum of 36 months for those acquiring ccm- pensable service connected disabilities: OT 404 (DAV). 30.2048. Provide entitlement for 48 months with benefits payable for a full 12 month period : LT 70 (VFW). 30.2052. Provide maximum entitlement of 48 months: DC2T 91 (VFW). 30.2056. Review actual time requirements of educational programs: AT6G (DAV). 30.2060. Extend the eligibility period for the normal time required of a graduate student to obtain a masters degree and in- crease the allowance for graduate study : AT 539. 30.2064. Extend eligibility time limit in keeping with veterans d.is- ability:BT 367 (PVA). 30.2068. Extend unused educational benefits as a rehabilitation pro- gram to veterans later disabled: CT 229 (AMVETS). 30.2072. Permit additional eligibility to those who maintain a average to attain masters and doctors degrees: BT 87 (VFW). 30.2076. Provide 1000 scholarships for Vietnam veterans at $5000 each: BKT 43. 30.2080. Place all phases of education and training in the jurisdiction of the RO of the area involved : AT 327 (AL). 30.2084. Provide more counselors and guidance personnel :~ ST 175; MT 240. 30.2088. Discontinue counseling where not desired: BT 237 (AL). 30.2092. Confine connseling to disabled veterans and handicapped war orphans: LT 70-71 (VFW). 30.2096. Expedite payment of educational claims: AT 326 (AL). 30.2100. Pay tuition direct: AT 328 (AL). 30.2104. Provide increased remuneration to schools for counseling: MT234;LT263 (WWI);Ct256. 30.2108. Provide appropriations for the administrative costs of state approving agencies: AT 631; PT 471. 30.2112. Increase VA contract budget to provide greater funds br supervisory and administrative personnel of state ap- proving agencies: OT 427; OT 414. 30.2116. Provide amounts for the purchase of supplies, etc., for state approving agencies: OT 426; OT 413. 30.2120. Pay 20% of state approving agency budget in Pennsylvania: PT 481. 30.2124. P'ay $2 per student per semester to schools as reimbursement for administrative costs: OT 513 (AL). 30.2128. Authorize VA to pay for tuition, books and fees in addition to subsistence allowance: OT 512 (AL). 30.2132. Pay subsistence allowance to schools for disbursements to students: OT 513 (AL). 30.2136. Grant veterans priority to all training administered federally or supported by federal funds: OT 44 (WWI). 30.2140. Provide for special consideration by college in admitting veterans: PT 437; AT 269 (VFW) PAGENO="0203" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2911 30.2144. Encourage schools to give credit for correspondence courses: PT 438. 30.2148. Deny approval to questionable training programs: AT 182 (WWI). 30.2152. Retain former requirements for educational approval: CT 256. 30.2156. Reduce course requirement of 25 hours per week: AT 68 (DAY). 30.2160. Remove 2 year provision of continuous operation for schools: PT 472. 30.2164. Require monthly certificates of attendance of all schools: BT418. 30.2168. Provide for schools certification of students quarterly rather. than yearly: LT 358. 30.2172. Simplify procedures for reporting school attendance: AT 326 (AL). 30.2176. Provide means t:o assure completion of education regardless of claimants financial standing: PT 437. 30.2180. Establish a loan system to supplement allowances: ST 39 (AMVETS); MT 201 (AL); CT 219 (AL); BKT 42; AT 275 (AL); DC2T 189 (AMVETS); PT 516 (DAY). 30.2184. Permit emergency loans up to $300 while in training: AT 275 (AL). 30.2188. Permit educational loans with provision for some forgiveness of indebtedness of those in the teaching area: BKT 43. 30.2192. Provide priority to veterans for fellowships: PT 437. 30.2196. Increase monthly pay of each trainee: OT 404 (DAY). 30.2200. Increase allowance proportionate to WOE rates: CT 255. 30.2204. Increase allowances commensurate with costs: MT 198 (AL). 30.2208. Increase level of payments with inclusion of actual school fees: OT 269 (YFW) 30.2212. Provide an automatic cost of living increase feature for edu- cational assistance: LT 251 (YFW); BT 384 (MOPH). 30.2216. Increase education allowance: ST 177; MT 231; MT 62 (DAV); MT 35 (AMVETS); MT 349; BT 365 (PYA); BT 108; BT 74; BT 417; CT 197 (AL); CT 351 (AL); CT 128 (YFW) ; LT 178 (JWV); LT 300 (DAY) ; LT 263; BKT 41; ST 23 (AL); ST 45 (DAY); ST 116 (VFW); AT 538. 30.2220. Increase allowance to $200 per month: MT 197 (AL); CT 217 (AL). 30.2224. Increase educational allowance by at least $30: BT 87 (YFW). 30.2228. Increase rates for single veterans comparable to WOE rates: LT 262 (WWI); LT 251 (YFW). 30.2232. Increase benefits for veterans with and without dependents: LT 262 (WWI); LT 329 (VFW). 30~2236. Increase the educational allowance to $130 for single veterans, to $160 for those with one dependent, and to $185 for those with two or more dependents: BT 236 (AL). 30.2240. Provide $150 per month for veterans without dependents and provide increase for each dependent: LT 85-86 (YFW). PAGENO="0204" 2912 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 30.2244. Increase educational allowances by $10 per month for those who maintain a "B" average: BT 87 (VFW). 30.2248. Provide that the effective date of benefits shall be date of receipt of application or date of commencement of course, whichever first occurs: BT 417. 30.2252. Provide educational benefits in advance of service: LT 22. 30.2256. Permit educational allowance for pre-college schooling: ST 65 (DAY). 30.2260. Permit educational allowance for pre-college schooling with- out prejudice to entitlement: LT 113. 30.2264. Provide an accelerated high school program: PT 446. 30.2268. Provide for issuance of a diploma by the local high school to those with service high school equivalency diploma: PT 446. 30.2272. Provide for completion of high school while in service: OT 250 (VFW). 30.2276. Provide educational allowance for related training either by correspondence courses or through vocational education: LT 112. 30.2280. Permit educational allowance for part-time training: AT 327 (AL). 30.2284. Provide educational allowance for trade school work: ST 65 (DAY). 30.2288. Provide trade education for Vietnam veterans: PT 43~. 30.2292. Provide educational facilities at each VAil which is near a medical center: AT 67 (DAY). 30.2296. Permit educational allowance for on-job training: ST 45 (DAV); ST 116 (VFW); MT 233; MT 35 (AMVETS); BT 236 (AL); BT 329 (DAY); BT 78 (VFW); BT 424; BT 385 (MOPH); CT 128 (VFW); CT 254; CT :L98 (AL); CT 65 (PLAV); CT 229 (AMYETS); LT 34 (WWI); LT 263 (WWI); LT 61 (WWI); LT 341 (YFW); LT 300 (DAY); LT 34 (WWI); LT 282 (DAY); LT 191 (MOPH); LT 259. 30.2300. Provide $450 per month total allowance for on-job trainiiig: CT 255. 30.2304. Provide an on-job program similar to that following WW II: PT 439. 30.2308. Provide educational allowance for apprenticeships: ST 65 (DAY); ST 45 (DAY); ST 116 (YFW); MT 233; CT 254; LT 36 (WWI); LT 83 (VFW); LT 259; LT 263 (WWI); LT 61 (WWI); LT 341 (VFW). 30.2312. Authorize the VA to create and operate training schools for service officers at its cost in whole or part: OT 464. 30.2316. Publicize informal non-subsidized OJT programs which pro- vide employment at minimum initial wages: LT 191 (MOPH). 30.2320. Provide that hourly rates for on the job, non-apprenticeable occupations, should not be less than provided in minimum wage laws established by Congress: LT 112. PAGENO="0205" REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2913 30.2324. Provide that beginning wage rates for OJT non-apprentice- able occupations should be consistent with area practice: LT 112. 30.2328. Provide for no difference in apprenticeship training between VA and private programs: LT 112. 30.2332. Provide a beginning rate of 60% of the journeymen's wage scale less the amount authorized in veterans' benefits: LT 111-412. 30.2336. Provide apprenticeship standards closely adhering to exist- ing standards: LT 111. 30.2340. Provide vocational readjustment for those veterans residing in states without a state apprenticeship : AT 633. 30.2344. Provide educational allowance for flight training: ST 45 (DAY); ST 116 (VFW); BT 74; MT 234; CT 128 (VFW); CT 229 (AMVETS); CT 255; LT 61 (WWI); LT 261 (WWI); LT 300 (DAY); LT 263 (WWI). 30.2348. Provide educational allowance for farm training: ST 45 (DAY); ST 116 (VFW); BT 424; LT 341 (VFW); LT 300 (DAY); LT 282 (DAY); CT 128 (YFW); CT 229 (AMVETS); CT 255. War orphans education 30.3000. Permit all war orphans of deceased servicemen full 36-month entitlement: DC2T 177 (GSWA). 30.3004. Provide that WOE benefits not be a bar to entitlement based on one's own service: DC2T 327 (DAY); ST 96 (YFW); CT 220 (AL); ST 96 (VFW); PT 515 (DAV); AT 507 (VFW); AT 539; OT 512 (AL). (See other citations in the Education Section.) 30.3008. Increase WOE rates: ST 116 (YFW). 30.3012. Increase WOE rates by at least $30: BT 87 (VFW). 30.3016. Increase monthly rate to $150: LT 342 (YFW). 30.3020. Remove age limits on WOE: AT 328 (AL); AT 438. 30.3024. Change criteria of "total disability permanent in nature" for WOE eligibility: MT 85 (DAY). 30.3028. Adopt a liberal interpretation of "permanency" for WOE eligibility: OT 455 (DAY). 30.3032. Eliminate the requirement of permanency: OT 513 (AL). 30.3036. Eliminate the requirement that the veteran died of service connected disability for WOE entitlement: AT 523 (VFW). 30.3040. Permit benefit to orphans or dependent children of service connected veterans who had been 100% disabled: CT 101 (YFW). 30.3044. Permit child continued entitlement despite change in situation or in veterans evaluation: CT 102 (YFW) ; CT 198 (AL) PT 515 (DAY) ; PT 323 (VFW). 30.3048. Make WOE available to children of service connected vet- erans 60% or more disabled: LT 251 (VFW). PAGENO="0206" 2914 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 30.3052. Make `WOE available to children of service connected veterans 50% or more disabled: ST 66 (IDAV) `BT 308 (DAV); CT 128 (VFW) ; OT 403 (DAV) ; AT 66 (IDAV) ; AT 326 (AL) ; AT249 (AL) ; AT 116 (DAV). 30.3056. Provide WOE benefits on a proportionate basis for children of service connected veterans not less than 50% disabled: DC2T 326 (DAV); PT 515 (DAY); AT 35 (DAY); AT 524 (VFWT). 30.3060. Provide benefit for children of service connected veterans less than totally disabled: LT 235 (AMVETS) ; AT 270 (AL). 30.3064. Pay WOE benefits where veteran is totally disabled and serv- ice connected disabilities are 20% or more disabling: AT 319 (AL). 30.3068. Prorate WOE benefit in proportion to degree of disability: LT330 (VFW). 30.3072. Extend the age 23 limitation to age 26: CT 128 (VFW); DC2T 183 (GSWA) ; OT 403 (DAY). 30.3076. Eliminate the age 23 limitation: DC2T 177 (GSWA). 30.3080. Extend the age limitation for certain handicapped children: LT342 (VFW). 30.3084. Permit War Orphans maintaining a "B" average entitlement toward masters and doctors degrees: BT 87 (YFW). 30.3088. Extend to daughters of Congressional Medal of Honor re- cipients the privilege of attending a national college: AT 543. 30.3092. Provide veterans' children some scholarships on a loan or grant basis: AT 323 (AL). 30.3096. Provide educational loans for veterans' children: AT 326 (AL). 30.3100. Provide education loans for children of any deceased war veteran with repayment to begin 6 months after completion of schooling: PT 230-231 (AL). 30.3104. Establish a revolviiig fund to provide loans to war orphans' until training allowances are received OT 512 (AL). 30.3108. Provide greater publicity for the WOE benefit: CT 351 (AL); CT 229 (AMVETS). 30.3112. Permit WOE benefits to widows of Korean conflict and Viet- nam veterans: AT 345' (AL). 30.3116. Extend WOE to cover unremarried widows of those who die of service connected causes: DC2T 328 (DAY) 30.3120. Provide educational benefits to widows under the WOE pro- gram: PT 106 (AMVETS). 30.3124. Decentralize Montana WOE cases to Ft. Harrison RO: ST 60 (DAV). 30.2128. Decentralize WOE and YR & E files: MT 352. Pro posals for edmwationaZ be)rte fits for widows and others 30.4000. Provide a benefit similar,to WOE for widows of those dying of service connected disabilities: AT 85 (DAY); AT 249 (AL) ; PT 269; PT 254 (AL). 30.4004. Extend educational benefits to widows of servicemen who died in service: AT 544. PAGENO="0207" REPORT OF ILS. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION~ 2915 30.4008. Provide educational benefits to widows of veterans who die of service connected causes: ST 65 (DAY) ; ST 97 (VFW); MT 145 (VFW); MT 124 (\TFW); BT 340 (DAY); BT 236 (AL); CT 199 (AL); CT 71 (VFW); LT 348 (VFW); DC2T 177 (GSWA); BT 100; CT 351 (AL); PT 93 (AMVET5); DC2T 567 (PLAY); AT 298 (AL); OT 195 (VFW). 30.4012. Provide education and training for widows of veterans who die on active duty or of a 100% service connected disabil- ity: OT 513 (AL). 30.4016. Provide no more than 36 months entitlement for widowsof veterans who die of service connected causes: BT 263 (AMVETS) ; LT 228 (AMVETS) ; BKT 65 (AMVETS). 30.4020. Place no age limit on educatior~ of widows of those who die of service connected causes: OT 230. 30.4024. Provide a vocational education benefit for widows under age 30 whose husbands died of service connected causes: OT 198 (VFW). 30.4028. Provide educational benefits similar to WOE up to age 35 for widows of those dying of service connected causes: AT 270 (AL). 30.4032. Provide educational benefits to widows below age 50 of vet- erans who die of service connected causes: OT 270 (AL). 30.4036. Provide educational benefits to widows of those killed in action: OT 463. 30.4040. Provide educational benefits at WOE rates to widows of cold war veterans who die of service connected causes: BT 424; LT 251 (VFW). 30.4044. Provide top priority to education for widows and wives: PT 121 (AMVETS). 30.4048. Extend educational assistance to widows: DC2T 412 (AVC). 30.4052. Provide educational benefits to young widOws: DC2T 121 (VFW). 30.4056. Permit education and on-job training benefits to widows: MT 35 (AMYETS); BKT 41. 30.4060. Provide no educational benefits for Vietnam widows: BT 150 (VFW). 30.4064. Provide the educational benefit to widows of Korean con- flict and Vietnam veterans: MT 197 (AL); LT 21 30.4068. Provide education benefits for Vietnam widows: BT 220 (WWI); BKT 41; LT 87 (VFW); PT 7. (AMVET5); AT 584 (VFW). 30.4072. Provide college training to widows of Vietnam veterans: AT 354 (AL). 30.4076. Provide education benefits to Vietnam widows and wives of the totally disabled without age limitation: PT 99 (AM VETS). 30.4080. Permit education benefits to wives of totally disabled service connected veterans: MT 149 (VFW) ; MT 35 (AMVET5); MT 124 (VFW); MT 93 (DAY); BT 236 (AL); LT 348 (VFW); AT 249 (AL); PT 93 (AMVET5); OT 513 (AL); PT 581 (DAY). PAGENO="0208" 2916 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 30.4084. Provide the educat:ion benefit to which a Vietnam veteran would have been entitled but for his service connected death to his widow until her disqualification by remarriage: OT 282 (VFW). 30.4088. Provide the education benefit to which a service disabled Vietnam veteran is entitled to his wife if his disabilities prevent his employment: OT 282 (VFW). 30.4092. Allow the education benefit of totally disabled service con- nected and unemployable Vietnam veterans to their wives without age limitation: DC2T 189 .(AMVETS). 30.4096. Permit the education benefit of the husband to his widow if he was killed in action or to his wife if his service connect&~d disabilities preclude his participation in the program: CT 463. 30.4100. Provide educational assistance to unremarried widows: AT 324 (AL). 30.4104. Extend educational benefits to wives of Cold War veterans: BKT 71 (AMVETS). 30.4108. Consider education benefit for widows and dependents of veterans who have served in wars and emergencies: LT 283 (DAV) ; LT 317 (VFW). 30.4112. Provide education benefits at WOE rates to Vietnam widows: PT402 (AL). 30.4116. Provide education benefits to WWII widows without re- gard to service connection: PT 586 (DAV). 30.4120. Permit education benefits to servicemen's widows without regard to age and permit completion of program regardless of remarriage: AT 36 (DAY). 30.4124. Consider extending WOE provisions to cover Vietnam widows and those of future war periods: CT 139 (VFW). 30.4128. Provide a rehabilitation program for the widows of those who were receiving A & A: PT 554 (DAY). 30.4132. Extend education benefits at WOE rates to wives of totally disabled Cold War veterans: BT 424. 30.4136. Permit widow entitlement to education benefit of husband: PT 120 (AL). 30.4140. Provide tuition to educationally disadvantaged widows: AT 66 (DAY). 30.4144. Consider permitting assignment of education benefits within the family: BT 109; CT 229 (AMVETS); BElT 183. 30.4148. Permit transfer of education benefits of veteran who died of service connected causes to his widow: AT 360 (AL). 30.4152. Permit transfer of the veterans benefit to his widow: MT 339 (VFW); MT 92 (DAY). 30.4156. Permit widow to inherit veterans education benefit regardless of remarriage: AT 152 (WWI). 30.4160. Permit widow her husband's education entitlement until her remarriage: CT 43 (DAY); ~T 79 (VFW). 30.4164. Permit transfer of benefit to wife where education of service connected veteran is precluded: MT 339 (`\,TFW); BElT 6 (AMVETS). 30.4168. Permit education benefit to wife where use by the veterans ~s impractical : BT 263 (AMVETS). PAGENO="0209" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2917 30.4172. Permit veterans entitlement to widow where his training is medically unfeasible: AT 299 (AL). 30.4176. Make the Veteran's unused education benefit available to his children: PT 154 (AL); DC2T 567 (PLAY); BT 263 (AMVETS); LT 280 (DAY); BKT 66 (AMVETS); BKT 77 (AMYETS); PT 341 (YFW). 30.4180. Restore unused WWT II and Korean conflict entitlement or permit its transfer to veteran's children: AT 327 (AL). 30.4184. Establish a VA loan fund from which widow could borrow to supplement education benefit while pursuing a full college course: DC2T 189 (AMVETS). 30.4188. Permit unused WW II and Korean conflict education and YR & E benefits to be transferred to veteran's children: PT 516 (DAY). 30.4192. Control education benefits to widows who remarry to avoid duplication and indirect benefits to non veterans: AT 214 (AMYETS). 30.4196. Terminate education benefits to widows upon remarriage: PT 106 (AMYETS). 30.4200. Terminate benefits to widow at the quarter following her re- marriage: DC2T 121 (YFW). 30.4204. Permit remarried widow to finish the course if there has been substantial completion: OT 231 (YFW). 30.4208. Permit remarried widow to finish the course if it is one-half or more completed: DC2T 189 (AMYETS). 30.4212. Permit education benefits to widows of those who died of service connected disability regardless of remarriage: CT 204 (AL) ; LT 233 (AMYETS). GROUP Iv.-HOUSING AND OTHER CREDIT ASSISTANCE General Suggestions 40.0004. Retain loan program in VA: MT 200 (AL). 40.0008. Continue the loan program: OT 283 (YFW); CT 221 (AL). 40.0012. Facilitate loan processing: AT 328 (AL). 40.0016. Permit use of NSLI funds for loans: PT 75 (AMVETS). 40.0020. Station a loan representative in Alaska: ST 28 (AL); ST 79 (VFW). 40.0024. Provide special consideration for low income group who can- not qualify for loans through commercial lending firms: LT 238 (AMVETS). 40.0028. Provide enlarged opportunities for loans to mentally incom- petent service connected veterans: AT 42 (DAY). 40.0032. Permit loans to unremarried widows: DC 2T 567 (PLAY). 40.0036. Provide guaranteed home loans to widows of veterans who die of service connected causes: BT 238 (AL). 40.0040. Increase guarantee amount to $10,000: MT 38 (AMYET5); BT 345 (Italian American War Veterans); BT 252 (AMVETS) ; BT 324 (DAY); CT 227-228 (AMYET5); BKT 76 (AMYETS); BKT 83 (AMVETS~). 40.0044. Increase guarantee amount to at least $10,500: DC 2T 329 (DAY). 9 1-670-6S-----14 PAGENO="0210" 2918 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 40.0048. Increase guarantee amount to $10,000 or 60% of home loans: PT 71 (AMVETS.). 40.0052. Increase guarantee amount to $12,000: LT 239 (AMVETS). 40.0056. Increase guarantee amount to $15,000 or more: PT 2/19 (VFW). 40.0060. Increase guarantee amount to $15,000 or 60% of the loan: OT 513 (AL). 40.0064. Increase home loan amount to 60% of property value not to exceed $25,000: PT 301 (VFW). 40.0068. In~rease ceiling on guaranteed home loans to $30,000: LT 177 (JWV). 40.0072. Permit guarantee of 80% of any loan: MT 121 (VFW). Time limitations 40.1000. Eliminate termination dates for the program: AT 274 (AL); LT 131 (AL); LT 299 (DAV); LT 342 (VFW); LT 350 (VFW"); AT 539; OT 270 (VFW). 40.1004. Eliminate WWII termination date: MT 74 (DAV) ; MT 125 (VFW); MT 126 (VFW); MT 196 (AL); CT 129 (VFW). 40.1008. Extend loan program termination dates: BKT 193. 40.1012. Extend loan program based on WWTI service substantially or indefinitely: BT 59 (VFW) ; MT 114 (VFW). 40.1016. Extend loan program indefinitely for WWII veterans with 50% or greater service connected disability: BT 88 (VFW). 40.1020. Extend loan program for at least one year for WWII service: LT 71 (VFW). 40.1024. Extend loan program to 1970 for all WWII veterans: CT 227 (AMVETS). 40.1028. Extend loan program to July 25, 1972 for WW]II veteraiis: BT 238 (AL). 40.1032. Extend loan program for five years for WWII and Korean conflict service: 11T' 250 (VFW). 40.1036. Permit benefit for service between 1947 and 1950: MT 35 (AMVETS). Direct loans 40.2000. Extend direct loan program: LT 342 (VFW~; PT 72 (AMVETS). 40.2004. Reexamine direct loan program: PT 253 (AL). 40.2008. Designate specific direct loan areas: AT 328 (AL). 40.2012. Make direct loans available at all VAROs: LT 238 (AMVETS) ; BKT 76 (AMVETS) ; PT 72 (AMVETS). 40.2016. Make direct loan funds available to veterans programs: MT 197 (AL). 40.2020. Ease administrative requirements for obtaining direct loans: AT 328 (AL). 402024. Permit direct loans where guaranteed loans are not available: MT 197 (AL). 40.2028. Provide direct loans on same basis in all areas: AT 299 (AL). PAGENO="0211" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2919 40.2032. Provide direct loans through the government rather than through banks: BT 331 (DAY). 40.2036. Provide direct low interest VA loans to a maximum of $15,000 for balance of purchase price: DC2T 330. 40.2040. Permit direct loans where loan has been denied by three loan agencies: MT 115 (VFW); AT 252 (AL). 40.2044. Open all areas to direct loans: MT 125 (VFW); MT 351; BT252 (AMYETS) ; CT 228 (AMVETS). 40.2048. Increase availability of direct loans in counties and small towns:AT 328 (AL). 40.2052. Raise direct loan maximum to $30,000: PT 278 (VFW). Loan guara~nty 40.3000. Increase limits to match direct loan limits: PT 543 (DAY). 40.3004. Increase $7500 guarantee: MT 122 (YFW); OP 463. 40.3008. Eliminate the point system and provide direct loans: PT 74 (AMYETS). 40.3012. Prevent `lenders from requiring a discount fee: OT 514 (AL). 40.3016. Eliminate discounts by permitting interest rates at competi- tive levels: OT 586. 40.3020. Explain point system and other pitfalls to veterans: AT 328 (AL). 40.3024. Replace funding free charges on loans by a fee of 1/~~ of 1% on direct loans: AT 311 (AL). Secondary loans 40.4000. Authorize VA to make guaranteed and direct home improve- ment loans: AT 540. 40.4004. Permit loans for improvements, additions and expansions: AT 274 (AL) ; LT 318 (YFW). 40.4008. Provide subsequent loans: MT 196 (AL); LT 283 (DAY); DC2T 92 (VFW) ; PT 301 (YFW). 40.4012. Permit new home loans where partial or complete repayment has been made: PT 543 (DAY) ; PT 180 (AL). 40.4016. Increase loan limits: ST 28 (AL); ST 79 (YFW); MT 197 (AL). 40.4020. Increase loan limits and permit flexibility: DC 2T 190 (AMVETS). 40.4024. Increase loan limits to $17,500 and to $25,000 in special cases by direction of the Administrator: PT 180 (AL). Loan costs 40.5000. Reduce interest rates: AT 328 (AL); BT 78 (VFW). 40.5004. Reduce interest rates on guaranteed loans to 5.1%: BT 238 (AL). 40.5008. Provide loans at rates lower than FRA rates: LT 342 (VFW). 40.5012. Reduce rates 1/2 of 1% below FHA rates: DC 2'T 329 (DAY). 40.5016. Eliminate the point system: LT 238 (AM'\TETS); AT 329 (AL). PAGENO="0212" 2920 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 40.5020. Examine the point system: PT 72 (AMVETS). 40.5024. Control the discount rate strictly to prevent lenders charging excessive points: DC 2T 329 (DAY). Business loans 40.6000. Permit attractive business loans: MT 38 (AMVETS); BT 321 (DAY); BT 238; LT 342 (VFW). 40.6004. Provide business loans for returning Vietnam veterans: PT 434. 40.6008. Liberalize amount and interest rate for business loans: MT 75 (DAY). 40.6012. Increase rates allowed on farm and business loans to assist veterans to obtain farm and business credit: CT 228 (AMVETS). 40.6016. Increase business loans to $5000: BT 252 (AMVETS) ; BKT 76 (AMVETS). 40.6020. Increase business loan ceiling to $30,000 : AT 485. Default liability 40.7000. Study problem of providing more protection for veterans from liability created by defaults of others: PT 231 (AL) OT 54; OT 479. 40.7004. Provide relief from default liability: OT 513 (AL); OT 417; AT 274 (AL); DC 2T 190 (AMVETS); DC 2T 567 (PLAY); AT 181 (WW); DCT 490 (FRA). 40.7008. Relieve veteran of default liability if federal employment caused home sale: AT 545; OT 55. 40.7012. Require default protection such as a performance bond.: PT252~-253 (AL). 40.7016. Establish an "upset" price at assumption of mortgage to pro- tect veteran from transferee's default: AT 539. ~0.7020. Relieve veteran of liability upon reappraisal of property: CT 228 (AMVETS). 40.7024. Provide equal relief (of liability) in loan indebtedness to the VA: CT 72 (VFW). 40.7028. Modify the liability provisions in loan contracts to shift responsibility from veteran: OT 463; OT 513 (AL). 40.7032. Terminate liability upon sale of the house: LT 71, 74-73 (YFW); LT 337 (VFW). 40.7036. Provide a deficiency judgment fund by a slight interest in- crease: AT 462; AT 226 (AMYETS) ; AT 290 (AL) ; AT 236 (MOPH). 40.7040. Provide an insurance charge of 1/4 of 1% to provide protection against default by the buyer: DC 2T 190 (AMYETS). 40.7044. Liberalize interpretation of law on factor of hardship of repayment: DC 2T 104 (YFW); DC 2T 330 (IDAY). 40.7048. Waive recovery if default was without fault of veteran and recovery would create hardship: LT 130 (AL). 40.7052. Provide a liberalized policy of settlement of liability: MT 219; MT 222; LT 130 (AL). PAGENO="0213" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2921 40.7056. Establish close relationship with real estate agency with re- gard to release of liability: LT 331 (VFW). 40.7060. Provide for a mandatory notice to the VA of transfer of guaranteed properties: BT 252 (AMVETS); BKT 76 (AMVETS). 40.7064. Provide for notification to the VA of changes in ownership with VA to advise veteran of liability: PT 72 (AMVETS). 40.7068. Require VA to locate veterans with continued liability where there has been default by a subsequent purchaser with im- pending foreclosure: OT 513 (AL). 40.7072. Provide that VA should deal directly with buyers in selling repossessed homes: OT 514 (AL). Mortgage insurance 40.8000. Provide low cost group mortgage insurance: BT 252 (AM- VETS); CT 80 (VFW); CT 228 (AMVETS); LT 61 (WWI); LT 342 (VFW); LT 239 (AMVETS); BKT 70 (AMVETS); DC 2T 104 (VFW); AT 539. 40.8004. Explore mandatory mortgage insurance: OT 463. 40.8008. Provide mortgage insurance for the seriously disabled veter- an: PT 99 (AMVETS). 40.8012. Provide mortgage insurance with waiver of service connected disability: LT 239 (AMVETS); AT 299 (AL). 40.8016. Include an additional cost of 1/2 of 1% for mortgage insur- ance: PT 253 (AL). 40.8020. Use the NSLI reserve fund as collateral for low cost mortgage insurance: CT 228 (AMVETS); LT 239 (AMVETS). Special how&ing suggestions 40.9000. Provide veterans priority in public housing: PT 447. 40.9004. Provide returning veterans aid in renting decent apartments: PT 440. 40.9008. Provide priority to rentals in Government Housing projects to totally disabled veterans regardless of service connection: PT 237 (AL). 40.9012. Encourage increased construction of low cost housing: PT 440. 40.9016. Establish a program of low cost housing for veterans with spinal cord injuries: DC 2T 50 (PVA). 40.9020. Provide a program of assistance to non-profit veterans organi- zations in developing and operating residence housing for spinal cord injured veterans: DC 2T 50 (PVA). 40.9024. Permit housing grant benefits to alter places of residence: DC 2T 49 (PVA). 40.9028. Increase specially adopted housing grants in accordance with increased building costs: DC 2T 330 (DAV) ; PT 237 (AL) ; PT 343 (VFW) ; BT 103; BT 424; BT 93 (VFW). 40.9032. Provide specially adapted housing and wheelchair benefits to those who have service connected loss or loss of use of three or more limbs: PT 543 (DAV). PAGENO="0214" 2922 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 40.9036. Provide an increase in the special housing grant to $2O~0O0 with loan of additional needed funds without interest: PT 516 (DAY). 40.9040. Provide interest free direct loans to those entitled to specially adopted housing: MT 98 (VFW). 40.9044. Permit special housing benefit to those with amputations of one upper and one lower extremity: BKT 119 (DAY). 40.9048. Increase special housing assistance to $15,000: BKT 112 (PVA) : BKT 120 (DAY). 40.9052. Provide increases in special housing grants and special loan provision: BKT 125 (DAY). 40.9056. Provide mortgage insurance for specially adapted housing: DOT 541 (BVA). GROUP V.-INStTRANCE General suggestions 50.0004. Pay insurance benefits from ROs: MT 125 (VFW); LT 150. 50.0008. Provide a reminder on the reverse of premium notices urging beneficiary and option designations be made current: OT 490. 50.0012. Instruct hospitals to urge veteran to apply for insurance tin- der 38 USC 722 concurrently with application for com- pensation: PT 224 (AL). 50.0016. Provide Servicemens Indemnity to Vietnam E'ra veterans: AT 299 (AL). 50.0020. Provide Vietnam Era veterans insurance on a par with WWII veterans: AT 329 (AL). 50.0024. Provide free coverage for all servicemen: AT 329 (AL). 50.0028. Provide free coverage for all veterans by eliminating all ad- ministrative personnel: AT 329 (AL). 50.0032. Permit government life insurance to be available to all serv- icemen and veterans: CT 197 (AL); BT 237 (AL). 50.0036. Permit all veterans, if insurable, to purchase group life in- surance in multiples of $1000 up to $40,000: AT 231 MOPH). 50.0040. Permit reinstatement of lapsed group insurance: BT 78 (VFW). 50.0044. Provide ~t low rate government life plan on a limited time basis for non service disabled war veterans: AT 330 (AL). 50.0048. Eliminate VA participation in insurance business except where service connected disabilities bar the purchase of private insurance: AT 329 (AL). 50.0052. Continue a permanent VA program of insurance for serv- ice connected veterans pursuant to PL 86-664: OT 384 (DAY). 50.0056. Permit premiums to be paid between ages 60 to 64 by reduc- tion in face value of policy: MT 339 (VFW) .~ PAGENO="0215" REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2923 50.0060. Provide automatic coverage for all Vietnam Veterans: LT 316 (VFW). 50.0064. Provide an information service regarding the importance of insurance to all men leaving service: PT 112 (AM- VETS) ; 0T417. 50.0068. Exempt GI insurance ( and commercial insurance up to $10,- 000) from taxation: LT 137 (AL). 50.0072. Exclude TJSGLI and NSLI from consideration for estate tax purposes: AT 299 (AL). Servicenlen's group life insurance 50.1000. Increase VA control over SGLI so that service officers may know when a claim has been filed: AT 329 (AL). 50.1004. Permit a right of appeal on questions of insurability: DC 2T111 (VFW). 50.1008. Include reservists under SGLI during training duty: DC 2T 394 (ROA). 50.1012. Permit no large increases in SGLI: DC 2T 281. 50.1016. Retain SGLI at present level and increase DIC rates: OT 439 & 441. 50.1020. Eliminate rank and length of service distinctions with regard to coverage: OT 440-441; DC 2T 282. 50.1024. Increase group life insurance coverage: ST 97 (VFW); ST 23 (AL) ; ST 26 (AL) ; ST 45 (DAV) ; DCT 487 (FRA); BT 109; LT 295 (DAV); BKT 85 (AMVETS); DC 2T 502. 50.1028. Increase in service insurance coverage: AT 439. 50.1032. Increase coverage to a minimum of $15,000 and to any af- fordable maximum: AT 361 (AL). 50.1036. Provide $10,000 free insurance to servicemen with an option to purchase additional $10,000 amounts to a maximum of $40,000: AT 231 (MOPH). 50.1040. Increase coverage to $30,000: LT 130 (AL); DCT 590 )(ROA). 50.1044. Increase coverage to between $10,000 and $25,000: DC 2T 169 (PLAy). 50.1048. Increase coverage to $30,000: DC 21' 230 (AL); DC 2T 335 (DAy). 50.1052. Increase coverage to $30,000 with option of selection in multi~ ples of $5,000: OT 514 (AL). 50.1056. Increase coverage up to $30,000, depending on grade, with right to increase to maximum after discharge: AT 250 (AL). 50.1060. Increase insurance coverage to $30,000 for active duty per- sonnel with same privilege for NSLI policyholders: PT 95 (AMVETS). 50.1064. Increase coverage to $20,000 with option to raise it to $30,000 regardless of rank: OT 323 (DAV). 50.1068. Increase coverage to $25,000: DCT 501 (FRA); DCI' 581 (TWA). PAGENO="0216" 2924 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 50.1072. Permit insurance coverage up to $25,000 depending on rank and ability to pay: AT 273 (AL). 50.1076. Increase insurance coverage to $20,000 or $30,000: AT 329 (AL). 50.1080. Increase insurance coverage to $20,000: LT 351 (VFW); OT 252 (VFW) ; 0T444. 50.1084. Increase coverage to $20,000 subject to good health require- ments: LT 350 (VFW). 50.1088. Increase insurance coverage for Vietnam personnel to $ 15,- 000:AT 345 (AL). 50.1092. Extend to one year the 120 day period following separation for conversion of SGLI: DC 2T 169 (PLAV); DC 2T 345 (DAV). 50.1096. Eliminate deadline date for conversion of SGLI: AT 616~~ National service life inst~rance 50.2000. Make the NSLI fund: available for GI loans: BT 252 (AM- VETS). 50.2004. Permit between ages 61 and 64 retroactive conversion to modi- fied life: AT 329 (AL). 50.2008. Provide NSLI coverage to widows: BT 251 (AMVETS) ; LT 239 (AMVETS); BKT 73 (AMVETS). 50.2012. Pay $10,000 to beneficiaries of WWII veterans who died, in service less any payments of NSLI or JJSGLI previously made: CT 115 (VFW). 50.2016. Permit NSLI insured to purchase annuities with cash sur- render or matured value: BT 423. 50.2020. Permit NSLI policies to be considered paid up when pre- miums paid equal face amount of policy: DC 2T 566. 50.2024. Deem any 5-year level premium term plan paid when pre- miums paid in, less dividends, equal amount of policy: ])C 2T 294. 50.2028. Provide NSLI holders a paid-up endowment plan at age ~6: OT 514 (AL). 50.2032. Provide optional benefits and waiver of premium privilege to applicants for NSLI: LT 239 (AMVETS). 50.2036. Permit present NSLI holders to increase coverage in multi- ples of $500 to a maximum of $25,000: AT 273 (AL). 50.2040. Provide a double indemnity feature for NSLI: MT 37 (AM- VETS); BT 251 (AMVETS); CT 230 (AMVETS); BKT 73 (AMVETS); OT 254 (VFW). 50.2044. Provide double indemnity for death from service insured disability: DC 2T 335 (DAV). 50.2048. Increase NSLI coverage to a maximum of $25,000: AT 615. 50.2052. Raise maximum coverage of NSLI to $30,000: MT 37 (AM- VETS); BT 251 (AMVETS); CT 230 (AMVETS); LT 343 (VFW); BKT 73 (AMVETS). 50.2056. Increase NSLI total disability income provision from $10 to $15 per thousand: BT 251 (AMVETS); LT 239 (AM- VETS); BKT 73 (AMVETS). 50.2060. Permit reinstatement of lapsed NSLT: BT 78 (VFW); AT 330 (AL). PAGENO="0217" REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2925 50.2064. Reopen the NSLI program: ST 98 (VFW) ; ST 116 (VFW); MT 37 (AMVETS); BT 88 (VFW); BT 109; BT 60 (VFW); BT 78 (VFW) ; CT 197 (AL) ; CT 128 (VFW); LT 350 (VFW); LT 130 (AL); AT 273 (AL); DC 2T 92 (VFW) ; DC 2T 156 (PLAV); OT 254 (VFW); BKT 84 (AMVETS). 50.2068. Reopen NSLI program permitting renewal by veterans who served from October 4, 1940 to December 31, 1956, excluding service connected disabilities in determining: OT 383 (DAy). 50.2072. Reopen NSLI for one year: LT 252 (VFW); PT 234 (AL). 50.2076. Reopen NSLI to WWII and Korean conflict veterans for one year:DC2T 558; DC2T230 (AL). 50.2080. Permit a one year period for application for NSLI by vet- erans who served from December 7, 1941 to September 2, 1945 or from June 27, 1950 to June 27, 1953, with premiums to include administrative costs : AT 360 (AL). 50.2084. Reopen NSLI for a one year period with the possibility of an indefinite extension: MT 197 (AL). 50.2088. Provide a one year reinstatement period for NSLI with liber- alized medical requirements: BT 251 (AMVETS); BKT 73 (AMVETS). 50.2092. Reopen the NSLI program to all veterans for one to two years: PT 331 (VFW). 50.2096. Reopen the NSLI program for two years: AT 540. 50.2100. Reopen the NSLI program to all WWII veterans currently insured on a more attractive basis: PT 254 (AL) ; PT 259 (AL). 50.2104. Reopen NSLI to any veteran who can establish insurability: 0T514 (AL). 50.2108. Reopen insurance programs: CT 350 (AL). 50.2112. Reopen insurance programs to non-disabled veterans: AT 329 (AL). 50.2116. Reopen insurance programs to those with non-service con- nected disabilities: ST 125 (VFW). 50.2120. Reopen NSLI program to service connected veterans without restriction: PT 272 (BVA); DC 2T 279; DC 2T 93 (VFW); PT 575 (DAy). 50.2124. Reopen NSLI to all veterans without regard to disability: LT 22; LT 239 (AMVETS) ; LT 343 (VFW). 50.2128. Reopen insurance programs with less restrictions on health and a more suitable premium rate : AT 329 (AL). 50.2132. Reopen NSLI for WWII and Korean conflict veterans at the established rates for converted policies and waive all service connected disabilities: AT 525 (VFW). 50.2136. Reopen NSLI with more realistic rates: BT 368 (PVA). 50.2140. Reopen NSLI for reinstatement at reasonable premiums: BT 310 (DAy). 50.2144. Reopen NSLI with maximum coverage of $30,000 regardless of non service disability PT 322 (VFW). 50.2148. Reopen NSLI and offer double indemnity and raise $10,000 limit: ST 122 (VFW). PAGENO="0218" 2926 REPORT OF U~S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 50.2152. Reopen NSLI program and increase the maximum to $20,000 and waive service connected disabilities: AT 540. 50.2156. Freeze premium payment on NSLI term insurance at a con- stant low level: B'~ 320 (DAY) 50.2160. Consider lowering premiums on term insurance under NSLI program: OT 465. 50.2164. Waive service connected disability for total income provisions of NSLI policies: OT 383 (DAY). 50.2168. Increase total disability benefits at rate of $20 per $1000: AT 615. 50.2172.' Waive service connected disabilities for purposes of rein- stating H-RH-J or JR policies: OT 384 (DAY). 50.2176. Provide a waiver of premiums on NSLI after age 65: AT 330 (AL).' 50.2180. Require Armed `Forces `to notify servicemen of right to RH insurance with provision th~t failure in that duty should entitle survivors to $10,000 :. LT 151. 50.2184. Provide a five-year period following determination of serv- ice connection in which to "apply for RH insurance: AT 458. 50.2188. Reopen and liberalize (lower premimums) "J" program for disabled veterans: ST 65 (DAY). 50.2192. Reinstate "J" insurance with no cut-off date: AT 85 (DAy). 50.2196. Provide service connected veterans receiving compensation a 1 year period in w'hich to obtain, group life insurance to a maximum of $30,000 `with the government paying the extra premium chargeable' to service connected disabilities: DC2T 335 (DAY). U.S. Government life insurance 50.3000. Reopen the TJSGLI program: ST 124 (VFW). 50.3004. Increase TJSGLI coverage to a maximum of $25,000; AT 615. 50.3008. Permit TJSG-LI insured to purchase annuities with cash `sur- render or matured value: BT 423. 50.3012. Increase TDIP under TJSGLI t.o $100 per month: AT 1~7 (WWI) Additional insurance programs 50.4000. Provide an automobile insurance program for service con- nected veterans: AT 542; PT 496. GROUP VL-MEDICAL SERVICES Hospitals Suggestions relating to general policies and procedures 60.0004. Provide additional funds to maintain high quality of treat- mentby YA : PT 485; PT 286 (YFW). 60.0008. Doi~ble YA Hospital appropriations: BT 65 (YFW). 60.0012. Appropriwte more money `for YA Hospital system to improve facilities and assure finest staff: DC2T 89 (YFW). PAGENO="0219" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2927 60.0016. Survey VA medical system to determine if appropriation is sufficient to insure best medical treatment: BT 40 (VFW). 60.0020. Improve medical facilities and service: AT 41 (DAY). 60.0024. Improve hospital medical care: LT 245 (VFW); DC2T 367. 60.0028. Maintain high standards of care: LT 174 (JWV); OT 514 (AL). 60.0032. Provide VA Hospital with same high standard of care as University type hospitals and medical centers: DC2T 89 (VFW). 60.0036. Appoint an advisory committee to survey adequacy of serv- ices: LT 284 (DAV). 60.0040. Consider special financial action by VA to hospitals perform- ing expensive services: OT 516 (AL). 60.0044. Increase medical facilities: DC2T 385 (JWV); OT 615 (AL). 60.0048. Retail veterans hospitalization program under the VA: LT 237 (AMVETS) ; AT 117 (DAy). 60.0052. Enlarge hospital program: BT 78 (VFW) ; BT 159 (WWI); BT 40 (VFW); OT 409; DC2T 152 (PLAV). 60.0056. Strengthen VA Hospitals: OT 384 (DAV) ; OT 404 (DAV). 60.0060. Provide more VA Hospital beds and help: OT 97 (WWI); PT 109 (AMVETS). 60.0064. Provide: additional VA Hospital beds and matching staff: PT 181 (AL). 60.0068. Increase hospital bed space: DOT 508 (ANV); BKT 136 (JWV). 60.0072. Increase hospital beds in VA Hospitals: AT 533; AT 439; AT 525 (VFW). 60.0076. Increase 125,000 bed limitation: BKT 104 (PVA). 60.0080. Increase hospital beds to 150,000: AT 67 (DAV). 60.0084. Increase appropriation for VA Hospital construction and modernization: DC2T 98 (VFW). 600088. Modernize hospitals without net loss of hospital beds: OT 515 (AL); PT 288 (VFW) ; PT 151 (AL). 60.0092. Improve and modernize VA Hospitals: AT 506 (VFW). 60.0096. Reopen and restore closed hospitals: BT 312 (DAV). 60.1000. Do not close VA Hospitals: AT 87 (DAV). 60.1004. Plan now for increase hospital demand: PT 288 (VFW); 0T515 (AL); PT 150 (AL). 60.1008. Adjust programs and physic;al facilities to reflect increased ui~banization: D'C2T 389 (JWV). 60.1012. Make VA Hospitals the focal point of local medical afiuiation and coordination: MT 39 (AMVETS). 60.1016. Establish VA Hospitals adjacent to medical schools where possible: AT 266 (AL). 60.1020. Increase cooperation between VA Hospitals and local medical facilities: MT 140 (VFW); MT 347. 60.1024. Cooperate with states on care of the aged: MT 267. 60.1028. Stop centralization of VA Hospitals in urban centers near medical schools: DC2T 99 (VFW). 60.1032. Provide VA Hospitals where needed, not just near medical schools: OT 385 (DAV) ; OT 405 (DAV) ; LT 70 (VFW); PT 247 (AL); CT 35 (DAV). PAGENO="0220" 2928 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.1036. Provide a VA Hospital in each state in strategic locales: UT 516 (AL). 60.1040. Construct smaller VA Hospitals in selected areas: DC2T 99 (VFW). 60.1044. Do not use VA patients as guinea pigs for testing new drugs: BT 308 (D'AV) ; AT 202 (WWI). 60.1048. Study tropical diseases in order to treat Vietnam veterans: MT 340 (VFW); LT 238 (AMVETS); LT 245 (VFW). 60.1052. Continue research in control of varied diseases: OT 385 (DAV). 60.1056. Expand prosthetic research program: BKT 121 (DAV); PT 546 (DAV). 60.1060. Provide alcoholic treatment centers: MT 62 (DAV); DC2T 97 (VFW); OT 258. 60.1064. Study alcoholic problem: OT 183 (VFW). 60.1068. Establish alcoholism wards in each VA Hospital: MT 357; PT 425 (PLAV); AT 331 (AL). 60.1072. Expand alcoholism treatment program: BT 41 (VFW) OT 417 (SVD); PT 92 (AMVETS); PT 332 (VFW) ; PT 69 (AMVETS). 60.1076. Separate psychotic and neurotic patients in VA Hospitals: BT319 (DAV). 60.1080. Establish facilities for mentally ill patients: DC2T 96 (VFW); PT 68 (AMVETS). 60.1084. Provide increased hospital facilities for female veterans: B'T 234 (AL). 60.1088. Expand mental health research programs: AT 86 (DAV). 60.1092. Allocate limited funds for V.A.V.S. programs in each of its hospitals: DC2T 157 (PLAV). 60.1096. Develop and maintain complete and extensive program of recreation at VA Hospital for long term patients: DC2T 32 (PVA). 60.1100. Provide more diversified forms of recreation and entertain- ment: BT 307 (DAV). 60.1104. Improve occupational therapy programs in hospitals: BT 300 (DAV). 60.1108. Provide hospital advisement and guidance for th.ose who must change occupations: BT 200 (DAV). 60.1112. Provide driver training programs with proper equipment for amputees at VA Hospitals: BKT 122 (DAV). 60.1116. Provide form on which patient can evaluate service in VA Hospital: BKT 122 (DAV). 60.1120. Provide better parking facilities: BT 307 (DAV). 60.1124. Extend `medical services' (38 USC 601) to include equipment with special attachments etc. for disabled veterans to op- erate car or other conveyance as deemed necessary: DC2I' 238 (AL). 60.1128. Provide better communications and relationships between VA Hospitals and VAROs: AT 33 (AL). 60.1132. Eliminate reporting period for emergency hospitalization in private hospitals: MT 75 (DAV). PAGENO="0221" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2929 60.1136. Allow SUC organizations to issue free cigarettes in VA Hos- pitals to patients : AT 558. 60.1140. Remove restrictions on patient's use of tobacco: LT 248 (VFW). 60.1144. Investigate Internal Audit Report (PM & R Services): LT208 (PAV). Medical personnel: Policies, procurement, salaries, and relations 60.1500. Increase staffs of VA Hospitals: MT 199 (AL). 60.1504. Increase personnel in VA Hospitals and assign personnel* service of three to each bed patient: AT 489 (ROA). 60.1506. Increase medical staff at RO Louisville, Kentucky: AT 119 (DAV). 60.1508. Increase hospital personnel: BT 26; LT 46 (WWI) ; PT 484; DC2T 332 (DAV). 60.1512. Study admitting practices of "after 4: 30" patients re: suffi- cient persoimel: OT 391 (DAY). 60.1516. Maximize VA facilities and Federal Government to find ways to contribute to the production of medical manpower that is needed: DO2T 367. 60.1520. Give exclusive responsibility to the chief of service the staffing for and supervision of such staff both professional and non- professional: DC2T 32 (PVA). 60.1524. Use other hospitals for training/education programs if VA Hospital is not available: DC2T 379. 60.1528. Establish nurses training programs in VA Hospitals: ST 38 (AMVETS) and provide educational loan facilities: ST 40 (AMVETS); MT 39 (AMVETS); MT 268; MT 347; BT 252 (AMVETS) ; BT 199; LT 229 (AMVE'TS) ; BKT 76 (AMVETS). 60.1532. Provide training program for nurses to create pool for ob- taining adequate personnel: OT 385 (DAV). 60.1536. Start a nurses training program or aid nurse training pro- gram with funds: PT 228 (AL). 60.1540. Include nurses training in medical program: PT 91 (AMVETS). 60.1544. Undertake training program in medicine other than nursing and doctor training: MT 268; PT 102 (AMVETS). 60.1548. Permit nursing students in local hospitals to receive psychi- atric training in VA Hospitals: BT 312 (DAy). 60.1552. Liberalize nursing service promotional policies: BT 315 (DAY). 60.1556. Establish nurses training program in communities where need is evident: LT 229 (AMVETS). 60.1560. Initiate a training program to alleviate shortage of trained hospital personnel: AT 497 (ROA). 60.1564. Establish a subsidized doctors and nurses training program: MT 210;MT 225; MT 199 (AL). 60.1568. Provide for a supply of adequate professional hospital staff: DC2T 332 (DAY). PAGENO="0222" 2930 REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.1572. Increase salaries for medical personnel: MT 136 (VFW); MT 73 (DAV); MT 199 (AL) ; MT 124 (VFW); BT 350 (PVA); CT 111 (VFW); PT 255 (AL); AT 302. 60.1576. Pay DM&S employees salaries commensurate with their skills: OT 514 (AL); DC2T 154 (PLAV); PT 287 (VFW); PT 149 (AL). 60.1580. Increase maximum salary rates for medical specialists with re- lated appropriation increases: DC2T 97 (VFW). 60.1584. Increase medical specialists fringe benefits : DC2T 97 (VFW). 60.1588. Provide that for hospital personnel "on call" duty shall be paid not less than 75 percent of the computation for "stand- by" duty: DC2T 460. 60.1592. Include Sunday work in additional rates for employees whose regular tour of duty includes stand-by time: DC2T 458 (AFGE). 60.1596. Pay nurses and health personnel in line with local standards: MT 347. 60.1600. Study VA professional staff and nursing personnel salary scales: LT 209 (PAV). 60.1604. Study reason for high turn over rate of employees in VA Hos- pitals: PT 486. 60.1608. Give overtime compensation to nurses of VA Hospital per- forming duty outside regular assigned work schedules and 10% for night work: DC2T 458 (AFGE). 60.1612. Adjust VA doctor salaries to compete with private institu- tions: AT 506 (VFW); PT 229 (AL); PT 255 (AL); OT 195 (VFW) ; OT 385 (DAy). 60.1616. Provide professional level salary for professional nursing services: DC2T 457 (AFGE). 60.1620. Start nurse's assistant at $4200-$4300: PT 490 (NAGE). 60.1624. Raise VA entrance salaries and adjust hourly rates: PT 485 (NAGE). 60.1628. Raise nurses salaries to meet those of private hospitals: PT 590 (DAV). 60.1632. Increase physicians pay: ST 55 (DAV); AT 125 (DAV). 60.1636. Provide competitive pay schedules for professional and semi- professional workers in VA Hospitals: CT 289 (AL); CT 197 (AL) ;LT13O (AL). 60.1640. Increase salaries of professional and paraplegic personnel Ly 50 percent: BKT 96 (PVA). 60.1644. Increase salaries for professional and semi-professional per- sonnel with bonus payments and other fringe benefits: AT 533. 60.1648. Increase nursing personnel salary across the board: CT 154 (PVA). 60.1652. Raise pay scale of doctors and nurses in VA Hospitals: LT 245 (VFW). 60.1656. Provide adequate funds to attract most competent professional (medical) staff: AT 86 (DAV). 60.1660. Increase consultant's fees above $50: MT 356. 60.1664. Increase nurses entrance pay to $6500: BT 27 (NAGE); PT 486 (NAGE). PAGENO="0223" REPORT OF U~S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2931 60.1668. Provide special pay for nurses in high competition areas: BT 350 (PVA). 60.1672. Permit physicians, surgeons and psychiatrists limited outside practice: CT 111 (VFW). 60.1676. Maintain maximum level of care in VA Hospitals by af- fording proper incentive to medical profession: BT 114 (VFW). 60.1680. Permit some token of appreciation to hospital employees who, despite weather conditions permitting other employees paid absence, must be at their posts: BT 29 (NAGE). 60.1684. Increase hospital personnel salaries: BT 64 (VFW); BT 27 (NAGE); CT 111 (VFW). 60.1688. Increase salaries and status of therapists in physical medi- cine: BT 350 (PVA). 60.1692. Eliminate foreign doctors and medical students from VA Hospitals unless they have a good command of the English language: CT 111 (VFW). 60.1696. Increase number of volunteer workers: CT 262. 60.1700. Orient professional personnel of hospitals toward professional doctor-patient relationship and treatment: OT 404 (DAV). 60.1704. Improve doctor-patient relationship: AT 117 (DAV). 60.1708. Check attitudes of doctors toward veteran patients: OT 392 (DAV). Suggestion-s regarding specific hospitals and hospital jurisdic- tion (construction, modernization, operation, etc.) 60.2000. Air-condition the two VA Hospitals in Alabama: AT 259 (AL) ;AT136 (WWI). 60.2004. Permit hospitalization of non-service connected cases in pri- vate or contract hospitals in Alaska (cites S. 991, 90th Congress) : ST 29 (AL) ; ST 77 (VFW) ; DC2T 234 (AL). 60.2008. Restore to VA former authority to use contract beds for facilities for non-service connected in Alaska until there are medical facilities: DC2T 235 (AL). 60.2012. Provide more beds in Arizona: LT 318 (VFW). 60.2016. Establish a hospital adjacent to Riverside California General Hospital: LT 159. 60.2020. Establish a hospital in the Inland Empire, California: LT 153. 60.2024. Elevate per diem rate at VA Hospital Long Beach, Califor- nia, to a par with other hospitals: LT 208 (PVA). 60.2028. Repair elevators at VA Hospital Denver, Colorado: LT 247 (VFW). 60.2032. Renovate Grand Junction VA Hospital and Fort Lyons I-los- pital (Colorado) : LT 247 (VFW). 60.2036. Improve ambulance facilities at VA 1-lospital Denver, Cob- rado:LT 237 (VFW). 60.2040. Increase hospital beds for the mentally ill in Conecticut: BT 34 (VFW). 60.2044. Increase NP bed space in Connecticut by 2000: BT 58 (1~TFW) PAGENO="0224" 2932 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COM1~1ISSION 60.2048. Expedite opening of Blind Rehabilitation Center in Con- necticut: DCT 524 and 535 (BVA). 60.2052. Provide chronic disease hospital in VA Hospital in State of Florida: AT 488. 60.2056. Furnish transportation from Hawaii Hospital: ST 31 (AL). 60.2060. Furnish nursing employees a transportation cost differential at VA Hospital Hines, Illinois: CT 155 (PVA). 60.2064. Resolve staffing problems and give Kansas veterans best pos- sible VA Hospital facilities: OT 267 (VFW). 60.2068. Provide assistance for recruiting registered nurses at Wads- worth VA Hospital Kansas: OT 600 (AL). 60.2072. Increase bed capacity at VA Hospital Lexington, Kentucky: AT 118 (DAV). 60.2076. Increase bed capacity at VA Hospital Louisville, Kentucky: AT 118 (DAV). 60.2080. Increase. VA Hospital staff (Togus, Maine used as an ex- ample) : BT 64 (VFW). 60.2084. Enlarge hospital facilities at VA Hospital Togus, Maine: BT 64 (VFW). 60.2088. Provide more beds and staff for VA Hospital in Maryland: PT 303 (VFW); PT 544 (DAV). 60.2092. Provide 500 more beds in Maryland: PT 315 (VFW). 60.2100. Rotate VA Hospital employees in NP wards in Massacliu- setts: BT 312 (DAV). 60.2104. Enlarge facilities in Massachusetts: BT 344 (DAV); BT 321 (DAV); BT88 (VFW). 60.2108. Improve heating system in VA Hospital, Boston, Massachu- setts: BT 313 (DAV). 60.2112. Convert storage space in VA Hospital, Boston, Massachu- setts, to ward space: 13T 309 (DAV). 60.2116. Reexamine veterans performance hiring practices in VA Hos- pital, Boston, Massachusetts: BT 316 (DAV). 60.2120. Register second jobs at VA Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, by employees: BT 351 (PVA). 60.2124. Post statement of reason for hospital existence in VA Hos- pital in Boston, Massachusetts: BT 314 (DAV). 60.2128. Increase staffing at VA Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts: BT 351 (PVA). 60.2132. Increase medical staff at VA Hospital, Brockton, Massacliu- setts: BT 317 (DAV). 60.2136. Increase bed space at VA Hospital, West Roxbury, Massa- chusetts: BT 353 (PVA). 60.2140. Make brace shop at West Roxbury, Massachusetts, a separate entity with more personnel: BT 351 (PVA). 60.2144. Increase personnel and storage space for Prosthesis and Sn- sory Aids Section in VA Hospital, West Roxbury, Massa- chusetts: BT 352 (PVA). 60.2148. Expedite admission examinations at VA Hospital, Minne- apolis, Minnesota: MT 85 (DAV). 60.2152. Provide more hospital beds in Mississippi: OT 191 (VFW). 60.2156. Expand future VA Hospitals in Mississippi in Jackson, Mis- sissippi: OT 615 (AL). PAGENO="0225" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2933 60.2160. Modernize and air-condition the VA Hospitals iii Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi: UT 191 (VFW); UT 616 (AL). 60.2164. Increase Ft. Harrison and Mile City, Montana, hospital capacity: ST 55 (DAY) ; or provide private facilities: ST89 (VFW). 60.2168. Provide NP and TB hospitals for Montana: ST 55 (DAY). 60.2172. Staff Montana hospitals fully: ST 92 (VFW). 60.2176. Furnish occupational therapists for Montana hospitals: ST 57 (DAY). 60.2180. Construct a VA Hospital in Southern Nevada: LT 104 (WWI). 60.2184. Provide increased VA Hospital NP facilities in New Eng- land: BT 234 (AL). 60.2188. Provide 1000 more beds for New Jersey: PT 80 (AMVETS). 60.2192. Increase beds in VA }-Iospital at East Orange and Lyons, New Jersey: BT 518 (DAY). 60.2196. Expand VA Hospital facilities a.t Lyons, New Jersey: PT 208 (AL). 60.2200. Provide VA Hospital in South Jersey: BT 425 (PLAY); PT 518 (DAY). 60.2204. Enlarge hospital program in New York state: BT 147 (VFW). 60.2208. Replace VA Hospital (Brown) in Dayton, Ohio: CT 46 (\TF~\V). 60.2212. Modernize VA Hospital in Eastern Oklahoma: UT 35; UT 41 (WWI). 60.2216. Modernize and air-condition the VA Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma: UT 41 (WWI) ; UT 520 (AL) ; UT 563 (AL); UT 35; UT 216 (YFW); UT 107; UT 312 (DAY); UT 521 (AL); UT 562 (AL); UT 304 (DAY); OT 53; UT 89. 60.2220. Increase Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, VA Hospital beds by 500: PT 496 (BPUE). 60.2224. Make Chester, Pennsylvania Hospital a VA Hospital PT 447. 60.2228. Provide more hospital personnel in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania: PT 595. 60.2232. Provide additional hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania itself: PT 224 (AL). 60.2236. Provide a 500 bed hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: PT240-241 (AL). 60.2240. Return present VA Hospital San Portico, Puerto Rico within VA structure: AT 338 (AL). 60.2244. Build a new VA Hospital in Mountain Home, Tennessee: AT 361 (AL); AT 91 (DAY). 60.2248. Build VA Hospital for lower Rio Grande Valley, Colorado: UT 280 (VFW). 60.2252. Upen new facilities to meet the need for additional hospital beds, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area: UT 493. 60.2256. Modernize and air-condition the VA Hospital in Texas with first consideration to hospitals in Waco and Dallas, Texas: 0T280-281 (VFW). 9i-67O-GS-----15 PAGENO="0226" 2934 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.2260. Build VA Hospital in Amarillo, Texas area: OT 356 (DAy). 60.2264. Expedite VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas: OT 351 (DAV). 60.2268. Build two new hospitals at Richmond and Charlottsville, Virginia: PT 248 (AL). 60.2272. Do not change location of McGuire VA Hospital to Rich- mond Medical College of Virginia: PT 280 (VFW). 60.2276. Modernize VA Hospital in Salem, Richmond and Keekaken, Virginia: PT 248 (AL). 60.2280. Increase Seattle, Washington Hospital capacity: ST 47 (DAV). 60.2284. Retain and increase facilities to treat mentally ill in VA Hospital in West Virginia: PT 330 (VFW). Suggestions re~ating to eZigibility, priority, admission, and discharge of veterans 60.2500. Restrict VA facilities to veterans: ST 23 (AL); ST 48 (DAV) ; ST 108 (VFW) ; ST 116 (VFW) ; MT 199 (AL); MT 51 (DAV); BT 40 (VFW); CT 195 (AL); LT 47 (WWI); LT 121 (AL); LT 248 (VFW); DCT 491 (FRA) ; AT 265 (AL) ; AT 582 (VFW) ; OT 348 (DAY); DC2T 190 (AMVETS); DC2T 151 (PLAY); DC2T 234 (AL); DC2T 233 (AL); DC2T 558 (SOA); DC2T 51 (PVA) ; PT 165 (AL) ; PT 286 (VFW) ; PT 335 (VFW); PT 425 (PLAY) ; PT 149 (AL) ; UT 295 (VFW) ; UT 514 (AL); UT 281 (VFW); AT 362 (AL); AT 117 (DAy). 60.2504. Restrict VA facilities to veterans except for emergencies: UT 491. 60.2508. Facilities admission for emergency treatment: AT :L17 (DAV). 60.2512. Permit kidney machines use to non veterans in emergencies if available: ST 109 (VFW). 60.2516. Deny hospitalization to medicare patients unless entitled as veterans: MT 227. 60.2520. Permit VA to provide medicare to non veterans only if local facilities are unable to provide: MT 346-347. 60.2524. Extract from medicare for VA the expense of hospitalizat~Lon of the non service connected: LT 69 (VFW). 60.2528. Amend PL 89-614 to permit retired personnel to remain under military medicare after age 65: AT 623. 60.2532. Exclude retirees from Montana hospital facilities: ST 58 (DAY). 60.2536. Prcthibit using VA facilities to treat or correct minor physical deficiences of men otherwise eligible for the draft: UT 349 (DAV). 60.2540. Allow any veteran treatment at VA Hospital provided he is an honorably discharged wartime veteran: PT 166 (AL); PT 227 (AL). 60.2544. Provide VA facility medications, prosthesis and treatment for NSC veterans who served during wartime: PT 320 (VFW). PAGENO="0227" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2935 60.2548. Provide full hospital entitlement for WWI veterans: AT 186 (WWI). 60.2552. Provide hospital priority equal to SC cases to WWI veterans: AT 333 (AL). 60.2556. Review hospital admitting policies: OT 549 (AL). 60.2560. Provide unscheduled surveillance of hospital admission pol- icies: LT 351 (VFW). 60.2564. Liberalize hospital admission policies: DOT 624 and 630. 60.2568. Simplify admission and discharge procedures to reduce num- ber of overpayments: CT 289 (AL). 60.2572. copy and return 10-P-lU to non admitted veteran by hos- pital:AT 332 (AL). 60.2576. Prevent unnecessary delay in determining need for hospital care:0T417 (SVD). 60.2580. Reduce waiting lists by treating only the condition for which admitted: BT 289 (DAY). 60.2584. Admit legally eligible applicant to VA Hospital or put on a waiting list: DC2T 95 (VFW). 60.2588. Eliminate waiting list for veteran if admission is unlikely: AT 333 (AL). 60.2592. Permit veteran admission to VA Hospitals without regard to jurisdictional areas: LT 343 (VFW). 60.2596. Facilitate weekends and evening admissions: MT 101 (VFW) ; CT 53 (DAY; AT 117 (DAY). 60.2600. Expedite admissions by reducing administrative require- ments; BT 114; BT 149 (VFW); BT 142 (VFW); BT 235 (AL); CT 352 (AL) ; AT 67 (DAY) ; AT 89 (DAY). 60.2604. Facilitate admissions by reducing waiting period: AT 330 (AL). 60.2608. Give veteran the benefit of doubt and admit to hospital for treatment and care, especially hospitals asociated with state medical schools: OT 42 (WWI). 60.2612. Hospitalize veteran on private physician's recommendation: MT 110 (VFW). 60.2616. Admit veteran to hospital when referred by family physician or medical authorities: OT 41 (WWI); OT 42 (WWI). 60.2620. Allow direct admission either into a VA Hospital or private facility: DC2T 153 (PLAY). 60.2624. Provide a staff physician serving as officer of the day after regular hours for admission: CT 130 (VFW). 60.2628. Allow only full time VA doctors to conduct examinations for pension and compensation purposes and for admission to hospital: OT 313-314 (DAY). 60.2632. Provide staff admission service with permanent medical phy- sicians: LT 351 (VFW). 60.2636. Permit veteran admission to a VA Hospital when referred by a VARO physician: PT 88 (AMVETS). 60.2640. Provide examinations of veterans by VA Hospital regular doctors: OT 391 (DAY). 60.2644. Indoctrinate resident trainees in veterans programs and rights: BT 318 (DAY). PAGENO="0228" 2936 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.2648. Indoctrinate medical schools in policies, procedures and phi- losophy of medical benefits: AT 89 (DAY); DC2T 332 (DAY). 60.2652. Advise VA personnel that veterans are eligible for hospitali- zation and treatment regardless of their state of residence: OT 314 (DAY) ; DC2T 192 (AMVETS). 60.2656. Orient admitting physicians with physician's guide: OT 448 60. 2660. Inform hospital admission personnel of veterans rights and conduct admission examinations early in the day: AT 332 (AL). 60.2664. Make patient care a priority over teaching in VA Hospital: PT 150 (AL); PT 287 (VFW); OT 515 (AL). ~0.2668. Make hospital admission a VA policy-not a medical school policy: OT 42 (WWI). 60.2672. Admit veteran on basis of need of hospitalization not edu- tionary needs of hospital: PT 150 (AL). 60.2676. Liberalize admision by limiting power of medical schools: DC2T 192 (AMVETS). 60.2680. Curtail power of Dean's Committee: `CT 112 (VFW). 60.2684. Surpervise Dean's Committee directly under Hospital Di- rector: ~T 130 (VFW). 60.2688. Do not allow medical schools to select cases for admission: DCT 513 (ANy). 60.2692. Allow VA Hospital Director to `determine the admission and treatment policies of hospitals regardless of state require- ments concerning the teaching program of the medical center: OT 313 (DAY). 60.2696. Restore dignified status to hospital program (admitting md counseling) : DC2T 264 (AL). 60.2700. Interview veteran seeking hospitalization privately when fill- ing out 10-P-10: PT 153 (AL). 60.2704. Eliminate counseling procedure on hospital admission: ID CT 488 (FRA) ; DC2T 100 (VFW). 60.2708. Eliminate information requirement and counseling practice associated with hospital admission applications: PT 278 (VFW) ; AT 524 (VFW) ; AT 533. 60.2712. Provide competent medical and administrative personnel at each VA Hospital to counsel veterans and families at ad- mission and discharge as to available benefits: AT 332 (AL). 60.2716. Apply private medical and hospitalization insurance carried by non service connected veteran toward treatment in a VA Hospital : DC2T 154 (PLAY). 60.2720. Provide beds for WWI veterans regardless of income: PT 159 (WWI). 60.2724. Continue VA medical treatment for those veterans who can- not afford it: DC2T 385 (JWV). 60.2728. Liberalize inability to pay oath for VA Hospital admission: D02T90 (VFW). PAGENO="0229" REPORT OF TJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2937 60.2732. Eliminate inability to defray expense test: ST 140 (WWI); MT 39 (AMVETS); MT 123 (VFW); BT 208 (WWI); BT 174 (WWI); B8 142 (VFW); BT 98; BT 158 (WWI); CT 230 (AMYETS); CT 165 (WWI); CT 168 (WWI); LT 237 (AMVETS); LT 351 (VFW); LT 104 (WWI); LT 96 (WWI); DCT 560 (IWY); OT 550 (AL); OT 462; OT 516 (AL); OT 158 (WWI); OT 166 (WWI); OT 43 (WWI); OT 186 (VFW); OT 281 (YFW); OT 114 (WWI); OT 234 (VFW); AT 489 (PLAY); AT 171 (WWI); AT 90 (DAY); AT 75 (DAY); AT 91 (DAY); DC2T 153 (PLAY); DC2T 100 (YFW) ; DC2T 59 (WWI) ; PT 227 (AL) ; PT 165 (AL); PT 278 (YFW); PT 289 (YFW); PT 351 (WWI); PT 192 (AL). 60.2736. Provide hospitalization and nursing home care for WWI vet- erans: BT 330 (DAY); BT 69 (VFW); BT 159 (WWI); BKT 206 (WWI) ; BKT 169 (VFW). 60.2740. Provide priority for wartime and Vietnam era veterans in VA Hospitals: AT 299 (AL). 60.2744. Provide medical benefits for Vietnam era veterans equal to WWI veterans: PT 447. 60.2748. Extend VA Hospital admittance to WWI veterans on same basis as SAW: DC2T 189 (AMYETS). 60.2752. Provide no eligibility for NSC: DC2T 357 B (AMA). 60.2756. Provide full hospital eligibility for non service disabilities: BT 208 (WWI); BT 210 (WWI); BT 381; BT 158 (WWI); LT 284 (DAY); DC2T 153 (PLAY); LT 104 (WWI); LT 183 (JWY). 60.2760. Initiate top priority to ex-POWs: ST 84 (VFW). 60.2764. Provide hospital priority for Purple Heart veterans for any condition: BT 386 (MOPH); CT 250 (MOPH); LT 194 (MOPH). 60.2768. Provide full hospital benefits to veterans over 65: OT 41 (WWI). 60.2772. Permit post hospital care to all veterans over 65: AT 67 (DAY). 60.2776. Provide full hospital eligibility at age 72: LT 191 (MOPH). 60.2780. Extend hospitalization benefits to peacetime veterans: BT 79 (YFW);AT354(AL);AT345 (AL). 60.2784. Permit medical benefits for service from 1947 to 1950: MT 35 (AMYETS). 60.2788. Provide extended care for veterans without illnesses or dis- abilities caused by wartime service through civilian pro- grams: DC2T 407 (AYC). 60.2792. Permit maximum of 3 days hospitalization in nearest avail- able hospital with transfer thereafter to a VA Hospital if feasible: LT 178 (JWV). 60.2796. Give veteran choice between private and VA Hospital and medical personnel for care of SC conditions: DC2T 357 B (AMA). PAGENO="0230" 2938 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION ~60.2800. Provide hospitalization in private hospitals for both SC and NSC veterans: OT 462. 60.2804. Permit hospitalization of the NSC in non VA Hospitals: BT 98. 60.2808. Increase rates to state homes to $10 per day for hospitaliza- tion: BT 235 (AL) ; BT 197. 60.2812. Increase pay to state homes to $12 per day for hospital care: DC2T 101 (VFW). 60.2816. Liberalize all hospital benefits to indigents if it has to be done by_contract to hospitals other than VA Hospitals: OT ~97 (WWI). 60.2820. Use private hospital facilities paid by the VA where VA has no available beds: AT 488 (PLAV); AT 534; AT 331 (AL). 602824. Pay for care of veteran by the VA: AT 533. 60.2828. Provide a home town care program for emergency hospitali- zation: LT 178 (JWV). 60.2832. Increase rates for ambulances and private conveyances: CT 112 (VFW). 60.2836. Increase travel allowance to $12 per day and 7~ per mile: MT 339 (VFW). 60.2840. Increase travel allowance to l0ç~ per mile: BT 288 (DAV); OT 516 (AL); PT 251 (AL); PT 288 (VFW); PT 151 (AL). 60.2844. Increase mileage allowance: BT 122 (VFW); CT 200 (AL); CT 347 (AL). 60.2848. Pay transportation costs where veteran must travel to another state for admission: LT 129 (AL). 60.2852. Permit travel allowances for post hospital care patients: AT 65 (DAV). 60.2856. Require administratively hospital and fee examiners on com- pleting of examinations or hospital reports for rating pt~r- poses on a veterans case: OT 404 (DAy). 60.2860. Complete and forward notice of hospital admission and dis- charges, summary and final report of hospitalized veterans by VA Hospitals: OT 405 (DAV). 60.2864. Provide prompt corrective action on hospital summaries: Standard practice is to state veteran is unable to return to gainful employment: BT 117 (VFW). 60.2868. Eliminate delay in processing final hospital summary after veterans release from hospital: OT 417 (SVD). 60.2872. P~reclude premature transfer of patients to nursing homes: LT19O (MOPH). 60.2876. Prohibit premature discharge of patients: CT 130 (VFW); AT38 (DAV). 60.2880. Counsel veteran on physical status on leaving hospital: CT 68 (WWI). 60.2884. Provide additional lodging funds for post hospital care in cases where hospitalization is not needed, and for indi- gents : AT 67 (DAV). 60.2888. Provide more follow-up and social service for hospital dis- charges: BT 310 (DAV). PAGENO="0231" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2939 Suggestions regarding hospitalization of paraplegics 60.3000. Provide full hospital benefits for all veterans with spinal cord injury or disease: DC2T 30 (PVA). 60.3004. Allow veteran with spinal cord injury in need of immediate care to be given oral permission to report to a local hospital in VA contract if no beds are available at VA spinal cord service: DC2T 31 (PVA). 60.3008. Establish program of immediate care in VA facilities as inte- gral part of spinal cord injury program: DC2T 31 (PVA). 60.3012. Adopt positive policy for admittance and general care of spinal cord injured veterans on weekends and holidays to VA Hospital DC2T 31 (PVA). 60.3016. Refer all SC and NSO veterans suffering from spinal cord injury to nearest VA spinal cord injury service: DC2T 29 (PVA). 60.3020. Provide intermediate case ward for quadri and paraplegics: BT354 (PV~). 60.3024. Provide paraplegic treatment program in centers: BT 355 (PVA);AT31 (AL). 60.3028. Provide complete and comprehensive vocational training pro- grams for all paraplegics in VA Hospitals as an integral part of the SCI programs: DO2T 32. 60.3032. Provide a complete driver training program for SCI cases in all VA Hospitals: DC2T 32. 60.3036. Make spinal cord injury service one stop centers for treat- ment: DC2T3O (PVA). 60.3040. Conduct G.tT. checkups not less than once every 12 months by VA HospitaJ in spinal cord injury services: DC2T 30 (PVA). 60.3044. Recall spinal cord injured veterans by VA in no more than 5 year intervals to determine medical, sociopsychological, educational and vocational status: DC2T 35 (PVA). 60.3048. Enlarge Spinal Cord Injury Service: DC2T 34 (PVA); D02T31 (PVA) ;CT1S6 (PVA). 60.3052. Provide a program for Spinal Cord Injury cases of super- vised nursing care and rehabilitation at a higher level than existing in nursing home care: CT 156 (PVA). 00.3056. Increase and vary recreational programs for spinal cord in- jury cases with outside activities: BT 354 (PVA). 60.3060. Develop and maintain complete program of educational train- ing as part of spinal cord injury program: DC2T 32 (PVA). 60.3064. Develop and maintain complete program of physical, correc- tive, and manual arts therapy as part of spinal cord injury program: BT 368 (PVA); DC2T 31 (PVA). 60.3068. Increase paraplegic beds: BKT 97 (PVA). 60.3072. Establish Spinal Cord Injury Center west of the Mississippi: LT207 (PVA). 80.3076. Increase spinal cord services with more equitable geographic distribution: DC2T 31 (PVA). 60.3080. Continue spinal cord injury service under DM&S with VA Hospital: DO2T 29 (PVA). PAGENO="0232" 2940 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.3084. Enlarge paraplegic staff in VA Hospital Long Beach, Cali- fornia: AT 235 (MOPH). 60.3088. Administer spinal cord injury service by a chief of service with `total control over all programs of care and rehabilita- tion: DC2T 32 (PVA). 60.3092. Fund spinal cord service of each VA Hospital separately as an adjunct to, but an integral part of, the hopsital budget: D02T33 (PVA). 60.3096. Provide higher pay grades for chiefs Of service in spinal cord injury work: BT 350 (PVA); DC2T 33 (PVA). 60.3100. Provide bonus pay for doctors in spinal cord injury work: BT 350 (PVA) ; DC2T 33 (PVA). 60.3104. Liberalize rigid classification specifications and provide re- ward incentives for personnel in spinal cord injury service D02T34 (PVA). 60.3108. Grant some local autonomy in promotion of aides serving on spinal cord injury services: DC2T 34 (PVA); BT 34~ (PVA). 60.3112. Provide less rigid classification specifications and some incen- tive rewards for personnel engaged in spinal cord injury work: BT 349' (PVA). 60.3116. Limit use of female aides on spinal cord injury service to jobs which run no risk or risk of humiliation to the patient: DC2T 34 (PVA). 60.3120. Increase salaries and grades for male aides in spinal cord injury centers: BT 349 (PVA); CT 155 (PVA) ; LT 209- 210 (PVA); DC2T 34 (PVA). 60.3124. Increase staffing of doctors in spinal cord injury work: BT350 (PVA). 60.3128'. Create special nursing grade for the specialized care and treatment of the spinal cord injured: DC2T 33 (PVA). 60.3132. Grant special authority for those nurses in higher pay grades in spinal cord injury services: D02T 33 (PVA). 60.3136. Raise pay grades for nurses serving on wards of spinal cord injured patients: DC2T 33 (PVA). 60.3140. Increase budget and secretarial staff to allow more research and personal contact with patients of spinal cord cases: DC2T33 (PVA). 60.3144. Remove prohibition of the use of dialysis within VA Hospital for spinal cord injured with terminal kidney involvement: DC2T31 (PVA). 60.3148. Acquaint families of paraplegics with his needs `and capabili- ties by having VA produce nontechnical lectures, printed matter and films: DC2T 34 (PVA). Suggestions `relating to hospital benefits for survivors and de- pendents of vetercww 60.3200. Permit medical `benefits outside of VA Hospitals to depend- ents of 100% disabled veterans and to survivors of thc'se dying of service connected causes: MT 205 (AL); AT 302 (AL). PAGENO="0233" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2941 60.3204. Provide hospital and medical care for widows and dependents of veterans dying from service connected disability but who are not getting retired, retainer or equivalent pay: DC2T 237 (AL). 60.3208. Permit widows of totally disabled veterans treatment in VA Hospitals: AT 126 (DAY). 60.3212. Grant hospitalization and medical care to dependents of 100% disabled veterans at VA 1-lospitals or D.O.D.: AT 613; AT 617. 60.3216. Furnish hospitalization to families of the 100% disabled: ST 248; BKT 74 (AMVETS); BKT 68 (AMVETS). 60.3220. Give medical assistance on a fee basis in private hospitals to dependents of 100% disabled veterans: DC2T 190 (AMVETS). 60.3224. Provide medical assistance to widow and children of veteran who died of service connected condition: OT 462. 60.3228. Permit hospitalization for dependents and survivors of SC veterans: MT 93 (DAV); CT 351 (AL); BKT 68 (AMVETS). 60.3232. Treat widows and children of veterans dead by service con- nection: PT 108 (AMVETS). 60.3236. Permit VA Hospitalization to widows of deceased veterans on "space available" basis: DC2T 180 (GSWA). 60.3240. Treat dependents of service connected veterans in VA facili- ties: PT 85 (AMVETS). 60.3244. Consider medical assistance benefits to dependents of totally disabled veterans: PT 69 (AMVETS). 60.3248. Provide medical services for dependents of veterans but not in VA Hospitals: CT 206 (AL). 60.3252. Extend VA Hospital care to wives and children of disabled veterans and to veteran families below the "poverty level": DC2T 567 (PLAy). Nursing home care Suggestions relating to the general program 60.3500. Reevaluate nursing home program: CT 288 (AL); AT 299 (AL); OT 312 (DAV). 60.3504. Establish own VA nursing and rest home program (or in- crease per diem cost) : BT 89 (VFW) ; LT 51 (WWI). 60.3508. Provide sufficient funds to continue high standard of nursing bed programs and VA Hospitals: DC2T 232 (AL). 60.3512. Expand and enlarge facilities and program: ST 57 (DAV); ST 47 (DAV) ; MT 84 (DAY); MT 124 (VFW) ; MT 266; MT 198 (AL); MT 337 (VFW); BKT 167 (VFW); DC2T 485; PT 150 (AL); DC2T 152 (PLAY); PT 336 (VFW); DC2T 567 (PLAY); OT 515 (AL); OT 97 (~\T~TJ); OT 384 (DAY); OT 404 (DAY). 60.3516. Expand nursing care program to include nursing care beds in connection with each VA Hospital where possible: OT 491. PAGENO="0234" 2942 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.3520. Provide and increase nursing care beds in each VA Hospital: BT 234 (AL); CT 198 (AL); DCT 490 (FRA). 60.3524. Establish nursing care facilities separate but adjacent to V.A. Hospital where possible: BT 234 (AL). 60.3528. Utilize surplus hospital beds in nursing care program: BKT 68 (AMVETS). 60.3532. Increase nursing care beds: BT 422; BT 396; CT 288 (AL); ~I3T 198 (AL); PT 288 (AL); AT 90 (DAY); AT 439; AT 300 (AL); AT 90 (DAV); PT 352 (WWI); PT 249 (AL). 60.3536. Require full utilization of 125,000 beds and 4000 nursing care beds now authorized: OT 384 (DAY); OT 404 (DAY). 60.3540. Increase nursing home care beds to 12,000: PT 321 (VFW). 60.3544. Increase nursing care beds to 10,000; AT 67 (DAY). 60.3548. Increase nursing care beds to 6,000 or in proportion to in- crease of veterans in hospitals: CT 299 (AMYETS); LT 298 (DAY). 60.3552. Allocate nursing care beds in proportion to veteran popula- tion: BKT 168 (YFW). 60.3556. Increase hospital and nursing home beds for both retired military personnel and veterans: AT 496. 60.3560. Provide more nursing care homes for terminal cases and those in need of regular aid and attendance: AT 333 (AL). 60.3564. Establish hospital program for chronic long term cases: .BT 201; CT 112 (YFW) ; CT 51 (DAY). 60.3568. Provide more nursing care beds for terminal cases: LT .246 (YFW). 60.3572. Give preference to disabled veterans in nursing home care: MT63 (DAY). 60.3576. Provide nursing program for all eligible veterans without funds, lifting requirement that they be transferred from a VA Hospital to private nursing home for contract care: PT 228 (AL). 60.3580. Give nursing care to all who cannot afford it without a loss in compensation or pension either in a VA nursing bed, contract home or non-contract home: OT 195 (VFW). 60.3584. Provide program for WWI veterans: BT 159 (WWI). 60.3588. Provide nursing home care for military retirees: DOT 487 (FRA). 60.3592. Provide nursing home care to veterans over 65: OT 41 (WWI). 60.3596. Provide dental care for those in nursing homes: LT :L34 (AL). 60.3600. Establish nursing care hospitals: CT 352 (AL). Suggestioi~s of local interest 60.3700. Enlarge nursing care program especially in Kansas: OT 393 (DAY). 60.3704. Provide more beds for Delaware veterans: PT 555-556 (DAY). 60.3708. Provide more nursing beds and funds in VA Hospital Albuquerque: LT 331 (VFW). PAGENO="0235" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COM~[ISSION 2943 60.3712. Enact S. 792 for nursing home care for Alaska and Hawaii veterans hospitalized in non VA Hospitals (no VA Hos- pitals in Alaska or Hawaii) : ST 30-31 (AL). 60.3716. Provide community nursing home care for veterans in Alaska and Hawaii: DC2T 235 (AL). 60.3720. Increase nursing care proram in Puerto Rico: BKT 192 (NCPRV). 60.3724. Establish and operate nursing care facility (VA) in Southern California: LT 210 (PAV). 60.3728. Provide funds from RO for transfer of patients to com- munity nursing homes from VA Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey: PT 206 (AL). 60.3732. Provide Program and Restoration Center in Montana: ST 56 (DAV); ST 89 (VFW). 60.3736. Provide nursing care beds in VA Hospital Minneapolis: MT 82 (DAV). 60.3764. Alter VA Wichita nursing quarters for nursing beds: OT 600 (AL). 60.3768. Provide more nursing beds for Kansas: OT 600 (AL). 60.3772. Convert VA Hospital, Wood, Wisconsin to nursing care home for veterans and dependents: MT 158 (WWI). 60.3776. Provide more nursing care facilities at Wilkes-Barre, Penn- sylvania: PT 356 (WWI). 60.3780. Provide a minimum of 250 nursing home beds for West Virginia: PT 330 (VFW) ; PT 402 (AL). 60.3684. Increase nursing care facilities in Rhode Island: BT 205. Suggestions reZating to the program in state homes 60.3800. Open all homes on same terms to both men and women vet- erans or all federal funds be withdrawn from their sup- port: DC2T 355 (WAC). 60.3804. Ensure enough state homes for future and remove time limita- tion from 610 USC: DC2T 355 (WAC). 60.3808. Study costs of care of veterans in state hospitals: DC2T 236 (AL). 60.3812. Increase nursing home care allowance to a minimum of $15 per day: MT 56 (DAV). 60.3816. Pay prevailing rates by VA for care of veterans in state or private nursing home as paid by other states and federal agencies for care of non veteran: OT 313 (DAy). 60.3820. Revise per diem rates: ST 25 (AL); MT 39 (AMVETS); LT 310 (DAV) ; PT 555-556 (DAV) ; AT 534. 60.3824. Increase per diem for contract beds to a minimum of $11: AT 352 (AL). 60.3828. Increase rates to state homes to $5 per diem for nursing care: BT 235 (AL); PT 212 (AL); PT 393. 60.3832. Increase pay to states to $6 per day for skilled nursing care: DC2T 101 (VFW). 60.3836. Increase maximum payment for nursing home care: DC2T 95 (VFW). 60.3840. Increase nursing care rate to state homes to $7.50 per day: BT197. PAGENO="0236" 2944 REPORT OF T5.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION :603844 Increase pay to states to $10 per day for hospital care : PT 393. `60.3848. Inci~ease per diem to state homes to $3.50 for domiciliary care, to $5 for nursing home care, and to $10 for hospital care, but not more than ½ actual cost: AT 301 (AL). `60.3852. Increase per diem to state homes: UT 42 (WWI). 60.3856. Increase per diem to no more than 50 percent of cost of hospital care for each state: DC2T 236 (AL). 60.3860. Pay state homes at same rate as community nursing homes: PT288 (VFW). 60.3864. Guarantee nursing care rates to equal 50 percent of per diem: CT 246 (AL). 60.3868. Provide increases for state homes that are making nursing beds available to veterans: CT 204 (AL); UT 416 (SVD). 60.3872. Provide payment to state home facilities on same basis as VA now pays for care of veterans in private nursing homes: UT 216 (VFW); UT 416 (SVD); UT 516 (AL); UT 313 (DAV). 60.3876. Pay state soldiers homes at same rate as community nursing homes: PT 151 (AL). 60.3880. Enact HR 3045 (nursing home care and domiciliary rates to states) : MT 253; PT 518 (DAV); LT 618. 60.3884. Contract with state homes for nursing home care: BT 198. Suggestions relating to private nursing homes 60.3900. Pay closer attention to veterans in nursing homes: UT 172 (VFW). 60.3904. Give veterans close supervision in private nursing homes to see if they are getting adequate care: UT 216 (VF'\~T); UT42 (WWI). 60.3908. Survey and provide for future n~ursing care bed need: MT 198 (AL). 60.3912. Remove caution causing sparing use of contract nursf.ng homes : DC2T 95 (VFW). `60.3916. Raise requirements for private nursing homes: MT 270. 60.3920. Provide periodic routine check by VA on care of mental patients in nursing and foster homes: BT 326 (IDAV). `60.3924. Provide minimal standards for accreditation of nursing homes:LT 190 (MUPH). 60.3928. Base approval on ability to provide essentials of convalescent care including prosthetic equipment: LT 191 (MOPH). 60.3932. Provide proper medical supervision to patients transferred to nursing homes: LT 191 (MUPH). 60.3936. Provide a supplemental nursing program through private nursing homes : UT 42 (WWI). 60.3940. Increase per diem rates-VA may pay for private nursing care: BT 234 (AL); CT 196 (AL); AT 300 (AL); UT 42 (WWI); DC2T 235 (AL); PT 206 (AL). 60.3944. Increase contract nursing home rates: PT 224 (AL). 60.3948. Increase rates to public assistance cases (nursing homes) to $12:PT 596; PT593. PAGENO="0237" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2945 60.3952. Increase maximum daily payment for private nursing care to $22 and provide flexible payment schedule: BT 263 (AMVETS); BKT 65 (AMVETS); PT 321 (VFW). 60.3956. Provide a liberal sliding scale for per diem rates for nursing care:AT91 (DAV). 60.3960. Raise per diem to community nursing homes in line with, or proportionate to, fees prevalent in the geographic area: PT 206 (AL). 60.3964. Provide cash supplement to veterans means for paying nurs- ing home care: BT 397. 60.3968. Expand neuro-psychiatric rehabilitation and recreational f a- cilities in contract nursing homes: PT 228 (AL). 60.3972. Extend VA nursing care to provide private nursing care or 100 percent funds to state veterans programs for nursing care: OT 42 (WWI). 60.3976. Extend private nursing care to NP cases: BT 129 (VFW). 60.3980. Increase VA's ability to compete with medicare for nursing home space:AT 311 (AL). Suggestions relating to appropriations and grants for nursing care construction 60.4000. Increase VA appropriation request for nursing home care construction grants: MT 255. 60.4004. Continue to have VA matching funds of states to participate in nursing care program for veterans by building new or remodeling existing facilities: OT 416 (SVD); PT 212 (AL). 60.4008. Extend for an additional 5 years VA authority to participate in construction of state operated nursing homes: AT 301; DC2T 101 (VFW) ; AT 535. 60.4012. Increase VA participation in construction of nursing care facilities: MT 267. 60.4016. Provide financial assistance to state veteran facilities to de- velop/expand state home facilities for older veterans: OT 312-313 (DAV) ; OT 304 (DAV). 60.4020. Provide 100% funds to build state homes: OT 236 (VFW); 0T42 (WWI). 60.4024. Provide federal grants to state operated "soldiers and sailors homes" to help them maintain nursing services to relieve shortage of beds in VA Hosj?ital: DC2T 152 (PLAV). 60.4028. Provide annual appropriations of at least $5 million for nurs- ing home construction grants to states: MT 354. 60.4032. Provide matching funds for new construction, alterations or conversions to provide new or additional nursing care beds at least 50% of total cost: CT 247 (AL). 60.4036. Increase `inducements to states to establish state homes: DC2T 139 (VFW). 60.4040. Establish competitive nursing homes where adequate civilian nursing homes are not available: PT 181 (AL). 60.4044. Build nursing homes on a self-sufficient operational basis supervised by the VA: PT 303 (VFW). PAGENO="0238" 2946 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Suggestion8 relating to eligibility and length ot care 60.4100. Permit direct admission without entering from hospital: ST 25 (AL); MT 198 (AL); MT 50 (DAY); MT 38 (AMYETS); BT 253 (AMYETS); BT 233 (AL); BT 288 (DAY); BT 294 (DAY); BT 278 (DAY); CT 198 (AL); CT 70 (YFW); LT 298 (DAY); LT 89 (VFW); LT 311 (DAY) ; LT 129 (AL) ; BKT 76 (AMYETS) ; OT 384 (DAY); OT 405 (DAY); AT 251 (AL); AT 39 (DAY); AT 301 (AL); DC2T 102 (YFW); DC2T :L90 (AMYETS); DC2T 297 (DOA); DC2T 138 (YFW); DC2T 558 (SOA); PT 92 (AMYETS); PT 323 (YFW); PT207 (AL) ;AT9O (DAY). 60.4104. Liberalize requirements for private nursing home care by ex- cluding that the veteran be a patient in a YA Hospital: AT 524 (YFW) ; AT 534 (YFW). 60.4108. Permit direct admission to veteran drawing aid and at- tendance: OT 262 (YFW). 60.4112. Liberalize procedures for admission to nursing beds: CT 288 (AL) ;DCT49O (FRA) ;AT9O (DAY). 60.4116. Reevaluate program as to need rather than length of care: BT 114 (\TFW). 60.4120. Extend six months limitation: ST 25 (AL); ST 117 (YFW); MT 208 (AL); MT 266; MT 174 (WWI) ; MT 198 (AL); MT 50 (DAY) ; MT 84 (DAY) ; BT252 (AMYETS) ; BT 205-206; BT 397; CT 198 (AL); CT 71 (YFW); LT 299 (DAY); LT 129 (AL); BKT 76 (AMYETS); OT 263 (YFW); AT 118 (DAY); PT 322 (YFW); PT 288 (VFW) ; DC2T 95 (YFW) ; DC2T 153 (PLAY). 60.4124. Eliminate six months limitation: OT 348 (DAY); PT 92 (AMYETS) ; PT 150 (AL) ; DC2T 59 (WWI) ; DC2T 190 (AMYETS); DC2T 297 (DOA); OT 195 (YFW); OT 384 (DAY) ; OT 515 (AL) ; AT 301 (AL) ; AT 73 (DAY); AT 158 (WWI);AT 170 (WWI);AT91 (DAY). 60.4128. Increase six month limit to 2 years for nursing home care: AT 135 (WWI). 60.4132. Permit indefinite care in a nursing home as long as geriatric care is required: CT 77 (VFW). Outpatient General suggestions 60.4500. Expand outpatient care program: OT 516 (AL); OT 562 (AL) ; PT 289 (YFW) ; PT 151 (AL). 60.4504. Give comprehensive study to fee basis service: ST 38 (AMYETS). 60.4508. Increase doctor's allowance fee for bedside examination for A&A benefits: CT 288 (AL). 60.4512. Eliminate benefit examinations by outside specialists: CT 51 (DAY). 60.4516. Establish appointment system for veterans for outpatient treatment: OT 392 (DAY). 60.4520. Study outpatient clinics: LT 237 (AMYETS). 60.4524. Increase medical benefits: CT 248 (AL). PAGENO="0239" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2947 60.4528. Liberalize medical judgment in extending treatment: LT 332 `(VFW). 60.4532. Provide pre and post hospital care through local physicians: DCT 562 (IWV). 60.4536. Expand domiciliary by designation of local doctors: ST 90 (VFW); ST 96 (VFW); ST 117 (VFW); BT 420; DOT 560 (IWV). 60.4540. Furni~h care in veterans locality: BT 331 (DAy). 60.4544. Increase fees of private local physicians: LT 310 (DAy). 60.4548. Restore night mental hygriene and dental clinics: CT 113 (VFW). 60.4552. Make all clinics meet minimum standard for staff, location and crowding: ST 237 (AMVETS). 60.4556. Place clinics in low noise level area's: LT 237 (AMVETS). 60.4560. Place clinics in VA and military hospitals: LT 238 (AM VETS). 60.45~4. Reduce waiting time for OPT and examination by schedul- ing less patients: CT 111 (VFW). 60.4568. Retain, strengthen and improve Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services: DC2T 36 (PVA). 60.4572. Increase mileage rates for OPT and hospital transportation to 10 cents per mile: AT 65 (DAV). 60.4576. Continue post hospital care program: LT 344 (VFW); UT 516 (AL). 60.4580. Provide medical I.D. card to all veterans listing their SC disabilities: AT 455; AT 251 (AL). 60.4584. Permit first aid, emergency treatment and examination to federally employed veterans on presentation of an I.D. card: MT 345. 60.4588. Provide an I.D. card and medical eligibility card for SC veterans: MT 82 (DAV). 60.4592. Provide veterans x-ray, cardiac evaluation and other tests routinely at VA facilities: BT 312 (DAV). 60.4600. Fill prescriptions by VA or have VA pay for them: LT 190 (MOPH). 60.4604. Permit by statutory authorization for VA to pay for post hospital care if mentally ill: DC2T 96 (VFW). 60.4608. Make veteran buy the first medicine and have the VA buy the rest: OT 97 (WWTI). 60.4612. Increase OPT care with medical supplies and medicines: OT 97 (WWI). 60.4616. Provide home visits by prosthetic appliance representatives: MT 101 (VFW). 60.4620. Reclassify hand controls for autos `for paraplegics as pros- thetic appliances: DC2T 39(PVA). 60.4624. Maintain or contract special wheelchair bus for transporting wheelchair bound veterans to recreation: DO2T 32 (PVA). iSugge8tion~ pertaining to specific loca~ities 60.4640. Establish a VA OPT clinic in Southern Nevada: AT 235 (MOPH). 60.4644. Establish the San Diego OPT clinic as an independent clinic: AT 235 (MOPH). PAGENO="0240" 2948 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.4648. Provide day care centers and medical hygiene clinics in Mon- tana: ST 56 (DAY). 60.4652. Retain OPT clinic in Lock Raven VA Hospital in Balti- more: PT 544 (DAY). 60.4656. Provide maximum benefits for outpatient in Baltimore at the hospital not the RO: PT 545 (DAY). 60.4660. Retain outpatient service in New Bedford, Massachusetts: BT 317 (DAY). 60.4664. Retain OPT department at RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma: OT 312 (DAY). 60.4668. Include OPT medical service in Muskogee, Oklahoma, YARO: OT 520 (AL); OT 563 (AL). 60.4672. Provide VA Hospital Denver, Colorado an addition for out- patient and admission service: LT 246 (VFW). 60.4676. Extend budget on prosethetics, especially in RO Baltimore, Maryland: PT 546 (DAY). 60.4680. Increase medical facilities in Puerto Rico: BKT 193 (NCPRY). 60.4684. Increase staff and hours of VA Clinic, Boston, Massachusetts to permit evening and weekend treatment: BT 311 (DA\T). 60.4688. Expedite prosthetic service at VARO Boston, Massachusetts: BT 328 (DAY). Suggestions for extending e~igibilit?j based on service connec- tion 60.4700. Provide OPT and medication for 100% service connected disabled veterans for any disability: CT 384 (DAY); OT 405 (DAY); PT 517 (DAV). 60.4704. Provide medicines and drugs for certain 100 percent service connected veterans: MT 84 (DAV); BT 226 (AL); PT 339 (VFW); DC2T 352 (DAV). 60.4708. Provide treatment for any condition if veteran is 60% or more disabled for a service connected condition: PT 287 (VFW); PT 149 (AL); BT 78 (VFW); OT 515 (AL); OT'619 (AL). 60.4712. Provide benefit for all conditions for those with a service con- nected disability: MT 113 (VFW); TB 63 (AMVETS); AT 113 (DAV); AT 85 (DAV). 60.4716. Provide `full OPT for service `connected war veterans: AT 312 (AL); AT 56 (DAY) ; AT 272 (AL) ; AT 299 (AL); OT 405 (DAY); DC2T 333 (DAY). 60.4720. Provide dental care to veterans 60 percent or more for their lifetime through VA OPT: OT 619 (AL).* 60.4724. Provide one shot dental outpatient treatment either in VA facilities or on a fee basis for Vietnam veterans for all dental conditions within one year from separation without consideration of entitlement to service connection: DC2T 236 (AL). 60.4728. Extend dental treatment for Vietnam era veterans to 3 years following separation and `at least two visits: AT 220 (AMVETS). 60.4732. Include in Senate Bill 16 provisions' for drugs or treatment. of all service connected conditions: OT 315 (DAV). PAGENO="0241" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2949 60.4736. Liberalize law to give service connected disabled veteran an artificial arm or leg without being admitte.d to a VA Hospital: PT 278 (VFW). 60.4740. Provide $25 for garment damaged by artificial limb: PT 96 (AMVETS). 60.4744. Permit treatment for generalized arthritis when service con- nection is for localized arthritis: MT 219. 60.4748. Apply PL 89-614 to service connected veterans with income less than $3500 : AT 332 (AL). Suggestions for extending eligibility based on factors other than service connection 60.4800. Provide full OPT and hospitalization for all veterans: AT 333 (AL). 60.4804. Provide complete dental care for life to SC and NSC vet- erans: ST 90 (VFW); ST 99 (VFW). 60.4808. Provide full OPT for all war veterans: AT 180 (WWI) ; AT 202. 60.4812. Provide full OPT for WW I veterans: MT 179 (W1'VI); BT 118 (VFW); BT 159 (WWI); BKT 204 (WWI); AT 158 (WWI). 60.4816. Allow WW I pensioners to purchase drugs from VA at cost: DC2T59 (WWI). 60.4820. Furnish medicines to WW I veterans: BT 184 (WWI); DOT 573 (IWV); PT 362 (WWI). 60.4824. Provide WW I veteran under old law OPT, medications and prosthetics: PT 320 (VFW). 60.4828. Provide OPT for totally disabled on pension: PT 70 (AMVETS). 60.4832. Provide medicine and drugs for pensioners: ST 44 (DAV); ST 244. 60.4836. Provide pensioners medicines, wheelchairs and phosthetic ap- pliances: BT 86 (VFW) ; BT 89 (VFW) ; BT 325 (DAV); BT 363 (PVA); LT 190 (MOPH). 60.4840. Provide OPT care for pensioners through VA facilities and through local facilities: PT 90 (AMVETS). 60.4844. Furnish medication in pension cases on same basis as A & A: AT 522 (VFW). 60.4848. Provide OPT and medicines for pensioners 60 percent or more disabled : LT 70 (VFW). 60.4852. Provide pensioners and beneficiaries OPT, drugs and medi- cines: MT 33 (AMVETS); LT 245 (VFW); BKT 66 (AMVETS). 60.4856. Permit old law veterans getting A & A allowance to get drugs and medicines: MT 335 (VFW); LT 345 (VFW); LT 344 (VFW); CT 192 (AL); CT 126 (VFW). 60.4860. Furnish drugs and medicines to totally disabled regardless of SC: CT 130 (VFW) 60.4864. Grant drugs, medicines as well as therapeutic or rehabilita- tive devices for NSC conditions: OT 315 (DAV). 60.4868. Permit prosthetic appliances to NSC: AT 220 (AMVETS). 60.4872. Provide OPT for veterans spinal cord injury or disease: DC2T30 (PVA). 91-GTO-GS-----1G PAGENO="0242" 2950 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.4876. Provide full treatment to NSC paraplegics: LT 220 (PAV). 60.4880. Provide OPT care for NSC disaibilities: OT 462; ST 25 (AL); LT 212 (PAV); CT 230 (AMVETS); DO2T 190 (AMVETS). 60.4884. Permit NSC neuropsychiatric cases continuous medication at VA expense: MT 338 (VFW). 60.4888. Broaden pre-bed and post hospitalization care for NSC: BT 97;0T516 (AL). 60.4892. Grant full outpatient care to N'SC at some age level: BT 97. 60.4896. Grant OPT for NSC over 65 war veteran: OT 113 (WW]). 60.4900. Grant full OPT to veterans over 65: OT 41 (WWI). 60.4904. Provide OPT care for chronic cases for those 72 or over in financial need: CT 195 (AL). 60.4908. Provide OPT dental service and treatment regardless of SC to all totally disabled veterans: CT 131 (VFW). 60.4912. Provide blinded and severely disabled veteran all medical and dental care and OPT: PT 273 (BVA). 60.4916. Permit OPT during period a disability claim is pending: MT63 (DAy). 60.4920. Provide full dental treatment for ex-POWs: MT 146 (VFW) ; BT 122 (VFW). 60.4924. Provide OPT and medicine for former POWs for all disa- bilities: PT 288 (VFW); PT 150 (AL); OT 515 (AL); PT 169 (AL). 60.4928. Grant full medical and dental care to retirees: DC2T 501 (TISRG). 60.4932. Authorize dental service to military retirees and dependents: AT495 (ROA). 60.4936. Furnish dental treatment to retirees: DOT 587 (RVA). 60.4940. Equalize medical benefits between retirees and veterans: DCT 582 (RVA). 60.4944. Provide funds for OPT in support of legislation for retired personnel : LT 352 (VFW). Suggestions pertaining to eligibility for dependents and SU'11'VZVO?5 60.5000. Do not treat dependents in VA Hospitals but their fees should be paid by the VA: CT 230 (AMVETS). 60.5004. Pay (by VA), medical care and hospitalization for widows and orphans in in-service death cases: CT 72 (VFW); CT 78 (VFW). 60.5008. Provide medical care and treatment outside of VA Hospitals for widows and children of 100 percent SC veterans and those who die of a SC disability: BT 50 (VFW). 60.5012. Provide medical services to dependents and survivors of SC veterans: MT 92 (DAV) ; BT 99; BT 330 (DAV) ; BT 234 (AL); CT 230 (AMVETS); LT 326 (VFW). 60.5016. Provide benefits of PL 89-614 to dependents and survivors of 100 percent SC veterans: MT 145 (VFW); BT 263 (AMVETS). 60.5020. Provide beneficiaries of death compensation and DIC ho:~- pitalization and OPT on same basis as military medicare: 1?T518 (DAV). PAGENO="0243" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2951 60.5024. Consider medical needs of dependents of 100 percent and severely disabled veterans: CT 44 and 46 (DAy). 60.5028. Provide OPT care for families of 100 percent disabled veterans: ST 249. 60.5032. Provide family health plan for SC 100 percent disabled veterans: MT 32 (AMVETS); BT 79 (VFW); CT 230 (AMVETS); BKT 66 (AMVETS). 60.5036. Permit OPT to widows of totally disabled SO veterans: AT 127 (DAy). 60.5040. Provide widows of SC veterans the hospital and OPT care their husband would have been entitled to: PT 580 (DAy). 60.5044. Furnish prosthetic appliances to helpless children of 100 percent SC veterans: BT 79 (VFW). 60.5048. Provide dental care, including orthodontia, to war orphans program students : AT 534. 60.5052. Provide medical care similar to PL 351 for veterans and de- pendents: BT 89 (VFW). 60.5056. Provide full medical treatment, medicines and drugs for families of pensioners: BKT 75 (AMVETS). 60.5060. Provide full OPT for veterans and widows: AT 170 (WWI). Domx~ciliaries 60.6000. Provide domiciliary care for WWI veterans: BT 159 (WWI) ; DC2T 359 (NYF). 60.6004. Continue domiciliary care: AT 583 (VFW). 60.6008. Establish a domiciliary for female veterans in those states where they constitute 10 percent of the veteran population: BT311 (DAy). 60.6012. Revise admission criteria to provide care for those not needing hospitalization: LT 351 (VFW). 60.6016. Provide domiciliary facility for Montana: ST 56 (DAV); ST89 (VFW). 60.6020. Expand future domiciliaries in Mississippi in Jackson, Miss- ssippi:OT 615 (AL). 60.6024. Increase domiciliary facilities in New England: BT 189. 60.6028. Increase facilities in New York: BT 189. 60.6032. Provide domiciliary for Massachusetts: BT 344 (DAV) ; BT 323 (DAV) ; BT 88 (VFW). 60.6036. Continue to use old domiciliary buildings at Wood, Wisconsin for that purpose: MT 158 (W~\TI). 60.6040. Provide greater federal contributions to state homes: ST 206; MT 354; MT 204 (AL); BT 207; DCT 629; DC2T 101 (VFW). 60.6044. Permit $10 per day payment to state homes for nursing bed care:MT 337 (VFW). 60.6048. Permit $5 per day payment to state homes for domiciliary care: MT 338 (VFW). 60.6052. Increase domiciliary care payments to state homes to $5 per day and nursing home and hospital care to $10: MT 159 (WWI). 60.6056. Increase rates to state homes to $3.50 per diem: BT 235 (AL); PT 212 (AL) ; PT 393. PAGENO="0244" 2952 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 60.6060. Increase pay to state homes to $4 per day for domiciliary care: DC2T 101 (VFW). 60.6064. Assure each state matching funds for domiciliary care equal to 50 percent per diem: CT 246 (AL). 60.6068. Enact HR 10137, `90th Congress (payments to state homes): LT 167. 60.6072. Provide new domiciliaries: CT 129 (VFW); LT 344 (VFW);0T615(AL). 60.6076. Improve facilities and accelerate construction: LT 296 (DAV); OT 384 (DAV): OT 404 (DAy). 60.6080. Maintain present domiciliary facilities: PT 149 (AL); ~PT 287 (VFW) ; 0T514 (AL). 60.6084. Review and liberalize domiciliary admission criteria: DC2T 102 (VFW). 60.6088. Increase number of domiciliary beds: LT 246 (VFW); AT 330 (AL) ; DC2T 102 (VFW). Home care 60.7000. Provide foster home and I-Ialfway House program in Mon- tana: ST 56 (DAy). 60.7004. Provide Halfway House program for quadri and paraplegi~s:. BT 354 (PVA). 60.7008. Provide custodial care: MT 244. 60.7012. Provide home care for the housebound of WWI: BT 159' (WWI). 60.7016. Provide daily home care for the NSC totally, disabled: BT ~25 (DAy). 60.7020. Establish interm care program: CT 230 (AMVETS). 60.7024. Expand Halfway House and intermediate care facilities on VA grounds: BKT 97 (PVA). 60.7028. Provide a program of assistance to non-profit organizaticns for construction of Halfway Houses etc: BKT 97 (PVA). 60.7032. Provide grants up to $2000 for alteration of leased premises' to accommodate the needs of SC and NSC paraplegics: BKT 109 (PVA). 60.7036. Provide low cost housing for quadri and paraplegics: BT 354 (PVA). 60.7040. Provide direct loans for specially adapted housing purposes:' BT370(PVA). 60.7044. Free of other duties those persons concerned with specially' adapted housing: BT 370 (PVA). 60.7048. Eliminate requiring specially adapted housing claimants to be within 3 months of hospital discharge before appearing before Medical Feasibility Board: BT 369 (PVA). GROUTP VII.-M15CELLANEOUS ` 70.0004. Allow Congress and VA Administrator to set the policies for operation of VA and administer veterans, survivors aiid dependent benefits: OT 616 (AL). 70.0008. Petition Congress to adopt the necessary, amendment to Title' 38TJSC:0T607(AL) PAGENO="0245" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2953 `i'0.0012. Strenglhen the integrity of the VA: OT 493. 10.0016. Upgrade~ and improve all veteran programs: AT 68 (DAV); DC2T 403 (AVC). 70.0020. Reexamine veteran programs in relation to provisions of other programs: CT 186 (VFW) ; LT 120 (AL). 70.0024. Establish proper relationship between veterans programs and general welfare programs making sure veteran benefits are up to date: D~T 151 (PLAY). 70.0028. Conduct a comparative study of veterans and general welfare programs: AT 264 (AL). 70.0032. Integrate some of the veteran benefits programs into a pro- gram to care for non-veterans alike: DC2T 406 (AVC). 70.0036. Provide a~ new drafting and codification of public benefits and entitlement for veterans: OT 457. 70.0040. Increase VA programs by 33 percent: ST 71 (DAY). 70.0044. Study veterans programs of each state: MT 244. `7ft0048. Update G.I. Bill of Rights to include all servicemen and women: PT 445. 70.0052. Simplify legislation: AT 327 (AL). 70.0056. Reenact provision of Uniformed Services Contingency Act to exclude annuities therefrom as income under any law administered by the VA: AT 346 (AL); AT 351 (AL). 70.0060. Enact a Federal Bonus law for all WWII, Korean Conflict and "cold war" veterans: AT 477. `70.0064. Permit canteen services for service connected veterans, their dependents and survivors: MT 92 (DAY). 70.0068. Permit commissary and post-exchange privilegesfor widows of veterans dying of service connected disabilities and who were not military retirees at time of death: DCT 240 (AL). 70.0072. Permit all minor dependents of deceased military personnel, PX, BX and commissary privileges: DC2T 180 (GSWA). 70.0076. Provide commissary privileges for senior citizens: BKT 219 (WWI). 70.0080. Provide commissary privileges to veterans 50 percent or more disabled: OT 502 (AL). 70.0084. Allow spouse `to retain commissary cards after the death of the veteran: AT 618. 70.0088. Grant "spouse available" privileges to widows of deceased servicemen on government ships and plans: DC2T 179 (GSWA). 70.0092. Extend all benefits to veterans of peacetime service who suf- fered a pern'ianent `and total disability after honorable dis- charge: D'C2T 45 (PVA). 70.0096. Extend service requirement to 180 days of wartime service: DCT 168 (AL). 70.0100.' Allow VA in cooperation with Department of Defense to work amputees immediately upon his return to the states: PT 225 (AL). 70.0104. Allow Department of Defense to permit VA personnel to administer prosthetic program to military patients: PT 556 (DAY). 70.0108. Initiate action that Title 38 USC (PL 85-857) and Veterans Readjustment Act of 1960 are carried out as provided by these laws: OT 319 (DAY). PAGENO="0246" 2954 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.0112. Provide mustering out pay for all honorably discharged vet- erans including Vietnam veterans: OT 217 (VFW). 70.0116. Grant mustering out pay retroactively to those discharged. on or after August 5, 1964: OT 277 (VFW). 70.0120. Permit filing of claim for compensation or for record purposes at separation: OT 277 (VFW). 70.0124. Award veterans benefits accrued as results of each period, of service terminated by honorable and conditional discharges: OT 507 (AL). 70.0128. Standardize treatment of all veterans : LT 204 70.0132. Allow veterans the right to review disallowed claims includ- ing records, rating sheets and medical evaluations: PT 319 and 620. 70.0136. Provide better liaison between VA and military encouraging thorough physical examination at separation: OT 416 (SVD). 70.0140. Provide each veteran a physical examination (unless refused in writing) within 1 year of regular active duty: AT 456. 70.0144. Permit Department of Defense to allow all representatives to provide counseling at military separation centers: OT 518 (AL). 70.0148. Brief all persons 60 to 90 days prior to separation from Armed Forces on benefits they are entitled: OT 337 (DAV). 70.0152. Advise servicemen (dischargees) in detail of VA benefits : AT 182 (W'WI). 70.0156. Provide an orientation in VA benefits at separation together with hometown contact representative: PT 449. 70.0160. Provide that separation constitutes the filing of a claim for all benefits and that veterans records be immediately f or- warded to the VA for entitlement determination: AT 267 (AL). 70.0164. Furnish award letters for all award changes except general increase: AT 320 (AL). 70.0168. Permit VA to accept veterans' statement of no knowledge of legal impediment in present marriage: OT 512 (AL). 70.0172. Apply the theory of "deem valid marriages" to disability cases: OT 461. 70.01'76. Establish Military Survivors benefits for widows and de- pendents of military retirees: AT 494 (GROA). 70.0180. Establish an agency of this Commission to assist retirees in transition to civilian life: DC2T 479 (MCL). 70.0184. Maintain a distinct separation of retirees and veterans affairs: DC2T 500 (USRG). 70.0188. Provide adequate provisions for the survivors of non-disabled retirees: DC2T 502 (USRG). 70.0192. Permit disability retirement benefits to those discharged pr:~or to October 1, 1949 (Career Compensation Act) : AT 455. 70.0196. Amend PL 88-448 to reduce discrimination against military forces officers in federal employment-no reduction in :~e- tirement pay or delay in empioyment: OT 322 (DAV). 70.0200. Prohibit hiring discrimination against the military obligated person: BT 280 (DAV) ; OT 318 (AL). PAGENO="0247" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2955 70.0204. Remove six month restriction against hiring military retirees: LT333 (VFW). 70.0208. Remove six month restriction against hiring military retirees or waiving part of retirement pay: OT 461 (WWI); OT 224 (VFW). 70.0212. Repeal laws and regulations prohibiting employment of re- tirees by foreign government or firms: AT 496 (GROA). 70.0216. Permit military retirees to work for Department of Defense without 6 months delay if Civil Service regulations are met: PT 291 (1/FWT); OT 316 (DAV); OT 217 (VFW) 70.0220. Provide federal employment for career military officers with- out waiving retirement pay: OT 46 (WWI). 70.0224. Permit retirees to compete under Civil Service System: OT 322 (DAV). 70.0228. Permit military retirees to work for Department of Defense: OT 169 (~\TFWT). 70.0232. Continue and expand the Military Retiree Counseling Pro- gram: PT 290 (VFW); PT 157 (AL); PT 559 (DAy). 70.0236. Amend or repeal Dual Compensation Act and provide federal employment for military retirees with the Department of Defense: DCT 528 (VES). 70.0240. Liberalize veterans Civil Service Preference: PT 324 (VFW). 70.0244. Maintain Veterans Preference: AT 116 (DA'\T); OT 594 (WWI); BT 346 (IAWV); BT 325 (DAV); BT 89 (VFW). 70.0248. Continue Veteran Preference in Civil Service: PT 387 (JWV); PT 157 (AL); OT 520 (AL); OT 563 (AL); OT 611 (AL). 70.0252. Provide that Civil Service Commission issue a directive to all Federal agencies making veteran preference prevail: DCT528 (VES). 70.0256. Continue Veteran Preference in Civil Service, State Civil Service, and Merit System, including FSEE: PT 559 (DAV); PT 291 (VFW). 70.0260. Reevaluate Civil Service program assuring that veteran is getting preference: OT 227B. 70.0264. Provide preference to all war veterans and service connected veterans: LT 345 (VF~V\T). 70.0268. Enforce Veteran Preference Act of 1944 in all bureaus, agen- cies and Government agencies: OT 406 (DAy). 70.0272. Extend Civil Service preference to all veterans: MT 174 (WWI) ; BT 271 (DAV). 70.0276. Provide that Civil Service Commission list all veterans first who are entitled to a 10 point preference: OT 45 (WWI). 70.0280. Enforce veterans preference in any partially federal funded project: OT 170 (VFW). 70.0284. Increase stress on veterans preference by the Secretary of Labor: BT 270 (DAV). 70.0288. Give preference to children of veterans in seasonal, summer and other temporary employment: BT 311 (DAV). 70.0292. Provide Civil Service preference to dependents and survivors of Vietnam veterans: BT 271 (DAV). PAGENO="0248" 2956 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.0296. Place all federal jobs under Veterans Preference Act: CT 129 (VFW). 70.0300. Continue veteran preference in Civil Service recognizing im- portance and justification: PT 108 (VFW); OT 493. 70.0304. Initiate action to effect preferential services which are the legal right of honorably discharged veterans: CT 241 (AL) ; LT 352 (VFW). 70.0308. Permit preferential treatment for veterans in all employment offices, industry and Civil Service: PT 447 (05). 70.0312. Provide that Civil Service applicants (10 point prefereilce should have physical fitness determined by VA: MT ~ 70.0316. Allow employed 10 point preference veterans, wives and wid- ows of wartime service most consideration for advancement and utmost protection against separation except for j ust cause: OT 622 (AL). 70.0320. Provide an appeal system for all employees of foreign service based on Veterans Preference Act: DCT 464 (AFGE). 70.0324. Continue Veterans Preference under training programs by Department of Labor: OT 611 (AL); OT 320 (DAV) ; PT 235 (AL); OT 218 (VFW). 70.0328. Extend veteran preference to all federal personnel systems including foreign service: DCT 464 (AFGE). 70.0332. Enforce job preference as provided by law in federal agencies and federal funded state agencies: OT 44 (V WWI); OT 218 and 227 (VFW) ; AT 348 (AL). 70.0336. Protect Veterans Preference System: DC2T 335 (DAV) 70.0340. Extend Veterans Preference Act: AT 67 (DAV). 70.0344. Amend PL 89-690 by deleting "special counseling and job- development assistance" and substitute "counseling and placement assistance": OT 320 (DAV) ; OT 222 (VFW). 70.0348. Continue Employment Program: AT 68 (DAV). 70.0352. Extend veterans employment preference to cover period of employment: ST 48 (DAV). 70.0356. Provide a staff for employment services at state employment offices located in areas of military hospitals and VA hos- pitals: OT 352 (DAV). `70.0360. Provide funds for Veterans Employment Act of 1966: OT 170 (VFW). 70.0364. Increase and expand the Veterans Employment Service: LT 346 (VFW). 70.0368. Enforce Title 38 USC and Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966: OT 611 (AL). 70.0372. Appropriate proper funds for counseling of returning vet- erans: OT 518 (AL). 70.0376. Provide a more comprehensive and effective Veterans Em- ployment service for Oklahoma: OT 169 (VFW). 70.0380. Establish federal field employment service in populated areas: QT 169 (1,TFW).. 70.0384. Establish position of Veteran Employment Advisor: OT 519 (AL); 0T561 (AL). PAGENO="0249" REPORT OF IJ.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2957 70. 0388. Permit Veteran Advisor be staffed with best qualified vet- eran to assist in employment with Post Office Department and coordinate with veterans organizations: OT 320 (DAY). 70. 0392. Provide veteran advisors in Office of the Postmaster General and similar positions in each regional post office: OT 320 (DAY). 70.0396. Provide veteran advisors to make sure agencies are not dis- criminating against veterans in hiring practices: OT 318 (DAY). 70.0400. Assign a veteran in each of the local state employment offices with classification of local VEIR: OT 193 (YFW); OT 620 (AL). 70.0404. Assign a war veteran to each local state employment office with sole duty to assist veterans in employment: OT 620 (AL). 70.0408. Assign a veteran to each local employment service office to assist in job-counseling for veterans and disabled veterans: OT611 (AL). 70.0412. Bar discrimination against veterans in Federal employment for disabilities incurred while so employed: OT 171 (YFW). 70.0416. Allow entitlement to Employees Compensation concurrently with service connected compensation or military retire- ment: OT 211 (YFW) ; OT 47 (V WWI). 70.0420. Provide adequate funds for staffing of agencies of employ- ment security programs for veterans: OT 611 (AL); OT 621 (AL) ; OT 194 (YFW). 70.0424. Provide more employment service personnel: MT 238-239; LT 65 (WWI). 70.0428. Provide adequate staff to YES on state level: OT 319 (DAY). 70.0432. Provide adequate staff for local employment offices: DOT 527 (YES). 70.0436. Provide adequate number of competent job counselors: DCT 108 (YFW). 70.0440. Appoint an additional fifty-five YERs: LT 286 (DAY). 70.0444. Provide one or more YERs at all U.S. employment offices: OT 305 (DAY); OT 520. 70.0448. Provide a YEll at each state and local employment office: AT 93 (DAY); AT 68 (DAY). 70.0452. Assign war veteran as YEll in each state employment office: OT 518 (AL) ; OT 520 (AL) ; OT 563 (AL). 70.0456. Assign a YEll at U.S. Employment Office to assist veterans for employment purposes: OT 305 (DAY). 70.0460. Appropriate enough for veteran preference (YERs) : AT 311 (AL); AT 304 (AL). 70.0464. Increase appropriations for YERs: AT 362 (AL); AT 430 (AL). 70.0468. Appropriate adequate funds to staff services of Title 30, USC, PL 85-859 as amended, Veterans Readjustment Act of 1966 and S-16: OT 44 (WWI). PAGENO="0250" 2958 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.0472. Provide more funds for veterans employment programs: OT 406 (DAV). 70.0476. Appropriate adequate funds for Federal Bureau of Employ- ment Service, U.S. Employment Service, Veterans Em- ployment Service and State agencies and more personnel: 0T387 (DAV) ; 0T406 (DAV). 70.0480. Appropriate sufficient funds for Veterans Employment Service and State Employment Service: DC2T 193 (AMVETS) ; AT 556; AT 578; AT 584. 70.0484. Provide more funds for VERs: DCT 528; PT 235 (AL)~ 70.0488. Provide field service in each employment office to check upon status of the marginally employable: OT 445. 70.0492. Increase number of VERs at employment office and admin- istrative levels: AT 211 (AMVET~). 70.0496. Permit VERs to be veterans: OT 170 (VFW); OT 227B (VFW); OT 352 (DAV). 70.0500. Increase VERs in state and federal agencies: OT 417 (SVD). 70.0504. Provide ample full-time Vers-Department of Labor: 01 44 (WWI). 70.0508. Provide VERs on full-time basis at local state employment services: PT 342 (VFW); OT 319-320 (DAV); PT 558 (DAV) ; PT 289 (VFW) ; PT 235 (AL) ; AT 585 (VFW). 70.0512. Allow VERs time to carry out his duties: PT 558 (DAV); PT 156 (AL); PT 289 (VFW). 70.0516. Assign VERs in every local office on full-time basis or a qualified person be charged with responsibility: PT 156 (AL). 70.0520. Require Administrator of VA to have more funds appropri- ated for VERs: PT 268; PT 341-342 (VFW). 70.0524. Provide more funds and manpower to assure Veterans Em- ployment opportunities: AT 116 (DAy). 70.0528. Continue appropriations for financing the Employment Se- curity program: AT 542; AT 41 (DAV). 70.0532. Provide more attention to needs of Veterans Employment Service: PT 306 (VFW). 70.0536. Staff state employment agency sufficiently to release veterans employment representative to primary function: MT :L16 (VFW) ; BT 270 (DAV); CT 240 (AL) ; LT 353 (VFW). 70.0540. Continue job counseling and placement for veterans: OT 609 (AL). 70.0544. Study difficulties that disabled persons have getting gainful employment: OT 619 (AL). 70.0548. Strengthen State Employment Services: BT 270 (DAV); LT 312 (DAV). 70.0552. Provide adequate funds for the Labor Department, Bureau of Employment Security, Veterans Employment Service and State Employment Service so that adequate staff be available for veterans needing assistance: OT 283 and ~84 (VFW); OT 319 (DAV); OT 352 (DAV). 70.0556. Require Bureau of Employment Security to provide adequate funds for local VER training meetings: BT 271 (DAV). PAGENO="0251" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2959 70.0560. Provide adequate funds to assure adequate VES: AT 93 (DAV). 70.0564. Require Bureau of Employment Security to fully recognize problems of handicapped veterans: OT 387 (DAV); OT 406 (DAy). 70.0568. Expand VES for older workers including WWII veterans within the department of employment so as not to con- flict with VES: PT 306 (VFW). 70.0572. Provide employment information and tools for older vet- erans: PT 559 (DAV); OT 387 (DAV); OT 406 (DAy). 70.0576. Provide necessary information and services to older veterans in order to qualify him for return to gainful employment: PT 209 (VFW); PT 157 (AL). 70.0580. Assure that Congress supports the President's State Em- ployment Office Program and appropriates more funds to state agencies to employ local VERs to assist returning veterans: OT 223 (VFW). 70.0584. Give preference to veterans for training in all agencies where federal funds are used: OT 352 (DAV); AT 311 (AL). 70.0588. Continue employment assistance to veterans returning to civilian status: AT 508 (VFW); DCT 409 (AVC). 70.0592. Appropriate additional funds for employment assistance to veterans returning to civilian status: AT 507 (VFW). 70.0596. Require VA to request funds to underwrite a VAVS pro- gram: DCT 171 (PLAV). 70.0600. Assure that Development Training Act Program continue to give priority to veterans, especially disabled veterans: PT 290 (VFW); PT 156 (AL); PT 558-559 (DAy). 70.0604. Bar special job placement services to those discharged under dishonorable conditions: OT 320 (DAy). 70.0608. Increase coordination between CSC and President's Com- mittee on Hiring the Physically Handicapped: LT 233 (VFW). 70.0612. Permit CSC to employ severely disabled veterans on same basis as mentally retarded, prison releases, and other spe- cial groups: OT 45 (WWI). 70.0616. Enforce PL 83-698 emphasizing federal employment for veterans handicapped by disabilities: OT 194 (VFW). 70.0620. Permit the new commission to use Federal Employment Compensation Act as its measuring rod for equality: DCT 551. 70.0624. Provide that the Government retain any severely disabled man, veteran or non-veteran for a job: OP 229. 70.0628. Allow disabled veterans, including Purple Heart holders, be qualified for FSEE examinations: OT 227C. 70.0632. Allow only those names who have passed the examination be on FSEE register: OT 227C. 70.0636. Publish a directive to Federal agencies emphasizing the re- sponsibilities to veterans filling jobs, including FSEE register: OT 316 (DAy). PAGENO="0252" 2960 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.0640. Extend 4 year protection period under Federal Reemp~oy- ment legislation: BT 280 (DAV). 70.0644. Accomplish appeal by those denied employment at the local level: OT 227C (VFW). 70.0648. Maintain FSEE register in Interagency Board: OT 170 (VFW); OT 220 (VFW). 70.0652. Have VERs as advisors in Interagency Boards: OT 170 (VFW); PT 236 (AL); DOT 528 (VES) ; OT 22W; OT 44 (WWI). 70.0656. Provide one-step service by Interagency Board: PT 235 (AL) ; 0T219 (VFW). 70.0660. Authorize the Interagency Board to assure absolute Veterans preference in federal agencies: PT 235 (AL). 70.0664. Provide veteran employee advisors for the Interagency Board on full time basis: PT 236 (AL); OT 220-221 (VFW); 0T318 (DAlI). 70.0668. Permit employment register to `be maintained by Interagency Board within the area: OT 171 (VFW); OT 219 (VFW). 70.0672. Allow Interagency Boards to police agencies in regard to hir- ing practices and veteran preference: OT 520 (AL); OT 561 (AL); OT 563 (AL); OT 194 (VFW); OT 22711 70.0676. Permit Interagency Boards to handle employment `appeals: OT 519 (AL) ; OT 561. 70.0680. Permit Interagency Board the authority to employ medical consultants on fee basis to make immediate medical deci- sions on employment ability: OT 219 (VFW); OT 171 (VFW); OT 519 (AL); 561 (AL). 70.0684. Authorize `OSC Interagency Boards to make security in- vestigations: OT 519 (AL) ; OT 561; OT 171 (VFW) ; OT 219 (VFW); OT 317 (DAy). 70.0688. Allow Interagency Board to determine medical condition of applicant: OT 317 (DAlI). 70.0692. Authorize the Interagency Board to handle local appeals, provide hearing to both applicant and agency with right of representation of applicant: OT 219 (VFW). 70.0696. Permit Interagency cooperation in areas such as Social Security, Railroad Retirement and the VA: OT 438 (KVC). 70.0700. Permit Interagency Board to determine if veterans are getting preference in accordance with CS rules: OT 219 (VFW); OT 317 (DAy). 70.0704. Allow Interagency Board to reject issuance of examination unless agency has definite intentions of employing persons from this register: OT 220 (VFW). 70.0708. Allow the Interagency Board to handle appeals from both applicant and agency at state level to provide right of appeal of applicant and agency to regional and Natio:aal Civil Service offices: OT 317 (DAV). 70.0712. Allow the Interagency Boards to administer programs in veterans preference on same basis as those given by Regional or Central Offices: OT 227C. 70.0716. Make Interagency Boards responsible only for examinations and registers within its immediate area: OT 317 (DAV). PAGENO="0253" REPORT OF ILS. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2961 70.0720. Maintain regional and National Civil Service registers within the respective areas by Interagency Board: OT 317 (DAY). 70.0724. Allow Interagency Board to maintain FSEE registers for those in respective areas: OT 317 (DAY). 70.0728. Allow Interagency Board of U.S. Civil Service examiners the authority to make all decisions: OT 44 (WWI). 70.0732. Provide that the Interagency Board of `Civil Service Com- mission have full authority to make all decisions in P50 regional offices including medical examinations of appli- cants and to hold hearings: OT 45 (WWI). 70.0736. Permit Oklahoma `City Interagency Board Civil Service Examiners to be a pilot project delegating the same authority as now vested in Dallas, Texas Regional Office in making decisions concerning federal employment: OT 318 (DAY). 70.0740. Delegate more authority to local Interagency Board to better serve the applicant and agency as well as being economical and feasible: OT 319 (DAY). 70.0744. Assign veterans advisors (employment assistance) to Inter- `agency Boards of the CSC `and to Postmaster General Office, each region: OT 45 (WWI); OT 44 (WWI). 70.0748. Reimburse veterans travel expense incurred in attending an appeal hearing when full or part benefits claimed are granted by the Board of Yeterans Appeals: PT 341 (YFW). 70.0752. Establish a new commission to study compensation programs for line of assigned duty injuries and deaths suffered by members of Armed Forces and Civil Service employees: DOT 551. 70.0756. Provide retired pay for 30 years employment in Civil Se'rvice regardless of age: BT 314 (DAY). 70.0760. Waive physical examinations of disabled veterans for federal employment: BT 331. 70.0764. Permit credit for military service for federal disability retire- 1nent and Social Security purposes: BT 310 (DAY). 70.0768. Correct plight of career Civil Service employee: PT 487 (AGE). 70.0772. Allow widows of low pay groups same privileges as retired officers and families including OPT and medical care: AT 658. 70.0776. Grant widows of veteran who died in active service, SS on basis that veteran's earnings had been $4800 after 1950: DC2T 179 (DAY). 70.0780. Provide 100% service connected war veterans entitlement to SS regardless of age or coverage: LT 300 (DAY). 70.0784. Give priority consideration for higher benefit to most severely disabled: OT 526 (AL). 70.0788. Provi'de monetary benefit to otherwise non-entitled hospital- ized incompetent and place them in community: ST 49 (DAY). 70.0792. Adopt simplified procedure for providing funds to an incom- petent pending appointment of a fiduciary : BT 2'79 (DAY). PAGENO="0254" 2962 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.0796. Authorize the VA to contact all welfare department and orphanages, public or private, to find orphans of veterans who are entitled to benefits: PT 266. 70.0800. Vest death claims jurisdiction in local HO: ST 27 (AL); ST 79 (VFW). 70.0804. Permit all retroactive payments at current rate of pay: OT 460. 70.0808. Provide special equipment for the more severely handicaN:)ed: AT68 (DAV). 70.0812. Disburse disability severance pay in monthly payments of up to 48 months : AT 536. 70.0816. Remove jurisdiction of VA to administer laws regarding sur- vivors benefits: DOT 552-553. 70.0820. Assign survivor benefits to new agency in the Government: DOT 553. 70.0824. Legislation pertinent to survivor death compensation and other survivor benefits should not be directed to committees in Congress: DCT 553. 70.0828. Protect interest of minority groups of widows from power of veteran lobbies regarding legislation: DOT 554. 70.0832. Allow survivors of military persomiel who die while on active duty to receive payment for unused accrued leave: DOT 179 (GSWA). 70.0836. Permit more liberal consideration to dependent parents who have lost more than one child during wartime: AT 523 (VFW). 70.0840. Expedite initial ratings by sending all service records to VA immediately after separation: AT 296 (AL). 70.0844. More personnel should be provided VA and Military Person- nel Records Center to facilitate movement of service rec- ords : LT 72 (VFW) ; LT 308 (DAV). 70.0848. Make veterans records more accessible to the military and other proper authority for health and legal reasons: LT 202. 70.0852. Provide priority to VA request for records from service de- partment: PT 231 (AL). 70.0856. Make available master claim and medical files at the VAH for review by National Service Officers: DCT 51 (PVA). 70.0860. Increase VA salaries: MT 63 (DAV); MT 73 (DAV). 70.0864. Provide additional funds for salary increase: OT 515 (AL). 70.0868. Equalize salaries of Rating Board members: MT 298. 70.0872. Increase hourly wage rates to wage board employees: DOT 465 (AFGE). 70.0876. Increase pay for VA's "blue collar" workers: DC2T 45. 70.0880. Provide for regular refresher courses at the nearest VA Illos- pital for physicians on rating and appeal boards: CT 113 (VFW). 70.0884. Allow VA examining physicians to receive rating board train- ing of at least a month: PT 324 (VFW). 70.0888. Consider whether managers should be left at one facility for long periods: MT 141 (VFW). 70.0892. Centralize (other than in Washington) VA administrative, adjudicative and supply functions: DOT 469 (IAWV). PAGENO="0255" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2963 70.0896. Exclude "Claims Agents" from practice before VA: LT 122 (AL). 70.0900. Liberalize and expand policies of recognition of Veteran groups: DCT 471 (IAWV). 70.0904. Provide that VA be staffed by veterans: CT 89 (VFW). 70.0908. Provide that VA should employ veterans to maximum extent: OT 519 (AL). 70.0912. Provide stricter control over VA hiring: MT 136 (VFW). 70.0916. Staff administrative and regional offices of the VA with career employees: CT 89 (VFW); DCT 470 (IAWV). 70.0920. Confine VA employees to those duties within their job classi- fication: CT 108 (VFW). 70.0924. Reappraise VA's employment policy making effort to employ disabled war veterans especially those with 10 point prefer- ence: OT 621 (AL). 70.0928. Have Armed Forces to design and use a uniform type of legible clinical record: AT 570. 70.0932. Permit inclusion of time in Armed Forces in awarding senior- ity benefits in unions: PT 447 (05). 70.0936. Provide for mandatory seniority benefits in union shops: PT 447 (05). 70.0940. Revise VA Form 21-526 and 21-534 listing all necessary docu- ments to be submitted: PT 155 (AL). 70.0944. Revise VA FL 21-837 to advise children claims will be con- sidered: MT 139 (VFW). 70.0948. Reduce delay in processing claims: ST 217 (FRA). 70.0952. Furnish appropriate notification if claim is delayed over 30 days: LT 179 (SWV); LT 173 (FRA). 70.0956. Improve adjudication of claims: LT 179 (JWV). 70.0960. Separate claims functions in disability and education claims: LT 148. 70.0964. Reduce travel required of a claimant by further decentraliza- tion: BT 114 (VFW); LT 240 (AMVETS). 70.0968. Transfer in of claims folder to the HO of the state in which the veteran resides should be effected upon initial request: CT 228 (AMVETS). 70.0972. Simplify procedures for adjudication personnel: OT 438 (KVC). 70.0976. Increase personnel in Adjudication Divisions and in VA Hospitals: OT 622 (AL). 70.0980. Fill positions in adjudication where employee is on terminal annual leave: OT 448 (DAV). 70.0984. Send benefit checks in white envelopes: BT 123 (VFW). 70.0988. Improve and reprint VA Fact Sheet IS-i: BT 122 (VFW). 70.0992. Consolidate VA regulations, manuals, directive and etc.: MT 355; MT 134 (VFW); BT 265 (AMVETS); BKT 67 (AMVETS). 70.0996. Provide stricter control over VA required reports: MT 136 (VFW). 70.1000. Study the present VA trend to centralize and consolidate records: CT 33 (DAV). 70.1004. Require regional offices to make claims folders available for review at VA Hospitals: CT 146 (VFW). PAGENO="0256" 2964 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.1008. Require VA to return to use of abstract cards: CT 114 (VFW). 70.1012. Retain indexing activities in the VA Regional Offices: CT 34 (DAV). 70.1016. Resume practice of maintaining inactive index cards in Re- gional Offices: OT 449-450. 70.1020. Improve input data processing by installing new modern equipment and systems: LT 250 (VFW). 70.1024. Establish a Coordinating Director and Division within the VA system: LT 288 (DAV). 70.1028. Permit Directors a choice of three candidates in hiring Divi- sion Chiefs: AT 302 (AL). 70.1032. Establish a grade position in DM&S between chief grade and executive grade for selected chiefs of service: AT 302 (AL). 70.1036. Restore GSA guards to VA regional offices with authority to remove undesirable persons by force: CT 113 (VFW). 70.1040. Consider a more comprehensive orientation program and im- proved pay levels for adjudication and administrative per- sonnel: LT 309 (DAV). 70.1044. Have former VA employees through one of service organiza- tion to assist potential claimants in filing application for benefits: OT 196 (VFW). 70.1048. Reduce the present three year probationary period, as pre- requisite for career status, to one year: OT 387 (DAY); 0T406 (DAV). 70.1052. Improve employee training program contemplating coordin- ation between adjudication and administrative employees: LT309 (DAV). 70.1056. Hire Puerto Ricans for employment in Regional Office San Juan: BKT 198 (NCPRV). 70.1060. Relax English language proficiency requirements for VA employment in Puerto Rico: BKT 194 (NCPRV). 70.1064. Provide adequate adjudication staff and full time rating board at Fort Harrison, Montana: ST 59 (DAY); ST 92 (~\TFW). 70.1068. Assign authorizers and `adjudicators to Conta:ct Divisions on an itinerant basis: MT 102 (VFW). 70.1072. Provide traveling Rating Boards: MT 101 (VFW). 70.1076. Replace Physical Evaluation Boards at military installations by VA Rating Board: BT 262-266 (AMVETS); BKT 65 (AMVETS). 70.1080. Provide complete physical examinations for longevity re- tirees at military separation centers and direct retirees with disabilities to PEB for retirement consideration: OT 315 (DAV); PT 291 (VFW). 70.1084. Provide a complete medical examination to those being sep- arated or retired from service at least 15 days before separ- ation: PT 291 (VFW). 70.1088. Provide a complete physical examination to retirees for lon- gevity: OT 315 (DAy). 70.1092. Permit only those passing the GED test be given a certificate: OT311 (DAV). PAGENO="0257" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2965 70.1100. Encourage a congressional policy of concurrent consideration of SS and CS retirement increases with pensiOn: BKT 66 (AMVETS). 70.1104. Reduce congressional intervention with the VA: CT 90 (VFW). 70.1108. Fill positions of clerks, typists, file clerks with wives and widows of war veterans: OT 621. 70.1112. Restore itinerant contact service in Alaska: ST 30 (AL); ST 79 (VFW). 70.1116. Provide itinerant contact service in North Dakota: MT 237. 70.1120. Provide more itinerant contact services throughout the na- tion:PT233 (AL). 70.1124. Provide a contact officer or veteran advisor for major mili- tary separation centers: OT 316 (DAV). 70.1128. Reopen contact offices in major cities in Montana: ST 58 (DAV); ST 92 (VFW). 70.1132. Enlarge the contact service in New York City: BKT 193 (NCPRV). 70.1136. Provide contact service for pre-retirement and separation periods: DC2T 479 (MCL). 70.1140. Enlarge contact, adjudication and education and training staffs: AT 41 (DAy). 70.1144. Reopen contact office in Nebraska: MT 75 (IDAV). 70.1148. Provide contact reprsentatives in each hospital or separation center to question persons being separated regarding di- sease, injury and/or disability incurring during duty; to note each finding and a thorough examination be given: OT 276 (VFW). 70.1152. Increase contact service at VT hospitals and at Chelsea Naval Hospital: BT 319 (DAV). 70.1156. Place contact representative at military bases or hospitals to inform veterans at time of discharge of potential entitle- ment: OT 350 (DAV). 70.1160. Increase contact service at VA Hospital Boston and West Rosbury, Massachusetts: BT 316 (DAV). 70.1164. Reimburse Commonwealth of Massachusetts for contact serv- ice: BT421. 70.1168. Provide a Chief Attorney for each Regional Office in Alaska: ST 28 (AL). 70.1172. Allow the VA to submit the Chief Attorney's Office cer- tificate of competency direct to the court: OT 452 (DAy). 70.1180. Support 5. 9: BT 42 (VFW). 70.1184. Support Senate Bill 16: OT 221 (VFW). 70.1188. Provide a special VA rating board at military establishments to adjudicate claims for waiver of retirement. purposes:. BT 90 (VFW). 70.1192. Revise Department of Defense separation procedures author- izing a review by VA Disability Policy Board of Physical Review Council of disability findings for retirement pur- poses: DCT 240 (AL). 70.1200. Provide that disability rating requirements of all government agencies be done by a VA Rating Board: LT 180 (JWV). 91-670-68-----17 PAGENO="0258" 2966 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70 1204 Provide a higher grade schedule for medical membei s of local rating boards: PT 229 (AL). 70.1208. Give GED test prior to separation and passage be noted mi discharge: OT 322 (DAV). 70.1212. Make schooling mandatory in Armed Forces in preparatio:~i for GED tests: OT 309 (DAV). 70.1210. Authorize Secretary of Defense to issue mandatory directive requiring all non-high school graduates to take GED test and enter such notation on the DD Form 214 or other service records: OT 223 (VFW); OT 47 (WWI); OT 305 (DAV); OT 322 (DAV). 70.1220. Extend use of direct telephones to service organizations: CT 36 (DAy). 70.1224. Provide a car to major organizations having full time repre- sentative on duty at VARO to be used on official rehabilita- tion work: PT 154 (AL). 70.1228. Allow major veteran organizations adequate office space in regional offices to permit use of wheelchairs: PT 152 (AL). 70.1232. Provide that VA should authorize all veteran organizations to register: DCT 356 (WAC VETS). 70.1236. Amend Title 38 USC so that VA can recognize smaller orga- nizations who have been cooperating with the VA 25 years or more: DCT 158 (PLAV). 70.1240. Continue and improve in general, benefits for DAV's and their dependents: OT 353 (DAV). 70.1244. Grant Gold Star Wives of America a congressional charter: DCT 175 (GSWA). 70.1248. Consider a less complicated ancT more uniform schedule of payments of veteran benefits: BT 279 (DAV). 70.1252. Allow the VA and SS to release information between the two agencies: OT 446 (DAV). 70.1256. Initiate a program allowing closer coordination between the VA and SS particulariTy in defining permanent and total: OT 446 (DAV); CT 347 (AL). 70.1260. Provide that VA's rating of P&T should be accepted by SS: AT 216 (WWI). 70.1264. Limit authority of VA and Bureau of Budget with respect to construction, acquisition or aTteration of veteran hospitals and their closing: PT 517 (DAV). 70.1268. Curb Bureau of Budget and Executive Branch influence over the VA policy: PT 336 (VFW). 70.1272. Provide efficient operation of the VA without intimidation or interference from Bureau of Budget by delaying needed improvements and progress: OT 491-492. 70.1276. Curb power of Bureau of Budget in Veterans Affairs: ST 22 (AL); CT 184 (AL); DCT 493 AT 303 (AL); OT 605 (AL) 70 1280 Pievent the amilgtmation of the VA benefits progr~m wit ~ any civilian program: OT 597' (WWI).' 70.1284. Prevent the closing or curtailing of any of VA facilities: PT326(VFW). 70.1288. Prevent any action that would weaken the VA: PT SOD (DAV). PAGENO="0259" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2967 70.1292. Maintain present number of ROs in each state: PT 511 (DAy). 70.1296. Restore VA facilities closed and regional offices consolidated: DOT 59 (WWI). 70.1300. Restrict authority of VA to close hospitals: BT 147 (VFW). 70.1304. Restrict authority of Executive Department to close VA hospitals: BT 40 (VFW); LT 245 (VFW). 70.1308. Require the VA to notify Congress at least 6 months in ad- vance of the proposed closing of any VA facility: OT 517 (AL). 70.1312. Reopen closed VA Hospitals: 70.1316. Restore all closed hospitals and regional offices: PT 351 (W~\VI). 70.1320. Reexamine closure of regional offices: BT 128 (VFW). 70.1324. Invest more money in administrative services iii regional offices: OT 374. 70.1328. Permit no closures of Regional Offices: BT 299 (DAV). 70.1332. Provide at least one regional office in each state: CT 35 (DAV); DOT 193 (AMVETS); AT 583 (VFW). 70.1336. Reopen VA regional office at San Antonio, and Dallas, Texas: OT 279 (VFW). 70.1340. Permit no reduction of VA land areas in Kansas: OT 611 (AL). 70.1344. Modernize and air-condition VAC Wichita, Kansas: OT 600 (AL). 70.1348. Modernize and air-condition VAC, Wadsworth, Kansas: OT 600 (AL). 70.1352. Provide a chapel for VAC, Wadsworth, Kansas: OT 600 (AL). 70.1356. Establish VAROs in each state on a geographical basis and on basis of one VARO for each 500,000 veterans population: PT 343-344 (VFW). 70.1360. Reactivate VARO in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: PT 572 (DAV). 70.1364. Provide that veteran benefits be administered solely by VA: MT 37 (AMVET5); BT 253 (AMVET5); BT ~50 (AM- VETS; BT 42 (VFW); BT 44 (VFW); CT 184 (AL); CT 250 (MOPH); LT 120 DOT 493 (FRA); BKT 77 (AMVETS) ; DCT 385 (JWV) : DC2T 193 (AMVET5); AT 363 (AL); AT 168 (WWI); AT 182 (WWI); AT 303 (AL); AT 86 (DAV); AT 264 (AL); PT 425 (PLAV); PT 461; DCT 244 (AL); PT 350-351 (WWI). 70.1368. Permit VA facilities for veterans only except limited emer- gencies : PT 351 (WWI) 70.1372. Provide adequate facilities and funds to agencies charged with the administration of services to veterans: OT 284 (~TF~T). 70.1376. Permit no combination of VA with another agency: ST 66 (DAV); ST 47 (DAV); MT 211; OT 285 (VFW). 70.1380. Do not merge veterans benefits to create a "catch-all" pro- gram: PT 325 (VFW). 70.1384. Permit no diminuation of VA authority: DCT 494 (FRA). PAGENO="0260" 2968 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS'. ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.1388. Place Veterans Administration under jurisdiction of Depart- ment of Defense: AT 486. 70.1392. Provide a judicial review board for claims: PT 572. 70.1396. Pass legislation for independent court of judicial review for veterans and claimants: PT 557 (DAY). 70.1400. Establish a CourL of Veterans Appeals: MT 85 (DAY); BKT 54 (AL); DCT 468 (1A\VV); BKT 31; OT 351 (DAY); DCT 52 (PVA); AT 67 (DAY); DOT 151 (PLAY); AT 118 (DAY); PT 506 (DAY). 70.1404. Establish a limited Court of Veterans Appeals consisting of a five man federal court of questions of service connection: DCT 342 (DAY). 70.1408. Provide cabinet status for the VA: MT 35 (AMYETS) ; MT 179 (WWI); BT 121 (YFW); BT 253 (AMVETS) ; BT 386 (MOPH); CT 89 (VFW); CT 63 (PLAY); CT 250 (MOPH) LT 73 (VFW); LT 189 (MOPH); DCT 560 (IWY): DCT 467 (IAWV) BKT 77 (AMYETS) AT 507 (YFW); OT 285 (\TF~T); DCT 52 (PVA); Dcc 463 (AFQE); DOT 359 (NYF); DCT 247; DOT 148 (PLAY); AT 584 (VFW); OT 192 (VFW); OT 2~4 (VFW); OT 323 (DAY); OT 386 (DAY); OT 517 (AL); OT 224 (VFW); AT 303 (AL): AT 86 (DAY); PT 334 (VFW) ; AT 230 (MOPH); PT 293 (VFW) ; pr 334 (VFW) ; PT424 (PLAY). 70.1412. Refrain from seeking cabinet status for VA: MT 214. 70.1400. Establish a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee: MT E6 (DAY) ; MT 213; BT 253 (AMVETS) ; BT 121 (VFW); LT 299 (DAY) ; LT 73 (VFW) ; BKT 208 (WWI) ; DCT 468 (IAWY) ; DCT 493 (FRA) ; DCT 560 (IWV); BKT 77 (AMYETS); PT 461; DOT 358 (NYF); DCT 3E7 (JWY); DOT 150 (PLAY); OT 222 (VFW); OT 418 (SYD) ; OT 490; OT 52; AT 303 (AL) ; OT 386 (DAY); PTS13 (DAV);AT 506 (YFW);AT 313 (AL):AT145 (WWI); AT 118 (DAY); PT 335 (VFW); DCT 463 (AFGE). 70.1404. Establish the Veterans Advisory Commission as a permanent body: CT 144 (YFW); LT 288 (DAY); DOT 470 (IAWY); AT 393; AT 399; AT 430; AT 464; AT 580; AT 586; OT 556; OT 488; DOT 529; DOT 558 (SOA); DOT 560 (SOA); PT 270; DOT 158 (PLAY). 70.1408. Organize a permanent Veterans Program Review Board like Veterans Advisory Commission but composed of non- veteran group : DOT 408 (AVO). 70.1412. Provide a Veterans Advisory Commission (Review Board) for education matters: BKT 44. 70.1416. Establish priorities for Veterans Advisory Commission's rec- ommendlations and present as a long range program: BKT 28. 70.1420. Enlarge Veterans Advisory Committee to include representa- tives from Civil Service Commission and Department cf Labor: DOT 529 (YES). 70.1424. Endorse the legislative program of the American Legion: BKT 52 (AL). PAGENO="0261" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2969 70.1428. Establish a permanent independent commission for periodic reorganizations of the VA: DOT 473 (IAWV). 70.1432. Establish a local civilian rehabilitation advisory council: PT 442. 70.1436. Authorize Operation Returnee a National Program: PT 444. 70.1440. Place supervision of Selective Service under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs: AT 487. 70.1444. Organize a panel, nationally, locally or thru the VA to offer free legal services to qualified persons: PT 623. 70.1448. Provide a graduated scale for legal fees depending on cir- cumstances: PT 133. 70.1452. Provide two sets of legal fees, one for simple appearances before boards and the other for courts: PT 132. 70.1456. Authorize the JAG office or an office established by Congress to represent veterans in lieu of increase in lawyers fees: PT 126. 70.1460. Increase statutory limitation on fees for attorneys: PT 124; AT 663. 70.1464. Pay disabled veteran on a wage scale: OT 373. 70.1468. Study overpayment cases: CT 348 (AL). 70.1472. Liberalize repayment procedure when waiver is not per- mitted: PT 424. 70.1480. Provide more liberal definition of hardship for certain cases involving waiver of overpayments: MT 195 (AL). 70.1484. Apportion recovery of overpayments of pension over a period of one year: OT 512 (AL). 70.1492. Permit waiver of recovery of overpayment if recovery is against humanitarian purposes: BT 329. 70.1496. Deduct overpayments (amount income exceeds limitation) from current years payments: CT 95 (VFW). 70.1500. Permit waiver of recovery in default cases when recovery would be a hardship or default was not the fault of the veteran: AT 299 (AL). 70.1504. Revise notification letter of overpayment and allow a 60 or 90 day period for income clarification: AT 552. 70.1508. Provide that Social Security accept VA examinations: MT 139 (VFW). 70.1512. Eliminate 6 months waiting period fOr SS: MT 65 (DAy). 70.1516. Relax Social Security's 6 months waiting period (disability): MT 139 (VFW). 70.1520. Provide Social Security entitlement to those precluded from coverage by their service connected disabilities: PT 275 (BVA). 70.1524. Reorganize the Board of Veterans Appeals: BT 117 (VFW). 70.1528. Provide that Board of Veterans Appeals should try cases de nova: BT 127 (VFW). 70.1532. Provide for additional members on Board of Veterans Appeals, including VA administered insurance and SGLI: DOT 105 (VFW). 70.1536. Allow veteran the right to go beyond Board of Veterans Appeals and be represented: PT 618. 70.1540. Allow VA decisions except need and type of treatment be subject to appeal: DCT 106 (VFW). PAGENO="0262" 2970 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 70.1544. Provide that statement of the case to the veteran should be realistic and understandable as well as complete and full: PT 620. 70.1548. Permit judicial review of VA Administrator's decision by creating a new court: DCT 323 (DAV). 70.1552. Provide war benefits to Vietnam veterans.: OT 44 (WWI). 70.1556. Grant Vietnam veterans same rights as other war veterans: OT 305 (DAV). 70.1560. Freeze surplus VA land for further hospital and cemetety use: BT 56 (VFW). 70.1564. Oppose proposal to turn VA land at Newington, Connecticut, over to the city for school purposes: BT 38 (VFW). 70.1568. Extend draft law unchanged for 4 years: BT 391 (MOPH). 70.1572. Propose a plan to eliminate involuntary, inductions: BT 3~8. 70.1576. Request Presidential action to encourage more stringent laws pertaining to the prosecution of draft dodgers, draft card burners and "malingerers" who will not serve: CT 147 (VFW). 70.1580. Exclude Civil Service and Foreign service annuities from taxation: OT 517 (AL). 70.1584. Amend incOme tax law to provide an additional $600 exemp- tion for each war veteran: OT 517 (AL). 70.1588. Permit service connected widows tax exemption of all tuition and expenses of higher education above that allowed und~r the educational assistance veteran: DC2T 179 (GSWA). 70.1592. Exclude 72-year-old veterans from all taxation: LT 32 (WWI). 70.1596. Allow a $1600 deduction from income for tax purposes for all WWI veterans: DOT 359 (NYF). 70.1600. Allow head-of-household status for income tax consideration `to widows who maintain a home: DOT 179 (GSWA). 70.1604. Provide that VA supply patriotic emblems to veterans oil holidays and patriotic occasions: CT 354 (AL). 70.1608. Eliminate requirement for guardianship on small awards: AT 323 (AL) 70.1612. Permit VA to designate a custodian to receive benefit pay- ment for an institutionalized beneficiary without regard to guardianship status of the beneficiary OT 4~3 70.1616. Provide that VA separate service connected from non-service connected and service . wounded from service connected cases in its statistical tables: AT 229 (MOPH). 70.1620. Grant additional compensation to veterans who were wounded or injured.in actual combat: AT 612. 70.1624. Grant WWII' veterans with a 50% or more disability and has a certificate of disabiiity discharge, same privileges as retired ID card holders on permanent disability retired list: PT 542-543 (DAy). . 70.1628. Permit VA to furnish financial aid prior to determination of entitlement: AT 323 (AL). 70.1632. Advise the President if legislation on widows' mandates is not passed: DOT 554. PAGENO="0263" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2971 70.1636. Furnish each Department service officer a copy of all staff meetings minutes for notification of policy changes: PT 155 (AL). 70.1640. Restudy Bradly report with regard to pension for wars sub- sequent to W~\TI. AT 158 (WWI) Tabulation of letter suggestions 1. Provide a service pension for World War I veterans 695 2. Exclude social security and retirement benefits from consideration as income for pension purposes 328 3. Increase pension rates 318 4. Increase income levels for pension purposes 252 5. Eliminate income limitations at age 72 107 6. Eliminate inability to defray expense as a qualification for hospitali- zation 63 7. Mimeographed excerpts of various congressional speeches 57 8. Increase widow's pension rates (World War I) 57 9. Expand the national cemetery system 41 10. Permit World War I veterans full priority for hospitalization 35 11. Permit election and reelection between pension programs 33 12. Provide automatic pension increases with increases in the cost of living 30 13. Eliminate income limitations at age 70 21 14. Eliminate income limitations at age 65 20 15. Provide increased pension for overseas veterans 19 16. Exclude spouse's income from consideration as income for pension purposes 15 17. Eliminate effect on pensions of social security increases 15 18. Provide full outpatient service for World War I veterans 14 19. Reduce the pension requirement of 90 days' service 13 20. Increase the burial allowance 12 21. Increase compensation rates 12 22. Exclude social security from income at age 72 11 23. Eliminate the corpus of estate provision 11 24. Equalize rates between those married and single 10 25. Establish a service pension at age 70 8 26. Provide compensation rates proportionate to the degree of disability_ 8 27. Extend the national cemetery system under VA control 7 28. Provide a pension of $125 per month for World War I veterans 7 29. Increase the hospital program 7 30. Establish a service pension at age 72 6 31. Establish a service pension at some unstated age 5 32. Eliminate award reduction because of hospitalization 5 33. ElimInate income limitations at retirement 4 34. Provide cabinet status for the VA 4 35. Provide the same pension for all 4 36. Do not include profit from the sale of a home as income 4 37. Eliminate the differentiation in DIG rates based on rank 4 38. Provide more benefits for POW's 4 39. Expand Federal medical insurance benefits 3 40. Increase statutory award rates 3 41. Eliminate income limitations at age 75 3 42. Lessen the pension effect caused by loss of a dependent 3 43. Reduce the length of marriage requirement to 1 year 3 44. Permit concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA benefits~_ 3 45. Equalize compensation rates for war and peace service 3 46. Exclude jury pay as income 3 47. ElimInate veteran's loan liability if home is sold 3 48. Provide wartime benefits for Mexican border service 3 49. Eliminate income limitations 2 50. Freeze the insurance premiums 2 51. Permit waiver of retirement income for pension purposes 2 52. Increase compensation rates for those 40 to 70 percent disabled 2 PAGENO="0264" 2972 REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION Tabulation of letter suggestions-Continued 53. Provide for judicial review 2 54. Provide an automatic cost of living increase provision for compen- sation 2 55. Provide war benefits for Vietnam veterans 2 56. Provide an income tax exclusion for aged veterans 2 57. Provide increased pension for each dependent 2 58. Provide increased aid and attendance allowance to quadriplegics____ 2 59. Repeal Public Law 86-211 2 60. Provide the VA broader authority in determining need 2 61. Exclude inheritance by wife from considerattion as income_ 2 62. Retain the statutory award for tuberculosis 1 63. Increase the statutory award for tuberculosis 1 64. Presume PT disability at age 70 1 65. Presume PT disability at age 65 1 66. Presume PT disability at age 60 1 67. Reopen the NSLI program 1 68. Provide burial benefits (national cemeteries) for Gold Star Mothers. 1 69. Extend widow's benefits to mothers 1 70. Increase compensation rates for dependent parents 1 71. Provide the automobile benefit to World War I amputees 1 72. Permit concurrent receipt of pension and "free" social security____ 1 73. Provide a bonus for World War II 1 74. Eliminate taxes on military retirement pay 1 75. Provide uniformity in VA and social security ratings 1 76. Establish a Senate Veterans' Affairs Oominittee 1 77. Exclude medical expenses from consideration as income 1 78. Establish the VA as the sole veterans agency 1. 79. Restrict VA hospitals to veterans 1 80. Equalize compensation rates (10 to 40 percent) to NSO rate's 1 81. Eliminate insurance as income 1 82. `Provide a separate pension law for each war 1 83. Staff VAil's fully 1 84. Increase pen'sion at age 72 1 85. Provide low-interest loans for all veterans 1 86. Provide PX privileges to World War I veterans 1 87. Consider all family income for pensi'on purposes 1 88. Provide widows three-fourths of husband's `benefit 1 89. Eliminate income limitations for widows 1 90. Provide pension first to those with overseas service 1 91. Increase the limitation to $5000 1 92. Bar pension if net worth exceeds $30,000 excluding home 1 `93. Maintain the 90-day service period `for pension - 1 94. Provide for Old Soldier's Homes 1 95. Permit a statutory award for each anatomical loss 1 96. Provide the same pension rate for married `and single veterans 1 97. Permit all veterans burial at Arlington Cemetery 1 98. Place all World War I veterans in 1 category 1 99. Increase compensation for the 100 percent disabled to $550 per month 1 100. Provide a statutory award of $150 per month for SC unemployable~ ` 1 101. Base disability ratings on factors other than earning power 1 102. Provide a statutory award of $30 per month for Purple Heart veterans 1 103. Increase dependency allowance for compensation ` 1 104. Provide death compensation for unemployable parents 1 105. Extend the vocational program by law 1 106. Require the VA to publish clear statistics 1 107. Eliminate all special tax privileges 1 108. Increase basic exemptions to a figure higher than the poverty leveL 1 109. Eliminate all real estate and property taxes on private homes 1 110. Resume `benefits to widows whose marriages terminate 1 111. Provide a war widows adviser for the President 1 112. Pay $4,000 a year to widows of those killed in action 1 113 Provide for employment counselor followup after employment 1 PAGENO="0265" REPORT OF U.S. VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMISSION 2973 Tabulation of letter 8uggestion8-Oontlnued 114. Presume service connection for those honorably discharged after 30 years' service i 115. Permit waiver of premium of NSLI for disability incurred after age 65 1 116. Permit veteran's unused educational benefits to their widows 1 117. Allow veterans to be placed on retirement rolls in highest rank satis- factorily held 1 118. Preclude VA from declaring land adjoining VAil in Murfreesboro, Penn., to be surplus 1 119. Increase DIC rates 1 120. Exclude a maximum of $10,000 of commercial life insurance from con- sideration as income 1 121. Exclude SEiGLI from consideration as income 1 122. Provide protection for a statutory award in effect 20 years 1 123. Provide that money in joint bank accounts at death not be counted as income 1 124. Reduce the presumptive period for chronic diseases 1 125. Employ VAV in Government programs 1 126. Provide psychological rehabilitation for servicemen with nonservice disabilities 1 127. Exclude social security from consideration as income after age 72~ 1 128. Raise Armed Forces pay 1 129. Provide a better system of disability rating 1 130. Provide equal treatment for the WAAC 1 131. Establish the Board of Veterans Appeals as a separate entity from the VA 1 132. Consider poliomyelitis service connected if incurred within 6 months after discharge 1 133. Provide educational benefits for orphans of the 100 percent SC dis- abled 1 134. Reduce premiums of NSLI after 20 years 1 135. Increase TDIP payments 1 136. Eliminate income tax reports 1 137. Abolish the VA 1. 138. Do not include social security and retirement as income for pension purposes 139. Reduce pensions 1 140. Pay veterans `before widows 1 141. Discontinue pensions entirely 1 142. Require the veteran `to pay his own way to the hospital 1 143. Extend hospital benefits `to dependents 1 144. Permit concurrent receipt of compensation and pension 1 145. Provide sickness and accident insurance through the VA at reasonable rates 1 146. Equalize the retirement pay of those of equal rank and years of service without reduction of either 1 Mr. TEAGUE of Texas. The conirnittee will stand adjourned until 5 this afternoon. (Whereupon, at 11 :15 a.m., the committee adjourned.) 0 PAGENO="0266"