Legislative Goals ‘08

• MANDATORY FUNDING
The VA health care system needs a stable funding mechanism to ensure health care “supply” is available to meet and care for the growing demands for services.

• WOUNDED WARRIOR “SEAMLESS TRANSITION”
JWV recommends a major overhaul of the disability ratings process to provide wounded service members comprehensive and fair disability ratings and benefits prior to their medical separation from active duty.

• TOTAL FORCE APPROACH TO MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL
JWV notes that no significant upgrades to the MGIB have been enacted since 9/11. This is unacceptable.

• VA DISABILITY BENEFITS SYSTEM
JWV recommends the VA automate the claims processing system and move to a paperless environment as soon
as possible, and establish uniform standards and procedures for ratings claims.

• DISABLED VETERANS TAX FAIRNESS
For thousands of disabled veterans, VA decisions on their appealed claims can take years to resolve. JWV wants Congress to enact “look back” legislation to remove the three-year statute of limitations for filing amended tax returns for veterans who have not received timely disability determinations from the VA.

• PROTECTION OF VETERANS’ PERSONAL IDENTITY AND INFORMATION
JWV urges Congress to conduct regular oversight hearings to identify weaknesses in the VA’s information security and to order appropriate corrective actions.

• HOMELESS VETERANS
Veterans make up a disproportionate and rising share of homeless people, including homeless female veterans. The VA should expand outreach and intervention programs directed at homeless veterans.