Tester: More must be done for veterans
By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian
HAMILTON - U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., told veterans Friday that while some good work has been accomplished, much improvement is still needed in the way this country treats those who've served.
“It's going to take resolve and hope,” he said. “I still have hope that we can fix the problems.”
A standing-room-only crowd of veterans had plenty of frustrations to air at the listening session with Tester, who is a member of the Senate's Veterans' Affair Committee.
With a backlog of 450,000-plus claims facing the VA, they said, it can take years for a veteran's case to be processed. They said the VA's rating system for post-traumatic stress disorder isn't being applied uniformly and Montana's veterans are falling through the cracks. And, the veterans said, they fear losing benefits if they stand up and complain.
“If anyone disagrees with the VA, they take a chance of having their benefits cut,” said a veteran named Ron, who refused to give his last name in fear of retaliation. “Anytime we step out of line, we get nailed. That's the attitude the VA has toward veterans.
“What are you going to do to change that attitude toward us?” he asked Tester.
Tester replied that veterans deserve to get the benefits they were promised when they agreed to serve their country.
He asked Ron for names.
“I will do my level best to get those bastards out of the system,” Tester said.
Following the meeting, Tester said he's heard both good and bad about Montana's VA offices. He'll follow up on reports of retribution and listen to both sides before making up his mind.
“There's no room for retribution in government, period,” he said. “After hearing both sides, we'll try to make the best decision possible for our veterans.”
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“It was the largest increase in the history of the VA,” Skinner said. “It's still about $12 billion short of what we need.”
Ron Skinner, a Vietnam veteran, was instrumental in making it happen. He believes there are other veterans across the state who would do the same thing if given a chance.
$12 billion short of what they need? Then why didn't they fund it fully? What is wrong with these people?
What is worse is that you have PTSD veterans being threatened with retribution. How is this possible?
At least Senator Tester and Ron Skinner are watching out for the veterans. If you have been threatened with retribution from anyone with the VA let him know.
