The Noble Warrior agenda

The Department of Veterans Affairs faces a number of critical challenges made even more imposing by the thousands of combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Among these are the disability claims backlog, treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide among veterans, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and implementation of the new GI Bill.

Our government has a solemn obligation to ensure veterans’ benefits and services are administered in an accurate and timely manner. This is especially important for veterans who have been wounded or injured during service.

I was pleased when VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who recently testified before the House Veterans Affairs’ Committee, outlined performance goals that reflect the military values needed as we navigate one of the most critical times in the history of the department. I emphasized to Secretary Shinseki my continued interest in seeing VA make better use of information technology to help eliminate the claims backlog problem.

Last year, legislation I developed was enacted requiring VA to develop and implement comprehensive information technology upgrades, including Web portals, rule-based expert systems, and decision support software to support claims processing capabilities. Such technological improvements, along with a VA workforce that has been increased by 2,000 employees, should begin turning the tide on the claims backlog.

Other measures enacted last year will enhance VA substance-use disorder and mental health programs, and also establish a pilot program to allow veterans in certain highly rural areas to obtain healthcare from their local community providers. This veteran-centric approach to the delivery of care gives the veteran patient flexibility without diminishing VA’s specialized services, which include treatment for combat related injuries such as TBI, spinal cord injury, blind rehabilitation, PTSD and prosthetic care. However, careful oversight is critical to ensure that the treatment of our wounded warriors continues to improve.

In addition to meeting veterans’ immediate needs, we must envision ways to best serve tomorrow’s veterans and ensure VA remains viable well into the future. Veterans must have a solid network of support that includes adequate and timely benefits, and opportunities to achieve financial independence and success in the society they have defended. With the beginning of the 111th Congress, I initiated a Noble Warrior legislative agenda with the introduction of a number of bills, and I plan further legislation to help improve the lives of veterans and their families.

To ensure that members whose injuries render them unable to continue to serve would automatically receive military retirement benefits, I have introduced legislation to simplify the military disability retirement system. To expand economic opportunities for veterans, I have introduced a bill to guarantee loans of up to $500,000 to small businesses owned and operated by disabled veterans. Viable economic recovery plans must include job creation and support for veterans who own small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy. Another measure I introduced would provide over $357 million for employment training and job placement programs for veterans, especially homeless women veterans.

During the course of this Congress, I also expect to explore the formation of a fourth administration within VA to improve management of programs leading to jobs and entrepreneurship. Doing so is especially important in today’s economic environment.

To meet VA’s long-term energy needs, I introduced legislation with Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) that would require the department to develop and implement energy conservation and sustainability plans. Adherence to these goals during the construction of new VA facilities provides an opportunity to use our resources effectively while creating savings through lower operating costs and resource efficiencies.

Among the goals that I have supported during my tenure in Congress is the mission to provide veterans with an honorable final resting-place and to maintain our national cemeteries as national shrines. There are three different standards of care and maintenance of veterans’ gravesites. The American Battles Monuments Commission has set the gold standard for such care, and is followed closely by VA’s National Cemetery Administration. Unfortunately, the relatively few veterans’ cemeteries maintained by the Department of the Interior need to be brought to higher standards. Transferring jurisdiction of those cemeteries to VA may be worthy of consideration.

Finally, I am delighted that soon Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) will join me in introducing a bill to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for surviving spouses of seriously disabled veterans and military personnel who died while on active duty.

Bold action will be required to ensure that VA’s health and disability systems are effective in delivering timely and quality services to our veterans, and I look forward to working with Secretary Shinseki on modernization and reform at VA.

Buyer is the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. A 1980 distinguished military graduate of The Citadel and a career Army Reserve officer, Buyer is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and has received numerous military honors including the Bronze Star Medal. He continues to serve as a colonel in the Army Reserve.