Revamp VA disability benefits

Los Angeles Times: The United States owes an incalculable debt of gratitude to its military veterans. It also owes them something more tangible — timely and appropriate treatment and compensation for disabilities tied to their service. But the Veterans Administration and members of Congress also have an obligation to ensure that those who receive disability benefits truly deserve them and are treated equitably. Unfortunately, as a recent investigation by The Times’ Alan Zarembo shows, the government is failing badly.

The scandal of delayed delivery of medical care at Veterans Administration hospitals came to a boil this summer, prompting the resignation of Secretary Eric Shinseki and a congressional effort to speed up veterans’ access to doctors. But the problems Zarembo cataloged are on another front — the determination of disabilities, and who is eligible to be compensated for them.

The system’s absurdity was spotlighted last year when Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a veteran who lost both legs and the use of one arm when her helicopter was downed in Iraq, grilled a witness at a congressional hearing over the 30 percent disability rating he received for a relatively minor foot injury incurred playing football for the U.S. Military Preparatory Academy.

Yet the contractor, Braulio Castillo, apparently broke no rules, and that’s the real outrage. It’s past time for an overhaul. Congress needs to balance its responsibility to taxpayers with its obligation to ensure that veterans who have suffered injuries and contracted ailments in service to their country receive appropriate help and compensation.