CONTENTS Opening statement of Hon. Herman E. Talmadge, chairman of the Subcom- mittee on Compensation and Pensions of the Committee on Veterans' Bill S. 1597, as referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Introductory statement of author, Chairman Vance Hartke, excerpt from the Congressional Record, April 29, 1975-- Agency report of Veterans' Administration___. Bill S. 110, as referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Hon. Daniel K. Inouye, a U.S. Senator from the State of Hawaii____ Rufus H. Wilson, Chief Benefits Director, Veterans' Administration, accompanied by J. Charles Peckarsky, Director, Compensation and Pension Service; Howard M. Denney, Deputy General Counsel; Arthur F. Carley, Acting Assistant General Counsel; and Dale Grubb, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Congressional Rela- Charles L. Huber, national director of legislation, Disabled Ameri- can Veterans, accompanied by William G. Flaherty, deputy director of legislation__. Charles E. Mattingly, deputy director, national legislative commission, The American Legion, accompanied by Edward H. Golembieski, director, national veterans' affairs and rehabilitation commission__ Francis W. Stover, director, national legislative service, Veterans of Letters to Hon. Vance Hartke, chairman of Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rufus H. Wilson, Chief Benefits Director, Veterans' Administra- Page 97 Dated April 11, 1975, with enclosures (changes in rating prac- 105 Clyde W. Waugh, national president and chairman of the board Dated May 1, 1975 109 Dated May 8, 1975-- Clyde W. Waugh, national president and chairman of the board for Clyde W. Waugh, national president and chairman of the board 111 109 171 Dated May 15, 1975, with enclosures.- Miscellaneous 185 201 "Study of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Denials," a study submitted by the Veterans' Administration (Senate Committee Print No. 2, 94th Congress) Resolutions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars- Aid and Attendence Survey by Paralyzed Veterans of America__ Mailgram addressed to Hon. Vance Hartke, chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, from Karen T. Sintic, midwest region president, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., dated April 21, 1975_Questions and answers Response submitted by the Veterans' Administration to questions submitted by Hon. Herman E. Talmadge, chairman of the Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions__- APPENDIXES 41 143 153 204 120 Appendix A.-Material relating to various proposals to change the Veterans' Administration schedule for rating disabilities : Editor's note concerning a schedule change proposed February 6, 1973_ 205 206 A letter to Richard L. Roudebush, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, Veterans' Administration, from Hon. Vance Hartke, chairman of Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, dated April 30, 1975, requesting a draft of proposed schedule change referenced in Johnson's August 14, 1974 memorandum__ 233 235 Appendix A.-Continued A letter to Hon. Vance Hartke, chairman of the Committee on Vet- Richard L. Roudebush, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, Vet- Rufus H. Wilson, Chief Benefits Director, Veterans' Admin- Page 238 Dated April 14, 1975, with enclosures (draft of a new pro- 249 308 Appendix B.-Bill S. 1597, as amended, June 19, 1975- 399 407 Appendix D.--An act, H.R. 7767, as referred to the Senate Committee Appendix E.-House of Representatives Report No. 94-287, to accompany 451 459 Appendix F.-Excerpts from the Congressional Record on the passing of the compromise version of H.R. 7767, Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act of 1975, dated July 24, 1975_ 481 Appendix G.-Public Law 94-71, 94th Cong., H.R. 7767, approved August 5, 1975 489 VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1975 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS, COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m. in room 154, Russell Office Building, the Honorable Herman E. Talmadge, presiding. Present: Senator Herman E. Talmadge, chairman and Senator Richard (Dick) Stone. Also present: Frank J. Brizzi, staff director and Guy H. McMichael III, general counsel. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. HERMAN E. TALMADGE, CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS Senator TALMADGE. The committee will please come to order. Today, the Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions, which I have the honor to chair, will review the veterans disability compensation and survivor benefits program. Several bills are to be considered, including S. 1597, cosponsored by all committee members. Rapid increases in the Consumer Price Index over the past year require that we review these programs and consider cost-of-living adjustments for our Nation's disabled veterans and the widows of those who have died in the service of their country. By July 1, of this year, it is estimated that since the rates were last adjusted, the cost of living will have increased by approximately 12 percent. For this reason, S. 1597, the Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act of 1975, would, effective July 1, provide a 12-percent increase in compensation benefits for veterans rated 50 percent disabled or less. A slightly higher increase of 14 percent is authorized for the most severely wounded veterans rated 60 percent to totally and permanently disabled. Similar cost-of-living increases are provided for widows of veterans who have died of service-connected causes. And, an automatic presumption of service-connection would be accorded to the spouse of any veteran who was rated totally and permanently disabled at the time of his death. Finally, a modest cost-of-living increase from $150 to $175 is provided for the annual clothing allowance payable to certain veterans whose disabilities tend to wear or tear their clothing. (1) |