Punishing disabled veterans.

Ever since legislation creating the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission was passed, there have been concerns about whether the deck is stacked against veterans. And after a year of meetings, site visits, field hearings and public comment, it is still an open question. That's understandable, considering the political climate in which the commission operates.

The 13-member panel was established after some rather heavy-handed attempts at sweeping changes to veterans disability compensation failed in Congress. However, the same political forces are still at work, both on and off Capitol Hill, making it difficult for disabled veterans to remain optimistic about the outcomes.

Optimism was in short supply at the commission's March 16-17 meeting as some of its members maneuvered to authorize collecting data about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits paid to veterans who also receive VA disability compensation. That was done with a view toward an offset of disability insurance if the veteran receives disability compensation from the VA.

A move to sidestep proper procedures and hold a secret ballot on the matter was postponed, but the issue is expected to resurface at the commission's meeting in May. If so, it could lay the groundwork for cutting or eliminating veterans benefits as a way of saving the government money.

The idea that disability compensation is some kind of income security or welfare program cheapens the service and sacrifice of disabled veterans. That kind of thinking might also open the door to cutting off VA compensation when a disabled veteran becomes eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

Veterans benefits are separate and distinct from Social Security, so receiving payments under both programs is not dual compensation for the same disability, as some have tried to argue.

Service-connected disability compensation from the VA is an earned benefit, awarded only on the basis of eligibility to a special class of persons. Payments under this program are recompense from the government for the life-long effects and consequences of a disabled veteran's extraordinary sacrifice in service to our nation. And a service-connected disability doesn't magically disappear when a veteran has a job, either.

SSDI benefits, on the other hand, are not compensation for a disability, but rather cash payments to a person who is unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. Most U.S. workers who have paid Social Security taxes are covered by the program. Benefits usually continue until the person is able to work again on a regular basis. When a person receiving Social Security disability benefits reaches retirement age, those benefits automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits.

Rather than protecting the public purse, implementing a policy regarding offsets to VA disability compensation and Social Security disability and retirement benefits would have the effect of punishing disabled veterans. I can think of no greater insult to the men and women whose service and sacrifice have kept America free and safe. We are mindful that this is only in the discussion stage, but I would hope that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission would reject even the suggestion of such an ill-advised scheme.