Obama Calls for Further Cuts in Nuclear Arms

By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2013 - President Barack Obama today announced his intention to seek deeper cuts in the U.S. nuclear arsenal, provided Russia is willing to negotiate similar reductions.

In an address before several thousand people at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, Obama said a comprehensive review has determined America can ensure its own safety and that of its allies by reducing the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal by up to one-third.

"I intend to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures," he said, and repeated the goal he articulated in 2009 of "pursuing the security of a world without nuclear weapons, no matter how distant that dream may be."

U.S. officials said the proposed cuts would take the number of strategic warheads for both countries below the limit of 1,550 established by the 2010 New START Treaty, provided Russia is willing to agree to those levels as well. Administration officials said the reductions would still leave the United States with a credible nuclear deterrent as well as strategic stability with Russia and China, while reducing the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security strategy.

"At the same time, we'll work with our NATO allies to seek bold reductions in U.S. and Russian tactical weapons in Europe," the president said, and he added that the United States will host a summit in 2016 "to continue our efforts to secure nuclear materials around the world" while working to build support in the United States for ratification of the long-stalled Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Obama also touched on a theme he raised during a counterterrorism address he delivered last month, stressing again the need to remain vigilant about the terror threat, while moving beyond "a mindset of perpetual war."

"In America, that means redoubling our efforts to close the prison at Guantanamo," he said. "It means tightly controlling our use of new technologies like drones. It means balancing the pursuit of security with the protection of privacy," the latter being a reference to recently disclosed data-mining programs run by the National Security Agency that administration officials say have prevented more than 50 terrorist attacks since 9/11.
 

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Chairman Miller to Address Backlog, Vision for VA Reform

Chairman Miller to Address Backlog, Vision for VA Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Thursday, June 20, 2013, at approximately 8:00 a.m. at Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, Chairman Jeff Miller will deliver a speech addressing the Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation claims backlog and his vision for reforming VA at the kickoff of the Weekly Standard-Concerned Veterans for America Defend & Reform Breakfast Series.

Former VA Secretary Anthony Principi and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Sen. Richard Burr are also scheduled to speak at the event, which will include a panel discussion moderated by Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol and featuring Darin Selnick of Concerned Veterans for America, Peter Gaytan of the American Legion, Tom Tarantino of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Mark Flatten of The Washington Examiner and Stewart Hickey of AMVETS. 

Media interested in attending should request a press credential through Mary Vought (mvought@concernedveteransforamerica.org).

WHO:             Chairman Jeff Miller

WHAT:          Weekly Standard-Concerned Veterans for America Defend & Reform Breakfast Series Kickoff

WHEN:          8 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. ET, Thursday, June, 20, 2013

WHERE:        Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Avenue NW,  Washington D.C. 20001, and streaming at ConcernedVeteransForAmerica.org

 

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VA Gulf War Panel Walks out of Meeting in DC.

By Patricia Kime 

Staff writer

Jun. 18, 2013 - 

Three members of a Veterans Affairs Department advisory committee on Persian Gulf War illnesses walked out of a meeting in Washington, D.C., on Monday to protest planned changes to the board's makeup — alterations they say are designed to neuter the often outspoken panel.

During a meeting of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, VA interim chief of staff Jose Riojas announced changes to the panel's charter, including replacing half the board members and cutting its budget.

According to panel member Anthony Hardie, Riojas "made clear that the [committee] had overstepped its charter" and needed to be steered in a different direction.

In a written response to questions from Military Times, Dr. Robert Jesse, VA principal deputy undersecretary for health, said the changes to the committee's charter were made to better align the panel with other VA charters and to rotate members whose terms have expired.

According to Jesse, committee chairman James Binns was asked to stay an additional year "to help in the transition of new members and oversee the completion" of a review that will help VA set Gulf War research priorities.

"The [committee] has led the way on crucial initiatives ever since. As a result of their work, VA has more than doubled the number of requested research projects on specific Gulf War areas of study," Jesse said.

But Hardie called the changes a response to several moves by board members, including a June 2012 report from the full committee that sharply criticized VA's efforts to understand and treat unexplained illnesses that affect some veterans of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War.

In the report, the panel noted that VA trimmed its Gulf War research budget from $15 million in fiscal 2012 to $4.9 million in fiscal 2013 and never conducted a widespread study ordered by Congress in 2008 to understand the rates of multiple sclerosis among the troops who deployed.

VA also has failed to mount an effective research program into Gulf War illnesses, the panel noted.

"Until this occurs, we see no prospects for meaningful progress in VA Gulf War illness research," the committee wrote.

Also, several board members testified in March at a hearing during in which a whistleblower charged that VA often sat on research that ran counter to its message on environmental exposures.

Board member Dr. Lea Steele told members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee that VA "ignores the science of research into Gulf War illness."

"This pattern of chronic symptoms has been well documented. We also know that Gulf War illness is not a stress-induced or psychiatric disorder," Steele said.

VA declined to name who was leaving the board. Spokesman Josh Taylor said they have not yet been determined.

Hardie, who has served since 2005, said the charter is not clear on how long a term lasts and several of the board members have continued serving even though they've never received renewal letters.

The dispute has drawn the attention of both the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. A Senate staff member said the SVAC, chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is considering holding a hearing to investigate the issue.

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Korean War Exhibit Dedication

As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, The Pentagon, Washington D.C., Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Colonel Clark thank you to you and your team for all you have done and continue to do to organize and structure and implement a very important recognition, which in many ways we have culminated this morning as we dedicate this hallway and this magnificent display which represents so much history.   To you Ambassador, thank you for your words and for your deeds and your leadership and what your country represents – we are grateful.  Lew, thank you and thanks to your commission.  And to General Sharp for his service for years of service to our country and especially this special relationship and of course to the Korean War veterans and their families that are here.  We not only acknowledge you, we thank you, we assure you that through this dedication today your efforts and your noble cause will live on.  Just as the ambassador noted you have shaped history in a unique and magnificent way. Two weeks ago I was in Singapore for the Shangri-La dialogue and spent a good deal of time with the Minister of Defense of South Korea, not only in his role as Minister of Defense, but also representing the Republic of Korea.  That bilateral relationship between the United States and Korea, clearly defined for 60 years now, was much in evidence at the dialogue in Singapore as were our relationships with the Japanese, with the Philippians, the ASEAN nations, with the Chinese, and our European allies.  And I say that because it does bring in some frame of reference that this special relationship is bigger than just the Korean peninsula or the north Asia region - it has affected the world.  And note that the ambassador reminded us of the tremendous progress the people of South Korea have built for their country, for the region and for the world.  I know of no nation that has done as much in such a little amount of time to improve their people, to improve their region.  And I know of no country a better ally to the United States than the Republic of Korea.  For all those reasons we are grateful for this relationship, but really what probably anchors the relationship more than any other one thing is that special bond of people wanting a better life, are willing to risk everything for that better life.  I am particularly proud of the Americans, who as the ambassador noted left their country, their small towns, their big towns, in the United States and went far away to a very bloody conflict in a distant land.  Very few veterans of that war, some among us, I suspect knew an awful lot about the Korean Peninsula.  I was living in a small town in northern Nebraska at the time.  My father was a World War II veteran.  He had been called up to redeploy and I remember vividly at the bus station when my grandmother, my grandfather, my mother and two of my younger brothers and I took my father to the bus station where he got on that bus to Omaha to process, to Lackland Air Force Base – he had been in the Army Air Corps.  He was there for a few months, he never did deploy – by then the war was winding down.  But I recall the veterans coming home that did deploy, to those small towns in Nebraska.  I recall vividly even as a young boy that there was very little acknowledged of their service: - so what - very few people knew where Korea was - unimportant.  But yet in the scope of things, 60 years later, just as the ambassador reminded us, just as important as any conflict we have been in and had the most significant affect and consequence as the Republic of Korea plays a key role as a very key ally, maintaining peace, security, stability in that part of the world. So on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense and their families, we are grateful, we acknowledge your service, we acknowledge everything you have done, what you mean to this country, what you mean to the world, and the model that you have provided to young men and women in uniform for generations to come which has been evidence by this great display.  And to your families.  Thanks to your families for what they have endured, what they continue to do for this country. God bless you.

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

New Technology in Place for Electronic Submission of Veterans’ Disability Claims

 

Capability Marks Major Milestone in VA Transformation to Digital Claims Process

 

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2013)– A new online application from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) enables disability compensation claims to be processed faster in a more end-to-end electronic environment, and VA is urging Veterans and their Veterans Service Organization  (VSO) representatives to make full use of its capabilities to receive speedier decisions and reduce the backlog of claims. 

 

The availability of the joint VA-Department of Defense Web portal eBenefits, which now integrates with the new internal Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) electronic claims processing system, marks a major milestone in VA's transformation from paper claims records to a fully digital operating environment, one of the keys to VA's goal to eliminate the disability claims backlog by the end of 2015. VBMS has now been fielded at all 56 Regional Offices across the country, ahead of schedule.  VA will continue to upgrade and improve VBMS based on user feedback, and add features and tools that make it faster and easier to process claims. Instead of filling out and mailing paper forms to VA, Veterans can now use eBenefits to enter claim information online using a step-by-step, interview-style application, with pre-populated data fields and drop-down menus similar to popular tax preparation software.

 

"There are so many advantages to making this move from paper to digital – for both Veterans and VA" said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. "Veterans can now file their claims online through eBenefits like they might do their taxes online."

 

By filing electronically, any compensation benefits that are awarded will be effective back to the date the Veteran started entering their claim information in eBenefits.  From that initial claim establishment date, each Veteran has up to a year to gather all necessary records and hit "submit" to preserve their original date of claim. 

 

eBenefits allows Veterans to upload digital images of records and evidence to support their claims, bypassing the need to physically mail in personal records and wait for confirmation of receipt. VA is advising Veterans to gather and submit all relevant medical records and file a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) in eBenefits, which entails entering all available evidence at the time the claim is submitted and verifying to VA that they have no more evidence to submit. Veterans filing an FDC will receive priority processing over the traditional claims process.   VA can typically process FDCs in half the time it takes for a traditionally filed claim, and there is no risk to Veterans in filing an FDC.  If VA finds that there is a piece of relevant evidence that was not submitted by the Veteran, but is needed for a rating decision (like private medical records), claims processors will work to obtain that evidence on the Veteran's behalf and process the claim in the traditional way.

 

Once logged into eBenefits, Veterans can also choose to have an accredited VSO representative assist with their claim submission by filing an electronic power of attorney form.  Using this new system, the chosen VSO representative, with proper authorization, will be able to see the contents of a Veteran's claim, track its status, and add additional information when needed. A Veteran and his or her representative can even work a claim simultaneously while both are logged into the system, enabling VSOs to assist more Veterans in their homes or even remotely. 

 

VA will still accept claims in paper form, though processing may take longer than for an electronically-submitted claim.  As of this summer, VA scans all new paper claims and uploads them into VBMS so they too can be processed electronically, though without many of the benefits provided when Veterans initiate the process in eBenefits such as guided questions that help ensure complete and accurate information and the immediate receipt of information without having to wait for the scanning and processing of paper documents. In addition to filing claims online, registered eBenefits users can track their claim status and access information on a variety of other benefits, like pension, education, health care, home loan eligibility, and vocational rehabilitation and employment programs. 

 

A free Premium eBenefits account is required to file claims electronically. The quickest and most convenient method of establishing a free premium eBenefits account is to complete the remote verification process through the eBenefits home page, or use DoD's common access card (CAC) to register for and/or upgrade to a free premium account.  Veterans can also establish an account by telephone at 1-800-827-1000, option 7, if they are in receipt of VA benefits via direct deposit, or by visiting a VA regional office or TRICARE Service Center (if they are a military retiree). For the location of the nearest VA regional office, visit www.va.gov  and search the VA regional benefits office locator.

 

While compensation claims are pending, eligible Veterans are able to receive healthcare and other benefits from VA.  Veterans who have served in recent conflicts are eligible for 5 years of free healthcare from VA. Currently, over 55% of returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans are using VA healthcare, a rate of utilization greater than previous generations of Veterans.

 

This is the latest effort in support of the Secretary's plan to eliminate the backlog. On May 15, VA announced that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices through the end of fiscal year 2013 to help eliminate the backlog, with continued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless Veterans, those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully Developed Claims.

 

In April, VA announced an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer.   On April 19, VA began prioritizing claims decisions for Veterans who have been waiting the longest by providing decisions based on evidence currently in hand that allow eligible Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits quickly while waiting for their final eligibility decision.  For more information about VA benefits, go to http://www.benefits.va.gov.  For more information on VA's Transformation, go to http://benefits.va.gov/transformation.

 

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 Sean Eagan

 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

CNN I Report Is Secretary Shinseki Playing Politics With 1991 Gulf War Veterans And Their Health?

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-988088

Hello,

 

Why is Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, altering the charter of the Congressionally chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses (RAC)[1]? Is it an angry response to critical criticism by RAC leadership and Dr. Coughlin, an epidemiologist and recent, March 13, 2013, Veteran Affairs Whistleblower?

 

Year 2013 VA Quote: "In summary, I have directed that one-half of the members remain and one-half be replaced in accordance with VA policy," Riojas wrote[1]. Mr. Jose Riojas is Secretary Shinseki's Interm Chief of Staff[1].

 

First, I supply the following important quotes that the Veterans Affairs likely dislike:

 

Year 2007 Quote: "This government manipulation of science and violation of law to devalue the health problems of ill veterans is something I would not have believed possible in the United States of America until I took this job. Until this practice is stopped, the products of Gulf War illnesses research will be distorted, misleading the Secretary, Congress, veterans' doctors, and the scientific community."[Mr. James Binn, Committee Chair, Congressionally appointed Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illness (RAC), Vietnam veteran, Harvard Law Graduate, 2]

 

Year 2012 Quote: "The VA Gulf War research budget has been cut by two-thirds for FY2013, from $15.0 to $4.86 million. Of the $15.0 million budgeted and approved by the Secretary and Congress for FY2012, only $4.98 million was spent. The two thirds cut was never discussed with the Research Advisory Committee, established by Congress to provide independent advice to the Secretary on proposed Gulf War health research plans [Appendix A]."[RAC, 5]

 

Year 2012 Quote: "The Research Advisory Committee has no confidence in the ability or demonstrated intention of VA staff to formulate and execute an effective VA Gulf War illness research program. Staff includes the Office of Research and Development, the Office of Public Health, and personnel from the DoD Office of Force Health Protection and Readiness who interface with them on this subject. The Committee recognizes the credible work conducted by many individual VA researchers, and the positive intentions of some staff members, but they are not the ones calling the shots."[RAC, 5]

 

Year 2012 Quote: "The Committee recommends that the failures and obstructive actions outlined above be thoroughly investigated to identify the individuals responsible and that appropriate actions be taken to remove them from positions of authority and influence over Gulf War illness research. Until this occurs, we see no prospects for meaningful progress in VA Gulf War illness research."[RAC, 5]

 

Year 2012 Quote: "These alterations are the latest example of the "don't look, don't find" approach that has driven so much Gulf War research for two decades, focusing research on the wrong subjects, and producing limited or misleading findings."[RAC, 5]

 

Year 2013 Whistle-blower Quote: "The Office of Public Health conducts large studies of the health of American veterans. However, if the studies produce results that do not support OPH's unwritten policy, they do not release them. This applies to data regarding adverse health consequences of environmental exposures, such as burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, and toxic exposures in the Gulf War. On the rare occasions when embarrassing study results are released, data are manipulated to make them unintelligible."[Dr. Coughlin, Epidemiologist and Veteran Affairs Whistleblower; 4]

 

Year 2013 Whistle-blower Quote: "Twenty to thirty percent of these veterans were also Gulf War veterans, and the study produced data regarding their exposures to pesticides, oil well fires, and pyridostigmine bromide pills. It also included meticulously coded data as to what medications they take. The Office of Public Health has not released these data, or even the fact that this important information on Gulf War veterans exists. Anything that supports the position that Gulf War illness is a neurological condition is unlikely to ever be published." [Dr. Coughlin, Epidemiologist and Veteran Affairs Whistleblower; 4]

 

A Need for Consistency, Integrity, and Honesty

 

Is it possible that Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki decided to act out against the leadership of Congressionally Chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illness because the RAC asked that Veterans Affairs bureaucrats be removed?

 

At this point in time of history related to 1991 Gulf War Illness, 1991 Gulf War Illness research, and 1991 Gulf War veteran struggles, we 1991 Gulf War veterans need honest and consistent leadership within the Congressionally Chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses (RAC). I believe the above quotes are quite important when evaluating the current state of affairs at the Veterans Affairs when considering 1991 Gulf War Illness research. In truth, Dr. Coughlin, Epidemiologist and Veterans Affairs whistle-blower, stated that the Veterans Affairs incompetence has carried over to other veteran populations. Sadly, this is not surprising when considering World War II, radiation experiment, and Vietnam veteran, Agent Orange, struggles. Effectively dismantling an effective Congressionally Chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC) will not benefit 1991 Gulf War veterans. Please help us stop Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.

 

Personally, I believe it is possible that Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki is striking out from frustration and anger, and not in the interest of 1991 Gulf War veterans. Once again, please help us 1991 Gulf War veterans. The Congressionally chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC) leadership and members are our only consistency. I think the above quotes verify how the RAC has gone to bat for us on multiple occasions. They should not be replaced for doing their job and asking that some Veterans Affairs bureaucrats be replaced.

 

References

 

[1] Kennedy, Kelly. Advocates say VA gutting Gulf War Illness panel, June 13, 2013. ustoday.com[online]. 2013. Available from:http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/13/independent-gulf-war-illness-review-board-cut/2419893/

 

[2] US House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Witness Testimony of Mr. James Binns, Reasearch Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illneses, US Department of Veterans Affairs, July 2007. veterans.house.gov[online]. 2012. Available from: http://veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/mr-james-binns

 

[3] US House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Gulf War: What Kind of Care are Veterans Receiving 20 Years Later?, March 2013. veterans.house.gov[online]. 2013. Available from:http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/gulf-war-what-kind-of-care-are-veterans-receiving-20-years-later

 

[4] US House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Witness Testimony of Dr. Steven S. Coughlin, Adjunct Professor of Epidemology, Emory University, March 13, 2013. veterans.house.gov[online]. 2013. Available from:http://veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/dr-steven-s-coughlin

 

[5] Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses. Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Findings and Recommendation, June 2012. va.gov[online]. 2012. Available from:http://www.va.gov/RAC-GWVI/docs/Committee_Documents/CommitteeDocJune2012.pdf

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