VA Compensation Quotas?

An unsubstantiated article appeared in Insight Magazine, June 26, 2000 issue. "Vets Say the VA Is Not on Their Side" citing Arthur Bernklau, a 100% disabled veteran, founder of Veterans for Constitutional Law, Ltd. [We have tried unsuccessfully to locate him.]

He states that the nearly 50 NVSOs that have been chartered by Congress to represent veterans are provided free office space in VA facilities...[and] are given millions of dallars' worth of freebies every year for providing veteran claimants just enough of their so called legal expertise to make sure the VA's hidden quota doesn't exceed a 4% allowance rate for compensation claims."

"It gives these service organizations free rent, heating, electricity, postage, telephone, stationery, furniture, computer equipment and tax-exempt status. Presumably, as long as they behave."

While it is true that the VA provides office space for DAV, American Legion, VFW and other service officers in VA hospitals and administrative facilities throughout the country, it's ludicrous to believe that the service officers are conspiring against the veterans because they are being "paid off" by the VA. Sure, some claimants are disappointed when their claims are denied and even blame it on the service officer but Mr. Bernklau is making a blanket generalization. Of course, we are checking this out, but so far, have come up with nothing. If the VA is doing anything right, it is providing office space for service officers and claimants.

Our concern is why the VA doesn't approve of more claims and we aren't making excuses for the VA. The VA secretary can make diseases presumptive but he refuses to use his authority to do so and we are working on this. If we only knew at the beginning what we know now.

According to the number of radiation claims filed and the miniscule number approved, there could very well be a quota but not likely. We believe that if the Pentagon told the VA secretary to make more diseases presumptive, he would grovel and do it. It is not in the Pentagon's interest to allow too many radiation claims to be approved because it would be an admission that many servicemen are being harmed by radiation and it would jeopardize its use of nuclear power, and nuclear weapons including DU. Ed

Return to Atomic Veterans Radiation News Menu
Return to U.S. Veteran Information Main Menu

This message was brought to you by Atomic Veterans Radiation News, a monthly publication of the Atomic Veterans Radiation Research Institute, Oscar Rosen, Ph.D. President. For additional information, click HERE. Thank you.