Preemptive Strike

Veterans' advocates are preparing to fight against the possible addition of language to the House version of the fiscal 2004 Defense authorization bill that would restrict the definition of service-related injuries to those incurred "in the line of duty," consequently limiting the number of veterans eligible for health and compensation benefits.

A congressional aide confirmed that the idea is being discussed as Senate and House lawmakers negotiate over details of the authorization bill, but would not provide more information.

Nevertheless, during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday to explore how the change might affect veterans if approved, advocates for veterans blasted the measure.

"This House plan would have our government renounce all responsibility to compensate and care for members of the armed forces disabled in the line of duty, except under extremely restricted circumstances," said Rick Surratt, deputy national legislative director of Disabled American Veterans.

The proposal comes at a time when the Bush administration has stated its opposition to a "concurrent receipt" measure in the fiscal 2004 Defense authorization bills that would allow all disabled veterans to receive disability pay on top of retirement pay. A 19th century law bars disabled military retirees from receiving full pensions and full disability benefits at the same time. Congressional leaders were able to extend the measure last year to military retirees with 20 or more years of service who are recipients of the Purple Heart or have a serious combat-related disability.

"It makes no sense to hastily rewrite well-established law on veterans' benefits which may have unfair and unintended harsh consequences," said American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage, who urged lawmakers not to formally introduce the measure. "Our nation's men and women in the armed forces are entitled to compensation and health care benefits for disabilities incurred or aggravated during or by military service."

The Veterans Affairs Department didn't return a phone call Wednesday on the proposal.