Transmittal Letter to President & Congress

    Commission Member List/Signature Page

    Commission Photo

    Staff List

    Table of Contents

    Acknowledgements

    Preface

    Abbreviations

    Guiding Principles

    Results of the Commission’s Analysis

    Priority Recommendations

    I.   Commission’s Charter and Scope of Work

    II.  Methodology

    III. Definition of Disability

    IV. Definition of Quality of Life

    V.  Other Government Program Comparisons

    VI. References

    I.   History of Veteran's Benefits

    II.  Demographics of Today’s Veteran Population

    III. Demographics of Tomorrow’s Veteran Population

    IV. Summary

    V. References

    I.   VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities

1. Introduction
2. Historical Origins and Development
3. History of Revisions of the 1945 Rating Schedule
4. Currency of the Rating Schedule
5. Commission Findings and Recommendations on the
   Medical Adequacy of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities

    II.   Evaluation and Rating Process

1. Introduction
2. Medical Evaluation
3. Rating Process

    III.   References

    I.   Program Policies and Issues

1. Character of Discharge
2. Line of Duty
3. Reasonable Doubt
4. Age as a Factor
5. Time Limit to File

    II.   Presumption Decisions

1. Overview
2. A New Framework for Presumptions
3. Causation as a Basis for Presumptions
4. Categorization of Evidence
5. Scope of Scientific Reviews
6. Inventory Research Related to the Health of Veterans
7. Conclusion
8. Environmental/Occupational Hazards

    III.  PTSD and Other Mental Health Disorders

1. Diagnosis and Assessment of PTSD
2. Compensation for PTSD
3. Center for Naval Analyses Corporation (CNAC) Findings
   Pertaining to Mental Disorders and PTSD

    IV.  References

    I. Veterans’ Disability Compensation

    II.  Appropriateness of Ancillary and Special-Purpose Benefits

1. Special monthly compensation
2. Aid and Attendance or Housebound
3. Clothing Allowance
4. Automotive and Adaptive Equipment
5. Specially adapted housing
6. Health care
7. VHA Priority Workload
8. Insurance
9. Veterans’ Preference for Federal Employment
10. Burial and Memorial Benefits

    III.  Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

1. VR&E History
2. VR&E Program Description
3. VR&E Program Reviews and Evaluations
4. VR&E Staffing Issues
5. Employers Training & Hiring VR&E Veterans
6. Satisfaction Reporting
7. Findings

    IV.  Concurrent Receipt

1. Issue
2. Historical Context
3. The Debate over Concurrent Receipt
4. The Present Status of Concurrent Receipt
5. Findings

   VI.  References

    I.   Impairments of Earning Capacity

    II.  Compensation for Individual Unemployability

    III. Compensation for Loss of Quality of Life

    IV. DoD Disability Evaluation System

    V.  Consistency of Disability Ratings between DoD and VA.

    VI. Cost of Living Adjustments

    VII. State Court Spousal Support Obligation

    VIII. Lump Sum Payments

    IX. Social Security Disability Insurance

    X. References

    I.   Definitions of Survivors and Dependents

    II.  Appropriateness of the Benefits

1. Survivors
2. Dependents’ and Other Survivors’ Benefits

    III. Appropriateness of Level of Benefits

    IV. Determination Standards for Benefits

    V.  Pending Claims Ends with Death

    VI. References

    I.   Overview

    II.  Filing a Claim or Appeal

1. Filing a Claim
2. Volume of Claims
3. Filing an Appeal
4. Reports that have evaluated the claims and appeal process
5. Perspectives on Claims and Appeals from Commission Site Visits

    III. Duty to Assist

1. Issue
2. Findings

    IV. Delayed Payments

    V.  Program Operations Comparison

1. GAO highlights
2. CNAC Highlights

    VI. References

    I.   Transition Philosophy

    II.  Coordination

    III. Case Management

    IV. Transition Assistance Programs

    V. Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and Separation

    VI. Information Technology (IT) and Records Management

    VII. Family Support Services

   VIII. Military Severely Injured

1. Severely Injured Marines and Sailors (SIMS) Pilot Study
2. Army Wounded Warrior Survey

    IX. Health Care

    X. Conclusion

    XI. References

    Chapter 4: Rating Process and System

    Chapter 5: Policies for Determining Eligibility for Benefits

    Chapter 6: Appropriateness of the Benefits

    Chapter 7: Appropriateness of the Level of Benefits

    Chapter 8: Survivors and Dependents

    Chapter 9: Disability Claims Administration

    Chapter 10: Transition

    Conclusion

    Statement of Alternate Views

    The Commission’s Recommendations