For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a key member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee who has pushed both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to revise their disability compensation ratings and procedures, today hailed a new report recommending an overhaul of the outdated veterans rating system.

The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, which was established through the 2004 Defense Authorization bill, today called for a 25 percent increase in veterans' disability compensation with top priority going to revising the system's ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury and mental health disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"This report echoes what many of us have been concerned about for years – that our VA compensation is not only outdated, but that services and disability ratings need to be increased for veterans across the board.

"I am especially concerned about veterans who have suffered from the unseen wounds of war - TBI and PTSD – who may be rated incorrectly.  This report indicates that we still have a lot of work ahead of us to go back and capture those people and make sure that they are rated accurately.

"I appreciate the work of the Commission and look forward to reviewing all 113 recommendations made in the report in greater detail so we can create a better, more responsive system for our nation's veterans."