VFA News Analysis: May 9, 2008

The future of a proposed boost to veterans’ benefits was dealt a setback when some members of Congress complained the expensive new measure lacked a source of funding. The measure which is still the focus of debate on Capitol Hill, would provide education benefits along the lines of the G.I. Bill, which helped tens of thousands of veterans from World War II earn college degrees.  The new education benefit is being championed by Sen. Jim Webb, a Virginia Democrat and Vietnam War veteran. The benefit would entitle veterans with at least three years of service to a full ride at any public university in the country — about twice the value of the current average benefit.

The Army recently transferred $248 million from other programs to begin fixing dilapidated and toxic barracks at eight installations around the country. The move follows an embarrassing episode for the service, which was shamed by a video posted by a soldier’s father to Youtube.com showing what appeared to be sewage in the barracks of paratroopers at Fort Bragg, N.C.

It can be hard for veterans with mental health needs to even admit they’re in need. Stigmas must be broken down so that such conditions can be seen as the wounds they are. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has called post-traumatic stress disorder in troops “unseen wounds” of war.

A new medical facility specifically designed for troops with traumatic brain injuries is set to open at Camp Pendleton, California. About 720 Marines at the installation suffer from TBI, according to military officials. The soon-to-open facility will be a part of the Navy Medicine West Office of Neurotrauma. The University of California at San Diego is also joining the effort to treat TBI, a signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for U.S. servicemembers.