Our Vets and the VA

Wounded vets returning from Iraq or Afghanistan should not have to fight another war on the homefront against the Veterans Administration for treatments or benefits. Marine Sgt. Ty Ziegel sustained severe head injuries and burns in Iraq in 2004, and was struggling with the VA to obtain needed disability payments, which are based on a ratings system. At first he was stiffed for disability payments due him for his traumatic brain injury. After pressing the VA, and after CNN covered his story, the VA finally increased his payments. Ziegel said he was "ready to beat down the White House door if I need to." A day late and a dollar short, Dumbya appointed a commission to look into the treatment of vets' disabilities. The commission reported last July that the antiquated disability ratings system required overhaul. Another part of war planning that was overlooked by the folks who supposedly "support our troops."