National Guard Association of Nebraska

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee approved a number of MOAA-backed measures just prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, including:
• S. 801, the Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009, to establish a permanent VA program to train, support, and assist caregivers of severely disabled veterans, and improve services for rural veterans.
• S. 423, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, to authorize a two-year appropriations process for VA health care to protect against funding shortfalls that occur when Congress fails to pass the annual appropriation by Oct. 1.
• S. 407, to authorize the same COLA adjustment as Social Security (which will probably be zero for 2010) for VA disability compensation and survivor annuities.
• S. 728, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009. Among other changes, it would make traumatic injury insurance (TSGLI) coverage retroactive to Oct. 7, 2001 for severe service-caused disabilities, regardless of where the injury occurred. That retroactive coverage now applies only to injuries incurred in a combat zone. Other injuries are covered only if they occurred on or after Dec. 1, 2006. The bill also increases funeral and burial allowances for veterans, and raises VA mortgage insurance limits