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The floor statement is copied below MR AKAKA Mr President before I address the proposed funding for VA in the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008 I applaud Chairman Conrad and his colleagues on the Budget...directions for our Nation For a number of years I have made the case for the President to include funds for VA health care as part of the War Supplemental packages he has submitted to Congress And every year my...caring for returning servicemembers and veterans is part of the cost of war and in turn proposes to fund VA health care appropriately for this effort Right now a great deal of attention is being paid to the...

traumatic brain injury TBI The report detailed VA s recent efforts to implement a screening tool to identify veterans who may have mild TBI I am pleased with VA s progress in their development of a screening...report is encouraging and shows that VA has prioritized care of these veterans While there has been criticism of VA s efforts to date and though challenges remain VA has begun a promising effort to screen...returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for mild TBI stated Chairman Akaka Senator Akaka continued While VA is making progress I am concerned that work remains to be done at the Defense Department In the first...

extensive VA administrative process that the veteran then may retain counsel a process that often takes 3 or more years to complete This overdue change will significantly improve veterans access to the VA and...be clear that I am not suggesting that attorneys should be considered necessary in order to obtain VA benefits Chairman Craig said We must ensure that the system continues to serve veterans in a friendly...2006 5 craig graham legislation seeks to repeal civil war era prohibition on lawyers Sign up for Email updates About the Chairman Contact Chairman Majority News Contact Us U S Senate Committee on Veterans...

attributable to TBI such as headaches dizziness or insomnia is limited to 10 percent and no more While VA recognizes that this requirement is outdated it remains in effect pending the release of new rules...activities while a veteran with a variety of mild and infrequent symptoms may be much less impaired VA will now review these comments before coming to a final determination about the proposed regulations...2008 2 senators call for improved compensation for veterans with traumatic brain injury Sign up for Email updates About the Ranking Member Contact Ranking Member Minority News Internships Accountability in...