DAV: Lump-Sum Payment Scheme Short-Changes Disabled Veterans

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

strongly opposes attempts to offer lump-sum settlements instead of monthly

payments to compensate veterans for disabilities related to their military

service.

"Such a scheme would short-change disabled veterans," said DAV National

Commander Armando C. Albarran. "Lump-sum settlements are merely a way for

the government to avoid the administrative costs of reevaluating

service-connected disabilities and as a way to avoid future liabilities to

those veterans when their disabilities worsen or cause secondary

disabilities."

The issue of lump-sum payments was raised recently in a Jan. 17 news release

issued by the office of House Armed Services Chairman Bob Stump (R-Ariz.).

"It is disgraceful to suggest that disabled veterans bargain away their

future entitlement to compensation for their disabilities merely to make it

more convenient for the government," Commander Albarran said.

Disability compensation is paid monthly by the Department of Veterans

Affairs (VA) to an eligible veteran at a rate corresponding with diminished

earning capacity resulting from the effects of service-connected disease or

injury. By design, monthly payments are intended to provide continuous

compensation for as long as the veteran continues to suffer the effects of

that disability. Under current law, if the disability becomes more severe

over time, a veteran's compensation rate could increase accordingly.

"Lump-sum payments would not, on the whole, be in the best interests of

disabled veterans," said Commander Albarran. "It is shameful to prey upon

these men and women-at a very vulnerable point in their lives-for the sake

of government savings and convenience."

------ The million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit

organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932,

represents 2.3 million disabled veterans. It is dedicated to one, single

purpose: building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their

families.

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