Changing The Definition of Combat Disability

The military's definition of combat-related disabilities was narrowed in a little-noticed regulation change in March. In a letter to the 1.3-million-member Disabled American Veterans, William J. Carr, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense said the change was consistent with Congress' intent to preserve the "special distinction for those who incur disabilities while participating in the risk of combat, in contrast with those injured otherwise." Veteran advocates have accused the Pentagon of narrowing the definition to save money, charging that the change would reduce payments for tens of thousands of veterans, those already wounded and those injured in the future. Larry talks with Vanessa Williamson, Policy Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Kerry Baker, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans about the significance of the new definition for wounded vets.

The military's definition of combat-related disabilities was narrowed in a little-noticed regulation change in March. In a letter to the 1.3-million-member Disabled American Veterans, William J. Carr, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense said the change was consistent with Congress' intent to preserve the "special distinction for those who incur disabilities while participating in the risk of combat, in contrast with those injured otherwise." Veteran advocates have accused the Pentagon of narrowing the definition to save money, charging that the change would reduce payments for tens of thousands of veterans, those already wounded and those injured in the future. Larry talks with Vanessa Williamson, Policy Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Kerry Baker, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans about the significance of the new definition for wounded vets.