On Wednesday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. EDT, VA secretary Dr. David Shulkin will meet with reporters at the White House to discuss the state of VA and his top priorities for the department.

Watch the briefing live, courtesy of PBS Newshour:

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

48 Comments

  1. Raymond J Wodynski June 9, 2017 at 12:46

    He doesn’t care about VETERANS if he did he would leave benefits alone. He needs to stop buying pictures, paintings costing thousands or millions of dollars to hang in hospital entry ways. Also get rid of the do nothings that have a job that they don’t do.
    Besides he isnt even a VETERAN so what does he care. He is pencil pusher who came from a civilian hospital that’s why he wants to send veterans outside the system so he gets a kick back if we use a civilian hospital he once over saw.

  2. John Thomas June 9, 2017 at 10:43

    Leave the Veterans alone!!! We served our country and the paid the price. Age does not matter. I have suffered from wounds, PTSD for many years and unable to work and deserve this benefit. My spouse gets ChampVA and could lose that benefit as well. We will lose our home and possibly be homeless!!!

  3. Josh Dotson June 5, 2017 at 19:34

    Please don’t take away IU benefits.

  4. Josh Dotson June 5, 2017 at 19:31

    I sent a comment already

  5. james June 4, 2017 at 23:19

    All I hear is more shifting the blame to what Congress does or not do. So typical, So Sorry, we didn’t get funded by Congress, Congress didn’t do this, didn’t do that. We are pursuing but will take years…. Same old B.S. song, different pitch.

  6. Al Meadows June 4, 2017 at 11:33

    Most of the top executives at the VA spend more of the VA’S money on cars and houses that cost more than the veterans on disability makes in 5 year, you need to find out why they are getting access to this money that should be used for Disabled Veterans, make them repay all this money and the VA wouldn’t be in the mess it is now.

  7. Jason Burnett June 4, 2017 at 02:22

    Ha look at the time, I put my son to bed 5 hours ago. If I didn’t have to worry about if I’m still going to be paid because of any more ignorant off base cuts to benifits I’d be sleeping along time ago!!!!!!thanks for creating undue worry and strife in hearts and minds of those injured while protecting American values. If I’m on the streets due to him I still would do everything the same, as those who serve posses a quality this guy lacks tremendously, Self-less Service. “Uh yeah let’s pay engineers employed by VA more”. Wonder how much more you have in store for YOURSELF. SHULKIN YOU NEED REALITY CHECK.

  8. Jason Burnett June 4, 2017 at 02:07

    Yeah this joker is removing three quaters of Veterans Caregivers’ pay as well. So instead of doing their jobs relatives of IU, P&T and vets needing daily assistance due to injuries sustained in combat, pick up where the VA fails and due to his want to fix information technology will no longer be compensated for. Many due this at a cost unimaginable to the VA and are now left in the dust. This guy needs to take off his clown shoes and try and pretend he actually cares for a disabled vet.

  9. Leonard james markusic June 3, 2017 at 16:03

    It has taken me 50yrs.to get to 70% plus IU which brings me to 100% disability. Along comes VA secretary Shulkin now he is going to take it away. I voted for President Trump and he promised He would take care of the veterans. Something just is not looking good for us veterans

  10. BRuan crumley June 3, 2017 at 10:55

    The VA takes years to provide answers. How about paying imerest on the money owed former service members. Uncle grabs interest on social security that is late. I am willing to bet the government’s largest organization would move a whole lot faster. Start firing incompetent individuals and watch performance pick up. It do not much to chapter a service member should be same for VA

  11. Linda June 3, 2017 at 03:29

    I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD EVEN THINK OF TAKING AWAY FROM THE OLDER VITENAM VETS THAT IS A PROCUDT OF AGENT ORANGE THAT THIER GOVEMENT SPRAY ALL OVER THEM AS THEY SET IN THAT LONELY JUNGLE NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AND LISTEN TO THE BOMNS AND GUNS GO OFF IN THIER EARS THAT MOST LIKELY MADE MOST OF THEM HARD OF HEARING AND CERTAINLY ALL THE SICKNESS THAT THE AGENGT ORANGE HAS CAUSE THEM AND THIER FAMILIES. THAT WAS A COLD WET JUNGLE INDEED.
    AS THEY SIT NOT KNOWING WHEN THIER BREATH WOULD BE THIER LAST ONE. PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO HAVE PITY ON THESE GUYS BECAUSE THEY GAVE A WHOLE MORE FOR THIS COUNTRY THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE ALL THE ILLEAGLES THAT JUST COME IN THE WRONG WAY AND JUST TAKE AND TAKE.
    I TRULY PRAY TO GOD THAT YOU WILL FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO PUT YOUR SELF IN THAT JUNGLE IN YOUR MIND FOR JUST ONE NIGHT SO FAR AWAY FROM LOVE ONES AND SO MANY DIDN’T EVEN COME BACK.
    PLEASE PLEASE DON’T TAKE ANY MONEY AWAY FROM THESE GUYS. THIS IS THE LEAST THIER COUNTRY CAN DO FOR THEM AFTER SPRAYING THEM WITH DEATH ROW. I AM NOT TRYING TO BE UGLY OR ANYTHING I AM JUST BEGGING YOU DON’T DO THIS TO THEM

  12. Michael Landy June 3, 2017 at 01:16

    What happened to total and permanent?
    I went from 70% PTSD to 100% with unemployability. Now I will have to apply for other disabilities to keep my 100%. I expect about another 200,000 disability claims will be filed. Of course if it is denied one has to appeal.
    I advised to apply for IU by my service officer. Since I more than qualified for it it was the quicker road to 100%. Otherwise I would have to waityears filing and possibly appealing before my disability rating to 100%.
    Does President even know of this attempt to destroy so many lives? Veterans and their family lives.

  13. joan cody June 2, 2017 at 23:31

    the choice program is a scam….it is running from an LLC under a corporation with a very poor record….i don’t know a out you but i didn’t give anyone permission to give out all my personal records….but they have them and are actively trying toget all my medical and other care out of the VA into the private sector…as a Vietman era vet i want my care to stay at the VA..I dont trust a. LLC with huge phone banks playing with my private info or my health….physical or mental…..HELP STOP THIS…. Few vets or
    politicians seem aware of this hidded scam…..

  14. Kevin Conboy June 2, 2017 at 22:22

    This is what happens when a Secretary of Veterans Affairs is appointed that has never served in uniform.
    Take the flag pin off your lapel sir. The wearing of it does not make you a patriot and your proposals to deny the men and woman who have sacrificed for your freedom the benefits they deserve disqualifies you from wearing it.

  15. Chaplain R. Hartley June 2, 2017 at 22:21

    The 2018 budget that the Secetary of Veterans Affairs endorses will devestate the lives of those
    service connected IU Veterans. Since we ,the Vietnam War Veterans will bear the brunt of
    the cuts, it’s time to relieve the Secetary of his
    duties.

    The ripple effect will be catostropic,loss of property tax relief, automobile tags, CHAMPVA, Military ID cards , sales tax relief. The pencil pushers at the
    VA Central Office and the bean,counter at the OMB
    have not thought this plan.

  16. Edmond H Strom June 2, 2017 at 20:52

    I served my country with great pride and dignity, never once questioning my government, secure in the knowledge that I and my family would be taken care of. I am a part of one of the most maligned groups of veterans in this nation, the Viet-Nam era disabled veteran. The Viet-Nam veterans of this nation have been getting the shaft ever since that damn war was over. We have been spit on, called names, looked at with disdain and forgotten by our country. We came home broken, wounded, sick and still dying but no one cared. We live in despair and longing for a nation to love us as we loved it. If this president gets his budget and the VA affairs Secretary gets his way, attempts to fix a broken system by pushing a system that does NOT work will be funded by taking away the dignity and livelihood of veterans who have come to depend on it. Under this administrations plans, more than 200,000 veterans will be thrown under the bus. You want to give then take away, change horses in the middle of the stream. If there is a problem with the way things were done then change the rules and apply it to the future and not retroactive so as to punish those of us who depend and rely upon what we were given (earned). I am ashamed of my government for what they are proposing to do to us and pray that all involved with this travesty are plagued with nightmares when the desperate and forlorn start ending it all because they can no longer continue fighting a system or gevernment that does not give a damn about them.

  17. Skip Porter June 2, 2017 at 19:21

    It’s troubling to think what the BA and the WH is proposing. They don’t care our Congress and Senate it’s very disappointing if they go along with this.
    Keep in mind they only increase and improve their on benefits. This is appalling to think they are even considering this. We must remember how we vote and keep in mind our representatives whomever votes to approve this garbage bill.

    Peace

  18. Al Davis4s37 June 2, 2017 at 15:15

    Try get va to read Drs Report for DisabilityClaims Dept not leaf through like Catlog

  19. Charles helms June 2, 2017 at 14:01

    I have already been penalized on Social Security! I do not need a second hit on my VA compensation. Enough is enough.

  20. Donald Crauswell June 2, 2017 at 13:55

    Fix the claims process, I know for a fact its not working due to the VA Claims Processors, After waiting 7 years I get to the VA Law Judge who remands my case right back to the VA Sys that failed to follow the law regarding claims, and it wasn’t one error it was pages after page of the VA failing to follow the law and give correct consideration. Damned Union Govt. Workers sit on their ass during normal hours and wait till overtime kicks in, just to deny the claims the supposedly process. The record is 70% are processed wrong, where else can you have a job and get 70% of your work wrong and still have a job, much less be asked to work OT, based on your own screw ups and laziness. I don’t want to heart how hard these people work, its proof we need no more socialism in government. I mad as hell I think its time some of our VETERANS groups stage pickets at the processing centers, hell sign me up for St Pete, I’ll make the 8 hour drive just to say enough is enough.
    8 years and still waiting for the right thing to be done.

  21. Sheila M June 2, 2017 at 13:46

    As a woman vet I have never been given 100% or been considered IU. I am 90% disabled but a 70% disabled male vet can get paid at the 100% level and called IU. What’s up with that? As an example, I applied for a disability rating for a condition that I’ve dealt with and had major surgery for but because I wasn’t treated in the service for it I can’t get disability for it. It won’t even be considered. Meanwhile as an example my DAV rep said that a man could get disability for prostate cancer but if it improved the disability would be reduced. What’s up with that??? You can’t tell me that male vets were treated in service for prostate cancer so how is it they can get disability for it?? Guess women still aren’t REAL vets, only willy wavers are. And that seems more important, heaven forbid they not be able to “perform” even into old age. I’ve been forced to work all the years since I got out of the service because of this unequal treatment. It only took my VA 25 years before they sent me to the pain clinic. I had to pay OUT-OF-POCKET to see a physiatrist because my VA wouldn’t send me to one. Now, for the comments posted here VA is going to mess over those vets considered IU. NOT fair. I agree with a lot of the comments. Immigrants and Refugees get better treatment and benefits they haven’t worked for or contributed to. It’s high time we took care of our own BEFORE these people. There is NO excuse for taking years to decide a claim and then either denying it or giving the vet a slap in the face with the lowest possible rating.

  22. Thomas D. Callahan June 2, 2017 at 13:22

    Congress screwed the VA and Veterans when they enacted PL 111-137 February 1, 2010 striking subparagraph (f)(2)(E) instead of (b)(3)(B). Members have been informed, but have done nothing. Thanks, Tom Callahan VA doctors are the best, and the administration is the worst.

  23. Mike Batkin June 2, 2017 at 13:01

    Disabled veterans who are on IU are not able to build up the earnings in their social security accounts because they have been unable to work. Even if they were able to work before their service-connected disabilities became so severe that they were no longer able to work, their social security checks will be permanently diminished by their time out of the workforce. Until the time comes when service-connected disabled veterans receive social security earnings credit for VA compensation, it will be unfair to take away IU when a veteran reaches the age of social security eligibility.

  24. Erick L Myers June 2, 2017 at 12:48

    V.A. should and must award the original decision and pay it to the veterans all veterans granted disability comp. Not award 80% and pay 60% no more canted or twisted formulas/math.Veterans Administration is skimming money due the veterans and putting it in their pockets, it’s embezzement. Correct the wrong being done to veterans in this matter retro back pay the veterans.

  25. Eugene Burkett June 2, 2017 at 11:35

    What about an increase in disability compensation? Put your money where your mouth is. Better medical is one thing but increasing our rates of disability compensation is seldom discussed. We have fallen way behind in purchasing power for years. The way inflation is calculated now it doesn’t reflect many increased costs to everyone. Veterans like myself have watched our pay stagnate while costs for everything spiral upward. I’m tired of hearing what all they’re doing for vets when the most disabled among us are so meagerly compensated. Pony up or shut up.

  26. Toni Cluck June 2, 2017 at 11:33

    My husband would be proud to serve now if it wasn’t that he has asbestosis disease, many other serious health issues, possibly related to the lung disease and is 86 years old! He is given an 80% disability by the VA and getting worse everyday. Please don’t take away from him (us) something that he gave up his health to keep America free.

  27. Susan Wolfington June 2, 2017 at 11:27

    I heard you talk about the veteran suicides that keep you awake at night. If you take away IU, etc., I can guarantee you will have a LOT more deaths on your hands. So it’s okay then to potentially finish off those of us over 65 in order to make room for privatized care?

    There is plenty of waste in the VA to go after, and we older vets are not the waste you seek. You can’t balance the budget at the cost of our lives. We receive IU exactly because we havent been able to work in a long time. Many of us dont receive Social Security.. (Personally, i will lose my housing and any stability or ground and much more I’ve fought so hard for.)

    You have no idea what this is going to do to many of us. if you do, you will completely disrupt the physical, mental and emotional safety and health of many of us, and for more than you want to think, shorten our lives. PLEASE, WE IMPLORE YOU, LEAVE US ALONE!!!

  28. Dave Huffman June 2, 2017 at 11:23

    So this is what our new nemesis-to-veterans looks like. Does he look in the mirror and think, “I’m about to send a hell of a lot of veterans into instant and deep financial straits. Man, I sure feel good about that. I am so proud to screw old vets!”

  29. Michael Harris June 2, 2017 at 11:06

    So Congress in their infinite wisdom, or lack thereof, wants to penalize 100% Disabled Veterans because they have a rating of Individual Unemployability? Oh, and because they are 65 years old and “double dipping,” as they call it, because they are also receiving Social Security. This is wrong on so many levels. These Veterans live in this disability. Most illegal aliens get welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid. They have given nothing to America. Refugees from the Middle East also get benefits free from this government, and they, too, have contributed nothing to this Nation. But disabled Veterans who have given their all for America, get kicked in the gut. So wrong!

  30. Michael Hays Sr. June 2, 2017 at 10:52

    Don’t try to fix the VA’s failing programs on the back of the IU vets. You will do more harm than good.

  31. Elvira Santana June 2, 2017 at 10:49

    Why we wife of a veterans for so many years when the veterans died which was 100 % disabled , retired after 20 yrs the VA give us a small amount of the pension of the veterans. We have served our country too. We care for our husband. Now today we cannot take care of our basic necessities we have to make choices of our needs. Somebody help .Make a survey and they can see of widows living in poverty.

    • Gary June 2, 2017 at 13:26

      I’m with you on this matter. I’m a 100% service connection vet. I’ve been married for 30 years to this lady. My biggest concern is will she be able to live as well after my death. She has always been there when my health problems kept me from doing my half of our marriage. During my cancer and even after treatment, she has done everything and taken care of me. She deserves my disability payment for her service. If they can’t do that, then increase DIC payments.

  32. Bobby Dorsey hall June 2, 2017 at 10:32

    Do not mess with iu benefits. It is a stupid idea and will really hurt veterans.
    if

  33. samuel samolsky June 2, 2017 at 10:25

    Why don’t they take medical care etc., away from Senators and Congressmen and eliminate all their perks. We would save more money.

    • Kenneth McClain June 2, 2017 at 11:20

      No member of Congress should get better medical or retirement benefits than those who served in the Armed Forces. They are the REAL heroes and deserve to be treated as such.

  34. Stephen Davis June 2, 2017 at 10:24

    You need to focus on basics! I have been trying to get a copy of my “C” file and “C &P” file since 14 March 2017. I sent the request to the Atlanta VA FOIA/Privacy Act Officer and then a request to the General Counsel in DC on 17 April 2017 and have not had any word at all. I am needing these to submit for disabilities. Can anyone explain why the VA can get away with volition of FOIA?
    TIME FOR RESPONSE. Please note that this request for documents is being made pursuant to the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.c. § 552a, as well as 38 C.F.R. §1.550 and 38 C.F.R. § 1.577. Your agency has a duty to respond to this request within TWENTY (20) BUSINESS DAYS of the date of this request pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 (a)(6)(A)(2)(i). Additionally, although an extension of time to respond may be requested, it may only be granted for “unusual circumstances.”

    • me June 2, 2017 at 19:51

      Please, do not wait for the Atlanta VA to do anything on your behalf. They are not trying to do anything for the veterans. Appointing Mrs. Wiggins as the Director, has been one of the most worst things that had ever happen to the Atlanta VA. She do not care and don’t hold her staff accountable. The only time you will get her attention is when you bring in the local/national news outlets.

  35. Michael Bruce June 2, 2017 at 10:18

    Absolutely true.It is a disgrace taking away money and benefits that we have earned and structured our lives around.What do
    We do about mortgage payments etc.

  36. John McClure June 2, 2017 at 10:09

    I am 93 years old and have a 30% VA disability. I depend on this income.

  37. Joseph G Hunt June 2, 2017 at 10:05

    I will be filling bankruptcy…..besides being disabled….I take care of my wife who has alzheimer’s disease….
    I thougt Trump was ging to FIX the VA……this guy will make my life a LOT harder………

  38. Bob Anderson June 1, 2017 at 18:39

    Darn sad that this Secretary wants to take away dollars, eliminate Dental and take Health Insurance away from 100% Disabled Veterans that are IU and drawing Social Security and put those dollars to a failing Veterans Choice Program!

    This could financially ruin upwards of 200,000 veterans.

    Fix this failing program BUT NOT at the expense of us!

    • Brad D. June 2, 2017 at 18:32

      I’ve been trying to find someone to put this out there into the public. No takers yet. I am awaiting my C&P appeals hearing. 80% Unemployable. They want 2/3, and leave me with SSI. I am 67 years old.
      Here’s something I found from an attorney in South Carolina.

      Thanks for your support
      Brad .D
      25th Inf. Div.
      RVN-70’71’..
      5:25 PM

      Protected Benefit Rates
      In the following circumstances, your benefit rates are protected.
      Rating in Effect Five Years or More
      If you have had the same rating for five or more years, the VA cannot reduce your rating unless your condition has improved on a sustained basis. All the medical evidence, not just the reexamination report, must support the conclusion that your improvement is more than temporary.
      Rating in Effect 20 Years or More
      If your disability has been continuously rated at or above a certain rating level for 20 or more years, the VA cannot reduce your rating unless it finds the rating was based on fraud. This is a very high standard and it’s unlikely the rating would get reduced.
      100% Ratings
      When considering whether to reduce a disability rating of 100%, it would be logical to expect the VA to evaluate whether your symptoms meet the criteria for a 100% rating. That is not the issue the VA looks at, however. The issue is whether your mental and/or physical condition has materially improved.
      The fact that you have had a little improvement is not enough. Unless the reexamination report shows material improvement, the VA cannot reduce your rating. If you can get a private (non-VA) doctor to give a medical opinion that your medical condition hasn’t improved since the 100% rating was instituted or continued, this will help protect your rating from reduction.
      Even in cases where your disability has materially improved, your rating can still be protected from reduction if you are unable to work due to your service-connected disability. In those cases, you are entitled to a 100% rating based on “individual unemployability.”
      FEATURED LISTINGS FROM NOLO
      Swipe to view more
      Unprotected Benefit Rates
      If you do not have one of the protected rates, the VA still cannot reduce your rating after a reexamination unless:
      • there has been an actual improvement in your disability
      • this improvement creates an increased ability to function in your life and at work
      • the reexamination report is thorough, and
      • the entire medical history of your disability has been reviewed.
      If you go to jail, the VA can temporarily reduce your benefits. See Nolo’s article on VA benefit reductions if you go to jail.
      When Can the VA  Terminate  My Disability Compensation?
      Benefits for disabilities with a service connection can be reduced (as described above), but rarely stopped altogether. If you have been receiving service-connected benefits for ten years or longer, your benefits receive special protection from termination. The VA cannot terminate these benefits unless you committed fraud or unless the VA made a “clear and unmistakable error” in granting you benefits (CUE). A clear and unmistakable error would include granting you benefits if you have a disqualifying type of discharge (for example, dishonorable) or if you had not meet the minimum service requirements.
      Even if you have been receiving service-connected benefits for less than ten years, it is still quite rare for the VA to terminate these benefits. In any case, the VA cannot terminate your benefits unless you first receive a notice from the VA telling you about your right to have a hearing. You also have the right to appeal any decision to terminate your benefits.
      If you receive a notice from the VA that your service-connected benefits may be terminated,  contact a disability lawyer  right away.

      From

      • Brad D. June 2, 2017 at 18:36

        This is not just a disgrace, it IS the biggest BETRAYAL TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIER IN HISTORY!
        They are also wanting to put in to the 2018 budget: Delete veterans retirement pay, and tax our benefits.
        LOOK OUT. Trump doesn’t love us that much…

  39. ALLEN ROBERT KELLEY June 1, 2017 at 04:07

    DONT MESS WITH DISIABLED VETS OVER 65.THERES WASTE IN THE VA AS IS. YOUR JOB IS TO FIND THAT WASTE. WE OLD VETERANS EARNED INDIVIDUAL UNEMPLOYMENT FOR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.SOCIAL SECURITY IS A PITTANCE PAY FOR MOST DISABLED VETS….COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES IS HONOR. IU ALLOWS DIGNITY AND SELF WORTH.IF YOUR PROPOSALS ARE ADOPTED. YOU WILL BE JUST KILLING MORE VETERANS THEN THE 20 OR SO THAT COMMIT SUICIDE EACH DAY. LEAVE US ALONE THANK YOU SIR.

    • Raymond Folckemer June 2, 2017 at 13:42

      Don’t take away VA compensation or at least grandfather all those who have it! Veterans rely on this to survive and taking away this benefit to pay for medical care does not fix the medical care problems! This will leave thousands of veterans struggling to survive!!! This is a bid mistake!!!!!!!!

    • Thomas Hewitt June 2, 2017 at 18:33

      I guess Trap and his cronies need more money It is a shame that they want to remove IU. A lot of folks say we just want to live off the government. I tried to explain what IU is, My disability is 80% 40% on my back which was injured in 1964. The pain extends down my legs into my feet. If I wanted to work I could not. I can not stand or even sit for any length of time. So come on TRAMP you said you would be behind the vets, you just forgot to tell us you had a bat in your hand

    • Tom Bowles June 5, 2017 at 09:13

      You have said it all for us older Vets.
      Let us all have our security and dignity and leave our benefits be.
      Vietnam agent orange exposed Cancer fighting Vet.

  40. Lewis Mitchell May 31, 2017 at 13:56

    I have been hearing 3 years for appeal processing . I have been waiting on my appeal for 5 years. Why isn’t COPD be recognized as a problem.

Comments are closed.

More Stories