Our philosophy of veterans' benefits must . . . be modernized, and the whole structure of traditional veterans' programs brought up to date.

Is unduly restrictive . . . and inconsistent with current models of disability.

the committee felt that it was important that the VA focus full-time effort on updating the ratings schedule

And those options all require further study to refine, is sort of the way I interpret everything.

What was the VA's expectations of Dr. Kettner's 6-month study?

the aim of the veterans' disability program should be rehabilitation, but the goal has not been met.

We are going to get to the bottom of this and we are either going to move forward or we will find another avenue.

I am trying to figure out, why did we do this?

I will only say to my colleagues and to those from the VA, I am not going to let this out of my teeth.

We are not provided this information. We are not going to be able to give you specific recommendations that you can act on?

I think we're all concerned about cost and cost containment. And I think that that's a very big issue.

I have deep respect for Senator Harkin--debating tobacco. And at that point, the FDA was the only agency in the world that could regulate tobacco.

We needed better outcomes, we needed more investment to make sure that the outcomes of the American people were, in fact, better.

I trust my colleague. He said our goal is to only get safe products to market.

One really cannot walk in and process claims.

I was going to ask Mr. Wilson a couple of questions, but I am going to forego those and just make an observation.

Earlier this year at one of our hearings, I think a number of organizations testified that the VA Appeals Management Center should be dissolved. They called it a black hole.

Perhaps the most significant shortcomings of the current system of veterans' benefit determinations and their judicial review is the delay that veterans face.