"I certainly would not be in favor of reducing existing veterans benefits elsewhere in the VA budget in order to establish an overly broad definition of 'combat with the enemy.'"
"I extend my thanks to you for holding this hearing and I look forward to hearing the testimony of our colleagues and witnesses on our panel today."
"What type of recourse would a noncombat veteran have if the traumatic event they experienced is not expressly written down in their service record?"
"I have introduced H.R. 952, the Combat PTSD Act to redefine section 1154 to include a theater of combat operations during a period of war or in combat against a hostile force."
"I would also like to commend you for your compassion toward our veterans."
"If the Congress is looking for very useful ways to stimulate the economy, and to accomplish much needed work at the same time..."
"The criteria recommended by the Institute of Medicine or the National Academies of Sciences should be taken as the definitive methodology."
"VVA can support the proposed legislative change as outlined in H.R. 952 if the intent is that it be applied to veterans with a valid diagnosis..."
"the problem, of course, is that VA does not do it, despite the 3,800 new clinicians they have hired ostensibly to better treat PTSD."
"a similar legislative change has been proposed on the Senate side by Senator Charles Schumer of New York."
"Prepared statement of.................................... 11"
"Madame Chairwoman and Mr. Chairman, thank you both for holding this hearing. This is now the sixth hearing on OCS development held this Congress."