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

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

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

But to dig just a little bit deeper, are you at odds with the VA relative to the conclusion you have come to that there exists enough data to proceed with review and update, or is there less light in between the two of you than I interpret?

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

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

I think we all agree that the VA rating schedule is probably the cornerstone of the entire disability compensation system.

we believe it is a very high priority and it will fix so many of the small things that we talk about

The Chairman has been incredibly accommodating to me this morning. You stated that you felt that updating the ratings schedule was a very high priority task. Do you believe that the VA agrees with that being a very high priority task?

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

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.