House Veterans' Affairs Committee Schedule Week of March 23

Tuesday, March 24 at 2 p.m. – 334 Cannon House Office Building

**Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Hearing

“The Nexus between Engaged in Combat with the Enemy and PTSD in an Era of Changing Warfare Tactics” 

This hearing will examine the issues surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs application of the provisions found in 38 United States Code §1154 and the definition of “engaged in combat with the enemy.”  VA’s stringent interpretation of the statute (which was enacted in 1941) has resulted in veterans, such as those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, from being able to have their claims granted as a result their combat zone service. 

Panel 1

·       Ian De Planque, Assistant Director of Rehabilitation, The American Legion

·       Thomas J. Berger, Ph.D., Senior Analyst for Veterans’ Benefits and Mental Health Issues, Vietnam Veterans of America

·       Carolyn Schapper, Member, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Panel 2

·       Dean G. Kilpatrick, Ph.D., Member, Committee on Veterans’ Compensation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies

·       Terri Tanielian, Co-Study Director, Invisible Wounds of War, RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research

o       Accompanied by Christine Eibner, Ph.D., Economist, RAND Corporation

Panel 3

·       RADM David J. Smith, Joint Staff Surgeon, U.S. Department of Defense

·       COL Robert Ireland, Program Director Mental Health Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense

·       Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

o       Accompanied by Richard Hipolit, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

·       Antonette Zeiss, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Officer for Mental Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

·       Maureen Murdoch, M.D., Core Investigator, Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Tuesday, March 24 – Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives

House Consideration of H.Res. 234 (Rep. Linda Sanchez)

Expressing support for designation of a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”

Wednesday, March 25 at 10 a.m. – 334 Cannon House Office Building

Full Committee Markup 

H.R. 1171 (Rep. Boozman) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

H.R. 1377 (Rep. Filner) Emergency Care Reimbursement

H.R. 1513 (Rep. Kirkpatrick) Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009

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**Link to webcast available here: http://veterans.house.gov/