Hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance Memorial Affairs - Eliminating the Gaps: Examining Women Veterans' Issues

Statement

Hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance Memorial Affairs - Eliminating the Gaps: Examining Women Veterans' Issues

Opening Statement of Hon. John J. Hall, Chairman, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance Memorial Affairs

Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman:

I am grateful for the opportunity to be here today for a joint hearing with my colleagues, Health Subcommittee Chairman Michaud, and our Ranking Members, Mr. Lamborn and Mr. Brown. But, I am particularly eager to recognize the women veterans who are in this room today and to be enlightened by their experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA owes them the proper benefits and care - just like their male counterparts. However, they are a unique population, since they comprise only 1.8 million of the 23.4 million veterans nationwide, and deserve specialized attention. So, VA's mission to care for them must not only be achieved, but monitored, and supported as well.

Sadly, that is not always the case. In response to reports of disparities, during the 110th Congress the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Health Subcommittees held a joint hearing on women and minority veterans. This Congress too has been very active in its oversight activities to assist women veterans and a record number of them have testified at various hearings. Additionally, on May 20th, Chairman Filner hosted a special Roundtable discussion with women veterans from all eras who were able to paint a picture of military life as a female in uniform and then as a disabled veteran entering the VA system. In many cases, they have served alongside their male counterparts, but have not had the same recognition or treatment. Chairman Filner also hosted a viewing and discussion session with the Team Lioness members who were on search operations and engaged in firefights, but since there is no citation or medal for this combat service, their claims are not always recognized by VA as valid, so they are denied compensation.

The Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee has all too often received reports about destroyed, lost, and unassociated records that either never make it from the Department of Defense to VA or VA loses once in their possession. Therefore, it is no surprise that women veterans are at a greater disadvantage since their military assignments and records are less likely to reflect their actual service, exposure to combat or other traumatic events. Also, women who have suffered the harm of military sexual trauma often do not report those crimes and have limited documentation that can be used as evidence when they seek VA assistance often, resulting in a denial of benefits.

Even when they do report incidences of harassment or assault, perpetrator conviction rates are only 5%, so these reports are seen as unsubstantiated. This result is especially unfair given that 78% of female service members reported some form of sexual harassment according to a DoD survey. Studies have shown that for generations women veterans have been less likely than men to be granted service connection for their posttraumatic stress disorder, even though data shows women are more likely to report symptoms and seek treatment.

Also, I fear that when the five years of open enrollment afforded to current conflict veterans ends, then these women will be denied treatment as they will no long qualify for health care since they are not service connected. Without service connection, they are not eligible for other VA assistance, such as vocational rehabilitation and employment services or housing, so problems don't get better, they get worse.

Congress cannot allow that to happen to this nation's daughters who have served her. VA needs to ensure that their claims for disability benefits are fairly and judiciously heard. Women veterans should be able to request female compensation and pension service officers, adjudicators, and examiners, if they so desire. These employees should be properly trained to be sensitive to the injuries and illnesses women veterans claim and to treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve. VA should collect gender-specific data and conduct research on the disabilities that specifically afflict female veterans. VA outreach efforts should target women of all ages, ethnicities, and communities. They must know that they are indeed veterans and deserve the same benefits, services and burial rights as their brothers in arms have come to expect.

The future of the military will be more reliant on the selfless service and the sacrifices of this nation's daughters, her mothers, and her sisters. Coming home must be free of abuse, disparity, and inequality so that transitioning female service members can continue to be productive employees and community leaders while maintaining healthy lifestyles and raising families.

I look forward to hearing from the esteemed panels of witnesses assembled today as we attempt to eliminate any gaps hindering access to benefits and care for our women veterans.

Thank you I now yield to Ranking Member Lamborn for his opening statement.

Source