Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act

See next page. Discussed with House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs staff concerns about legislation proposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address the claims backlog. The proposed legislation is the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010. Urged Congress to consider methods for addressing the VA benefits claims processing backlog. Discussed the Rating and Processing Individuals Disability (RAPID) Claims Act (H.R. 5549). Discussed and submitted correspondence to Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) concerning the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S. 3517). Supported Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act (H.R. 1037/S. 728)includes increases for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program. Supported H.R. 1169would provide a significant increase in the VAs Specially Adapted Housing grant, the Special Home Adaptation grant, and the grant to purchase an automobile. Supported the Veterans Training Act (H.R. 3813)would grant veterans access under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to non-degree granting training programs and schools. Supported Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2243)would replace the current rate of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC )with a formula setting the rate of DIC at a rate equal to 55 percent of the rate paid to a veteran with a total disability rating. Supported Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (H.R. 775) and S. 535would eliminate the offset to the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for families who receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Supported the Improving Veterans Electronic Transition Services Act (H.R. 5225)would give veterans electronic access to their official military personnel files and require an assessment of the feasibility of using a centralized web portal to improve veterans access to benefits and records. Supported the Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3407)would increase the rate of special monthly compensation available to veterans who have been severely injured and grant eligibility to veterans with traumatic brain injuries to receive aid and attendance benefits. Supported the Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 (S. 1237), which includes provisions of the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 (S. 1547). Supported the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R. 4810), which includes provisions of H.R. 2504, the Help Our Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 2559), H.R. 2735, and H.R. 3906. Supported H.R. 5014which clarifies that the health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs constitutes minimum essential coverage for the purposes of health reform. Supported the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theatre (COMBAT) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2009 (H.R. 952)which would expand the definition of combat with the enemy to include active duty service in a theatre of combat operations during a period of war. Supported the Veterans Employment Transition Act (S. 3398/H.R. 5400)which would simplify the process employers must follow to receive tax credits for hiring veterans who meet certain classifications. Supported the Veterans Employment Transition Act (S. 3398)which would simplify the process employers must follow to receive tax credits for hiring veterans who meet certain classifications. Discussed with House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs staff concerns about legislation proposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address the claims backlog. The proposed legislation is the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010. Urged Congress to consider methods for addressing the VA benefits claims processing backlog. Discussed the Rating and Processing Individuals Disability (RAPID) Claims Act (H.R. 5549). Discussed the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S. 3517). Supported HR 2059 to enable military personnel who have a family member with a disability to designate a special needs trust to receive military retiree and survivor benefits annuities rather than a natural person. Without this bill, if benefits are paid directly to the family member, the payments can jeopardize that persons eligibility for Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Supported the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 (H.R. 3219)omnibus veterans legislation that includes increases for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program. Supported the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 5428). Supported the Post-9/11 Veterans Education al Assistance Improvements Act (S. 3447/H.R. 5933)which would make needed modifications to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including adding additional types of educational training programs for which veterans would be eligible to receive assistance. Supported the Housing, Employment and Living Programs for Veterans Act (H.R. 5360)which would not only reform the VAs Special Home Adaptation grant program to allow veterans who meet the nationally accepted standard of legal blindness to receive assistance with critical home modification, but also increase the amount of grant funding available for this program and the Specially Adapted Housing grant program. Submitted testimony to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity as a co-chair of the CCD Veterans Task Force regarding federal contractor compliance with affirmative action requirements concerning veterans. Urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept the authority granted to them by six states through the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to serve as a voter registration agency. Discussed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2009 (H.R. 4121) which includes proposed improvements to the VAs appeals process and the establishment of the Veterans Judicial Review Commission. Discussed the Veterans' Disability Claims Efficiency Act of 2010 (H.R. 5928) which would improve the efficiency of processing certain claims for disability compensation by veterans through the use of interim disability ratings and fast track review of initial claims for benefits.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Draft, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies FY2011 H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711/H.R. 2058, Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act S. 728, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 H.R. 2505, the Reaching Rural Veterans Through Telehealth Act H.R. 4985, Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2010 S. 3371, TRICARE Mental Health Care Access Act (MHCs in TRICARE/DOD) S. 3425, Embedded Mental Health Providers for Reserves Act of 2010

Client expense: $102,791 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Indian Health Service, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 5360, HR 5225, HR 5120, HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3219, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2980, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2713, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1879, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1169, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H. RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H. Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3234, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1237, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S. 546, S. 535, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S. Con. Res 60, S. Con. Res. 13.

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Various pieces of legislation to include H.R. 114, H.R. 3685, H.R. 4319, H.R. 4635, H.R. 4664, H.R. 4765 & H.R. 5360 introduced and supported in an effort to require the VA to generate special recognition of organizations who have met VAs goals of hiring veterans FY '11 Budget FY 2011 Budget PrioritiesViews on Fiscal Year 2011 funding issues H.R. 1017, S. 1204Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans ActTo amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 and title 38, USC, to require the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all VA medical centers and to expand access to such care and services. H.R. 1036Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009To amend title 38, USC, to establish the position of Director of Physical Therapy Service within the Veterans Health Administration and to establish a fellowship program for physical therapists in the areas of geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research H.R. 1075RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery Act) To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to hospital care for veterans in major disaster areas, and for other purposes. H.R. 1211Women Veterans Health Care Improvement ActTo amend title 38, U.S.C., to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the VA, and for other purposes. H.R. 1302, S. 1155Amend title 38, USC, to establish the position in the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health's Office.Legislation to amend title 38, USC, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for health. H.R. 1335To amend title 38, USC, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled.Prohibits the collection by the VA of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans. H.R. 1428, S. 1752Amend title 38, USC, directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation A bill to amend title 38, USC, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairsto provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson's disease. H.R. 1546Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. H.R. 174, S. 691Bill to establish a national cemetery for veterans in in El Paso County, Colorado -- southern Colorado region, and for other purposes. H.R. 2254, S. 1939Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009Include as part of the Republic of Vietnam, for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam, such Republic's inland waterways, ports, and harbors, waters offshore, and airspace above. Include as veterans eligible for such presumption for those who: (1) served on Johnston Island during the period beginning on April 1, 1972, and ending on September 30, 1977; or (2) received the Vietnam Service Medal or the Vietnam Campaign Medal. H.R. 23, S. 663A Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009To amend title 38, USC, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. H.R. 2504Amend title 38, USC, to increase in the annually authorized amount for homeless veterans programs.To amend title 38, USC, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized to be appropriated to the VA Secretary to carry out comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans. H.R. 2698Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness ActTo improve and enhance the mental health care benefits available to veterans, to enhance counseling and other benefits available to survivors of veterans, and for other purposes. H.R. 2699Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness ActTo improve the mental health care benefits available to members of the Armed Forces, to enhance counseling available to family members of members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. H.R. 2879, S. 658Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans who live in rural areas, and for other purposes. H.R. 2990Disabled Military Retiree Relief ActTo provide special pays and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces, expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees, and for other purposes. H.R. 3157, S. 1483A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic".A bill to designate the VA outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic". H.R. 3441To provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system, and for other purposesTo provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system, and for other purposes H.R. 3787To amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the reserve components as active service for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans AffairsTo amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the reserve components as active service for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs H.R. 3926Armed Forces Breast Cancer Research ActDirects the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly conduct a study on the incidence of breast cancer among members of the Armed Forces and veterans and report study results to Congress. H.R. 3949Veterans Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to improve the equitable relief available for servicemembers called to active duty, and for other purposes. H.R. 4006Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for Indian veterans health care coordinators, and for other purposes. H.R. 4241To amend chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State veterans homesTo amend chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State veterans homes. H.R. 4632Renovate and Enhance Veterans Meeting Halls and Posts Act (REVAMP Act)To amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to set-aside community development block grant amounts in each fiscal year for grants to local chapters of veterans service organizations for rehabilitation of their facilities. H.R. 4667, S. 3107Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2010To increase, effective as of December 1, 2010, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. H.R. 5045, H.R. 5064, S. 3192Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2010Extends the 120-day limit for the filing of an appeal to the Court of Veterans Appeals after a final decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals upon a showing of good cause for such time as justice may require. Makes such extension applicable to appeals of final Board decisions issued on or after July 24, 2008. H.R. 5226, S. 3314Appalachian Veterans Outreach Improvement Act To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Appalachian Regional Commission to carry out a program of outreach for veterans who reside in Appalachia, and for other purposes. H.R. 84Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from the VA, and for other purposes. H.R. 952, S. 1444Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act A bill to amend title 38, USC, to clarify the meaning of "combat with the enemy" for purposes of service-connection of disabilities. Public Law 111-163Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans S. 1109Providing Real Outreach for Veterans Act of 2009A bill to provide veterans with individualized notice about available benefits, to streamline application processes or the benefits, and for other purposes. S. 1118Amend title 38, USC, regarding monthly DIC to surviving spouses Legislation to amend title 38, USC, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the VA Secretary, and for other purposes. S. 1302Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009A bill to provide for the introduction of pay-for-performance compensation mechanisms into contracts of the VA with community-based outpatient clinics for the provisions of health care services, and for other purposes. S. 1427Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2009Measure to amend title 38, USC, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in VA Medical Centers, and for other purposes. S. 1467Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide coverage under Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for adverse reactions to vaccinations administered by the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. S. 1518Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009A bill to amend title 38, USC, to furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune. S. 1531Department of Veterans Affairs Reorganization Act of 2009A bill to amend title 38, USC, to establish within the VA the position of Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, and for other purposes. S. 1556Veteran Voting Support Act of 2009A bill to require the VA Secretary to permit facilities of the VA to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes. S. 1753Disabled Veteran Caregiver Housing Assistance Act of 2009A bill to amend title 38, USC, to increase assistance for disabled veterans who are temporarily residing in housing owned by a family member, and for other purposes. S. 1940Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a study on the effects of herbicides on children Directs the VA Secretary to complete a thorough study, and report to the congressional veterans committees on, its results relative to the effects on children of their parents' exposure to herbicides used in support of U.S. and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era. S. 3035Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Care Improvement Act of 2010To require a report on the establishment of a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site of the VA in the northern Rockies or Dakotas, and for other purposes. S. 3325A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the waiver of the collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans, and for other purposesAuthorizes the VA Secretary to waive the imposition or collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans. S. 3348 Document handling procedures for disagreement with decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of documents that express disagreement with decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals and that are misfiled with the Board within 120 days of such decisions as motions for reconsideration of such decisions, and for other purposes S. 3368A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorizing selected individuals to sign claims filed with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of claimants, and for other purposesAuthorizes the following individuals to sign veterans' benefits claims filed on behalf of a person who is under 18, mentally incompetent, or physically unable to sign: (1) a court-appointed representative or person responsible for care; or (2) in the case of an institutionalized person, the manager or principal officer of the institution. S. 977Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2009Legislation to amend title 38, USC, to provide improved benefits for veterans who are former prisoners of war, and for other purposes. Monitoring Veterans EmploymentStatus To ensure that veterans are getting trained and are afforded ample opportunities to succeed in this unstable job market

See next page. Supported Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 (S. 1963)includes funding for family caregivers, improved access to services for women veterans and veterans living in rural areas, and other health matters. S. 1963 includes aspects of the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act (H.R. 3155), Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1211), Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 (H.R. 1293),and Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2770). Supported Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act (H.R. 1037/S. 728)includes increases for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program. Supported H.R. 1169would provide a significant increase in the VAs Specially Adapted Housing grant, the Special Home Adaptation grant, and the grant to purchase an automobile. Supported the Veterans Training Act (H.R. 3813)would grant veterans access under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to non-degree granting training programs and schools. Supported Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2243)would replace the current rate of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC )with a formula setting the rate of DIC at a rate equal to 55 percent of the rate paid to a veteran with a total disability rating. Supported Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (H.R. 775) and S. 535would eliminate the offset to the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for families who receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Supported the Improving Veterans Electronic Transition Services Act (H.R. 5225)would give veterans electronic access to their official military personnel files and require an assessment of the feasibility of using a centralized web portal to improve veterans access to benefits and records. Supported the Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3407)would increase the rate of special monthly compensation available to veterans who have been severely injured and grant eligibility to veterans with traumatic brain injuries to receive aid and attendance benefits. Supported the Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 (S. 1237), which includes provisions of the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 (S. 1547). Supported the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R. 4810), which includes provisions of H.R. 2504, the Help Our Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 2559), H.R. 2735, and H.R. 3906. Supported H.R. 5014which clarifies that the health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs constitutes minimum essential coverage for the purposes of health reform. Supported the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theatre (COMBAT) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2009 (H.R. 952)which would expand the definition of combat with the enemy to include active duty service in a theatre of combat operations during a period of war. Supported the Veterans Employment Transition Act (S. 3398)which would simplify the process employers must follow to receive tax credits for hiring veterans who meet certain classifications. Discussed with House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs staff concerns about legislation proposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address the claims backlog. The proposed legislation is the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010. Urged Congress to consider methods for addressing the VA benefits claims processing backlog. Discussed the Rating and Processing Individuals Disability (RAPID) Claims Act (H.R. 5549). Discussed the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S. 3517). Supported HR 2059 to enable military personnel who have a family member with a disability to designate a special needs trust to receive military retiree and survivor benefits annuities rather than a natural person. Without this bill, if benefits are paid directly to the family member, the payments can jeopardize that persons eligibility for Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

Draft, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies FY2011 H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Improvement Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711/H.R. 2058, Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act H.R. 3082/S. 1407, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations FY 2010 S. 423, Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 S. 728, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 S. 252, Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 H.R. 2505, the Reaching Rural Veterans Through Telehealth Act S. 1963, Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act H.R. 4985, Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2010 S. 3371, TRICARE Mental Health Care Access Act S. 3425, Embedded Mental Health Providers for Reserves Act of 2010 H.R. 4851, Continuing Extension Act of 2010

Client expense: $110,890 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 5360, HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2980, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2713, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1879, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1169, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S. 546, S. 535, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13.

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Improvement Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711/H.R. 2058, Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act H.R. 3082/S. 1407, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations FY 2010 S. 423, Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 S. 728, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 S. 252, Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 H.R. 2505, the Reaching Rural Veterans Through Telehealth Act S. 1963, Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 546, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

HR 952, the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act; measures to streamline, expedite accurate VA processing of veterans disability claims for PTSD; otherwise promote access to healthcare and benefits for veterans. VA healthcare and benefits. General support for Gulf War Illness scientific research, medical treatment, disability benefits as part of VAs and DoDs budgets and appropriations. Replace current VA staff dealing with Gulf War issues with pro-veteran advocates. Urging DoD and VA immediately, officially, jointly, and unequivocally: recognize that Gulf War illness exists based on the overwhelming scientific evidence; move forward with new scientific research to understand Gulf War illness, including additional research into depleted uranium; advance Gulf War Illness treatment medical research; contacting approximately 15,000 Gulf War veterans denied benefits so they can reapply for disability benefits. Urge VA to promulgate regulations to grant a presumption of service connection for post traumatic stress disorder among Gulf War veterans. H.R. 671/S. 294, the Ruth Moore Act; expansion of VA service-connection for "covered mental health conditions" to include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health diagnosis related to military sexual trauma.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Improvement Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711, H.R. 2058 Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act H.R. 3082, S. 423 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations FY 2010 S. 728, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 S. 252, Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 H.R. 2505, the Reaching Rural Veterans Through Telehealth Act S. 1963, Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act Proposed Rule; Stressor Determinations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; 74 Federal Register 42617 (August 24, 2009).

Client expense: $120,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve veterans benefits. HR 2017, HR 3554, S 832, HR 3548, S 1668, HR 1016, S 1963, HR 2561, HR 2419, HR 3082, S 1407, S 1780, HR, HR 2928, HR 952, HR 3337, HR 3787, S 423, HR 3467, HR 3577, HR 1169, HR 3657, HR 466, HR 3661, HR 2243, HR 775, HR 3548, HR 3082, HR 2243, S 1118, HR 3485, S 252, HR 1034, HR 3544, S 801, HR 3155, HR 303, HR 809, HR 1592, HR 333

Client expense: $146,857 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service

HR 952--No Title--Amend title 38, USC, to clarify the meaning of "combat with the enemy" for the purposes of service connectiion of disabilities. HR 953--Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act--Help veterans afford medical treatment and ensure proper compensation without complicated programs. HR 1197--Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act of 2009--Assigns priority status for hospital care and medical services provided through VA to certain veterans who are recipients of the Medal of Honor. HR 1211--Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--Amend title 38, USC, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. HR 1302--Amend title 38, USC, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary for Health on all matters relating to the educations and training, employment, appropriate utilization, and optimal participation of physician assistants within VHA programs and initiatives. Requires the VA Secretary to ensure that an individual is serving in such position no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act. HR 1335--Amend title 38, USC, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled.--Prohibits the collection by the VA of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans. HR 1546--Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009--Directs the VA Secretary to establish within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury to continually assess VHA capability to meet the treatment and rehabilitation needs of veterans with traumatic brain injury. HR 2254-- Draft Bill (Senate)--Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009--Establish presumption of Agent Orange/herbicide exposure for Blue Water Navy veterans. HR 2734--Health Care for Family Caregivers Act of 2009--Amend section 1781 of title 38, USC, to provide medical care to family members of disabled veterans who serve as caregivers to such veterans. HR 2738--Amend title 38, USC, to provide travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities--Amend title 38, USC, to provide travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities. HR 2874--Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009--Amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to improve the equitable relief available for servicemembers called to active duty, and for other purposes. HR 2990--Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act--Provide special pays and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces, expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees, and for other purposes. HR 3200--America's Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009--Address veteran concerns in national health care reform legislation with an emphasis on maintaining the independence of the VA health care system. HR 3365--Medicare VA Reimbursement Act of 2009--Provide Medicare reimbursement to VA medical facilities for items and services provided to Medicare eligible veterans for non service-connected conditions. S 546--Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009--Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability. S 728--Veterans Insurance and Benefits Act of 2009--Directs the VA Secretary to grant level-premium term life insurance to veterans under age 65 with service-connected disabilities. Increases from $20,000 to $30,000 the maximum amount of supplemental insurance provided through the VA for totally disabled veterans. Removes a condition on the qualification of certain individuals for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. Increases the maximum loan guarantee amount under the veterans' mortgage life insurance program from $90,000 to $150,000, then to $200,000 after January 1, 2012. Establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment for the temporary payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to a veteran's surviving spouse with one or more children under the age of 18. Provides eligibility requirements for the payment of a special monthly pension based on disability for veterans who already qualify for a service pension based upon age. Increases amounts of DIC payable to surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans. Increases, and authorizes the annual adjustment of, pension amounts payable to hospitalized veterans and certain children of veterans of a period of war. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to pay a: (1) supplemental benefit for the funeral and burial expenses of veterans, making such amount $900 with respect to a non-service-connected death and $2,100 with respect to a service-connected death; and (2) supplemental burial plot allowance for veterans eligible for the current allowance. Authorizes the provision of specially adapted housing assistance for disabled veterans whose disability is due to a severe burn injury. Authorizes the Secretary to pay a supplemental benefit, for assistance in the purchase of automobiles and other conveyances, for disabled veterans currently eligible for such assistance. S 1467--Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Service Members Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009--Extend TSGLI benefit to service members with severe disabilities/injuries due to vaccines. HR 23, S 663--A Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009--Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the VA Secretary of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit before October 1, 2009; and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. HR 174, S691--A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in southern Colorado region, and for other purposes--Directs the VA Secretary to establish a national cemetery in El Paso County, Colorado. HR 1016, S423--Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009--Requires, beginning with FY2011, a two-fiscal-year discretionary new budget authority for the following accounts of the VA: (1) Medical Services; (2) Medical Support and Compliance; (3) Medical Facilities; (4) Information Technology; and (5) Medical and Prosthetic Research. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the adequacy and accuracy of VA baseline model projections for health care expenditures. HR 1163, S 746--A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the Sarpy County region to serve veterans in eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and northwest Missouri--Directs the VA Secretary to establish a national cemetery in the Sarpy County, Nebraska, region to serve the needs of veterans and their families in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. HR 1182, S 745--Military Spouses Residency Relief Act--Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit, for purposes of voting for a federal, state, or local office, deeming a person to have lost a residence or domicile in a state, acquired a residence or domicile in any other state, or become a resident in or of any other state solely because the person is absent from a state because the person is accompanying the person's spouse who is absent from the state in compliance with military or naval orders. Prohibits a service member's spouse from either losing or acquiring a residence or domicile for purposes of taxation because of being absent or present in any U.S. tax jurisdiction solely to be with the service member in compliance with the service member's military orders if the residence or domicile is the same for the service member and the spouse. Prohibits a spouse's income from being considered income earned in a tax jurisdiction if the spouse is not a resident or domiciliary of such jurisdiction when the spouse is in that jurisdiction solely to be with a service member serving under military orders. HR 3082, S 1407--Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010--Making appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. House Resolution 679, Senate Resolution 260--A resolution designating September 16, 2009, as "The American Legion Day"--A resolution designating September 16, 2009, as "The American Legion Day". Testimony--FY 2011 Department of Veterans Affairs Budget and Legislative priorities of The American Legion. General Support Letters--Timely passage of the FY 200 Militry Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriation Act. General Support Letter--Increased funding for Gulf War Veteran' Illness research. General Support Letter--Legislation to automatically enroll service members returning from combat zones into The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. General Support Letter--Better access to VA health Care for veterans residing in rural areas.\ General Support Letter--Support for advance appropriation for VA health Care.

H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Improvement Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711, H.R. 2058 Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act S. 1099, Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2009 H.R. 3082, S. 423 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations FY 2010 S. 728, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 S. 252, Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009

Client expense: $120,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $210,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve veterans benefits. S 252, HR 2770, HR 3082, HR 3155, HR 3266, HR 3407, HR 2559, HR 1169, HR 3073, HR 1017, HR 3441, HR 1036, HR 3082, HR 2735, S 1407, S 1676, HR 3219, S 1407, HR 1034, S 832, S 1668, HR 1169, HR 2614, HR 403, HR 952, HR 2928, HR 3155, HR 1016, HR 3554, HR 3389, HR 614, S 1026, S 423, S 157, HR 2393, HR 2014, HR 1016, S 1467

Client expense: $129,832 · Firm income: Not reported

HR 952, a bill to amend 38 United States Code, Section 1154, to streamline and expedite the accurate processing of veterans' disability claims filed against the Department of Veterans Affairs for post traumatic stress disorder, and otherwise promote access to healthcare and benefits for veterans. General support for Gulf War illness scientific research, and medical treatment, and disability benefits as part of VA's budget and appropriations.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 952, a bill to amend 38 United States Code, Section 1154, to streamline and expedite the accurate processing of veterans' disability claims filed against the Department of Veterans Affairs for post traumatic stress disorder, and otherwise promote access to healthcare and benefits for veterans. General support for Gulf War illness scientific research, and medical treatment, and disability benefits as part of VA's budget and appropriations.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 952, a bill to amend 38 United States Code, Section 1154, to streamline and expedite the accurate processing of veterans' disability claims filed against the Department of Veterans Affairs for post traumatic stress disorder, and otherwise promote access to healthcare and benefits for veterans. General support for Gulf War illness scientific research, and medical treatment, and disability benefits as part of VA's budget and appropriations.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Support The Combat PTSD Act of 2009, HR 952 - to require the VA to recognize that documented military service in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF and OEF) will be presumed to have exposed the veteran to sufficient psychological stressors to support a diagnosis of PTSD. see next page Support the Family Caregiver Act of 2009, S. 801 to facilitate support for the proliferation of family caregivers for severely disabled veterans whether or not the veteran participated in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF and OEF). Support HR 2059 to allow military survivor benefit plans to provide for payments to special needs trusts for dependents of a deceased service member. Existing law allows only payments to a natural person, but this is the way service members need to designate payments to a special needs trust for a loved one who has disabilities.

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

Support The Combat PTSD Act of 2009, HR 952 - to require the VA to recognize that documented military service in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF and OEF) will be presumed to have exposed the veteran to sufficient psychological stressors to support a diagnosis of PTSD. see next page Support the Family Caregiver Act of 2009, S. 801 to facilitate support for the proliferation of family caregivers for severely disabled veterans whether or not the veteran participated in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF and OEF). Support HR 2059 to allow military survivor benefit plans to provide for payments to special needs trusts for dependents of a deceased service member. Existing law allows only payments to a natural person, but this is the way service members need to designate payments to a special needs trust for a loved one who has disabilities.

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Improvement Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711, H.R. 2058 Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act S. 1099, Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2009 H.R. 3082, S. 423 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations FY 2010 S. 728, Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 S. 252, Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009

Client expense: $120,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Improving survivor benefits for widoes of deceased veterans and to restore and improve veterans benefits. S. 423, S. 546, S. 535, S. 801, S. 407, S. 728, S. 597, S. 734, S. 484, S. 728, S. 623, S. 1390, H.R. 1016, H.R. 2243, H.R. 1522, H.R. 1804, H.R. 1633, H.R. 775, H.R. 1982, H.R. 2647, H.R. 1701, H.R. 1821, H.R. 1089, H.R. 1098, H.R. 1211, H.R. 952, H.R. 2647, H.R. 2505, H.R. 809, H.R. 1256, H.R. 1821, H.R. 1474, H. Res. 225

Client expense: $609,696 · Firm income: Not reported

Advanced Funding for VA HR 1016/S. 423; Expand Eligibility of PTSD HR 952; Help Family Care Giver for Injured Vets S. 801; Shield Veterans from Employment Discrimination HR 466/ HR 1089; Veterans Insurance Benefit Enhancement S. 728; Veterans Entitlement to Service HR 1982; Family Care Givers for Disabled Veteran HR 2342;

Client expense: $140,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY GOALS FOR VETERANS -- January 28, 2009 -- before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs--our views and concerns on this years legislative priority goals for veterans. #16. Specific lobbying issues. VAs BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 -- March 10, 2009 before the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs on behalf of the Independent Budget (IB): AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America, to produce a set of policy and budget recommendations that reflect what we believe would meet the needs of Americas veterans. The VFW is responsible for the construction portion of the Independent Budget. Contacts made on the following legislative initiatives: H.R. 32--McIntyrea bill that is directed towards improving access to outreach services and assistance programs of which veterans and their families deserve. H.R.147--a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes. H.R.228 --Jackson-Leea bill which would direct the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program aimed at remedying the difficulty in recruiting new graduates of university programs specializing in blind rehabilitation. H.R.297--a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of subsistence allowance payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans participating in vocational rehabilitation programs, and other purposes. H.R. 347--Schiffa bill which would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their dedicated service to our nation during World War II. H.R. 394--Browna bill which would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension by up to $1,000. H.R.466--a bill to extend protection from discrimination and acts of reprisal against veterans to include not only those who suffer illnesses, injuries and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the armed forces, but also to those receiving treatment for such service-connected health conditions. H.R. 666--SalazarThe Military Valor Roll of Honor Act. Legislation which will establish and maintain a database containing the names and citations of all members of the armed forces, members of the United States merchant marines, and civilians affiliated with the armed forces who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or any other medal authorized by Congress. H.R. 667--Salazar--legislation which would dramatically improve the delivery of health care for those veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury. H.R. 668--(and S. 307--Senators Crapo and Wyden)--the Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act, a beneficial bill that would exempt the number of beds veterans use at critical access hospitals (CAH) from counting toward the inpatient bed limitation. H.R. 746--Adler--the Safeguarding Americas Seniors and Veterans Act. Legislation which will guarantee veterans and seniors who are not currently working an important and beneficial tax credit of $500 which will help to reduce the strain of financial hardship faced by many veterans in the current economic climate who would not otherwise qualify for the proposed Making Work Pay tax credit. H.R. 784--a bill to require the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to report quarterly to Congress on vacancies in the mental health profession: such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional mental health counselors in the VA. H.R. 785--a bill to establish a pilot program from FY 2010 to 2013 to educate and engage in outreach to college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of recently separated service members. H.R. 819--Holdena reintroduction of legislation which provides Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of former prisoners of war (POW), which also seeks to extend the receipt of DIC benefits to surviving spouses of former POWs who died on or before September 30, 1999 and will ease the financial strain left on survivors of POWs who do not currently qualify for DIC benefits. H.R.929--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of training to provide eligible veterans with skills relevant to the job market, and for other purposes. H.R.942--legislation to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises H.R.950--legislation to amend chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning. #16. Specific lobbying issues (contd.) H.R. 952--Hall--the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater (COMBAT) Act, to grant a presumptive service connection to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and have actively served in a designated theater of combat. This will relieve the burden faced by many veterans who are forced to prove the events they faced while serving our Nation are the direct cause of their PTSD. H.R. 953--Heller--the Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2009 which would provide for a deduction for travel expenses to VA medical centers in connection with examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities. H.R.1088--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a one-year period for the training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives by National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute. H.R.1089--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the enforcement through the Office of Special Counsel of the employment and unemployment rights of veterans and members of the Armed Forces employed by Federal executive agencies, and for other purposes. HR 1169--Boozman--legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by VA to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing, automobiles and equipment. H.R.1171--legislation which will amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize a Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant ProgramThis important bill and your amendment will improve VA assistance to the homeless so that it better suits the unique needs of women veterans and veterans with children. H.R. 1211--Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--legislation that would improve benefits and services to female veterans, especially those who have served or are serving in OEF/OIF operations and Section 101, which would require VA to study barriers in providing comprehensive health care for women including: scope of services provided to women, effective outreach, mental health care and gender sensitivity of its health care providers. H.R. 1227--Halvorson--legislation which would waive the time limitations specified by law for the award of certain military decorations in order to allow the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller for actions while a member of the Navy during World War II. H.R. 1474--Davis--the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009, a bill which would strengthen the protections in current law to ensure that servicemembers and veterans employment and reemployment rights are effectively enforced under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). H.R. 1803--Nye-- the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009legislation which would greatly expand the Small Veteran Business Center program within the Small Business Administration to serve as an outlet and resource for veteran business owners. A Draft bill to close existing loopholes in law, allowing VA to cover unmet emergency room treatment for veterans in certain cases which would allow VA to pay for of emergency care for veterans enrolled in VHA under certain cases. It closes a loophole that sticks many veterans unfairly with a large hospital bill. Section 1725 of Title 38 authorizes VA to reimburse veterans for medical expenses related to emergency care at non-VA facilities if the veteran is enrolled and using the VA health care system. This bill allows VA to be a secondary payer in those situations, so the vet will not have to pay out of pocket. Additionally, it removes care accidents where insurance pays out for medical coverage from the list of things that would bar VA from paying for emergency care. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- S. 263-- Casey--the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009, legislation which would strengthen the protections in current law to ensure that servicemembers' and veterans' employment and reemployment rights are effectively enforced under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). S. 274 --Baucus--legislation that would provide an employer incentive to hire unemployed veterans. S. 307--Senators Crapo and Wyden (and H.R. 668)--the Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act, a beneficial bill that would exempt the number of beds veterans use at critical access hospitals (CAH) from counting toward the inpatient bed limitation. S. 404--Akaka--the Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act--important legislation which would close a loophole in the law that can cost veterans thousands of dollars out of veterans' own pocket when they seek emergency care at non-VA facilities. S. 572--Webb--the Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act, which would designate the Purple Heart stamp as a commemorative "forever" stamp and ensure that the first-class postage stamp never expires or decreases in value. #16. Specific lobbying issues. S. 597-- Murray-- the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--legislation which would provide enhanced health care benefits to female veterans, especially those who are veterans of the current conflict era. S. 614-- Hutchisonlegislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Force Service Pilots for the honorable service they rendered their country during World War II.

H.R. 667, Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R. 952, COMBAT PTSD Act H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Improvement Act H.R. 1535, Improving Diagnosis of PTSD H.R. 1701, PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review for Heroes Act S. 711, Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act H.R. 1308, Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act

Client expense: $120,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2009 -- the COMBAT PTSD Act; H.R. 952. Requested introduction of legislation to increase coverage in support of VAs Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance Program; no bill yet. continued Appropriations for Veterans Affairs funds for the level for VA medical care as championed by the Independent Budget (a detailed budget developed annually by several veterans organizations) including funds to research and treat mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; assurance that the VA will not bill private health insurers for treatment of health problems related to military service; VA health care funding reform including advanced appropriations and mandatory funding; one unified lifetime electronic health record for members of our armed services that will contain their administrative and medical information; increased funding for VA homeless veterans programs; funds for Medical and Prosthetic Research Program and to bring VA research facilities into the 21st century. In addition, advocated for: -Immediate increased cooperation and coordination between the DoD and the VA in order to facilitate the soldier-to-civilian transition process, disabled service member health care planning, increased research concerning post-deployment mental health challenges and TBI. -Maintenance of critical Veterans Health Administration infrastructure, construction of new VA medical facilities, as opposed to building structures for other entities and leasing them back thereby endangering the capacity to treat future generations of veterans. -Reformation of the VA claims adjudication process to improve the timeliness and accuracy of claims decisions, reduce delays caused by unnecessarily burdensome procedures, poor adjudicator training and a lack of accountability. -Increased cooporation and coordination between the VA and the Department of Labor to work on the issues of veterans employment, training and business opportunities.

HR 819--No Title--Amend law pertaining to payment of Dependency and Indemnity Comp (DIC) benefits to former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999. HR 952--Combat PTSD Act--Amend title 38, USC; 1154(b) to clarify the meaning of engaged in "combat with the enemy" for the purpose of service connection of disabilities. No Bill Number--Draft Legislation--Amend title 38, USC, to increase amount of DIC benefits provided to qualifying survivors. HR 1197--Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act of 2009--Amends title 38, USC, to provide a higher priority status for hospital care and medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who are recipients of the Medal of Honor. HR 784--No Title--Require Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly reports on mental health employment vacancies at VA Medical Centers nationwide. HR 785--No Title--Establish a pilot program to provide Outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. No Bill Number--General Testimony--House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee On Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on the Nexus between engaged in combat with the enemy and PTSD in an era of changing warfare tactics. No Bill Number--General Support Letter--Support for additional funding of research for Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses HR 1016--Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009--Reform the process in which VA's Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical care funds are appropriated. S 423--Veterans Health Car Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009--Provides advance appropriations for VA medical care accounts by providing a two-fiscal year budget authority. S 336--American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan--Department of Veterans Affairs section of Bill will provide $3.9 billion to be used for much needed VA construction projects and other improvements. S 402--Keeping Our Promise to America's Military Veterans Act--Recognizes the sacrifices made by America's veterans by enacting legislation that will improve the lives of veterans and their families. S 546--Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009--Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability. HR 775, S 535--Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act--Repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation. PL 111-5--American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009--Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 2009 to the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 147, 228, 297, 466, 929, 942, 950, 1088, 1089 and 1171--Various Legislation Bills--Enhanced benefits and services for Veterans and their families.

HR 1681, Veterans Transitional Assistance Act; HR 1544, Veterans Mental health Accessability Act; 1428, Veterans Parkinsons Diseases connected to Agent Orange; HR 1377 & S. 404, Reimburse Veterans for Emergency Treatment; HR 952 Combat PTSD Act; S. 543, Veterans Family care Givers Support Act; HR 1016 & S. 423, Veterans Health Care Budget Reform; HR 333 Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act;

Client expense: $140,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office