"This is good news for our nation’s veterans on the eve of veterans’ day," said DeFazio. "I’m ashamed that the Bush administration even began to subject veterans to the trauma and emotional stresses of proving for a second time the wounds they suffered on the battlefield. But I am pleased they have brought an end to this unfair review. Our veterans fought to protect the rights and freedoms we hold dear. They should not have to fight their government for the benefits they have earned and deserve."

In October, the VA began to review 72,000 individual cases of veterans who were rated at 100 percent disabled and unemployable within the last five years due to PTSD. The review comes after a Department of Defense Inspector General report found that the number of 100 percent PTSD ratings granted to veterans varied widely among regions across the country. Oregon is among the states with the highest compensation ratings. The review is limited to those who were granted full compensation, but completely ignores the tens of thousands of veterans who were unfairly denied compensation.

"Rather than target veterans who have served honorably, the VA should review their training procedures and the processes for which they award PTSD compensation. I hardly believe that the agency is over-compensating our veterans. In fact, I’m sure they would find many more veterans who have been denied compensation or are under-compensated."

On October 14, DeFazio wrote a letter signed by 54 of his colleagues to the top Democrat and Republican on the House Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee urging them to follow the Senate’s lead and legislatively put a stop to the review with a provision in the Department of Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006. See for a copy of the letter.