4th District Candidates on Veterans Affairs

Wilton holds its veterans close, from the Veterans Green Committee to Female Soldier, Forgotten Hero and from Kick for Nick to Homes for the Brave.

And though many residents work hard to care for area veterans, the current race for U.S. Congress has underscored how veterans, from current and past wars, are treated on a national level.

"I think we so support our soldiers more now," said Don Hazzard a Vietnam veteran and commander of Wilton's American Legion Post 86. "But more can always be done."

As the election for the 4^th District draws closer, candidates from both parties spoke about the obligation of government in caring for veterans. Both parties differ on the Veterans Administration role. However both agree more must be done to help transition service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It was an embarrassing thing in the last 10 years that we failed to give the kind of care we should have," said Congressman Jim Himes, a Democrat, in a recent telephone interview. "But we've come a long way since then. We have the new GI Bill, and we've fixed Walter Reed."

Most recently the VA announced new guidelines for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. It extended benefits to those service members whose jobs placed them in situations that could trigger PTSD. But a VA diagnosis is required to get the benefits.

Himes said the legislation requiring veterans to get diagnosed at the VA for PTSD will prevent people from self-diagnosing and serves to streamline and standardize the screening.

The candidates for the Republican nomination don't agree. They said veterans shouldn't be required to get treatment from the VA.

"We need to give them medical flexibility," said Republican hopeful and state Sen. Dan Debicella. "Let them take their plan to their own doctor and not force them into government health care which is what the VA is."

Veterans living in Wilton and surrounding towns, such as Ridgefield, Westport, Darien and New Canaan, can go to VA outpatient clinics in Stamford and Danbury. There are also two VA hospitals; in Newington and West Haven.

"I understand the VA system has issues; eliminate the VA entirely and just give every vet a $100,000 a year to get the best health care they can find in the country. That way they're not subjected to the bureaucracy," said Rob Merkle, who is running for the GOP nomination for the 4^th District.

While Hazzard said the VA clinics and hospitals are essential, he does think the further time away from service someone is, the more they should be allowed to see doctors of their own choosing using VA coverage.

Aside from the VA, there is the issue of helping veterans return to civilian life.

"Some of these service members are doing three or four tours," Hazzard said. "What kind of shape will they be in mentally when they are done? We should take their last year of service and use that to help them transition back to civilian life."

A new GI bill was passed in 2008 for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rick Torres, who is also vying for the Republican nomination on Aug. 10, has said the new G.I. bill helps, but he called for increased job assistance.

 "As veterans return home over the next few years, I refuse to let them come home unnoticed and unappreciated," according to Torres' campaign website. "We owe all our soldiers – and their families – a tremendous debt of gratitude and we must do everything we can to support them."