Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-29
.s304,193,000

Total .................. S304, 1913, 900
Estimates for more than five years
become increasingly uncertain, for more
and more unknown factors are bound
to enter TO throw of the calculations.
The bureau statisticians have stopped
with 1885, but point out that q certain
relationship Is likely to hold with the
amounts paid for service-connected dis
abilities. These have been paid In
greatly increased amounts since 1918.
The number of claimants will not in
crease greatly as the war goes further
and further into the background, and
already probably 1t has passed its peak.
This number will be steadily dimin-
ished by deaths, but on the other hand
the degree of disability and the amount
of death payments will increase up TO
a certain maximum.
The conversations for non-service-
connected disabilities will have par
allel rise, but the curve is expected 70
overtake and overlap the other so that
eventually the payments under this act
may constitute the greatest item.
The second of the major provisions OF
the bin is bound to produce a consid-
cradle increase in payments for service
connected disabilities, 1t was stated at
the Veterans Bureau. but there Is not
enough basis for any reasonably valid
statistical estimates. The required
proof of service origin for a disability
has been progressively liberalized, but
still depends largely on medical evil
dence based on scientific procedure.
This leaves out . considerable number
whose disability probably has some
service connection which cannot be
definitely proved.
Lack Of Proper Tests.
For example, boy came home from
the war with a bad cough and con-
suited some physician. Years later he
claimed compensation for tuberculosis
originating in the service and the doc
tor first consulted testifies that he came
to him with the cough as soon as he
was discharged. The fact remains that
the doctor did not make certain In
fallible tests which would have made
his diagnosis certain and the veteran
may have q very difficult time getting
his compensation. Under the new pro-
vision this absolute scientific proof
would not be required.
Brig. Gen. Frank r. Hines, director
of the Veterans Bureau, recently esti-
mated on the basis of the payment
schedules in force before the present
act that in another two decades the
payments would come close to the total
cost of the war. slightly more than
s21 900 100000. The new legislation is
bound to send the figure much higher.
Up to date. $1,60s, 135, $50 has been
paid to veterans in death and disability
compensation. There has been a rapid,
but irregular, rise from year to year
due to changes in the law. Starting
with 1919, the total expenditures have
been as follows: $11,30l ,342; 1920,
$103,122,7l4; 1921, $121, 305 ,053: 1922,
1928 $50, $40; 1928, $125,494 1859; 1924,
Sis, ,991; 1925, $12s,5s7 ,457; 1925,
$l64, 437,13s; 1927, $173,476,965; 1928,
$751;, 7o9, 665; 1929, $l88, 1880, 453.
The expenditures under this head
ing for April were $17,901 ,094. which is
q fair monthly average for the present
year. In all. approximately $4,000
claims have been allowed, representing
only about one-ninth Of the men In
the Army and Navy during the war.
Some Exceptions.
These claims do not include payments
of insurance or Of the adjusted service
certificates nor the amounts expended
for disqualification. Originally hospital
and medical care was given only fol
disabilities actually acquired in the
service, but the present act allows vet
Grams whose disabilities have no service
origin to receive free treatment anc
maintenance at Veterans Bureau hos.
pitfalls so long as there are beds not
occupied by others. At present it /:
estimated that about 40 per cent OF
the patients in these hospitals are being
treated for disabilities with no service
connection. Such patients are allowed
no compensation, but this will be pos
sible under the new law.
Actual service connected disabilities
recurring hospital treatment now are
roughly grouped in three brackets
tuberculosis, 6,937; general $500, and
neuro.psychiatric, l5,005. The first two
groups are expected to be reduced
normally by deaths and recoveries. The
third shows little change, due to the
dificulty of curing nervous and mental
diseases and the fact that the victims
live on indefinitely.
While there Is no definite statement
of policy in regard to disqualification OF
service connected cases the increase in
hospital construction authorized By
Congress indicates that there is nc
intent to discontinue the treatment OF
non-Service connected injuries