Staggering number of GW vets get compensation

Additionally, the best indicator of new claims activity is the size of the active duty force. Over 616,000 veterans of the Gulf War era are in receipt of benefits from VA. More than one million servicemembers have deployed in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Therefore, we can expect a large number of new claims as a result of these ongoing conflicts. These new veterans deserve to have their claims rated timely and accurately. We recommend an additional 200 FTE for direct compensation work. This number would help to reduce the expected end-of-fiscal year 2007 backlog. We ask for an additional $17.1 million to accomplish this goal.