Anchorage Daily News

Fix the rule. Right away.

That's the best response to the story by the Los Angeles Times about how the Pentagon's redefinition of "combat-related" disabilities cut a Marine corporal and an Army sergeant out of thousands of dollars of disability compensation. Combat-related wounds draw higher compensation than other injuries.

The Marine corporal was wounded twice in Iraq, by a roadside bomb and a land mine. He's suffered traumatic brain injury, dislocated hip, hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Army sergeant shattered a hip and crushed her back and knees when she dove for cover during a mortar attack. She's had surgeries and has at least three more to come.

Both were told their disabilities were not combat-related.

The first word that comes to mind in response is one we don't print in a family newspaper.

The Pentagon's explanation is that it had to narrow its definition of "combat-related injuries" to conform with the Wounded Warrior Law passed by Congress in January.

That's one for the books. The act was intended to increase compensation and care for those wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- not to deny benefits to those wounded in those wars.

Further, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Pentagon's tighter definition of combat and tighter limits on benefits were never the intent of Congress. He further said that if the disability is the same, the compensation should be the same, whether the soldier was injured in Iraq or Afghanistan or while training at Fort Hood. That's the right policy.

The tighter definition says wounds suffered while on duty in a hazardous zone, or in simulation of war, or by "an instrumentality of war" don't count as combat-related.

Here's what it boils down to for Army Sgt. Lori Meshell. She suffered her injuries diving for cover in a mortar attack. The Pentagon says those injuries don't count. Mortar attack isn't enough. You have to get hit by a piece of the round. Shrapnel wounds? That's good. Crack your knee on a rock while diving for cover? Sorry, doesn't count.

She's also suffered official claims that some of her problems were from pre-wound conditions.

Enough. Any service member of the United States wounded in any way as the result of any weapon in a combat theater or while training for combat has suffered a combat-related injury. End of discussion.

If there's any doubt about source of disabilities, the benefit of the doubt goes to the vet and the combat injury is assumed to be the source. Sgt. Meshell shouldn't have to fight for full disability, as she is now.

Cpl. James Dixon had to fight to reverse a denial of his combat-related claim.

Disabled American Veterans is among the groups fighting the new definition. Whatever it takes, a return to reality at the Pentagon or marching orders from Congress, this rule needs to change. No more vets should have to fight their own country for what they've earned.

BOTTOM LINE: Pentagon's new limits on "combat-related" compensation are outrageous.

Who's up / Who's down

EVEN Gov. Sarah: She'll spend Monday in Georgia, where they appreciate a belle, but back home there's a budget and an energy plan and a gas line project and ...

DOWN Gov. Sarah: She pardons a turkey and what does she get? A spectacle on YouTube and more guff from Keith Olberman. Maybe that's why she split for Savannah.

EVEN Stevens prosecutors: They've still got the conviction, but a disgruntled government witness thickens the plot. Appeal gains appeal.

EVEN Ted Stevens: If appeal fails, there's always the prospect of a presidential pardon. Uncle Ted hasn't asked, but the media have put the bug in Bush's ear.

DOWN Bruce Weyhrauch: Speaking of appeals, former state lawmaker takes a shot when Ninth Circuit rules for prosecution's evidence. Long-delayed trial back on track.

UP Northwest Passage: Embrace the greenhouse! Melting Arctic ice promises to open sea lanes and resource development. But what ports will be under water?

UP Seawolves women: UAA edges Syracuse, wins third straight Shootout. Gentlemen, watch and learn.

UP Mike Kelly: More than 10,000 votes counted, and North Pole rep clutches one-vote lead. Check again, folks, because every vote counts.

EVEN Anchorage Assembly: Who's running for mayor? Who gets to play one for six months? How about Elvi Gray-Jackson for chair and Dan Coffey for vice chair?

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