In the November 26 Seattle Times, David Zucchino of the Los Angeles Times wrote regarding some injured Iraq War veterans who are fighting a new Pentagon definition of what is now considered a war-connected disability.

Zucchino explained:

"In a little noticed regulation change in March, the military's definition of combat-related disabilities was narrowed, costing some injured veterans thousands of dollars in lost benefits and triggering outrage from veteran-advocacy groups.

"Pentagon officials said the change was consistent with Congress' intent when it passed a 'wounded warrior' law in January.  Narrowing the combat-related definition was necessary to preserve the 'special distinction for those who incur disabilities while participating in combat, in contrast for those injured otherwise,' William Carr, deputy under-secretary of defense, wrote in a letter to 1.3 million disabled American veterans."