VA and DOD plan to launch a pilot program later this month to assess whether the two agencies can move to a single physical examination to cover “fitness for duty” and “disability pay” determinations. A release from the VA states that servicemembers at three military treatment facilities—Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews AFB, Md.; National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.—will participate, but VA personnel are to conduct the medical evaluations, which could take place at VA facilities.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
