Hello Ed, that is a sad commentary on how U.S. vets are treated. Unfortunately it appears to me that our soldiers get used and abused and once the military is done with them they are basically on their own.

Elder Ed, thank you for your service to your country. Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the VA.

The VA has been subject to some insane budget cuts. I have a relative that's a former Marine, and they cut his prescription benefits because his wife works part time (2 days a week on average). She has cancer, and if she totally retires, she loses her health coverage. Both are septuagenarians (in their seventies). What are they to do?

What is anyone to do? Everybody applauds soldiers during war, but once they return, we do not care for our veterans. That is shameless.

Budget cuts should never be done to veterans benefits.

Good luck Elder Ed.

All with you Jim, except Ed doesn't need luck.

He, like all veterans, needs the certainty that the society that he fought for will be there for him as fast as a bullet comes at you.

Lets also not forget those veterans who retired who are facing a 5X increase in the cost for medical insurance. What in the world happened to free medical for those that served and retired? Our politicians on both sides of the isle forget what the costs to a family and the service member are when they serve in peace and in war. Since both my husband and I are veterans, I keep hoping that the promises will be kept, but am rapidly giving up hope. I wouldn't tell either of my sons to serve....why bother? They can get better benefits by going for welfare.

There is no reason we shouldn't have enough in our federal coffers to help all vets. We need to stop the billions of tax dollars being given away to anti- USA governments, examples; Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt & so forth.

Ed: After years of trying to get compensation for injuries while in the military I went to DAV. They became my advocate and the result was 90% + 10% unemployable. The DAV knows how to fight for you and it is a free service to Veterans. Veterans please save yourself the time and frustration of directly fighting the agency that will give you compensation and let DAV or another service organization handle it for you.

We can’t completely fund the VA until the Koch brothers allows our government to raise taxes on the wealthy. Unfortunately since the Republican/Tea party is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch industries the chances of that happening are somewhere between zero and zero... The net wealth of the Koch brothers is over 50 billion dollars but of course with people like the Koch brothers there no such thing as to much money....... David and Charles Koch and other greedy people like them are really the ones that don't give a damn about our veterans, this is not the Presidents fault.

Big Al, your libturd lord and savior doesn't give a @!$%# about veterans OR the troops. We are just talking points for reelection. The demonratic party is owned lock, stock and barrel by George "the jew killer" soros, Warren "taxes are for the peons" buffet. In short? You're an idiot.

BigAl Las Vegas,

How many years in office does Obama have to have, before he assumes RESPONSIBILITY???

Bush was held responsible for 9-11, even when the; funding, planning, training, and placing the key terrorist in the USA, occurred during Clinton's watch. He was also held accountable when he referenced the WMD that Clinton referenced during his 1998 bombing of Iraq...

I have already received the new low cost services of the VA under Obama.

1. Kidney stone - Here is a strainer, when it comes out, bring it to us. NO meds required, only the size of a LARGE rice grain & it had DrPepper written on the side...

2.Colonoscopy- No meds because we are just looking @ the first 6". Nothing found, so they went almost 30" with out any Meds. The former RETIRED Doctor from Germany stated that women in Germany, were never given meds, for this procedure. Being a male Marine, you think I was going to complain??? Ha! Ha!

BTY - The VA had to notify hundreds of Colonoscopy patients, because they were not cleaning the equipment properly. And the VA had exposed these people to AIDS/HIV and other infections...

There is a reason I have been AVOIDED - Doctors and hospitals for DECADES. Plus I'm 63+years old and I take NO Meds and have ZERO disabilities...

airborne, don't you EVER get tired of telling lies and being banal? Where was your anger over Bush because of the bad conditions at Walter Reed Veterans Hospital, or were you sleeping off those 8 years from your psychoactive meds? President Obama's 2010 budget included the largest single-year increase in VA funding in three decades, increasing funding by $25 billion over the next five years, donated his Nobel prize money of $250,000 to the Fisher House Foundation, Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans, worked to clear the backlog of veterans claims and streamline benefits to those who served. These are just a FEW things President Obama has done for Vets. What exactly did your war crimes Bush & Co. do, other than lie to get 3,000+ American soldiers killed? Oh yeah, 'mission accomplished.'

I AM AN AMERICAN SOLDIER - I SERVE IN THE FORCES THAT GUARD OUR COUNTRY AND IT'S WAY OF LIFE - I AM PREPARED TO GIVE MY LIFE IN THEIR DEFENSE

the Soldiers credo I learned at 17 years old, I served 9 & 1/2 years in the Army & 4 1/2 years in the Air Force, & for 34 years the VA has lied to me about missing records. The VA to this date has failed to advise me that every time they denied my legitimate claims there were over 3 years of missing records. These missing records covered from my Basic training, AIT, 2 tours of Germany, but most of all my Vietnam Service. Not only have they failed to inform me but I had an Appeal Remanded back to the Jackson VRO only to have it along with another Appeal Remanded in 2004, sat for over 10 years with absolutely no activity on them at all and Remands are required by law to be returned to the Board in a short period of time, not 11 years. Finally in a hearing in 2010 I was told they Might Have Been Lost In The Fire!!! They also told me they would let me know, I have still not heard a word. The current average time from submitting a claim in Jackson, Ms until it is processed for denial is 183 days. Why is it that an Insurance Company can process a Million Dollar claim in mire days. I can assure that from dealing with he VA sense 1977 the only reason it takes so long is JOB SECURITY & A PAY CHECK. There are more insurance claims filed and completed in one Month than the VA will process in one year. The young girl DRO had my file for over 16 Months, not including the hearing where I submitted a pile of evidence, she turned down every claim in the file without one single legit reason just that I had not proven anything, and simply stated that I did not supply any proof to show anything happened while in service WTF, I submitted awards, decorations, letters, photos, everything I could find, & yet not a single item of evidence I submitted was even listed, or even mentioned in the statement of case. There were the 2 Remands an appeal & 15 new/reopen claims. There is no way under Title 38 that a single one of these should have been denied, except for a pay check. And only because your Docket placement stays the same when the file was finally sent back to the board in DC it was on the top of the stack, I still don't understand why the Board did not inquiry where it was? It has now been before the Board for 6 months and by rights if the Board follows the law and approves my properly filed, 100% legitimate claims substantiated by a ton of supporting evidence, lets just say it could be the biggest pay out in VA history, assuming they do the right thing, after all they have cheated me of my rightful Disability for 34 years now. I think I have fought this war long enough already!!!!!!!!!!

TG for SSD & Food Stamps cause if you wait on the VA you will starve to death, but then again that is what the VA wants is for you to die of just plain give up. NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!!!

I have under gone 18 surgeries, 14 orthopedic & I just had Abdominal Aortic Anurissum Surgery in Nov.

US Army 1968 - 1977

United States Sinai Field Mission Egypt/Israel 1979 - 1980

US Army MsNG 1982 - 1983

US Air Force MsNG 1983 - 1989

HTTP://rclvetsite.multiply.com THIS SITE HAS GOOD INFO ON FILING SSD & VA DISABILITY CLAIMS & over 2000 pictures from all over the world.

Fantomdog.

Obama doubled the US Troop levels and then doubled them AGAIN, in Afghanistan. When the CIA was telling him there were less than 100+AlQaida in Afghanistan. Fired TWO of his hand-picked Generals, when they told him a POLITICAL Conflict could not be won...

The only thing Obama has accomplished in Afghanistan is KILL more US Troops than Bush, in half of the time. Spent more money than Bush and is now claiming VICTORY against the terrorist... Ha! Ha!

IMO - One of the GOOD things Bush did, was turn the Afghanistan 'Nation Building' over to the UN & 52+other countries, during Dec 2001...

VETERANS - PLEASE READ THIS

I've posted this several times before here on NewsVine but it can never be posted enough to make sure that all who are eligible for this get all that they are entitled to get. You will need to bring your DD214 to the Social Security office for this. Please check it out. If you are not a veteran who qualifies, you may know someone that will qualify and you can pass this on.

http://www.military.com/benefits/content/veteran-benefits/special-military-social-security-rate.html

Historically, the VA is always underfunded because the politicians squander the money on wars and forget those who fight the wars. It's not the fault of the VA---fund them properly and do so by slicing it off defense.

First of the VA does not see treat troops returning home from combat unless they get out of the military. The DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY is responsible for treating troops upon their arrival from Combat. The VA is far from perfect. President Obama did not declare war on in Afghanistan nor Iraq. Former President George Bush was the individual responsible for most of the problems we face in American. The previous administration is responsible for the Housing crisis, The bank going under and wall street theives stealing from the US citizens. People wake up and smell the coffee. Of all the money that has been stolen from us by Greed and corrupt CEOs, bank offiicials, and wall street, HOW MANY HAS BEEN ARREST, CHARGED AND SENTENCE. So all of you broke back Republicans that keep blaming this President for our issues today, wake up and look at all the facts. So you all vote Republican because you have been sold on what republicans preach, what is good for republicans is good for you. BUT 99% OF PEOPLE THAT VOTE REPUBLICAN DO NOT LIVE LIKE REPUBLICANS. You all live like the below average American, make less than 40Ks a year and live from paycheck to paycheck, while the true republican makes over 1 million a year and live high on a hog. But you are a republican, yeah right

Elder Ed, I was in the USAF from '89-'93 and I thank you for your post. Sorry about your terrible experience. DON'T give up.

Why aren't any of the morons in Washington getting this???? We dump TRILLIONS into trying to "salvage" and "liberate" third world cesspools teeming with barbarians who have NO INTEREST in living in the twenty first century and yet we can't give people like Ed and American Combat Veteran the care we need?????

Why don't we fund the VA out of the welfare budget? Oh that's right, that would be political suicide right now for our POTUS or any of the democrats. But let's further the class warfare mantra by blaming the rich for not paying more taxes.

All politicians have forgotten our heros. We would rather kick them out of the service. As a 20 year vet, I have seen the erosion of VA benefits. It is digusting that this country and alot of its people find it convenient to praise our troops when it is politically correct to do so, and toss them by the wayside when it is not.

Forgetting about troops is something that both parties do very well. We are only heroes if we die in combat. When we survive and come home we are considered bothersome reminders of war. We are no longer heroes, we are now nuisances and we see it in the faces of the overworked counselors, nurses and doctors at the VA. When the POTUS recommended allowing vets to go to any doctor they chose there was an uproar by everyone with the exception of vets. This is and was something we wanted. We wanted to go to our own doctors instead of the rigors of the VA hospitals.

Many people talk about wanting to cut spending and when you do your "heroes" get the cuts first. Since the military has one if not the largest budgets it is only safe to assume that they would get cut too. But where do you cut? you cannot cut current operations without risking political suicide, so you quietly cut our aftercare. This is what takes care of us who has cared for you. You "The United States of America" turned your back on us when we needed you the most. When you needed us we gave you a blank check with a open balance that included our lives. In return you give us your ass to kiss.

For all of MY fallen comrades it is like what you did for another country our home country will not do for us. You died for others but no one will stand up for us. It was better we all died on the battle field because they are killing us slowly at home and they don't care.

Esprit De Corps.

@ airborne504, there is a huge difference between the Kochs and their ilk, and Soros. Soros wants Congress to RESCIND the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. He wants all the Wealthy to pay their fair share. He knows that if the Wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, they will still be wealthy, and the vets and the nation will be better off!

And, if you are a Christian, ask yourself in this case, "What would Jesus want?" Would he want you to ignore him as you now ignore least of them, but glorify him in his wealth?

I am a disabled Vet from the Vietnam era and i am happy to say that i have been treated very well.

When filing a claim you must have all information and you must continue to follow through to get the results you desire.There are many avenues that you can take to get help with your claim a big one is the VFW liason officer he can do wonders also your state VA Representative. Be patient and continue to work at it and you will get there.

Remember this is the Government Red or Blue as you know it works very slowly

Tea you just make no sense, give it up

Here's another bag of you know what that the warmongering Republicans left President Obama holding. Not only did the contractors bilk the taxpayers out of millions of dollars, not only did Bush not fund HIS war but he didn't have the foresight to have monies in the VA fund either. I find this statement phenomenal:

As of March 31, the VA was considering 897,556 claims for disability benefits; nearly 590,000 of those had been pending for more than 125 days.

900,000 disability claims? Really???

I think it's time to start a discussion about turning around our military personal selection process once again. Bring back the draft...no deferments. Is there really any reason why the great American patriot Mitt Romney's 5 sons didn't serve? Because he has all that money in overseas accounts and his children have other options? Nice for them but it doesn't help all the inner-city kids who due to the economy didn't have other options. I once took a class that said it only takes two generations of welfare to set up a way of life for future generations. I wonder how many of those disability claims follow that reasoning?

My feeling is that all these bennies coming from having served are a form of welfare. Maybe a more honorable form but still welfare and at the very least a form of socialized medicine. The same socialized medicine the voting Republican public doesn't want the rest of us to have. I see no reason for the taxpayer to pay ongoing bennies to service men and women who never saw a day of fighting with a gun in their hand. If you didn't have a gun in your hand you are doing a job that translates to a private sector position. Pay your own medical and retirement....just like we do.

The money saved can be used to really take care of those who served, gun in hand, in this horrible thing called war.

As bad as things can get for our past and present military servicemen, we can't forget that they aren't alone. They get the worst of yet, yes. Fighting far from home, separated from their loved ones, in many cases calling absolute filth home.... Yes, they probably get the worst of it. They are the tip of the spear in more ways than one. But does anyone remember the 9/11 firefighters and policemen? I read on these boards on every cop-related story tons of rants- many absolutely horrific against different government employees that get shot at by thugs dressed as civilians (want to read something scary? try finding a good definition on what makes a terrorist that doesn't apply to a gang member, soldier, or civilian "freedom-fighter"). Many firefighters are volunteer, and lets not forget about our teachers, nurses, sanitation workers. Of course, nowadays, all the internet-business propaganda articles... I'm sorry, I mean news.... have their comments sections with people yelling at each other whether union members or non-union members deserve unspeakable things happen to each other.

This country is on the verge of self-destruction due to a combination of ignorance, arrogance, complacency, greed, and above-all corruption. Corruption of our lives, our minds, our very way of life. Yet the billboard facilitators of this corruption (the two primary political parties and the numerous smaller ones wishing to take their place) are given, time and time again, additional latitude. The Executive branch is operating on emergency powers permitted by the people; the legislature is free to spin their wheels on unimportant issues that appeal to small groups that don't know @!$%# about the world, whilst refusing to make difficult policy choices for fear of the consequences (hint: not winning re-election is not the worst that can happen to a politician) from the corrupt influences. Even our very courts interpret the laws to satisfy their private backers. By voting for these same corrupt officials, you lose all right to complain about the direction of any of our national policies. "Vote them out" does not mean vote for the exact same package in a different suit.

I am continually appalled by the very same people that cry out some unspeakably harsh things about those of whom they never met, claiming to know that their opinion is somehow the only way towards a just cause, only to not realize that they are lacking something critical (like information, or comprehension of an issue, or even human compassion and emphathy). Look no further than this very Newsvine and the archives stored on the internet. The best and most just course of action is always the peaceful, legal, fair, and truthful way but most would rather light torches and burn their neighbors if they felt it would grant them security. Look no further than our statute of laws. Civil Rights- freeing people from discrimination based on sex, religion, national origin, race, age, color, or disability. That's right, we had to pass laws (always against considerable resistance) to get people to treat each other like people. Many don't understand that these laws were passed to implement penalties to stop the physical counterpart to the very thing you can read or hear about on these forums. VOW to Hire Heroes Act? Why are so many being treated so terribly in exchange for the choices that they made and the choices that others made for them? When does this stop? Everyone wants to preach something better, but so few act...

These brave men and women, many of whom I've had the fortune of meeting/knowing before they don the uniform (and I share time with the next wave of new-officers), are exemplary in their dedication to something bigger than themselves, hoping that it is the right course of action for the nation that they believe in. I am continually humbled by their presence and wish I could join them (PDQ- I will not explain why). But why only the soldiers? Why only now? I remember those attacks in 2001 as well as 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000.... I remember looking to my classmates and being the only one to know the name that would haunt the news for from 9/12/01 to present. Why only me? I felt it was our duty as citizens and Americans to know about how we fit in the world, both in the good that we do... and the bad. Was I wrong? Granted I was only a kid- does that mean I was stuck in my young idealism? I remember people saying that this will not be another Vietnam for our returning troops, even as it turned into a Vietnam-esque situation where they were deployed. Yet, we're losing our jobs, our freedoms, and everyone is complaining about paying higher taxes? People talk about corruption only to re-vote the corrupt? People talk about justice only to form opinions on a headline?

And what of this war? We still don't even know who we are fighing, where we are fighting or why we are fighting. Maybe that's immaterial, who am I to say? But when this "Global War on 'Terrorism'" ends, what of our veterans then? Will they be like those from the Gulf part I? Those from Korea? Will they be like those nameless CIA ops or bloodsucking mercs on our payrolls? And what of those that never saw a day in a distant battlefield? What of those that never strayed far from home? Those who have to pay for six-figure operations on low five-figure salaries. Those that are gridlocked in the courts that seek justice. Those that are left uncertain for the children they may leave behind. Those who are the targets for the dissent and disdain of others that only seek to lash out to temporarily buoy their rapidly sagging status in the world at large. Those who aim just to live a peaceful existence never to see a smile from a stranger.

We are not doing everything we can for those who sacrifice their lives (remember the KIAs but don't you dare forget the WIAs- mental and physical) going through the combat and conflict. Yet they are not alone. They are only the tip of the spear. I am humble in their presence.

Maybe Obama should pick up the Republican way of handling Vets? Make sure they don't have proper body armor and training, so they don't make it back too clog the VA system?

But, wait, we can't improve the VA. We gotta keep them huge tax cuts for the wealthy so they can create jobs and make the economy boom just like they did for de facto President Cheney and his minion, de facto Vice President Bush. Hmm, wait again. President Obama didn't inherit a surplus? It was Bush that inherited a surplus? Gosh darn. My bad.

Ed, when I got out I claimed because of a bad back, a shoulder and affected memory but got 10% after 20 years for some broken toes I didn't claim. Luckily for me I was a hired by a company that like veterans and I was able to carry my load all this time. Now I'm unemployable because of my back and my memory. So my advise to all veterans is to report anything that is bothering them. Do not fail to take care of those woes because if there is no evidence that you had them you will be ignored by the system.

@a matter of fact "By voting for these same corrupt officials, you lose all right to complain about the direction of any of our national policies. "Vote them out" does not mean vote for the exact same package in a different suit."

Good post, but it seems as long as a good, affordable, well rounded education (to include a comprehensive study of civics) is not in the cards for most of Americans, I side with Plato when he said that Oligarchy [what today's neoconservatives want] brings about the social injustice of a ruling, wealthy elite whose primary concern is their own appetites. But, democracy [or a republic] brings about social injustice as well because ordinary [poorly educated] people have no knowledge of how to manage the intricacies of government, and as a consequence of their intellectual deficiency, they are easily deceived by the emotional rhetoric of self-serving politicians." (brackets mine)

If Bush Cheney wars don't bankrupt us the murders and atrocities will

and how would you do that Mr. President- to begin with this is not China where the President can randomly demand that people be hired- secondly congress is the one that appropiates the monies to fund these veteans programs and truthfully the less visibility that the Republican controlled house has on these issues is better for them- anyone remeber George Bush and Shoor em in the face Cheney

God and the soldier we adore In time of battle and not before

The battle over and all things righted God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.

I know of what you speak. We have a Service Officer (DAV) who volunteers at the vet center where I volunteer and she comes upon things like that every day she works. But she LOVES to tell the VARO which side is up! She is a fighter-- she is retired Army and a disabled veteran. Then she also does it down at the DAV-- and she gets the problems. But she loves it!

Susie: That is what service officers, especially DAV and VFW Service Officers do: they fight the system to support the (ex)GI who needs help. They are the ones who advocate for the veterans. She sounds llike a good one. We need (lots) more like her. We also need to have VA staffing, and budgets, and infrastructure all built up to be able to handle the coming work load. Otherwise some guys may die of old age while waiting for their benefits. I hve a fellow Viet Nam vet who has been waiting for benefis for over a year. He has type II diabetes (Agent Orange). Should be an open-and-shut case. What's happening? The VA is overloaded, way oveloaded.

I would like to re-phrase some of the sentiment in the first part of your post. With your permission. Remember, in all of recorded history, only two people have offered to die for you: Jesus of Nazareth to make you holy, and the American GI to make (and keep) you free.

I am a vet that was injured from a sevice connected surgery. The surgy was botched I was told that it was a 1 in 250,000 chance this would happen. After 5 years of fighting for benifits I was awarded 50% the max they said for intence migraine headaches. i get between 10 and 15 headaches average in a month. There so bad I lose vision vomit and light seems to make it all feel worse. I filed for increased benifits combined disabilty for me was 60%. I was told that I had to show proof that I was unable to work. I brought in letters from former employers stating that the fact I had so many headachesI was terminated there was 7 letters total. I could have gotten many more. I was denied and told that I could be retrained because the medication I was taking controled the headaches. I take vicoden to kill the pain and hide in my bedroom from the light this is the control I use. My bedroom has tinfoil taped to the windows to block the light. I have been rescued of the streets and highways from employers, friends and the police. The headaches occored while driving causing impaired vision. I am on my last appeal I have sold most of my possions to raise my children. I have lied to get jobs I have even tried starting my own buisiness. I managed to findly pay off my home Recession has killed my business and my kids are raised. So to all you young men and women who are serving I pray that you are never hurt in the military or by the surgions tring to fix you. The VA will deny deny deny its there rubber stamp policy. Dont give up on the appeals the last stop is a court not the VA you will win there The admin. part of the VA just hope you will give up and go away. Its a pity the admin. part of the Va is broken but the hospitals are full of caring doctors and nurses thank god. I worked at the VA years ago and would hear the raters who made the decisions talking about denying vets. Its sad when you hear one say my system is to find any excuse in a report to deny the vet. Mine was in the denial I was asked by the doctor who was appointed to examine me. Can you go shopping alone. Yes or No I replied to the doctor If not having a headache I can go shopping. She put yes on the the form. Raters responce was if you can shop you can work sugjest Veteran be retrained for new line of work CLAIM DENYED. I was a work study at the VA so VA deny that this is not policy. So Mr. Obama fix the admin part of the VA maybe you might get my vote.

keep applying every month it took me total about 7 years. And never stop appealing when you do win and you will you will get all of the back money. Don't be afraid to make noise. It's not the VA's fault they are understaffed ,underfunded,and over worked.The rules they must follow are sometime draconian but keep fighting. This worthless peice of garbage Republican started these wars, the people let them now the people must pay for what they have done to us

I had to apply twice just to be rated 10% disabled--my boss, also a veteran, believes I'm closer to 60%. That took about a year to be processed in 2005.

Yet if a union secretary breaks a nail she can get a full cops disability pension, tax free, for the rest of their life on the taxpayers dollar. Aint life grand.

trudat6445 - that is complete BS.

HobokenOP - did you ever stop to think that some of your "lazy moochers" on "welfare" are veterans? You are quick to condemn but slow to consider.

Actually, veterans are ineligible for welfare. After becoming homeless last year, I was "advised" to apply for SSDI, food stamps and, if possible, unemployment... I rejected all three options. I'd really, honestly rather struggle than face the demoralizing process that those three entail.

(Incidentally, to show you how far down respect for veterans has dropped, I have been referred to as a "government leech" by people in comments sections such as this, because I get 10% disability from the V.A.)

When you get home, we are going to be there for you when you’re in uniform and we will stay there for you when you’re out of uniform, because you’ve earned it,” he told troops at Bagram Air Base on Tuesday.

This is a Promise never fulfilled by any President, Democrat or Republican. Soldiers are as good as trash when they return from combat with injuries.

The only way of changing that is to reinstall the draft, if the Government continues attacking other countries. That way, they will see how it really is. People will start re-thinking the idea that going to war when we are not being attacked for any reason is "patriotic"

Also, when the sons and daughters of influential people return home in a casket, maimed, or crazy for life, they will also make sure that they get the APPROPRIATE CARE, and not the care of a 3rd world country hospital. Some of the money spent on Research for weapons should actually go to HELP THE SOLDIERS THAT CARRY THOSE DANGEROUS MISSIONS.

Jim-3113262

HobokenOP - did you ever stop to think that some of your "lazy moochers" on "welfare" are veterans? You are quick to condemn but slow to consider.

Lazy moochers on welfare are the people that have never worked or choose not to work. If a vet is on welfare I'm sure they are deserving of it, hence they are vets. A vet has given to his or her country.

Timothy.... Both my husband and I are both veterans and he is a 100% service connected disabled veteran. I do have a suggestion to get your claim processed faster. Make sure that you have a vet representative. They are free and help make sure that you case is being processed and not being held up because of a technicality. I know that the VFW, AMVETS and the American Legion have them. We found ours at the VA hospital. They were great because they had access to our file within the VA system. I know from experience that there are times that the VA says they sent a letter about an issue and we never received it. Or the best is when you get a letter stating you must report for a physical or doctor's appointment on a certain day that was a week ago. Anyway, it's just a suggestion but they helped us out a great deal.

Paddleboard::: I have to agree with you 100%. I volunteer at a vet center, and when guys come in to see about their claim they are asked what organization represented them when they first filed. The DAV has a Service Officer who volunteers at the vet center three mornings a week. Everybody wants to have her help them.

I wish I knew more about working at the front desk during the day. I volunteer 4 evenings a week, about 3 hours an evening. I may have to retire again tho-- at 77 years young I am beginning to feel my age. But if I knew more I could fill in during the day if needed.

I am a Vietnam veteran and it took almost 20 years for the VA to approve my claim for PTSD, CAD, and DM2. They awarded me 50%, but would not pay for the entire 20 years because I had asked them to "reconsider" a prior denial instead of "appealing." Words...they'll get you every time. I was awarded 100% due to unemployability and although my health issues are worsening and getting more complex, the VA is taking care of most of my needs. But, the last 20 years, nothing but stone walls and paperwork.

It's just a personal experience from which I comment, but I hope the boys coming home now will be treated with the respect and kindness they deserve.

The Lord knows the Vietnam Vets took a hit, but if you stay focused and stand your ground, you will prevail.

From a ol' Jarhead...Semper Fi.

All the hero stuff is soon forgotten, and your are just another number in the VA system. Most meds are very cheap generics, if you need specific medications, you will be sent to a speciality clinic, and have to wait months to get into it. Then a "review board" decides if you really need it. Most VAs do not have Cardiologists, or Specialists, and it take months to get an outside consult. If you don't like your doctor, it is a very long and painful process to find someone compatible with your personality. Mental health is a nightmare, most Psychiatrists only dispense Meds, that are not therapists, and you have to just though a 1000 hoops to get any worth while help. Most VA have very limited Physical Therapy Units, and dump you off in Yoga classes or the YMCA. Waiting lists are long for most treatments, and scheduling is insane, so, use you up, an through you away....they will tell you if you don't like it, go find your own doctor....right....

Do you actually know any homeless Veterans? I do, I work with them. Many of them have mental health issues that are being addressed by the VA, they are homeless any by CHOICE. We check on them almost on a daily basis, give them meal vouchers, rides to their appointments, bus tokens, personal hygiene items and those that are serious about getting off the stree get housing vouchers. It does not take a couple of days it takes a while but it can and is being done.

I don't know what VA services you, but the one I go to I have NEVER had to wait that long for ANYTHING! When I needed a non-generic med because the generics were not working it was approved within a week and I had it less than 10 days later, any time I have needed to be fee based out it has ALWAYS been with the 30 day window (that is a VA requirement).

Maybe it is you and your attitude, I see MANY MANY Veterans come into the VA and whining about I am 100% SERVICE CONNECTED WHINE WHINE, so what? Service connected or not you will get your services it does not make you special it only makes the workload heavier on the MSAs and others to listen to you whine and try to calm you down like a child. Get a grip and act like an adult and you will get what you need!

My standard pitch to a vet, before I retired, was that it would take nine to eighteen months to receive a decision. After receipt of the decision you could figure three to five years to appeal the decision and reach a final equitable determination. Paddleboard is absolutely correct that you want an advocate on your side to review the claim and provide support and explanations of the process. If you are extremely fortunate and have your file reviewed by a "superior" rating specialist you will receive a final equitable determination right out the gate but that breed of rating specialist is few and far between. I loved and hated that type of rating specialist because they did a great job, too good for an appeal to be of any value having addressed all possible issues and dotted the "i's" and crossed their "t's".

For what its worth Timothy your file is in a stack waiting for someone to work their way to it. Once they have hands on and find that all the information is there for their decision it will be just a few hours before they have it written. If they find an error, mistake, or lack of available records it will go back to gather the necessary information. But once a favorable decision has been made you'll probably know about it in your checking account first, they are good about getting the funds to you once an award is granted. [Since you're a retire vet the rules may be different for you, they were when I was an advocate. I could get your a portion of your retirement converted from taxable income to non-taxable. Congress looked at it as you were already being compensated and would off-set your retirement for disability.]

IMHO, the VA would loose up to 60% of their claims if they simply lived up to the old historical promise to provide medical care to veterans who had served. Now to get medical care you need to have retired and/or have a service connected disability or be indigent.

Travellingman: You started off OK, but quickly slid down into a totally tasteless rant. This is about GI's who are waiting for, and needing medical treatment and disability compensation. Your anti-bush rant has no bleeping place here! Try being a F$%^$d-up Veteran who has to endure such crap as you are spewing. It's 1970 all over again. NO THANK YOU, HANOI TRAVELINGMAN! Crawl back under your rock.

Actually Pres Bush did start the war in Iraq under false pretences. Bush/cheny/wolfowitz/Rumsfeld totally falsified the claims for WMD and ordered people to the war. Many are dead and many more maimed, wounded and have TBI, PTSD and more. These deaths and misery are directly attributed to those who ordered it done. Saddam was no threat to the US - but those leaders had a "thing" about him. Not to mention the Pentagon leaders and the Military and Intelligence industrial complex saw boundless opportunities for themselves in a limited war. For Fred or anyone else to separate the results from the guys who ordered the results is total dishonesty or weakmindedness and I am tired of it. Those troops did not get hurt because bad things fell on them from blue sky. They got hurt because Bush/Cheny ordered it. The people will always be loyal to the troops and do what they can for them. Thank God for that. But only person who can't reason thinks Saddam forced the second war on the US.

except this President has the best track record of any in providing for the vets look at the VA budget since he took over and look at the budget under Bush- its the Republican controlled house that does not want to fund these programs

HobokenOP

You are incorrect, this President is way under what the previous President spent. Do you homework, before you talk or type. Think about the housing, bank, auto meltdown then think about the money in the hole dummy. Ask yourself these questions, You are a republican, do you live like a republican. Do you have the money that a true republican have. They sold you on their ideals of what is good for a republican is good for you. But yet they reap the benefits of the tax cuts. If you had the money they have, then you can benefit but you live paycheck to paycheck like the average American.

Elvis! I haven't heard that one in over two decades, thanks! I remember that line well operating out of Udorn into the Land of Pol Pot! Upon rotating back to the World I not only got the finger from civilians at the airport, got called a Whopper, got nothing from nobody at the VA except them wanting to turn this Dirt Doc into another pill-junkie. On top of it all, I'm mistaken for a "Rag-Head" by a red-neck cabbie! I was just another Air-a-dabby wanting to blow up a Government building decades later! No thanks! Illegals, welfare/disability cheats, unemployment cheats get what the system won't give Vets. Semper Fi, Big 'A'! Welcome Home!!

cruddola,

I worked for a MSgt Morrison that was stationed in Udorn, as a Avionics tech, he & wife are great people...

I now have a farm and built a house outside of Udon Thani. Currently staying in BKK, due to the daughter attending Rangsit University. I prefer the farm, over the masses of people in BKK...

The only way I'm going back to the USA is in a box...

You are correct about the pill & bill happy Doctors in the USA...

AC, You're at peace, great! They can keep the B-Kok and Foo-kett! I dont miss the Red Thai and I don't miss that piss in a bottle, 33 either. I don't blame you for staying there. I came mighty close, but the chaos that started in Lebanon took me to the land of Johnny Jihaddi. A whole new way to fight the bad guys. I miss the way Medicine is practiced there. While guys were racked up for three weeks from Malaria I was done with it in less than four days thanks to a Monk's Herbal brew! I miss how peaceful folks can be during the most stressful times. Among the monks and dirt poor I administered to, I learned what it is to be a humanitarian first before a Grunt! Peace, brother! NU.

I was until recently a licenced masters level counselor from an accrediated Unioversity. I had previously applied to the VA even though all the mental health positions required a social work degree. My training plus 20 years in the counseling and rehabilitation field was equal in status to the social profession. I had expierence, a true compassion and additional training in issues with Veterans, IE PT-SD.

I found the VA human resource system extremely complicated ; after months of no position offered, I became employed in a private geriatric care management company which also served seniors in rural communities through a federal grant. The Older Americans Act Federal Program.

What I saw with these senior veterans was absolutely horrific. Men who had just given up in getting what they deserved, living in poverty, alone or with a spouse who was equally overtaxed with care-giving.I called and advocated and was able to help many. However the depression I also saw in the eyes of men who served two and three wars was disheartening, to say the very least. I went before the board who advises the legislators on senior policies.I spoke with Legislators and actually I wanted to make a documentary; however my job precluded this.

Nothing has changed. These positions still require Social Work degrees, despite what is announced. It is very sad that people like myself who are highly trained , appreciate the sacrifices of our Veterans, and would love to work in this field cannot become employed . The question is always when is the voice heard and howl There is obviously such a need. If anyone reading this knows another way--- besides going back to school for similar masters degree, please reply. I admire every Veteran and appreciate these families also and would be a wonderful advocate who is professional and compassionate and trained and if not in any area, ready to be. I believe the families should make their own documentaries and post these on u tube . Perhaps a more unified voice will surface to allow people of America to understand the needs of our Veterans and the actual system.

thanks for sharing.

There is no job because there is no need? Humm, I thought the economic principles would work things out on their own...........

Mary, I and untold numbers of Vets admire you and what your voice carries. Your words of Iron carry what no collective group of politicians could ever dream of carrying. Believe this, the VA's HR will not allow into their ranks folks like you who know the real Game as we in the loop call it here. They'll take a book-educated with little real-world experience college grad that can be molded to their specs. I know of two like you that have found nothing either. Both are heavily experienced. Rarely does some one recognize a rose in a river of mud. You are, indeed, a Rose! Thanks for your words of Iron and for your service. You are appreciated by all whom you've had contact. Shine on, Mary! Thank you!

joe there may be something you can do about it now. There was a lawsuit that the VA lost it's the Nehmer v. U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs. It established that ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and hairy cell and other chronic B-cell leukemias warrant presumptive service connection for when y'all we're in Vietnam, though of course they don't call it agent orange they called it "herbicides" it made me laugh.

They actually sent me the paperwork because my father died in 2003, they paid my brother to reimburse him for part of his tuition for his last year of college, I didn't qualify for it, but from what we're being told my brother and I qualify for survivors benefits retroactive to 2003, now I'm fully not expecting to get anything but if I do it'll be a nice surprise.

All I'm saying is it's something you and others like yourself may want to look into.

nvlsp.org/images/2011.02.10%20Nehmer%20Training%20Guide.pdf

I was sent everything in the mail so I'm having trouble finding websites to try and get more information for you seems like Google isn't always your friend.

vawatchdog.org/Nehmer_Class_Claims.html

This website has a lot of useful information on it, glad I stumbled across it, it's now bookmarked for future reference.

thank you for the info.

You're very welcome I hope it helps you, and btw thank you for your service i should've said that first and foremost in my last post, I apologize.

Hey Big Red 1. You deserve everything you are getting. I applaud you in your attitude as well. Wish I could emulate it, but just have too much hate and resentment still inside.

Lew, down here the VA folks are nothing like you describe. Very few are Vets themselves! Disconnected at best. Those that are Vets were button-pushers and not trigger pullers! I totally agree that attitude is the ticket. Like you I went down weeks after getting my DD214. All I got was what they wouldn't do for me! Got the cold shoulder on what they could do. Turn me into another Dead-end Vet pill-junkie was not what this former 2nd Marines Dirt Doc needed to be. No thanks! Instead I made it a point to land a gig that draws a US government paycheck and bennies instead! There's my ticket!! Bad-ass LRPs!! Glad you got yours!!

Lew, you likely had a good result because you had REAL, definable, military related injuries. I'm sure that there are some legitimate cases that fall through the cracks, but "10% disability for hemorrhoids", and the old standby PTSD are outta control. Not sayin' PTSD doesn't exist, but like kids with ADD/ADHD, probably 2/3 are crap claims/diagnoses.

Thank You for posting a good story with VA, I am also a Disablied vet and am going back to school under VA rehab. They have for the most part taken good care of me but I realize some other vets have not been so lucky. What I stress to every vet I see is to make sure the have copies of everything and to be patient. I know for a fact the most the VA employes are very over worked, Especialy in the VA rehab office and Disabilities offices. They all try their hardest to take care of the vets. That being said I have had a few issues to but most of them where when my normal counsler was materity leave. Nothing can screw up things faster than some dumb ass who has no Idea whats going on getting ahold of your paperwork.

Fred -- you are correct. I do have a documented disability -- hospital stays in Vietnam and Japan backing it up. I agree that there are possibly some legitimate complaints that fall through the cracks, but I doubt if it is very many -- especially considering that only a few on this thread have voiced complaints.

What galls me is that there are Veteran's organizations that will "coach" you on how to respond to questioning by VA doctors in order to improve your chances for disability. I was a combat medic on a LRP team in Vietnam for almost 2 years -- an officer in one of these "organizations" told me that they could get me 100% because of my PTSD. I said -- "What PTSD?" Their answer: "There is no way you could have served as a medic and not developed PTSD." What a bunch of crappola! Here is a group -- supposedly helping Veterans -- that want to "coach" me so that I can beat the system. No thanks! I will take what I deserve and nothing more. I refuse to lie in order to claim benefits that I do not deserve.

Lew I think it may have to do with where we live? My husband also gets excellent care and we have no complaints here by Ft Hood in Texas, on the other hand when my father was still alive I'd have to take him to the VA in northern california, that place was a nightmare from hell.

You should do a little more investigating. Yes, there are some jerks at VA. Most of them are in the upper management positions. However, VA is responsible for developing the shingles vaccine. VA nurses are usually the first responders in disaster situation. VA had state of the art polytrauma centers, blind rehab centers. And volunteers work every day to let Veterans know we care. Ask a non-Veteran about their health care. Unless they are part of the 1% rich, you'll find they face many of the same issues. If you want better treatment by employees, speak up! If you want better services, call your congress person. They hold the money strings.

I was medically retired in 2010 after a long hard fight with the Army. I actually wanted to stay in, but the military thought otherwise. After a long legal fight, and being placed in a WTU here at FT Hood I was finally released from the military. I applied for VA benefits and was impressed at how fast I was given a 70% rating. But I had some much physical and mental problems that I applied a year ago for full disability. A year later, I finally received a letter from my DAV service officer stating that I have been tentatively granted a 100% disability rating. I am still waiting for the official notification from the VA. I received the DAVs letter four days ago. According to the ebenefits website, I should be receiving a full notification within the next few days. The point is this. The VA promises you in writing that my claim for example would take roughly 28 days or so to process. Here we are a year later and Im finally receiving an aswer. Look if you (VA) would have told me that the claim would have taken a year, then I would have accepted that. (Grumble) But either way, dont say it will take a month and then a year later we a finally receiving notification. We veterans depend on the VA system. There is too much red tape. So no matter how many mental doctors you may hire or assistants you may have, you have to cut the red tape to speed things up.

Jose

Good for you, my claim took over a year. Just thank God you were awarded and to get your CRSD retroactive pay is what you will have to fight for now. I am still waiting on mine.

I'm so sorry to hear of this! I send my deepest gratitude to you and your family. Have you tried contacting your Congressman or Senator? It's worth a try.

Karl, go to your local DAV and let them be your advocate. Don't fight a system where you don't know the ropes. They got me 100% when VA blew me off for years.

You are a idiot.

Kevin, I can't help but answer: the official reason is to protect the homeland from terrorists and WMDs.

My officious version is opportunistic hyenas banked on oil and oil contracts, weaponry, pharmaceuticals etc.. using as many people (Americans soldiers, Americans, and foreigners) as possible to put it their coffers. Now that it is in their coffers it's not coming out to help the soldiers, Americans in the economy, but the foreigners who didn't get killed are getting some financial help.

I am 70% disable. I am going to school under chapter 31 by
the V/A. Well I was getting 703 dollars a month for me and my wife. Now last Augusts
Obama and congress pass a bill to pro-rated the money we get like a week off between
classes that is pro-rated. So now I only get 3 or 400 a month to support us .We
will take care of the Veteran ya right .They never do I have to work full time
and still go to school now because of the pro-rated..

Gandolf, I have the issue that prorated thing is for the birds! They are screaming about student loan debt and this forced most vets to take out more. Also to and to my issues is my husband has been out of work for 2 1/2 years he is also back in school, but we are living on my VA benfits, my part-time job and student loans. I need that money and it makes it very hard to budget. Plus my school is 8 week sessions so I get half a month pay then full month then half again. Its a pain in the butt!

Ugh we feel y'alls pain my husband is going through the same thing with his school money, thankfully he graduates in July and we won't have to deal with this crap anymore.

crabdusty::: Congratulations. You learned something that many people don't realize-- there are people who can help if you will look and ask around. I volunteer at a vet center and we have a DAV service officer three mornings a week just for that type of thing. The veterans organizations usually have Service Officers who do that.

More people should do as you did-- ask for help. I have been told it isn't something to take lightly and after being around it I can say that is right.

From the looks of Congress I doubt if any republican is interested in what happens to our Veterans... Especially when they are left out of the Ryan plan.... They have long considered VA benefits "Welfare Entitlements" to eliminate or cut

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2011/07/18/obama-republicans-seek-23-billion-disability-pay-cut/