What lifetime benefits do wounded/disabled vets get?

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Sometimes, it's too much: - I am all for providing more for those in need. However, my wife has 2 sons:

1) In the Air Force, he caught his wife in a bar kissing his Superior Officer. Divorce. He whines Air Force won't demote and transfer his superior Officer. Been 15 years and gets a 30% "Stress" disability payment. Relatives ask what I think: "If the gov't paid a pension to everyone whose wife cheated, we'd all go broke much sooner."

2) Son #2 is a serious alcoholic. Was in the Navy in the Persian Gulf on an Aircraft Carrier working in the Personnel Office.....Years later, he wants a disability like his brother. Studied up and it and claims he has "ringing in his ears"....Sez his bunk was under the flight deck and hearing damage........Claim has been approved, not sure what percentage...... He is as healthy as any other drunk. His goal in life is to get a Teamster disability to go along with the military check and never work again......

Not proud of either.....

Unfortunately, that is a reflection of society in general. My brother-in-law worked at Toyota in Georgetown, KY. When I would visit he would talk about his desire to win the " Kentucky Lottery". I thought he meant an actual lottery. I found out from my sister that he meant disability. He wanted to be "hurt" enough to claim disability but not enough to keep him from riding four wheelers, going camping, etc. This attitude is prevalent everywhere...especially Eastern Kentucky.

[FLYGEEZER]

Hearing imparement or "ringing in the ears" pays 10% or $133.00 per month. VA will issue hearing aids that are about $8,000.00 a pair.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by gamin

I get emotional when I think about this problem. We should not need a wounded warrior project to take care of our vets period. It exists because of the abject failure of the VA to do it's promised job and the failure of the congress we elect to hold their feet to the fire. Wounded warrior project and like organizations are symptoms of gross failure. These young men with brain trauma and loss of limbs deserve better. It's more than 20% disability. We owe them big time.

I'm glad somebody else feels this way. Frankly it pisses me off that charities are making money off providing something implicitly promised to veterans. And as with most charities, pennies on the dollar get to needy recipients.

The VA has been underfunded and badly run for decades. It seems every administration has promised to fix it. Care for veterans needs to be in every war budget. From Desert Storm to now, the percentage of badly wounded who survived has been 3-6X greater than anticipated. And yes, the cost of therapy seems many times greater for traumatic brain injury - which has been the widespread effect of IEDs. I support IAVA, which advocates for veterans of our Middle East wars. I suggest looking into IAVA.org.

[flyenby]

Life is not fair.....never will be.

[cairns]

My brother is 100% disabled and receives $3,000 per month. He suffered 3rd degree burns on over 50% of his body and is now mentally retarded (smoke damage to the brain). I think the government has been pretty good to him by providing that money. He can't drive or work.

But what he suffers to to get decent medical care at the VA is outrageous. Anyone who says they're doing a good job has no idea what they're talking about. Its the DMV of medical care. Actually it's far worse- the DMV doesn't kill people and give it's employees bonuses for doing so.

He's been four months trying to get a colonoscopy as I write this. It would not only be far more efficient to disband the VA and provide private health insurance our veterans could get the health care most of us take for granted.

[flyenby]

There are tables on the internet that you can look at 100% currently pays 2906.00 per month, you should check for him...

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

My father was a forward observer in Vietnam, and won a Purple Heart after being hit by grenade shrapnel while on patrol. Still has some pieces in him to this day. I know he gets care at the VA hospital, but I don't think he gets much else.

If he is not getting any disability for this (and it has disabled him in any way), he can go back to the VA and request reevaluation.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by cairns

My brother is 100% disabled and receives $3,000 per month. He suffered 3rd degree burns on over 50% of his body and is now mentally retarded (smoke damage to the brain). I think the government has been pretty good to him by providing that money. He can't drive or work.

But what he suffers to to get decent medical care at the VA is outrageous. Anyone who says they're doing a good job has no idea what they're talking about. Its the DMV of medical care. Actually it's far worse- the DMV doesn't kill people and give it's employees bonuses for doing so.

He's been four months trying to get a colonoscopy as I write this. It would not only be far more efficient to disband the VA and provide private health insurance our veterans could get the health care most of us take for granted.

I have never liked the VA or appreciated the level of care received there. As a retiree, I prefer to either pay my own way or choose Tricare standard which allows one to choose their own doctor and does not require a referral to arrange your own care.

Why would anyone expect a VA Hospital to be able to compete with the private sector since almost everyone is paid less, generally have to work in inferior facilities for longer hours and are almost universally reviled...not to mention the microscope that they have to operate under (in addition to the normal medical reviews/scrutiny)?

It is much the same in military medicine. Most of the brightest and best leave as soon as their initial obligation is up. It is pretty rare to be treated by anyone who does not look like a child. Although dedicated...and some of the brightest and best, most have less than 4 years experience. Although there are exceptions, the VA hospitals generally have doctors who could not hack the private sector and are willing to work for much less for an employer who is desperate to find bodies to fill underpaid, underappreciated positions.

That said, in some places, the VA hospitals are exceptional.

[tevake]

Yeah, good luck with that reevaluation thing.

Read below, detect a certain note of bitterness, that's not unusual after trying to get treated fairly by the V A. Sure hope it better for current Vets, but recent reports don't seem so.

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

The VA is another Fat pork project that gives the insiders a LOT of Cash.
I got a letter late 1970 early 1980s NOT to have kids! ( I worked with a lot of Agent Orange) Now years later, they find out the stuff causes genetic defects!
It screws up one's whole life .
Did they offer me a disability of any kind ?
NO!
No kids for me, no feelings in ANY end things on my body, fingers, toes nose etc. (Plus a LOT of other problems)
There is no compensation that can fix me, Yet I by far do not have it as bad as the current batch of Vets who have to been put on a roundy round war with no end in sight.
They are sure to get wounded at some point .
like said they get minimum treatment.
However a congressman gets full bennies and retirement.
They take care of themselves FIRST !
Tell me again, Why are people pissed ?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by tevake

Yeah, good luck with that reevaluation thing.

Read below, detect a certain note of bitterness, that's not unusual after trying to get treated fairly by the V A. Sure hope it better for current Vets, but recent reports don't seem so.

I read it and commented...but IMHO, his experience is not typical. I know a guy who just passed away. He was reevaluated (agent orange) and got a huge benefit, even though he had been able to work a full career and retire from a Federal job. His family continues to get his money after he died. From my experience, they are much more lenient with agent orange claims than most.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/index.asp

As far as treatment, unless you want to spend a lot more in taxes to hire more/better doctors, much of the VA will remain as it is. A place for poor old dudes to go and die where they won't encumber their families. Better out of sight of society so no one will feel guilty for screwing them over then watching them die (Blame the VA, an anonymous entity, not themselves or the politicians they elected). Otherwise, do the right thing and shut down the entire system (sell the facilities to the private sector) and give these guys the same Tricare that I get as a retiree, but cover their deductible/copay as well (and spend even more in taxes).

[Reiver]

I'm 70% presently from being wounded twice and retired. I get a monthly VA check besides my retirement. I have no issues but I'm a retired guy not a soldier retired or put out on disability.
The tricare and VA benefits have decreased yearly for the last 4-5 years.
For guys with traumatic amputations (not me) and continuing physical issues the military is great initially but once on the street not so much.
This generation of soldiers that have experienced/survived huge physical shock (due to vehicles that cantake the blast) are going to have serious TBI isues and early dementia/physical disability because of that.
The real problem with the VA is this...it was meant to treat service related issues for veterans...not be a free healthcare for life for non service related issues.
Too many short term vets use the VA for anything/everything taking money/space and resources from those that have service related issues.
I know that is not a popular thing to say but it is the truth.
Some vets that served for 2-3 years think the VA owes them lifelong med support.....that is welfare.

[cairns]

The real problem with the VA is this...it was meant to treat service related issues for veterans...not be a free healthcare for life for non service related issues.

Agree 100%. That's the problem with bureaucracies. Mission creep.

The answer isn't pay them more or raise our taxes. The answer is fire the slackers and turn over the vast majority of what they do to the private sector. We'd pay less taxes and our vets would get better care.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by cairns

Agree 100%. That's the problem with bureaucracies. Mission creep.

The answer isn't pay them more or raise our taxes. The answer is fire the slackers and turn over the vast majority of what they do to the private sector. We'd pay less taxes and our vets would get better care.

How do you stop what mission creep? Change the rules that currently entitle most veterans to care? Which ones are you too cheap to pay the bill to treat? Will you kick dying veteran's into the street?

That is a tall order, Closing down the nation's largest integrated health care system (over 1,700 sites, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year). How would you do it cheaper by the private sector? Not use real doctors? As it is the VA finds it difficult to hire doctors that even speak English. How do you get anyone better care for less money?

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by fintstone

How do you stop what mission creep? Change the rules that currently entitle most veterans to care? Which ones are you too cheap to pay the bill to treat? Will you kick dying veteran's into the street?

That is a tall order, Closing down the nation's largest integrated health care system (over 1,700 sites, serving 8.76 million Veterans each year). How would you do it cheaper by the private sector? Not use real doctors? As it is the VA finds it difficult to hire doctors that even speak English. How do you get anyone better care for less money?

If vets wanted lifetime access (with co pays) they should of paid the bill of serving a full career.
That was the deal, that was the contract....not lifetime care for a few years service....that's welfare.
The guys/gals literally 'milking' the system ( I see it locally) for everything from dental care to whatever take away the benefits of those that paid the actual bill and need the service.
If they have a service related issue take care of them...if not they should do like every other American and get their own healthcare.

[tevake]

OK Reiver, thats the second time you have made this statement about short term service men.
First off guys of all length of service game the system. And with your length of service Im sure you saw the mastery at gaming that grew for some with long years in service.

And your underlying theme is very familure to me from Nam. The lifers were too mission critical to spend much in the field. Much better to send the draftees and rotc junior officers to the bush. They are much easier to replace after all.

So the REMF lifers could stay in the rear to direct operations. And keep their barstools at the club warm.
Oh they might fly in AFTER a big encounter to asses the the situation and BOOST MORAL, certainly to fly back to the base camp in time for happy hour.

Let there be a few incoming mortars at their base camps and the lifers would site each other for combat commendations and Purple Hearts if their ear were still ringing the next morning.

While the junior officers and lower ranked enlisted overwhelmingly suffered the lions share of genuine combat injuries and died in proportionately larger numbers .
Consequently producing larger numbers of combat injuries in those ranks.

Let me add that there were some conscientious and genuinely professional senior noncoms and a few officers that were willing to lead from the front. And risk the exposure of actually being in the action. These were the welcomed exception from the ranks of career soldiers

The subject at hand is how is the VA functioning and what is the compensation for disabled vets.
The length of service in these recent wars has little to do with the severity of injury and the need for treatment or the need for long term medical support.

Granted the career soldier has put in the time to earn Long term benefits. And I'm glad we can provide these benefits to them.

How ever those injured in service for our country deserve the the care they need regardless of time in service. Remember this is injured or disabled vets we are talking about.

Richard

[flyenby]

Very well put..I was in the Army 18 months.....14 months in combat units. I recieved an early out for extending in country. I did my time.....

[afterburn 549]

Originally Posted by Reiver

If vets wanted lifetime access (with co pays) they should of paid the bill of serving a full career.
That was the deal, that was the contract....not lifetime care for a few years service....that's welfare.
The guys/gals literally 'milking' the system ( I see it locally) for everything from dental care to whatever take away the benefits of those that paid the actual bill and need the service.
If they have a service related issue take care of them...if not they should do like every other American and get their own healthcare.

Problem .
The full career deal.
The problem is- the want to be lifers get screwed lots of times.
They are duped into wrong MOS categories, don't make rank, Their job gets antiquated .
Then they get fired 6 years in, or worse 12 years in. ETC.
The Military is fabulous about getting rid of good people because of mismanagement.
These are just some examples. There are many.
We have all seen it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by fintstone

If he is not getting any disability for this (and it has disabled him in any way), he can go back to the VA and request reevaluation.

He is now retired, so it's probably a moot point. He has some health issues but is doing pretty decent overall for being almost 70. I doubt he would have gone for disability anyway, it's not like he was unable to work.

[cairns]

Will you kick dying veteran's into the street?

You mean like the VA has? And not a soul was held accountable? Except the whistleblowers who brought it up?

An OP from the NYP follows but it shares my sentiments. A bloated, inefficient, incredibly unaccountable agency that has taken over four months and still hasn't been able to schedule a colonoscopy for a veteran shouldn't continue to exist in its present form. An agency that gives millions to the undeserving but fails to protect those who are.

The answer to our problems is not more government it's less. A lot less.

There is only one guaranteed way to get fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Falsifying records won’t do it. Prescribing obsolete drugs won’t do it. Cutting all manner of corners on health and safety is, at worst, going to get you a reprimand. No, the only sure-fire way to get canned at the VA is to report any of these matters to authorities who might do something about it.

That, at least, is what the US Office of Special Counsel recently reported to the president of the United States. The Special Counsel’s Office is the agency to which government whistleblowers go to report wrongdoing.

“Our concern is really about the pattern that we’re seeing, where whistleblowers who disclose wrongdoing are facing trumped-up punishment, but the employees who put veterans’ health at risk are going unpunished,” Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner recently told National Public Radio.

Now, obviously, this shouldn’t happen. Everyone, except perhaps the managers at the VA, probably agrees with that. So by all means, let’s have some reforms and further protections for whistleblowers.

But that’s not a real solution. The real fix is to get rid of the VA entirely.

The United States has an absolute obligation to do right by veterans. It does not have an absolute obligation to run a lousy, wasteful, unaccountable, corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy out of Washington. Of all those adjectives, the one that gets to the core of the problem is “unaccountable.”

Elected officials are supposed to be held responsible for the actions of the government, right? Well, which politician should we fire for the endless stream of outrageous VA scandals of the last few years? The president? Leave aside the fact that he won’t be on the ballot in 2016; not a lot of voters put reforming the VA bureaucracy at the top of their list of priorities.

Is there a congressman or senator who might lose an election because of the VA scandals? If there is, I can’t figure out who it might be. Every representative and senator has raced to the cameras to express their outrage, and not one is accepting a scintilla of responsibility for the problem. But they are all responsible because they have simply ceded authority to the bureaucrats themselves.

There is a reason the Founding Fathers put most governmental functions at the state and local level. It’s because a large nation cannot be run from the center.

Imagine that the federal government simply gave all of the VA hospitals to the states they’re in. Instead of the VA budget, Congress just cut checks to states to spend on their veterans. You’d still have problems, of course. But what you would also have are local elected officials — city councilmen, state legislators, mayors, governors, etc. — whom voters could hold directly accountable. Moreover, these officials would be more likely to understand the nature of the problems faced by their constituents.

As a result, you would see states handling similar problems in different ways. Some techniques would be better, some would be worse, and some would just be different. Arizona is simply different than Vermont, so it may handle things differently. Still, this process would allow everyone to learn from both mistakes and successes in a way that a centralized bureaucracy cannot or will not.

Personally, I’d rather see the money spent on veterans go straight to the veterans themselves, in the form of cash payments or vouchers to be used for health care in the private sector. But my point really isn’t to figure out the best way to provide for veterans; it’s to highlight the best way to organize a free society.

One of the chief reasons so many people are angry at Washington right now is that government has become detached from democratic accountability. ObamaCare really isn’t a piece of health care legislation, it’s a huge permission slip for bureaucrats to design a system as they see fit. The same goes for large swaths of the federal government.

Congress doesn’t make many decisions about environmental regulations; the EPA does. Moreover, the EPA makes decisions that no Congress would ever approve if the decisions were left to the elected officials. Congress likes it that way, because the politicians would rather complain about bad decisions than take responsibility for tough ones.

That’s not how America is supposed to work.

We elect politicians to make decisions. If they make bad ones, we get to fire them come Election Day. The growth of the federal bureaucracy is really a protection racket. It insulates both the bureaucrats and elected officials from the voters they’re supposed to work for.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Reiver

If vets wanted lifetime access (with co pays) they should of paid the bill of serving a full career.
That was the deal, that was the contract....not lifetime care for a few years service....that's welfare.
The guys/gals literally 'milking' the system ( I see it locally) for everything from dental care to whatever take away the benefits of those that paid the actual bill and need the service.
If they have a service related issue take care of them...if not they should do like every other American and get their own healthcare.

I am just stating the current laws/policy which allow almost all veterans to use the VA on a priority basis. We, as a nation just need to understand/decide what our priorities are. The choice is simple. Spend the money it would take to have enough doctors to do this or restrict services.

Penniless illegal aliens can walk into an emergency room anywhere in the U.S. and get treatment. I have no problem with giving due resect to anyone who honorably served by giving some level of care to any veteran who has the time and high threshold of pain it takes to get VA treatment. Especially if they suffer from any sort of military related-illness.

It is really pretty hard to tell what is service-related and what is not. I have medical problems (including poor hearing...probably from many years working on jet aircraft, but maybe just because I am old and enjoy hard rock music now and then). I get no VA benefits although I have problems that give me pain every day. Are they a result of a hard military life for almost 4 decades or just heredity and age? I know lots of guys who never served that would kill to be as healthy as me. Personally, I will buy my own hearing aids because the ones offered by the VA just do not meet my standards. I paid for my own lasik, etc. God know, some of the VA facilities are little better than a butcher shop. I would rather do surgery on myself than go into one for a colonoscopy, let them touch my eyes, etc. I just don't want to be treated by doctors who are essentially chosen the same way we choose contractors...because they are the low bidder.

I don't want or need VA services or a disability check (although I would sure like to have the VA education benefits I paid for...or at least my money back), but I am certainly willing to pay sufficient taxes to provide any veteran who needs it...some level of care with dignity.