What lifetime benefits do wounded/disabled vets get?

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by fintstone

A lot of folks drawing some sort of VA disability have little wrong with them...

A friend of mine broke his foot while in the Army because he was smoking opium while on guard duty in Vietnam and fell out of a guard tower. He was put on 10% disability and has been receiving a check for a little over $200/mo. since 1970. He called it his 'foot check'. He then got wind of the Agent Orange controversy and badgered the VA thru his congressman (himself a disabled vet) for compensation and was granted 100% disability. He never even saw any Agent Orange but was briefly stationed at a firebase where it was stockpiled. He does have some heart issues, which may or may not be related to this, but all things considered, he's in fairly decent health. He never did tell me how much he receives now, but he was able to pay off several debts and buy a small house in Florida during the 'Great Recession' for cash. His story may not be typical, but there are people milking the VA in much the same way as those who are milking the welfare system.

On the other hand, as a veteran myself, I strongly support any policies aimed at getting veterans who truly need it all the help & resources necessary to make their transition back into society as easy as possible. Especially in light of all the money our government pisses away on welfare cheats and other misguided endeavors.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Govt does what is best for them , not the soldiers.
They have the best of the best, They dont pay social security.
They dont have to mess with AHC
Also they Get full retirement with no risk .
Fly around for free ( on our money ) on private jets.
They spend more on launch then what they spend on any vet in a month .
When I got back from Nam I could not figure out why the big guys would not hire me.
Turns out there was a trick number attached to the coveted honorable discharge. ( DD214)
They tried to wash the Viet Vet soldiers dwn the drains of society.
I don't know what they are doing to the soldiers of the latest wars, But I am sure it something disgusting.

I understand your annoyance/pain with the VA system, but most of what you post about "Govt" is currently incorrect. They pay social security, (Don't know what AHC is), They get full retirement after 30 years work, they generally don't fly around for free (except for work), etc. The military has a much better benefits package.

[afterburn 549]

I was focusing on congress .

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I was focusing on congress .

Most benefits that people believe they have are not accurate. They currently have essentially the same retirement, benefits, etc. as civil service. They even pay social security since 1984. They don't fly for free, etc. (unless on business). They do generally get free parking.

[Drbraunsr]

Whatever it is....it's not enough.

[afterburn 549]

Ok
I am wrong.
Is good to know

[afterburn 549]

Back on point-If one goes to the VA and sees some of the guys there.....there is no amount of money I would want or trade for their problems.
When we all signed on to uncle Sam, we just presumed if we got shot to hell we would live or die,End.
That there would be no in between.
There is a LOT of in between.
Experience is a HELL of a teacher .

[flyenby]

100% disabled if you are single 2907.00 per month tax free, all medical free, property tax deduction. Free state and national park pass. Px access on base to shop.Children under 27 , education benefits 1k per month for 48 months, 12 units are more...tax free

[afterburn 549]

How much money did the POS president just give to Iran?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Ok
I am wrong.
Is good to know

I am not sticking up for them. I just want us to be accurate regarding their compensation for serving. It distracts from real issues. Many are still dirt bags and make a fortune on insider trading and selling influence.

The real issue in this thread is disabled vets and how poorly many have been treated. Although, as noted... there are some that scam the system, I just don't know how a grateful nation could ever find a way to compensate some of the seriously disabled or killed. I do know that I am forever grateful to those who have sacrificed so much hope we are doing everything possible to help them (and their families) as much as possible to live a normal and fulfilling life.

[flyenby]

When I got back from 14 months in Vietnam....Infantry, all I recieved was the finger..as in get F#CKED.....

[fintstone]

Yep, the same for my brother. He returned to a nation that did not respect or appreciate his sacrifice in the least. Nothing but the GI Bill, and he had a family to feed, so it was wasted on him. He had problems adjusting to civilian life and was burdened with personal issues for many years. The folks who did not go had seniority in most employment and when the big recession/stagflation of the 70's came along, they were the first let go.

It is shameful how this nation treated Vietnam and Korean vets. It is a bit better now, because there are not so many (which makes it easier), they are volunteers (which changes /motivation a bit for most) and some of the veteran hiring preference programs, etc. make a pretty good impact on the veteran population.

[tevake]

That sounds like my memories too, Flyenby . And Afterburn comments ring true also.
For me the mental / emotional adjustments took a long five + years of focused personal effort. And trying to deal with the V A at the time seemed like trying to sign on with an insurance co. That was intent in screening out any potentionaly costly patients.

Those were different times, and a very different social atmosphere to come home to.

My concerns for these returning vets is the unwieldy process of getting the needed help fron the V A.in a timely and manageable way.
Recent reports of the long wait times at V A facilities are not encouraging.

[flyenby]

Well we must attend to the Syrian refugees first....after all look at what we OWE them

[Rick Lee]

Very eye opening thread. I just can't believe so little is paid out to vets who come back disabled.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Drbraunsr

Whatever it is....it's not enough.

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.....

[tevake]

There certianly are scammers out there for any support system like welfare, social Security, the V A, etc. and that is undoubtly part of why the V A is intent on screening as hard as they do. And should for that sort.

This unfortunately can lead to big challenges for vets that really do need help. Particularly those with Phycological issues that are not visable, but still can weigh heavily on their ability to function in the civilian world. Or avoid suicide, something of a pandemic in these times.

I can't pretend to have the answers, but can see the problems and have experienced them first hand. And the statistics on our current Vets are not pretty.

[fintstone]

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.....

Lots of scammers...just like anywhere. It makes it more difficult for military folks with real problems. It is pretty easy to claim some sort of back pain or hearing problem. I had quite a few problems when I retired after almost 26 years...but not much more than most folks my age because I stay fit. Getting no disability worked out well for me, because it allowed me to go back into the Reserve a few years later and serve another 11 years. They would not take guys with disabilities.

[TheMentat]

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.....

That's crazy... Those guys are quite literally stealing from vets in need!

[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.