disabled American Vetrans

Once upon a time that seems so long ago I had a close friend that was a Second Class Navy Corpsman assigned to a Marine Combat Platoon in Viet-Nam in 1968. One day they were attacked by a much larger force and my fried and two Marines were the only survivors. Although wounded three times none were considered a "Ticket Home". A month later on a similar mission it happened all over again. Four Marines survived along with my friend. My friend was wounded badly enough to be sent home this time. Because of his wounds - none of which were actually debilitating - and the severe post combat syndrome he was retired on 100% VA disability. He had seven Purple Hearts, Three Silver Stars and one Bronze. At age 43 he collapsed and died. He was not on drugs and did not drink. You do not have to look disabled. Disability comes in many disguises.

FastEagle

p.s.I was going to put this somewhere else but decided to give it it's own topic. I think we will get some more warm fuzzus here.

I, too, was vaguely disturbed by the suggestion in another post that all vets (100% disabled to no disability) should be treated equally but did not post because I considered it slightly off topic.
My feelings run the other way in that I feel the VA should put most of their resources into helping those who have been disabled while serving and be only a safety net for vets as they grow older. Some guy, or gal, who does his, or her, duty and serves up to four years in service and comes out of the experience unscathed deserves my hand an a hearty "thank you for your service." But that person should not be allowed to use the VA as their primary healthcare provider.
Particularly now as disabled soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are returning with traumatic injuries and will require assistance for the rest of their lives we can not afford to divert VA resources to those who can still hold down full-time jobs with benefits.
Most disabled vets are limited in some way because of his or her service--we owe them some help.
There are vets and there are vets. Some are eligible to join the VFW, some are not; some are eligible to join the American Legion, some are not; some should get VA assistance, some should not.
Glenn

the VA sees that too Glenn, and that's why VA promotes the eligibility system with different levels of priority. That seems to work, at least in theory ... and those injured the most get the quickest treatment ...

I have no problem allowing other "unhurt" vets into the VA, as long as some of the "hurt" vets get treatment first. In spite of what some may advance, I believe any military service effects an individual to some degree -- and anyone that serves should get at least some care on a priority basis. We all served and just some of us rate the full count of retirement benefits...

the VA, Veterans Administration to some, Victim Again to others, was listed as one of the top ten health care groups by the AARP, Old Gezzers club. However, if they had gone to www.vawatchdog.org , they might not have been so generous.
If I wee to use my experience with the VA as a source for rating it, it would be in the minus zero range. If I were to rate it based on all of the documented screw ups they did to veterans, it would be far below that.

Dave T

Hello, I have never written here before, but as a 100%DAV due to Bipolar disorder; that and PTSD. Without going into details, it occured during my first duty station. Now after years of therapy and with the right medications I can function well most of the time. When I am not deeply depressed people don't know there is anything wrong with me. When depressed I hide away. So when I say I am 100%DAV and I seem to be very healthy, I sometimes feel guilty. It is hard to explain to people too. Am I unworthy? Plus most people don't expect it of a fairly young female.
N

Hey Jet

Don't give it a second thought. The VA screening program for PTSD is so thorough that some people who should get the disability don't. While that is not fair, what it says for you is that if they gave you the rating you deserve it. You don't have to be limping along on a crutch with a white cane to have suffered a disability.

You are a very unique person and you deserve whatever you can get. For one, I thank you for your service.

And, welcome to the forum, hope we see more of your posts.

Glenn