Veteran Issues

[Eddies66]

Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Mark Begich (D-AK) will offer the amendment to S. 1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Pay Restoration Act of 2014, veterans legislation that DAV strongly supports. Their amendment is similar to their bill, S. 932, the Putting Veterans Funding First Act, which the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved in a bipartisan vote of 13 to 1 last November. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved similar legislation (H.R. 813) unanimously last August.

VA’s medical care programs already receive advance appropriations since Congress passed, and the President signed, Public Law 111-81, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, in October 2009 to provide the budget a year in advance. As a result, during the recent government shutdown while many VA offices and services were closed, VA hospitals and clinics were able to provide uninterrupted health care. By contrast, the shutdown delayed, disrupted and suspended other critical services for veterans.

[FED 387]

As we get older & grayer our perspective on lotsa things change. Many of the "programs" that are in place and the benefits that the "recipients " recieve even tho not deserved but maybe "entitled" to when I look at some of this crap it makes my blood boil!!!!!!!! I served in the Army and when I went in my health was at a "certain " level when I came out of service my health was nowhere near the level that it was when I went in.

The Army had drastically changed my health situation from that beginning level , it can never return to the pre Army level no matter what anybody does. Do I think I should be compensated? YES, do I think I deserve it ? YES..do I think I am being selfish NO, I did my part ,they messed up my health, they promised me they would "help" me if I did get messed up so now its time for them to live up to their part of the deal. End of story.

What has screwed up this whole country is that certain people think they are entitled to benefits even tho not earned they feel they deserve. How they got this mindset is beyond me but it p-sses me off to no end. Certain Social Security, unemployment and work related disability benefits are something that just makes me madder than hell. But that's a whole other dilemma!!!

What needs to change is the meaning of the words "entitlement" and "deserved" and how they are used. It seems that they are used interchangebly. SS we paid into ,at a certain time if certain conditions have been met its time to start paying back the retirement money. If you did not pay into SS at all or very little you should not be "entitled" to a higher amount than what you DESERVE. But along the way they have changed the rules so now if you have a pulse you can apply and get it. Thats wrong plain wrong. Thats why the system is in trouble. But I digress.


Keep us all informed of the many unknown benefits available to Veterans

[FED 387]

Gary --one thing if you were on the ground in Nam you automatically are considered exposed to Agent Orange---not sure if you have children but if you do and they have any problems like birth defects etc. I would check into it and see if you(agent orange exposure) had anything to do with it. I understand you can get a FREE complete physical if you have been exposed to the Agent and you then go into a AGENT ORANGE registry database better check into that... Not sure where you live but I see Arizona and the VA has facilities in Phoenix, Tucson & that you might want to contact them regarding your medical condition---Prostrate cancer treatment is covered as a side effect of AO

[FED 387]

the other office is in Prescott(brain fade that happens when you get over 60)--- you want to talk to the VA Environmental Health Office in those towns

[SStockDart]

Thanks guys.....My AO exposure is undeniable. Ischemic Heart Disease, like prostate cancer, is presumptive and the VA has determined that all claims for these are AO related.....so, it is just a matter of time...and wait. The VFW also recommended that I file for my hearing loss, and also PTSD .... that sounded a little strange to me after 45 years, but they recommended it.

[FED 387]

If you go for hearing loss DO NOT TELL THEM YOU DRAG RACE!!!!!!!!!! not sure what branch you were in or what your job was but if you were near small arms fire or mortars or artillery emphasize you were never given ear protection or any warning regarding hearing safety or protection!!!!!!! Ya stuck your fingers in your ears that's what we did OK???

[SStockDart]

I want to be a little careful what I say on here, because big brother might be watching....I don't have any guns.....my wife doesn't have any guns, my dogs don't have any guns, and our cat does not own a gun (that I have found)....my cat's name is Barney (after Barney Frank) because he likes to like his own butt.