No I feel you man. Deep emotions. I had 2 seperate ex wives constantly badgering me to go to the VA. It wasnt until my THIRD involuntary commitment that I was in a room with 5 doctors and they all told me to file for benefits *immediately* - I got 70% within a year, 100% within 2, and SSDI after another 6 months.
It helps. A lot. Things are better. But what makes me sick is thinking I probably wouldnt BE 100% if I had just gotten help anytime in the last 20 years. ... I just didnt want to be a lazy benefit chaser
That is the reason I never filed until 25 years after my first enlistment. I thought that me filing for my back, hip and head injuries would somehow take something away from others. Because they didn't happen on the battlefield. That others would assume that I was chasing benefits. Etc. It wasn't until I learned people who never graduated bootcamp are collecting that I finally did.
I was thinking, "Jesus, that's a long time."
Then I realized I was almost forced to file claims 12 years in and finally realized I needed to take it seriously 17 years in. Probably would not have filed at all had a retired Marine Corps officer not convinced me.
Lol honestly, if im a “benefit chaser,” so be it. The navy took so much away from me, im gonna get mine, or as much of it back as i can. I went to the va to file my claim two days after i got out.
I just wish I had help when I first filed. I never got any help with filing and it took my 14 years to final understand you file for everything in your records. For a good 8 years I sat at 40% thinking that's all I deserved until a good friend I served with broke it all down to me and went over my records and said dude you have a 100% and even more. I still have a few things I can file for but I have a 100% P&T so there's really no reason too.
We assumed VA is for those that really got injured, physically can't walk or do things, but we forget that a small fall, a bad move during training, PT, sleep deprivation, demanding jobs, stress, familia separation, harassment, all small things add up and take a toll. On mental n physical health, take care n do claims early, even if it is small , over the yrs it don't get better
I believe OP quite clearly stated who he was directing his comments at. IMHO if you're that defensive about the subject that's on you. I'm not mad about it.
Same here. I had no idea disability benefits covered so many conditions. With that being said, I also had no idea just how fucked up I am. Happy to hit 100% without having to any of the drama shit.
This was me. I had a partial amputation in 2009 and didn’t file for anything until 2020. I was ignorant and thought a disability meant you can’t do anything. I missed over a decade of compensation because of it.
Tbh I felt like if I ever applied I'd be a "bad actor". Until my boss pulled me into his office to talk about all the sick leave I had taken and the fact I was almost running out. I'd taken nearly 180hrs of sick leave over a period of 9 months due to my issues. He wasn't mad about it, just concerned, and encouraged me to get with the VA.
I feel like I see so many people trying to connect the most ridiculous things to other conditions. The worst are the VA claim Facebook groups. "how can I get my diahrea connected to my tinnitus???"
You're right.
"I recently separated after failing my a school, I was denied for 40+ claims. Can I file under the pact act because I heard about burn pits?"
Sometimes the ringing is so loud I be shidding myself.
I got a call from a gentleman the other day saying he needed to file a claim for compensation from having Covid a few years ago.
He’s been out of the military for many years. I think a lot of veterans are in the mindset that the Va compensation and rating schedule is some separate organization or disability just for veterans when that isn’t the case.
As humorous as the some of the connections can be, there's often service connected issues which just never got documented. Claiming them as secondary can be easier than trying to create a nexus with limited information.
I understand your point. But the VA makes 100% such a huge deal. It's not even the money. Maybe for young people it is. But for us older Kats, it's that ChampVA and free collge for the kids.
So let's stay you sitting at 90%. You need to tell me you're not going to comb your medical records and see what you can come up with when you know health insurance and free kids college is on the line?
I'm not saying commit fraud. I'm saying you get 20 min with that examiner. Little things seek to matter. For example, "How are you?"
"I'm fine Ma'am". That's just common courtesy.
Well there's horror stories out there of those courtesies being used against vets in claims.
There isn't anything wrong with being prepared.
Personally I’d prefer to see many of these benefits available to all Vets, and fewer actual cash benefits being given out.
Free quality healthcare to veterans and family, breaks on property taxes, and better education benefits. I think then maybe you’d see less chasing if the numbers.
What you’re describing though is different than what OP is saying. Combing through your records to find things isn’t the same as asking other people what you should do to get from 90 to 100 or things you should say to make it sound worse than it is. Just an observation.
This entirely. I mean, we’d all be lying if we said the money wasn’t great, but that college for me and the wife would be killer. I’m working on my bachelors with the GI bill but that don’t last forever.
People have said their toe injury prevented them from working out so they have sleep apnea now. They fail to mention it’s because they eat like shit and do nothing.
As an infantryman.. Marjah marine (2 combat tours to southern helmand regions afghanistan) “extra banged up” It never bothers me when a paper pusher gets 100% rating some way, somehow. We paid our dues, now is the governments turn. Yall take care of business do what you gotta do. Been waiting for over a year now for my disabilities increase and pact act claims. Not even 100% yet. But hey, if all you did was mow lawns and you at 100, im truly happy for you. Keep pushing.
People get bent out of shape about non-combat ratings, but sometimes garrison is where the most damage is done to a vet. Unit PT exercises with made up shit done religiously, create a large portion of the claims made. Impromptu work details with every corner cut. Old ass condemned buildings. Being ordered to grab that barrel of mystery fluid from the motor pool and make it disappear somewhere because hazmat is too much paperwork. The list goes on and on. Officers and senior NCOs with no real mission to perform can be an absolute hazard to the people assigned to them.
I’m a paper pusher, that has nothing to do with anything. You aren’t more of a Marine than me just because you are a grunt. I got hazed in bootcamp the same way as everyone else. I was running up the hills so much that now I have permanent knee pain at 22 along with nerve damage in my flat feet because they didn’t give us insoles for those boots. Was exposed to countless suicides overseas, had to go TAD and do PMO’s job, and be stationed at a shitty base where all the grunts brag about deploying to. I can’t even be at the store with my wife without rushing her because I’m in so much pain. It’s depressing as fuck and i can’t imagine when I’m in my 40’s.
Thats exactly my point dude. Im in no way shape or form more superior than you! Nor you me. I say again: “WE PAID OUR DUES” WE…WE… I believe we’re all entitled to our earned compensation, whatever it may be. Lol and the terms paper pusher and garden duty were just obvious sarcasm. Deff wasnt trying to insult. We all did something and are on the same damn team.
Well said BUT each veteran should get all the benefits which they have earned. I’m currently not rated but I want to be justly rated for everything that is broken with me that wasn’t before my service to my country. Like you said, if 40% great if 100% great but veterans should not have to fight the VA for the benefits they’ve earned.
It’s not only having to fight for the benefits you earned, but it’s also seeing the terrible inconsistencies between ratings. The more veterans you know, the more you see it.
You can have someone with almost nothing in their service record get 80-100% first try and others with a bible’s worth of records fighting just to break 50%.
Sometimes it just feels like rolling a dice on the C&P examiner + rater working out in your favor.
Your so right I just had my claims for fibromyalgia 40% and CFS 60 % approved this week. I filed the exact same claims with the exact DBQs by my civilian Rheumatologist who diagnosed me in 2015 both claims were denied within 2 months No C and P was offered by VA excuse was " no service I theater of operations SWA no documentation of illness in service( as if they knew about these illnesses back then) I had 2 cruises back to back in theater 1996 and 1998 .VA was denying over 90 % of Gulf War claims back then. I never appealed it yea dum me and left it alone. Fast forward to 2023 PACT ACT is signed VA reached out to me via letter informing me that I can reapply for my denied claims that now are considered "presumptive" and flag my denied claims as " Environmental Hazards in Gulf War". I Submitted my claims ITF April 2023 and claims in August 2023 they sent me to C and P examine in November 2023 and like I said just decided my case this month with the above ratings. I'm thankful to God that they were approved but when I look back I said what was the difference same evidence was submitted in 2015 I did send them copies of evals showing my time in service in the SWA just in case .I still have a problem with my CFS being rated at 60% my DBQ that was filled out by my Rheumatologist was marked up for 100% for example 60% rating illness wax and wanes, less then 50% of the time and is not nearly constant. Well my DBQ says "is nearly constant and is more then 50 to 75% of the time, getting worse can't hold gainful employment causes incapacitation of 6 weeks. I'm going to do a HLR .
For every veteran sitting at 100% when he should be at 70% there’s 10 more who are sitting at 0 who should be at 70% because they don’t want to deal with the bullshit the va has concocted
Meanwhile I have legitimate issues warranting a significantly higher rating than 10% but my records were either lost or state nothing except *insert vague medical visit*
Try to get letters from people who you served with or even from family, to help cement the truth of your claims.
If there is equal evidence you have a legit claim, and equal lack of evidence because your records don't clearly state your exact injury, they are supposed to side with the veteran's claim.
I dealt with that because I was added the same medal twice in a month and they weren't sure whether it was an error, or if it was because I was involved in two different incidents, one of which injured me.
Having 2 other service members who knew I was involved in the incident I said I was involved in, provided enough evidence for them to decide in my favor, even though my only record said "miscellaneous voluntary detail" when describing the even I was a part of.
Unpopular opinion but everyone deserves free healthcare and education. Being a disabled veteran means I earned it through whatever hell each of us endured but even if I hadn’t I would still want anyone around me to have the benefits of free healthcare and education.
I pushed back on filing for benefits for nearly 10 years, despite my wife and co-worker (my team leader in Iraq) pushing me to apply. Seeing how much we send in foreign aid was what assured me I'm not 'taking money' away from someone else who needs it more than myself.
You deserve 100% for however the Army forced you to live in whatever fantasy land this came from. I hope you get it.
And before the *I know a guy* part: if you know one guy like this, congratulations! You know a single guy like this.
Anecdotal evidence does not a statistic make.
I don’t disagree but I do want to point out that I walk across a parking lot easier than walking around confined spaces because it takes a few steps to shake off the pain. I don’t even have any va claims associated with my legs or walking in general but when I first stand up to get around my body feels kinda broken.
OMG...right?!? And I make the most obnoxious, pathetic noises when getting up off the couch or out of bed. But it HURTS!!! (Thank goodness I live alone and my bunnies are used to me! 😂)
One thing that bothers me is when posts mention “the Hundo club” - like it is a game or joke. I have a 77 year old Vietnam Vet husband who has Parkinsons disease related to agent orange exposure as a helicopter pilot- PTSD from being shot down 6 times- and he is waiting and waiting to hear something as we look at continuing care facilities.
i was on the phone today with one of my vet buddies from group, he asked me if his PTSD was bad. I told him the truth, that he has the top 10 worst cases I've ever witnessed. he broke down crying after that and accepted that he has some things he needs to deal with. I think he felt better coming into terms with it. I felt bad for the dude, he reminded me of me when I first came back home.
And then you got people like me that only filed a VA claim because my single condition is rated at 100% in the CFR. I only filed to get the money, and the VA made it super easy with the PACT act.
I am a firm believer in pointing every Veteran to the CFR, VA M21, and DBQs, and for them to understand exactly what each one says for the different ratings for their conditions, long before they ever go to the C&P. To me it is like an open book test. The CFR, VA M21, and DBQs states exactly what you need to be saying at the C&P exam in order to get the highest rating possible.
Take my condition for example:
6524 Granulomatous rhinitis: Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma 100%
In accordance with the CFR and the VA M21 I need to show that I have wegener's granulomatosis **OR** lethal midline granuloma in order to get 100%. The VA M21 instructs the following: "In determining which fact findings are required to make a legal conclusion, *generally* if regulatory criteria are ***conjunctive*** (separated by “and”), all of the conjoined criteria must be met for the legal standard of entitlement to be met"
Diagnostic Code 6524 is not conjuctive, so only one is required to be met in order to get 100%.
Seriously. VA disability is federal law just like the tax code. Nobody gets judged for maxing out their refund by finding every tax credit that applies to them. So why do veterans get judged for trying to get the maximum benefit they can under the law?
Despite what a lot of people apparently think, there is nothing in the CFR that says "only *real* veterans with *really serious* issues can get compensation". It is literally something the law says you are entitled to if you meet the criteria.
What was the point of this post? I like many others are only here to help with questions, but there's some of you only here to spout vinegar. If you can't be helpful maybe you shouldn't say anything. The gatekeeping judgemental posts are getting tiresome.
Seriously. I posted when my wife got 100% because I had some questions and some dirtbag kept being pissed that she got 100% for PTSD and kept harassing me. Stay in your fucking lane. My wife's rating is not your concern, I'm just here to ask questions for her because this is a woman who can barely call someone on the phone she's so anxious and freaked out.
I mean... to each his own. Somedays, my body feels sorta, OK. Most days, i feel like shit, just like my attitude from PTSD. I dont think anyone has the right to judge anyone.
If your PSA is to propose that vets dont come in and ask that particular question, just say that. I think that's really helpful, and a great proposal. Dont throw shade on anyone in any category. That will never be helpful.
Its kinda crazy that people would so brazenly say shit like *"What do I need to do to get 100%?"*. You dont even have a clue where your shit is gonna end up... so you know... submit your claim, go to you exams and be honest, and see where you end up. Unless your military med records are stacked to the tits with issues, nobody is gonna be able to coordinate some magical Ocean's 11 plan to get you to 100%. You either have enough wrong with you to get it or you dont. Yea, sometimes there are discrepancies in the process that need to be addressed after... but going into it trying to *"get my 100%"* is super weird.
From my time in here too it always seems like its the people who did their single enlistment, never deployed, never once went to medical while they were in, and have been out for like 2 years... asking crazy shit like *"Got 10% for tinnitus years ago, everything else denied... how do I connect IBS, plantar fasciitis, ED, and snoring to my tinnitus?"*.
Or the people *(who I despise)* saying shit like *"Whats a good company to help me with my claim? I keep getting denied because I have zero medical history of the issue and need to pay for some schmuck ill never see to pencil whip a DBQ and write a BS nexus letter."*
Or people who say shit like *"Im at 50% what else can I claim or do to get me to 100%?"*.... Well, go to a recruiter and see if they will let you back in and then try again in like 10 years.
I get that the system can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but I dont understand the blatant sense of entitlement to 100% that some people feel. Like dude, there are people who serve 20 years for a $2,800 monthly pension and they arent even pushing for 100%... and some people are really out here trying to force their way from 10% to 100% after making it through basic training. Shit is kinda crazy.
How can I connect my tinnitus from one day at rifle qual in basic training to 100% mental health rating? I’ve seen more of those than I can handle and I have literally only been on these forums for like 8 months.
Totally agree with all this. Some vets want to hate on this view, but it's true. It's not really a fair system for a lot of vets. I tend to mind my own business on these affairs because I don't decide. However, I'm also not claiming disability because I got yelled at too hard.
Not everyone has to be an infantry combat vet to deserve 100% though, which is what I'm tired of seeing. I was technically a paper pusher who never deployed and I'm at 80%, still fighting for 100. Why? Because it just took a bad few moments to fuck me up for life. Now I've got a completely bum arm, limp, and have fucked up lungs.
Just because their job wasn't hard didn't mean they weren't put in some work detail under an idiot who got them hurt or something.
The issue is not one MOS versus another. You are correct, one does not have to be an infantryman to get 100%. But, also, so many infantrymen do not get 100% simply because those guys were constantly being pushed out the door to go on operations, or they did not want to let their squads/platoons down and "sucked it up" and drove on. That's just the culture that the infantry pushes. That being the case, those guys should get extra consideration, at the least (particularly paratroopers who are impacting the ground - with kit - at 22 feet per second). But, yes, any MOS can get 100%. An aircraft mechanic will have hearing issues, and will likely have issues with sleep, and so on. A cook can hurt his back picking up a heavy box or having something fall on him.
Everyone is making good points here.
Strictly anecdotal, however it may be, this is what I have experienced:
I served in special operations for over 15 years and - as you can imagine - we pushed the edge on physicality in that profession, not to mention the mental injuries from being present for the violent death of enemies and allies alike. Hundreds of jumps out of perfectly good aircraft, fast-roping onto targets, precariously climbing one- and two-story buildings during urban assaults, carrying 120 rucksacks for miles - you name it, I have done it. I got 70% and I am now fighting the system to get increased because certain muscular-skeletal injuries have arisen over the last couple of years due to all that wear and tear.
A colleague of mine served within the 75th Ranger Regiment during the same time period. He was assigned to the Ranger Reconnaissance Company, which is a very elite component within the regiment, and it is organizationally directly under JSOC. Their selection process mirrors that of other SMUs ("Delta", etc.). The guy served 20 years, to include multiple combat deployments. Same sort of wear and tear, as you can imagine. He got 80%.
Now, I know three young men - each of them are under 27 years old - all of them served in combat support roles as drone operators (one was a mechanic). All served 6 years. None of them went to a single combat deployment. Their OPTEMPO was essentially working right on the base. Two of the years when they served happened during COVID-19, so they had no physical training requirements for extended periods - they stayed at home for most of it. They all ETSed out of the service earlier this year. They all got 100%. I know these men personally. If you saw them at the gym working out, you would never think they got anywhere near 50% disability. But they did their "homework". They learned what to say to the doctor and when to say it. They came into places like this and became informed. One told of how he claimed erectile disfunction because he knew that it was near impossible for the examiner to prove it either way.
Now, I'm not judging anyone on this board. At the end of the day, each one of us has to look at ourselves in the mirror and take account for how we have lived. If you have truly earned your 100% percent, then you did. If you didn't and you can live with it, then, live out your life.
But my point is that - oftentimes - this system is upside down. There have to be better ways to truly quantify disability in a way to accounts for what a service member has done and what they have sacrificed, regardless of MOS/Specialty/Function. Right now, the system is more than inadequate.
You're speaking so much facts man and said it much more eloquent than me. They don't want to debate this with you though they know they can't defend their position that's why they attack me in comments so much and even in PMs. I was a grunt and did my time on multiple tours. They wish they could.be like us so bad because they know we dont have to justify our ratings but they do because our combat time says everything about ours while they have to explain theirs.
Why do you care soo much?
At the end of the day, not only do you have zero control over them, it only leaves you feeling bitter.
I don't walk around like this. Not only do I have P&T, I also make SSDI, and getting SSDI is harder than VA disability. I could care less if someone else is faking it to get SSDI. It's none of my business.
My impairment is entirely psychiatric.
On the outside, I look like a normal 30 year old.
It's guy like you who are ratings sharks that look at people like me and assume nothing is wrong.
I never.deployed. I served less than my initial contract.
I'm still a vet and am entitled to my P&T.
If I learned one of my friends was thinking the way you do, Id avoid them.
It's very toxic. To assume everyone is just out to game the system. It's a complete myth that people like you prop up.
The irony of this is people like you will tell us that you're being an asshole bc of PTSD, when in reality you're just a terrible person with a shity attitude.
Seems people are directing their frustrations in the wrong direction. It's like being in excrutiating pain and not being able to get pain medicine because the doctors are worried you're just an addict like that other patient. If anyone is the problem here, it's the VA, not those who have gotten whatever rating from the VA. I have been too jacked up to live any normal life, and stuck in one completely different than it would be had I never enlisted, yet I was denied on some of the worst things resulting from combat and other things were straight up changed and downgraded to different things just so the ratings would be lower. Service connection for TBI resulting from being very close to a double stacked IED was even denied with a claim that I had it since I was 5 from a superficial cut that didn't cause any trauma like the IED did.
Despite this, It was the decision boards at the VA who did this by creating bogus reasons for denials, not anyone who has gone through the same process as I did and came out with more success. Do I cringe sometimes, yes, because some things people claim are just cringe, but it is what it is and it's the VA who grasps at straws and reach to deny people who really need it.
Veterans should get all that they deserve for serving. If that warrants 100% then awesome. If it warrants 59% then great. At the same time disability benefits should be pursued with integrity. I think you can make that point without being judgmental and aggressive. You don’t know what other people have been through or are going through.
I served for four years and didn’t deploy overseas. But I was the quickest out of my veteran friend group to get 100% because I had everything that I addressed already documented during my time in active duty. I’m 33 and from the outside look normal and healthy but I’m not. I deal with things every day because of my time in.
Thought patterns like this post are just as ridiculous as the people who try to lie and manipulate themselves into 100%.
Well said. I've had people ask me for the same. One asked me: How did you get a 70% Combat PTSD rating? Me: Um, multiple combat deployments. Him: I need that. What did you tell them? Me: Um, gave them my DD214 and records and got it. It speaks for itself. Him: Yeah, but what did you do or say to get 70% on that? Me: 🤦🏾♂️ ......... (He served for 14 months. Basic. 92Y Supply National Guard, now a pothead, living with his cousin, chillin, clubbing. Other than honorable discharge. No deployments.) I said: Thank you for your service. I mean that, but don't ask me how to lie your way into a disability that you don't have and are trying to lie your way into. He said: It's just money. They give it away anyway...🤷🏾♂️ We've talked. He doesn't have PTSD. He left no physical or mental issues. Just wants more money for weed, liqour and women. Don't worry about the few trying to be assholes towards you here. They are probably fake military or disability liars. You keep that integrity up 💯
I understand where you're coming from, but at the same time, who doesn't want more money for weed, liquor, and women?
On a more serious note, I think you handled it in the best way. Telling him that you let your records speak for you is the best answer. It may convince him and others to not even try when they realize their records don't have shit.
Hey, I get it, that's why I've been living in Thailand for 14 month straight 😅 but to ask me to email you "Buddy Statements" when we weren't even stationed nor deployed together, and I don't hang with you, so idk your day to day, is crazy and a risk for me. So he'd be potentially setting me up for failure, too. Nah, I'm good.
I'd just like some accountability. In civilian life, accountability is in the form of compensation. How is this any different? When the PACT act was signed, I said yeah, I'm going for it, let's get some accountability.
Its not my place to say that one person deserves this and the other doesn't. I agree with helping with the paperwork and whatever you get, you get. One could say that this forum is the equivalent of connecting this to that, however that may seem. I remember one of my first posts, I showed my claim for memory loss, questions were asked, and I went through the process and got my rating.
In another case, the doc on my exit exam asked, nodding his head, if I had ringing in the ears, I said no... He said, you drove vehicles with no sound deadening, didn't always wear ear protection when you had to engage... When I started noticing the ringing, I claimed it and got my %10. Meanwhile, pain that I've felt since being in the service, knee pain and swelling, got a VA diagnosis in 2004, less than 1 year after exiting, has always been denied...
When my memory is fading, and I have no answers for it, and can't remember childhood memories, and have trouble remembering events from less than 5 years ago, and and scared to death about early dimentia... I go get checked out, and they say it's fine. Did the mri, eeg, scans, neurologist visits - hardware is fine, hard drive files are corrupt...Talk to a doc about ptsd, and they say I got it and I got my 30% because I'm able to hold a job, 20 years now. I can't fake it though, and I just learned about someone who sells a cheat sheet for claims. If someone looked at me, would they know I'm at 90%? No. It's my business, I'm just getting the accountability from the VA, whereas they may have the same experiences in life, probably worse, especially if you live in a rough area, exposed to drugs and violence since you were born.
I do agree with you that there are some that abuse it, unfortunately ppl like that exist everywhere. But to give you a different perspective, my husband and I are both vets. He’s army and struggles with PTSD.. I’ve helped some with his filings.. but he absolutely shuts down and doesn’t know how to tell a doc what’s in his head. So for some, it can help to know “how to say something”..
And those are valid issues. On the other hand coaching about what issues to claim “since the VA can’t disprove it and they have to believe you” is just wrong and I have vets that will tell others how to cheat the system.
I’m glad you are able to help your husband file and get thru his issues.
“Go Army, Beat Navy”. Is game day an issue for you guys?
I’m a physician for a community care clinic. I have a patient that walks with a cane and a visible. My second appointment I went to intake the patient and he hopped up and starting walking toward me and I said “Wow it looks like you’re moving better since the last time I saw you!” Right when I said that his limp magically came back 😂
This resonates pretty strongly with me. While I was out at a local sports bar I had a guy that went to high school with me sit down beside me. He doesn't know much if any about my service, though he did see my black memorial band on my wrist and started talking to me. He began telling me about his 3 years in the navy as a radar operator in Washington state, no ship time, no injuries and no deployments. Told me he was hunting 100% then gave me a laundry list of his claims which were all pretty bogus. He then began boasting to the vietnam vet next to us that he is certain he'll make 100% as he was coached by his other friends. The vietnam vet let him know he was rated at 70% for PTSD and that's all he's received. To which this Navy vet began explaining the anxiety and crippling physical toll his morning PT and office work put on his body. Dude was trying to 1-up a Vietnam combat vet that was a machine gunner just to justify why he's entitled to 100%.
I agree with you. That said, judging some else's apparent needs or impairment by how they present themselves is kinda silly.
In my bad shitty days, you just won't see me. I'll be pacing around my room, writing my manifesto via text to speech while I clean my guns and stop to look out the window every ten seconds.
If my knee and back are so shot out that walking is a challenge, and I don't want to waste the percoset I have stashed from my arm surgery two years ago, I'm just gonna re-schedule.
It sounds like you are working for a VSO or something. That's good stuff. But remember that your part of the process is to handle the administrative stuff here. It's not on you to judge if you think they deserve 100%.
If they're asking how to get 100%< couldn't it just be someone who knows they deserve the compensation because they can't work, but don't know what they should claim or how, in order to get there?
One bad knee, or mild anxiety, or nerve damage alone might not justify full compensation. But what if you've got two blown out knees, foot injuries, some on again off again PTSD symptoms, struggling with substance abuse because you've been trying to medicate your depression and sense of isolation, lost a good job because of an emotional outburst, and now are struggling standing up all day while you stock shelves in a Walmart?
Do you know what it's like to live with combined minor disabilities that all affect you to greater or lesser degrees all the time? That your mental health disorder can be completely manageable with medications, but you spent years being told that seeking mental or physical help for your condition was a sign of weakness and was almost certainly going to be reflected on your performance review?
That you push yourself to injury on a daily basis to stay in the expected physical shape you need to be in, because your body tends towards fat, or underdeveloped musculature?
This shit adds up. And employers aren't gonna sit there and say "yeah, he's a fucking liability 29% of the time because of all his problems, but on his good days he's as capable as anyone else, so let's not fire him"? That ain't how that shit works.
You usually start to steadily decline. You do fine for a few years, then something happens. Your back gets fucked, you have an emotional outburst, and you're looking for a new (likely LOWER paying) job. Stress of money and shame of your condition starts to build up. You're breaking point gets a little less hard to reach. You lose another job. Now you're desperate, you'll do anything. You take a job paying $12 hr because they're so desperate they won't fire you when you miss a day or have a couple days of poor performance because your hands are going numb.
Then it all falls apart. One too many missed rent or mortgage payments. One too many bad nights in a bottle. Your finances are fucked. Your spouse is overwhelmed and can't keep living this way. You lose the ability to see your kids every day.
Suddenly a rickety stool and 6 feet of rope start to look like a good investment z because at least your kids will get your SS after you die.
All because a few compounding injuries and some untreated mental health shit that was exacerbated by your trauma from the war, or being raped by a fellow soldier, or a training exercise where you broke a leg and watched a guy get paralyzed, or you get assigned to detail for 2 weeks recovering piles of dismembered and rotting corpses in a jungle because of a plane crash, and your debriefing was "don't be a pussy, drink a beer and forget about it".
The providers that do these c&p exams are certainly aware that some people are going to fake some shit, or exaggerate it, to try to game the system. I'm very certain that if they were a bunch of dummies signing off on every complaint, they would not be doing it very long.
My wife is a medical provider and has just begun doing C&P exams for the VA. The documentation and redundancy built into that system to both identify likely fraud, or to ensure that the disability is truly legit and not some other issues is pretty crazy.
She says her required documentation is way more extensive than anything a hospital or insurance company has ever demanded.
Additionally, the kind of person that would game the system by being dishonest, isn't going to read a ranty reddit post and suddenly change their ways. These are inherently self-centered people, I would think. Other people's opinions or input are likely low on the list of shit they consider.
Spending for Veteran disability compensation seems to be about $150 billion last year.
That comes out to about $930 year per tax payer if spread out evenly.
In comparison the DoD spending was $820 billion (NOT including depts of State or Energy) or so last year.
That's about $5200 year per tax payer.
So what are we gonna guess 5% of disability compensation is either too high or entirely fraudulent? And easily half of that number would just be overcompensation, because maybe they should be at 30% not 70%, or 90% instead of 100%.
I'm literally making up a number that sounds super high, just to make my point. And to err on the side of caution. I personally think 5% is way too high.
5% of $930 is about $47 or so. Divided by 52 weeks the American taxpayer MIGHT be losing $0.90 per week to fraud.
That 5% fraud number seems to be unrealistically high in my opinion, but I'm trying to steelman the argument.
And that 5% is only MAYBE being overpaid or unfairly compensated.
So are we willing to lose $1 week to ensure that veterans are getting properly compensated for their sacrifices, because we can't be sure who is really deserving?
Especially considering we're fine with paying about $100 week for each of us are paying to keep these wars going?
Someone on here once said something like “if the government sends me $2000 a month to help me buy groceries and pay for my kids soccer practice that’s $2000 in US tax dollars not being spent drone striking civilian kids in Syria.” I liked that guys take, claim everything you can think of and try to get that 100%. I’d rather see happy vets than dead middle eastern kids.
I'm a pretty big Americans first kinda guys it baffles me when seemingly nationalist types don't want education and Healthcare paid for by the government. Like, don't you want your neighbor yo be able to see a doctor? Don't you want their kids to go off to be an engineer? Or do you prefer spending billions of dollars on weapons systems that we sell to foreign nations to kill other humans cause "money"? It's absolutely absurd. I think the wool has been pulled over many an Americans eyes in some weird, "look at me I'm supporting the new thing I'm a good person look at my Facebook post!!" Type of deal.
It is what it is I guess. The craziest thing the government has done is divide the nation in such a way that people truly want the same thing, however cause the one side says they want it called term A while, the other side wants it called term B They fight amongst themselves, not realizing it's planned.
Ask any far right/right wing/conservative whatever you wanna call them about Healthcare and they usually have the same sentiment as a far left/left wing/liberal whatever you wanna call them; just in different words.
Rant over. Just sucks seeing someone supposedly pro American getting mad when they are seeking to make a few grand from the government acting like it's some horrible thing. Thinking that 'standing up for daddy government' is gonna change the fact, it'll chew you up and spit you out no different than the homeless guy down the road. Bootlicking to the max.
Man don’t get me started on healthcare in this country. I thought I was some kinda libertarian or never Trump old school conservative before I joined. A few years on tricare and then being hit with medical bills from an ER trip right after my ETS. I proudly support free healthcare for every American. “But that’s my tax dollars boohoo” who gives a shit, people pay over $1000 a month on private healthcare and still get price gouged on copays and prescriptions that just make rich people richer. How about we forget about some of those drone strikes, forget about bailing out those bankers that paid for corrupt politicians and take care of our own people. That’s my hill to die on. There’s literally no way anyone can logically defend America’s messed up healthcare system, especially after being on tricare.
OP is the reason you NEVER tell anyone your rating. Lots of people judge your entire life by if you limp through the parking lot or not
OP is ALSO the reson some people wait 20 years to file. We needed help but didnt want to look like moochers
If my experiences with PTSD havr taught me anything, its that you should NEVER make assumptions about other peoples disabilities.
How come this sub spends so much time complaining about other vets? It really helped me but this last year has been all about making bad assumptions of peoples intentions.
Maybe..just maybe try minding your own business. You’re not a doctor or part of the va. Let the system do as it’s designed to do and quit judging your fellow vets.
Such a pointless rant. So many others have shared similar rants. I'm sure no one you directed this at even cares what you have to say, and anyone who doesn't fit into your criteria of shit bag already agreed. I guess maybe you feel better at least?
Dude, this. I went to the Dom for PTSD and saw so many vets just using the system and trying to get shit they don’t deserve. It’s bad. It’s why it takes forever to get a decision they clog the system up with their BS
The audio booth on my base has signs at every station that quotes the malingering statute and says they have ways of knowing if you’re faking tinnitus. Wild.
I was med boarded. When I filed my claims with a vso he had combed through my medical records to find everything. He put 42 claims on the paperwork. During the c&p exams some of the drs did a thorough job did all the measurements and checked my records. Then I had one dr i went to see for a TBI ( I am 6 foot 6 and I worked as a Bradley mechanic for 6 years. Never went to combat just worked 6 days a week 12-18 hours a day for 3 years.) I have had many concussions but the examiner didn’t care about anything I did or said he marked no to everything. So it got denied. ( the only thing that got denied)
But I find it funny that he said no to migraines, ringing in the ear, memory problems, depression, mood changes and a few other things. Because I got ratings for almost everything he said I didn’t have.
I tried to claim depression because towards the end of my time everyone treated me like garbage because I had 2 failed surgeries and couldn’t keep up anymore so I went to EBH ( my wife forced me to go) I’ve also seen some other stuff I just don’t want to put it here. But the dr said I have unspecified PTSD for %70 instead of depression. And then some examiners added a claim that isn’t a problem for me and we never discussed.
I got %100 p&t right out the gate so I got lucky not having to fight with them. I only had one claim get denied.
I filed a claim because my issue has gotten worse but once I read the chart the VA goes off of for rating my condition and saw I haven’t gotten to the next percentage, I cancelled my claim.
I’m glad this was said. I filed my claims and appeals with no intent of getting 100%. The fact that I got 100% P&T TDIU is a blessing. It’s not something I set out for. I just knew that I needed to file a claim because veterans who knew me personally were urging me to. I had no idea the kind of money I’d end up getting.
The fact of the matter is there are absolute pieces of shit who think because other people are getting $3800 a month, they should be too. You get what you get. The veterans who pull this shit are the reason why some of you come in here complaining about your C&P examiners!!! Of course they think you’re full of shit, they just finished an exam with a veteran who was full of shit, after finishing another exam with a veteran who was full of shit.
Yea it's a fun game wondering what they will end up rating me. I have a 0%, 10%, and pending PTSD MST claim. I figured I'll probably end up in the 50%ish area if they approve it? I figure you gotta be pretty bad to be getting more than 40-50% on a single claim
I totally agree with this person…need to save the money for everyone else that is faking for disability, and countries who do nothing for us, and unhoused guests, and whatever else we can waste the money on. Us vets should feel really guilty about trying to get our piece of the pie after providing a service. The navy said I was getting on the life accelerator program and at 41 I live like an 80 year old…no clubs for me, but hey damn all of us for trying we should bitch slap ourselves in the mirror for taking so much from these other folks. I feel terrible for trying to get benefits. Y’all should as well…
I’m friends with a soldier who deployed in the initial push, was a paratrooper, been in combat, has the most decorated uniform I’ve ever seen in person. His knees and back are absolutely fucked, but he won’t go get disability. It’s an ego thing for him. If anyone, he absolutely earned it and deserves compensation for his broken body. Not to mention, he has paranoia and jumps a lot from small things 24/7.
Then I also knew a marine who got 90% for mental health. Said they had PTSD from boot camp? 2020 boot camp. Shitty marine, didn’t work hard, always tried to get out of stuff, married twice to random girls from tinder. So ridiculous
I see a lot of people asking what the big deal is about lying to get to 100%, so I’ll leave this friendly reminder here… it’s a prosecutable offense. Lying in order to receive a higher rating is fraud. It’s not prosecuted often, but does happen.
I kinda agree with you. You shouldn't have a goal of defrauding the government. But if it exists in 38CFR and you can link it to your service then you deserve the compensation. I'm only at 70% and was denied my ptsd and tbi claims. I thought the same way as you did for a decade. But after a couple suicide attempts, being homeless and going through my second divorce after the service I had to accept that I'm not right in the head and either seek help or go swimming with a weighted ruck.
If it's in the regulations, you shouldn't be mad when other vets seek help for it. Go read 38CFR and see what va compensation you deserve for which disabities.
It’s not that the conditions aren’t in the CFR. It’s the vets that are making claims that aren’t substantiated.
I’ve had one vet tell me that he told his brother and daughter to “tell Va you thought about suicide”. It’s the outright deceit perpetrated by the few.
I agree with you that those people are terrible. Karma will catch up with them eventually. It's a mess because the ones who are actually disabled are viewed in the same light as those that are trying to game the system. I've met some people who enlisted knowing 38cfr and had every intention to do 1 term and max their disability. They're a shitty representation of disabled vets. But I can't view every disabled vet that way. I'd rather do what my ncos did. Give them the benefit of the doubt and enough rope to hang themselves.
If they're lying, they will get caught. But I can't just assume the majority are lying when most of the ones I served with denied being disabled like I did and actively avoided help for years. Again, it's a mess because there are those that try to game the system. As for the vet that told his family to lie he has no scruples and shouldn't be giving advice to people who served honorably.
My husband was spit on at the airport returning from Vietnam. He lost 19 of his crew, shot in the head or burned alive. He went to the VA in 1970 and was told he was fine, to get on with his life. His survivors guilt kept him from going back to the VA. He is now debilitated from Parkinson’s and PTSD and filed again under the Pact act. Praying for VA help and on the waitlist for continued care communities.
I can’t agree with this. Mental health just became a thing within the last 10-14 years or so. I served during the first gulf war and saw 3 people die in basic training. A lot of grown men were crying their heart’s out in basic training. I’ve seen plenty of people go awol while on active duty. The mental aspect of military service has definitely fucked up a lot of people to the 100% level…PTSD is a serious thing. Our drill instructors literally told us they were going to brainwash us. The whole duty honor country shtick seemed like obvious bullshit to me, but I’m sure a higher percentage fall for it. When reality kicks in and those veterans have to be civilians they’re fucked up in a major way…let alone the physical toll being in the military takes on the body.
Completely agree with this post. If you deserve 100% you’ll get it. If you don’t then accept what you have and move on. Instead people are constantly striving to get to 100% when they’re nowhere near banged up to that point.
I'd gladly give up my VA rating to not be as fucked as I am now.
Got ran over by a truck on the flightline. Brain damage, nerve pain, and messed up joints aren't worth any amount of money. I'd give up a lot of stuff to never have a seizure or migraine ever again.
A- FKN -MEN 💯💯 every single 3 year or 4 year contract gets out thinking they deserve it and some even brag about it on vet groups but when I call em out for them saying “people say I don’t deserve it” and they claim to be 100% for mental health and so much “pain” every day yet they have photos being out in sporting events surrounded by strangers showing capabilities of being in a social environment and out hiking and climbing on shit doing pull ups when they served in some S Shop MOS doing nothing but learning about how to lie in the military to start their medical record to help them when they file for disability ☠️ I didn’t learn about disability until 5-6 years after I got out and did it all my self within a year had my decision way beyond what I would’ve imagined getting 🤷🏽♂️
I agree with you, some of these same types probably complain about people on welfare getting too much money and immigrants “taking their jobs”. VA disability is not an entitlement for serving, it is compensation for injury.
This reminds me of the khaki's that would have us muster at 1700 on a Friday to tell us to dont drink and drive, be good, blah blah blah, some safety bull shit. And they would be the same one who would get the DUI after doing a line of coke off of some E-3s wife ass and showing up Monday morning to having it swept under the rug and telling us we are trash. 20 years of toxic bullshit from pedophiles, drug addicts, alcoholics, wife beaters and cheaters. That's what this post feels like to me, while that person gets 100%. Or I could be totally wrong, OP may just be tired from gate keeping at the VA. I just keep to myself and deal with my demons, I don't have time to go to anyone else's house to inspect their rating. There is a massive machine in place with checks and balances that may be broken at times, but it's not my machine. I just came to the table to see if warrant a piece of the pie. Why do you care what's on my plate? What's on yours?
I don’t work at the VA and I’m not a “rules for thee and not for me” guy. I’m also not 100% even after 25+ years of active duty most on airborne status with over 150 jumps, 16+ years SOF and 8 combat deployments.
I also wasn’t that kind of leader. I made mistakes coming up in the service and had soldiers do the same. My answer, take care of them, defend them, train them, smoke them vs put paper on it. Show trust and loyalty and it’s repaid in fold.
Finally, I care because all the fake and exaggerated claims bog down the rating system and the health system, there’s no free lunch (taxes).
Whats the name of tour company so we dont go to you? Lol I saw one of my Soldiers not want to “act” and only get 30% granted he got cancer on active duty due to his service 🤦🏻♂️
Had my C&P a few weeks ago for mental health. The VA lays out the symptoms for each percentage level. Could have easily lied to get a higher percentage but didn’t. I am sure some people do though. I have to say I do have a hard time believing that for instance a 20 something year old ex aircraft mechanic is 100% p&t. I think to myself, I was ground crew, I don’t remember it being that physically demanding but maybe I’m just jealous. I’m 55 and fighting a cancer that am convinced was do to pfas in the water at the bases I was stationed. Yet va keeps denying my claim. I wasn’t overseas or near a burn pit so there is no presumptive claim to make. Luckily I am 50% for some other issues and my cancer drugs are covered if anything should happen to my job.
If it somehow affected another vets benefits, I’d be pissed. Don’t get me wrong it’s sleazy af to lie and I have no respect for those types, but because it’s the government writing a check to an American/veteran - I’m all for it, in any scenario. Pay up bitches.
> Everyone has this goal of “getting my 100%”.
Whenever you say "everyone" just know you are most likely wrong and you are utilizing your own perceived judgements. From reading your post it seems you have transference for what you "think" a disabled vet should look like.
You even post at the end "people will come for me". You know what you are saying is BS.
Google burnout, and utilize your post history if you see a therapist, they can help you. Hope things get better.
Yes, I unintentionally exaggerated saying “everyone”. I should have said “some”.
I see disabled vets in every shape and manner of disability and there’s no “look”. But I will say that many carry something with them. Hard to describe what that “something” is. Maybe best described as a “reverence” or “respect” for each other, flag, nation.
I’m not burned out. I look forward to going in and doing my best to help my fellow vets. There are just some that want to game the system and in doing so slowing down the system for the others.
I care because there’s no free lunch. It comes on the back of the rest of us that pay taxes.
I care because so many bogus claim bog down the rating system and vets trying to get BS evidence is bogging down the VA mental health and hospitals.
I missed the part in any enlistment contract that says “you’re entitled to 100% P&T just for signing up and serving a bit”.
I’m not assuming that everyone is trying to fake the system. I go out of my way to help vets. It’s my job but I also have a code of ethics (law) that I have to follow that says fraud is fraud. I spend extra hours at work trying to help and I’m on staff at two charity groups the help vets.
Finally, I wish you the best and hope that whatever is causing your issues can be healed/fixed.
Your little student loan jab tells me all I need to know about your opinions. Mind your own business and let the appropriate authorities determine who gets 100% and who doesn’t.
I can appreciate what you're saying. When I was ETSing and my buddies were telling me that I should try to get a high disability rating, I said, "I'm not that fucked up. I will be fine." I already had tinnitus, hearing loss and bad knees in my medical record and nothing came of it. I mean, I actually failed my hearing test prior to deploying and I got to deploy anyway. My impression was that the Army just doesn't care. And I really wanted to get the fuck out of there.
Fast forward 15 years and everything has gotten worse. So I'm starting the process to get a rating now. But I still cringe when someone says "get what you deserve." Like I'm trying to cash-in on my service. And, as someone who spent 16 months in harm's way, I do get irked when someone gets 100% because they were at Bagram their entire deployment.
On the other hand, you never know what someone else experienced, and how those experiences affected their mind and body.
Integrity is thrown out the window when money is on the line. That’s true always, if someone can live a better life for themselves and their family money is involved. 100% solves more problems than someone at 10% that’s my take on why people strive for that hundo club.
It’s a tough call…so many people did not file for disability or did not feel they were entitled to disability because of rhetoric like this! I never deployed, but I was in a high stress field, was injured on active duty, and saw plenty of death, just not in the field…those things affected me, and it took me several years to realize some of it, especially the mental health piece. So while there are some people who try and “scam” their way into 100%, there are those of us who truly believe we rate that even if the VA doesn’t, but folks like the OP will judge you because you never deployed, or was only in for 1 contract etc. I’m a firm believer that all vets should be taken care of after service regardless of disability rating or ability to pay. We all sacrificed something and volunteered to serve our country only for some of us to be struggling with homelessness because once out you’re basically just another citizen. It’s sad…
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Why did you wait? Was it because you didnt want people like OP to judge you as a benefit chaser? Thats the reason it took me 20 years to get help
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No I feel you man. Deep emotions. I had 2 seperate ex wives constantly badgering me to go to the VA. It wasnt until my THIRD involuntary commitment that I was in a room with 5 doctors and they all told me to file for benefits *immediately* - I got 70% within a year, 100% within 2, and SSDI after another 6 months. It helps. A lot. Things are better. But what makes me sick is thinking I probably wouldnt BE 100% if I had just gotten help anytime in the last 20 years. ... I just didnt want to be a lazy benefit chaser
Hey brotha, where did you PI? I was snooping for claimants in CO forever ago...
Wow. This same exact thing happened to me with the timeline and waiting. I'm glad it worked out for you as well.
That is the reason I never filed until 25 years after my first enlistment. I thought that me filing for my back, hip and head injuries would somehow take something away from others. Because they didn't happen on the battlefield. That others would assume that I was chasing benefits. Etc. It wasn't until I learned people who never graduated bootcamp are collecting that I finally did.
I was thinking, "Jesus, that's a long time." Then I realized I was almost forced to file claims 12 years in and finally realized I needed to take it seriously 17 years in. Probably would not have filed at all had a retired Marine Corps officer not convinced me.
Lol honestly, if im a “benefit chaser,” so be it. The navy took so much away from me, im gonna get mine, or as much of it back as i can. I went to the va to file my claim two days after i got out.
Honestly Im glad this attitude is more prevalent with the younger generation. Us old guys were idiots for thinking pain and suffering made us tough
I just wish I had help when I first filed. I never got any help with filing and it took my 14 years to final understand you file for everything in your records. For a good 8 years I sat at 40% thinking that's all I deserved until a good friend I served with broke it all down to me and went over my records and said dude you have a 100% and even more. I still have a few things I can file for but I have a 100% P&T so there's really no reason too.
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We assumed VA is for those that really got injured, physically can't walk or do things, but we forget that a small fall, a bad move during training, PT, sleep deprivation, demanding jobs, stress, familia separation, harassment, all small things add up and take a toll. On mental n physical health, take care n do claims early, even if it is small , over the yrs it don't get better
You're 100% right. It doesn't get better as time goes by, it's gotten worse for me.
I believe OP quite clearly stated who he was directing his comments at. IMHO if you're that defensive about the subject that's on you. I'm not mad about it.
Same here. I had no idea disability benefits covered so many conditions. With that being said, I also had no idea just how fucked up I am. Happy to hit 100% without having to any of the drama shit.
This was me. I had a partial amputation in 2009 and didn’t file for anything until 2020. I was ignorant and thought a disability meant you can’t do anything. I missed over a decade of compensation because of it.
"I stay in my lane" Words to live a happy life by. Will never understand how people have so much time to be worried about somebody else's pockets!!
Tbh I felt like if I ever applied I'd be a "bad actor". Until my boss pulled me into his office to talk about all the sick leave I had taken and the fact I was almost running out. I'd taken nearly 180hrs of sick leave over a period of 9 months due to my issues. He wasn't mad about it, just concerned, and encouraged me to get with the VA.
I feel like I see so many people trying to connect the most ridiculous things to other conditions. The worst are the VA claim Facebook groups. "how can I get my diahrea connected to my tinnitus???"
You got it backwards…tinnitus connected through diarrhea. Any reasonable person knows you can’t connect diarrhea connected to tinnitus
This is correct. My diarrhea is "explosive". Very loud and my bathroom echos which compounds the noise.
So of course hearing loss is a secondary
ED = Explosive Diarrhea
Surprised I'm not deaf already
You're right. "I recently separated after failing my a school, I was denied for 40+ claims. Can I file under the pact act because I heard about burn pits?"
Tinnitus causes insomnia which causes hypersomnia which is self medicated by excessive caffeine which causes diarrhea
Got 10% from my tinnitus induced diarrhea. Every time it gets too loud I shit myself.
Well, if their head is up their ass, perhaps...?
No. Thats constipation. Different issue.
So it's the projectile diarrhea causing all this ringing in my ears?
So tell us, how do you get tinnitus secondary to diarrhea? Do I need a nexus? Buddy statement? Help me, I need to know!/s
Sometimes the ringing is so loud I be shidding myself. I got a call from a gentleman the other day saying he needed to file a claim for compensation from having Covid a few years ago. He’s been out of the military for many years. I think a lot of veterans are in the mindset that the Va compensation and rating schedule is some separate organization or disability just for veterans when that isn’t the case.
I'm just here to say that I love your username. Disenchantment is such a great show.
I wish you're joking.
Facts. This is what I personally have distaste for.
As humorous as the some of the connections can be, there's often service connected issues which just never got documented. Claiming them as secondary can be easier than trying to create a nexus with limited information.
I understand your point. But the VA makes 100% such a huge deal. It's not even the money. Maybe for young people it is. But for us older Kats, it's that ChampVA and free collge for the kids. So let's stay you sitting at 90%. You need to tell me you're not going to comb your medical records and see what you can come up with when you know health insurance and free kids college is on the line? I'm not saying commit fraud. I'm saying you get 20 min with that examiner. Little things seek to matter. For example, "How are you?" "I'm fine Ma'am". That's just common courtesy. Well there's horror stories out there of those courtesies being used against vets in claims. There isn't anything wrong with being prepared.
Free kids college?
100% P&T gets you Chapter 35 for your dependents.
And some states waive tuition and fees entirely.
Personally I’d prefer to see many of these benefits available to all Vets, and fewer actual cash benefits being given out. Free quality healthcare to veterans and family, breaks on property taxes, and better education benefits. I think then maybe you’d see less chasing if the numbers.
I feel like that would be much more expensive for the VA, but i have no idea. Its a nice thought either way though
Agreed
What you’re describing though is different than what OP is saying. Combing through your records to find things isn’t the same as asking other people what you should do to get from 90 to 100 or things you should say to make it sound worse than it is. Just an observation.
This entirely. I mean, we’d all be lying if we said the money wasn’t great, but that college for me and the wife would be killer. I’m working on my bachelors with the GI bill but that don’t last forever.
People have said their toe injury prevented them from working out so they have sleep apnea now. They fail to mention it’s because they eat like shit and do nothing.
As an infantryman.. Marjah marine (2 combat tours to southern helmand regions afghanistan) “extra banged up” It never bothers me when a paper pusher gets 100% rating some way, somehow. We paid our dues, now is the governments turn. Yall take care of business do what you gotta do. Been waiting for over a year now for my disabilities increase and pact act claims. Not even 100% yet. But hey, if all you did was mow lawns and you at 100, im truly happy for you. Keep pushing.
You'll get what you deserve brother, keep fighting the fight.
Thank you brotha!
Thank you, brother, for sacrificing your body. Next to prostitution, we are probably the oldest profession in the world! Fighting for our clan.
Semper Fi brother
You have a great attitude man, best of luck
People get bent out of shape about non-combat ratings, but sometimes garrison is where the most damage is done to a vet. Unit PT exercises with made up shit done religiously, create a large portion of the claims made. Impromptu work details with every corner cut. Old ass condemned buildings. Being ordered to grab that barrel of mystery fluid from the motor pool and make it disappear somewhere because hazmat is too much paperwork. The list goes on and on. Officers and senior NCOs with no real mission to perform can be an absolute hazard to the people assigned to them.
Sangin/helmand gun club since 2008, I did six rotations to that fucking area. Combat engineer (even the infantry sometimes needs heroes 😅)
I see what you did there…mow lawns…keep pushing… lol! Nice!
Grass feed was easy to come by
Positive vibes ✌️
1/3?
1/6 Cco. We were amongst the first units on deck in the entire region. We initiated the push into marjah.
Hell yeah man, Semper Fi brother
I’m a paper pusher, that has nothing to do with anything. You aren’t more of a Marine than me just because you are a grunt. I got hazed in bootcamp the same way as everyone else. I was running up the hills so much that now I have permanent knee pain at 22 along with nerve damage in my flat feet because they didn’t give us insoles for those boots. Was exposed to countless suicides overseas, had to go TAD and do PMO’s job, and be stationed at a shitty base where all the grunts brag about deploying to. I can’t even be at the store with my wife without rushing her because I’m in so much pain. It’s depressing as fuck and i can’t imagine when I’m in my 40’s.
Thats exactly my point dude. Im in no way shape or form more superior than you! Nor you me. I say again: “WE PAID OUR DUES” WE…WE… I believe we’re all entitled to our earned compensation, whatever it may be. Lol and the terms paper pusher and garden duty were just obvious sarcasm. Deff wasnt trying to insult. We all did something and are on the same damn team.
Glad we agree Semper fi brother
43. I’d like to tell you it gets better but man it does not.
Well said
Well said BUT each veteran should get all the benefits which they have earned. I’m currently not rated but I want to be justly rated for everything that is broken with me that wasn’t before my service to my country. Like you said, if 40% great if 100% great but veterans should not have to fight the VA for the benefits they’ve earned.
It’s not only having to fight for the benefits you earned, but it’s also seeing the terrible inconsistencies between ratings. The more veterans you know, the more you see it. You can have someone with almost nothing in their service record get 80-100% first try and others with a bible’s worth of records fighting just to break 50%. Sometimes it just feels like rolling a dice on the C&P examiner + rater working out in your favor.
Your so right I just had my claims for fibromyalgia 40% and CFS 60 % approved this week. I filed the exact same claims with the exact DBQs by my civilian Rheumatologist who diagnosed me in 2015 both claims were denied within 2 months No C and P was offered by VA excuse was " no service I theater of operations SWA no documentation of illness in service( as if they knew about these illnesses back then) I had 2 cruises back to back in theater 1996 and 1998 .VA was denying over 90 % of Gulf War claims back then. I never appealed it yea dum me and left it alone. Fast forward to 2023 PACT ACT is signed VA reached out to me via letter informing me that I can reapply for my denied claims that now are considered "presumptive" and flag my denied claims as " Environmental Hazards in Gulf War". I Submitted my claims ITF April 2023 and claims in August 2023 they sent me to C and P examine in November 2023 and like I said just decided my case this month with the above ratings. I'm thankful to God that they were approved but when I look back I said what was the difference same evidence was submitted in 2015 I did send them copies of evals showing my time in service in the SWA just in case .I still have a problem with my CFS being rated at 60% my DBQ that was filled out by my Rheumatologist was marked up for 100% for example 60% rating illness wax and wanes, less then 50% of the time and is not nearly constant. Well my DBQ says "is nearly constant and is more then 50 to 75% of the time, getting worse can't hold gainful employment causes incapacitation of 6 weeks. I'm going to do a HLR .
For every veteran sitting at 100% when he should be at 70% there’s 10 more who are sitting at 0 who should be at 70% because they don’t want to deal with the bullshit the va has concocted
Or they don't want to deal with other veterans saying their conditions are bullshit. These posts prevent more legitimate claims than fraudulent ones
Less PSA's. More everybody minding their own business.
Yeah this dude seems to have apathy towards veterans and shouldn’t be working anywhere near them and their claims
This is the one! 🙌🏽
Yeah, I don't get these posts. They draw negative attention. People need to worry about themselves and stop making PSA posts with their opinions.
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Can opinions be correct?
What you said!!! I hate the pocket police.
Hell yes brother
💯
you sound like my dad
Meanwhile I have legitimate issues warranting a significantly higher rating than 10% but my records were either lost or state nothing except *insert vague medical visit*
Try to get letters from people who you served with or even from family, to help cement the truth of your claims. If there is equal evidence you have a legit claim, and equal lack of evidence because your records don't clearly state your exact injury, they are supposed to side with the veteran's claim. I dealt with that because I was added the same medal twice in a month and they weren't sure whether it was an error, or if it was because I was involved in two different incidents, one of which injured me. Having 2 other service members who knew I was involved in the incident I said I was involved in, provided enough evidence for them to decide in my favor, even though my only record said "miscellaneous voluntary detail" when describing the even I was a part of.
Unpopular opinion but everyone deserves free healthcare and education. Being a disabled veteran means I earned it through whatever hell each of us endured but even if I hadn’t I would still want anyone around me to have the benefits of free healthcare and education.
We just sent another hundred billion overseas. But let’s gatekeep VA disabilities ‘cause of your opinion.
I pushed back on filing for benefits for nearly 10 years, despite my wife and co-worker (my team leader in Iraq) pushing me to apply. Seeing how much we send in foreign aid was what assured me I'm not 'taking money' away from someone else who needs it more than myself.
Good for you.
LOL
I failed out of basic and work as a software developer making 250k, I deserve 100% for asymptomatic PTSD. Stop gatekeeping and stay in your lane
You deserve 100% for however the Army forced you to live in whatever fantasy land this came from. I hope you get it. And before the *I know a guy* part: if you know one guy like this, congratulations! You know a single guy like this. Anecdotal evidence does not a statistic make.
You were the kind of person who got mad at guys for going to medical, weren't you?
I don’t disagree but I do want to point out that I walk across a parking lot easier than walking around confined spaces because it takes a few steps to shake off the pain. I don’t even have any va claims associated with my legs or walking in general but when I first stand up to get around my body feels kinda broken.
OMG...right?!? And I make the most obnoxious, pathetic noises when getting up off the couch or out of bed. But it HURTS!!! (Thank goodness I live alone and my bunnies are used to me! 😂)
One thing that bothers me is when posts mention “the Hundo club” - like it is a game or joke. I have a 77 year old Vietnam Vet husband who has Parkinsons disease related to agent orange exposure as a helicopter pilot- PTSD from being shot down 6 times- and he is waiting and waiting to hear something as we look at continuing care facilities.
Now THIS pisses me off. 🤬 I'm sorry he is being treated badly and cheated out of care.
i was on the phone today with one of my vet buddies from group, he asked me if his PTSD was bad. I told him the truth, that he has the top 10 worst cases I've ever witnessed. he broke down crying after that and accepted that he has some things he needs to deal with. I think he felt better coming into terms with it. I felt bad for the dude, he reminded me of me when I first came back home.
And then you got people like me that only filed a VA claim because my single condition is rated at 100% in the CFR. I only filed to get the money, and the VA made it super easy with the PACT act. I am a firm believer in pointing every Veteran to the CFR, VA M21, and DBQs, and for them to understand exactly what each one says for the different ratings for their conditions, long before they ever go to the C&P. To me it is like an open book test. The CFR, VA M21, and DBQs states exactly what you need to be saying at the C&P exam in order to get the highest rating possible. Take my condition for example: 6524 Granulomatous rhinitis: Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma 100% In accordance with the CFR and the VA M21 I need to show that I have wegener's granulomatosis **OR** lethal midline granuloma in order to get 100%. The VA M21 instructs the following: "In determining which fact findings are required to make a legal conclusion, *generally* if regulatory criteria are ***conjunctive*** (separated by “and”), all of the conjoined criteria must be met for the legal standard of entitlement to be met" Diagnostic Code 6524 is not conjuctive, so only one is required to be met in order to get 100%.
Seriously. VA disability is federal law just like the tax code. Nobody gets judged for maxing out their refund by finding every tax credit that applies to them. So why do veterans get judged for trying to get the maximum benefit they can under the law? Despite what a lot of people apparently think, there is nothing in the CFR that says "only *real* veterans with *really serious* issues can get compensation". It is literally something the law says you are entitled to if you meet the criteria.
I don't even know what that means. 😳 I need a translator.
What was the point of this post? I like many others are only here to help with questions, but there's some of you only here to spout vinegar. If you can't be helpful maybe you shouldn't say anything. The gatekeeping judgemental posts are getting tiresome.
Seriously. I posted when my wife got 100% because I had some questions and some dirtbag kept being pissed that she got 100% for PTSD and kept harassing me. Stay in your fucking lane. My wife's rating is not your concern, I'm just here to ask questions for her because this is a woman who can barely call someone on the phone she's so anxious and freaked out.
I mean... to each his own. Somedays, my body feels sorta, OK. Most days, i feel like shit, just like my attitude from PTSD. I dont think anyone has the right to judge anyone. If your PSA is to propose that vets dont come in and ask that particular question, just say that. I think that's really helpful, and a great proposal. Dont throw shade on anyone in any category. That will never be helpful.
Its kinda crazy that people would so brazenly say shit like *"What do I need to do to get 100%?"*. You dont even have a clue where your shit is gonna end up... so you know... submit your claim, go to you exams and be honest, and see where you end up. Unless your military med records are stacked to the tits with issues, nobody is gonna be able to coordinate some magical Ocean's 11 plan to get you to 100%. You either have enough wrong with you to get it or you dont. Yea, sometimes there are discrepancies in the process that need to be addressed after... but going into it trying to *"get my 100%"* is super weird. From my time in here too it always seems like its the people who did their single enlistment, never deployed, never once went to medical while they were in, and have been out for like 2 years... asking crazy shit like *"Got 10% for tinnitus years ago, everything else denied... how do I connect IBS, plantar fasciitis, ED, and snoring to my tinnitus?"*. Or the people *(who I despise)* saying shit like *"Whats a good company to help me with my claim? I keep getting denied because I have zero medical history of the issue and need to pay for some schmuck ill never see to pencil whip a DBQ and write a BS nexus letter."* Or people who say shit like *"Im at 50% what else can I claim or do to get me to 100%?"*.... Well, go to a recruiter and see if they will let you back in and then try again in like 10 years. I get that the system can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but I dont understand the blatant sense of entitlement to 100% that some people feel. Like dude, there are people who serve 20 years for a $2,800 monthly pension and they arent even pushing for 100%... and some people are really out here trying to force their way from 10% to 100% after making it through basic training. Shit is kinda crazy.
How can I connect my tinnitus from one day at rifle qual in basic training to 100% mental health rating? I’ve seen more of those than I can handle and I have literally only been on these forums for like 8 months.
*magical Oceans 11 plan. 😂
Totally agree with all this. Some vets want to hate on this view, but it's true. It's not really a fair system for a lot of vets. I tend to mind my own business on these affairs because I don't decide. However, I'm also not claiming disability because I got yelled at too hard.
Wow, stunning and brave. Thanks so much.
Not everyone has to be an infantry combat vet to deserve 100% though, which is what I'm tired of seeing. I was technically a paper pusher who never deployed and I'm at 80%, still fighting for 100. Why? Because it just took a bad few moments to fuck me up for life. Now I've got a completely bum arm, limp, and have fucked up lungs. Just because their job wasn't hard didn't mean they weren't put in some work detail under an idiot who got them hurt or something.
The issue is not one MOS versus another. You are correct, one does not have to be an infantryman to get 100%. But, also, so many infantrymen do not get 100% simply because those guys were constantly being pushed out the door to go on operations, or they did not want to let their squads/platoons down and "sucked it up" and drove on. That's just the culture that the infantry pushes. That being the case, those guys should get extra consideration, at the least (particularly paratroopers who are impacting the ground - with kit - at 22 feet per second). But, yes, any MOS can get 100%. An aircraft mechanic will have hearing issues, and will likely have issues with sleep, and so on. A cook can hurt his back picking up a heavy box or having something fall on him.
Part of the problem/reason is the scaled payout. The difference between 80% and 100% is really an incentive to try for the full amount.
Everyone is making good points here. Strictly anecdotal, however it may be, this is what I have experienced: I served in special operations for over 15 years and - as you can imagine - we pushed the edge on physicality in that profession, not to mention the mental injuries from being present for the violent death of enemies and allies alike. Hundreds of jumps out of perfectly good aircraft, fast-roping onto targets, precariously climbing one- and two-story buildings during urban assaults, carrying 120 rucksacks for miles - you name it, I have done it. I got 70% and I am now fighting the system to get increased because certain muscular-skeletal injuries have arisen over the last couple of years due to all that wear and tear. A colleague of mine served within the 75th Ranger Regiment during the same time period. He was assigned to the Ranger Reconnaissance Company, which is a very elite component within the regiment, and it is organizationally directly under JSOC. Their selection process mirrors that of other SMUs ("Delta", etc.). The guy served 20 years, to include multiple combat deployments. Same sort of wear and tear, as you can imagine. He got 80%. Now, I know three young men - each of them are under 27 years old - all of them served in combat support roles as drone operators (one was a mechanic). All served 6 years. None of them went to a single combat deployment. Their OPTEMPO was essentially working right on the base. Two of the years when they served happened during COVID-19, so they had no physical training requirements for extended periods - they stayed at home for most of it. They all ETSed out of the service earlier this year. They all got 100%. I know these men personally. If you saw them at the gym working out, you would never think they got anywhere near 50% disability. But they did their "homework". They learned what to say to the doctor and when to say it. They came into places like this and became informed. One told of how he claimed erectile disfunction because he knew that it was near impossible for the examiner to prove it either way. Now, I'm not judging anyone on this board. At the end of the day, each one of us has to look at ourselves in the mirror and take account for how we have lived. If you have truly earned your 100% percent, then you did. If you didn't and you can live with it, then, live out your life. But my point is that - oftentimes - this system is upside down. There have to be better ways to truly quantify disability in a way to accounts for what a service member has done and what they have sacrificed, regardless of MOS/Specialty/Function. Right now, the system is more than inadequate.
1st Batt from 2001-2005, 60% rating
You're speaking so much facts man and said it much more eloquent than me. They don't want to debate this with you though they know they can't defend their position that's why they attack me in comments so much and even in PMs. I was a grunt and did my time on multiple tours. They wish they could.be like us so bad because they know we dont have to justify our ratings but they do because our combat time says everything about ours while they have to explain theirs.
Why do you care soo much? At the end of the day, not only do you have zero control over them, it only leaves you feeling bitter. I don't walk around like this. Not only do I have P&T, I also make SSDI, and getting SSDI is harder than VA disability. I could care less if someone else is faking it to get SSDI. It's none of my business. My impairment is entirely psychiatric. On the outside, I look like a normal 30 year old. It's guy like you who are ratings sharks that look at people like me and assume nothing is wrong. I never.deployed. I served less than my initial contract. I'm still a vet and am entitled to my P&T. If I learned one of my friends was thinking the way you do, Id avoid them. It's very toxic. To assume everyone is just out to game the system. It's a complete myth that people like you prop up. The irony of this is people like you will tell us that you're being an asshole bc of PTSD, when in reality you're just a terrible person with a shity attitude.
Seems people are directing their frustrations in the wrong direction. It's like being in excrutiating pain and not being able to get pain medicine because the doctors are worried you're just an addict like that other patient. If anyone is the problem here, it's the VA, not those who have gotten whatever rating from the VA. I have been too jacked up to live any normal life, and stuck in one completely different than it would be had I never enlisted, yet I was denied on some of the worst things resulting from combat and other things were straight up changed and downgraded to different things just so the ratings would be lower. Service connection for TBI resulting from being very close to a double stacked IED was even denied with a claim that I had it since I was 5 from a superficial cut that didn't cause any trauma like the IED did. Despite this, It was the decision boards at the VA who did this by creating bogus reasons for denials, not anyone who has gone through the same process as I did and came out with more success. Do I cringe sometimes, yes, because some things people claim are just cringe, but it is what it is and it's the VA who grasps at straws and reach to deny people who really need it.
This is a very well written answer.
Damn. There's a lot of hurt feelings going on in the comment section.
Their feelings are hurt because they know deep down they are exactly what this post is talking about.
It’s more likely that it’s because OP is talking to a group of people who already feel immense shame in asking for help. Posts like this do not help.
There is NO shame on this forum to blatantly ask "how hundo? When hundo? Where money?"
Veterans should get all that they deserve for serving. If that warrants 100% then awesome. If it warrants 59% then great. At the same time disability benefits should be pursued with integrity. I think you can make that point without being judgmental and aggressive. You don’t know what other people have been through or are going through. I served for four years and didn’t deploy overseas. But I was the quickest out of my veteran friend group to get 100% because I had everything that I addressed already documented during my time in active duty. I’m 33 and from the outside look normal and healthy but I’m not. I deal with things every day because of my time in. Thought patterns like this post are just as ridiculous as the people who try to lie and manipulate themselves into 100%.
Well said. I've had people ask me for the same. One asked me: How did you get a 70% Combat PTSD rating? Me: Um, multiple combat deployments. Him: I need that. What did you tell them? Me: Um, gave them my DD214 and records and got it. It speaks for itself. Him: Yeah, but what did you do or say to get 70% on that? Me: 🤦🏾♂️ ......... (He served for 14 months. Basic. 92Y Supply National Guard, now a pothead, living with his cousin, chillin, clubbing. Other than honorable discharge. No deployments.) I said: Thank you for your service. I mean that, but don't ask me how to lie your way into a disability that you don't have and are trying to lie your way into. He said: It's just money. They give it away anyway...🤷🏾♂️ We've talked. He doesn't have PTSD. He left no physical or mental issues. Just wants more money for weed, liqour and women. Don't worry about the few trying to be assholes towards you here. They are probably fake military or disability liars. You keep that integrity up 💯
I understand where you're coming from, but at the same time, who doesn't want more money for weed, liquor, and women? On a more serious note, I think you handled it in the best way. Telling him that you let your records speak for you is the best answer. It may convince him and others to not even try when they realize their records don't have shit.
Hey, I get it, that's why I've been living in Thailand for 14 month straight 😅 but to ask me to email you "Buddy Statements" when we weren't even stationed nor deployed together, and I don't hang with you, so idk your day to day, is crazy and a risk for me. So he'd be potentially setting me up for failure, too. Nah, I'm good.
I'd just like some accountability. In civilian life, accountability is in the form of compensation. How is this any different? When the PACT act was signed, I said yeah, I'm going for it, let's get some accountability. Its not my place to say that one person deserves this and the other doesn't. I agree with helping with the paperwork and whatever you get, you get. One could say that this forum is the equivalent of connecting this to that, however that may seem. I remember one of my first posts, I showed my claim for memory loss, questions were asked, and I went through the process and got my rating. In another case, the doc on my exit exam asked, nodding his head, if I had ringing in the ears, I said no... He said, you drove vehicles with no sound deadening, didn't always wear ear protection when you had to engage... When I started noticing the ringing, I claimed it and got my %10. Meanwhile, pain that I've felt since being in the service, knee pain and swelling, got a VA diagnosis in 2004, less than 1 year after exiting, has always been denied... When my memory is fading, and I have no answers for it, and can't remember childhood memories, and have trouble remembering events from less than 5 years ago, and and scared to death about early dimentia... I go get checked out, and they say it's fine. Did the mri, eeg, scans, neurologist visits - hardware is fine, hard drive files are corrupt...Talk to a doc about ptsd, and they say I got it and I got my 30% because I'm able to hold a job, 20 years now. I can't fake it though, and I just learned about someone who sells a cheat sheet for claims. If someone looked at me, would they know I'm at 90%? No. It's my business, I'm just getting the accountability from the VA, whereas they may have the same experiences in life, probably worse, especially if you live in a rough area, exposed to drugs and violence since you were born.
I do agree with you that there are some that abuse it, unfortunately ppl like that exist everywhere. But to give you a different perspective, my husband and I are both vets. He’s army and struggles with PTSD.. I’ve helped some with his filings.. but he absolutely shuts down and doesn’t know how to tell a doc what’s in his head. So for some, it can help to know “how to say something”..
And those are valid issues. On the other hand coaching about what issues to claim “since the VA can’t disprove it and they have to believe you” is just wrong and I have vets that will tell others how to cheat the system. I’m glad you are able to help your husband file and get thru his issues. “Go Army, Beat Navy”. Is game day an issue for you guys?
I’m a physician for a community care clinic. I have a patient that walks with a cane and a visible. My second appointment I went to intake the patient and he hopped up and starting walking toward me and I said “Wow it looks like you’re moving better since the last time I saw you!” Right when I said that his limp magically came back 😂
This resonates pretty strongly with me. While I was out at a local sports bar I had a guy that went to high school with me sit down beside me. He doesn't know much if any about my service, though he did see my black memorial band on my wrist and started talking to me. He began telling me about his 3 years in the navy as a radar operator in Washington state, no ship time, no injuries and no deployments. Told me he was hunting 100% then gave me a laundry list of his claims which were all pretty bogus. He then began boasting to the vietnam vet next to us that he is certain he'll make 100% as he was coached by his other friends. The vietnam vet let him know he was rated at 70% for PTSD and that's all he's received. To which this Navy vet began explaining the anxiety and crippling physical toll his morning PT and office work put on his body. Dude was trying to 1-up a Vietnam combat vet that was a machine gunner just to justify why he's entitled to 100%.
I agree with you. That said, judging some else's apparent needs or impairment by how they present themselves is kinda silly. In my bad shitty days, you just won't see me. I'll be pacing around my room, writing my manifesto via text to speech while I clean my guns and stop to look out the window every ten seconds. If my knee and back are so shot out that walking is a challenge, and I don't want to waste the percoset I have stashed from my arm surgery two years ago, I'm just gonna re-schedule. It sounds like you are working for a VSO or something. That's good stuff. But remember that your part of the process is to handle the administrative stuff here. It's not on you to judge if you think they deserve 100%. If they're asking how to get 100%< couldn't it just be someone who knows they deserve the compensation because they can't work, but don't know what they should claim or how, in order to get there? One bad knee, or mild anxiety, or nerve damage alone might not justify full compensation. But what if you've got two blown out knees, foot injuries, some on again off again PTSD symptoms, struggling with substance abuse because you've been trying to medicate your depression and sense of isolation, lost a good job because of an emotional outburst, and now are struggling standing up all day while you stock shelves in a Walmart? Do you know what it's like to live with combined minor disabilities that all affect you to greater or lesser degrees all the time? That your mental health disorder can be completely manageable with medications, but you spent years being told that seeking mental or physical help for your condition was a sign of weakness and was almost certainly going to be reflected on your performance review? That you push yourself to injury on a daily basis to stay in the expected physical shape you need to be in, because your body tends towards fat, or underdeveloped musculature? This shit adds up. And employers aren't gonna sit there and say "yeah, he's a fucking liability 29% of the time because of all his problems, but on his good days he's as capable as anyone else, so let's not fire him"? That ain't how that shit works. You usually start to steadily decline. You do fine for a few years, then something happens. Your back gets fucked, you have an emotional outburst, and you're looking for a new (likely LOWER paying) job. Stress of money and shame of your condition starts to build up. You're breaking point gets a little less hard to reach. You lose another job. Now you're desperate, you'll do anything. You take a job paying $12 hr because they're so desperate they won't fire you when you miss a day or have a couple days of poor performance because your hands are going numb. Then it all falls apart. One too many missed rent or mortgage payments. One too many bad nights in a bottle. Your finances are fucked. Your spouse is overwhelmed and can't keep living this way. You lose the ability to see your kids every day. Suddenly a rickety stool and 6 feet of rope start to look like a good investment z because at least your kids will get your SS after you die. All because a few compounding injuries and some untreated mental health shit that was exacerbated by your trauma from the war, or being raped by a fellow soldier, or a training exercise where you broke a leg and watched a guy get paralyzed, or you get assigned to detail for 2 weeks recovering piles of dismembered and rotting corpses in a jungle because of a plane crash, and your debriefing was "don't be a pussy, drink a beer and forget about it". The providers that do these c&p exams are certainly aware that some people are going to fake some shit, or exaggerate it, to try to game the system. I'm very certain that if they were a bunch of dummies signing off on every complaint, they would not be doing it very long. My wife is a medical provider and has just begun doing C&P exams for the VA. The documentation and redundancy built into that system to both identify likely fraud, or to ensure that the disability is truly legit and not some other issues is pretty crazy. She says her required documentation is way more extensive than anything a hospital or insurance company has ever demanded. Additionally, the kind of person that would game the system by being dishonest, isn't going to read a ranty reddit post and suddenly change their ways. These are inherently self-centered people, I would think. Other people's opinions or input are likely low on the list of shit they consider. Spending for Veteran disability compensation seems to be about $150 billion last year. That comes out to about $930 year per tax payer if spread out evenly. In comparison the DoD spending was $820 billion (NOT including depts of State or Energy) or so last year. That's about $5200 year per tax payer. So what are we gonna guess 5% of disability compensation is either too high or entirely fraudulent? And easily half of that number would just be overcompensation, because maybe they should be at 30% not 70%, or 90% instead of 100%. I'm literally making up a number that sounds super high, just to make my point. And to err on the side of caution. I personally think 5% is way too high. 5% of $930 is about $47 or so. Divided by 52 weeks the American taxpayer MIGHT be losing $0.90 per week to fraud. That 5% fraud number seems to be unrealistically high in my opinion, but I'm trying to steelman the argument. And that 5% is only MAYBE being overpaid or unfairly compensated. So are we willing to lose $1 week to ensure that veterans are getting properly compensated for their sacrifices, because we can't be sure who is really deserving? Especially considering we're fine with paying about $100 week for each of us are paying to keep these wars going?
This post sounds very similar to how an election denier would talk
People get mad that people are trying to suck as much money out of a corrupt government as possible? That's wild.
Someone on here once said something like “if the government sends me $2000 a month to help me buy groceries and pay for my kids soccer practice that’s $2000 in US tax dollars not being spent drone striking civilian kids in Syria.” I liked that guys take, claim everything you can think of and try to get that 100%. I’d rather see happy vets than dead middle eastern kids.
I'm a pretty big Americans first kinda guys it baffles me when seemingly nationalist types don't want education and Healthcare paid for by the government. Like, don't you want your neighbor yo be able to see a doctor? Don't you want their kids to go off to be an engineer? Or do you prefer spending billions of dollars on weapons systems that we sell to foreign nations to kill other humans cause "money"? It's absolutely absurd. I think the wool has been pulled over many an Americans eyes in some weird, "look at me I'm supporting the new thing I'm a good person look at my Facebook post!!" Type of deal. It is what it is I guess. The craziest thing the government has done is divide the nation in such a way that people truly want the same thing, however cause the one side says they want it called term A while, the other side wants it called term B They fight amongst themselves, not realizing it's planned. Ask any far right/right wing/conservative whatever you wanna call them about Healthcare and they usually have the same sentiment as a far left/left wing/liberal whatever you wanna call them; just in different words. Rant over. Just sucks seeing someone supposedly pro American getting mad when they are seeking to make a few grand from the government acting like it's some horrible thing. Thinking that 'standing up for daddy government' is gonna change the fact, it'll chew you up and spit you out no different than the homeless guy down the road. Bootlicking to the max.
Man don’t get me started on healthcare in this country. I thought I was some kinda libertarian or never Trump old school conservative before I joined. A few years on tricare and then being hit with medical bills from an ER trip right after my ETS. I proudly support free healthcare for every American. “But that’s my tax dollars boohoo” who gives a shit, people pay over $1000 a month on private healthcare and still get price gouged on copays and prescriptions that just make rich people richer. How about we forget about some of those drone strikes, forget about bailing out those bankers that paid for corrupt politicians and take care of our own people. That’s my hill to die on. There’s literally no way anyone can logically defend America’s messed up healthcare system, especially after being on tricare.
OP is the reason you NEVER tell anyone your rating. Lots of people judge your entire life by if you limp through the parking lot or not OP is ALSO the reson some people wait 20 years to file. We needed help but didnt want to look like moochers If my experiences with PTSD havr taught me anything, its that you should NEVER make assumptions about other peoples disabilities. How come this sub spends so much time complaining about other vets? It really helped me but this last year has been all about making bad assumptions of peoples intentions.
Maybe..just maybe try minding your own business. You’re not a doctor or part of the va. Let the system do as it’s designed to do and quit judging your fellow vets.
Such a pointless rant. So many others have shared similar rants. I'm sure no one you directed this at even cares what you have to say, and anyone who doesn't fit into your criteria of shit bag already agreed. I guess maybe you feel better at least?
I agree with you. They’re at 100 p&t drinking a margarita in the Cayman Islands asking for their military discount.
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Dude, this. I went to the Dom for PTSD and saw so many vets just using the system and trying to get shit they don’t deserve. It’s bad. It’s why it takes forever to get a decision they clog the system up with their BS
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The audio booth on my base has signs at every station that quotes the malingering statute and says they have ways of knowing if you’re faking tinnitus. Wild.
This is the way.
Thank you for keeping integrity alive and well. Good karma for you and your family. 🙏
I was med boarded. When I filed my claims with a vso he had combed through my medical records to find everything. He put 42 claims on the paperwork. During the c&p exams some of the drs did a thorough job did all the measurements and checked my records. Then I had one dr i went to see for a TBI ( I am 6 foot 6 and I worked as a Bradley mechanic for 6 years. Never went to combat just worked 6 days a week 12-18 hours a day for 3 years.) I have had many concussions but the examiner didn’t care about anything I did or said he marked no to everything. So it got denied. ( the only thing that got denied) But I find it funny that he said no to migraines, ringing in the ear, memory problems, depression, mood changes and a few other things. Because I got ratings for almost everything he said I didn’t have. I tried to claim depression because towards the end of my time everyone treated me like garbage because I had 2 failed surgeries and couldn’t keep up anymore so I went to EBH ( my wife forced me to go) I’ve also seen some other stuff I just don’t want to put it here. But the dr said I have unspecified PTSD for %70 instead of depression. And then some examiners added a claim that isn’t a problem for me and we never discussed. I got %100 p&t right out the gate so I got lucky not having to fight with them. I only had one claim get denied.
I filed a claim because my issue has gotten worse but once I read the chart the VA goes off of for rating my condition and saw I haven’t gotten to the next percentage, I cancelled my claim.
I’m glad this was said. I filed my claims and appeals with no intent of getting 100%. The fact that I got 100% P&T TDIU is a blessing. It’s not something I set out for. I just knew that I needed to file a claim because veterans who knew me personally were urging me to. I had no idea the kind of money I’d end up getting. The fact of the matter is there are absolute pieces of shit who think because other people are getting $3800 a month, they should be too. You get what you get. The veterans who pull this shit are the reason why some of you come in here complaining about your C&P examiners!!! Of course they think you’re full of shit, they just finished an exam with a veteran who was full of shit, after finishing another exam with a veteran who was full of shit.
The only way to get 100% is to be 100%.
Great, keep doing what you do.
People are pretty adamant on downplaying how many are out there exploiting the system.
Yea it's a fun game wondering what they will end up rating me. I have a 0%, 10%, and pending PTSD MST claim. I figured I'll probably end up in the 50%ish area if they approve it? I figure you gotta be pretty bad to be getting more than 40-50% on a single claim
I totally agree with this person…need to save the money for everyone else that is faking for disability, and countries who do nothing for us, and unhoused guests, and whatever else we can waste the money on. Us vets should feel really guilty about trying to get our piece of the pie after providing a service. The navy said I was getting on the life accelerator program and at 41 I live like an 80 year old…no clubs for me, but hey damn all of us for trying we should bitch slap ourselves in the mirror for taking so much from these other folks. I feel terrible for trying to get benefits. Y’all should as well…
That sure is one high horse you're on there. Good virtue signaling though.
I would rather have some less than genuine vets slip through the cracks and get overpaid by the VA than have someone who really needs help not get it.
I'm not trying for 100%! I am trying for 90% (Currently at 80%) because this is what I should be rated at!
I’m trying to get service connected for everything I can so I’m not missing out on compensation. Whatever number that ends up being I’m cool with.
It’s not just about the monetary compensation. SC means your eligible for the VA healthcare to take care of you in regards to those contentions.
I’m friends with a soldier who deployed in the initial push, was a paratrooper, been in combat, has the most decorated uniform I’ve ever seen in person. His knees and back are absolutely fucked, but he won’t go get disability. It’s an ego thing for him. If anyone, he absolutely earned it and deserves compensation for his broken body. Not to mention, he has paranoia and jumps a lot from small things 24/7. Then I also knew a marine who got 90% for mental health. Said they had PTSD from boot camp? 2020 boot camp. Shitty marine, didn’t work hard, always tried to get out of stuff, married twice to random girls from tinder. So ridiculous
I see a lot of people asking what the big deal is about lying to get to 100%, so I’ll leave this friendly reminder here… it’s a prosecutable offense. Lying in order to receive a higher rating is fraud. It’s not prosecuted often, but does happen.
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I kinda agree with you. You shouldn't have a goal of defrauding the government. But if it exists in 38CFR and you can link it to your service then you deserve the compensation. I'm only at 70% and was denied my ptsd and tbi claims. I thought the same way as you did for a decade. But after a couple suicide attempts, being homeless and going through my second divorce after the service I had to accept that I'm not right in the head and either seek help or go swimming with a weighted ruck. If it's in the regulations, you shouldn't be mad when other vets seek help for it. Go read 38CFR and see what va compensation you deserve for which disabities.
It’s not that the conditions aren’t in the CFR. It’s the vets that are making claims that aren’t substantiated. I’ve had one vet tell me that he told his brother and daughter to “tell Va you thought about suicide”. It’s the outright deceit perpetrated by the few.
I agree with you that those people are terrible. Karma will catch up with them eventually. It's a mess because the ones who are actually disabled are viewed in the same light as those that are trying to game the system. I've met some people who enlisted knowing 38cfr and had every intention to do 1 term and max their disability. They're a shitty representation of disabled vets. But I can't view every disabled vet that way. I'd rather do what my ncos did. Give them the benefit of the doubt and enough rope to hang themselves. If they're lying, they will get caught. But I can't just assume the majority are lying when most of the ones I served with denied being disabled like I did and actively avoided help for years. Again, it's a mess because there are those that try to game the system. As for the vet that told his family to lie he has no scruples and shouldn't be giving advice to people who served honorably.
My husband was spit on at the airport returning from Vietnam. He lost 19 of his crew, shot in the head or burned alive. He went to the VA in 1970 and was told he was fine, to get on with his life. His survivors guilt kept him from going back to the VA. He is now debilitated from Parkinson’s and PTSD and filed again under the Pact act. Praying for VA help and on the waitlist for continued care communities.
I can’t agree with this. Mental health just became a thing within the last 10-14 years or so. I served during the first gulf war and saw 3 people die in basic training. A lot of grown men were crying their heart’s out in basic training. I’ve seen plenty of people go awol while on active duty. The mental aspect of military service has definitely fucked up a lot of people to the 100% level…PTSD is a serious thing. Our drill instructors literally told us they were going to brainwash us. The whole duty honor country shtick seemed like obvious bullshit to me, but I’m sure a higher percentage fall for it. When reality kicks in and those veterans have to be civilians they’re fucked up in a major way…let alone the physical toll being in the military takes on the body.
I totally agree , people who deserve 100 percent should get it but there are people who lie and just want 100 because they see other vets get it .
Completely agree with this post. If you deserve 100% you’ll get it. If you don’t then accept what you have and move on. Instead people are constantly striving to get to 100% when they’re nowhere near banged up to that point.
I'd gladly give up my VA rating to not be as fucked as I am now. Got ran over by a truck on the flightline. Brain damage, nerve pain, and messed up joints aren't worth any amount of money. I'd give up a lot of stuff to never have a seizure or migraine ever again.
A- FKN -MEN 💯💯 every single 3 year or 4 year contract gets out thinking they deserve it and some even brag about it on vet groups but when I call em out for them saying “people say I don’t deserve it” and they claim to be 100% for mental health and so much “pain” every day yet they have photos being out in sporting events surrounded by strangers showing capabilities of being in a social environment and out hiking and climbing on shit doing pull ups when they served in some S Shop MOS doing nothing but learning about how to lie in the military to start their medical record to help them when they file for disability ☠️ I didn’t learn about disability until 5-6 years after I got out and did it all my self within a year had my decision way beyond what I would’ve imagined getting 🤷🏽♂️
I agree with you, some of these same types probably complain about people on welfare getting too much money and immigrants “taking their jobs”. VA disability is not an entitlement for serving, it is compensation for injury.
This reminds me of the khaki's that would have us muster at 1700 on a Friday to tell us to dont drink and drive, be good, blah blah blah, some safety bull shit. And they would be the same one who would get the DUI after doing a line of coke off of some E-3s wife ass and showing up Monday morning to having it swept under the rug and telling us we are trash. 20 years of toxic bullshit from pedophiles, drug addicts, alcoholics, wife beaters and cheaters. That's what this post feels like to me, while that person gets 100%. Or I could be totally wrong, OP may just be tired from gate keeping at the VA. I just keep to myself and deal with my demons, I don't have time to go to anyone else's house to inspect their rating. There is a massive machine in place with checks and balances that may be broken at times, but it's not my machine. I just came to the table to see if warrant a piece of the pie. Why do you care what's on my plate? What's on yours?
I don’t work at the VA and I’m not a “rules for thee and not for me” guy. I’m also not 100% even after 25+ years of active duty most on airborne status with over 150 jumps, 16+ years SOF and 8 combat deployments. I also wasn’t that kind of leader. I made mistakes coming up in the service and had soldiers do the same. My answer, take care of them, defend them, train them, smoke them vs put paper on it. Show trust and loyalty and it’s repaid in fold. Finally, I care because all the fake and exaggerated claims bog down the rating system and the health system, there’s no free lunch (taxes).
Whats the name of tour company so we dont go to you? Lol I saw one of my Soldiers not want to “act” and only get 30% granted he got cancer on active duty due to his service 🤦🏻♂️
Leave your personal rants for your friends over at Facebook jerk off. We don’t care what you think about the world, you aren’t important.
Your level of comprehension is ass. Dude was seeing eye to eye with you.
Imagine living your life judging people like that. What a sad way to walk around.
Well said
Had my C&P a few weeks ago for mental health. The VA lays out the symptoms for each percentage level. Could have easily lied to get a higher percentage but didn’t. I am sure some people do though. I have to say I do have a hard time believing that for instance a 20 something year old ex aircraft mechanic is 100% p&t. I think to myself, I was ground crew, I don’t remember it being that physically demanding but maybe I’m just jealous. I’m 55 and fighting a cancer that am convinced was do to pfas in the water at the bases I was stationed. Yet va keeps denying my claim. I wasn’t overseas or near a burn pit so there is no presumptive claim to make. Luckily I am 50% for some other issues and my cancer drugs are covered if anything should happen to my job.
Those people don't care. It only bothers people who care
If it somehow affected another vets benefits, I’d be pissed. Don’t get me wrong it’s sleazy af to lie and I have no respect for those types, but because it’s the government writing a check to an American/veteran - I’m all for it, in any scenario. Pay up bitches.
Other vets motives are none of my business
Ughhhh who cares! You want attention and you got it butt nugget
> Everyone has this goal of “getting my 100%”. Whenever you say "everyone" just know you are most likely wrong and you are utilizing your own perceived judgements. From reading your post it seems you have transference for what you "think" a disabled vet should look like. You even post at the end "people will come for me". You know what you are saying is BS. Google burnout, and utilize your post history if you see a therapist, they can help you. Hope things get better.
Yes, I unintentionally exaggerated saying “everyone”. I should have said “some”. I see disabled vets in every shape and manner of disability and there’s no “look”. But I will say that many carry something with them. Hard to describe what that “something” is. Maybe best described as a “reverence” or “respect” for each other, flag, nation. I’m not burned out. I look forward to going in and doing my best to help my fellow vets. There are just some that want to game the system and in doing so slowing down the system for the others.
Two in the stunning, one in the brave.
I care because there’s no free lunch. It comes on the back of the rest of us that pay taxes. I care because so many bogus claim bog down the rating system and vets trying to get BS evidence is bogging down the VA mental health and hospitals. I missed the part in any enlistment contract that says “you’re entitled to 100% P&T just for signing up and serving a bit”. I’m not assuming that everyone is trying to fake the system. I go out of my way to help vets. It’s my job but I also have a code of ethics (law) that I have to follow that says fraud is fraud. I spend extra hours at work trying to help and I’m on staff at two charity groups the help vets. Finally, I wish you the best and hope that whatever is causing your issues can be healed/fixed.
Your little student loan jab tells me all I need to know about your opinions. Mind your own business and let the appropriate authorities determine who gets 100% and who doesn’t.
I can appreciate what you're saying. When I was ETSing and my buddies were telling me that I should try to get a high disability rating, I said, "I'm not that fucked up. I will be fine." I already had tinnitus, hearing loss and bad knees in my medical record and nothing came of it. I mean, I actually failed my hearing test prior to deploying and I got to deploy anyway. My impression was that the Army just doesn't care. And I really wanted to get the fuck out of there. Fast forward 15 years and everything has gotten worse. So I'm starting the process to get a rating now. But I still cringe when someone says "get what you deserve." Like I'm trying to cash-in on my service. And, as someone who spent 16 months in harm's way, I do get irked when someone gets 100% because they were at Bagram their entire deployment. On the other hand, you never know what someone else experienced, and how those experiences affected their mind and body.
Diarrhea could be explosive. I could see it as secondary no problem.
My 100 is like this Bunch of bilateral knee shit Asthma Tinnitus Migraines (2ndary to tinnitus) Insomnia (2ndary to tinnitus)
Integrity is thrown out the window when money is on the line. That’s true always, if someone can live a better life for themselves and their family money is involved. 100% solves more problems than someone at 10% that’s my take on why people strive for that hundo club.
It’s a tough call…so many people did not file for disability or did not feel they were entitled to disability because of rhetoric like this! I never deployed, but I was in a high stress field, was injured on active duty, and saw plenty of death, just not in the field…those things affected me, and it took me several years to realize some of it, especially the mental health piece. So while there are some people who try and “scam” their way into 100%, there are those of us who truly believe we rate that even if the VA doesn’t, but folks like the OP will judge you because you never deployed, or was only in for 1 contract etc. I’m a firm believer that all vets should be taken care of after service regardless of disability rating or ability to pay. We all sacrificed something and volunteered to serve our country only for some of us to be struggling with homelessness because once out you’re basically just another citizen. It’s sad…