Posted on Jun 30, 2015
Is the last obstacle down? "VA will extend veterans benefits to same-sex couples"
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In light of the recent supreme court decision, "the VA will extend benefits to same sex couples."
The repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in 2011 started these wheels in motion, then in 2013 the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was struck down. But, some benefits were in limbo. It appears all the obstacles have been cleared.
So, What are your thoughts?
Not my cup, but I am happy for my brothers and and sisters nonetheless.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/06/29/va-same-sex-couples/29471817/
The repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in 2011 started these wheels in motion, then in 2013 the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was struck down. But, some benefits were in limbo. It appears all the obstacles have been cleared.
So, What are your thoughts?
Not my cup, but I am happy for my brothers and and sisters nonetheless.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/06/29/va-same-sex-couples/29471817/
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
AR 600-20
EO
LGBTQ+
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Yes, it makes sense- and just like every other couple they deserve benefits. But I marked "Other" because I feel like until every veteran can get care and the benefits THEY need. First and Foremost, veterans need help first. Unless its a gold star member- then straight, same sex- I don't care- they earned their benefits with the loss of their loved one.
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SSG Donald Bramley
PV2 (Join to see) - I am a Widower of a same sex marriage Veteran. We had a ceramonial wedding exactly 1 month after it became leagle in Oregon, July 14, 2014. I now live in the Oregon Veterans Home which is a RIGHT of a surviving spouce. I do not get any other VA benefit. I have to pay the full Cost of Care $2,000 every month. The U.S. Army does not concider any of my 8yrs + as AD because they say it was for TRAINING not AD. The U.S. Army says my spouce did not get his enjory in combat, Agent Orange advanced to Dieabetes Mellitus, he was a resident of OVH until he deceased, 17 June 2018. So, as Col Charles Williams ask: "Is the last obstical down?"
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COL Charles Williams If they are married under the Supreme Court ruling and they are veterans of this country then the benefits need to be extended to them as well. We all might not agree with the government getting involved in these types of decisions and there may be some they don't agree with it period, but it is what it is and we need to take care of veterans no matter what their preference is or what they do with their personal lives! Yes, they should be entitled to benefits.
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SSG Donald Bramley
I am a Veteran and a Widower of a same sex Veteran. The ONLY benifit I get is the right to be a Resident of the Oregon Veterans Home, which I am now in my second year, but it cost $3,000 monthly for the Cost of Care. I had to enroll in Medicaid to reduce the amount to $2,000, my share. I get NO benifit for my 8yrs in the U.S. Army Reserve which include 6 months of FULL Active Duty. After my spouce did 2 years in the Regular Army, he served 2 tours in Vietnam. The injury he received was Lung Cancer caused from the Agent Orange sprayed. However, the VA does NOt concider that a Combat Injury. There NO benifits for me. COL Charles Williams asked: "Is this the last obstical down?" Sir, I certainly hope it really happens. I will take this up with the VSO in my county, soon.
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In my opinion there will always be obstacles. If we should run out we will create new ones.
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While I am happy, for lack of a better term, for my brothers and sisters in arms that are a part of same-sex couples, I am hopeful that this will eventually fade from sensory "overload" that it has caused over the last 4-5 years.
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COL Charles Williams
SFC William Swartz Jr I think, in time this will pass too... That is, this will be just part of our society and our military.
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While this move makes sense, there will still be other obstacles that they will come up with on the road to "total equality". The dust hasn't settled from the decision and yet multiple articles I've seen in the media since start with, "Well, this is just the beginning..." These things take time and potentially a few generations to sink in. Unfortunately same-sex couples being looked at as "nothing out of the ordinary" will not happen overnight, no matter how hard supporters want it to.
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It was only a matter of time. The military is catching up with our society's popular beliefs.
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COL Charles Williams
Hooah MSG (Join to see) .... somehow we got way behind on this, which is not the norm for our Army.
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Their lifestyle is not like mine but if they are Veterans then there is no question, they get any benefit that any veteran gets. I wish them all the luck in the world.
Thanks JP4,
Rick
Thanks JP4,
Rick
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It seems to me that VA Benefits for Spouse/Family are pretty limited unless the sponsor is 100%. Am I missing something?
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