Should veterans and retirees be "Triple Dipping?"

It’s hard to vote either way. The Military treats having ailment that’s permanent as service related even you would havegone through it wether you were in or not. I think combat related injuries as well as those caused by doing your duty, qualify as triple dipping. Ailments that become permanent and not caused by military service shouldn’t be considered.

I am not retired. I sustained multiple injuries. It's not triple dipping if you receive SSD and VA compensation. Two different pots of money. However SSD evaluates on a different standard. If you think the VA is tough then haven't dealt with the SSA. That said. I have had one minor back surgery one major lumbar surgery and a major neck surgery. A veteran cannot receive Pension and Compensation at the same time. That is considered double dipping. If a veteran is getting both if or when the VA catches it the veteran will have to repay. Thats a cold shower. You can switch from Pension to Compensation if at a later time you are paid higher for Compensation.
This coming from a TDIU vet who has been in the VA system since 2006 and receiving TDIU status over a decade later. The more important conversation is the one about making sure that the VA is rating the veteran correctly and giving appropriate ratings for the Primary condition (cause and injury) and the Secondary conditions (symptoms of primary injury). Don't expect the your VSO to do this for you. If you, like me are suffering from injuries take time to learn the VA system. Make friends with your VA patient advocate at your home VAMC. Don't just talk to them when you have a complaint. I stop by and say hello to mine when I am up at appointments. The VA is not the enemy. Just like everything in life if you want it bad enough fight for it. Make the VA system do its job. Use your congressional representatives if necessary. I hate this type of discussion because it hints on veterans throwing other veterans under the bus. There are enough benefits for veterans and if funds run short as they have in the past we have people in DC to put pressure on our leaders to do the right thing. It took me the better part of a decade to get "properly" rated for my primary and secondary conditions. Once that happened I put in for TDIU. It wasn't easy the VA didn't just give it to me. Everytime you put in for an increase or for a new injury claim you chance a rating decrease. Make the VA system work for you. No one said it would be easy cupcake. I help veterans everyday. While its hard and you have to be your own best advocate. Not veteran should have to wait a decade for the support they need. If I had been armed with the information. The few vets that I know who received 100% or TDIU right out the door.... those brothers are in a very bad way from the start. Where many veterans like me have conditions that worsen over time. Your ratings increase should be filed every time your primary and/or secondary conditions worsen. For most; like me it will be an ongoing battle like mine was until you reach your maximum rating. Best of luck to all my brothers and sisters both Veteran and Service members.
Note: The VA really needs to do an Orientation for all exiting service members. Even if a service connected injury doesn't affect you now, it might later. You can still file a claim you will establish service connection for the injury and the VA will manage care for that injury even if they give you a 0% rating. Basically they recognize its service connected but that it is not disabling. That way you don't have to start at square 1 when you have an aggravation or reinjury.

This country has no qualms about participating or starting wars. There should be no qualms about financially supporting someone who coughed up their entire livelihood in a volunteer fighting force. If a Gunny puts in 20 years; fucks his back, hands and knees up beyond repair; and qualifies, all in the support of national defense: the Gunny has earned it. Fair and square.

I'm rated at 70% but paid 100% unemployable due to PTSD anxiety attacks I can only work 9hrs a week before anxieties begin to hit me and loose temper. I also collect SSID for same conditions.. with Bill's I have I still CAN'T make ends meet.. I have a home based business repairing computers in my town I get 1 or 2 calls every 3 or 4 months, I gave a cotton candy machine I use at fairs - they come once a year..and you don't make much... I DON'T have retirement, my wife has medical issues, so if this is triple dipping in order to survive then so be it.. I served in combat, I served this country, I've worked my ass of I EARNED this.. I would have than self medicating or becoming on of the 22 a day (I've come close on several occasions). I ache all over I have nightmares. I have fellow vets they work for the government they have their retirement and their spouse have excellent pay and benefits.. I don't and I'm looked at as undeserving because I'm a POG I was medical and not throwing lead downrange.. I'm treated poorly by these same vets.. so for me they can take a hike.. I no longer care what people think.. we are all vets we all served many were downrange and we all have our demons from it... don't complain about vets that qualify for something you don't..we are trying to survive.... end if file...

All you whiney bitches need to STFU and mind your GD business....sound like a bunch of Liberal fuckem crybabies. Work on your own lifes. Its amazing what happens when people mind their own business.

You could be the most pog Air Force reserve and you still signed your life away to go fight and die for your family friends and country men. Congress can serve one term of four years(standard enlistment is four years active four years inactive reserve) show up one time, if that, in their four year term and get a 6 figure salary and benefits for life. You want my opinion it should be reversed if you served especially in combat you should get a 6 figure salary. So yes take what you can get brothers you’ve earned it far more than everyone else who’s collecting.

If you qualify for these benefits and actually earned them I say go for it . This is a stupid question and I wish I wouldn't have wasted time answering it .Next time you have a question put some intelligence into it .

I triple dip 30 federal employee, 36 miltary reserves, SS disability sounds great right ?

I worry all the time if the government will be able to continue paying me or if they just change the rules ... Im screwed . looking for bettercways to invest and diverse

Politicans pull it off

I'm 36, and I'm a post 9/11 veteran. I was in basic when the towers fell. I now suffer from Anxiety, PTSD, and Bipolar Depression. Every day I go to sleep with my back and knees on fire, and wake up the same. It takes every ounce of willpower not to drink myself into a stupor every day. I am on Total and Permanent unemployable disability. I try to keep myself distracted by any means necessary to keep thoughts of suicide out of my head. Do I feel like a burden on the system? Yes, every fucking day. I fight myself every day to realize I did what was best for my family and my health.