Should Veterans feel bad about being awarded and receiving VA disability compensation for non-combat related injuries?

Two deployments to the Persian Gulf before 9-11 (98' & 00'/01' the last deployment included the USS Cole Bombing). The Pentagon does not consider anyone in my entire Battle Group a Combat Veteran even though some of us carried weapons outside of the safety and security of our unit while conducting UN Sanctions investigations against vessels trying to enter Iraq as Visit Board Search and Seizure Team. A County Service Officer puts in a claim for me that is denied and does not include a fall that resulted in a TBI. Every item in the claim is denied. He (Vietnam Marine Corps Veteran) tells me not to give up but he does not file an appeal for me, he retires and does not pass on my case to his relief. I don't know my ass from my elbow and so I don't know what to do so my service related concerns which included Post Traumatic Stress (which I don't know that I have til 17 years later) go unaddressed until I join the Reserves in 2006 and get injured CONUS before I can go on my 3rd deployment to the Gulf! I fight and rehab and return to full duty only to get injured again, dropped from my unit. Ordered to an Admin Board because I can't pass a BCA and I win. Forced to fight for a Medical Retirement because a Female Navy E-9 with NO warfare device tells me "I'm going to do everything I can to kick you out of the Navy" (while eating a salad in front of me in her office with a Navy Chief in the room). I win my medical retirement at the Navy Yard in DC. Now I have VA so many VA appointments that I can't make them all. Can't keep a steady job. Pushed almost all my family and friends away. In pain every friggin day and you want to know if I should feel bad after 13 years and 10 months of putting up with what I did?

If you served and were injured at any time during your service due to the requirements of that service you should not feel bad. I wasn't in the service very long, but was stationed in Germany. This was at a time when women in certain MOS's were few and far between. My platoon had 110 soldiers, 5 of whom were women. So when time came for unstructured PT and your choice was the gym or running, I would go to the gym. I had difficulties with breathing while running so I only did it when I had to. In the gym there was a weight machine and a basketball court. With so many guys, the 5 of us didn't play basketball as you might imagine. I developed a relatively severe injury that required surgery due to improper use of the weights. What did I know about weights? I do have a disability from that. For a long time I was embarrassed to let anyone know about that and that after that I didn't serve much longer. I have come to realize that there was nothing to be ashamed of. I served with honor, fully intended to fulfill my commitment to the utmost of my ability should it have become necessary. I am no longer embarrassed or ashamed of it.

Not at all since they are service related injuries.

This is pretty old, but still revenant I suppose as we are still getting comments. PO3 Claude Jiang PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT (Join to see)

I used to. My rating is only 10% at the moment (appeals ad nauseum). My pain issues make it rather difficult for me to hold down steady employment. I felt bad because I felt that "I didn't do much" in the military. There was always someone who had more to show for it. What started to change my mind was a sit down I had with one of my last squad leaders. He reminded me that it took 7 people to replace what I did overseas on base. I was one of the last soldiers to rotate out because I had so many people to show the ropes to.

Let me be very clear - NO VETERAN deserves less – EVER!!!!!!!! What is the back story of why this question should ever be posed in the first place?

What I attempted to share would not load (aka Post) I have a story to share. If I can get my words to post (aka load & save) my additional details will be clear!

No

Absolutely not!

No it should not be an issue you dont know wht you were exposed to during your time in the survice and the long term effects IE shot given by the medical dept premob

Military service can, or will, or already has taken a toll on a service member's body and mind. Some veterans cannot do certain jobs which may result in loss of income. There is an impact in quality of life and employment.

I feel "grateful" that our country has a program like VA providing disability compensation to give us a chance to live, work, and do something with our lives.