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

Not in the least. I broke my neck in boot camp and went on to serve 16 years before I was injured and ended up leaving the Army. I never thought about it until 2013 after having had 4 strokes and my neurologist asked me when I had broken my neck. Seems as if it damaged my vertebral arteries and one built a clot that started releasing little pieces to my brain. It took 5 strokes before they found and fixed everything, but it’s now been 4 years since my last stroke and I am permanently damaged and will never be able to work again.
Just because it happened at FtMcClellan instead of Iraq doesn’t mean that the damage to my brain is any less.

I served during the only period of peace in recent history (1981-1985). Reagan was president. The cold war was ending, and the U.S. was not at war with anyone (except Korea). After 5 years in appeals, I'm now classified Permanent & Total and receive TDIU. I'm rated 70% PTSD since my first C&P exam in November 2012. There's no space to convey the experiences that had the most profound effect on my entire life. For years I self medicated, but the symptoms returned with stress, and I'm never one to shy from a fight. People die in peace-time. Training accidents, car wrecks, domestic disputes... I've done autopsies on them all, and countless others. A few were close friends, one was a 3-week old baby whose birth I had also attended. I knew the family well. They're one of dozens & dozens of memories I'll never forget. The roots of my PTSD are twisted and strewn with people I knew, and worked with over a 20 year career in the Medical Laboratory.

PTSD is contagious. Ask any family member and they'll tell stories of strange behaviour, outbursts of anger, periods of crushing grief because my eyes saw it all. And in a few cases, I had to dissect cadavers that I had spoken to the day before. In one car wreck, it'd only been 20 minutes since he'd left, wrecked, and I was putting his body in the refrigeration.

That'll mess with your head.

Many of us feel shame surrounding the lives we lead, how we're treating family (mistreating), how could we survive when others didn't.

Relating experiences isn't easy. For me, the hardest hurdle I face is tomorrow. I begin immersion therapy at the VA. The object being that I'll be able to hold me 2 month old grandson without imagining an autopsy that took place 33 years ago.

That's PTSD.

The shame is unfounded. But it took me from 2013 to 2019 in therapy to accept it.

NO, although to be fair, with full disclousure, I have at times felt that way. Learning by way of counseling it;s o.k.

They don't feel bad about being awarded for non combat compensation, they don't suffer the injury on combat, but they get it on the line of duty, and he needs to be recognize. He is suffering the same pain and wondering like a combat injury. No matter the place he being, he or she was doing a job for the system and for our Nation and in this case for the US ARMY.

Absolutely not!

I do not think one should feel bad about his or her disabillity.one could done faithful service serving the public over time and ended up with a form of disability due to stress.These people had been part of the community of hardworking and should be respected and honored.

To bad the VA did feel the same way all of you do...... 3 yrs and counting.....

No..

No

Its just my opinion, but I have earned the right to give it! I was Combat Aircrew, KC-135A' s & R's (Boom Operator), a Security Specialist for my first 5 1/2 years, and a First Sergeant for my last 4 after being Grounded for my 4th Blown Ear Drum. Even though the reg states Combat or Combat Training Related injuries (mid-Air Refueling), I get the other Non Combat Status. I don't mind and neither should anyone else. I don't know about anyone else, But I was rated 100% Total and Permanent just for my heart at 58 with my first Heart Event being shortly after I retired (43 years old) and since have had 8 stent implantations, a regular Balloon Anglo Plasty, 2 Brachy Therapies, and a By-Pass. I am also categorized as SMC-S1 for greater than 60% above the 100%, Housebound, on SSA Disability (all by 58) and 2 years later Medicare and Tricare For Life at 60 (for 2 years now). Stop and think of what you've breathed, eaten, drank, environment around you, not to mention insect bites and accidents you've been through. You were a 2 (two) percenter who voluntarily stepped forward, raised your Right Hand and Pledged...To follow all orders of those appointed over you, Protect and Defend against all enemies, Foreign and Domestic "SO HELP YOU GOD"! Where were the other 98% YOU protected? You have every right to be proud no matter where or how long you served. You belong to an exclusive Group of Brother and Sisters in Arms that dates back to 1776. You are further recognized by the VA as their Doctors evaluated your injuries and declared you disabled, regardless of circumstance. Take care and thank you to all who have served. If you were like me you probably enlisted on a delayed enlistment (25 Mar 75) and went active just after High School Graduation (30May 75). You were just a kid with so many lessons and memories, some to cherish and some you'd like to forget if only you could. Be Proud, not guilty and support your fellow Brothers and Sisters in Arms. God Bless and thanks for your service!

V/R,
Scott A. Gaston, MSgt, USAF (Retired, 30 May 1975-30 Nov 1995)