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

Absolutely not! I have received some pretty negative comments, mostly from civilians (or possibly servicemen), related to veteran benefits, discounts, stuff like that. I wound up in a fight with Home Depot corporate once because they stopped giving me veteran discounts but was giving discounts to this other veteran. I contacted corporate to ask why. They told me that I was no longer eligible to receive their veteran discount because I was not still serving, or on 100% disability. Naturally, I posted about it on Facebook, and it went viral. My post was shared by thousands, and I let Home Depot know about it, and also informed them that they were in violation of federal law because federal law states that all veterans are the same and to be treated as such. You either treat all as equal or you don't get involved in doing things for them at all. Suffice it to say I received a comment on my post, from a guy who had pictures of himself in Air Force BDUs but I was unclear as to whether, or not he even served. He then said "you veterans make me sick! You think that you're better than everyone else, and that the entire world owes you a handout, simply because you served! You should all be locked up." Being the nice guy that I am and knowing that I fought for people to have the right to express themselves, via 1st Amendment, I brushed it off but it totally sickened me that there are people out there who feel that way. I know that I earned everything that I receive and I am proud of what I had done. I was Field Artillery in Iraq and my father served in Vietnam, as a combat infantryman. Sadly, he was caught in Agent Orange, and he suffered from it years later. It eventually took his life in 2016. He was on disability for all of it, through the VBA but he pushed to not get that much because like you, he felt bad about receiving the benefits. Toward the end of it he regretted not trying to get more because he realized that my mother was going to really struggle, financially, after he passed away. Shortly before he died he had mentioned that that was one thing he felt real bad about. Don't ever feel bad because not only will it make your life easier, financially but it will help to ensure that your spouse, or beneficiary, will be well taken care of after you pass away... They may receive about 50% of what you bring home from your benefits, until the day they die.

We earned every veteran benefit. Never feel ashamed about getting compensation and NEVER feel like you are taking it from a veteran who you believe is more deserving. We all deserve it.

Vetreran, Sgt. MP Army National Guard

No. If you were injured while serving honably; you are entitled. Voluntary veterans are persons to be honored. Thanks to all of you for serving our country

Don't worry about that. It's referred to as service connected injuries and there's nothing to ever be ashamed of. You should ALWAYS keep copies of your records... especially your medical records because the medics go through them and throw a lot of stuff away, (to keep their load down having to transport everyone's records... or so they claim.) Later you'll need ALL of your records because the VA loves to tell us they deny us our claims because we don't have records to prove it.

I first went in back in 1972 and got out the first time in Aug 1975. I went back on active duty in May 1977 and got out again in June 1983. Almost ten years active duty and the VA won't accept my claims for things that happened in my first tour because they say my records were destroyed in a fire in St Louis.

I wonder who got credit for making a time travel machine because I went in in 72 and got out in 75... but somehow they say my records were burned in a fire in 71.

Don't ever feel bad that your injuries aren't combat related. They were still service connected and THAT is what counts. The VA will even take care of any injury you've had.

Do NOT feel bad or guilty for being awarded a disability rating by the VA for injuries sustained during your service.
Let's say you are working on a ladder and fall off. You injury your back, permanently. VA gives you a disability rating. You were injured while serving. You were injuried. End of story.
Don't feel guilty or ashamed.

I am a VSO in my County and I see Veterans that are ripping off VA. Then I get Veterans that feel they do not deserve as they spent no time in combat. One of my Vets enlisted in medical field and got assigned to Hawaii and never left. Took me months to get her to apply for benefits. My view is she enlisted and could have gone to a much more dangerous assignment. She went where she was sent. She served and did honorably and earned what ever benefits she gets. Some of us never got shot at does not mean you didn't serve honorably. Military is not a safe calling and we get hurt and see things our families and friend will never experience.

Nono.

No by all means the service members shouldnt feel bad because that's what the VA is for...but on the other hand you have a lot of ppl that fake the funk and ruin it for the ones who are really hurt...sad to say...the military has changed sad to say

I certainly don't feel bad about my compensation. My body was completely healthy prior to joining the Marine Corps at 29. I was a firefighter for 7 years prior to the military with no health issues whatsoever. I joined the Marine Corps and bam, let the health problems begin a few years into it. Anyone that has a problem with my disability being service connected only and not combat related can respectfully kiss my butt.