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

For years I never applied, and the idea that I shouldn't because I really didn't "deserve" it played a part. But as the years rolled on, the pain got worse, and I finally put in for disability, thinking I wouldn't get it. But I did get 30%, and after I retired, the small amount that I get sure does help with the monthly bills.

We are trained to be 'battle ready' so injuries can happen throughout military service, and there are different types and severity of combat injuries too.

I was hurt fighting a shipboard fire. I used to feel guilty about my disability as that was what I was paid to do. Protect my shipmates and my ship. I was not allowed to reenlist and was discharged with a disabilities. I don't feel bad anymore. I've come to and appreciate the help. I learned that less than 1% of Americans have served. I and all other veterans stood tall while others stayed sitting. That said whatever or how the country decides to compensate us for any injury received while doing so is ok with me.

No. Things happened while I was in the military. The end. We served and deserve the benefits we earned.

I spent 16 yrs in the navy .I worked in the repaired department so I the on equipment that I had to crawled on metal beams & equipment where I had to stay there because I was the only one the ship qualified to work on that piece of equipment, I ended up screwing up my knees ,hips ,back

I am ashamed it took me so long to put in a claim. I was told several times to put in a claim. I got out in 1989 yea Vietnam Era....no not Vietnam. I did get hurt, but felt I didn't get hurt during combat, but my injuries are real and they hurt. Finally I filled in 2017, claim didn't go any place did get processed until I submitted another claim in Sept 2021. funny I received a letter in 2021saying we closed your claim from 2017 because lack of evidence. Anyway the reason I finally filled is, because I got so made that my conditions were getting worse. One night I went to Urgent care, for leg pain. When the doc look at my mri of my back she said the leg pain stems from your back. I said, that's what I get from lying on the cold ground, she said oh Army I said yes then she said no came from running in boots and a full ruck wow. I filled my claim. I was a medic tried fo EFMB always missed getting it by 5 to 10 min on the 12 mile full ruck road March. I have been denied x2 for my back because not enough evidence supports it. I am 60% for two other issues. What's odd my face was falling apart because of skin issues and I was treated. I only saw doc for it 3 times but got prescription filled monthly for 3 years. First I was denied with favorable findings, they wanted proof I was treated after getting out. So I submitted proof, then they denied it because I was treated enough in the military (what the ham sandwich) do they want smh. I was Medic and saw and took care of several peace time injuries. Bad things happen during training, people are crushed by tanks, shot in..., men and women are sometimes sexually assaulted. I have learned not to feel ashamed to go after what was promised. Right now I am asked why did you wait so long? things are harder to prove when you wait so long. My answer is Heck no I am NOT ASHAMED

Definitely not and should not be removed from it no matter what.

VA Disability is no different than workers compensation that is awarded for injuries suffered in a work place. If someone is injured while they are in the service of the government the VA performs the same functions that the state division of workers compensation would do for a civilian worker

I used to feel bad about "taking" benefits, especially when I went to the VA hospital and I would see veterans with only one leg. It took me a while to understand that my disabilities were not only real, but they were serious. After dedicating thirteen years of my youth to the Marine Corps, I have only recently learned that I am not taking anything from anyone. It is compensation for problems brought on by military service.

Heck no! I was a photographer. I saw stuff that still gives me nightmares (from aircraft crashes, accidents, fires and abuse in families of active members) and all the walking, bending, jumping, running and contorting myself to get a "shot". My body started breaking down at age 30 because of all that.