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

VA Disability Compensation should be understood as a “system of insurance” that provides benefits to the military/veterans who are injured or ill on the job or as a result of the job….

Never feel bad about getting disability compensation if your a veteran, as long as it's a legit claim.

No. The military has broken me up pretty good just by attempting to stay physically fit.
And 20 years of shift work is another area I've been jacked up. Can't sleep, always, always tired.

I was a US Marine wounded in combat in Vietnam. I was willing to sacrifice my life for my country which is a debitor nation. For years, to continue supporting of my country, I refused to accept care or compensation vrom the VA. As almost everyone is now on the take getting anything they can from our government, if they deserve it or not, I changerd my mind. I now have 100% disability from the VA. May as well get my share of the government givaway. This country is on the road to hell.

NO, NOT AT ALL!!! It took me 17yrs., to get at 100%. I tore my rotator cuff in Iraq (2004-2005), throwing my rucksack up in the truck, (not combat related) to go on a convoy escort mission. I nursed it for my whole deployment, until I demobed. We were always on the road, I got my back knees, and shoulders, checked out. Had a screw put in my shoulder, got 20% just because they did surgery, filed for increase got 30%. Before I went into the Guard, I was stationed at Camp Lejeune (1977-1981). Went Guard in 85. I did two more deployments after Iraq, (Kuwait, Afghanistan), Every time I came home, I filed for increases. After 2nd tour I got bumped to 50%. This was in 08. when I came back from Afghanistan I filed for another increase, got denied, appealed, denied, appealed again, (2012). after three years got bumped to 60%. Filed for another increase, denied, appealed again, denied again. The older I got the more I was breaking, (body wise), filed for another increase, got 70%. This was 2017. I finally retired on the civilian side, retired Guard in 2014, retired civilian 2020. I filed for another increase, for my leg that was badly varicosed vain, (which'd was documented from Iraq) got 100%!! This was in 2022. Long story short, they want you to give up, you have to be persistent. What about people who break their leg in boot camp, no longer serviceable???? They weren't in combat, they get compensated. Now I am getting my prostate removed, don't know if its from burn pits or Camp Lejune?????

That would be a “hell no” from me. Regardless of when you entered service, you were writing a blank check for your life and physical well-being. In return, Uncle agreed to do his best to keep us healthy until he needed us, and to care for us afterwards if necessary. That a disabling injury happened outside a theater of war is immaterial. Most of us were disabled training to do what soldiers do in dangerous situations…situations OSHA would not allow in non-military businesses. Uncle broke you while you were standing your place on the wall prepared to give all, so Uncle has an obligation to make what restitution is available, and you do not have to feel guilty receiving it. And you are likely not getting everything you could since none of us knows to get everything documented before we take off the uniform for the last time.

Totally agree with Col Jack -- the applicable laws and rules were specifically made to help anyone who was trying to serve but became disabled, regardless if non-combat related. Give the combat vets more? Fine by me!

Sgt Reynolds, When we enter service, we sign over a blank check up to and including the full value of our life. I was in the predicament you describe for 20 years. Then one retired VA guy I met at a baseball game convinced me I'd earned the benefit, no matter where the earning had occurred. That was 12 years ago. I'm 90% service-connected and I feel immense gratitude for the blessing of the VA keeping the governments promise to care for their own. Many of our brothers and sisters are injured or killed while training. They were doing the things our country had asked of them. The VA comp is just a symbol of gratitude. I'm certainly grateful for your service. Hopefully you get some pain freee days now and again. I do cherish mine. Semper Fi.

Many Veterans suffer injuries during basic training. The lack of hearing protection. The boots worn were about as bad as could be. I am certain many can attest to these and many other things.

NO they should not feel bad. This question assumes that only a few of us were trained for combat operations. All of us went through basic infantry training. I was Airborne and did not see combat. I have the knee, shoulder back and neck issues like the many "combat veterans". I have no bad feelings about my disability status. At the end of the day WE ALL VOLENTEERED TO GO TO COMBAT IF NEEDED AND TRAINED TO DO SO. Combat Deployment is luck of the draw. We are ordered into combat zones and even then you may not see enemy fire.