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

No you shouldn't. If something happened to you while you were in the military during Active Duty or Special Military orders, and you get injured then you should claim that. I understand that people feel bad because they never went overseas to serve. You have to remember that just because you never went overseas for combat tinjuries happen state side as well as overseas.

The answer is very clear here, your question isn't. Would you ask a Purple Heart recipient if they felt guilty for zigging when they should have of zagged? Why ask the obvious?

My experience showed me that during Basic Training people were not given proper equipment to protect their health. Example, ear plugs, proper boots. I also believe that people drafted with proven prior health condition should be compensated for aggravation of these conditions. Example, broken neck, compressed vertebrae in back. Furthermore everyone in Vietnam was exposed to AGENT ORANGE and conditions may take years to show up.

I’m a veteran of Desert Storm and being a non-combatant (combat medic) I recently found out that I have anthrax antibodies. We didn’t have the anthrax vaccines back then so it wasn’t from that and I’ve been trying to get help in filing and just hitting walls. I ended up going into kidney failure a year after I got out and required a transplant. I’m just frustrated with the denial from the VA. They know there are veterans out there who need help but refuse or make it so difficult to get help it’s almost criminal.

SGT Reynolds - short answer? I don’t feel bad about “it” at all.
I spent 4 years in the Navy and another 26 years in the Coast Guard - all military service was on active duty. While some may dispute it; I did my job wether it was onboard the USS MIDWAY as a Mess Cook or as an Aviation Ordnanceman Striker. I served in MIDWAY fro 4/72 through 5/74 with the better part of my service underway in and around Vietnam. I experienced “minor” back injuries as well as knee injuries
While in the Coast Guard I served both on shore duty and aboard cutters. I was a Supply Type; but at my first Coast Guard Unit - Coast Guard Air Station Cape May, NJ. Ninety percent Logistics, Procurement, and management of the aircraft spare parts; the other 10% I was a participating member of the duty section. Those duties included assisting in the launch and recovery of our (and other government agencies) helicopters. I learned who to be a “wing walker” to guide the helo in and out of the hanger,etc. - THAT WAS AT ONE UNIT. Sorry about the caps just trying to make my point.
During my 30 years in uniform I sustained injuries from sprains (wrists, ankles, knee, back, feet, ribs, cardiac issues, minor cuts and lacerations to larger cuts. My military medical record is 3” thick.

In complaining; I experienced work related injuries and sports related injuries while participating in command sponsored sporting activities that are considered to be “in the line of duty; no negligence involved.
So at my TAPS Class a VA Rep siad to all of us to (a) make at least 2 copies of your medical records and to apply to the VA through one of the Service Organization Reps. I went to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to file my claim in the late summer of 2001.. imagine when I got my Award letter from the VA I had an 80% Disability Rating. Two things,; First I was surprised at the rating; and Second at the time I didn’t feel like I was disabled; but that I had health issues that would cause me problems later in like. And for the next 13 years, culminating in April 2014 with a debilitating heart attack - which was directly related to earlier health issues while on active duty. Following the heart attack I ended up being rated at 100% permanent and total due to my disabilities.
So so I feel bad about receiving VA Disability? Not at all!

Absolutely not! For one, before the ACA pre-existing injuries that occurred during military service were not required to be covered by health insurance. Because of that veterans only had the VA for any recourse for treatment, and the only real way to get treated is to get a disability rating. My knee injury happened in a squadron sponsored basketball tournament. Basically, me being active to meet the military fitness requirements. I have since had 5 knee surgeries on it and have no cartilage in my left knee, but WAY too young to get a knee replacement. I caused me to make career changes, limited my physical ability to participate in sports like I used to, and in certain weather conditions can be extremely painful. I can't help it happened while in service of our country. Do I think that a combat related injury of the same nature should be rated higher? Yes I do, because besides the physical injury there is mental trauma that deserves being recognized and treated, but I don't think it should lower my rating for a non-combat related injury, just increase someone's who is. So I'm 20% (was 30% but the VA lawyers decided my 14 cm scar on my knee didn't deserve the 10% it had previously been given). I think if I am 20% then some one with a combat related injury of a similar nature should be 50%. I think they deserve it, but it doesn't make me ashamed for having a disability rating for my situation.

Are you asking this from a moral or a legal or ethical standard?
When you and I signed up, we took an oath, and we signed a contract. There was not much negotiating. We agreed to do what they asked, and do the best we could in every job assigned to us. They also agreed to some things. Simple ones like we would get a paycheck every twice a month. More complicated things like our healthcare. I carry an 80% disability from the VA. If you removed all my combat related disabilities from that I would have a 30% disability. I was on duty 24 hours a day seven days a week for over 21 years. Whether I was drunk or sober. On leave or not they have the right call me anytime they wanted and I was expected to come.
One of the jobs I had after I got out of the military required me to be on call for certain nights and certain weekends during the months. My boss offered me a deal that I could take or refuse. If I would make sure that I was by the phone and ready to come, he would pay me so much an hour for of those hours I was on standby, plus if I got a call then I get paid more for the time I went and did some work. This was a civilian job so I could take it or leave it. Both my boss and I thought it was a fair deal and were happy with it.
Back to the military. I lived up to my contract. To the best of my ability. I did every job they asked me. And yes, I expect them to live up to their contract. Part of that contract says I get medical care for things that were not directly related to my actual military duties. Weather it was spilling hot spaghetti on my foot, or in a car accident while I was off duty, it was all military related because 24/7 I was military. No, I do not feel guilty or self-conscious about accepting the disability payment I received.
Just like I do not feel guilty for taking retirement check that I earned, whether it be from the military from a civilian employer are the Social Security system. I lived up to my side and now they are living up to their side.
Personally, I find it offensive that anybody even asked this question.

Are you asking this from a moral or a legal or ethical standard?
When you and I signed up, we took an oath, and we signed a contract. There was not much negotiating. We agreed to do what they asked, and do the best we could in every job assigned to us. They also agreed to some things. Simple ones like we would get a paycheck every twice a month. More complicated things like our healthcare. I carry an 80% disability from the VA. If you removed all my combat related disabilities from that I would have a 30% disability. I was on duty 24 hours a day seven days a week for over 21 years. Whether I was drunk or sober. On leave or not they have the right call me anytime they wanted and I was expected to come.
One of the jobs I had after I got out of the military required me to be on call for certain nights and certain weekends during the months. My boss offered me a deal that I could take or refuse. If I would make sure that I was by the phone and ready to come, he would pay me so much an hour for of those hours I was on standby, plus if I got a call then I get paid more for the time I went and did some work. This was a civilian job so I could take it or leave it. Both my boss and I thought it was a fair deal and were happy with it.
Back to the military. I lived up to my contract. To the best of my ability. I did every job they asked me. And yes, I expect them to live up to their contract. Part of that contract says I get medical care for things that were not directly related to my actual military duties. Weather it was spilling hot spaghetti on my foot, or in a car accident while I was off duty, it was all military related because 24/7 I was military. No, I do not feel guilty or self-conscious about accepting the disability payment I received.
Just like I do not feel guilty for taking retirement check that I earned, whether it be from the military from a civilian employer are the Social Security system. I lived up to my side and now they are living up to their side.
Personally, I find it offensive that anybody even asked this question.

No.

It is more shameful to mock someone who is willing to accept help.