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

LT Col that is an excellent answer, thank you

I do not feel bad at all.My injuries are service connected. My condition continued to get worse after I left the service. Finally I was unable to work anymore so why should I feel bad for getting help. I completed my enlistment and served my time. If I had stayed in 2-4 months more I would have ended up in Iraq like my buddies looking for Saddam

Try getting help if you're infected with Agent Orange. A female doctor in Virginia reported the connection with Agent Orange and serious health issues in the early 70"s. They fired her and burned the records of the Vietnam vets in a warehouse in St Lewis. Then the vet gets accused of falsifying their DD214. I still have my original. I made a copy of it when I applied for the Agent Orange register. They lost my application and said I never applied. Soon we will all be dead and they won't have to refuse us any more. The Agent Orange Registry is a sham I talked to a Captain who said he's 100% disabled. I told him he didn't look disabled. He said all Vietnam Vets get 100%. I guess NCO's need not apply.

Not one bit! As a reservist, I currently have a 40 percent disability rating with the VA and altbough I was deployed (Qatar 2012), I never saw combat. Military service fosters a variety of physical and mental stressors that impact servicemebers differently.

For every combat arms solider who suffers sharpnel wounds or IED related injuries, there is a 68 series with degenerative disks or other lasting, potentially chronic ailments that adversely impact their overall health. Let's not forget those who were directly exposed to burn pits who suffer lifelong upper respiratory conditions and face a high risk of cancer and other horrific complications.

During my time as a Veteran Service Rep at the VA, I lost count of how many Veterans adamantly refused to even attempt to obtain a disability rating despite admitting to severe service related injuries. Some guys just don't want to accept that it's ok to get compensated and should not feel ashamed. Anyone who raises their right hand and takes the oath embodies a level of dedication and sacrifice that most Americans will never understand. Thus, getting compensated for ailments incurred as a result of such sacrifices should never be minimized!

Stay safe and God Bless

Im an 100% disabled vet who was frostbitten in korea in 84. when I moved on to Germany 2yrs in ? I became allergic to cold weather cold drinks cold things on my skin and got kicked out because they couldn't cure it, and they certainly were not going to send me to Hawaii. whent I was put out I had severance pay and a 0% rating. after about 10 years of having to be super super careful in ohio weather- where I was from it finally went into remission. the damage to my feet NEVER went away all kinds of problems, infections disgusting peeling arthritis set into feet and went to my knees and the whole experience of pain and weird reaction because of weather nearly drove me to suicide! I felt like I was losing my sanity over that weird mess!! finally in 2009 I was awarded 100% both knees and feet and my mental heath were awarded.I had to fight tooth and nail and had been fighting since I got out as things became worse, so yes if u r doing your job while serving your country and not doing anything stupid that lead up to the injury? u deserve it cause I know I did. I had an incompetent sarge in korea and were on a mkt kitchen and this fool did not have the proper equipment between the floor and our feet- no pallets the idiot had some little rug on the floor of mkt kitchen in dead of winter. I did not know I had been hurt til hours later I couldn't feel my feet. I was from ohio so did not know something bad was happening! so be aware of your surroundings and of incompetent leaders in your unit. this whole experience made me angry af. I have helped other vets fight for their compensation. be tenacious as a pit bull when u know that u were injured doing your job and dont ever give up fighting for it!!!

No!...
Most of us Veteran joined when young...
We lived life without care to what we did to our body for work, duty, boot camp and some daily physical training...today our body says we should have not done those things which effect our body as we get older (bones, muscles and intern stuff)..

No way. I have both. I chipped my clavicle moving a target off a humvee for 50-cal training AND I have many injuries I sustained during deploymentS.
sustaining injures from combat or not is a moot point.

Certainly not ---but why must a vet be awarded 30%+ in order to qualify for dental --astounding!

We Need Shifting of Our Focus and Understanding the Veteran's Journey Beyond Combat Injuries. Let us take in consideration the new challenges of a soldier which frequently extend beyond the battlefield in the complicated fabric of his or her life. Yes, we are trained to be the best but deep inside we are still singular creatures. Our culture sometimes ignores service personnel' sacrifices, particularly those connected to non-combat injuries and the toll a military career has on personal well-being.
The Hidden Battles of Aging and Service: Many veterans are affected by the consequences of aging as well as continuous, tough duty. To stay eligible for deployments, training, and promotions, career-focused troops may conceal their physical or mental issues. This hidden fight demonstrates their commitment, as they value duty over personal health, often at the expense of their long-term well-being (Selfless Service).
Family Sacrifices: Serving requires more than just personal devotion; it also has a profound impact on families. Veterans routinely press the 'pause button' on family life, leaving behind tales of sacrifice and perseverance that might serve as inspiration for novels. These stories are not just about heroism, but also about personal loss and hardship. I met a hero who was going through a divorce; he must have been 20-21 years old when he returned in a body bag a few weeks later. I was heartbroken since his benefits should have gone to his mother rather than the childless fictitious spouse.
Transitioning from active service to civilian life presents its own set of problems. Veterans seeking benefits face not only bureaucratic impediments, but also social preconceptions. Remarks that minimize their requirements or call their entitlement to benefits into question, such as casual remarks about utilizing 'just the parking' or ‘going to a regular shop for medication,’ these types of comments show a lack of understanding and respect for their service.
The Reality of VA Benefits: The benefits sought by veterans are not exceptional privileges; rather, they are promises made by a grateful nation in appreciation of their service. However, the path to these advantages might be hampered by prejudice and misunderstanding. In our culture, which is sadly evident in certain VA facilities, this prejudice weakens the support structure created to help us, the veterans.
I am very aware that some clinics around the nation are better than others. Well then, if McDonalds can manage to be continuously persistent in their service. Then maybe we need A Call for Recognition and Support. It is critical to acknowledge that military service members and injured veterans are individuals who have made enormous sacrifices. Their sensation of being abandoned by the government for which they worked serves as a sharp reminder of our joint responsibilities. We must work hard to understand their stories, recognize their efforts, and ensure they receive the support and respect they are due.
Cease the belief that your taxes are responsible for providing me with these deserved benefits. If the money does not belong to your household, then restrain yourself, it would be wise for you to refrain from involving yourself in the lives of others, since you have no power to change or alter their circumstances. When you have something to say and should, you are reserved and modest, yet in situations when your contribution is not required and no one asked you, you eagerly express yourself without restraint.

I did for a LONG time thinking I was not tough enough to hang with the rest. Whatever was going on I worked through it best I could. I always remember my Supply officer saying things like "Living of the government Tit" while I was in.

Thing about having a severe TBI? You really don't know "see" it yourself. You just kind of wonder why everyone around you seems to be different. Almost 15 years latter, I got a lawyer to take care of a rating issue and have help with the VA as I was having no luck as a DAV Member.

Well? After sending me to get rated right close to home? They found out I had a SEVERE TBI.
I always thought it was just me being to stupid to remember reading a tape measure, then forgetting how to do it the next few days I had to do it again. Same thing with tasks, (So now my problems towards the end of my enlistment now made sense now)

Caused me severe issues with people not being able to understand me. Even having LEO's thinking I was under drugs. Never been on them, and never even smoked pot. Not an alky or anything.

At one point in Palo Alto, I had came in complaining about having an adverse reaction to some Head meds they gave me. TOld me not to drive if I did not feel that I could and to wait till you could.

Did just that at the Palo Alto VA Hospital and followed the directions of the Doctor. Told the VA police the same thing as I was working away from home (in oregon) and would be in my car filling out paperwork and looking over blueprints of the next Job we had at a target we had to rewire the data room.

I had trouble speaking, as well and my vision was a bit hazy it seemed.
I was visited by 3 other officers to make sure I was okay. Thought nothing of it.

I get out of my car to throw away my coffee cup in the trash, and a "Female" approaches me and asks me if I have my wallet on me. I could not see very well, and I said:
"Are you sure you are a police officer" in a Respectful, but questioning way" as I had my wallet stolen this way before.

Next thing I know, I am being Handcuffed
Ruffed up.
Slammed to the ground on my arse!

My hands got sprained or something and then it felt like my hands were on Fire when they were trying to take the cuffs off. I'll admit it. I yelped in pain... Not my proudest moment.
Had no idea why they did this to me as I did what I was told to do by not only the VA doctors and staff, but also by the VA police who I was told to inform that I was having issues.

Later on they found out I could not speak properly, was not Drunk. Not on "Illicit Substances" and even had my letter from the doc that I showed the Officer on Duty, and told him my company was looking for a place for me to stay in the local palo alto area, but it would be a bit.

They did eventually take me to the E.R. and got me looked over, but told me I had Carpal TUnnel?
Not Nerve damage from my Hand being Pulled at an extreme angle when they pushed me down to the dirt on the edge of the sidewalk. Almost felt like my hand was broken/ sprained.

I has trouble punching down cables afterwards and doing other things related to my L.V.E. Job.
Took YEARS to get to the point where I could go back to making ethernet cables or doing Board work just do to this.

After this, and a few other things, I left. Sadly, no longer making the $15,000 a month I was making at the time working in California.

Anyways, years later, I wanted to get my hands checked out as they were only getting worse.
So I picked up a lawyer after hearing about Combat Craig.
About 2 years latter? I was awarded 100% TBI.

THing is? I',m pretty sure I'm suppose to be rated higher, but I just want to get on with life.
I really can't deal with much at all. Nor remember to many things. And I already got LOTS on my plate as is.

Thingis? I wish it did not take almost 15 yeas ormore to get here. But Glad I got a lawyer to get things handled for me since I really can't do them on my own. I just loose track of things and my short term memory is about bollaks.

I really did go throgh hell while in serivice and many things I don't dare speak off. Even today.
But do I feel guilty? Sometimes I do. Why? I see so many other Vets that have it even worse then I do. Some can't even walk, or even have any limbs.

I'm thankful. But man, I would rather be 100& Healthy then 100% Gimped for life.
I know this sounds odd to some, but its weird being "stuck at 23" while all your other freinds and people you know grew up all around you.

What I will tell the rest of you?
NEVER Feel any SHame about getting the help you need to get back to working or living whatever life you have. We don't got much for many of us anyways left.

I just wish this was Diagnosed sonner. Would have made a really big difference in my life.