Posted on Feb 27, 2015
Why do Vets have to work so hard to get the benefits that they have EARNED thru the VA?
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I am referring to compensation for injuries sustained or exacerbated by military service whether in a combat zone or not.
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 7
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In regards to Disability Compensation, the major roadblock is that we don't go to Medical when we are in.
A) You're fit enough to go to work. or...
B) You're sick enough to go to Medical (which is at work, so you may as well go to work, and they'll send you home).
C) If you're injured, we tend to "self-treat" or "down-play" to avoid affecting the mission
These three things (among others) means we have "crap" documentation when it comes to our Medical Records when we get out.
The VA "legislatively" has their hands tied. They have to be able to link an injury, condition, or illness to military service, but "we" are our own worst enemies while we are still in service. It's not until the end of our careers that we even think about it.
18-22 year old invincible PVT/LT doesn't think about falling off a mountain or out of a helicopter, but 26-40 year old Sgt/LCL remembers that every time it rains.
A) You're fit enough to go to work. or...
B) You're sick enough to go to Medical (which is at work, so you may as well go to work, and they'll send you home).
C) If you're injured, we tend to "self-treat" or "down-play" to avoid affecting the mission
These three things (among others) means we have "crap" documentation when it comes to our Medical Records when we get out.
The VA "legislatively" has their hands tied. They have to be able to link an injury, condition, or illness to military service, but "we" are our own worst enemies while we are still in service. It's not until the end of our careers that we even think about it.
18-22 year old invincible PVT/LT doesn't think about falling off a mountain or out of a helicopter, but 26-40 year old Sgt/LCL remembers that every time it rains.
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SGT Rodger Armstrong
Damn straight my great uncle who was agent orange Vietnam vet told me make sure you keep your medical records and get yourself checked out if you're hurt.
The record was you never know what might happen. His aid station caught on fire. (Different technology then back then but sound advice)
And if you're hurt get checked out you know your pain level or if shit is serious wrong.
The record was you never know what might happen. His aid station caught on fire. (Different technology then back then but sound advice)
And if you're hurt get checked out you know your pain level or if shit is serious wrong.
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It frankly depends on the VA representative you're working with. I had a voc-rehab counselor that got amazingly quick results. My disability claim, not such a great experience.
I've noticed that in-person interactions are most effective. Not always an option, but avoid mail-in interactions where you can. My suspicion is that VA folks are spring loaded to suspect fraud. A real person more easily allays those fears.
I've noticed that in-person interactions are most effective. Not always an option, but avoid mail-in interactions where you can. My suspicion is that VA folks are spring loaded to suspect fraud. A real person more easily allays those fears.
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Some things are pretty easy.
The processes are streamlined to the point of AMAZING efficiency. It's not until there's a hiccup that you see the bureaucracy in the background. Take Education for example. If you want to use your education benefits, it's pretty easy. Schools make it easy.
Other things are more tedious.... Because they require human interaction. Anything that requires human interaction is generally going to be "tedious." Because every human is different. It would be great if we were all the same, but we're not.
Take a look at what the government is good at.
Things that we do exactly the same, over and over again.
1) The US Government usually doesn't bounce checks.... Until you have a change in "status" (rank, dependents, allotments... something gets tricky).
2) Bombing things. We're really great at dropping bombs, artillery, and rounds down range. Not so good at stopping.
3) Education benefits. Everyone gets the same thing. Unless you don't, then they screw it up.
The processes are streamlined to the point of AMAZING efficiency. It's not until there's a hiccup that you see the bureaucracy in the background. Take Education for example. If you want to use your education benefits, it's pretty easy. Schools make it easy.
Other things are more tedious.... Because they require human interaction. Anything that requires human interaction is generally going to be "tedious." Because every human is different. It would be great if we were all the same, but we're not.
Take a look at what the government is good at.
Things that we do exactly the same, over and over again.
1) The US Government usually doesn't bounce checks.... Until you have a change in "status" (rank, dependents, allotments... something gets tricky).
2) Bombing things. We're really great at dropping bombs, artillery, and rounds down range. Not so good at stopping.
3) Education benefits. Everyone gets the same thing. Unless you don't, then they screw it up.
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