Posted on Jun 16, 2016
Why does the GOP believe that giving veterans a 25% disability pay increase is too costly and too difficult?
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On June 15 spoke with Erik Phelps who works for Senator Rounds and posted a copy of his email reply to me. Erik basically said that it would be too expensive and too difficult to give veterans a 25% disability pay increase. He explained ( as if we didn't already know) that the VA spends $79 billion a year in disability pay and to give veterans a 25% disability pay increase would cost $19 billion to give a pay increase. He compared getting the bill passed to getting the zika virus bill passed. He also said that it would be too hard to get Quality Of Life payments and opening up the VA pension to service connected disability passed, because the cost. I will repost the email so you can read it for your self. But before I go any further here is my justification for asking for those things https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg39461/html/CHRG-110hhrg39461.htm
Now looking at what Erik said it would be disheartening because of the cost. But notice he didn't mention that it would only be a $444.50 increase for the average disabled veteran monthly. Some would say that Veterans'disability pay isn't meant to be lived on. Well they would be wrong. A veteran who qualifies for 100% VA disability may qualify for any other type of disability benefits. Because the criteria are so different. In fact 56% of veterans who are 100% disabled service connected are denied social security benefits. Also the VA cannot consider SsDi when awarding disability benefits and SsDi can't consider VA benefits when awarding disability. VA disability benefits are awarded as sole source income and can only consider military benefits. When the VA disability benefit program started it was meant to replace lost potential earnings that was calculated based on the national median income. Today that is around $52,000.00 a year and VA disability for a veteran with a service connected disability rating of 100% is just under $35,000.00 a year.
Do you think that Veterans deserve a 25% disability pay increase regardless of the additional cost?
Do you think veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 100% or permanent and total and are not receiving any military retirement should be able to draw the maximum amount of VA pension?
Do you think Quality Of Life payments should be made to veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 60% or more?
Do you think the Senators should count the cost before talking about going to war?
How do you think the government should cover the increased cost if it were to give the pay raise?
How would the disability pay increase will effect you?
Now looking at what Erik said it would be disheartening because of the cost. But notice he didn't mention that it would only be a $444.50 increase for the average disabled veteran monthly. Some would say that Veterans'disability pay isn't meant to be lived on. Well they would be wrong. A veteran who qualifies for 100% VA disability may qualify for any other type of disability benefits. Because the criteria are so different. In fact 56% of veterans who are 100% disabled service connected are denied social security benefits. Also the VA cannot consider SsDi when awarding disability benefits and SsDi can't consider VA benefits when awarding disability. VA disability benefits are awarded as sole source income and can only consider military benefits. When the VA disability benefit program started it was meant to replace lost potential earnings that was calculated based on the national median income. Today that is around $52,000.00 a year and VA disability for a veteran with a service connected disability rating of 100% is just under $35,000.00 a year.
Do you think that Veterans deserve a 25% disability pay increase regardless of the additional cost?
Do you think veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 100% or permanent and total and are not receiving any military retirement should be able to draw the maximum amount of VA pension?
Do you think Quality Of Life payments should be made to veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 60% or more?
Do you think the Senators should count the cost before talking about going to war?
How do you think the government should cover the increased cost if it were to give the pay raise?
How would the disability pay increase will effect you?
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Disabled Veterans
Politics Disabled Veterans
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 31
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An increase would help me make ends meet as a Vietnam disabled vet. I get no retirement so an increase would be wonderful. Stop financing wars and take better care of the vets. That’s my two cents worth.
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It will help me Tremendously for me and my family,the coast of life is going up not Down
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Frankly because many Vets who claim disability are bullshitting the system. I know several guys from my old units that claim it, and worked the system even though they got out perfectly healthy. And the folks who work at out processing centers even encourage or enable it. When I was getting out a civilian looked at my hearing test and said I could probably get some disability for it even though I can hear things fine 90-95% of the time.
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Some may talk as if they gaimed the system. That is especially true if they are awarded for mental health. Who wants to be honest about their mental condition. Some of you want these folks to announce to the world that they have ptsd TBI, depression, etc... how many of you have a close friend that is suffering from mental health? Let the proffesionals handle the diagnosis.
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The GOP will always try to denied benefits to our veterans. A 25% increase would not hurt the economy or any other expenses incurred by out National Defense. More money is given away or
spend on useless research.
spend on useless research.
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I, myself, am a 100% service connected Disabled Veteran - I emphatically state we SHOULD RECEIVE INCREASES in our disability pay!!! Members of Congress get regular increases, and they cannot even get their work done for our nation!!! - being on a LIMITED INCOME, I would greatly appreciate additional funds!
It is sad when we are "encouraged" by the Veteran's Administration to seek Welfare and other funding means so they DO NOT HAVE TO PAY US ADDITIONAL FUNDS!!!!
It is sad when we are "encouraged" by the Veteran's Administration to seek Welfare and other funding means so they DO NOT HAVE TO PAY US ADDITIONAL FUNDS!!!!
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Tim - Great discussion! Before I comment let me give the disclaimer that all comments and opinions expressed here are strictly my own and I'm writing here on my own free time as a member of rally point. I'm not sure why you phrased the title of the thread the way you did. If you read my original email response, in no way did I say that I or any Senator or political party believe it is too costly or too difficult to give disabled veterans a raise. What I did do was point out that what you were asking Senators to do - add a $19 billion per year price tag to a non-controversial bill for veterans COLA increase (the Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2016) was a "tough sell" because it would put what should be an easy bill at risk to be voted down. Why? Well for one, in today's government, you just can't pull $19 billion out of thin air, no matter how good the cause is (and believe me, veterans are about the best cause we have in this country!) Democrats and Republicans (along with the President) all came to an agreement last fall called the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015. Google it or check it out here.
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-passes-sweeping-two-year-bipartisan-budget-deal-n453226
or here
https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/10/29/bipartisan-budget-agreement-what-you-need-know
That agreement set spending levels for every branch of government, including DOD and the VA for the next 2 years. Those "caps" are set in law and can't be exceeded. You may have seen in the news last week where Senator McCain tried to get the caps increased for defense spending because he thought DOD needed more money for modernization, troop pay raise, and to fight the wars. His measure failed and was voted down by members of both parties because the Senate voted not to bust the caps. Senators on both sides of the aisle voted to stick to the budget agreement. So back to my point - what you were asking for is AT LEAST $19 billion just for one year, and thats just the 25% pay raise. The other two provisions would add even more cost. Usually the congressional budget office gives "scores" in 10 year increments. So conservatively lets say your measure totals $25 billion for one year - thats $250 billion over 10 years. Thats a big cost and as I said verbatim in my email "something that is going to take a lot more debate." Now, no one says its not a valid cause or can't be done in the future. In fact, I told you its a great cause. I told you if someone in the House proposes it (where most bills originate) or it comes to the Senate, it will be very closely looked at.
The last thing I'll close on is your comments on partisanship, R's vs D's. Go check out the "Veterans First Act." It is sponsored by EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, both Republican and Democrat. When it comes to taking care of our veterans, there's no such thing as liberal or conservative. In my experience, veterans affairs is one of the least (if not THE least) partisan issues on Capitol Hill and one where there is the most agreement between all political parties. Again, thanks for the great discussion, keep the good ideas coming and keep up the good work!
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-passes-sweeping-two-year-bipartisan-budget-deal-n453226
or here
https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/10/29/bipartisan-budget-agreement-what-you-need-know
That agreement set spending levels for every branch of government, including DOD and the VA for the next 2 years. Those "caps" are set in law and can't be exceeded. You may have seen in the news last week where Senator McCain tried to get the caps increased for defense spending because he thought DOD needed more money for modernization, troop pay raise, and to fight the wars. His measure failed and was voted down by members of both parties because the Senate voted not to bust the caps. Senators on both sides of the aisle voted to stick to the budget agreement. So back to my point - what you were asking for is AT LEAST $19 billion just for one year, and thats just the 25% pay raise. The other two provisions would add even more cost. Usually the congressional budget office gives "scores" in 10 year increments. So conservatively lets say your measure totals $25 billion for one year - thats $250 billion over 10 years. Thats a big cost and as I said verbatim in my email "something that is going to take a lot more debate." Now, no one says its not a valid cause or can't be done in the future. In fact, I told you its a great cause. I told you if someone in the House proposes it (where most bills originate) or it comes to the Senate, it will be very closely looked at.
The last thing I'll close on is your comments on partisanship, R's vs D's. Go check out the "Veterans First Act." It is sponsored by EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, both Republican and Democrat. When it comes to taking care of our veterans, there's no such thing as liberal or conservative. In my experience, veterans affairs is one of the least (if not THE least) partisan issues on Capitol Hill and one where there is the most agreement between all political parties. Again, thanks for the great discussion, keep the good ideas coming and keep up the good work!
House Passes Sweeping Two-Year Bipartisan Budget Deal
The deal extends the nation's debt limit through 2017 and also sets spending levels through September of that year.
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LCpl Timothy McCain
Thanks for commenting. I hope you comment on more glad to have you. Some of the veterans suggest that instead of doing the cross the board pay increase allow the permanent and total disabled veterans who UI ( unemployable) that are not receiving military retirement to receive VA pension. What do you think about that?
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LCDR (Join to see)
Thanks Tim, you do great work here. I think all your proposals are valid, that one especially sounds like an easy cause to get behind. I need to educate myself more on the issue, I thought 100% disabled were already eligible for pensions as per the VA website, http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp, or are we talking about different things?
Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, if under 65, who are permanently and totally disabled.
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LCpl Timothy McCain
LCDR (Join to see) - no only non service connected. I checked with the VA, because the website is confusing.
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Is it necessary? When I worked at FORSCOM HQ I saw many people with DV plates parking in the handicapped spaces. That in itself is not the issue. The issue is that they are driving extremely nice cars.
I think most are doing just fine. We only see the few that are having financial difficulty due to the proliferation of social media justice.
I think most are doing just fine. We only see the few that are having financial difficulty due to the proliferation of social media justice.
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CW5 (Join to see)
SGT Eliyahu Rooff - I guess not. Sleep apnea gives 50% automatically now. You should reapply like my brother did to get re-evaluated. The VA has a specific program for Agent Orange cases BTW. The process is indeed slow but they do provide back pay.
It may be a nerve wracking and depressing process but I would reapply every year until I got what I deserved. 10% is depressingly low.
I don't think it is the GOP blocking your rating though as the original poster is insinuating, its is a messed up government department that is slow, ignorant and uncaring. It is because of this that I try to go the clinic every year to review and reassess problems that they say cannot be corrected and get that put in my records.
It may be a nerve wracking and depressing process but I would reapply every year until I got what I deserved. 10% is depressingly low.
I don't think it is the GOP blocking your rating though as the original poster is insinuating, its is a messed up government department that is slow, ignorant and uncaring. It is because of this that I try to go the clinic every year to review and reassess problems that they say cannot be corrected and get that put in my records.
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LCpl Timothy McCain
CW5 (Join to see) - sleep apnea causes death by suffocating. And VA rating is lower than social security.
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CW5 (Join to see)
LCpl Timothy McCain - But sleep apnea is not service related. It is caused by other factors such as weight and lifestyle choices. Both my parents and my sister have it. After seeing all the websites available that are designed for you to get the VA rating for it at the benefit of the apnea clinics, my opinion is that it is outright fraud. And of course your Social Security is based upon how much you contributed and when you decide to draw it.
My advice is to seek a certified financial planner to determine the best strategy for using SS in retirement. You get more benefit if you wait.
My advice is to seek a certified financial planner to determine the best strategy for using SS in retirement. You get more benefit if you wait.
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