It is a golden ticket and they play the system.
If it wasn’t from something gotten in combat, yes, I have a problem with it.
I also have a problem with illegals getting government help.
Some of us have done our (25+) years and never been in combat. During the Cold War I was responsible for a base’s nuclear weapons. For two years my unit provided supplies to the Services throughout the Pacific. Most recently I ran fuels labs around the world, ensuring we had good fuel in prep for and during Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, made sure planes didn’t crash, drones had their specialized fuel, and Corps of Engineer boats could inspect dams around the US, but never been in combat. Lived away from husband and home for almost 8 years as a reservist after 9-11. Is my service worth less than a combat vet’s? There are a lot of specialized fields needed to allow combat vets to do their jobs. All of us are required to fight and win.
I have a number of medical issues that have arisen during my service. For example, I broke my arm while headed to the gym to practice for an upcoming physical fitness test, and have impaired movement of my arm as a result. Plus, about three other issues for which I plan to seek a VA disability rating. I will retire April 1. The closest I have been to combat is when I went on a special mission to Korea, which is still a war zone.
Nice to know that you do not think I deserve care for my medical issues after 20 years in the service, just because they weren’t incurred in combat.
So if Patton had survived his accident and had problems later in life you would have problem with him being treated at the VA?
After all it was not something gotten in combat.
How about those paratroopers who got injured in a training accident at Fort Irwin back in 80's who have physical problems? No treatment because it was a training accident not combat?
They are called SRI service related injuries because if you were not serving you would not have gotten injured.
Are there people who game the system? Of course. But that does not mean that only "combat injuries" are valid and the rest is just your tough luck.
The military medical runs on the "you broke it, you bought it" principle. When they break someone they are responsible to make sure the problem is treated. For as long as treatment is needed.
I’m a combat vet with 21 years of service. The military is a dangerous profession even if you don’t see combat. The laws state that no matter what the medical condition is if it happened while on active duty it’s now the military and va’s job to make it right or pay compensation.
For years I saw the military deny/underrate service connection for injuries that were clearly due to military duty. This changed after the Walter Reed fiasco and congress forced the military to use the VA rating system.
Are there going to be fakers and people who abuse the system. Of course it happens everywhere and no system is perfect. Personally I’d rather see 100 fakers get the compensation then see even one truly injured vet denied it.
“If it wasn’t from something gotten in combat, yes, I have a problem with it.”
One of my best friends fell off a ladder while working on high voltage lines in Iraq. He shattered his shoulder. He’s needed multiple surgeries and it’s still not 100%.
Does he not deserve his VA coverage?
L