Posted on 11/12/2014 1:16:02 PM PST by 11th_VA
Kenneth C. Brunner wants the government to know it is dead wrong, because he is alive and well in Madison, Wisconsin.
The 81-year-old Army veteran said he was surprised to read a letter from the U.S. Veterans Benefits Administration stating that he was dead.
The letter, dated Nov. 4, arrived at his East Side home Monday afternoon, Brunner said.
"It said I was dead and not to cash any more checks," Brunner said, his voice strong, clear and a little indignant. "I read that and I said holy ..."
By Tuesday, Brunner had built up a head of steam and tried to call the agency to deliver a few choice words, but it was closed for Veterans Day.
The letter, addressed to Brunner's wife, Julie, said she was entitled to cash the check issued for the month in which he died, but no others that might have been issued. It promised $300 to help cover the cost of the funeral.
"We are sorry to learn about the death of KENNETH BRUNNER and extend to you our deepest sympathy," the letter says. "We understand that the transition period following the death of a loved one is difficult and we wish to offer our assistance and our appreciation for the honorable service of KENNETH BRUNNER."
Brunner said he receives monthly disability checks of $901 because of serious injuries he suffered in 1955 when he was an Army specialist building airstrips on a Texas Air Force base.
A cable on a piece of heavy equipment snapped and struck him, landing him in the hospital for a month with serious facial injuries and fractured bones all over his body.
"It broke me up pretty bad," Brunner said. "For the first few days in the hospital they told me they didn’t know if I was going to live or die."
Brunner said when he left the Army in 1956 he was told he couldn't receive any compensation for his injuries, which still restrict his ability to perform certain tasks and movement. About seven years ago he ran across information about veterans benefits and successfully applied.
The Milwaukee Regional Benefit Office sent the letter. Craig Larson, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Chicago, said he didn't know how often erroneous letters have been sent out.
"I do not have an exact number but it occurs infrequently due to human error, such as incorrect data entry," Larson said. "However, when it does happen, VA remedies the error as soon as possible."
The agency that investigates problems at the Veterans Benefits Administration probably has never attempted to determine how many erroneous letters like Brunner's are sent.
"We usually get the other cases, where a family keeps receiving the checks after the veteran has passed away and they don't notify the government or the government is notified and doesn't stop sending the checks," said Catherine Gromek, spokeswoman for the Office of Inspector General.
Brunner was performing his weekly volunteer work assembling wheelchairs and prosthetic devices at the Madison Veterans Hospital on Wednesday morning. He said that he planned to contact the government when he got home.
"I'm going to set them straight," Brunner said. "I’m sure as hell alive."
In response to questions from the State Journal, the Milwaukee benefits office on Wednesday apologized to Brunner and assured him the problem would be fixed, Larson said.
too late, he already voted Democrat 18 times this year. lol
E’s just pining
If the government says you are dead, you are dead. Being alive when you are dead never fed a hungry child.
I am not yet dead (I can dance and I can sing),
I am not yet dead (I can do the Highland thing!),
I am not yet dead,
no need to go to bed,
no need to call the doctor
‘cause I’m not yet dead!
Thr rumors of his death were greatly exagerated by the VAH!
How comforting.
“Oh don’t be such a baby.”
I have asked all my friends to refrain from informing me when I die. It’s a real downer, and anyway if they don’t tell you, you might never know. Two words: Keith Richards.
‘All in the Family’, (From the 1973 season or so iirc), had a hilarious episode where ‘The Computer’ mailed a VA death benefit to Edith because Archie had kicked!! Mike and Archie then argued about how computers were controlling everything and of course the attempts to clean up the entire mess by Archie and Edith with the appropriate authorities was priceless!
“How does this stuff happen ... sheesh ...”
Government.
Given the current state of the VA, they probably hire a hitman.
As long as he doesn’t need treatment from the VA, he will be able to keep saying that!
Yep. If the government says you’re dead, you’d better not argue or else they’ll FIND that you owe them, PLUS penalty and interest for sure!
“I’m not dead”
“Sir, do you have anyone who can vouch for you not being dead?”
“I’m standing right here in front of you!”
“I still need a 3rd party to sign for verification on the form. Preferably someone who is not dead. Do you know any living people?”
Cue the good doctor McCoy!
All in the Family S4 E07 - Archie and the Computer
full episode S4 E07 - Oct 27 1973
http://youtu.be/SCW_3z-jWj8
Perhaps they’ll invite him to come in for a free checkup so that they can remedy the error.
Obviously, the death panel has ruled, but the VA was its usual ineffective self in implementing the ruling.
I didn't need the money to live so I was OK but it would have sucked if I needed it.
If I remember correctly they check the post office database monthly and somehow I got on their list. Amex shut my cards off until I called them.
I have an aunt who married a man who was born on the same day as she was. When her husband died from cancer several years ago, the Social Security Administration though she had died and cut off her benefits.
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