UPDATE ON DISABLED VETS SCREW JOB

The Retired Officer Association | Today

[Jumper]

Medically boarded at the end, held 3-months past 20-years and then given voluntary retirement which was already requested. Back surgery 10-months before retirement release and never really "healthly" (military medicine sometimes is not the greatest); limited light duties, and still in pain every single day of my life since 1992.... How about 60% for sciatic never injury, 6 disc damaged, 2 crushed, 2 post operative; 3 more ratings of 10%, and 6 additioanl for 0% (recognized for treatment at a VA center at 0%). VA opened a second claim as a result of my records and pending a decision on a separate rating for additional back injuries - Jumping out of airplanes is tough business, heavy equipment, night time, trees and other jumpers in the air - and then you get pavement or stone when you hit - was knocked unconscious 3-times; one of them was the one that did me in!

How bad? I don't know - I hurt every day and take medication for pain frequently; am on arthritus med's daily which helps, have used all every single day of my sick leave and vacation time in past 7-years for medical absence and been out without pay about another 12-weeks during that span - so you see my vacations are all "laid up". You be the judge but I wouldn't do a darn thing different if I had to do it all over again - Paratroopers and being a professional soldier was something most people will never understand, something most people could/cannot do.

Ouch:) But proud and willing to help anyone with anything.

[dalebert]

bump!

[MissAmericanPie]

I'm sure scamming goes on in all government programs, but given a choice I perfer to be scammed by a few service men, than an immigrant, legal or illegal and the Elected officals that support and promote that scam.

[NMFXSTC]

Tell ya what...Agent Orange doesn't appear until years after the exposure...that's hoe disabled! Cancers from AO are rampant as is Hep C, etc.

Remember...any draftee can and does claim and get full comp. for SC illness/injury...the ONLY ones who do NOT are retired mil.

[advocate10]

I have first hand knowledge of the system. I don't see how "scamming" could have taken place in my case, and probably very few others.

[MissAmericanPie]

I agree with you, I'm not saying there is scamming going on, I don't really care if there is. A few scammers is a sorry excuse for denying all our disabled veterns the assistance they need and deserve.

[advocate10]

In the meantime, we urge everyone to write the White House
to let the President know how far wrong his advisors have gone on this
issue. You can send a TROA-prepared message via TROA's Web site
( www.capwiz.com/troa/home/ ).  Just click on the "Don't Veto Concurrent
Receipt" action alert link, then click the "Go" button.

[advocate10]

Ping!

[MissAmericanPie]

Thanks for the heads up, emailed and sent.

[advocate10]

Thursday afternoon, following a week of debate, the Senate voted 92-to-2 to approve its version of the FY2003 Defense Authorization Bill (S. 2514).

As previously reported, S. 2514 would provide various pay and benefit improvements, including:
*A 4.1% to 6.5% pay raise for active duty, Guard and Reserve forces, depending on grade and longevity.
*Elimination of any TRICARE For Life preauthorization requirement for inpatient mental health treatment when Medicare is the primary payer.
*Acceptance of any willing Medicare provider as a TRICARE provider (eliminates some of the paperwork requirements that discourage doctors from participating in TRICARE).

Amendments added to the bill over the last week include provisions to:
*Authorize full concurrent receipt of uniformed services retired pay and VA disability compensation for all disabled retirees with 20 or more years of service, effective October 1, or the first day of the month after enactment, whichever is later.
*Increase service manpower ceilings for FY2003 (by 5,000 for the Army; 3,500 for the Navy; 3,500 for the Air Force; and 2,400 for the Marine Corps).

Now we have to get Dubya on board!

[advocate10]

Bump.

[surely_you_jest]

BTTT

[advocate10]

bttt.

[matrix]

Ping!

[fnord]

Maybe I missed this, but can you explain, in English, what 'full concurrent receipts' means?

I retire in a couple of years, and will likely get some disability. Does this bill affect that?

[fnord]

never mind, I see it now. they are talking about the disability offset (I missed that word in all that bold font). So yes, I am for the full concurrent amendment. Thanks for the heads up.

[F.J. Mitchell]

BTTT!

[PISANO]

If as you say 90% and 83% of the congress critters support passage of this bill then IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE whether or NOT the President vetoes it, they would have the votes to OVERRIDE his veto.

[surely_you_jest]

BTTT

[Eagle Eye]

B-b--b-but, "help is on the way"?