My husband and I are both US Army veterans. I got out in 1978. Husband retired in 1990.
I don’t know who started the policy, but, sometime after Viet Nam the government started trolling for “disabled vets” in order to bestow extra benefits.
Let me be clear, combat related, or signifigant duty related disabilities deserve help. BUT! Offering disability pay for vague, nondiscript, insignifigant, minor “disabilities” that in no way affect a person’s ability to work and function has got to be addressed.
You are correct, have a so called disabled vet near my home, he can split wood for hours and goes poaching all the time. Not a damn thing wrong with him.
Interesting argument but you need to post evidence.
vaudine
he told me I could do the same thing since I was stationed in DaNang. I refuse to even think about participating in that kind of scam!
You are absolutely correct, I had a neighbor who was a case in point. He received 100% disability because he was an alcoholic due not to his time in Korea but for years as a merchant seaman. There many more like this.
I work with one - his disability - "sleep Apthnea". Never mind that he works rotating shifts, and that sleep apthnea is common among shift workers. Never mind that he's 100+ pounds overweight, which also goes hand-in-hand with sleep apthnea. Nope, he's a disabled vet and he's using that status for all that it's worth. He told me last week that they can't fire him for sleeping on the job because he's a "disabled" vet. I told him he's full of snot.
While his "disability" may have given him challenges participating in particular events in his life, he was by no means "disabled", as he enjoyed riding motorcycles, race cars, not to mention being able to work a physically challenged job for 30+ years before retiring.
He unfortunately passed away from cancer in his 50's.
My sister shortly after his death had gone to the local veterans center regarding matters related to her continuing to receive his benefits....and was told either by the representative there, or by someone else outside of the veterans office, that there were questions(rightfully/wrongfully)regarding agent orange, other suspected ailments related to Vietnam vets(specifically areas of operation that his combat unit were in)that MAY have contributed to his health issues...and as such she was able to apply for and receive additional benefits/compensation...and continues to today.
To the extent my BIL's early departure from this earth was related to his combat experiences in Vietnam....I'll never know...nor will my sister OR the folks at the vet's office. I do however know he was a fairly heavy drinker/smoker, worked in a factory/other environments not exactly conducive to good health, all of which "may" have contributed to his early passing.
I am as patriotic as the next guy when it comes to those that have served their country, and also believe vet's deserve all the respect they not only earned, but were promised.
But putting aside the 30+ year compensation my BIL received for his "disability"....my sister was around 15-16 years old at the time of his service in Vietnam, did not know, date, or was mother to his children at that time. She also has a friend who is married to a Vietnam Vet who truly suffered war related disabilities which literally left him eating through a straw most of his life. But because of red-tape, other gov. related clusterf###'s fought constantly just to receive the care HE EARNED AND DESERVED.
Meanwhile, my sister spends her monthly check on...whatever she want's/needs.
As much as I love my sister, I don't see how she can feel comfortable every month she receives that check in the mail...as I consider it blood money...bought(or is that bled)and paid for by someone else's sacrifice.
I suppose it's up to everyone's own conscience to reconcile those type of issues.
"Vets" have become a specially favored group much like single moms, or homosexuals. YES! That's hard for Veterans to take, but that's exactly how the PANDERING POLITICIANS treat you, Democrats being stronger at it, but because your service does carry well as a political marketing point, Republicans as well.