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Frankly, I couldn't read the whole article. It made me so mad that I couldn't see straight.

I am becoming more and more disturbed by what seems like a "gimme" attitude among so many veterans. Good Lord, can't anyone take care of themselves???

I have friends and former colleagues who served and who have made their way to a great life, helped by the GI Bill and other VA benefits. They are now retired, take trips around the world, have two homes, and generally live the good life. They have absolutely no service-connected-disability, yet they rush to get in line for VA benefits, like prescription drugs, even though our former employer pays 50% of every prescription drug that we buy.

And before you turn on your flames, I served my time in the 40th Infantry Division in Korea in 1952-53. I was fortunate enough to come home whole, got an engineering degree with the help of the government and I don't think that the taxpayers owe me one more damn thing - except perhaps a burial plot in a veterans cemetery.

And before you turn on your flames, I served my time in the 40th Infantry Division in Korea in 1952-53. I was fortunate enough to come home whole, got an engineering degree with the help of the government and I don't think that the taxpayers owe me one more damn thing - except perhaps a burial plot in a veterans cemetery.

Great attitude, if everyone thought like you this country would be twice as strong, and that is saying something.

My cousin served in the 40th ID 52 and 53 also, came out of the Nat. Guard, did his basic at Camp Cook in Calif.

I don't get folks who post about something they didn't even bother to read. From the article, the subject of this thread: 1. Since 1891, anyone retiring after a full military career has had their retirement pay reduced dollar for dollar for any Veterans Administration checks they get for a permanent service-related disability. However, a veteran who served a two-or-four-year tour does not have a similar reduction in Social Security or private pension. 2. The second complaint is over medical care. After decades of promising free medical care for life to anyone who served for 20 years, the government in the 1990s abandoned the promise in favor of a new system called Tricare. The Tricare system provides medical care, but requires veterans to pay a deductible and does not cover dental, hearing or vision care.

"I was fortunate enough to come home whole,

That about sums up the entire problem. I was unfortunate enough to become 100% disabled while at work. The Navy retired me in the middle of my third 6 year enlistment. I don't have 20 years in, but am retired. I won't get any additional money even if all the laws being considered were passed.

You can get extra money, for losing both legs in combat, as long as you have over 20 years in. if you have only 19 years, you get $750.00 a month and a thank you from a "grateful nation".

I don't really want any money, I'd like a couple of programs to bring me back into society so I can get on with my life.

Maybe I should have kept one bullet for myself. I'm certain the government would appreciate it, and all you hard working taxpayers, too.

The VA's own actuary tables show that a disabled 35 year old disabled veteran lives 10 fewer years that non-disabled veterans. What do you all consider ample compensation for a 25 year old that is 100% disabled? I'd be curious if any of you could put a dollar amount to it.