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Honestly guys… This is a little tongue in cheek, but there are “veteran advocates” on this platform that believe a 100% disability should be a personal goal upon your transition. This may be an unpopular opinion but “100% disabled” should be a fairly difficult standard to attain, for obvious reasons. I worked with disabled and vulnerable veterans when I first retired, and I definitely saw some stuff that raised my eyebrows. And to the vets who are doing the right thing, served honorably, and have to deal with long term and lifetime issues, I have nothing but respect and compassion for you. The VA should absolutely take care of you. Thoughts? #veterans #advocate #disability #military
There is a difference between VA Disabled and 100% SS Disabled. If you are a Veteran no matter what the rating that money is for you. You are not taking away from another Vet. Being 100% VA disabled does not mean you should be bed ridden. It means that whatever it is you try to do with or at work your disabilities get in the way 100% of the time. That is why Veterans who are 100% P&T are able to perform any type of work they want. For Veterans who are 100% P&T they do not have any work restrictions. Also keep in mind Vets in this situation may take a lot of pain meds. As far as working out and exercising...The VA wants you to work out, and exercise no matter what your rating is. The VA understands that you may not be able to pass a military PFT anymore; however, the VA does want you to stay in as best shape as possible to keep your weight down, and all other health numbers down such as cholesterol, and blood pressure and so on to help you live healthier. Be sure when you get out to keep, and make copies of ALL OF YOUR RECORDS TO INCLUDE MEDICAL, DENTAL AND TRAINING RECORDS!!!! By making copies of all your records, and showing them to the VA medical examiner that will make filing in the VA a lot easier. Continued...
100% disability with the VA should be a high standard and difficult to obtain however, if you have the source documentation from military service and the VA rates grants it then you're good. I don't think we should be in the business of judging people's outward appearance and deciding who deserves 100%, I get we don't understand why the "Marathon Runner" is 100% disabled but we don't know what qualifying conditions got them to that level. Besides, there's a look back period, let the VA figure that out.
Rephrase initial comment after rereading: THIS! I have met Veterans who start pretty every conversation with "So what is your rating?" I've personally known a lot of people with 100% who brag about "stretching the truth" or straight up lying on claims to get their rating. Imagine how much more comprehensive care the VA could provide if they weren't shelling out the enormous amount of cash they are to people who aren't truly disabled.
The VA is a totally broken system. One example is the Community Care. Assume the Vet lives outside the distance boundary to require attendance at a VA facility. They MAY qualify for care from a local physician. A major problem with this is the allowed time is only for a 3 month window. The Vet is required to reprove the need each time. MANY circumstances far exceed a 3 month window. Additionally, the party the Vet must go through is completely unsympathetic to the vet. Expediency is NOT used. It is horrible. I left the VA because I had a choice. Many do not. I propose a VA medical care card be issued to vets needing care (to be defined). From a high level, it might look similar to Medicare. Maybe some will see this for what it is. The VA needs a MAJOR overhaul and yet we must take care of our veterans.
He a SM who left service 5 years in with 100% disability for shoulder and back issues. 4 months later I turned over photos of him doing his 2nd or 3rd Tough Mudder (photos climbing a wall, scaling the ramp, and swinging on ropes) with his bib number clearly visible and his race verified digitally with his full name on the results…. the doctors who retired him refused to do anything and after it was elevated to the BDE and higher, still nothing. Too many people being coached how to scam the system and NO ONE willing to go after those scamming. Very disappointed in this, gives me little hope
The humans in the VA fight hard against the 100% selectively, while granting e-z pass to others. After recovering from my 1st and 2nd stroke through months of rehab, I was able to perform well enough to receive an excellent evaluation report, which the VA subsequently quoted in their denial letter. Meanwhile, my retired coast guard neighbor brags about his 100% for sleep apnea, shin splints and a bad back. To quote him, “you better know somebody”. 4 years and $ several thousand later, veteran’s guardian got me to 100%, but I was blessed with the means to pursue it. The seperated enlisted person of limited means once again gets the wrong end of the stick.
I think it really depends on what you did during your time in service. For instance, a guy that spent 20 years in the Airborne Infantry or Special Operations community is probably going to get to 100% a little easier than someone that spent their career in S1. Not talking down to anyone, but the physical and mental stress that our dudes at the tip of the spear endure are far and above any other job title in the military.
I know guys missing pieces of themselves who aren’t 100%.
Senior Director of Information Operations & Sensitive Activities | Oak Grove Technologies
2mo🙄 If you rent a car and you bang it up you better have the insurance, the U.S. Government has the insurance, Uncle Sam is glad to take the 18 y/o pristine soldier/sailor/ airman/ marine for a 20+ year rough drive over all sorts of bad terrain collecting dings, dents, and damage along the way. The VA is the insurance, and for the most part they make good on the deal. If a vet looses their legs and still runs marathons t because that’s who TF they are and they post about it does that mean they are not disabled? Are seveirly disabled people not allowed to still push their limits challenging themselves by doing ultras and rowing across oceans? Are they not deserving? Did they not do their part? Can they not strive and excel smashing your pathetic Murph time? Perhaps the soft and sorry among you who hide and shelter in place should question yourselves rather than playing the part of the critic from the man in the arena quote. Stay hard