Posted on Sep 9, 2015
Are fake disabilities affecting other Veterans?
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So I met this guy the other day that is a gym buddy of our kids (20 and 17 year old). Obviously I don't know the entire story but he is 100% disabled for hearing and his back. The moment I met him I wanted to call bullshit. He walked in our home looking like a cartoon superhero and started talking about his workout. He does parkour, and extreme weight lifting. And has since he was in and now that he is out. That immediately raise a flag of bullshit beyond him explaining to us his philosophy on working out and people. He also started to go into his time as a leader in the Air Force...he got out as a E4. I quickly identified him as "that guy". So anyways.
I live in constant pain from protruding disc in my neck. It is intensified by any variety of things but mostly just doing shit. I have days where I literally just want to lay in bed with my percocet in hand and try and numb myself to feel a little normal again and other where it just feels like some one is punching me over and over. I am 50% broken. I don't claim to be more or less broken than I am and don't really care that much about how broken I am I just avoid doing stuff that makes it a percocet day.
So my questions are this;
People that may or may not be using the system are they really hurting the system?
Do you care if people fake disability to get more from a system?
How would you handle your kid around this guy who you know is a freaking idiot?
I live in constant pain from protruding disc in my neck. It is intensified by any variety of things but mostly just doing shit. I have days where I literally just want to lay in bed with my percocet in hand and try and numb myself to feel a little normal again and other where it just feels like some one is punching me over and over. I am 50% broken. I don't claim to be more or less broken than I am and don't really care that much about how broken I am I just avoid doing stuff that makes it a percocet day.
So my questions are this;
People that may or may not be using the system are they really hurting the system?
Do you care if people fake disability to get more from a system?
How would you handle your kid around this guy who you know is a freaking idiot?
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 73
Your BS meter was certainly working well that day. And, if he truly is 100% disabled from service related injuries (if he even served), next time in the gym, get a video of the guy lifting the weights and carrying a normal conversation and report his lying cheating stealing ass to the VA and the police for fraud and theft.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
MSG (Join to see) If this guy is -98 dB hearing he would not be able to hear an industrial fire alarm! Hard to fake that in front of an audiometer test!
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I wouldn't be so quick to judge him. There has to be a decent amount of evidence for the VA to rate him at 100%. It's not an easy rating to get. I have what's considered an 'invisible illness', which means no one can tell there's anything wrong from normal day to day interactions. I do weight lifting, because it's easier to do then cardio with my condition. He may also have behavioral/mental health disorders. If he really is 100% disabled, chances are he doesn't feel comfortable disclosing his full medical history to just anyone. He may also be on a variety of medications that allow him to seem physically healthy.
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SSG Michael Patton
MSG Timothy Daugherty, I disagree with you about him getting 100% not effecting anyone else. If he is truly disabled, he deserves it. If he is faking, he is taking money that could be utilized for truly disabled vets and medical care for those folks.
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PO1 Shannon Drosdak
I am going to say this, although the guy may tell you he's 100% for 2 issues most likely those are the only ones he wants to speak out loud about. Almost 15 years in and multiple surgeries while in the service put me at 100%, however how they rated me they took everything into consideration, head to toe. Which is what they do with all ratings inside and out. Mental, & physical are put into it. Like others who have posted I don't discuss everything. I don't want to look like a "walking accident." Do I think my 100% affects other Vets no, because I do not need certain things that are offered to me for my percentage at my percent. However I also didn't run to Social Security to start claiming disability money I could get ( even though the VA told me to) Am I currently working, no I'm in school and do volunteer service however There are certain things my body can't take (like standing for 8 hours) you never know what a person has been through and you cannot tell just by looking at them. I'm perfectly "normal" on the outside you would never know how much metal I have in my body to keep me together just by looking at me. He may not be like me, but I for one refuse to be "treated" like I have disabilities and know people look at you and treat you differently. I have already dealt with the nurses at the VA getting on me about using a cane or wearing a brace, complaining that my blood pressure is to high, and I need to take time to relax, blah blah blah. I refuse to let my rating define who I should be. Possibly, just maybe this guy is one of those. Even with only 4 years in, a lot can happen in 4 years and has to our military since this countries revolution for Freedom.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
SGM (Join to see) - I really like you comment about "not broken, slightly worn". I've had 2 bulging disks L4 L5 for more than 30 years from jumping out of airplanes. It gets me down sometimes, but a push on thru. I don't really know why, but that "slightly worn" comment just rang thru to me, makes me smile, and gives me hope. Thanks.
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SGT Anthony Rossi
PO1 Pete Sikes - I do have a fair amount of knowledge on the topic. However, That doesn't make me an expert. I myself carry a10% disability mark, and my wife 20%. I don't realy agree with how they come to 100% in many cases. But for those that can't support themselves because of their injuries I Totaly support the 100% claim. But if a person can contribute and work they should be expected to.
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If he is 100% for hearing he ranks a XI / XI on testing. That means
1. 34% or less Word Recognition &
2. 98+ db Pure Tone hearing loss.
In other words, you would not be having a conversation with him.
So I call BS.
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=38:1.0.1.1.5#sg38.1.4_180_64_184.sg2
1. 34% or less Word Recognition &
2. 98+ db Pure Tone hearing loss.
In other words, you would not be having a conversation with him.
So I call BS.
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=38:1.0.1.1.5#sg38.1.4_180_64_184.sg2
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
SGT Scott Bell Check that link ... It really helps to know where the disability levels are .. sort of levels the playing field ya know.
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