Do you believe servicemembers should receive VA Disability payment after they retire or is it too much for the government budget to

1SG DeyShuan Shepherd — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:26:02 -0500

Let me start by saying that I believe that service members should receive what they deserve for service related injuries.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2014 7:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:29:53 -0500

Amen to that!

Response by MSG Arthur Whiteside made Feb 18 at 2014 4:50 PM

MSG Arthur Whiteside — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:50:48 -0500

We have all been around the military long enough to witness the fraud, waste, & abuse that occurs on a daily basis e.g., buying an outrageous amount of Woodland camouflage when we have been fighting a desert war since 1991. It is not, nor has it ever been that our government cannot sustain the budget for that 1% who served honorably. It is a matter of fact that many of us feel as if the compensation isn't relative to the bigger issue; fairness. The fact is, you may not experience many of the aches and pains from your extended service until many years after you've left. Do this: Visit your local VA and talk to the plethora of Veterans who may have said that when they departed the service, they felt as if they were perfectly fine, but over time their knees, backs, and necks started to ache or malfunction. But because you didn't claim those ailments when you left the service, it will now take an "Act of Congress" to get compensated for them.

Response by LTC David B. made Mar 23 at 2014 7:16 AM

LTC David B. — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 07:16:01 -0400

An awesome question! For that NCO who deployed 5, 6, or more times and has more aches and pains than he cares to admit....of course! But for those who have never deployed (I know some never do through NO fault of their own), I'm not so sure. I was talking to a vet a while back and he said all of his injuries came from sports.....never deployed and was never injured on a training exercise. He had PTSD but it was from his childhood (and because he was treated for it on active duty, he was allowed to claim it). I'm NOT throwing him under the bus by saying he should not be allowed his benefits.....I'm only using him as an example for this question. Should he have automatically received disability? As long and difficult as the process is, I still think anyone who feels they have a claim, should go through it....maybe fix the process a little better.....

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 23 at 2014 8:57 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 08:57:56 -0400

As with almost all government programs, there will always be those that take advantage of the system for their own gain, I have witnessed those that have taken advantage of the welfare and SNAP (food stamps for us older folks) programs since I was a teenager. However, if one retires due to length of service or is medically retired, only a percentage of their retirement is paid by the VA, unless one is rated as over 50% if I understood all my briefings correctly, otherwise your branch of service/DoD pays your retirement, so it is still coming out of the governments coffers. As I have stated in discussions before, there are many areas the government should look at cutting their wasteful spending BEFORE they look to the VA and /or DoD.

Response by Maj David Moorefield made Mar 24 at 2014 10:22 AM

Maj David Moorefield — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 10:22:10 -0400

An outstanding question and the comments are better! However, the disability payment is no greater than your retirement pay. For example if you are 60% disabled you receive 60% of your retirement pay (non taxable) from the VA and 40% by your branch of service pay center as normal retirement pay (taxable).

Response by SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. made Jun 11 at 2014 10:38 PM

SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:38:39 -0400

I Retired with a 70% DOD Army Disability Retirement (PDRL), The VA will not recognize it so as far as the County is concerned I have no disability unless the VA says I do.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2015 3:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 10 May 2015 15:37:39 -0400

Yes if it is a legitimate disability and nothing else will make them "whole". Often those serving will get their minds and bodies depreciated.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Aug 15 at 2015 5:28 AM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 05:28:09 -0400

If one was working in the private sector after an initial hitch and retired, he/she gets both their retirement from the company as well as VA. Why shouldn't military retirees?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 15 at 2015 5:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 17:27:29 -0400

Yes if it service connected. That is what right looks like.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 15 at 2015 11:37 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 23:37:58 -0400

yes...absolutely...just because you serve 20 or more years and you retire shouldnt mean that you should not receive VA disability pay...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 25 at 2015 5:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 17:13:48 -0400

The government should compensate veterans that are now whole. We are government assets that get depreciated over time.

Response by Cpl Terry Fowler made Oct 30 at 2015 9:49 AM

Cpl Terry Fowler — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 09:49:35 -0400

Yes the have earned it if it is service related

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 4 at 2015 2:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:27:23 -0500

Some become unemployable, we need to help them.