The Veteran Thread

[Toughy]

I was at a service connection appointment today. It seems that at least for this region they must make a decision by mid june. This is good news.

[Greyson]

I did not know of some of the history of Memorial Day the official day of remembrance for Veterans. This Memorial Day and all days, lets remember the veterans of peacetime and war. Let's also remember their families.



http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by Greyson

I did not know of some of the history of Memorial Day the official day of remembrance for Veterans. This Memorial Day and all days, lets remember the veterans of peacetime and war. Let's also remember their families.



http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp

Memorial Day started around just post-civil war when it was called "Decoration Day". Articles I've read attribute it's origin to Charleston, SC in memory of the Union soldiers that died while imprisoned there and mass buried in an unmarked grave. African Americans and allies placed flowers on the gravesite and later built an actual memorial. Although there is no solid evidence that this story is true I like it a lot. After the war it was declared a national observance day. Interestingly enough, May 30th was chosen specifically because historically no battle occurred on that day.

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by Toughy

I was at a service connection appointment today. It seems that at least for this region they must make a decision by mid june. This is good news.

Mid-June? That IS good. When did you first file?

I saw a thing on CNN where veteran's were waiting 600 days for claim approval and over than 900,000 veterans are stuck waiting.

This is 2013 right?

"After 10 years of war, three VA secretaries, and an increase in the overall department budget of 40% since 2009, an incredible 97% of veteran's claims are still on paper......

The VA has reported that the average claim wait time was 273 days. For the first claim filed, it's longer: 316 to 327 days. In Los Angeles, that figure is 619. In New York, it's 642. In Indianapolis, it's 612 days. And vets with first-time claims in Reno, Nevada, wait 681 days.

The VA has testified that it has hired 3,300 new claims processors, but it has failed to report that, because of staff turnover, the net increase in processors is only 300 since 2010. And, in Chicago; Waco, Texas; and Oakland, California, the overall number of claims processors has gone down." (Paul Rieckhoff, 2013)

[Toughy]

Originally Posted by Wolfsong

Mid-June? That IS good. When did you first file?

I saw a thing on CNN where veteran's were waiting 600 days for claim approval and over than 900,000 veterans are stuck waiting.

This is 2013 right?

"After 10 years of war, three VA secretaries, and an increase in the overall department budget of 40% since 2009, an incredible 97% of veteran's claims are still on paper......

The VA has reported that the average claim wait time was 273 days. For the first claim filed, it's longer: 316 to 327 days. In Los Angeles, that figure is 619. In New York, it's 642. In Indianapolis, it's 612 days. And vets with first-time claims in Reno, Nevada, wait 681 days.

The VA has testified that it has hired 3,300 new claims processors, but it has failed to report that, because of staff turnover, the net increase in processors is only 300 since 2010. And, in Chicago; Waco, Texas; and Oakland, California, the overall number of claims processors has gone down." (Paul Rieckhoff, 2013)

Rachel Maddow has done several segments about the backlog. She has been on this for a long time. She helped first bring attention to this mess.

I filed in Mar 2011, heard from them around Nov, sent in what they wanted, got another letter in about a month, sent more papers and then they disappeared. The Oakland VA Regional Office is rumored to be one of the worst in the country. I talked to them (in person) several times and each time they gave me the wrong information. I hate those people....lol

I let it go as I was on serious opiate pain meds waiting on a hip replacement and did not have the brains, energy or desire to follow up. Besides the longer they take the fatter my check will be.....<g>....claims are retroactive to date filed.

fast forward to end of april 2013 and I get 2 letters in 3 days.....one saying my case was transferred (NE) and the other with dates for medical evaluation (shrink and physical--shrink is done (yesterday) and physical is the 29th). MY paperwork is all computerized at this point. Truth is I'm not sure what is actually in there as I don't trust the Oakland folks. From what the doctor told me, his shrink report and the physical report is critical...

We shall see what they will do............hopefully I will just get the (deserved) 100% service connection and be done with it. But I should have an answer in 2-3 weeks and if I don't like it, then the appeal process begins.

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by Toughy

Rachel Maddow has done several segments about the backlog. She has been on this for a long time. She helped first bring attention to this mess.

I filed in Mar 2011, heard from them around Nov, sent in what they wanted, got another letter in about a month, sent more papers and then they disappeared. The Oakland VA Regional Office is rumored to be one of the worst in the country. I talked to them (in person) several times and each time they gave me the wrong information. I hate those people....lol

I let it go as I was on serious opiate pain meds waiting on a hip replacement and did not have the brains, energy or desire to follow up. Besides the longer they take the fatter my check will be.....<g>....claims are retroactive to date filed.

fast forward to end of april 2013 and I get 2 letters in 3 days.....one saying my case was transferred (NE) and the other with dates for medical evaluation (shrink and physical--shrink is done (yesterday) and physical is the 29th). MY paperwork is all computerized at this point. Truth is I'm not sure what is actually in there as I don't trust the Oakland folks. From what the doctor told me, his shrink report and the physical report is critical...

We shall see what they will do............hopefully I will just get the (deserved) 100% service connection and be done with it. But I should have an answer in 2-3 weeks and if I don't like it, then the appeal process begins.

*low whistle......say at 100% you might also be eligible for that specially adapted considerable housing grant.

[Tommi]

[Tommi]

Queen Mary free admission to military, 40% discount to families of vets
Knott's Berry Farm, free admission too

West Coast Thunder, Motorcylce riders to Riverside Memorial National Park.

[theoddz]

Good news, but we still have a ways to go on this:

Same-Sex Partners Of US Troops To Receive Military Benefits In September
Paul Szoldra, provided by
Published 4:15 pm, Friday, June 7, 2013

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/technology/bus...#ixzz2Vdg0sKZp


Same-sex domestic partners of military servicemembers will soon be issued government-issued identification cards entitling them to a number of benefits, Washington Times reports.

An internal personnel notice posted to the web Thursday states the military's commitment to upgrade their systems "so that eligible SSDPs and their families can begin receiving benefits/ID cards" beginning on Sept. 1.

From The Times:

The ID card Web notice refers to same-sex domestic partners as “SSDPs.”

The benefits include education, survivor, commissary, travel, counseling and transportation, but not what some consider the armed forces’ premium perks — health care and housing allowances.

The move comes after former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced he would lift the ban on same-sex partners receiving benefits days before he left office in February, CNN reports.

“These benefits shall be extended to the same-sex domestic partners and, where applicable, children of same-sex domestic partners, once the service member and their same-sex domestic partner have signed a declaration attesting to the existence of their committed relationship,” Panetta said in a statement at the time.

In order to receive the benefits, most couples need to sign a "declaration of domestic partnership," which states: “We are each other’s sole domestic partner, in a committed relationship, and intend to remain so indefinitely.”

The Pentagon told Times reporters they estimate there are about 17,000 same-sex couples on active duty, reserve, or retired.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/technology/bus...#ixzz2VdftshbM

~Theo~

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Wolfsong

*low whistle......say at 100% you might also be eligible for that specially adapted considerable housing grant.

That special adaptive housing grant is available to certain Veterans who need help purchasing or improving a handicap-accessible home. It either supplements the purchase of an already existing one or serves to pay for the necessary adaptions to a Veterans existing property. I think the maximum allowable grant is something like $64K, or such a matter. You need to make application for this grant through your local VA Prosthetics department. I don't think you have to be 100% service connected Disabled for this kind of help.

This past year, the VA installed safety "grab bars" in my bathroom, for the commode, and they would have done the shower, too, if I'd have asked them. I have a step-in shower, however, so that wasn't necessary right now. I have prosthetic knees, so the installation of the grab bar in the commode room really helps. All I had to do was ask and it was done!!!

Don't be shy about asking for this kind of help, Vets, because VA care is about helping us Veterans to have a safe, decent life. It is our *earned* benefit. Yes, some things might be only available to Vets with 100% ratings, or "unemployability" status, but it's been my observation that a lot of things go on a case-by-case basis, depending on the situation. Always ask!!! If you are unclear about who to ask, you can always contact a Veterans Benefits officer (1-800-827-1000, nationwide number) or get in contact with a Patient Advocate at your local VA.

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

[theoddz]

On another note.......

This in today's news:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013...in-combat?lite

Personally, I knew of/served with a handful of Women Marines who, IMHO, could have held their own in combat. One friend of mine used to work down at the base Motor Pool and she could carry a bus tire under each arm. She was tough as nails, strong as an ox and meaner than a snake, too!!! I think she could have made the grade, though I also knew some who wouldn't have been able to hack it.

What say you all?? Opinions???

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by theoddz

On another note.......

This in today's news:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013...in-combat?lite

Personally, I knew of/served with a handful of Women Marines who, IMHO, could have held their own in combat. One friend of mine used to work down at the base Motor Pool and she could carry a bus tire under each arm. She was tough as nails, strong as an ox and meaner than a snake, too!!! I think she could have made the grade, though I also knew some who wouldn't have been able to hack it.

What say you all?? Opinions???

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

"For years, women in the military, and outside groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have argued that women already serve on the front lines but are not recognized for it. Women constitute 15 percent of the active-duty military."

It is about time. I have come to realize through many Toughy posts, indeed it is the military that has lead the way for many advances in equality.

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by theoddz

On another note.......

This in today's news:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013...in-combat?lite

Personally, I knew of/served with a handful of Women Marines who, IMHO, could have held their own in combat. One friend of mine used to work down at the base Motor Pool and she could carry a bus tire under each arm. She was tough as nails, strong as an ox and meaner than a snake, too!!! I think she could have made the grade, though I also knew some who wouldn't have been able to hack it.

What say you all?? Opinions???

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

I think if you can do your job it shouldn't matter. It will be interesting to see how many sign up for 11 Bravo school. I'd be more interested in other more technical combat arms like FA or Air Cav. I suspect you'll see more women there than Infantry.

You know, it is easy to get nostalgic over the romantic notion of high speed - low drag infantry but hey....y'all remember doing this?



That was me......."I can't see, I can't see" and bouncing off a tree.