Push to Cut Veterans Disability Benefits is Gaining Traction, experts warn

Friday, December 06, 2024

A growing chorus is calling for cuts to Veteran Affairs disability benefits as a way to save federal dollars -- a move that ignores the very real costs of two decades of war, and could cause irreparable harm to generations of veterans, experts warn.

Posted by reinheitsgebot at 08:33 AM | 46 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

ðŸ"¥SCORCHING response-- VFW on The Economist attacking veterans benefits (to help Elon/Vivek/Trump cut them) "Reads like it was poorly run through Chat GPT ... insultingly stupid-- I had my leg blown to pieces, which of my benefits are unreasonable?" Full: www.facebook.com/share/p/1BGm ...

[image or embed]
-- The Tennessee Holler (@thetnholler.bsky.social) December 5, 2024 at 8:31 AM

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

a growing number of health conditions that qualify for VA disability are "tenuously related or wholly unrelated to military service."

This position is based on fantasy, conscious lying, or some mixture of both.

Military service, especially during war, RUINS servicemen. It DESTROYS them mentally, physically, or both.

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-05 09:43 AM | Reply

We all knew that Donald and MAGA were coming after the vets. The people who survive war are such inconveniences.

Anyone who enlists under Donald's reign is a fool. For all of you veteran's who paid your country in blood and sanity and voted for Trump....

This is the thanks he's giving you.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-05 09:46 AM | Reply

Anyone of you patriotic (oxymoron?) want to quarrel with combat veterans losing benefits?

Or will you play doggo, Like, well, dogs?

#3 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-05 10:31 AM | Reply

You really want to see violence and civil unrest?

Stop GWoT vets of benefits promised to them by a government they now loathe for using them.

#4 | Posted by jpw at 2024-12-05 12:28 PM | Reply

I just can't believe that anyone in their right mind would argue against medical benefits for Vets. This country sends these people into battle and then proceeds to treat them like a bunch of whiners because they come back broken. Why do we always want to take away benefits from the most vulnerable of the population. Children, seniors, Vets, the poor. For a supposed Christian nation, we are not very compassionate. I guess compassion gets in the way of profit.

#5 | Posted by rukiddin at 2024-12-06 08:46 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Nothing says thank you for your sacrifice than gutting veteran's benefits.

The military is nothing more than a prop.

Military service, especially during war, RUINS servicemen. It DESTROYS them mentally, physically, or both.

Mom told me that for decades after WWII dad would never sleep through the night. One time she tried to talk to him during one of his night time "patrols" and he started shouting at her in Japanese. When she told him what he said that he was ordering her to drop her weapon.

He used to tell us the fun stories from the war... volunteering to unload transports in order to raid the officers bags for contraband (booze), stealing officers jeeps and driving them into the ocean, playing baseball with the USO. He never talked too much about the bad things except once when he was talking about island hopping and they came across a village where there were several Japanese soldiers begging to be rescued whose arms and legs were broken. They asked the villagers what was going on with them and were told they were going to eat them. They just left the japanese there and moved on.

#6 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-12-06 09:17 AM | Reply

Maybe I'm wrong, but I get the impression that GWoT service members were far more abused than their predecessors. Previous wars didn't have multiple yearlong deployments to two different theaters where each was fighting non-conventional wars with no front lines, no safe havens, no clear enemy.

#7 | Posted by jpw at 2024-12-06 09:30 AM | Reply

I say do it.

Slash the benefits heavily.

This is what veterans voted for by large majorities.

It would be wrong not to honor what they supported.

#8 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-12-06 10:23 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Well... I think it's a good idea. I mean how can we expect it to be a "selfless sacrifice" if they are coddled when they get home? Why should they expect anything? They're lucky they got hired in the first place. They did it for the love of the country.

Republic0wns have blathered on and on about how this nation needs to be run like a business... so here we go... congratuphookinlations.

#9 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2024-12-06 10:29 AM | Reply

I'm sure that I will take some flack for this...

I know several vets collecting disability benefits who are no more disabled than I am at 63 years of age. Several of them are are friends. So I don't dare speak out directly to them about it. Most of them are collecting these benefits, AND working full time jobs as well.

I think such benefits should be paid to those who can demonstrate real disability. But the way the current system analyzes vets for disability, many of them are collecting benefits when they have no more issue than the average civilian who could NEVER qualify for SSI.

With an incoming administration so focused on cost cutting, this is an area that I actually hope gets significant scrutiny.

#10 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-12-06 10:45 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

My father is on 100% veterans disability due to Agent Orange exposure and a couple other factors from his service in Vietnam. It wasn't until I read his medical records after my mom passed away last year that I understood the nature of his issues and I realized how much my growing up was affected by it. If he found out that his monthly disability payment was being reduced it would be a significant hardship for him. If it were eliminated he'd be royally ------ and it would be a tremendous insult to his service and sacrifice. My grandparents used to talk about how he came back different, how he couldn't manage basic things in life without difficulty, but he was the only dad I ever knew and didn't really know the details so I had a lot of misplaced aggression growing up that should have been directed toward the federal government instead of my dad. Now as an adult it's difficult to not be resentful for what's been done to him and the sacrifices even I and my brothers were forced to make, before I was even born.

#11 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2024-12-06 11:09 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

On the other hand, there are those like me, who would mandate a return to the draft and make all the kids of Americans serve, both make and female, before they are allowed to vote or participate in a new American National Health Plan.
It would be a cold day in hell before the kids of the rich are forced to spend time scrubbing toilets in a hospital or serve under arms as privates...
The oligarchs are our new royalty...we might as well get used to Musk and the other billionaires running their mouths off all day long as "representatives' of the government.

#12 | Posted by Hughmass at 2024-12-06 12:53 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Receiving a disability payment from the VA is an acknowledgment that military service "broke" something. What it was that was broken may not disqualify a veteran from holding a full time job unless, of course, that full time job makes extensive use of that "thing" that was broken.

#14 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2024-12-06 12:57 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I know a woman who was in the Navy for a couple of years.

That sounds really true.

#15 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-12-06 12:58 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

POSTED BY HAGBARD_CELINE

Hey dude!

Hope all is well!

Sorry to hear about your father, sorry these billionaires are destroying our nation.

I've heard about the Overton Window, I'm hoping it withstands the blows it's about to receive.

#17 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-12-06 01:06 PM | Reply

We could totally eliminate the VA medical system by establishing universal healthcare.

I could almost agree with you, if everyone was taxed the same percentage of income. And I'm talking about in addition to what we are paying now. But we know that wont happen.

I know a woman who was in the Navy for a couple of years.

I also know a person who was in the Army for only 2 years. He went to Iraq, came home and some how got 100% disability. Seemed as normal as everyone else, but for some reason, got alot of disability.

I was in for almost 25 years, did 4 or 5 combat tours and do not qualify for that level disability. But then again, I havent put in for it as it's not needed.

We all knew that Donald and MAGA were coming after the vets.

I dont know where you are getting this from, but I guess it's a dream of yours. Actually, when Donald was President before, he did alot with the VA concerning benefits that helped alot. I have no reason to think the next 4 will be any different.

They arent going to touch anything to do with veterans, you progressives and Democrats can keep hoping.

#19 | Posted by boaz at 2024-12-06 04:41 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

You didn't do ---- except look at a clipboard, you ------- cowardly bitch

#20 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-12-06 10:55 PM | Reply

@#19 ... I could almost agree with you, if everyone was taxed the same percentage of income. ...

Yeah, like that works.

Why does the Social Security tax not go above a certain level of income?

The wealthy, who garnered their wealth from the backs of Americans, do not appear to buy into any manner of "taxed the same percentage of income."

#21 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-06 11:20 PM | Reply

#14

I don't know a single person, regardless of rank or occupation, who is not receiving some form of disability payments. I am 80% disabled, mostly due to spending 2500 hours in an ejection seat. So is my 25-year-old co-worker who did four years cleaning the trash out of chartered aircraft. We have a family friend who recently retired as an E-5. He was a dental assistant in the Air Force. He is 90% disabled. His disability payments will more than double what he would have earned on retirement alone. There are probably numbers out there, but I think there are at least as many 100% disabled veterans as there are any other. And it's a good deal. 100% disability, your kids go to college for free.

#22 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-07 06:35 AM | Reply

"I could almost agree with you, if everyone was taxed the same percentage of income. And I'm talking about in addition to what we are paying now. But we know that wont happen."

First, what constitutes "universal healthcare" depends on who you ask, but there is no European nation that does not fund healthcare through Value Added Taxes, or VATs.

US progressives tend to differ from their European counterparts in that they generally believe that the rich should be paying for everything. I once posed the question here whether or not progressives would still support efforts like UHC, or free college, or any other entitlements, if they were funded through a VAT. A surprising number said they would not. Which really leads me to believe that many view these programs as punitive measures whose real value comes in punishing high income earners.

#23 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-07 06:47 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Why does the Social Security tax not go above a certain level of income?"

Because the payments do not go beyond a certain level of income.

"The wealthy, who garnered their wealth from the backs of Americans, do not appear to buy into any manner of "taxed the same percentage of income."

Walk me through that logic. How is it that I am less rich because someone else is more? If Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos die tomorrow, does that mean I will get a bigger paycheck?

#24 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-07 06:50 AM | Reply

"I also know a person who was in the Army for only 2 years. He went to Iraq, came home and some how got 100% disability. Seemed as normal as everyone else, but for some reason, got alot of disability."

My VSO told me a story about a kid who got discharged while still in boot camp and gets disability payments for PTSD for having been yelled at while in boot camp.

#25 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-07 06:52 AM | Reply

And just for the edification of everyone here, when you retire or separate from the military, you are advised by the VA to consult with a VSO. They will request that you provide your medical record, and they will review it to see if there are any recurring or significant issues. If there are, they will file those on your behalf with the VA. In many cases, the service member doesn't do anything. This has to be done within a year of separation. You can still file outside of a year, but you will not receive any back pay, and the assessment phase is far stricter and requires far more evidence.

#26 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-07 06:56 AM | Reply

"We all knew that Donald and MAGA were coming after the vets"---Zed

I dont know where you are getting this from

#19 | Posted by boaz

Current and ongoing news.

#27 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-07 08:24 AM | Reply

I know a woman who was in the Navy for a couple of years. She related to me how she would go to sick-call often to get out of work, typically complaining of a headache. She, over the course of a couple of years, inflated the sick-call records to 100% disability, and she also scammed into SSDI for 100%. Now she presents as a proud patriotic casualty.
Many such cases.

#13 | Posted by oi_veh

This never happened. You invented the story. You are a liar.

Servicemen and women who go on sick call are mercilessly ridiculed, even persecuted. Servicemen AVOID going for care, even when they have genuine medical complaints, and even when ignoring those complaints means aggravating a genuine injury.

Ask BOAZ. He's honest enough to tell you.

#28 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-07 08:30 AM | Reply

My VSO told me a story about a kid who got discharged while still in boot camp and gets disability payments for PTSD for having been yelled at while in boot camp.

#25 | Posted by madbomber

You're VSO is lying to you.

Being "yelled at" doesn't make the basic criterion for PTSD, unless your VSO also states that the yells included plausible death threats.

#29 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-07 08:31 AM | Reply

"
They arent going to touch anything to do with veterans"

Once again, they say that's what they will do. Why is there enough political room in this country for it even to be said?

It stands to reason that a political movement that wants, and has, denied health care to children and the general public would want to go after the vets.

We began to see the (proto) MAGA contempt for vets under George W., when it began making fun of war wounds.

#30 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-07 08:38 AM | Reply

"You're VSO is lying to you. Being "yelled at" doesn't make the basic criterion for PTSD, unless your VSO also states that the yells included plausible death threats."

I don't know if he was lying or not...but I can't come up with a good reason why he would have lied.

Can you?

#31 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-07 08:59 AM | Reply

but I can't come up with a good reason why he would have lied

#31 | Posted by madbomber

Postulate ignorance and the blind repetition of gossip.

Both of these things will be what takes vet benefits away from the vets.

#32 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-07 09:27 AM | Reply

It will be interesting to see how this plays out at the VA. I see a lot of MAGA gear there.
Couple of providers I know I are polishing up their CV's.
Mad - Why would the VSO put through such a claim? Basically, they are telling you they assisted in committing fraud.
Lots of anecdotes about fraud, little hard evidence.

#33 | Posted by mattm at 2024-12-07 12:56 PM | Reply

I go to the VA, it's pretty frustrating sometimes. For example, right now I am waiting on an ultrasound order since July.

Oh V, you need to contact your Community Care Network Rep. If you have waited this long I suspect the order has been misplaced or wasn't put in correctly. They are supposed to arrange civilian care if they cannot accommodate within 30 days.
They got me into a dermatologist for a MOHS procedure within 2 weeks. If I had been referred by a local primary care provider it would have been several months.
I was referred two weeks ago for a sleep study and had it done Thursday night.
Friends are jealous with the timeliness of the care compared to the local non-profit system.

#34 | Posted by mattm at 2024-12-07 01:07 PM | Reply

If you have waited this long I suspect the order has been misplaced or wasn't put in correctly.

Or he's making up more stories like #13.

#35 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-12-07 01:12 PM | Reply

Servicemen and women who go on sick call are mercilessly ridiculed

It used to be like that. Although, when I came in the military it was changing.

When I was in Special Operations at Macdill, the side eye was given sometimes if you went to sick call too much, especially if you were missing duty. But our jobs were physically demanding, not to mention running miles on that concrete tarmac. But I did have a drill SGT tell me once, "If you walk past the sick call building and fart, make sure you go in there and put it in your records."

#36 | Posted by boaz at 2024-12-07 03:15 PM | Reply

I have no problem with VA healthcare.

Without going into too much detail, the VA healthcare system just saved my life this month. I most surely would have died if I hadnt gotten a situation addressed.

I'm thankful to still be here to give truth to you liberals.

#37 | Posted by boaz at 2024-12-07 03:17 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Boaz. We argue a lot and rarely agree on anything.

But, I'm glad you're still here with us.

Hope you have a full and speedy recovery.

#38 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-12-07 03:35 PM | Reply

Without going into too much detail, the VA healthcare system just saved my life this month. I most surely would have died if I hadnt gotten a situation addressed.

I'm thankful to still be here to give truth to you liberals.

#37 | Posted by boaz at 2024-12-07 03:17 PM | Reply

Godspeed Boaz. I'm glad you're here too.

#39 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2024-12-07 03:37 PM | Reply

Yep. All I can say, is if something isnt right with your body, make sure you stay on your doctors and get the scans and MRI's you need.

Else, problems will sit and sit.

With the VA, sometimes you have to push them when they say "Oh, you are ok", but you know you are not.

#38 and #39,

Thanks..

#40 | Posted by boaz at 2024-12-07 04:04 PM | Reply

#22 | Posted by madbomber

Thanks for the admission that the current system has made many ex-military into welfare queens. This honesty is refreshing.

#41 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-12-07 04:09 PM | Reply

As with his last regime, Dotard will screw his biggest MAGAts in order to secure tax cuts for the 1%. Last time his tariffs screwed farmers losing them markets and forcing them to accept welfare in order to stay above water, markets that have not returned, and tariffs screwed union workers shipping manufacturing jobs off shore. He screwed military members with his surrender to the Taliban forcing a premature, chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. This time it'll be vets and seniors who get screwed. Oh well, you get the government you vote for, enjoy it MAGAts. I will resist as best I can every day, but I can always move to Canada or Thailand if need be.

#42 | Posted by _Gunslinger_ at 2024-12-07 05:42 PM | Reply

Oh yes please eliminate all veteran benefits and be sure to do this at the same time you start to engage in Mass deportations and impose immense tariffs on all imported goods.

I'm looking forward to a time of Hunger for republicans.

#43 | Posted by Tor at 2024-12-07 05:54 PM | Reply

responsiblestatecraft.org
According exit polls on Election Day, 12% of the voters in this presidential election had served in the U.S. military and 65% of them said they voted for Donald Trump, while 34% said they voted for Kamala Harris.

LOL

congrats magat scum you pwnd yourselves!!

I cannot think of anything funnier than magat scum being hurt by -------.

#44 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-12-07 06:02 PM | Reply

Joe Biden was able to raise the SNAP payments more than anytime in history.

------- promises to roll those back

In favor of tax cuts for billionaires

www.ft.com

Trump increased his support among lower-income groups according to exit poll data, while Harris saw a majority of high-income voters go her way

92% of SNAP recipients are below the poverty line.

TOOOO ------- FUNNY

Choke on the ashes magat scum.

Starvation does have a way of focusing the mind, what's left of it.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhh

Enjoy the consequences of your vote

#45 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-12-07 06:07 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I see ads for personal injury attorneys on TV all the time with their clienta saying they got $300,000 or $500,000 settlements. I don't believe most of them deseeved it but I don't know that nor how many were hurt really badly who got far less. I won't use anectodal examples to decide ifdisablex Vsterans benefits are too high but I've been friends with some Vietnam war vets and I would have to say most of them were so emotionally damaged thar they struggle just for live. Normal lives and many just can't. These victims of our unnecessary wars earned the benefits they need to kive.

#46 | Posted by danni at 2024-12-08 04:07 AM | Reply