Letters and Comments

Veterans Vent About the VA

By U.S. News Staff

November 12, 2008 RSS Feed Print
  • Comment (15)

With great appreciation, U.S.News & World Report has proved its commitment in providing the necessary and long overdue representation and information to the American people and the world reflecting the unacceptable, dishonorable conduct of the Department of Veterans Affairs and its regional offices ["Military Veterans' Benefit Claims Records Wrongly Headed for VA Shredders," usnews.com] violating veterans' rights and disability benefits for our nation's best. A national disgrace that has gone unnoticed for too long until now!

Comment by Carlo Albanese of NY

I was appalled by this article as a physician who has dedicated his service to our veterans. Unfortunately, the culture of denial rather than transparency continues to fester at the VA. Change must be exerted by making such travesties visible. Consider the waste of research funds for helping many thousands of wounded heroes, men with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress syndrome. We are at a critical moment in time to forever change and improve the lives of veterans so that they can lead productive and fulfilling lives. Let us join together to make this commitment to those who have "borne the battle" and made great sacrifices for their country.

Comment by Robert W. Van Boven, M.D., D.D.S. of TX

Now that this is out in the open, we have to force Congress into fast action to make sure that those of us with pending claims have our claims approved and start getting the compensation we earned. This has been going on since the 1970s, so the time has past for sitting doing nothing. If we flood Congress with calls and letters, something will be done.

Comment by Barbara Wright of OR

I have several different responses from the DVA in regards to the request for my records, but now one says, "sent to shredder". But now I wonder where they are, because I have been trying to get them for four years. Thanks for publishing this story as we need more public outrage at this and other things going on at the VA centers all over this country.

Comment by Dale Bishop of SC

While I was attending college, I worked as a work study for the local county VA office. I had the opportunity to see firsthand many veterans claims denied despite how much evidence was produced. One case was on hold, according to the VA, because the unit the veteran was with was not filled in on a form. The veteran's unit was clearly visible on the DD 214 provided with the paperwork for the case. I find it disgraceful that government spares any expense in providing healthcare to any veteran who has faithfully served this country. I myself am a disabled veteran and have received mixed treatment at VA facilities. As VA hospitals are very large, I realize that problems arise from the scale of the operation itself. If this is the case, then I think it is clear that the VA needs to hire more people as the organization is clearly overburdened by its current workload.

Comment by Mark Hill of IL

I am a veteran of World War II and Korea ["Veterans Groups Sue Bush Administration Over Delayed Benefits Claims," usnews.com]. In about 1956, I applied for a VA disability. The disabilities were very minor. They are not so minor now though. However, in my opinion, the VA tried its best to not grant any disability. It was finally granted. I don't remember what percentage they determined. There was never any compensation. I was not after compensation. In light of the above article, the VA has not changed its spots.

Comment by Frank of CA

I have a claim before the Department of Veterans Affairs that I have been waiting a long time. In January 2009, I will have waited six years and still no answer. It is before the BVA at the present time.

Comment by Bobby E. Simmons of N C

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When bonuses are continually paid do you really think that veterans will ever get a fair shake? Implementation of cost savings ideas is not new to the Department of Veterans Affairs as their motto should be. " The more we deny the more we put in our own Pockets" This should be it appears the government and its controlled union is part of the problem and may be the whole problem.

David Davis of PA 5:32AM February 02, 2013

I am a disabled Marine veterans who filed my first disability claim with the VA in January 1977. It was never even processed. In 2001, I filed again with the Cleveland VA Regional Office and was finally given a "shot-in-line-duty" award. I was shot through my left leg with a .357 magnum pistol while on duty at Camp Pendleton. I was and intelligence specialist, Division G-2, HqCo, HqBn, 1st Marine Division. I also suffered severe hearing impairment from combat weapons fire. I was honorably discharged. My claim transferred to Florida when I moved there in 2003.

In 2005, the VA St. Petersburg Regional Office awarded me only 20% for my severe hearing loss. I demanded reconsideration for the undeniable gunshots to my legs. The agreed they'd a "clear & unmistakable error" (CUE) and gave me 40% more for the leg disability, but denied my claim for 100% for my PTSD due to almost bleeding to death. I appealed to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). In July 2008, they remanded the claim after 2 years since I was never given an examination for my mental health claim. In July 2009, I finally got my exam and the psychologist then lied and denied I had any PTSD. I appealed again to the BVA and on 7-31-09 wrote a 4 page complaint letter telling how this examiner did nothing but ask me insulting questions whether my parents or siblings were drug addicts, alcoholics or criminals. I almost kicked his ass right there, but wanted to get my award.

In September 2009, a BVA judge named Michelle Kane wrote a decision denying my claim for 100%, but remanded again for further development. But that never happened.

In February 2011, I appealed to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Wash, DC., Case No. 10-597, Kelley v. Shinseki. For almost 10 years I have been impoverished, getting just $874 per month from the VA, and been homeless many times. I'm now 55 and really starting to suffer serious physical disabilities and cannot get work.

Although since they now "found" my claim forms from January 1977 they should award me retroactively to that date, that remains to be seen. It would be about $750,000.00, plus $2877 per month for life. But my life and hope is gone and I'm so heartbroken and depressed that I am at the same stage as so many veterans who decide to take their life. All I do is dream what my life would be like if they had just given me a fair shake and awarded my claim according to the laws.

But the BVA is staffed with the politically connected sons and daughters of the Washington, DC/East Coast legal elite families, and denying claims for wounded vets is nothing but a sport for them. Spoiled rotten rich kids who'd never dare put on a uniform and carry a weapon into battle, or even sign up to support the combat soldiers. I know this is all true since a seasoned Washington lawyer told me so. Fairness doesn't matter to such rich people, ever. And now you see just what Romney & Ryan want to do, screw us some & cut our disability pay. How would you feel?

Lawrence A. Kelley III of FL 2:22PM August 16, 2012

fbi,dod fraudulent​ly target combat war vet for torture & death

http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/geralsosbeearmyf.html

DOD Criminal Participation In The Torture Of This Combat Vet

http://sosbeevfbi.ning.com/forum/topics/abuse-of-the-global-disease?xg_source=activity

geral of TX 12:11PM May 14, 2011

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