VETERANS CORNER: Only 6% of 18.5M veterans receive disability benefits
Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)
by Gary Kennedy
There are approximately 18.5 million veterans and only six percent have received V.A. Disability benefits. There are millions of benefits waiting to be spoken for. Every week that I write this column I should be heading for a conclusion but suredly such is not the case. Just this week I met three veterans who didn’t know the true story behind the existence of the Veterans Administration.
Togus VA is the first Veterans Center. Originally, the facility was used as a summer resort called Togus Springs. Togus Springs was established in 1859 by Horace Beals, a very wealthy granite merchant from Rockland, Maine. The name Togus comes from the Native American word “Worromontogus”, which means “Mineral Water”. I believe this time forward would place us at the very beginning of the Civil War. So, long story short, since Togus still exists, it is the oldest as well. I have watched it’s evolution for more than 55 years. The little pond of water by the hospitality house has been a special place. Once upon a time it was larger and was believed to have healing powers. It seems to me that would be an appropriate place for a healing center; and for the most part it is. Occasionally, it loses it’s way but always seems to find a way to return to it’s positive self.
Once known as Chases Acres with 1,000 acres, it was divided into half thus leaving approximately 500 acres. This in my opinion is plenty of growth room. It also has a couple of cemeteries with lots of history. Wild life abounds in this place and thrives. Occasionally, the areas wildlife has to be reduced because of over populations. However, I own some property within the confines of the original property and my wife and I enjoy it very much. We have many animal friends who know when they are not in danger. For us Togus is not only a Medical Center but a refuge for the veteran who needs aid and attendance.
Many lives have begun anew in the past 160 years. We were the first to accept women veterans. Senator Olympia Snowe was a champion in later years in this area. Many great people have walked through these gates. There is an unbelievable history in this one little area. The Winthrop library has some great literature for all of a curious heart.
If you served in the military and have some medical issues there is a very good chance that your service to your country had something to do with it, in one way or another. Many veterans that I have met with have decided they don’t qualify for help for many reasons. Some say, yes, I did this in the military but I didn’t report it or didn’t make an issue of it. They forget the big picture. When you took that physical and signed on the dotted line you entered into a two party contract. The contract basically implied that you would serve your country however needed and your country would be there for you and yours when needed. That contract extended to your family as well. Medically speaking, little things can become big things. All you need to do is remember the promise you make each other.
You can apply online, by mail, in person or by seeking out a Veterans Service Officer, (VSO). Online: apply at v.a.gov, by mail: download and complete VA form 21-526EZ and mail it to the Department of Veterans Affairs; in person: visit V.A. and seek out a (V.S.O.), Veterans Service Officer. The benefits you could likely be eligible for are Disability Compensation, Health Benefits or even a pension. If you were injured in anyway in the military you most likely have something going for you. You just need to know how to pursue it. That is why it is important to seek out a V.S.O. for advice. Don’t be afraid to do that. That is why they are there. Most of these folks are veterans themselves. Also, it’s their career and that is a paid position for them and a right to service for you. No harm will come to you and perhaps you will become pleasantly surprised at the result. Remember that contract you signed with the U.S.A.. I think you will find they are as honorable as you have been.
Thank you for your service is spoken thousands of times daily by those that genuinely appreciate you for the contribution you gave your country. The V.A.’s door is open 24 hours a day to it’s members in need. As of last September there were an estimated 17.9 million veterans in the USA. As of one year ago there were 5.27 million veterans with a service connected disability. This figures include physical and emotional disability conditions. Call 623-8411. someone is always there to answer your call. Stay safe brothers and sisters. God bless and keep you safe.
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The VA P&C Department is the enemy. As you build up disability ratings for various service caused disabilities and get closer to the 100%, they minimize the severity of any.new ones and the use a fuzzy math system of turning percent of disability into points. So a 50% rating only gives you 5 points. Another tactic is to flat out deny your claim saying you don’t have what you claim even though their own doctors say you do. So then you appeal and and when you do they act like you don’t have what you and their own doctor says you have. So then you have prove them wrong and then, because you’re still alive, they try to say that they agreed with you all along. But then they turn right around and rate you at a lower rating than what you should be. Hoping you’ll just either go away or die because they could care less about veterans. They just want you to die so they can collect their bonuses. They are the enemy they are the worst enemy than the enemies we fought. I’m still battling them b*star*s!
Your right, and it get worse. 11 years and waiting for aid and attendance . Has been at the BVA 3 years. Time limits need to be set at every step.
VN vet. Marine.
I totally agree
I have been dealing with denial since 1982, they have even sent me a different veteran’s records, and admitted they are the records used to deny me.
Claiming that they can’t find mine,
I even have a letter from Puget Sound regional telling me that my ringing in my ears didn’t come from combat so there for I am entitled to nothing.
VSO in Stevens county Washington does nothing for me, they have even filed false charges against me claiming that I made a bomb threat turning me into a domestic terrorist.
I can find no help with this in the state of Washington.
If anyone wants to help, have been through the appeal process also, please let me know who can help
They make it impossible to have your disability service connected, so, then they deny it. I spent 20.years on submarines, guys in their 20 and 30s avoided sick call and the corpsnan. You just get shit for complaining or they just give you motrin and then they never put it in your medical record
You’re right. Even on ship, we got sh!t if we went to medical unless it was to get a cold pack or a vaccine. Many times I went to medical for headaches, got my “vitamin M” (Motrin), & tried to be productive. That was never entered into my record. I’m sure it’s just routine calls for the HM’s, but for us, it has to be bad enough to go to medical to begin with. Most of us had a mini pharmacy in our rack to aide ourselves without “bothering” medical. It was much faster to swing by berthing to get our own meds anyway. Didn’t have to stand in the p-way waiting for a pill for a 1\2 hour. Luckily for me, but unlucky also, I had enough injuries & issues to get VA 1st try. Still in daily pain, but after 9 years of severe pain, my VA PCM approved me to go to chiropractic & acupuncture, which is helping quite a bit to reduce the pain. Still in pain, but now I can do a little more. He also switched me to a new medicine which seems to work better than the ones I was on for 8 yrs, since active duty. Now they’re trying to switch me to another new PCM, but I requested to keep this guy. He actually takes the time to review your issues & is up on his knowledge. He’s even called me on a Sunday to discuss results from a test. I’m hoping I get to keep him. He’s my 3rd or 4th PCM in the 5 yrs I’ve been with the VA.
Geeezzz applied about 20 .months ago … submitted dozens of records, tests, had 2 exams … STILL getting new forms, questions … a never-ending saga.
I feel the hate mail coming. I have nothing but good things to say about the VA. They have taken care of me well. I do feel that you do have to navigate the system personally and learn the system by making phone calls to the appropriate people in the VA. I have found that some of the VSOs are not the best at giving advice that’s why I say learn the system and navigate it personally and y ou will get the help you are looking for. I took the time without help and did it on my own. Hand written the required letters to the required people and submitted my documentation accordingly……no issues at all. Like I tell everyone you have to manage your own healthcare advocate for yourself, same when it comes to your disability ratings, there is no better advocate than yourself. Advocate appropriately and you will see results.
I too am fairly happy with the VA. I was lucky enough to get approved 1st time, which completely shocked me. I’m the only person I know that didn’t have to fight, but I’m also unlucky enough to have several issues from my nearly 24 yrs. I think I had a good VSO. I wish everyone had a good VSO. It shouldn’t be a fight for any veteran to get compensation for service related injuries & issues. The VSO’s are the ones that should know the system. The veterans have other concerns to attend to. Most of us have family issues, having to find work as a civilian, some with housing issues, etc. I think the problem lies in not having service related issues documented, which is often at no fault of the veteran. Medical personnel need to realize just how important their job is to everyone else at the start. Your leaders & peers shouldn’t dissuade you from going to medical. I understand there’s some that live at medical, but most of us only go there when we needed anyway. I had a concussion where medical literally gave me Motrin & told me to come back in the morning. I didn’t know that I could’ve died in my sleep then. I guess luckily I didn’t, though other times I tried to. & No, I didn’t go to medical before or after that as I didn’t realize the severity of my issues or that they could help. Of course, their help would’ve been to kick me out, so guess it’s better that I didn’t as I stayed in for retirement. I now get concurrent receipt, which is about the best you could ask for. Being in daily pain isn’t cool though, but at least I have a VA PCM that looks in my record & listens to me now. He switched my meds & got me in with a chiropractor & an acupuncturists, which all 3 are actually helping alleviate my pain levels. Severe daily pain for 9 years, over 3 of that was while on AD yet. Been with the VA for 5 yrs & though I’ve been through 3-4 PCM’s, I got one that cares now.
This article was mildly informative. There was no information on how to go to this magical place the author talks of & no real history of the VA.
I disagree with the title as well. Only 6% of veterans get any benefits?! Not true. All veterans that meet the criteria when they were discharged (basically not a bad conduct discharge & I think over 2 yrs of AD service) have benefits. Now whether or not every veteran uses them is another story.
Benefits is not just disability ratings, compensation, & medical. There’s also the GI Bill & VA home loans, as well as other benefits that you may qualify for, such as vocational rehab.
The author needs to clarify which specific benefits they’re talking about & be more on point with their write up. Lastly, the phone number given to call, doesn’t even include an area code. Please provide a full phone number, otherwise it’s no help at all.