VETERANS CORNER: Some veterans feel they have situations requiring extra effort

Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)

by Gary Kennedy

Recently, I have been involved in a lot of conversation with Veterans who are already 100 percent disabled who feel they have situations that require extra effort on the part of the Veterans Administration. Much of the time I don’t disagree with them. If you are seriously disabled and have special needs there are many possible benefits available to you. In several cases I have written recently I strongly believed the veteran had service connected/related disabilities which required special attention. Examples of such would be problems such as ambulation due to service connected disabilities.

One of the most popular problems would be problems due to back injuries. As one might imagine military life is not the easiest type of life. The physical demands placed on the human body can really take its toll early on and become a major problem as time goes by. You don’t necessarily need to take a bullet in order to sustain injury although that could be a very serious problem as well. Just the physical demands placed on the human body in order to keep it fit for combat through the years can and most likely will take its toll over time.

Many jobs in the military are very taxing and can take their toll in many ways. It doesn’t always have to be physical, it can be just the air that you can breath or certain things you may touch which your body may react to in a negative way. That is why the Veterans Administration has started looking at presumptive situations such as Agent Orange, Burn pits, exhaust fumes from automotive and aircraft situations. Lung damage from these types of things can be very nasty things to deal with.

Many disorders caused by having contact with these things, especially over time can be very serious, even life threatening. So, if contact with these shows a more than likely cause for your problem then the VA will assume that you have a service connected condition caused by these contacts. So, given this presumption you could be eligible for many things such as medicine, respiratory equipment and even physical therapy. Sleep Apnea could be a player in these type of problems as well as many other disorders; life expectancy can even be shortened. Unfortunately one thing can lead to another.

Back strain over time can lead to sciatica which can lead to leg and feet problems. This can actually lead to loss of use of a foot or a leg or even both. Radiculopathy is pain generally generated from the low back area and can be in itself very painful. Neuropathic pain comes from damage to the nerves of the neck which can cause bad headaches, neck pain and can affect systems as far away as the hands. Your Neurologist is the one who will ascertain the severity of that problem by doing nerve testing. He or she can pretty much pin point what’s going on with the areas in the nervous system.

This is very complex and can cause many serious problems which may not always be solvable. As a matter of fact, many of the conditions I have mentioned are treated but not cured. In any case the VA will be there for you once these things get substantiated. Appliances for assistance can be issued; home improvements can be given such as stair lifts, wheelchairs, and handicap adaptive equipment such as automobile adaptively. You may even be eligible for help buying a vehicle with adaptive equipment.

Home modification can be acquired up to as much as $120,000 as of 2026. That amount tends to increase annually. Your Veterans Advocate, your doctor and yourself will be the ones helping to show your need for these things. They are given every day so don’t be discouraged if you feel qualified. An advocate who really cares will be the one who will do the hard work necessary to accomplish your needs.

Very few veterans receive 100 percent with additional benefits for just one thing. It does happen but not usually. As you probably have gathered from what I have been saying one thing leads to another over time. But when that time comes you will probably be looking at Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). That is another entire conversation with its own rules and regulations but carries a far greater monetary realization. You don’t necessarily have to reach this point to be eligible for the adaptive equipment I have mentioned. Your advocate should have the answers for you. If not, reach out to us. Many do, even the military.

One other problem that may have a hand in all of this is the state of your nervous condition, and the why of it all. Don’t be afraid to reach for your goals, especially if you are already 100 percent disabled. Even that is not necessarily mandatory.

I hope this general overview is helpful in your search. I know many of you are searching for more answers. I am also aware that our families play an important role in what I hear from you. Keep asking questions and I will try to find you the answers. God bless and have a good and safe weekend.