VA Disability Benefits Taking Too Long part 2

Years ago, I wrote an article, pasted at the bottom of this, about benefits taking too long to come though.  I have had some recent experience that is baffling to me, and I wanted to hear from other vets on what their experiences have been like.

I'm back!

I wanted to write to let everybody know that I am going to be more active in writing on this blog once again.  It's been a while, and a lot has happened with me, but I want to devote more time to helping fellow veterans.

There has been a shift in how the VA is treating veterans because of the spotlight on the VA in the media, and I wanted to hear from people to see what has been the biggest change they have seen so far.  It could be from any part of the VA, whether it is medical, eligibility, vocational rehab, or any other program.

Please share your thoughts and check in with the blog to see what I am writing about.  Thank you again!

Help a Massachusetts Vet

I came accross this article on MyFoxBoston.com at this address:

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/uxbridge-veteran-asking-for-donations-to-ease-constant-pain-with-surgery-20120411


UXBRIDGE, Mass (FOX25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - An Uxbridge man injured while serving in Iraq in 2005 is trying to raise money for an operation that will help ease his constant pain.
Sgt. Stephen Mandile suffered brain and spinal cord injuries during a Humvee crash in Baghdad. The 34-year-old has a hard time walking and must take 21 pills a day.
Mandile says he applied to have the surgery done by the V.A., but he says the request was denied.
The procedure involves implanting a pain pump in Mandile's body. It will cost as much as $50,000. Mandile and his wife say they decided to ask for help after their daughter was born.

If you would like to learn more about the fund please click on the link: sgtmandile.com/

Read more: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/uxbridge-veteran-asking-for-donations-to-ease-constant-pain-with-surgery-20120411#ixzz1rrDpEBVJ

How the GI Bill Helps Veterans Return to Civilian Life

This post was written by Oliver Whitham.  Thank you Oliver

One of the biggest challenges faced by military veterans is returning to civilian life. While it might not seem like a huge deal to many, some suffer from the lack of discipline, and often feeling as though there is not much point to what they are doing.

Despite the fact that most military personnel leave the Army with a great skill set (No matter whether they are infantry, logistics or something else) they rarely realize just how useful these skills are, or how to re-purpose them for the ‘real world’.

The good news is that since WW2, the military and Government have provided the GI Bill, which offers fantastic financial support for veterans once they leave military service.

Many veterans don’t really relish the thought of returning to education, but what many don’t realize is that using your GI bill benefits can be the ideal time to take your military skill set, and help build upon it with higher education to improve your ability to enter the civilian workforce.

http://www.justmilitaryloans.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Post-911-GI-Bill.jpg 

Trouble Getting Disability Benefits: What Can We Do About It?

It has been very obvious to me that many of the people reading my blog were having the same trouble that I had with getting their disability benefits in a reasonable time.  It took me over 18 months, 14 of which I could not work.  The last 4 months I was forced to work through the pain to pay my bills.  Many people do not know who they can turn to for help.  I have received many emails from people that needed some pointers on how to get their benefits faster.  There is no one answer, but one thing is for sure:  WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceI9cSdWmMVpepPBDb19hwXo5zfxKY3QhbydYC7kF7gIz3BBeWzDBjSLasScsnVgku1u1E4IC8THhbYLIFtJR9FQQpWN6k2598-YUfgwsiHgYWuQ9kGQG_K3xhYeQjugmoFpqxIZuZ790/s1600/remember-veterans.gif

Let's get a petition going.  Please sign the petition below to show the government that we need to be treated better!  Tell your friends to come on and sign the petition.  I called it "Get Veteran Benefits in 4 Months or Less".

Online Petitions by iPetitions.com

Debt Deal and Veteran's Benefits

The new debt deal was signed and the government has to make billions of dollars in cuts to government spending.  Multiple sources have stated that these cuts will not affect veteran's benefits, but I am a bit skeptical.  The main reason that I am not so sure that this will not affect benefits is that the government is likely to stop hiring new positions, and we have already seen hiring freezes within the VA.  There are millions of new benefit claims each year and that number is growing.  If they cannot hire more people to compensate for all of these new claims it will make each claim take longer to approve.

http://www.veteransnewsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/sorry-we-broke-obama.jpg

 

Do Something Nice for Yourself This Memorial Day

Memorial Day can be a difficult day for many veterans.  Some have lost a good friend, some are constantly reminded of something bad that has happened.  For me, I'm reminded of dreams that I was never able to fulfill.  Either way I will be proud to put on my uniform and march in my local Memorial Day parade, and I urge any veteran to do the same.  One thing that I have realized over the past five years is that people are thankful for your service and it will make you feel good to know that people care about what you have been through.

VA Disability Ratings Taking Too Long

I know that a lot of people have had issues with how long it takes to get the decision for their disability rating.  I have been waiting since May 2010 for my paperwork to go through and for the medical evaluations to go through.  I have been out of work, and paying the bills is really tough.  This is an issue that all veterans are affected by, and it is something that needs to change.  We need to come together and figure out a way to make some changes in the way the VA works.