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Military.com Forums Sound Off! Tom Philpott Benefits Column - Sound Off! Why DoD to Lose Power to Rate Disabilities|
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INADMIAC
Just wanted to thank you for the information. Robert |
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DOD cannot rate worth anything anyway. They rate low and try to get out of assisting the injured. They need to be forced out of the rating business as they are unqualified to rate anyone. There philosphy is rate 20% or lower and by happy with your unjust choice numbers.
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Old Sarge, I'm with you. We have more important things to do than pizzing on folks and slinging crap. Have your fun fellas'. Sergeant Major  |
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This article seems to be making it's way to the AP but part of the article is missing. Here is the link to the article and some of the text below is missing from the article.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/178244.html http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/178244.html The Army allowed 30 percent or higher for only 13 percent of members separated as unfit. The Navy had the highest proportion, 36 percent. But Parker said that was skewed by another troubling service- unique practice. “What you don’t see there is that a lot of sailors don’t even make it to that level because [physical evaluation] boards are finding them fit. They go back to their commands, are told there that, ‘You can’t deploy because of this medical condition. Therefore we’re going to administratively separate you.’ They get no benefits. That is wrong,” said Parker. All of these problems can be traced to DoD’s unwillingness to rate disabilities correctly, Parker said. Besides focusing on “unfitting” conditions, the services are allowed to cherry picked lowest-rated conditions, use VA rating criteria selectively and developed their own criteria for determining that a service member’s condition existed before he or she entered service. Parker has seen it all. He faults DoD for letting it happen. |
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HOOAH!!
I pray that all of us who have legitimate ailments but were denied by DoD to save money can receive that much needed help. It is about time someone with guts and power decided to speak up for us little people. At least that’s how I feel when dealing with the powers that be in our nation capital. I have been denied twice in 6 years for disability for my heart condition. This heart condition was recognized by the Army during my term in service. |
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Finally!
As a Vietnam Era PEBLO (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer) I often counseled men with missing limbs who could not wear their prosthesis and those who were too bewildered to know what was happening to them. I returned their files to the board with comments and without approval. DoD should have lost their power decades ago. |
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Its no supprise to me. I was given 10 percent by the army and told not to worry about because the VA would up it and I would have them to help me. I didnt want to leave I fought to stay in but with PTSD they would not even think about it. They gave me Compensation and kicked me out. Now I have to pay back the Compensation before I get any money from the VA. What a way to treat Soldiers HUH? The board was not even made up of Combat Soldiers and had One Infintry LT on it but what is he going to say against Colonels and Majors? I am glad to see someone actually cares.
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I'm a Saylor, I'm not a Marine. Member |
Hear, hear!!!! I couldn't agree more. Yes, there is a crying need for those who are LEGITIMATELY wounded or injured. At the same time, I want to vomit each time I hear some idiot who brags about how he ran a scam and got disability payments and lifetime bennies. Or those anal orfices, like a neighbor, who get 30+%, but can lead fully active and productive lives, still able to play volleyball, baseball, football, basketball, run, etc. Those who are not hindered in life by any detrimental disability are simply screwing those who legitimately deserve it, as well as the U.S. taxpayer. Now, as far as those whiners who simply say that the "government" wastes money in other places, so they should waste it on such boneheads, why don't they get off their butts and do something to demand the "government" change. As far as the VA is concerned, everyone better bloody well realize that it is simply another bureaucracy anxious to expand its mandate, expand its bureaucracy, and demand a bigger piece of the taxpayer funded pie. No, the doc was right! |
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"You can't hide in the past, but you can't run from the future" Member  |
There ain't nothing easy about getting money from the VA and that is a fact, let alone them advertising it. The easy part is being addressed by legislation as well as the advertising though. So maybe the doc will have a point after the fact but I doubt it at the time he was talking about. |
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Interesting comments concerning this issue, so much so that I feel compelled to submit mine. I retired last year (Oct 2006) after 36 years of Federal service. My last 7 years was with the VA. Prior to that I held several positions in DOD at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) in El Paso, TX. One of the positions I held for about 8 years was as the PEBLO (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer). Some of you may be familiar with that term if you were in the Army. I processed medical boards for soldiers. It was a good job because I was able to help many soldiers who were found unfit and then had to be discharged. Therefore, I know both systems (VA-DOD). First, I can tell you that VA-DOD joint-venture initiatives are NOT working as they should. The systems are not compatible and there are too many problems in the leadership and management areas of both systems. Second, the DOD disability system is too complex and inefficient; that's why many are having difficulty in getting the disability rating they deserve. Third, if the VA is to take over the entire disability process, then they had better get the staffing that they'll need, because as it is, they're already over 600,000 cases/claims behind. There are many problems with the VA right now and I personally (based on my experience and knowledge) don't feel they could handle it. The VA itself has gotten too big and simply cannot carry out many of the initiatives it has proposed or promised. I'm not trying to be critical of the VA, as I myself am a veteran (Vietnam Vet) and receive my care through the VA. I'm just telling it like it is. One more thing that I would respectfully like to suggest: let's not be too hard on the docs. They're under tremendous pressure right now. In fact, many are leaving the VA and DOD. They're tired of the stress caused by a polical bureaucracy that cares only about the "numbers." One fine doctor who recently resigned from the VA said: "It's not about patient care anymore; it's all about numbers and looking good on paper." Get the message?
A.A. HERNANDEZ, DBA, B.Sc. Vietnam Vet/Navy Corpsman 3rd Marine Div/26th Marines, FMF 1966-67 |
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Well since I am one of those that were kicked out of the Army due to being unfit for duty, I wanted to retire, did 15 years in the Army. Was pretty crushed when I was told I could not. So got seperation pay and bye bye. I did apply for veteran benefits and was approved(and am paying back the seperation pay too). Pretty high too. And as for the doctor and his back pain comment, I agree with the Marine, try carrying packs on your back, lifting full racks of M-60's to the back of a 5 ton in the 2nd week of basic training(which is how I got hurt in 1993), then "suck it up " like I was told for 6 years. Marching, marching, marching, in footwear seemingly not designed for that. And when I got hurt also weighed about 120 lbs, and only 2 other woman was told to help. No doubt mine was service connected. Now I cannot even work at my PC for more than a few hours, the pain along my shoulder blade and neck gets too much. And is inoperable, so you get the drift. And forget about running too, much as I used to love it. My feet are too messed up. And I have 'retiree" status? I do not. Yes my healthcare and prescriptions are covered, but do not extend to my young son. And get money. Not the travel benefits, no commissary or PX privileges. SO, we get far from retiree status. OK, said my peace. Get it fixed!
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I myself served the Army with ease, got out and went home, a year later i missed the structure of military life so i joined the Navy. during my time in the Navy i injured my back adjusting i mine i was working on, 2 years later after feeding me tons of motrin and saying i had nothing more than a mild lower lumbar strain, they finaly did an MRI, and low and behold they changed thier tune slightly, now i needed back surgery. Unbeknown to me, during my first tour in The Army as a Gulf War Vet, I had PTSD, 8 years later as i am in the process of getting back surgery, my command feels that i and mentally and physically unfit for duty... I am Admin Sep... discription of Discharge "Personality Disorders". never seen a MEB, didnt even know what i was entitled to with the VA until 4 years later, i filed with the Va and Social Security.... 4 months later Social Security started paying, 2 years later VA Paid, rated me 70% but paid me 60%, was thinking about appealing that since it barely pays the bills, but after reading all these comments I feel that maybe i am one of the overpaid Vets, even though i cant sleep, and terrified of the dark, live in constant pain, cant walk without a cane, cant sit for to long, cant make perform marital duties with my wife due to pain and medications!
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Exactly what have you done to combat the problem? I have no respect for someone who attacks others plans but has none of his own. How would you prevent this without getting into politics. Your statement sounds like politics to me. Are you Hillary Clinton? Because that is what she does. Are you John Edwards? Because that is what he does. If you are not then let's hear a plan from you that would fix the problem. |
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I'm a Saylor, I'm not a Marine. Member |
How curious, because somehow your numbers simply do not add up! If you were in boot camp in 1993, and you then did 15 years, that would mean your release date would be in 2008. And 2008 it ain't! And you have supposedly be out for how many years? "...try carrying packs on your back, lifting full racks of M-60's to the back of a 5 ton...And when I got hurt also weighed about 120 lbs..." And who is to blame for that? The purpose of the military is to defend the Nation. In doing that, the individual is called upon to undertake strenuous physical efforts; efforts that have throughout America's history have been met successfully by millions of servicemen. Perhaps you should be blaming those fuzzy-minded liberals and extreme feminists who demanded that women be allowed to serve in the same capacity as men, yet were incapable of the same level of physical demands. Perhaps you should be blaming those who wanted the military to be a showcase for social change instead of the defender of the country. "Marching, marching, marching, in footwear seemingly not designed for that." First, do you understand the purpose of marching? A lot of people whine about it, but do not understand the underlying need for it. Oh, it may not be easy, but millions have done it before, and yes, they a lot of them complained. And that is why the military spends millions of dollars in the research and design of footwear! "No doubt mine was service connected." Just because an individual says so do not make it so. How unfortunate that so many see conspiracies behind anything that they find unacceptable, including claims of a service connected injury because they refuse to acknowledge the normal aging process of the human body. Arthritis may, for example, be painful and make a normal life impossible. But it is age-related, not service connected. Still many ridiculously think they should be given money for it, and even more ridiculously, many are drawing service-connected disability payments that are a fraud on the taxpayer. "I wanted to retire, did 15 years in the Army. Was pretty crushed when I was told I could not." Sorry, but think of the thousands who have "wanted" to make a career of the military, but simply did not progress up the ladder of rank. It has always been a fact of life for officers who were passed over, and now the days of the gold sleeved first class boatswain mates with 30 years is long over. In a fast changing military with greater demands on all hands, there is no legitimate reason to keep driftwood E-4's and E-5's who have not moved up. Again, the military is not a social group whose primary concern is making its members feel good. "And I have 'retiree" status [sic]? I do not." Why should a person draw retirement benefits when they did not meet the criteria to retire? "Yes my healthcare and prescriptions are covered, but do not extend to my young son." Count yourself very, very fortunate! Think of those in America who do not have neither ANY healthcare or prescriptions, let alone free. As for your son, why should the taxpayer pick up the tab if you are not retired? "Not the travel benefits, no commissary or PX privileges." Neither do I. But neither of us has retired from the military. |
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Sir I find your lack of trust in many of us Medically Discharged Members of the 80's and 90's distasteful. My "Trick Knee" was swollen to the size of a grapefruit when I walked into the TMC (Troop Medical Clinic) at Merrell Bks in Feb of 1987. As I laid on the examing table the TMC Physcian had a Medic use a syringe and draw the fluids out of my knee. She pulled the plunger too far and it came out of the syringe. They weren't using a small syringe either but a 60cc (2 oz) syringe with a very large needle (I would swear it had to be the size of a 10 guage wire). I could feel the needle scrapping the bottom of my knee cap. I was in so much pain that I was laughing about it. I was transported to the Regional Hospital in Nurnberg, Germany. Where the "Doctor" (a full bird Colonel) looked at me and said "Yes I get to finally try a new procedure" with a grin. They performed an "Andrews Procedure" on my Left leaving me with a six inch hockey stick scar. Two years later after being instructed to return to normal activities my "trick knee" gave out during PT in 1989. I fought for two years to stay in taking my MEB as far as I could. I little background on me. I was a 68G2H (promotable), in simple an Aircraft Structural Repairman, Sergeant Promotable, instructor qualified, with a secondary MOS of 93P a flight operations coordinator. I had over 11 years service and was looking forward to completing a career in the US Army. At my last Medical Evaluation Board the president (another "full bird Colonel" in the medical field). Said and I quote "It would not be cost effective to keep you in. This board finds you unfit for military service and recommends a medical discharge rating of 20 percent" unquote. So I was released from Active Duty, Oh yeah I received a medical severance but no one told me that I would not receive my VA disability until of that severance was recouped. Over 10 years later. The VA rated me at 30 percent and I have tried to raise it but I kept getting the same answer. "30 percent is max for my service related disability of one knee". And when I mentioned the pain in my right knee I am told it is just from getting old. Not realizing that I rely on my right knee to compensate for my left knee, especially when my left knee pops out. Of course most of these VA Doctors that I see is retired Military Doctors. I vist the VA when I can, but I can't afford to take time off from work when I have a family to support. And because I am receiving disability for my knee, I can't claim workman's comp when it goes out at work. Mike, I wish I had know of your progress with the Military and the VA, I would have greatly appreciated any assistance you could have given me. Unfortunately I am over the 15 year limit now. What really gets my gall is six months after I was Medically discharged I read in the Army Times of an SFC with "Golden Knights" that had lost both of his legs was being allowed to remain on Active service until his retirement two years later. So you tell me who was more unfit to remain on active duty, I with both my legs in tact with a limp or an E7 with both legs gone. I applaud your endevours and wish you the best in doing what is right for our servicemembers. |
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I'm a Saylor, I'm not a Marine. Member |
helocowboy wrote: "My "Trick Knee" was swollen to the size of a grapefruit when I walked into the TMC..."
HOW was the "trick knee" was acquired? "...an SFC with "Golden Knights" that had lost both of his legs was being allowed to remain on Active service until his retirement two years later..." Yep, disgusting. But as the old adage goes, "two wrongs don't make a right." |
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by RBEvans:
Sorry, but think of the thousands who have "wanted" to make a career of the military, but simply did not progress up the ladder of rank. It has always been a fact of life for officers who were passed over, and now the days of the gold sleeved first class boatswain mates with 30 years is long over. In a fast changing military with greater demands on all hands, there is no legitimate reason to keep driftwood E-4's and E-5's who have not moved up. Again, the military is not a social group whose primary concern is making its members feel good. Mr Evans, I think it would only be fair that perhaps you would be a little more specific when grouping all E-4s and E-5 as driftwood. I do not know what promotion area you are from but I was an E-5 promotable and when I was medically discharged had been on the E-6 list for over 5 years and not from the lack of trying but due to my MOS being overfilled from NCOs that were found medically unfit to continue in there field (11B30, 19D30, or how about 13C40) all with more than 5 years to retire but in MOSs that cutoff scores were at just minimum. So those of us that started out in a high technical MOS was unable to progress the "ladder of rank" easily. For all five plus years that I was promotable the cutoff never went below 998 out of 1000 and I at my last review had a score of 898 and constantly bettering myself to obtain my promotion as was others in my field. So for the sake of future arguements please word your arguements more carefully. Thank You |
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I will not argue that point, but unfortunately I feel I was discriminated against. |
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Helocowboy,
You may still be able to seek relief via the Army Board for the Corection of Military Records. If your disability was ratable at 30% per the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the same schedule the Army is suppose to use, then you may have a good case you should have been medically retired vice separated. The limit for applying to the ABCMR is three years after you realized the error. They often extend this limit due to fairness issues as well. If the ABCMR does not rule in your favor, then you can challenge the ABCMR decision in federal courts. Call Larry Provost at the American Legion, 202-861-2700, for assitance on applying for the ABCMR. BTW: It does not matter what caused the disability, as long as it was while you were eligible for basic pay and was not due to gross negligence. Mike |
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Military.com Forums Sound Off! Tom Philpott Benefits Column - Sound Off! Why DoD to Lose Power to Rate Disabilities
