Disability Happens ™

125 Responses to “How & Where to report VA abuse and fraud”

1. David Starr, on April 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm Said:

   Richard,
   You are doing a wonderful job. The information is great. Dave

2. JOHN, on June 28th, 2008 at 2:21 am Said:

   I THINK THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE ALL PTSD CASES. I AM RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE AND MY BROTHER WHO ONLY SERVED NINE YEARS GETS MORE TAX FREE PTSD FRAUD MONEY FROM THE VA THEN I RECEIVE IN MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY. MY BROTHER NEVER WENT TO WAR. HE WAS STATIONED IN ENGLAND IN 1988 AND SAID HE TOOK LEAVE TO ATTEND AN AIR SHOW IN GERMANY. TWO ITALIAN PLANES HIT EACH OTHER IN MID AIR AND CRASHED INTO THE PEOPLE WATCHING THE SHOW ON THE GROUND. MANY WERE INJURED AND KILLED . MY BROTHER SAID HE SAW ALL OF THIS AND NOW HAS PTSD. HE DID HIS HOMEWORK AND LEARNED ALL ABOUT PTSD SYMPTOMS. HE DID TAKE LEAVE TO GO TO GERMANY BUT NOT AT THE TIME OF THE AIR SHOW!! I REPORTED THE FRAUD TO THE VA INSPECTOR GENERAL BUT THEY TOLD ME IF THEY DO NOT SPEND ALL THE MONEY THEY RECEIVE THEY WILL NOT GET AS MUCH THE NEXT YEAR . WHAT A JOKE !!! I KNOW FOR A FACT THERE IS PTSD FRAUD IN THE VA AND YOU CAN NOT TELL ME ANY DIFFERENT.. AS A RETIRED MEMBER OF THE AIR FORCE I HAVE SEEN IT FIRST HAND!!!!!!!!

   PS. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM CHRISTINA A. LAVINE ( HOTLINE DIRECTOR) ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION . THE LETTER THEY SENT ME WAS DATED 13 SEPT 2005.

3. Pissed OFF!, on July 2nd, 2008 at 5:23 am Said:

   Where to start??? I married a bigamist, who was previously a service member in the US ARMY. He was deployed to Iraq, and during the course of deployment phoned me daily 20-30 times per day. (this is not a joke). He re-enlisted while there, and then he and his parents attempted to bribe me with his re-enlistment money to lie to the American Red Cross to bring him home. This legal system is such a joke. When I discovered he was a bigamist (when I went to divorce him), i immediately notified local law enforcement officials and his company commander (As it’s at the company commander’s discretion to Court Martial him under UCMJ). You should know that all parties, Himself, Myself, and the 1st Wife are all residents of the state of Texas, however he and I were married in Georgia. Texas does not find that bigamy is against the peace of the state so long as you’re a member of the Armed Forces. The company commander informed me he couldn’t court martial him because the statute of limitations had passed (the statute is 7 years. He had not been in the military 7 years, and had not been married to me 7 years). He’s since been discharged under article 17 (read crying wolf) for PTSD and Chronic Concussive disorder. He is now fighting me for full custody of our 2 year old child, receiving unemployment, NOT PAYING CHILD SUPPORT, and working under the table while he attempts to receive disability from the VA. Apparently his mental condition has absolutely no bearing on his ability to parent a child, just on his ability “work”.

4. A.K., on August 8th, 2008 at 8:19 am Said:

   How do I report two veterans at my jobsite who are receiving 100% disability and are performing duties that require heavy lifting, working under adverse conditions, etc. One is receiving 100% disability for back injuries and ironically rides a motorcycle… This doesn’t make sense! Both have bragged that they have a cash cow. Fortunately, I do not need benefits -but- I do know many veterans that have serious medical conditions and are receiving nothing… My Dad was hospitalized at the VA hospital several years ago… It saddened my heart to see my fellow veterans with arms and legs missing. But it hacks me off when I see able-bodied veterans milking the system.

5. NICK, on August 10th, 2008 at 6:21 am Said:

   I work at the VA and I am an advocate for veterans who served in COMBAT to recevie disability and benefits for injuries and diseases due to as a result of COMBAT, I have a real issue with veterans getting disability benefits for disease and injuries that have nothing to do with their military service–it is a joke. Veterans get disability pay for so called disabilities such as sleep apnea, hysterectomies, sinusitis, asthma, adult onset diabetes (and every claim I see for Diabetes the veteran is OBESE.)

   I see so many claims that are granted to people who go in the military service 6 months or a year-people who are not in combat, and the people are let out of the military -”under honorable conditions” NOT honorable. The people are let out of the military because of mental problems, adjustment disorders, etc. They cannot adjust to military life and guess what these people get out and claim all their mental problems are due to their military service and 99% of the time they are granted100% disability and receive over $2500.00 a month tax free

   The system needs to be changed but Politicians do not understand who a veteran is and what they get disability pay for–a veteran is anyone who serves in the military over 90 days and does not get a dishonorable discharge. It is a big joke

6. Mary, on August 15th, 2008 at 6:21 am Said:

   I hear ya. I know someone who is a NON active duty veteran (never in a war) who collects 100% Individual Unemployability over $2400 mo. AND Social Security Disability because of a couple surgeries. She was rated during the recovery from a surgery but that was temporary. Now she is going about her life doing more physically that before. She played the violins during the rating process now that she is getting her money… suddenly she is cured. Whats wrong with the system? Why isn’t a re evaluation being done?
   There are so many who are fighting in the current war who NEED the financial assistance with real disabilities. This is a JOKE! Is there someone I can notify about this? I have proof of this person no longer being disabled.

7. M, on August 18th, 2008 at 10:00 am Said:

   I know someone who was NOT an active duty veteran who is collecting 100% Permanent & Total Individual Unemployability and Social Security Disability right now. She had a surgery a couple years ago and was rated during her recovery but now she is doing just fine. The disability was clearly temporary NOT permanent. I wonder why the VA isn’t doing a reevaluation of this person to adjust the rating percentage at this point. It’s a shame to see this person collecting $2400+ a month and SS disability when there are others out there who are coming back from fighting the war with real severe disabilities and not getting enough to cover their expenses. What a shame! It is a joke.

8. NICK, on August 30th, 2008 at 2:27 pm Said:

   I left a post earlier, I work at the VA and I would like politicians and tax payers to be aware of the veterans who are getting disability benefits-here a case I had this week. A veteran who served in 1969 a little over a year, spent 5 months in VA was let out of service under honorable conditions NOT honorable. In 1972 the veteran kidnapped and murdered an 18 year old girl. He served 18 years in prison. Guess what he was awarded 100% disability from the VA, the veteran suffers from a dysthymic disorder and he got a doctor to say he suffered fron PTSD due to his Vietnam service. he is getting a reto check for almost fifty thousand dollar and will continue to receive approx $3000 a month tax free, a man who murdered a young girl!! I wonder what the murdered girls parents would think of their tax dollars going to this veteran! This so called disabled veteran

   Here is another case I had this week, a man served in the military no combat. While in the military he developed a bunion….he was service connected for the bunion on his foot..he has now parlayed a bunion on his foot, into having knee problems secondary to the bunion and falling due to his knee and injurying his back-he is now 80% disabled!! a bunion caused all these problems please… but he got a doctor to say it did-oh and guess what this veteran is an attorney….imgaine that

   Now I do not think that the VA was created to pay veterans for the above, it was created to help veterans INJURED in combat. The VA disability system is broke and needs to be fixed but politicians will never do this because god forbid they try to take something away from veterans. And politician obviously don;t care about tax payers money going to pay ridiculous benefits.

   Politicians give more and more and more to veterans to get votes.

9. Jackie, on September 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm Said:

   I know a person who claims that he is a disabled vet. He was in the Airforce for approximately six years and is now working as a full-time police officer. He is on a S.W.A.T. team, he rides a motorcycle, and performs his duties with no obvious problems. This person learned the ins and outs of collecting disability from the V.A. He is very proud of himself and constantly brags that he collects almost 1, 500 a month for his “disabilities”. He claims that he suffers from depression and gout, of all things. His goal is to increase his disability income to 100%. I think it’s a crime that soldiers coming home from Iraq, missing a limb or two, have trouble collecting disability when the V.A. will gladly send a check to a turd who happens to be smart enough to screw the system.

10. Susan, on October 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm Said:

    I am so glad to find this website. I know someone who served 4 years in the Army active duty – never one day outside of the US and never in combat. During her first year of active duty she had a motorcycle accident (off post). She has now had several surguries – all paid for by the V.A. The first was to repair the shoulder, the second was to take care of the shoulder again after she tried to kill herself. She has since tried to committ suicide about 12 times – once with a knife to the stomach and once with a rifle (accidently of course). She is now a crack addict and guess who paid for her to go through treatment – yep! She has been deemed disabled, has a “mood” disorder and has been through treatment for an eating disorder and countless other things and receives benefits from – you guessed it – V.A. to the tune of 660.00 a month. Yet she is still able to operate her motorcycle and smoke crack. She has had her kids taken away but now gets to visit with them thanks to this check. It makes me sick that this woman who NEVER saw any combat and caused all or most of her own problems is using VA money to pay for the courts to allow her to visit with her kids a a county run agency while veterens who actually saw combat can’t get help. Who in the world can investigate this abuse of the sysytem? If you have any answers I would love to hear them.

11. Erich, on October 25th, 2008 at 6:19 pm Said:

    Here is one for you. I found 6 months after my marriage with my wife that she in fact was only in the reserves for 13 months, not 13 years and is collecting $2500 per month tax free for being 100% disabled.

    She got rear ended in her car while with her mother and niece and nephew while going shopping and because she had her uniform on, said she was still coming home from the base.

    WHile i thought she was collecting retirement benefits, we ahve enjoed downhill skiing, running, biking, bowling, and she is able to do this with her soft muscle tissue claims of disability.

    She also worked at a golf course as the beverage cart girl all while being 100% disabled.

    To finish it off, she has been out of our house for over 2 years and continues to collect money on behalf of myself and my other 2 child I have custody of in the amount of over $400 per month and the VA does not seem to care.

    I feel sad for all the true VETS that really need help.

12. Larry, on October 28th, 2008 at 10:06 am Said:

    My friend receives 100% disability. He was never in combat but claims he hurt his back while enlisted. He suffers from chronic pain and depression but it is obvious to me that he could work and contribute. I believe it all comes down to hiring the right lawyers to represent you. This is nothing more than welfare and there are millions of people who deserve it more than him.

13. OU812, on November 7th, 2008 at 1:26 pm Said:

    I have a relative drawing 100% disability due to malingering. It all started while he was a marine recruiter and wanted a transfer coz didn’t like the job anymore, couldn’t get it. So, he gets in a car wreck intentionally and gets more than he bargains for, a cracked spine. Well of course he gets transferred back to the east coast where he is close to “adequate” military medical facilities. This guy is a jewel, not once did he complete a tour of duty ANYWHERE! Bailed out of his first float by punching a steel bulkhead and breaking his hand, spent several months on light duty in the PI shacked up with a prostitute. Got out of Desert Shield by claiming his pregnant wife was suicidal coz he wasn’t home, she was most happy when he was gone! Came home though and didn’t have to go back for the war. Another float he got out of by crapping his pants intentionally and claiming uncontrollable bowel movements…got transferred back home. Amazingly once he left the ship his bowel movement issues miraculously healed itself. He draws disability for his back and PTSD…yet as a “disabled veteran” with a serious back injury he worked as a jack hammer operator for the road district, plays baseball every weekend, operates a part time dump truck service, and uses all that VA money to finance several affairs with other women in 3 different states. He has a wife and 3 kids that doesn’t see much if any of that VA money. This is why I don’t believe in the system, as a vet myself. This guy is a liar and a thief and the govt is financing him! PLUS and here’s how stupid the govt can really be, after his 2nd “back” surgery he attends airborne training in Georgia!!!!! Never saw combat not once but of course tells everyone he got shot in Iraq which is why he is disabled. The guy is now a drug user thanks to the VA, they have him on morphine and methodone which led him to pot, coke, and crack. He actually made is children urinate in bottles that he kept in the fridge for his drug tests at his civilian job! What a puke! Again, way to go VA.. You can report fraudsters all you want, the VA will do NOTHING even if you have verifiable, undeniable proof!

14. Bill, on November 18th, 2008 at 3:04 pm Said:

    Have read all of these “complaints” and some have value. But first I would like to say that if you’ve never served then shut up! If you have then the laws were written for you. You are a minority in the population. Every veteran, whether combat or not, has given the government a blank check for the amount of “up to and including his/her life”. Whether hurt in an accident or sports, military service is 24/7/365. Every minute while in is “on duty” even when on leave and injuries are considered line of duty. If someone thinks that veterans have it better than them, the answer is easy…join up! But don’t deny veterans compensation for anything that the law provides for and then cheer for the labor unions and wall street bailouts, etc. Try to understan, if you will the the body has five systems that can have disabilities but even though in part may add up to 100% for compensation, may or may not prevent someone from working. The VA has 100% unemplyable as well as those with 100% who are authorized to work a normal job. Stop bitching about things that you don’t understand and take the time to learn about them. If you feel cheated then look in a mirror and see why.
    That’s all from me. Have a great day (and thank a veteran for the fact that you are able to haveit)

15. Richard Brassaw, on November 18th, 2008 at 4:53 pm Said:

    Fraud can be perpetrated by those filing for claims or by the VA denying valid claims. There have been reports of the VA actively denying claims to soldiers who should be given disability–mainly for PTSD claims.

    It is a tragedy for everyone when a man or woman who puts their life on the line to defend America and is denied what was promised to them. As pointed out by Bill injury goes beyond the physical. The rate of suicide in units serving in combat attest to the fact of the psychological terror that our soldiers face on a daily basis.

    From the comments left here, I’d say that by far what upsets people most is that filing a fraudulent disability claim is a dishonorable act against those who have served in our military. That is something I think we can all agree on.

16. Charles, on November 20th, 2008 at 12:27 pm Said:

    I spend 80% of my days laid out and dizzy from pain. I consume three morphine and three oxycodone pills a day, and to be honest I have been to the emergency room because that wasn’t enough . All but two of my back discs are ruptured and I’m only 38 years old. I’ve lost my job my apartment , my bike , my truck soon as they find it, and worst of all my health.

    Any body know where I can live for $400 a month? Any body want to hire an old vet that can work for maybe an hour a day sometimes not? By the way I come with my own pain killers just in case my body starts to shut down from the pain. Oops I almost forgot, I need a lawyer to declare bankruptcy so I can loose any dignity I had left in front of a judge, which I cannot afford either.

    Out of all this what bothers me the most is when my MRI came back with two pages of pinched nerves and moderate to severe stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord area) I expected something more than a Veterans Administration Neurosurgeon I had been waiting years to see, tell me it doesn’t look that bad and he doesn’t know why I’m in pain. Must be the word severe that confused him.

    There must be some special school for how to insult a vet bad enough not to go back for the care they deserve. I take the morphine , oxycodone and cyclobenzaprine for spasms and pain. Anti inflamatories , vitamins, and laxatives for all the opiates that wage war on my digestive tract. Which by the way I was told by the pharmacist at the VA that these are not service related so I have to pay for them.

    Let’s review: opiates clog me up so I take laxatives so my organs don’t explode. One plus one still equals two in my world. The pain got so severe with the migranes, roaming numbness and sharp stabs I finally quit my job. I don’t even have enough to file bankruptcy. I went from a 700 credit rating to I doubt if I can borrow enough for a pack of chewing gum.

    I am currently at 40% and the VA ratings letter of denial said the rating was “generous” and “subject to re-evaluation” (nice threat) . I attribute my problems to Doha Kuwait. Gov hush on a fire that caused millions in damage. In addition to being close enough to the initial explosion to remember that it’s the ones that don’t echo you worry about…The ones that echo are too far away to hit.

    After the fire I was on a detail cleaning up the depleted uranium rounds that were damaged and the blown up tanks. Don’t worry a guy with a counter said what not to touch and we threw away our special leather gloves. Leather stops radiation right? So after all these years my body is falling apart and my government gives me the cold shoulder? After I got out of the service I went to work for the time that I could because that is how I was raised. I’ve never taken a day of unemployment, even though I struggled just to keep fed. But how do I prove this after so many years. I know my doctor said I have the back of a ninety year old man and I’m only thirty eight. If a ninety year old man feels as bad as I, I feel sorry for him. I just wish I could afford to pay for an honest opinion.

    How far must I fall? I spoken in so many a deaf ear my throat can bear no more. God I love this country and gave all that I had… too bad my country does not feel the same. I take 180 opiate pills a month… I cannot hold my head above water much longer. All I get from DAV is a letter asking for a donation. Did they not read this? Talked to Reno Hud, wait list 6 to 8 months, guess I better sell the rest of what I own and move into tent city.

17. Richard Brassaw, on November 20th, 2008 at 1:43 pm Said:

    Charles,

    It is impossible to read your comment without being moved. The system has failed you and you are not alone. From all of the comments I’ve read it disturbs people that scumbags work the system while those in need, like yourself, are denied what should be generously given to you.

    The media needs to shine a spotlight on situations like yours and shame those barbaric policies that work for the system instead of for the vet.

18. Tucan, on January 7th, 2009 at 7:06 pm Said:

    My ex-bro-in-law gets about $50k for his VietNam PTSD symptoms. I know, and his ex-wife knows that his claim is a fraud. He visited websites, talked with other scammers and read about how to fake the worst symptoms. And bragged about it. He had planned it over a period of years.

    The worst thing is his personal dislike for all minorities and especially anyone on welfare. The irony is lost on him. He does have mental problems but that didn’t prevent him from earning $200k / year while preparing his case. He’s a first class jerk who who should be in jail. Including his gov’t analyst. what a shame that so many deserving disabled vets get turned down because they are honest and don’t know how to scam the system.

19. tim, on January 24th, 2009 at 2:46 pm Said:

    Is anything being done to reevaluate 100% disabilities. My brother has been collecting for a few years. He kept going back to the VA until he finally got his 100%. The only problem with him is he doesn’t want to work for a living, but live off the system.

20. Eric, on January 25th, 2009 at 4:41 pm Said:

    Bill, on November 18th, 2008 ,I feel for you and others that have legitimate claims.Your broad brushing is a little black and white though.

    For all of you that are looking to expose people that you know are outwardly fraudulant, I will be providing a step by step process of what I am going through right now to expose a fraud case. You have to have all your facts, documents, photos, videos in order. Then, you have to know who to talk with and how to present the information. It does not require legal support.

    These types of cases can and should be reported as there are so many people that truly need and deserve support. If all the “fakes” can be exposed, imagine how much money the government can save and put to good credible use.
    More to come……Step 1: get all your documents, photos, videos together, put togther a list of contacts with phone numbers of people that can support your claims,
    You will find that the hardest part of the whole process is getting the VA to listen. They are so busy hadning out money that they dont necessarily have the time to listen. (together we can change their priorities and make them listen) It will help everyone – most importantly, help the Vets that need and deserve the support!

21. Shelly, on January 25th, 2009 at 6:56 pm Said:

    Eric, Great post. I have an ex who recently retired who plans to file disability to reduce the amt of his retirement that the courts awarded me in the divorce. I have documentation and photos to prove his is 100% able bodied, where do I send them? What phone number do I call? My goal is to nip this in the bud before he, like many others, gets an unjust reward from the VA that should go towards those who truly deserve it.

22. erik, on January 26th, 2009 at 9:14 am Said:

    I hear nothing but jealousy from the above posters,and why becouse our brave heroes are getting paid for fighting for this country!you cowards should be ashamed at yourselves,I doubt you people have done anything meaningful in your lives.I know you have never been in combat ha I bet you people posting have never even left the u.s. in your lives,you people ought to be horsewhipped.

23. Eric, on January 27th, 2009 at 9:05 pm Said:

    Shelly – more to come. For now:
    I suggest contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs’ hotline at (800) 488-8244, between 8:30 am – 4:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday–excluding Federal holidays. Write the VA hotline at: VA Inspector General Hotline (53E), P.O. Box 50410, Washington, DC 20091-0410. Or contact them by email: vaoighotline@va.gov.

    Before you submit anything, you need to have you “ducks in a row”

    Erik: No jealousy here. SImply a civic desire to help clean up all the bad behavior of people that feel they are entitled to hard working tax payers, in particular during these economic times.
    I have met with active duty personnel in the Middle East right after the Gulf War in Kuwait and Bahrain just as a start. South Korea, yeap, did that too, more and more..
    I won’t speculate as to your situation but it sounds bitter to me.

    Brave heros ought to be honored and respected and have earned this respect. Its the individuals that try to lay claim to being in this class and take the extra step of making questionable claims at best.
    Your over genrealization that all Vets are heros and entitled to disability is quite distorted on all counts.
    Keep out your horsewhip and line up the fraudulent people to start.
    Which line do you stand in Erik?

24. Eric, on January 27th, 2009 at 9:13 pm Said:

    And – too be balanced on both sides, (we want to hold the VA accountable on all levels) all you deserving vets that are having trouble getting the VA to rate or re-rate your disability based on legitimate issues, more to come to help you as well on moving your efforts forward.

    Hold on until March! You are the ones that deserve it! and I stand at attention to you with all respect earned!

25. erik, on January 29th, 2009 at 11:00 am Said:

    ERIC-I knew you never served I can tell that just by the way you write,my suspicions are confirmed that you are a coward,plain and simple.The statement you made that veterans are not all heroes is pathetic as are you sir,as for the line I stand in I fought in the Gulf War itself,not just visiting after the battle as you did,and my health will never be the same.

26. Eric, on January 30th, 2009 at 8:17 am Said:

    Erik:
    Aah – Now I understand the bitterness. Perhaps we can help you and give some recommendations as to how you can better yourself and your life? Tell us more so we can help and give you resources or direct you to the right people.

    So, anyone that serves is therefore entitled to take forever and ever amen? and others that have not served regardless of their sacrifice to the US is unworthy?

    Erik, I suspect we can help you. And, that is what I am talking about. The Vets that really need the help, phsyically, emotionally, financially, you bet, you deserve to be up front and center.

    Its the individuals that knowingly scame the system that need to be drawn out so that more effort and resources can be put to use to those of you that need it. Understand?

27. erik, on January 30th, 2009 at 10:34 am Said:

    Well I have applied numerous times for VA disability for gulf war syndrome (multiple undiagnosed symptoms,the VA just admitted its real by the way) and I have been turned down multiple times! I personnaly dont see how ANYONE can game the sysytem!The VA does not even approve LEGITAMATE claims!there is such a bs system in place I doubt very very seriusly that many claims are fraudulant!like I said real disabled vets like myself cant even get approved!!!

28. erik, on January 30th, 2009 at 10:46 am Said:

    Also,as far as your forever and ever amen statement goes, IT TAKES FOEVER AND EVER AMEN FOR THE VA TO ADMIT GULF WAR SYNDROME IS REAL!! WHAT?? 18 YEARS NOW! AND FINALY THEY ADMIT THERES SOMETHING TO IT?? COME ON DUDE! GET REAL!

29. Eric, on January 30th, 2009 at 8:36 pm Said:

    Erik,

    I can understand your pain. Let me respond to you later this week as to help give you some recommended direction on who to talk with.

    First thing though is to back down on the hositilty.(I know that is easier said than done though for anyone) If you really want to process through it, you have to proceed surgically with your information presented. ok?

30. erik, on February 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm Said:

    Thats all I wanted to say,and I think I proved my point! YOU have never filed a VA claim for benifits so you have no idea what you are talking about. Those which have never served should shut the hell up about whitch matters they know not anyway!

31. Eric, on February 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm Said:

    Erik: I suspect the VA is able to discern between bitter entitlement versus true disability. In these cases, possibly they do a great job.

    Some people: make huge assumptions, judge others without cause or knowledge and just can’t be or dont want to be helped.

    PS: Im a life long republican and I dont think this site is to be used for ongoing banter, rather, to help inform those looking for help or resources. Good luck to you, Erik.

32. Kelly, on February 10th, 2009 at 11:52 pm Said:

    I have a Step Father, who was in the VN war. He has been employed (but lowly motivated to work hard) for the past 35+ years………….suddenly, he decides that because he never stayed at a job long enough to put together a decent retirement………..and can’t seem to work hard enough to keep a decent job over the past couple of years (not to mention the various fraudulent workmans comp claims and other scams, making it difficult for anyone to want to continue to employ him) that he would do better, to all of a sudden develop symptoms of PTSD. He went to the VA hospital and he and my mother checked several web sites on how to make the veterans disability system work for them. Suddenly, during his review process. this man that I have never seen unshaven in my life, grows his hair long, grows his nails long and a beard…………..all in the name of looking like the “crazy mentally incapable” to support his claim. From what I understand.
    He even gets 100 extra dollars a month because he “claims” that he has some kind of erectile dysfunction, suddenly it is from his experience from VN. He and my mother laugh at the fact that they just take each of these claims at his word, no testing and he gets more money. With all the research and success that he has gained with his 100% disability, making more money each month than he and my mother (who use to need to work, but no longer, thanks to taxpayer dollars through the VA) they successfully coach others now, who are trying to figure out how to “work the system” and live off the government like they do. Yes, there are those who have been severely damaged in the heroic service to our country. It is sad, very sad when and if they do not get the compensation that they deserve, however, for every one of those cases, there are 30-40 lazy, lowly motivated individuals with some kind of entitlement disorder sucking the life out of the very system that could be meeting the needs of those who really deserve it. You can see this type of fraudulent drain in many levels of the system not only in the VA.
    When you think of it, wouldn’t a trauma doctor who witnesses knives sticking out of peoples heads, children coming in burned from parental abuse, or worse babies who are raped., would these people not easily qualify for PTSD for what they see each and every day in their line of work?
    Or perhaps the children that were abused, if for some reason, do not seem to keep a job long enough to save up some kind of retirement, qualify for PTSD, and be entitled to some kind of benefits?!!!!
    Get real!

33. Brad, on February 16th, 2009 at 7:55 am Said:

    Great posts everyone. Report fraud – but know what it is. The stress and tribulations endured by Military members is unique and only understood by those who have served. I echo the words of some when I say that if you have never served – know what you are talking about or be quiet. Many benefits are extended to vets and rightly so. Va Disability works on a rating system. A vet could easily get a 100% rating and still maintain a full time, rigorous job. It because of the rating system. VA disability is no different in terms of a benefit than the GI Bill. What’s next – you guys have a problem with funding college for vets? It’s a benefit that exists under current law. It’s offered and available when one signs up. Injuries do NOT have to occur ON DUTY or IN COMBAT to be considered, regardless of the original intention the laws have changed to include any injury suffered during active duty or made worse by Military time. The stories you DO NOT hear about on these posts are those that are perfectly legitimate – and represent the overwhelming majority of claims. I fully intend on submitting a claim when I get out for my shoulder injury that occured while skiing and my sleep apnea that might have developed anyways – and there is no shame or loss of pride in that. The point is that they occured while on Active Duty – and the law provides for benefits. “If you don’t want to stand behind our troops – feel free to stand in front of them!”

34. Bob, on February 18th, 2009 at 11:09 am Said:

    Fradulent VA claims ARE a reality, it’s obvious those who deny it’s happening are either part of the problem or just haven’t withessed it? Unfortunately the VA has to rely mostly on claiments “honesty” when it comes to PTSD, and unfortunately there are more than a few dishonest people out here that have no problem gaming the hand-out system…like it or not. Laws and lawyers are what’s created most of the problems this country faces now, like it or not. We have a fraud here in town that laughs at how he’s scammed the VA for his 100% PTSD claim, he LAUGHS about it…he’s a bit hurt by the fact his buddies he served with in Vietnam are disgusted with him and won’t talk to him anymore, but in his eyes his new ATV’s, ultralight airplane, new diesel pickup, 7 acre ranch, gun collection, new this year shop, etc…etc.. all bought by the taxpayers, are well worth it for him. It boils down to a matter of honor in a lot of cases, some have it, some don’t. He obviously don’t. Unfortunateley these days, many don’t. PTSD in WW1, WW2 vets? I can see the time coming when everyone (with little or no honor) will be filiing a claim of some sort upon discharge…..it’s the welfare syndrome created by lawyers. With the whole country goin down the shitter anyhow, might as well just hold our breaths and enjoy the ride.

35. erik, on February 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am Said:

    Geez, dude get a grip and step into reality! I would love to live in your fantasy-land where disabled veterans own 7 acre ranches, ultralight airplanes!! We disabled vets recieve barley enough deserved compensation to live on, what is pathetic is your notion that we are millionaires ahhhhhhaaaaa, bob how many brain cells do you have???

36. Kay, on February 24th, 2009 at 11:49 am Said:

    Here’s my question. A former employee spent a few months in the military, claimed he hurt his back, and has now been out for 10 years. He has been collecting 100% disability for most of that time. He bragged that he gets all the good drugs, and couldn’t lift over 35 lbs, and doesn’t have to work. How is it then that he can load feed and posts while working at a farm store? After he was fired from the job for stealing, he went to work for a farmer! Now he does all kinds of lifting, while still getting benefits. I was in the military for nine years, and have a bad knee. I could collect quite a bit for it, but I feel that there are other veterans that deserve it more than I. As long as I can work, I don’t want to collect. Why are people allowed to abuse a system that was meant to support service members? What can I do? It just isn’t right, and I didn’t give up almost a decade of my life to watch people milk the government.

37. Richard Brassaw, on February 24th, 2009 at 12:29 pm Said:

    Kay,

    Take a look at Eric’s comment posted January 25th, 2009 (scroll up and you’ll find it.)

    The VA receives a large number of fraud reports. Some of the fraud reports are fraudulent reports coming from disgruntled wives, husbands, girl/boy friends, employees and employers, and people who do not understand the person’s disability. This makes legitimate fraud reports that much harder to spot and act upon.

    A common misconception are the soldiers who suffer PTSD. They look okay, are able to do physical labor, but are emotional wrecks. In the case of the person you mentioned it is possible that he tells people that his disability is a back injury because he is too embarrassed to say that he has a psych disability. I mention this because you say he was fired from the grain store. Was it for anti-social behavior? If so there may be more to his story than just a bad back.

    If the real issue is PTSD the VA will disregard your report. If it is solely based on a bad back, then they will investigate. The fraud reports that can substantiate their fraud claims are most likely to get attention.

    Contact information for reporting VA Fraud:

    You can contact the Department of Veterans Affairs’ hotline at (800) 488-8244, between 8:30 am – 4:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday–excluding Federal holidays. Write the VA hotline at: VA Inspector General Hotline (53E), P.O. Box 50410, Washington, DC 20091-0410. Or contact them by email: vaoighotline@va.gov

38. Kay, on February 25th, 2009 at 10:17 pm Said:

    Richard-
    I am very aware of PTSD. I was in the military up until three years ago, and sadly know a few people that have PTSD. I know it is a real disorder. Unfortunately, the aforesaid person does not have PTSD. He claims he injured himself in Basic Training. It is also very convenient that his older brother injured himself in Basic Training and also collects full disability. Look, the guy was fired for stealing, and lying to our boss. I am not a gold diggger, back stabber, or by any means, disgruntled. Yet I was raised to be an honest person. And a long time ago, Uncle Sam taught me that I needed to document things in triplicate. (My own knee issues with the military.) It’s just something that suck with me. When I noticed that things were coming up missing at the store, I followed the trail. I told my boss, he didn’t believe me. Knowing that I didn’t want myself or other employees to get blamed, I kept copies of invoices and took pictures. When the boss finally asked me again how I knew, I handed him a file about 4 inches thick. He believed me then. As far as I know, theft is not a symptom of PTSD. So, should I send the VA pictures of this guy shingling his house, or would they like the ones where he’s loading feed, or carrying an 85lb calf? I’ve got the pictures, what do I need for paperwork? I want to do it right. The way I figure it, I’m tired of giving this guy my tax dollars. There are good men and women in this country who deserve it more.

39. Richard Brassaw, on February 25th, 2009 at 11:33 pm Said:

    Kay,

    I believe you. The best thing to do is to contact the VA with all of the facts as you can throw at them. They get a lot of complaints and are going to act more quickly on those cases that are well documented.

    Don’t give up. When you contact the VA get a call back number and keep calling to check on the status of the investigation.

    The more paperwork you generate for the office workers is one trick to getting results.

40. Jane, on March 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm Said:

    Here is one for the books. I know a couple, too lazy to work. Through a friend they found out about VA Disability. He was a veteran and searched and searched and found that he now has Post traumatic stress disorder. He played the system and played the system. He is normal in public, however as soon as he goes to the VA, the acting begins. He was awarded 100% because of his acting skills. Now his wife needs benefits. She too now get VA medical without ever being a veteran. She has better benefits than I do. VA wake up!

41. erik, on March 15th, 2009 at 12:06 am Said:

    Jane,there is no such thing as aformer veteran,look up the definition of veteran,also the spouses of veterans who are 100% disabled are entitled to free health care and education the spouse DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A VETERAN, again sadly I hear nothing but jealous people and ignorant people above, who know nothing of V.A. REGULATIONS OR GUIDLINES!!

42. Heike, on March 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 am Said:

    My separated husband is diagnosed with PTSD. I do know that he doesn’t have that. I know he was asking every veteran what he should claim to get money from VA and he searched the internet. He is faking all that, but VA is that dumb to pay that man 30 % disability for something he doesn’t have. He doesn’t suffer from anything. He is just an alcoholic and drug abuser and that didn’t come from being in the Army. He did that before he joined the Army.
    I heard that you get more money if you claim your family? Is that correct? Because if this is the case I will report that fraud.
    How much can a guy get with PTSD. My separated husband isn’t working since July 2008. He got fired from his DOD job and I can’t blame them either. He is just too lazy to work and now he is drawing his compensation benefits from VA and goes to VA meetings each week to tell the doctors there all kinds of lies to get more benefits and I guess that he doesn’t have to work anymore. What he does is below the belt line and wrong but all those guys don’t see that.
    There is something wrong in your system and not just with VA. This guy I am talking about is doing fraud with the IRS and Department of Human Resources (food stamps, family assistance) and noone does anything against it. In my opinion this guy has to go behind bars, but I don’t know how to proofe all that yet.

43. angry, on March 27th, 2009 at 11:31 am Said:

    True Story:

    My Step-Father was in the military for 6 months worked as a cook. He was supposed to stay in for 2 years but was removed because he had ‘issues’ and ‘an inability to get along with others as well as an inability to not be able to take orders from others.’ Fast forward 20 years. He finds out that as a direct result of his ‘removal’ from the military he is eligible for VA benefits. You bet cha — he signed up the very next day.

    Here is what he gets in addition to his disability every month:

    1. Methadone for pain management.

    2. Loratab for pain management.

    3. Darvon for pain management.

    5. Breathing treatments to treat asthma.

    6. In addition to all of the above he gets a ton of other various medications such as vaseline in a tube etc.

    Now let me tell readers the reality of what he gets and does with this stuff. I know because I live in the home and have witnessed this more times than I can count.

    The pain medicine[s] are taken to a guy that he trades with. He trades [and/or sells] the pain medicine for either lawn mower parts or money. The breathing treatments are sold to people who can use them but can’t afford them so he sells them the breathing treatments at reduced prices verses what that one would have to pay from a local drug store. This man I speak of has never been able to keep a job over 6 months because ‘the boss asked me to do something I don’t think I should be doing’ or ‘the boss always picks on me.’

    This man owned an operated a grocery store for 6 years under my step sister’s name so it wouldn’t interfere with his benefits. He made money and did all the physical work himself and had about 10 employees working for him. The taxes etc were listed in my step sisters name. The step sister also gets disability which she got hers started at age 25. I made the fatal mistake one day of explaining what PTSD was and she admitted herself into a hospital claiming she was having thoughts of ‘killing herself.’ When she got out the FIRST place she went was to file for disability. She was approved the first time . To this very day and she is currently 43 she will laugh and tell any one she meets how she has forced the government to take care of her. She has never held a job over 6 months.

    I have worked HARD all of my life and paid my taxes etc. With the new possible health care changes? I applaud them. Let me say that I’m a true socialist at heart [You know you love em J]. Having said that I do hope that the health care plan is cost effective. I pray that this new plan does stop as much fraud as they can because fraud is a SERIOUS issue. I can only imagine how many other people across this country share the story I have and have family members that abuse the system. Don’t bother reporting them. Doesn’t do any good. The step sister gets food stamps every month and she has an illegal immigrant she is supposedly married to but the food stamp office says that since he is illegal she cant claim his income. So she says. Therefore? His income [apx. 2500 monthly] isn’t recorded. Yet she still qualifies for food stamps every month.

    Where is the logic in all of the above?

    Back to the medical supplies as I could talk all day about fraud I see. We have so much medical equipment within our home that hasn’t ever tbeen used the first time. The companies that make the equipment etc call my mom and/or step father and tell them how ‘much better this equipment would be for them’ and how they need it. Then they call their doctors and there ya have it. New equipment that they never needed in the first place but costs for 1 chair $3500. The government really needs to stop this type of fraud.

    The bottom line is this man I speak of SELLS the drugs that the VA sends him. He never takes the first one because he says he ’isn’t in pain.’ As for the disability? He has ripped that off for years as well.

    Oh? I gotta go now. UPS is here with my step fathers monthly supply of drugs. I have to sign for them and he will come pick them up and sell them.

44. Minnie, on March 31st, 2009 at 9:15 am Said:

    I believe this to be true. The VA’s in PGH, ERIE, BUFFALO are shopping points for narcotics. Oxicotin, Oxicodone and Morphine are prescribed casually to at least 2 people that I know. Niether one has any serious injuries. In the real world these drugs are given for people after surgery or Cancer patients.

    These 2 individuals are addicts and sell the drugs for extra income. One is active in the DAV and his battle wound was a bullet in the hand years ago. He drives a Harley and parks in the handicapped parking zone. As a matter of fact both of these dope heads drive Harley’s.

    How would you like it if your kids were in the street when these guys are driving around??
    This is sickening for the simple fact that our Veterans coming back from Iraq and Veterans from the Korean war are left out of benefits.

    These pill popping degenerates have taken advantage of a system that is corrupt and learned how to advance their Benifit claims to 145% by using other medical records to figure out how they can up their Disability claims.

    One woman that has never seen battle is anorexic and she receives 145%! She claims she was raped while in active duty. Unfortunatley she was anorexic long before she was in the service. she lives with the doper in Erie, who she paid to get her benefits by giving him free room and board.

    This is all common knowledge by the employees of the VA, but they want thier records pristine, as for the DAV.

    This one joker has been investigated and reported to the IRS, SS, DAV, VA and local State Police and nothing was done.

    Well, at least they won’t be worried about their jobs.

45. kay, on April 9th, 2009 at 10:21 am Said:

    [edited by admin] Did it ever occur to you that these people riding motercycles or putting shingles on their house or liffting feed at the store are on pain killers that help them get through the day and be able to function. It is hard to fake back injury with the VA. They do test and take an MRI there disabilty for a back injury is decieded upon the evidence they have if you have herniated buldging discs in the back a MRI will prove that if there is none the MRI will also prove that. The VA will not rate you for a back issue if they can’t find one. Mind your business and stop hating.

    Also you can be 100% disabled and still have a job that is allowed. There is 2 different types of VA disability. One you are allowed to work one you are not get your facts straight before you judge people. You do not know what is really going on inside these people. They could really be hurting and just do not want to show it or they could be so drugged up that at the time they dont feel it.

46. Fed-Up, on April 11th, 2009 at 2:30 pm Said:

    Love your answer Kay!! I have a jilted ex who is bitter and apparently because his life sucks for him, he is, at all costs attempting to sabotage my VA benefits. I am 100% disabled through the VA, I have had back surgery and knee surgery and suffer chronic headaches and pain constantly, I was also diagnosed with PTSD and some depression (I lost my military career due to my injury). Sometimes looking at me you wouldn’t know if I had injuries or not, I have learned many coping mechanisms to mask the pain, it doesn’t always work though. I do have the ability to work but not at the same level I was able prior to my injury. My injuries or no longer visible on the outside, but they linger in my body and they will forever. People should not judge a book by it’s cover. I have struggled with this saying ever since my injury because it is so true, but people prefer to judge!

    My ex has filed a claim with the VA claiming that I am a fraud!! Unbelievable what depths people go to in order to make themselves feel better! While I believe there is fraud out there within the VA system, it goes back to what you said, if an MRI shows an injury, kind of hard to fake isn’t it? I guess that makes me a fraud since my injury indeed did show up on an MRI as did my knee and they did require surgery.

    This website has only enabled my bitter ex and many other jilted ex’s to go after people with a vengeance. I hope my ex can take away the MRI results, back surgery and knee surgery away from the VA to prove I’m a fraud. Shame on the people who are miserable in their own lives that they feel the need to go after other people. How sad their lives must be and how miserable of an existance they lead.

47. Richard Brassaw, on April 11th, 2009 at 3:16 pm Said:

    Fed-Up,

    Thank you for your comment.

    On the point that it is impossible to tell if someone is disabled I agree. I’ve even witnessed a cop chased down (with lights and siren) a disabled driver who had just pulled out of a disabled parking space.

    The officer told the disabled driver that he did not honor disabled placards based on psych reasons. What the officer didn’t know is that this individual had surgeries–as you have.

    It is appreciated that you bring out the point that a disability is not always worn like a scarlet letter. The public needs to be educated on this point (as do some police officers.)

    This article in not intended to cause harassment for those who are legitimately disabled. Instead it is to help stop the fraudulent claims that make it difficult for the rest who are actually disabled. As for the revengeful harassment we both know a legitimate claim is going to stick regardless of what a revenge seeking ex- is going to claim. You are lucky to be free of the guy.

48. Fed-Up, on April 14th, 2009 at 2:21 pm Said:

    Richard,

    Unfortunately, what this website has done is provide a place for people to harass innocent people. My ex, on a daily basis, literally harasses me about my disability. While I know nothing will come of his threats to the VA, it is upsetting to think this person will stop at nothing to go after me and in the process is harming our child with this behavior he exhibits in front of our child and that as long as I live I will have to deal with this “mentally ill” person because we have a child together. Where’s the website for that? God knows the judicial system certainly doesn’t enforce harassment charges.

49. Richard Brassaw, on April 14th, 2009 at 2:47 pm Said:

    Fed-Up,

    With all due respect this site does not harass the innocent. Please use the contact form to signal out any specific content that you feel does otherwise.

    Dealing with a disability is difficult enough to deal with much less having to be distracted by the looming threat of harassment–be it the VA, insurance companies, banks, employment, etc. The important thing to focus on are the things that you can do something about and to let the rest go. If something is out of your control, then stop trying to control it, because the result will always be the same. It will drive you crazy and change nothing.

50. Fed Up with Fraud, on April 14th, 2009 at 5:45 pm Said:

    It will be interesting to see the outcome from Fed Up and the alledged, allegations.

    Some people that claim disability want to then claim complete excellent mental and physical health when it comes to a divorce and child custody battle.

    Fact is, you can’t be healthy and fit for a divorce and then when it comes to the VA, be completely disabled. Yes, the analysis goes much deeper than this however.

    I happen to know of one case very similar to what you are describing and the judge in the divorce case went so far as to state in his findings and decree that the one spouse was competely healthy on a physical basis “despite the VA findings” and that this person had excellent mentall health with no concerns. This particular couple had to undergo physical examinations and multiple physch evaluations.

    The reports that were generated from the divroce/civil trial were in complete contrast to the VA reports.

    Fed -Up – please update us on your “issues” as it would be helpful for all on this site to see what happens. Are you 100% disabiedy as defined by the VA or …….? I am sure someone will report back to this web site to provide follow up.

51. Leonard, on April 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am Said:

    I tried to have my disabilities increased for my back. I tried to do every thing in the book. Had the va take X-rays of my lower back. So to increased my chances to get a higher evaulation I had an MRI done on the back. It show rupted bugling and herinated disc. However the VA stated in their letter that my back showed “remarkable” improvement. Tell me it is fair, I am retired military and pay my own disability. The system is not fair. And now I have to take about 3 pills every six-eight hours to make it through the day.

52. Richard Brassaw, on April 15th, 2009 at 4:25 pm Said:

    Leonard,

    Is it fair? Absolutely not! When it comes to benefits for the disabled in either the private or public sector. There are too many individuals who desperately need help, but don’t get it–IMHO.

    It appears that each VA office is runned by different standards for disability benefits. Dealing with them sometimes turns out to be a suckers bet because they act friendly while all the time gathering information to help their case for denial.

    Start by asking around if anyone else has had a case similar to yours in your particular VA and find out their outcome. Sometimes they make you jump through hoops before they approve a claim (in my opinion it is to help cut down the fraud, but for the legitimate claims it is like falling into Alice’s Wonderland.)

    Read over your contracts and see if there is any way to contest their diagnoses. You may need an attorney’s help with this. Please find someone who specializes in this area of the law. Most attorney’s really don’t know how to deal with these kind of cases nor do they have the files needed to make effective arguments.

    Most important of all let those close to you help you. If they are willing (and you feel they are up to it) let them be your advocate. When you feel crappy it is difficult to handle this stuff on your own.

    It seems that over the past few decades it has become standard-operating-procedure to deny everyone when they first file a claim. It happened to my father when he filed a claim in Los Angles for a service related injury. After denying him benefits they wanted him to fly to the east coast to contest the denial.

    He could well afford to fly east. Fortunately, my father saw that a lot of people where getting screwed so he worked with a senator to get the law changed to require the VA to make it more convenient for claimants to pursue an appeals.

    Regarding your pain. Don’t get me started on how poorly pain management is handled in this country.

    Good luck and let us know your progress.

53. Still Fighting, on April 16th, 2009 at 1:42 pm Said:

    Fed Up with Fraud…..

    You appear to be either misinformed or highly assumptive in your response to “Fed Up” and in your understandings of VA disability. I assume you personally have not undergone any form of VA disability evaluation or else you would clearly see how erroneous your posts are. You stated:
    ” Fact is, you can’t be healthy and fit for a divorce and then when it comes to the VA, be completely disabled. Yes, the analysis goes much deeper than this however.”

    It appears your issues are not VA fraud related but more concerned about the family judiciary system. The “fact” is the two are completely unrelated. The VA disability rating system has nothing to do with divorce competency, or parenting competency. It only relates physical or mental conditions related to a military member’s time in service, and NOT NECESSARILY directly related to a line of duty injury. The VA looks at your health from when you entered service, and then your health when you leave service, regardless if you are retired or given an honorable discharge. Now, there is a different system that rates disabilities as well…this is the Military Disability system which ONLY rates disability as a result of LINE OF DUTY injuries. Let me explain. You see, I personally have two different disability ratings…one from my line of duty injuries which is 50%, of which resulted in a medical retirement due to injuries I received while serving in Iraq. Thus, as a veteran, I also have a rating from the VA system that is 85%. The VA included things that the military did not, such as hearing loss. SO, it is very likely that a 100% disability rating from the VA does not in ANY WAY affect ones ability to be competent for a divorce or to be a parent.

    It seems as if you are on some witch hunt to identify someone who you feel is committing VA disability fraud. I am sure, like so many others who are misinformed, or not fully knowledgeable on this subject, you probably assume someone with a 100% disability rating should be laying in a bed as an invalid. Perhaps you look at someone with such a rating and see them, walking, or bending over, or picking up something and think “that is fraud, they are not disabled.” Well, you are obviously very fortunate to not have disabilities yourself, since you have NO understanding of what it is like to live with disabilities that are not obvious to others. For example, if you saw me, I look completely “normal.” In fact, I walk, I bend over, I pick things up, I work, I have a family, I do physical activities, etc. BUT unlike you, I do all of these things while in constant pain. I have had a headache for over 4 years now that never goes away, I cannot feel parts of my face, my hand, or my foot. My muscles are constantly spasming, my hand shakes, and I always feel like I have an ear infection. I cannot sleep for more than an hour or so at a time because the pain wakes me up, and I can hardly be still because as soon as I try to sit and relax all I can concentrate on is how much I hurt. I lost my career and can no longer work in a field I trained hard for, made many sacrifices for, and would have been able to continue doing in the civilian world. I fought for over three years to try and recover from my injuries and not get kicked out of the military, and even now I am still fighting to get better, but my military career is over. So now, I have to start all over because although I receive a retirement check each month, it is hardly enough to raise a family on, especially since I am a single parent. Since I am in my 30’s I have many years left to live, thus, I have no choice but to work to supplement my income however I certainly cannot replace the income or potential career I had, without further education so I am now fighting for the benefits that I AM entitled to for education. But it is a long road because the system is so overburdened, and people who try to bog it down with false accusations of fraud only make it more difficult.

    I suppose the other option for all of us on “disability” who “appear” to be fine, is that we could just sit on the welfare system and do nothing with our lives but feed off of even more tax dollars. But I am sure if we did that, then the likes of you would then go after us for being parasites to the welfare system, but if we actually try to continue our lives, work, and educate ourselves we are considered “frauds”? I guess it is a no win situation….Perhaps you should spend your time being grateful for your health and well being instead of worrying about someone else’s situation that you have absolutely no understanding of.

54. Fed Up with Fraud, on April 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm Said:

    Response to Still Fighting:
    Sounds as though your disablity is legitimate. Anyone that chooses to scam the government should pay 2 fold back to society and reality is, there needs to be gatekeepers and mechanisms for people to report fraudulent behavior. I for one choose not to bury my head in the sand.

    Quite simply, I guess the best next reply is to update you on the results from “Fed Up”.

    Not much more to say on this one. good luck to you.

    Will be in touch soon.

55. Floyd L Shelton, on April 21st, 2009 at 7:33 pm Said:

    I was going through all these little blogs and I came to various conclusions.I find a lot of anger in people in regards to what Veterans are receiving and it really got my goat when I read about the people trying to turn their own family members in for individuals that signed their name down saying yes you can take my life so others can live in a free democracy and yes you can take my life so they can sit there on their computers and bitch about what is fare or what is not fare in regards to veterans that has allowed them to live in a free society by signing away their freedom.
    Sure there are people that don’t deserve to get bogus claims but one thing is for sure and that is that it is not only the VA has these issues it is the society and the Governments in a whole from the State to the National level that has claims that are false.This is our world and it is my belief that people that do not have anything better to do then bitch about a few bad apples seriously should file a claim for stupidity themselves then they would know that every person is different and they may not be super humans like the people bitching and maybe they would be able to comprehend what it means to say I will die for the freedom of my country and all those that live within her borders.
    Now for as far as the clowns that think you have to see peoples heads blown off to collect a mental disorder.Try living four years on a ship that has one drinking source and that source has been contaminated with lead from the paint the military used to paint the fresh water holding tanks,or maybe you can imagine Asbestos flying around your head and berthing compartment because of cracked insulation not to mention the effects thirty years after from breathing these little fibers.Of course then there were the cockroach infestations nothing like having roaches in your food to.But the real Mccoy was being sent to a ammunition ship that for four years you slept on hundreds of mega tons of explosives some nuc some not.If you want to know what happens when one blows………check the archives for the Concord navel weapons station , maybe you will find that the anchor is still on top of Mt Diablo.So to all that think you need to be on the front line think again and do all the Vets one justice and quit complaining about the veterans that signed there names so people like you can continue to find something to complain about.

56. Richard Brassaw, on April 21st, 2009 at 8:10 pm Said:

    Floyd,

    We must be reading different comments because there is no one disrespecting servicemen and women who serve this country. On the contrary. People are upset that a few rotten apples who feign a disability to collect on benefits intended for those who have earned them.

    You mention Asbestos contamination. Perhaps you’d like to know that the Navy knew about the dangers in the early 1900 and choose to ignore the dangers and suppress the facts. I don’t know about you, but I find it disturbing when any military service knowingly jeopardizes our troops. A more recent example is when troops where given vehicles that were not reinforced against land mines or other explosive devices. How about families who sent bullet proof jaks to their loved ones because the military didn’t supply them? I can’t think of anything more disturbing than when those in charge withhold information or equipment that places our troops in danger.

    In regards to PTSD. Clearly you have misjudged what several people had written in defense of Vets suffering mental disorder. In short, there is no way to judge a person’s mental or physical condition by looking at them. People who need treatment for PTSD often have their claim denied by the VA. So, rather than jump all over the people here, start looking at how certain VA hospitals have had a policy of denying PTSD claims.

    Why do you suppose the VA has such harsh actions against PTSD claims? I can’t believe that they are that cold hearted. Could it be that too many suspect claims were filed? I can’t say, but it certainly doesn’t help matters. Perhaps you’ve judged people’s anger against fraudulent claims to be against the Vets who have served us. You couldn’t be more wrong. It is against the frauds who make life difficult for those who have served this country by filling false claims.

    You really need to look at the disability claims being denied by the VA. Not for fraud mind you, but seemingly legitimate claims. If you want to get angry get angry at how the VA treats some of the Vets who need the help the most. Start with how the Gulf War Syndrome was handled. Who is to say the VA is denying the claims to stop fraud abuse or as a budgetary matter. In the end it doesn’t matter because it is the Vet that suffers.

    For those who truly honor our Vets it is disturbing to watch as disabled Vets are denied benefits. What you’ve missed is that those ‘few bad apples’ set a precedence that contributes to the VA having to raise the bar resulting in Vets not getting the care they need.

57. Floyd L Shelton, on April 21st, 2009 at 11:43 pm Said:

    I am not sure what you are reading either but let me assure you I am well educated on behalf of my own service connection .Maybe I should direct my comments to several blogs I read about people wanting to turn veterans in for as they stated “filing a bogus claim” It is not my intention to misread or be obstinate with the facts and the facts are certainly clear.It is a national commitment to provide every veteran who suffered a service related disability with compensation to offset the loss of earning capacity owing to the injury or disease. Within this pledge is a special provision whereby a disabled veteran who is unemployable owing to a disability will be compensated at a rate of 100%even if his or her disability is not totally disabling (100%) .
    The controlling regulations for this provision are 38 CFR 3.340(a)(2) and 38 CFR 4.16. In addition, the code regulations are backed by numerous court decisions clarifying the intent of congress.If a veteran is unemployable, this special benefit should be one of the easiest to establish.Unfortunately,it is one of the hardest claims to establish and it is one of the easiest benefits for the VA to terminate.
    And the facts about as you stated ” I do not think the VA can be so cold hearted”. In the early 1980s there were more then 100,000 veterans in receipt of total disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits.This began a movement in the VA to limit entitlement to this benefit.When the republicans moved into the white house in 1981, President Reagan and his administration moved to cut the costs of social programs.One of the biggest budget gobblers was the VA with it’s compensation and healthcare programs.Thanks to Reagans efforts to divert funds from the VA and other agencys to his missile projects, by the early 1900s, the number of veterans in receipt of TDIU was reduced to a little more then 60,000 nation wide.
    The Va ordered a series of reevaluation examinations for veterans in receipt of TDIU.Many veterans were informed that their 100% disabilitys had improved and that in fact they could return to the work place.
    The policy changed the way the va handled claims for TDIU and violated the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7722 (Outreach Services) and 38CFR 3.103(a) (procedural due process and appellate Rights).Veterans Advocate reported that 200 veterans in receipt of TDIU benefits had been terminated in November 1992 while the central office approved only five veterans for benefits.This is how clever and also how ruthless the VA can be so with this I could lay facts on you all day long but I feel there is no need to do so.
    I am educated with the facts of the Va and the military by serving and dealing with the systems for decades.I know how Vets have sacrificed because I am one myself and I know the Va because I have been involved with their antics for decades.I would be quick to not Judge ones intentions unless I was informed and educated in the subject I am involved.Futhermore, I am not here with the intent to bash or get in a shooting match about matters clearly some do not understand because they have not lived in the same horror as I have or the Veterans I think of with the utmost of respect.

58. Richard Brassaw, on April 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 am Said:

    Floyd,

    We are in complete agreement. We have the same goal. We agree that the VA makes a concerted effort to deny benefits. We ALSO agree that there are a few bad apples who submit fraudulent claims.

    What you appear to be bothered by is that several people have written to express their anger at (what they believe) are Vets who have gamed the system. As a result many believe that the fraudulent claims take money away from Vets who deserve to have it.

    It appears that you are not bothered by the ‘few bad apples’–others are not so generous and are deeply bothered. Everyone wants those who have served and have been disabled (including both mental and physical) to have every benefit they are entitled to have.

    Your point of Reagan’s social programs being cut is something else we agree on. I’ll do you one even better. It was during Reagan’s term that they also took the teeth out of the FDA. One only has to look at the history of Aspartame’s approval to see how that administration weakened good policies.

    Perhaps you skipped over a few posted comments. In particular the one about the ruthlessness of the VA to deny claims and how my own father was affected. He saw that many claimants were being affected and with the help of his senator got the law changed.

    People are upset more at the VA’s treatment of Vets. When they see someone (they believe) abusing the system they want to do something. The reason? Because they feel the scammer is taking something away from someone who rightfully deserves those benefits. If you will take a moment and think about this you will see that we are on the same page, with the same purpose, with the same goal.

59. Julian, on April 24th, 2009 at 2:27 pm Said:

    I’m 23 years old Iraq veteran. I receive 90%. This is for Diabetes “1,387 sugar level “(with nerve damage) taking 2 types of insulin/pills (Oh i guess its because I’m obese wrong!!!!!!, Generalized anxiety, back, and feet problems. I’m able to do basic daily thing; walk, stand, sit. So what just because i don’t have blown off legs or hands or missing eyes I don’t deserve benefits.

    Personally I believe If you have not served in the military, you should shut your mouth!!!!! Whether or not they went oversees or not doesn’t matter. The point is they sacrificed there time to serve, And look what you people are doing with your freedom, complaining about how that person is milking the system. Sad Sad times we live in today.

    Now as for compensation, you folks need to realize that most conditions are symptomatically chronic, which means throughout life problems occur.

    Its a sad day when people make money more important over others needs. What about people who are on welfare and haven’t lifted a finger, what about inmates in prison. We spend over 40 billion a year on rapist and serial killers…etc. What about AIG, fanny mae, GM…etc. What about the time you people spend your money on stupid things and run credit cards up to $10,000 which by the way is the national avg.

    Everyone who is receiving compensation has served there country. Regardless of what your enviousness which is sad because I’ve never seen and heard in my life more people complaining about people receiving money they’ve earned.

    You know $1600, or $2400 a month is beans!!!!!! My mom makes that in a week, how is someone who you think appears to be “faking” disability supposed to do that. Come on people WAKE UP. Show some restraint and dignity.

    And to that envious brother who posted about his brother…. That’s sad that you would even talk about your family in that matter. You need to be ashamed. Nobody told you that you had to retire from the military, and think that was the ticket, also the mere fact that you lower other people losing there lives in a crash just shows what type of a person you’re. Your brother has compassion for people.

60. Richard Brassaw, on April 24th, 2009 at 3:28 pm Said:

    Julian,

    My hope is that the VA is doing everything possible to help you.

    As you mentioned it is sad when those paying out disability benefits put money before treatment (and assistance.) It is particularly distressing when it is the VA who puts the screws to those Vets who obviously need the benefits, but denies them by claiming that the disease doesn’t exist (Gulf War Syndrome), or that the benefit isn’t covered (because of a loophole), or that the solider doesn’t suffer from anything (PTSD).

    It is upsetting to see politicians visit VA wards, where there are soldiers who have lost a limb or have been disfigured, because it makes for a good photo op. Those same politicians avoid the psych ward because those patients ‘look normal’ and don’t make a good photo op.

    Most of all, I’m bothered that those who are in pain (emotional and/or physical) and least able to fight the system are abused by the system. (It happens all too often in both the public and private sector.)

    I hope everyone who reads your post takes time to reflect on what happens to disabled Vets who have served their country and let their political leaders know how they feel.

    This is not meant to bash the VA because there are a lot of good people who work there and are concerned for the Vet. Rather it is to call-out a system that lets Vets get tangled into a system that puts money before treatment and assistants.

61. gary kirk, on May 28th, 2009 at 9:02 am Said:

    I am a vietnam vet.. I was blown to pieces.. can’t use my right hand ..8 surgeries.. all of it in vietnam in 1966 and today I get 10% ..I don’t understand all these people you speak about that get 100% for nothing. I have proof, everything, and yet can’t get more than 10%..so how did they get that 100% I sure couldn’t ..my VA service rep said if I complained they would take my 10% back.

62. Richard Brassaw, on May 28th, 2009 at 9:34 am Said:

    Hi Gary,

    Your situation is exactly what upsets people who know positively that VA fraud is taking place. Everyone wants the money to go to those who deserve and need it.

    There is something seriously wrong with a VA service rep telling you that you’ll get zip if you complain. It is time for you to call your senators in D.C. and ask for help. Their staff members know perhaps more than anyone how the system works.

    Please report back if they were able to help you.

63. Mary Cox, on May 31st, 2009 at 4:41 pm Said:

    I have read these comment, and some of them make me sick to my stomach. I have not and could not ever be in a war, and I love and respect any soldier for giving me my freedom, but does that in turn give a soldier the right to take an innocent live here in America. I was just a little girl when the Vietnam War was over, but I feel like I suffer from PTSD myself after living with a veteran for twenty-seven years. I cannot imagine the things he saw and went through, but I stood beside him through thick and thin and tried to get him help. He is so bitter, that he thinks everyone owes him something, and he is not satisfied with anything. I do not mean disrespect to him or anyone else, but I feel there is a limit and he has crossed over. I loved this man for more than half my life, but when I see him committing fraud and not trying to get better, you tell me, what am I suppose to feel or do? If you have a suggestion, I am more than open to it. I would give my life for him and my children, but I’ll be Damm if I will let them kill me. I have been put through more than one wall because he said I reminded him of a gook. I have American Indian in me, and do not look like a gook at all. I never turned my back on him, not once, but when he keeps ordering medicine and lying to his doctors’ that is it. I have covered and protected him for almost thirty years, and it is time he steps up to the plate and gets his life together. I really wish some of you would not judge others when they say a veteran is committing fraud, it happens, and I did not put him in the war, but I have paid for it time and again. At this point I am just trying to survive, I have lost 60 pounds, am 5’7″ and wearing a size 4, and he has not missed a beat in his life. Tell me who suffers. All the bank notes are in my name, and everything but the house is in his name. It looks like to me, he is pretty calculating, and if he is as sick as he says he is, how? He says his PTSD won’t let him marry me after twenty-seven years, but I said his PTSD has let him live off me for twenty-seven years. This veteran has used peoples’ sympathy until everyone is fed up with him, and he is going to die a lonely old man. That breaks my heart, but there is nothing I can do for him if he refuses to help himself. God Bless and I Pray I have not offended anyone.. I do not have any friends because of him, and it has been a lonely six months without anyone to vent to. If I could only get the desire to live again back, I know I would be ok. I have always worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week or two full time jobs. Supporting myself is not the problem, I have just let this get me down so bad that I cannot work. I have started drinking, and I am not a drinker at all. When I don’t drink, all I do is cry for what should or could have been, then I fix a drink and face up to what it actually is. I feel it is time for him to be honest and get some serious help, it is free, all it cost him is his time. God Bless

64. Glenn, on July 22nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm Said:

    Wow! If the people here put half as much effort into digging up the abuse and fraud committed by the VA itself (shredding scandal, Bay Pines harassment, faulty colonoscopes, Agent Orange, Gulf War Illness, etc etc etc etc etc we would have this gov’t whipped into shape in no time flat! I wont hold my breath.

    I guess its easier for paid internet snitches to sling mud for their 30 pieces of silver. Or for non-combat types to kvetch over what amounts to little more than petty jealousy. Lets focus on the veterans that may *possibly* be skimming a little off the top and ignore the VA structure that has wasted BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS over the last 40 years.

    All you sycophants and shills need to be aware that tolerance for your antics is grating on the American people. Soon, your kind will be dug up from under your collective rock and put before a trial of your peers for giving aid and comfort to the enemies of America. Attacking our soldiers during a time of war is *treason*.

    You will pay the price, and I will get rich selling rope.

65. still serving, on August 8th, 2009 at 10:01 pm Said:

    All I can say to all of the above posts is …we need more oversight in goverment in general.
    There is so much fraud within all goverment programs it makes me sick and also think…why do I wake up everyday at 0445 to go to work?
    I was active for 17 years , I left because of my family tired of not seeing me anymore,, went to the reserves and have since spent another year in the nice country of iraq,, now at 21 years searving my country I still wonder sometimes why I do it, most don’t appreciate it, they take it all for granted…yep.. i guess I owe you the welfare and free cheese cause your to lazy to get off your azz and go to work….why should you? There are way too many ways to sit home and get paid. The whole system is broke Di*k…when i have to work 40-60 hrs a week in all kinds of deplorable situations to put mac and cheese on the table but yet in the grocery lane I see someone buying sirloin and lobster with food stamps then hopping in a new lincoln in the parking lot.. I have to stop and think that i am doing something wrong. The fraud that is committed within the VA is just the tip of the iceberg. I searched for a website about VA fraud because I know a guy that did under a year all in conus who now has 90% disability because of PTSD which I know is a bunch of BS and was thinking of blowing him in; but after reading alot of the above posts it mostly sounds like a bunch of disgruntled spouses and neighbors who never had to even go through 1/2 the crap that this guy did in his 10 months of service. I don’t think he joined with the intention of committing fraud…but hey why the hell not everyone else is doing it…all the way to the top…senators,congressmen,,why shouldn’t he hop on the gravy train?
    I guess the American model is correct.. “The Land of opportunity”
    Does that mean the opportunity to steal from those few of us that still have basic morals and values?
    I think American society has changed so much in the last 2-3 decades that things will only be worse for my kids, Think back 20 years ago..how many people did you know collecting from any goverment program??? Could you smack your kid if he got out of line wiyhout the fear of being charged?? If you were convicted of murder, would you dream of seeing the outside of prison again?? If you spilled coffe in your lap from McD’s would you get 2 million??
    I guess it is to far gone now to totally reverse this trend, but where will it be 10 years from now? I am hoping when i get off the plane from my next deployment (scheduled for aug 2010) I hope the sweat from my uniform doesn’t offend you so much that you file suit against me.
    Why do we send billions to countries that will never pay us back in any way shape or form? But yet soldiers that have fought in every conflict are living in the street..oh ya…they paid taxes to send the people money…don’t know where to go from here…how do we fix the fraud and corruption??? you tell me?? Gotta get some shut eye…formation at 0730…sleep well knowing we are all stealing your money and watching your backs “The Veterans”

66. Jerry, on August 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm Said:

    A good book on PTSD fraud is Stolen Valor. Once you read the book you will understand that PTSD is a given, you merely have to ask for it. Studies have shown approximately 10 percent of troops in a combat theater actually engage in combat and of that only 10 percent actually fire their weapon. Many of those receiving benefits have never even served in combat, but the VA and other government services don’t check or verify service, just too complicated. Certainly, visiting a PTSD specialist will get you a disability as they have a job due to finding PTSD in everyone. I personally know a guy I served with who returned and founded a very successful business and today collects the maximum from his PTSD. He believes he has it and you would be hard pressed to convince him otherwise. Having gone through the same field operations and exposure as him and not having it, he believes I’m merely in denial. See, if you don’t have PTSD, you’re considered just as sick because you’re in complete denial! Everyone today believes they are entitled and PTSD is difficult to disprove. Hate to see the guy with no legs get nothing while a guy with PTSD that caused his drinking, carousing and wife beating, get everything.

67. Adam, on August 15th, 2009 at 12:04 am Said:

    I am currently trying to get compensation for PTSD and let me tell you if it wasn’t for my girlfriend I would have givin up. I believe every vet that tries to get PTSD comp. should have at least served in a combat zone and have seen combat. I hated applying for compensation for PTSD because I was asked so many akward quetions I got the feeling the person I made the claim with din’t believe anything I said or thought I was making it up. It sucked but it is what it is, I am currently not getting any comp. for PTSD and I am getting therapy outside the V.A. for my PTSD. So to all of you who fraud the system Thank you soooo much!

68. Erik, on August 16th, 2009 at 3:21 pm Said:

    Adam,I am currently rated 100% for PTSD,(IU rated p&t .I am a combat veteran,however I disagree with you.The VA has non – service connected PTSD compensation are you saying that a vet that witnessed lets say a training accident should not get compensation for it?that is just plain stupid,there are other military trauma not related to combat.

69. John, on August 22nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm Said:

    Oh wow. I can’t believe there are other people who know about the scams going on at the VA. It can be sickening!

    I recently talked to a guy coming back from Iraq and he said he is going “to claim everything”.

    PTSD is overdisgnosed.

    Someone who is 40 to 99 percent. Their goal is to get 100 percent. It isn’t to get better. And those who say if you have never served shut the he’ll up? Well that’s exactly what you want me to do but I think I should be able to say what I want because I’m the one supporting the VA with my tax dollars……

70. Sue, on August 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 am Said:

    Hallelujah for this site. I had no idea of how bad the abuse was with veterans collecting fraudulent disability payments was until I started doing some research. It sickens me of how these people use the system and cost the tax paying citizens of this country billions of dollars. And I would think it would sicken those veterans who have legitimately become disabled through their service to this country. My heart does go out to those who have given so much at a very great cost.
    What first brought this issue to my attention was when a PA woman was running for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. It was noted that she was a disable veteran. It made me wonder why she could hold that position but not hold a job. After very little digging it was apparent this individual was doing some extraordinary things not limited to: capturing and tagging bear, stream restoration, countless research groups, skiing,fishing,hunting. Photos of her doing very physical activities, telling of the countless hours she put into many, many projects. So how can it be that she, and so many more like her are not able to work!!! It just shows that there is a huge flaw in the system that should be weeding out these individuals who are committing a crime!

71. Bec, on August 24th, 2009 at 7:33 am Said:

    So my ex brother in law is on 100% for his gunshot wound he received in Iraq. One thing bothers me though. He is getting over $2500/month and decided to go to school online. He tells me that he gets paid an additional amount to go to school. Why?? Why are we paying for a person who is disabled and can apparently NEVER get a job with the degree that we are paying for him to get.

72. Erik, on August 25th, 2009 at 8:28 am Said:

    Bec,It is LEGAL for a 100% disabled veteran to work and still collect full disability payments each month its not like workmans comp,If you are a 100% iu veteran then it is not permited to make income above the set poverty line without your benifits being reduced but you can still work legally.

73. Dave, on August 30th, 2009 at 6:31 am Said:

    I get HIV meds from the VA but thats about it…I served in 2 services, Im sure people learn the ins and outs of the VA system but its ashame when they abuse it….there are veterans who qould qualify but because of a mental or physical handicap do not know how to go about it…What a shame.

74. Joseph W., on September 6th, 2009 at 10:24 pm Said:

    My neighbor, has bragged for two years now…”That the government is paying him 80% disability, and he has a life-time of pain killers and muscle relaxers, delivered to his door step.” He has recently filed for bankruptcy. Now he’s being paid to go to school. The other day he had the nerve to tell me the other day “Man, school is so expensive” I replied “Dude, what do you mean? I thought the Reserves are paying for it?” He responded “Yea man, they are! Paying for school and books! Thank You Tax Payers!” As he said this I told him, “You’re Welcome” Now he tells me tonight that he doesn’t have to claim his disability, so he’s trying to get his daughter on “Free Lunch” at school! Everyday he’s outside skateboarding or doing something active. Yet when it comes time to go to the VA he walks out with his cane! WTF? It makes me sick seeing him get a free ride, get out of all of his debt, and rape the system, that ignores major issues to enable lazy, and worthless people. I wish I could find a clear cut way to report this and remain annonymous! It’s not right that every male in my family has served this country, and taken care of their own families (without the help of these so called helpers!) Can anyone refer me to a website or phone number? Thank you!

75. Glenn, on September 9th, 2009 at 5:31 am Said:

    First, most of the complaints sound like they came right out of central casting. The neo-con trolls stick to their script pretty hard, right? Class envy, a veteran getting his EARNED BENEFITS while a whiner dodged the war like Rush Limbaugh and his anal cysts. All for the war, so long as its not YOU going? So now the VA IT department passes out $24 MILLION in bonus checks to itself, the Miami VAMC exposes tens of thousands of veterans with dirty colonoscopes, 41 out of 57 VARO’s are openly shredding pension claims, the VA in Philly is improperly injecting cancer patients with radioactive material, so what do we do to fix all this? Declare all PTSD veterans scammers! The chicken hawks come home to roost, become paid shills, while disabled veterans stand in a line at the VA thats literally a million people long.

76. steven, on September 18th, 2009 at 6:45 pm Said:

    My name is steven I am just gonna tell me story. I joined the army in 1997 and was in germany and a few other places. My goal was to retire out of the army but my deployment to Iraq changed that. I was there from Jan 2004 to may 2005. I traveled over 32,352 miles in the sunni triangle of Iraq, I know this because of my maintence logs for my truck. I lost two friends, one of them in front of me, he lost 60 pounds in half a second. I have been blown up twice, but thanks to poor timing on one IED and armour on the second one I suffered no missing limbs. I was a very confident man when I first started my tour by the end of it, I was scared of my own shadow. I also was awarded the bronze star over there. I knew my days as a effective soldier were over. So I didn’t reenlist and got out and worked full time for home depot. I did that for almost two years, but during that time I suffered. I didn’t tell my co-workers, but I would see and hear things that weren’t there. I would be scared to death to go to work sometimes because I thought something bad was going to happen. I was always able to smile laugh and joke to fit in , but I always felt like a fake. I also wanted to kill a couple of people that worked there because they thought it was funny to scare me, dropping a piece of wood and watching me jump. I had brought my handgun to kill them a couple of times but always lost the nerve, a few times I would stick it in my mouth because it was so overwhelming at times. I finally went to the VA and got help, They took me in and I did a total of 180 days inside the treatment center. I thank the VA to this day for that. I am connected with PTSD now and live of that check every month and I quit my job at home depot. I do feel ashamed at times that I get this money, but to go back to home depot and try and eat all those emotions I feel now scares me. I live in fear and I think no amount of treatment will change that, or at least it hasn’t so far. I know people do scam the system and those that do deserve it have been screwed, I have seen first it hand. I still don’t know where I fit on this scale. I just don’t know how to live in a world that is surrounded by horror that only I can see.

77. Jennifer, on October 5th, 2009 at 3:48 pm Said:

    I am glad I found this website. I am livid — my friend just recieved a $17,000 check from the VA as back pay, and recieved a 70% disability rating for — get this — depression! She claims she deployed for six months, came back, and her daughter didn’t know who she was, and now she collects over $1400/month in disability! She deliberatly manipulated the system to try and make things sound worse than they are. She joined the reserves because she heard that if you are on zanax, you can’t take it and be in the reserves at the same time. So she went fishing doctors to get zanax, so that she could be medically discharged from the reserves (this is after a 6 year tour in active duty). she didnt even go to Iraq!! She went to UAE for 5 months, went to beach, went shopping, and got to drink while she as there! And by the way, EVERY person who deploys with children comes back with some sort of issues. I hate her now and I won’t talk to her, I can’t believe she would try to fraud the gov’t out of money like that because she wants to get handed everything in life. Worthless people suck.

78. Jennifer, on October 6th, 2009 at 8:04 am Said:

    OK – I’m readin all these posts. It seems that, while there are a lot of cases of actual disability fraud, many of you are MISUNDERSTANDING the concept of VA disability, PTSD, or many other terms mentioned. First and foremost, you need to know what you are speaking about before you begin typing. People are stupid if they believe that people in the military do not experience PTSD, and that anyone claiming so should be considered a malingerer. Further, just because you pay taxes does not mean that you should be so self-centered to claim that you “pay for their school” or “pay for their disability.” Get over yourself! People sign up for the military, and in turn, they are due these benefits! The VA disability pay is meant to be supplemental income for those who have suffered a type of disability or illness as a result of their being in the military, and the pay is meant to make up for lost pay possibly in the civilian world. PTSD is a serious mental condition, and it should not be played down just because some stupid person on the internet can’t see what is going on with the vet. If you haven’t been in the military, or deployed rather, than you do not understand what severe PTSD is. Our soldiers go over there and witness death and destruction on a daily basis. They see young children die from wounds they didn’t deserve, and see body parts scattered throughout the streets. They also have to pull the trigger and take lives — don’t you think that might haunt someone for the rest of their life? The VA is set up for these troops, and you should be PROUD that YOUR (selfish) tax dollars are going to support these troops!!! Now, with that said, I also think that there are many disgusting people out there who know exactly what I just mentioned and therefore take advantage of the situation. I do not understand how a person (such as my scamming friend) can claim depression, because it is not a condition that can be attributed to one single instance, where as PTSD is. Depression can be a physiological problem, not just psychological. Depression can not be linked to a service-connected incident, whereas PTSD can. But still, some people will say something absolutely absurd (and completely un-service connected) like “Oh, I got into a fight with a girl whose husband I was sleeping with and she threatened to kill me” — and there you have it, some scammer is recieving money for the rest of their life because they are dramatic and know they can collect on it.

    Bottom line: I fully support the military and our troops, and the VA that takes care of them! I think the VA is wonderful and has helped vets, both combat and non-combat, successfully adapt to civlian life and civilian pay. I DO NOT, however, support those who take advantage of the system. I believe it is crude, disgusting, and I think the VA should evaulate these claims a little more discriminately.

79. Jennifer, on October 6th, 2009 at 8:37 am Said:

    I just have one last comment before I am done reading these ignorant posts (well, most of them). So many people are on here saying things like, “he collects disability, but then I see him picking up boxes and playing football with his kids — he MUST be a fraud!” You people do not even take a second to think that something disabling might be affecting them, rather than having a limb missing or not being able to lift heavy things. I was in the military for seven years. I was security, and I spent hours upon hours in remote places conducting security — sometimes in a vehicle, sometimes standing in one spot for hours. I would go 12-16 hours someday without being able to go to the bathroom. (Say what you want, but I can’t just pull my pants down and squat next to the wingtip of a plane and pee, or pee while I am standing directing traffic or guarding a fenceline). Because of the year in and year our holding of my urine (as I am a female), I developed a chronic pain syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, in my bladder because my bladder became stiff and ridden with scar tissue. Now, for the rest of my life, I have to suffer chronic disabling pain, to where I have to be on long-term care, have frequent doctor visits, and haven’t had a good night sleep in years. (If any one is discounting the severity of this disorder, which you have probably never heard of and are therefore prejudice, then just look it up and be thankful you don’t have it.) I was medically discharged from the military due to this illness, promptly after reenlisting my service to the military following a tour to Afghanistan and prior to my tour to Iraq. I was told by the military I was not suitable for military service because of a condition that was brought on directly relating to my duties in the military. I am rated at 60%, mostly for that and YES I have PTSD but it is from being raped and contracting a disease by a military member while being posted overseas, thank you very much, and I do believe that I am fully entitled my compensation. People see me with the title of disabled vet, then they see me at the gym and doing physical activities and have the nerve to judge me and think they know for ONE second anything I’ve been through in my entire life.

    I know none of this is anybody’s business, but the anonymity of the website makes me care less. I just wanted to point out to all of those who are critical and judgemental, that you DON’T always know what you are talking about, and that military members, REGARDLESS of what YOU might think is suitable, DO have disabilities which are deserving of compensation.

    For all those who have served or understand service-connection disabiilty, thank you and I’m glad that there are some smart people int he world.

80. Angela, on October 7th, 2009 at 10:48 am Said:

    I found this site while searching the internet on how to report VA fraud. I called the VA number listed to try to find out more information on how to report someone I felt need investigated. When I finally reached someone, I explained to her that I knew of a person that had just received a motorized wheelchair from the VA because he had been shot in the knee,( by the way he was shot after he retired and it was by his wife) and instead of using the wheelchair he sold it. The lady with VA actually asked me what that had to do with him receiving benefits! When I told her again that he claimed he needed the chair, received it, then sold it she said they did not deal with that. THEN WHO DOES??? I would think that they would want to know when someone is selling their stuff off.

81. John, on October 26th, 2009 at 11:04 am Said:

    I know this guy who served in the Marines although I’m not sure for how long. He never went to war and let me tell you that this guy is a big guy. I guess I should explain, he looks like a bodybuilder and I know for a fact that he, until he took a new job recently, was hitting the gym everyday. He lifts all kinds of weights and now works for a company doing MRI’s and is required to perform lifting when he has to help transfer some of the patients to the table. He bragged about how they didn’t know that he was working out and if he admitted to his doctor that he was, then he would lose his disability. He works three jobs, one a s bouncer, one tending bar, and one as an MRI tech,. I don’t see any of these jobs being available to someone with a disability. It’s sad how people continue to use the system when there are people who really deserve to get the help. This man has no back injury that deserves disability payments and some really needs to do their job.

82. billy, on October 27th, 2009 at 5:42 am Said:

    relative served in afghan for three years, was kicked out for drug abuse, he admits it and the paperwork states it. He recklessly abused script drugs and street drugs and was hospitalized twice once for OD and once for attempted suicide. Prior to his service he was a serious meth head, and nothing has changed when he was kicked out. BUT during this three years, he learned the system, went through the hoops and right after he was released from his OD in the hospital where he was on a venilator for over a week from abuse of scripts and crank, they grant him backpay of 21k dollars!! AND 2600 a month!! I mean WTF, talk about enabling drug use, its a joke. Now he says hes going on vacation to amusement parks to ride rides, and has blown most of the 21k but doesnt care as its a cash cow at 2600 a month tax free.

83. Dee-Dee, on December 1st, 2009 at 5:03 am Said:

    I have a new con, my husbands child was adopted without his knowledge or consent to his childs grandmother and grandfather. The grandfather was collecting veterans pension and since his death now his widowed wife is collecting the pension, well they have it set up so that if the wife passes before the children turn 18 the birth mother (who gave up her rights and fraudulently told the court that she could not find the childs father who has pictures of the child of all the years she claims she couldn’t find him and she put him on child support during the same year of the adoption proceeding, also she collected public aid for the same children and the adopted mother collects Social Security Retirement benefits) I would like to let the Veterans pension Inspector General know about all that is going on and the amount of fraud that will progress if they allow this birth mother to receive the pension if the adopted mother passes, but it states they don’t want to know about any cases, but the veteran is dead now, my husband and I are suing for the adoption the be vacated and I will then adopt the child and the other 2 children are being shipped to their father, the birth mother will receive these benefits without any premise. How can our Government be so blind to such outlandish white collar crimes and not enforce their own laws of fraud?

84. Ann, on December 1st, 2009 at 7:05 pm Said:

    This is very hard to try to explain what is going on. I started to go with a person that is a person that is in the VA system. I learned lots of different things but I learned that he is playing the VA for every thing he gets. He started it this way. He signed up for the service because he was going to go to jail. He was at that time involved in drugs, blames the war for the more drugs he did.
    I just broke up with him because of the drugs he does and sells at the same time. I have seen over a lb of weed on the table and a few of his friends and a child that 4 years old standing there watching the whole thing, this is when I left. What my problem is that I lied for him. I went in front of a VA and said things that I didn’t want to do, now I am feeling guilty on what I did and don’t know what to do now.

    He says he has PSTD not in my eyes, he reads lots of sites and books on how to say the right words, he is prescribed lots of drugs and doesn’t take one of them he sells them to other people.

    Michigan made pot legal now so he say he can use it all he wants, he went to apply for legal papers. I know where he is it is not legal, not a locked stuff or what ever he says. He just posted all of his land and put a gate in is driveway, told me he call the police if I stepped foot on his property.

    I am scared of him now. I just want to call someone and tell them what is going on. He said he will get over 200k for back pay.

    He has done mushroom, cook speed and proud of doing over 200 hits of acid. One day when I was there he was telling his friends how he was going to get over 200k from the government

    He has got fuel assign, and lots of over things and he has sold over 500 dollars of pot in one week.

    I guess I am just talking but I like to know who to contact to help me.

    If someone has a answer please feel free to contact me [by leaving a comment].

85. Brenda, on December 12th, 2009 at 11:21 am Said:

    It’s amazing that so many people get away with VA fraud. I know of a vet that claims he is disabled, recieves 100% disability from VA and social security, but goes out to work everyday. He claims he has a bad back but only limps and uses a cane when going to appts. Other than that he is able to do heavy lifting jobs and has no problem dancing around in a bar room and spending his check in the slots. Its awful, but what do we do?

86. VSO, on December 19th, 2009 at 5:28 am Said:

    I have worked as a veterans service officer for many years now, and can agree with BOTH ends of the spectrum, as voiced by the postings.

    I absolutely LOVE helping those vets missing body parts, bound to wheelchairs and undergoing treatment for Diabetes, Prostate cancer etc. I am likewise HONORED to assist their grieving widows.

    Conversely, I absolutely DESPISE helping those whom I have come to KNOW are patent frauds, whom have become sly in the tactics and techniques to GAME the VA disability system.

    Sadly, my office cohorts and I all concur that the majority of our clients, are involved in SOME degree of scamming, whether it be blatant falsehood or exaggeration.

    This is a system that rewards a “helpless” mindset, squelches ambition, integrity and personal honor. It is what it is.

    I am thankful to have my chosen position,…and as long as there is disability fraud, I will maintain job security, though I desperately wish that the VA would reform it’s out of control methodology.

87. Scottie, on December 24th, 2009 at 7:17 am Said:

    Most of the people complaining on this site have never served and no nothing of the rigors of the military both mentally and physically. Many are jealous seeing veterans getting their just compensation for injuries, diseases, or wounds caused or aggravated by their military service.
    There are SOME scammers, as with any program, but the VAST majority of disabled veterans are more than deserving.

88. ray, on December 31st, 2009 at 7:53 pm Said:

    During training I received injuries which I cannot prove since there were no witnesses other than myself and the DI who inflicted the injury. It really steams me when I hear of people who get compensated for things such as scar tissue or a friend of mine who injured his elbow in a softball game on base and was awarded 70 %. I can think of numerous other examples, but will end my tirade with this, My Oath, word, was good enough then, when I entered the service, why Isn’t it good enough now. Also, all these observers must take into account , some of the severest injuries cannot be seen. I had a friend who was a Navy Seal and he contracted a Staph infection while being transported on ship during the vietnam war. It got into his kidneys and caused failure, kidney transplant etc. He was 100% and would remark about how people thought he was ok, simply because they could not see his trauma versus someone missing an arm or a leg. God Bless the Veterans, disabled or otherwise, without them we wouldn’t be free, nor could we express ourseles like we are doing on this site!!!!!!!!!

89. Jon, on January 6th, 2010 at 3:37 pm Said:

    I can’t blame all of the losers for claiming disability. It is free money on the tax-payers back(bad back-they better claim a disability). If everyone claimed a disability for back pain, or mental issues then half of the United States would be hanging out on the couch.

    Someone said $2500/mo isn’t that much. It is when you don’t need to do ANYTHING all day. You don’t even set your alarm. You don’t pay taxes. You don’t pay for job travel etc. The least you can do is thank at least one poor tax-payer each day. They are paying for your do-nothing life.

    We are an entitlement nation. We will be bankrupt soon enough. Gotta go now – I need to go enlist in the military so I can retire, oops, I mean go on disability in a couple years. Have fun not working. You know in your heart that you are a waste of life working the system!

90. Chad, on January 8th, 2010 at 3:00 pm Said:

    I believe it is a sad commentary upon us all as Americans that this is going on. I did two tours in Iraq with the Marines, saw limited action, injured by an IED (small-cut on my hand that they wanted to give me a Purple Heart for but refused it). I left the Marines healthy by the grace of God, and didn’t cry about my hearing loss etc. You know what? I signed for it, I got paid for it, you are not entitled to anything. My grandfather was in the Marines in WWII in the “Island Hopping Campaign” and saw extensive action, and didn’t see home for 5 years. Yet he returned, led a good life, raised a family, and never once received anything. Why? Because he could still work, and he did. Now…think about what you leaches are doing to the ones who legitimately need assistance, you are causing them to suffer due to your “backing up the system”. Yet you are probably still the same ones who complain about people on welfare, and etc. etc. You will have to, like me, stand before God and give an account, I am only glad that this is one thing I will not have to give an account for. You know you are doing wrong, so please stop it, it’s the right thing to do.

91. Brian Smith, on January 25th, 2010 at 7:33 pm Said:

    My name is Brian Smith. I served in the Army during Desert Storm as a 13-B Artillery Crew member. I ruptured 2 disc in my back during Desert Storm. I was treated in the feild with the standard Motrin. I was Honorably Discharged in 1992. I didn’t realize that the VA possibly could help me. I have worked the majority of my post-military life as an electrician. I had 2 back operations in 2004. I finally was informed by a disabled vet friend that I should file a claim, which I did in November of 2008. I have since been told by VA Doctors that I am in need of another much more serious operation on my back. I am not the kind of guy that is looking ofr a hand out. I have owned an operated my own busines for 15 years, but my concern now is for my children ages 2 and 6. I am 38. I have had 2 back operations and am looking at a 3rd. I am now only able to work a couple of days a week. I live on vicodin. In 14 months, I haven’t been able get a C&P exam. I also have been diagnosed by a VA Dr. with combat related PTSD. Today, I received a call from the regional office telling me that they could not find my medical records. I have requested these records 4 times in 14 months from St. Louis. I was also told by the guy from the VA that without my medical records, even though I have buddy statements, statements from VA and private Drs, I was basically out of luck. Now with all of these scams that are going on, what the heck did I do wrong? Does anybody have any advise? Any VA reps out there that are interested in helping a guy with a real issue? Please feel free to email any advise to brian@sbuilders.net. Thanks and God Bless.

92. Natalie ., on January 30th, 2010 at 10:59 am Said:

    Well finally…someone who is WAKING UP TO WHAT IS GOING ON…….HELLO?

    I’m all for our Veterans. My Daddy proudly served as a Marine in WWII. I’m Red, White and Blue thru and thru. Nothing humbles me more than a visit to Washington DC memorials or our local cemetary in Leavenworth, KS or in an airport as one of our young men/women ship out…….I walk up to them, shake their hand and say Thank you.

    But I’m hopping mad and I’m not taking it anymore. Why? Bear with me…….

    I was born mid 1950′s. I grew up and was front and central to the experience of what the Vietnam War was in the news, here in our town of Kansas City, MO as well as watching my best bud male friends leave….some not to return…and welcoming home those who did with tears. love, hugs and a big Thank YOU. To those who came back in a box……I cry for them still.

    I was in college during the late 60′s and early 70′s. I remember all about the protesting, the Boys when they came home were spit upon and how that War divided a Nation….ours.

    I also married two Vietnam Vets…..so I know all their pain and stories. I loved them for being Vets….and was involved in their day to day lives a combined 23 years between the two.

    One served one year in the Army. Military Truck Driver
    One served 2-3 years in the Marines, Tunnel Rat and Radio Operator

    The Army husband went to Nam at 18
    The Marine husband at 17

    Both came home. Married had familes, worked at the same trade and career, never missed a day, was highly respected by their peers and worked till Retirement with full benefits and Pensions. Army Husband worked for over 30 years in a Union Trade. The Marine, a sales rep for 38 years. Neither had drug or alchol addictions. Both had built a wonderful life, had kids and were very, very successful, retired with money and nice, large homes. .

    I was the second wife of both
    Married to Marine Vet 10 yr, one child.
    Married to Army Vet 5 years, but with him daily for 11. No kids, StepSon.

    BOTTOM LINE:
    Our boys coming home TODAY are being delayed on benefits, I read the stories above in this Blog, and realise our recent Vets can’t get help needed,resouces as the Veterans Admin over worked, a system all ready suffering from lack of funding……and bearing a cross now being deluged with PTSD “claims” from the Vietnam Vets who ARE NOT DISABLED WITH THIS KNOWN CONDITION. They are faking it to gain financially. I KNOW this, and I am witness to it..

    NOW don’t get me wrong…..I’m all for those who truly suffer…key words truly suffer…..from PTSD. Tthe ones who can’t leave their Apts, are homeless, hermits, druggies/drunks or rage issues, can’t deal with life or crowds, 4th of July fireworks can “trigger” a flashback, ……I’ve seen em’ and I know these men/women truly have disabilites and suffer from PTSD. My heart goes out to them.

    BUT, Now we have just in my own life……TWO Vietnam Veterans, who lead full and successful lifes…….retire with Pensions from their company/Union…….and POOF. NOW THEY SUDDENLY “SUFFER’ from PTSD…….and are getting Disability PAYEMENTS each month !!!!!!!!!!!

    This is NOT RIGHT, shames the Vets who did need help and it self centered and selfish. Why are Vietnam Vets suddenly PTSD?

    Well, let’s see………retirement in the past 3 years and pensions have taken a HUGE HIT. Stock Market, 401K’s. ??? Dumped. Fancy lifestyle and successful life….not shown in the Bank. Hmmm. Can’t get that 100,000 dollar RV now and travel. Can’t hang out at the Lake Condo and fish……as you dreamed for 40 years…….

    So, let’s all remember we are Vets of Vietnam and here’s a new term.PTSD and CHHAA CHING……..money.

    Two men…….I know of. How many more out there? Thousands.

    From a local Chapter right here in Kansas City, you can find out how to “groom” yourself for filing for PTSD. Don’t shave for days….grow out your hair, get some old clothes from Thrift shop, drag them out in the street, run over with your car, get an appointment, go in that day, as per directions listed above, head down, mumble……..don’t look the Intake Rep in the eyes…….”dumb down”…show no emotion……flat line…be dirty and down trodden. Do this each time you go for appointment. Get someone to write a “tigger letter” and give them the exact words to write………even lie about Nam and what it did to you. Then take letter and comply with same “homeless” demeanor….till you get through the System…….be patient

    TDAAW……..DING….DING you get a letter verfiy PTSD and how much of percentage you will recieve per month.

    Army ex hubby: $680 to $700 per month, now is trying for more, from a fall he suffered in 1980, landed on head, got Work Comp $$$ enough to quit job, bought RV and ‘wife’ at time also quit job, they traveled over USA for 1 year..spent the money, came backto KC home, sold RV and both went back to same jobs. He retired with full benefits from his Local and has no issues.. NOW he has a TB 1 Traumatic Brain Injury, ringing in his ears, PTSD………..imagine that. Trying to collect TWICE on his fall in 1980 (NOT SERVICE CONNECTED) and ringing in ears is from being on job sites for years without ear protection and being a commercial grade firework display operator for years…….no ear protection……(Not service connected, ringing in ears)
    LIes, lies lies and also President of Local Chapter so no on questions him

    Marine Vet: Remarried 4 months after our divorce, has $300,000 home, $200,000 Condo on local lake, Caddy in garage, diamonds on the wife, money and retired with full benefits, pension from Job in 2009. Also gets “PTSD” suddenly…….and is getting money per month…for it.

    Both are members of the same Chapter of Vietnam Veterans for now, will remain namless………two rats means thousands hiding in the dark.

    In closing: Their mantra? “Screw the goverment………they owe us”.

    I heard this, saw it and lived with it………now I’m standing up and exposing it. Shame upon any Vet who uses the Govt they fought for, and says they are entitled to money, when their lives have been normal, successful and now enjoy the fruits of their labor of their careers but want MORE $$$.

    Our Gals/Boys coming home, with kids, homes, are floundering, losing their homes, divorce and kids in the fray………….

    STOP THE ABUSE OF PTSD BY VIETNAM VETS. Help those who truly need it…….and are effected.

    Thank you.
    Erin Brockivich II

    It is not enough to want the Truth, you must first know where to find it, and the Truth is elusive, cause it knows where to hide.

    If anyone would like me to share more on this, gladly will. Leave email on here and I will respond.

93. Emarchany, on January 31st, 2010 at 3:38 pm Said:

    I served 6 years in the Marines, I have 60% [disability] due to a combat related injury. I know that there are people filing fraudulent claims, but that is not the majority. I am only 32 years old and is really hard to wake up every morning with pain and also to feel that you are hopeless.

    [Editor's Note:]
    Readers and myself appreciate your military service to this country. We enjoy our freedoms because of people like you and want you to receive every benefit that you are entitled to. I agree that the vast majority of service related claims are legitimate and well deserved.

94. Natalie ., on February 1st, 2010 at 5:13 pm Said:

    To Emarchany and Editors Note

    I totally agree, with you both. Emarchany you deserve what’s due to you, and if I had my choice for you 100%. Key part of your statement? You are only 32. What is going on is with Vietnam Vets 55 and up who ARE NOT DISABLED, have money, savings, pensions, retirements and homes. They don’t wake up every morning with pain and feeling hopeless……..I know TWO here in KC and more who are checking the mailboxes everyday and LYING about disabilites.

    YES I enjoy our freedoms because of people like Emarchany……..and one drop at a time can break a rock in two. IF we would investigate all PTSD from Vietnam filed in the past 5-6 years………even ONE claim like my ex at 800 per month………for the past 5 years…….$48.000 someone else deserves.

95. cherie montgomery, on February 9th, 2010 at 11:57 pm Said:

    To Bill Near the Top:

    I was in the military and so I don’t have to shut up at all.

    I know someone miliking the system, working under the table and collecting 100% disability thirty years after his two year service commitiment. He did not go to war. He suffered no injuries and went on to take jobs here and there throughout his life and then found a guy at VA that found a way to get him the disability. This man painted my garage and I paid him yet his is 100% disabiled.

    the system is not just broken it is cracked in a million pieces.

    Vets that are hurt in the LINE OF DUTY deserve everything that they get in the form of compensation but they are left out to dry because of the money grubbers that know how to abuse the system

    Get off your soap box about anyone serving in the military deserving disability for anything that goes wrong with them. We all gett sick and injured and none of us get paid by our employer for the rest of our lives.

    War is different. True veterans should get what they need and I salute them. Fake Money Grubbers should be jailed. It would not be difficult for the va system to check and ask neighbors and others what they see and check up on what that 100% disabled vet is really up to.

96. Reginald B., on February 12th, 2010 at 6:08 pm Said:

    I have suffered from ptsd for five and a half years, I just put in a claim in Jan. I have been getting treated by the VA for two years. Look people if you never been to combat or even in the military you dont need to comment. If your a X and you are talking about a fake ptsd claim you need to stop. By the way people who suffer from ptsd dont push family away do they? think about it. You will never know what war its like sitting in your LIVING ROOM! Sometime’s I want to gather up some of you put you in a parking lot and watch how you respond to a motar attack. You will all S#@% when I would just be waiting for the all clear, I dont fear my life like the rest of you. Ptsd can be very dangerous, one of the reasons I dont have own a gun. Lets not forget soldiers get paid to kill people.

97. Nancy, on February 22nd, 2010 at 11:46 am Said:

    Thank you for posting this information. I know someone who served 2yrs in Army. Was in Iraq for less then a month. Hurt their back lifting something and was sent home. Later to be discharged. This person now claims 100% for PTSD and Back pain. I know PTSD is a serious thing. It’s a terrible thing. I have had my fair share of ‘episodes’ [not PTSD]. This person, who I believe IS depressed however I do not believe they have PTSD. I have become good friends with this person [not so much anymore however. I'm tired of it] and after further judgement, their depression stems from LONG before joining the Army. This individual never saw combat. They were on a base, in a building, processing people coming into the base yet they are using their ‘existing’ depression and calling it PTSD to get $$$.

    This person ALSO works out on a regular basis and rides motorcycles. Sport bikes to be exact, and if any are familiar with sport bikes they are a very aggressive bike when it comes to your lower back. This person has even admitted to me how they have to ‘be careful’ on their bike and to avoid any tickets… etc because [in their words] ‘If the VA found out they would take my 100% away’. I was flooored to say the least.

    This person is in their 20′s. Now living on 100% disability because they never got the ‘Government Contracting’ job they tried to get. To lazy to settle for something else. This person now also collects social security because they are considered ‘completely disabled’ and to them they feel [and have told me] it’s their right to take SS and theirs for the taking. Excuse me. I work 40+ hours a week. I pay my fair share into the SS-Pot and it’s because of people like THAT, why when I come to the retirement age I won’t HAVE any Social Security. All those years of working. All that money being poured into SS and I can’t collect on any of it because 20-somethings to lazy to lift a finger decided it was ‘their right’ to take from the pot.

    And before anyone tries to tell me that ‘I don’t know what it’s like…’ TRUST ME I know what it’s like. I am also a Vet myself. I have served longer in the Military than this indivdual and have served TWO tours in Iraq. I collect 0% from the VA. I never even tried to collect any disability from the VA. Why? Because im healthy. Im not going to ‘fake’ something to try and get some money. I have ringing in my ears from being around Jets all the time. It’s not worth it to me. I can still hear and have perfect hearing.

    We have Vets out their with missing limbs and [real] PTSD who get left in the dark where as people [like the one mentioned above] get all this money rolling in from the Government because they are to lazy to better themselves. To lazy to do anything. Does this person at least try and donate some of that money to VA organizations? NOPE! They go and spend spend spend and then brag about their new 42″ Flat screens and their new iPhones… etc. It’s sick.

98. Natalie, on March 4th, 2010 at 12:46 am Said:

    RIGHT ON NANCY…………

    .We have Vets out their with missing limbs and [real] PTSD who get left in the dark where as people [like the one mentioned above] get all this money rolling in from the Government because they are to lazy to better themselves. To lazy to do anything. Does this person at least try and donate some of that money to VA organizations? NOPE! They go and spend spend spend and then brag about their new 42? Flat screens and their new iPhones… etc. It’s sick

    EXACTLY…….This is exactly what is going on at the KCMO local Chapter on Union HIll. Fakes, money and more money. Now EX is claiming TB 1…..”new term” by the Veterans Admin. Fell in 1980 on JOB. Got Work Comp. Thousands.
    Now claming it again……….does anyone care?

99. mark, on March 7th, 2010 at 5:35 am Said:

    I live in a town of about 5000 and can name at least 200 fakers recieving va benifits. They all school each other on answers to give to get a check. this stress syndrome is the biggest load of crap scam ever run on the taxpayers. You cannot pay every person who served in Nam, af. and Ir. 2500 a month!

100. Jenna, on March 10th, 2010 at 8:06 pm Said:

     My ex receives 5400.00 mo from the VA. plus 1700.00 from ssi for PTSD, he owns a business, works outside sales for another business1600.00mo plus retirement. Brags about how you just have to know how to answer the questions. 8700.00mo ?????? I’d think life was great too, can anything be done? No wonder this country is broke

101. Scott, on March 13th, 2010 at 9:28 am Said:

     I believe the response from some vets is more about “Screwing the Government because they screwed Us”. We should have never gone to Iraq. No weapons of mass destruction were found. Investigators stated before the invasion that Iraq did not have WMD’s. After Sept. 11th, people flooded recruitment offices to get the people who hijacked our planes. Iraqi’s did not do this. Saudi’s, Jordanian’s and Kuwaiti’s did. Many soldiers feel that our government invaded Iraq for the sake of creating our generations Vietnam. A bogus war so politicians, lobbyists, Generals and special interest groups could manufacture products used in the war. Products often labeled as items that “will better protect our soldiers”. Like it/believe it or not…carrying 80 pounds of gear while deployed has been found to cause neck and back injuries.
     The soldiers were scammed by people like G.W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and L. Paul Bremer. I believe some soldiers feel that they are taking some kind of revenge out on these individuals and others that have profited from this war in Iraq.
     I can only imagine what this war will do to the lives of deployed soldiers, spouses, parents and children in the years to come.

102. Denise, on March 13th, 2010 at 10:22 pm Said:

     i just found this website because I want to report a person for defrauding the VA. I know he is a fraud because I have seen him walk perfectly normal when he thinks no one is watching but then when other people are around he uses a walker and walks as if he cannot bend at the hips (quite literally).He did have two hip replacements yet has admitted that if he shows improvement he will lose his benefits. I believe this is the kind of fraud most people writing here are concerned about . Now I do believe this man needed the assistance until he recieved the replacements and was adequately rehabilitated but like others on this site since he has improved and been successfully healed , why doesn’t the VA re-evaluate him because he is now capable of going back to work and caring for himself , what he lacks is the motivation . I am on SSDI due to multiple orthopedic problems and chronic pain and I am required to be re-evaluated every three years , this should be the same for anyone recieving assistance from the Federal Government . This would help keep the fraud in check . It took me three years to get approved for my disabilities , although this was a very long time to “scrape through” if there was less fraud the people with legitimate disabilities wouldn’t have to wait so long . Unfortunately , fraud is hurting the people that truly have a disability and need the help. I do not believe that all vets collecting disability benefits are frauds but I do believe the that the vets collecting benefits fraudulently are hurting the rest of us . ( I could also collect VA benefits but I refuse to because there are war vets coming home that need it more)!Anyway good luck to everyone and god bless

103. Rick, on April 20th, 2010 at 4:10 am Said:

     The VA Clinic in El Paso is well known for it’s racist attitudes regarding claims. If you’re not the right skin color your claim will be either denied or reduced. A so called “disbabled ” veteran receives a 80% disabilty for PTSD. That claim is highly unlikely in Air Defense!

104. joe grassia, on May 7th, 2010 at 9:35 pm Said:

     for all those who are interested in ptsd it has a revised policy jun 2008 the government calls ptsd a (personality disorder) i know i have ptsd i have been suffering with this for 24 years. please go to the website above scroll up you will see some letters from congress. if you can not find it please e mail me and i will send to you what i have it is very interesting because it concerns you.and our goverment is not being to kind to us . i’m a vietnam vet and i take this seriously.
     i’m presently waiting for my claim to come back ,and no i ‘am not milking the system if you haven’t been there you should not be to quick to judge because brother when you are on the dmz de marcasion zone ,called a combat zone
     and your about 5 miles from where the fightings you don’t have to much time to think ,so i will say no more but support the troops because they need us.
     and to the commet that rick made as stated above a so called disable ,there is
     no so called disable veteran we are retired are you? and i ‘m sorry but this is not about skin color i have some friends that are 100% and they are black and some are white,so rick if you want to find out about real truth about the va go to this site
     and surf it good i think you will see things differently.http://www.joshuaKors.com

     support our troops

105. leslie almeyda-mckinney, on May 10th, 2010 at 12:06 pm Said:

     I located this site while trying to find out who i can report possible abuse to. My childrens father was for a brief period of time a army combat medic. he did not serve in any wars. he is currently in child support arrears 47,000 dollars (plus). i was told he may be on disability for the army and if so child support cannot garnish it. what is wrong with this picture if you are in the army you are expected to pay child support but if you are on army disability you don’t have to. Another incentive to fake an injury. I’m not sure if he is on the disability as child support will not disclose that info to me. However when I went out with him he had an old knee injury (from a harness race accident) he used the knee injury to get disability from a feed co. he worked for even though it was a pre-existing condition. years later he worked as an emt and went on disability there too. Does anybody else see a pattern?
     I am not anti-veteran i have a cousin in the army and a sister in the navy. our veterans are entitled to benefits.
     I just don’t understand why (if he is receiving disability) he is not being made to support his children (he is up to child number 4, 3 different women). I would think the army would frown upon this. if anyone has any suggestions feel free to contact me at lsl_mckinney@yahoo.com.
     Thank You and God Bless!

106. Joe, on May 22nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm Said:

     Having never been in the military, let alone combat, I consider myself an expert on all things PTSD, just like most people here. I am motivated purely by greed, jealousy, and revenge. I am the kind of stooge that helped Hitler or Stalin gain power, and I will be the ruin of this nation. I love to attack and destroy those around me, yet I ignore the corruption of police and politicians. I am living proof that stupid is as stupid does. I think all veterans should be put in prison after their done serving their tour, and all combat veterans should be killed after the war, but come to think of it the VA “health care system” does a good job of killing them off already. I hate everyone, including myself. I am just like the rest of you.

107. Ayahme, on June 7th, 2010 at 8:17 pm Said:

     To Chad and others,

     I don’t know why anyone would fake a disease that robs you of your potentional and motivation for life. Before I joined the military I was well on my way to becoming a top Dr. I just needed money to get there, and parents(and not be wantin’ to mooch the system for college) had noone so I joined the military.

     Yes I signed up for the bullets, the being yelled at, grueling schedules, however Chad I did not sign up for being raped by a fellow soldier. I didn’t sign up for his drunken hands to throw me acroos the room like a rag. Yes I had a buddy ststem, but my my buddy felt like it was more important to party with her boyfriend than to adhere to the “buddy system. I didn’t sign up for the outbursts, the nightmares, the overactive starle response(always a joy 0300 hrs in the morning when you are trying to sleep…imagine a cycle of startling over, and over again for about 45min! Its like dying a little death each time.) I served over a decade with this disability until some Dr. from the VA sent me upstairs for futher eval. Even then I didn’t claim anything, because of certain people like you. I only started my claim(over a decade later, even after I got brief treatment in a civialian faciltty, didnt want my military “buddies” finding out) after I realized that outbursts at my co-workers and bosses were going to have me lose my job. It also alarmed me because the creature I worked so hard to control(PTSD) was festering and growing beyond my so-called will power.Then I couldn’t take care of my family, and you wouldnt want me to go on welfare…right!!!????

     Yes I look “normal”…a pretty girl with a pretty smile. But talk to me long enough, and you realise something is not quite right(I try so hard to appear/be normal by my” friend” PTSD always manages to wink and nod to let people know something is not quite right…freakin’ lovely right!!!??? ). I dare anyone to try to report me for fraud….that Dr, will get the ride of his life!!!!! After I tell him*** ALL*** that happened in the military he would retire!!!!

     I go to the VA and get ugggllly looks, from other Vets. Like who the Hell am I. I use to hang my head…but screw them!!! I am a hero just as much as you!! Granted I didn’t go to combat(my number didnt come up…sorry! I would have been ready to go if it did!), but I am entitled something even if it is a free square of toliet paper to wipe my ___ with. If I want to park my butt in a handicap spot with my psych tag…you’d better let me do it!!! If I have a panic attack or a flashback in the VA I need to(or you need to) be near the closest exit!!! If I could saw off my arm with a butter Knife to be cured of PTSD and never collect another penny from the VA, I would be happy! Because I could at least finish my dream of being a Dr.

     Warmest ,screaming @#$*^&, regards,

     Ayahme Marie

108. Mark, on June 10th, 2010 at 10:02 am Said:

     I am not a vet, but I do have an “invisible” disability from a job injury that is serious and chronic. My employer at the time chose to defraud workers comp and lie. I received minimal treatment for my initial injury (high concentration chemical inhalation-ie sulfuric acid (93%) as a mist) my claim was investigated and found to be valid. Yet my file notes still contain there blatant lies, a statement they obtained from a witness that has acid running uphill in a drain pipe, etc. To my knowledge, they were never investigated for defrauding or attempting to defraud the system (avoid higher premiums). Yet my applications to reopen have not only been denied in the past, but included insulting letters,( I now see were from perceptions from notes in my file ).
     I had to find my own way to get needed testing done, which by the way found definitively that my lung disease is from that, and am awaiting another reply form them. I can no longer work in any exposure to any irritants due to severe reactions, all my experience is industrial. My last job (supervisory) paid anywhere from 75k to 125k depending on the year, but also had me very ill almost all the time. Additionally not knowing what was wrong exactly I was getting treatment for symptoms to continue working in this environment that was making my illness worse.I can’t even clean house without a respirator now, and that still sometimes makes me sick.My meds make me fat, mainly prednisone( another nightmare in itself)but keep me alive . My neighbor commented the other day , just like some above, “there is nothing wrong with you except you need to lose weight”. And he knows very well I have been hauled to to the hospital in near fatal respiratory failure..though may perceive it as regular pneumonia-which it was not. I am having enough problems dealing with my illness and restrictions, I really don’t need ignorant comments like that.
     I very probably will die from this someday, but I do look fine,on the outside. Not so great on a ct scan etc. I think you all know where I think you can go, but let me quote from most of our elders ” if you can’t say anything nice (or helpful)then( stfu) don’t say anything at all”.Oh and thanks for all the consideration..

109. Eric Thomsen, on June 18th, 2010 at 6:54 pm Said:

     NICK above said this BS,:
     I work at the VA and I am an advocate for veterans who served in COMBAT to recevie disability and benefits for injuries and diseases due to as a result of COMBAT, I have a real issue with veterans getting disability benefits for disease and injuries that have nothing to do with their military service–it is a joke.
     Like Erik said above, too. If you’vw never been in the military like NICK and ERIC above, what the hell are you commenting for?
     NICK is an idiot. No wonder we veterans commit 20% of the suicides in this country. The VA has lied to me, stolen from me and hides everything from me. I have a congresswoman looking into the fiduciary arrangement I was duped into. I filed a FOIA request with the VA and they ignored it. I have absolutely no faith in the VA or it’s employees. Just a total waste of money, the VA itself.
     By the way, congress screwed us for 100 years before they obeyed the law they passed, to give concurrent receipt.
     I can’t get a straight answer to anything from the VA so if your a VA worker: “Shut up!”. I don’t want to hear you bad mouthing veterans. After all, we are the ones that created your job stupid.
     If you are duped into accepting a fiduciary, watch out. Kiss your entitlement good buy, the VA owns you and will report the fiduciary appointment to the FBI blocking your 2nd ammendment rights. They don’t tell you that until you go to buy a gun and get turned down. And that is for life.
     People who don’t pay their mortgage or credit bills or go bankrupt are not reported like Veterans are. Even though we may not be financially irrisponsible but the VA Field worker doesn’t like you or is getting kickbacks from the fiduciaries, you may find yourself reported for serviing your country. You stupid cowands that didn’t serve should be the ones reported to the FBI for being too stupid to own a gun.
     Disolve the VA and fire all the workers. Contract it out. I’ll take my chances.
     Signed Eric II and mad as hell.

110. heather, on June 30th, 2010 at 4:22 pm Said:

     I am writing to let you know one of my coworkers is receiving 40% disability from you all. He brags about it all the time. We live in a small town of Harlan KY and we both work for the post office. He leaves his office and goes to work out everyday. He also enters into body building contest. As far as I know he claims to have back problems. I just thought you would be interested in knowing this.

111. Veronica, on July 1st, 2010 at 9:34 am Said:

     I just realized I married a con artist. I must admit I did not do my homework well. I married my husband after dating him for 2 years. He served the navy for 10 yrs prior to meeting me. I admired him so much. I believed he was a man of honor and loyalty. Just to find out he had 2 previous marriages 3 with mine. After the wedding everything changed he said he was confused. We only had been married 5 months and he moved out on Valentines Day with no explanation. He had been divorced for 4 year before we got married. The first week I saw him on the computer changing his last wife name to mine on his VA benefit form. So he collected benefits for her for 4 year even though he was divorced from her and now collecting benefits for me for the last 1 yr 1/2. We are getting divorced now but he has been collecting the marital benefits and I want it to stop. Is this considered fraud and if so who do I report it to and how do I get it stopped?

112. Ron, on July 2nd, 2010 at 2:59 am Said:

     I recently met a guy in the Philippines, a 28 year old VA from California. His name is Samuel Brace, I could not believe that he is partying every night with groups of girls. There is nothing physically wrong with him, he stated that he was on easy time from being a war veteran, saying he had PTSD. Unbelievable. Well GUYS THATS WHERE YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING HUH? Sort it out. I cant give any other info on the guy but im sure the VA can easily find his name, address in California. He was boasting that he receives 100% disability, collecting $2000.00 a month? he visits the Philippines twice a year for 3 month long vacations. Easy time? Im in the wrong line of work!

     I SINCERELY HOPE YOU CATCH THIS GUY, CONTACT THE PHILPPINE IMMIGRATION AND HAVE HIM EXTRADITED FOR FRAUD. THE ONLY THING THAT IS WRONG WITH HIM IS THAT HE IS ONLY 5’7″ TALL….THATS IT.

     SO COME ON, FIND THIS GUY, 28 YEAR OLD SAMUEL BRACE FROM CALIFORNIA. CURRENTLY LIVING IN DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL, PHILIPPINES

     REGARDS

     RON

113. Lynne Barrow, on July 8th, 2010 at 3:32 am Said:

     I am friends with a man who is getting 100% disability from the VA for PTSD for which is NOT suffering from. He is just lazy and doesn’t want to work. He just received a check for $28,000 for retroactive payments. He told me that he was going to go through all of the hoops to get disability payments. He now collects 3 grand a month!
     What bothers me is that another friend of mine who was in combat during the Vietnam war and was exposed to Agent Orange died two years ago from lung cancer. He never smoked one cigarette in his life. He tried to get VA benefits to help him through his illness, with chemotherapy, but was denied disability.
     Another very good buddy of mine was also exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and he developed cancer of the kidney and prostate. Kidney and prostate were removed.. This man survived, but was denied benefits by the VA.
     I’m seriously upset that my friend who receives benefits because he defrauded the VA into believing he has PTSD is on cloud nine. He doesn’t have to work, but you and I pay our taxes to support this bum.
     I wish that I could report him, but PTSD is too hard to disprove, so this jerk will never be caught.
     People with REAL disabilities are denied, while vets feigning to have PTSD are scamming the VA!

114. Matthew in Bahrain, on July 16th, 2010 at 5:20 am Said:

     Hello,

     Wow, I have to admit that reading this postings has been an eye-opener and a great deal that has been discussed affects me on a very personal level. I am a soon to be a retired navy veteran with 20 years of service and I am in the process of getting all of my medical ailments diagnosed and treated prior to my transfer to fleet reserve early next year.

     I spent the bulk of my career (at least the first 15 years of it) denying the existence of any real back pain, joint pain, sleeping problems, etc, because I did not want it to potentially affect my advancement, and now that I am near the end of my career I have been obsessed with getting all things that I have had over the years looked at and diagnosed. I have such a fear that as I get older, if I can’t make the service connection – no matter how minor – that I will be denied treatment, and it has scared me to my senses to know that being preparing for retirement is probably the most crucial aspect of my entire career.

     Most of my career has been spent IMHO, in a guilded cage. Yes, I have been deployed to hostile areas, and as an aircrewman, has flown over hostile areas, I have lived overseas for most of my career, stationed in Japan, Italy and now, the Middle East. When I put in my papers for retirement last year, I decided to attend some VA benefit briefs and they were an eye-opener. The VA rep told us (and I spoke to him one-on-one as well), that we needed to get everything documented, no matter how minor, prior to getting out. And the irony is, that when I finally reported about all my joint and back pain, they actually FOUND proof via x-rays – arthritis, DJD, spurring, supplemented with extreme muscular strain and the associated pain. I have also grappled with sleep issues, and after I did a sleep study, I was found with a mild sleep disordered breathing, and I’ll be getting prescribed a CPAP soon. I say Thank God. I’m so grateful to finally be getting treated for all these ailments that I have been stomaching for so many years… and having it documented will definitely help out in the long run. I’m trying to think of myself at the age of 61 rather than 41 (my current age), and it’s just too darned important. As I mentioned before, I am obsessed and I do not want to be denied compensation or coverage because I may have thought of myself too much of a “pussy” for not getting it treated while on active duty. That, IMHO, is a great deal of the reason why so many deserving people get their claims denied. It’s all about documentation, documentation, documentation.

     I may very well get a rating of 60-70% when my VA claim is said and done, or I may get less but I’ll definitely be able to work. But I am feeling a little bit of guilt over the potential that I may be getting a better claim than the next guy, because I’m so paranoid and it is driving me to the point of getting everything looked at and there will be a service connection because it will have been documented while on active duty.

     As I have mentioned before, I have deployed to combat areas, and stationed in combat zones, but I have never directly been shot at, or seen anyone blown up (I am not filing for PTSD, but there may be some basis for some other mental illness in my particular situation); however, I have endured extreme environments, wacky sleep schedules, and some really stressful situations over my career. Should I feel guilty for pursuing these benefits, despite the fact that that many who are obviously more in need than me are getting denied because of the lack of service connection?

     I’m just so concerned about insuring my future health care. The honor and privilege has been mine to serve in the armed forces. I have done and seen some amazing things, and I know it is very hard for people back in the U.S. now, and I am grateful that there is at least a system out there in place that should (hopefully) cover for me when I transition to civilian life. I am very grateful to live in and serve for a county that considers taking care of veterans to be a “sacred covenant”. If I could have done it all over again, I would have joined when I was younger, and served longer. But it is time for me to come back home now, and I am hoping that the VA will accord me benefits that are justified. Thank you very much for allowing me to contribute to your forum.

115. cherie, on July 21st, 2010 at 6:55 pm Said:

     Va should not pay anything unless the injury is service related. I know a man that was in the army two years. He did not go to war. He was a jeep driver. He got out of the military and went on with his life. Job her and there getting fired never really wanting to better himself. Well, about 25 years later he is living off the government because he has not job. Someone at VA , while he was there getting his free medicine simply due to being a Veteran, told him that because he had a heart issue prior to going into the army that he could apply for disability. Well, he applied and he got 30 percent. That started the ball rolling. The VA administrater told him that because he was in a car wreck while in the army that he could get him 100 percent , plus back pay. Mind you that he was off duty and driving to fast and drinking and got in a wreck and injured a couple of disks in his back. Still worked though off and on throughout that 25 year period after getting out of the army. Today he is sitting happy on a house on a hill and gets 100 percent disability. He also got thousands of dollars in back pay.
     This man that advised him to do this has since passed away. I called the VA to report the fact that I have seen this disabled man cut trees down, move furniture, work on the side selling antiques etc….They got mad at me , yelled at me and told me that it was none of my business. I live on alimony because my husband beat me up and ruined my back and I am in pain every day. I also served in the Coast Guard and broke my ankle in the Guard and I refuse to blame the Guard for an accident. I have more pride than that. I really want to know how to report this flagrant misuse of the system when the True Disabled Vets need the funding and sources for care and these “oh , poor me” someone owes me something people should be made to pay back Every Dime of what the government gave them if their injury was not directly caused by the duty they performed in the military. To me it is nothing less than stealing to take money that you did not earn even in the military.

116. cherie, on July 21st, 2010 at 7:01 pm Said:

     To all of the soldiers that did go to war and are seriously injured I thank you for your service to this country and my email is CherieLMontgomery@yahoo.com
     I live in Kentucky and if you are in need of help write me. If I can walk and am having a good BACK day I want to help you if you are in need.
     God Bless America and the brave men that fought for the people living freely due to their selfless work.

117. Ayahme, on July 25th, 2010 at 6:22 pm Said:

     Cherie,
     Some of us did not go to war, but did support people that did go to war. It doesn’t make us less of a vet. I was deployed in support of Opporations in Bosnia. Every soldier that does his/her job is supporting another soldier.
     I don’t think there is such a thing as”simply being a vet.”

118. Disgusted, on July 28th, 2010 at 4:28 pm Said:

     I am totally disgusted reading all of these posts. I personally know of a man who is currently receiving 90% medical disability after serving in the USMC for 8 yrs. He reportedly is suffering excrutiating shoulder pain from an injury that occurred while he was teaching karate – had surgery and now receives disability because of this. He also pulled a groin muscle that required treatment which he’s also receiving disability for. He reportedly broke a bone while running during his time in service, continued running “through the pain” and now receives disability for this. This man is more able-bodied than anyone else that I know yet he is still receiving 90% medical disability from the government. He works out at a gym on a daily basis, lifts weights, lives a very active life, golfing, swimming, throwing his kids while swimming, etc. He is now seeking 100% medical disability so that he can be deemed “medically retired” which will enable him a lifetime of disability payments. This is absolutely shameful and should not be tolerated. The government should follow-up on these individuals on a yearly basis to re-evaluate their disability classifications. Of course, this should be carried out in a manner so that the individual would not know that they are being followed. There are many former vets who know how to work the system and put on award-winning performances when they meet with their VA doctors. This scam is an embarrassment to all who have served this country.

119. JT, on July 29th, 2010 at 7:35 pm Said:

     We are an entitlement nation. Look at how many people here are trying to take the taxpayers for every penny they can. These people think they are justified in stealing our money just because they served in the military. We are a nation of wimps that just want to get paid. People don’t want to work anymore. This nation is a freaking joke!

120. JJ, on August 5th, 2010 at 8:17 pm Said:

     My father in law was never in a war and was in the service during peace time. He was stationed in Germany for some training and while over there he and some buddies got drunk and wrecked a Jeep requiring him to be in a full body cast for about 6 months. That was 25 years ago and now he recieves 100% disability from the military. His claim is back injury and COPD. Yet amazingly he is able to ride his motorcycle across country to go to Sturgis and climbs on top of campers to scrub them to make extra money. He sells his pain pills because he doesnt need them. Makes me sick, especially when I think of the people who really need the money. In my oppinion he should get off his lazy ass and get a job!

121. ogseybaby1, on August 16th, 2010 at 8:12 pm Said:

     Sounds like there are alot of people who are jealous of disabled veterans. Not all of you, but the some of you are the true downfall of society. Instead of hating on these veterans go to the recruiters and sign up for a tour in Iraq or Afganistan and get a true taste of what you THINK you know. This is truely pathetic and some of you should be downright ashamed to look in the mirror.

122. Patricia Quinn, on August 21st, 2010 at 11:55 am Said:

     Wow…I am amazed at the remarks here…..I have to agree that the VA system is abused but that is done by a very, very small percentage of people. Just like all other goverment programs there will be abuse. However most of you sound like old hippies that never or hardly ever worked an honest job in your life. Now that you are old farts you get zippo from social security. 99.9% of the Veterans are deserving of this compensation. I only wish that the low life people that have shit and continue to shit on our military had to pay for the entire cost of the VA programs. The problem is these turds dont have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out.

123. James Robert Ponzio, on August 22nd, 2010 at 6:07 am Said:

     I made a mistake 13 years ago,and I paid for it dearly. I sent in false
     claims to the VA, They held my checks from 2001 April till the present time. I have asked for forgiveness time and time again for what I did to the VA in Pitt. Pa. In doing what I did I lost everything I worked so hard to get, My wife and I lost our Home , Insurance ; car, you name it and we lost it. I was in the process of get a Pres.Pardon when the people in Pitt.Pa told me I did not have to do it that way,All I had to do was write a letter to there office and ask that my benefits be restarted. So I did what I was told and that was in 2005,That was the year the amount that I took was to be repaid to the V A.

     My wife and I are both 100% disabled and we live on so little money we have to ask my children to help monthly for us to live. I can’t understand why I can’t have my benefits restored,I paid the price and also was sent to a Fed.Camp in New Jersey which did. Also when I was aprehanded in the VA hospital in Philadelphia.Pa. I gave myself up to end it all. I went back to the states to give my self up like I said they did not come and get me, I did what my laywer told me to do.

     I have no Idear who will read this letter But I have beena disabled Vet for 45 years this year , is there anyone out there that can help me get my life togather. I love my country and I was on my way to V Nam when I broke vertabrays in my neck and spent 10 months in the Hosiptal in Fort Benning Ga. And it was service connected. I could have gotten out early from the Army but I wanted to finnish my tour of duty. Please help

     I am Mr.James Robert Ponzio ( 68 years old and looking for help)
     Phonenumber—-011-49-6409-661450—In Germany
     E-Mail Address—- anna_maria-ponzio@t-online.de

124. Danielle, on August 22nd, 2010 at 3:39 pm Said:

     My friend is just started claiming PTSD to up her money amount when her mom’s business went under. She kept asking me about my symptoms over and over again. I was brutally attacked at my job and almost raped. I ended up having to get ECT treatments and have angoraphobia. She’s never had depression or anxiety. She spent two years in the Navy partying and planned having a baby to get out. She then said she had headaches and depression. She want’s to pay for her half million dollar house and play on her Harley and go boating all summer and skiing all winter. She still works two jobs under the table and claimed unemployment working up to three jobs at one time clearing up to 150, 000 one year. She then told them she had PTSD, and laughed saying it was more money right. She’s never had a headache in 22 years. I’ve never seen her depressed unless she’s upset about money and it’s not depressed. I’ve lived with her a couple of times. She told people bragging that she was a desert storm vet and we were in high school. She’s always bragging about getting their money for free so she can go boating all day. If she can’t work, than why is she still. She was turned in by a couple of people she screwed over money wise and she used their disabilities for her own benefit, and she still got more money and full disability instead of 3/4.

125. Patricia Quinn, on August 28th, 2010 at 6:56 pm Said:

     I wonder how long your friend would be your friend if she was to read your post. My guess is you dont have any friends.

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