ethical acceptance of VA welfare?
Interested in hearing your opinions on this.
If I served in the military, retired after 20+ years and then applied to the VA for compensation for medical issues that had been active over the years. If I was awarded 60% disability for problems that were now resolved and not affecting my health, would it be ethical for me to take that money?? It is money paid by other tax payers, it is given to me for medical issues that are not affecting my health.
Would you think that those with an entitlement mentality would accept this money, being paid every month, for a non-active medical condition??
As I consider myself a patriot, love my country and served with honor, would this taking of others tax money be an honest thing to do?? I do think that entitlements are a huge drain on this country and accepting money that is not really yours for a non-issue constitutes fraud.
What do you think??
Thank you for your opinions. Michael, I am aware of the offset of retired pay with VA compensation. If a service member did not retire, but served his/her time of enlistment, then seeks a VA rating for conditions either caused or aggravated by service, I have no issue with that.
I see Vets who claim high cholesterol, asthma, depression, anxiety etc.etc.etc for way to get money from the government (tax payers) and this has nothing to do with their service.
I see fully functioning members, working full time but also drawing 100% disability for various non-combat related issues.
It is the VA giving out tax payer's money for minor medical conditions, for the life of the vets, that I find often fits into the entitlement mentality.
How can these vets do that?? Perhaps they do not care, are not ethical or seek to grab at the cash, as so many others do.
I would expect better out of our Vets!! Sad.
Thank you for your crude reply, Marine 5.
As a matter of fact, I am a vietnam era vet, serving 21 years active duty, I am not sure if you stayed in long enough to retire, but your experiences with the VA certainly have slanted your views on government entitlements.
After serving 9 years enlisted, 9 years Warrant Officer and 3 years as an O3, I may have gotten a better view of the military than many others.
Working in the medical field for the past 39 years has also exposed me to many,many Vets, and they have been the basis for the opinions I have. You, sir, have the right to your own opinion, but please leave any name calling out of your comments. Frankly, it is way below the conduct I would expect of a member of the Marine Corp.