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Wayne M · 08-07-2013, 08:36 AM

I don't know how to title this video, but when you click on the link, read the information before and after the video, then click play. I'm just going to call it "Phony Claim," just my opinion.

My thanks to Congresswoman Duckworth for her service and her sacrifice.

Phony Claim

Sky_Boss · 08-07-2013, 09:30 AM

I saw that a couple weeks ago...I wonder if the fraud has come up for air yet?

I don't begrudge one dime to our service members for medical care and disability payments. OTOH...I know of some that draw significant disability while working full time for the government without any hint that the disability is hindering them. I really have mixed emotions on that one.

Regardless...Duckworth took him to the wood shed and rightly so!

flaggship1 · 08-07-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

I saw that a couple weeks ago...I wonder if the fraud has come up for air yet?

I don't begrudge one dime to our service members for medical care and disability payments. OTOH...I know of some that draw significant disability while working full time for the government without any hint that the disability is hindering them. I really have mixed emotions on that one.

Regardless...Duckworth took him to the wood shed and rightly so!

I know many service connected disabled vets who were given no option. They were medically retired by the military and told to go home with their disability or medical retirement pay. They were also told - use your GI Bill and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and go to college and earn a degree, and contribute to your country and society by going to work. No - you are not combat ready - no you can not stay. Yes we know you can serve and do your job as - let's say for the sake of argument - a radar air traffic controller. Yes - the FAA will be happy to hire you. Go - live your life. Yes you are still disabled - yes you're still medically retired military. Thanks for your service.

Maybe that will help with your emotions when you think about it.

Just sayin. And btw - thanks for your service Don!

Wayne M · 08-07-2013, 10:49 AM

p.s., Congresswoman Duckworth, was a Capt. and Pilot. Her helicopter was shot down over Iraq. She lost both of her legs and use of her right arm.(I believe she has limited use.)

Don, et. al.,

Many veterans have disabilities that are not apparent to the human eye. PTSD, Diabetes, kidney functions, prostate problems, and on and on and on. Many of those hidden diseases allow a person to work. Should they draw an allowance for those disabilities? Personally I can tell you that I would rather not have the disability and have a full productive life.

I am, on the other hand, against the type of, what i consider, fraud as depicted in the video. The person responding to Congress has gotten hundred of thousand's dollars in financial aid for his business based on a prep school ROTC injury to an ankle. Never spending a day on active duty. I don't believe that warrants VA support.

But who am I?

flaggship1 · 08-07-2013, 10:54 AM

^^ good follow up Wayne. I hear the VA is now treating Who Am I syndrome - but it is right there in your profile.

I did see this reported on the news. She took him to the mat. She's got the right stuff.

As always brother Wayne - thanks for your service and your sons!

Wayne M · 08-07-2013, 01:25 PM

Trust me fellow veterans. When I go to the VA hospital and I'm able to walk in on two feet and in an upright position, I am humbled. I shake my head at myself and to myself say, "What am I doing here," as I see the masses of veterans missing limbs. But I need the meds, and I need the treatment, so "who am I."

Just another veteran on VA care. I thank the VA for taking care of the veterans with disabilities.

I thank those entities that recognize veterans, and who support them in many ways, through discounts and programs designed to help the veteran.

To all that have served, and to all those that support veterans in any way, thank you.

PyrateSilly · 08-07-2013, 02:49 PM

I would give up all the "benefits" to get back to full health. By just looking at me you would never know that the docs are surprised I am still walking and that I am not allowed to work anymore. You would not know that when I got my life time membership card for the DAV at age 25 that I cried. I try to be happy and you would be surprised to know that it takes a lot for me to not to fall into a depression. But hey if it makes that person feel better to yell at me for having the parking tag or anything like that go for it cause karma will come back and bite you 3 times as hard. It really makes me upset when I hear about people like that guy. He has no clue about real hero's.

dmason · 08-07-2013, 06:24 PM

Makes me think about my Dad, a WWII veteran who lost his right leg many, many years ago. Although gone for now for some 35 years I can still remember him parking in a non-handicap spot and walking into the hospital for his checkup. I asked him one time why he didn't use the handicap spot. He said there's lots more folks who are worst off than me, I'll leave it for them to use.

Pepper2 · 08-07-2013, 06:51 PM

Folks he was hurt playing football in college. As I read it, he was never in the services. He deserves didly-squat.

Wayne M · 08-07-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepper2

Folks he was hurt playing football in college. As I read it, he was never in the services. He deserves didly-squat.

Nope. It was a Military Prep School in 1984.

Read here

Some additional information: (Sorry - He found a loop hole)
Source "TIME U.S." - "Braulio Castillo would not have been considered a veteran had he completed his year at USMAPS without injury. Normally, a cadet is not considered a veteran until he or she graduates from West Point, enters active duty, and subsequently leaves active duty. Time spent at USMAPS and West Point is considered training, not active duty. However, if a person is injured at either school, he or she becomes a veteran due to the service-connected disability. This policy is codified with respect to service at the academies, and is extended in the Code of Federal Regulations to include prep schools."