Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Policy That Caps Disability Ratings Angers Vets

I write in response to your article about how a policy shift in 1986 cut the number of disability retirements issued by the military.

Last April I was placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List due to injuries I sustained during a mission 45 kilometers north of Tikrit in 2005. I received treatment for more than a year and asked to be discharged and to go through the Medical Evaluation Board. To my astonishment, the MEB only awarded a 20-percent disability rating. I could not understand how they came out with such a conclusion when both of my arms, my right shoulder and right leg were useless.

I submitted my appeal and requested a formal hearing before the Physical Evaluation Board. In reviewing several regulations, I discovered
that the process was done unfairly and sent my findings to my appointed JAG
lawyer. Two days later the PEB sent back results with a 50-percent rating.

Why does any wounded or injured soldier have to fight for the process to be fair?

And even after being placed under TDRL with eligibility for TRICARE Prime, disabled retirees like me are told when using military treatment facilities that we should go to the VA because we are now veterans.

Picture a pinball machine and the ball is the veteran.

CARLOS R. ESCOBAR
Fort Bliss, Texas.

Your article on military disability retirements addressed something that has baffled me for the last 18 years. I was medically retired and given a 60-percent disability rating for a single condition, my heart. When my records were prepared for disability review there were other major issues regarding exposure to Agent Orange (for which I’m on the VA registry); jaw and cervical spine problems and loss of teeth, all from a helicopter accident in Vietnam; knee problems from jumping out of helicopters that could not land because unfriendly people were waiting to greet us. This represents about one third of what was listed on my disability board paperwork.

I asked about all these other issues and was told Army policy was only to allow one condition and the rest would be researched by the Department of Veterans Affairs. I am now 90-percent disabled with a 100 percent because I’m unemployable. In 2000 I filed for disability from Social Security and after a two-year battle was awarded it.

So, three parts of same government have three separate rules. Can you imagine how many man hours were spent on little ol’ me alone? If we can eliminate duplication or triplication of standards, we could spend more time and money taking care of our wounded solders rather on paperwork.

JOHN J. MEGAN
Sergeant Major, USA-Ret.
Via e-mail

It appears to me that Spec. Kenneth Parham, referenced in your column, certainly earned Army disability [retirement] benefits. If the Army originally found Kenneth “fit for duty” to send off to war, but now finds him “not fit for duty” because of injuries sustained in that war, is the Army not morally obligated, if not legally liable, for any medical attention he may need to recover and, barring recovery, compensation for the rest of his “unfit for duty” life?

I understand we have a voluntary military. However, they volunteer with the idea their country will not abandon them if they are injured. We owe them more than $40,000 severance pay. We owe them the best medical care our money can buy and adequate compensation for honorably serving their country.

SUSAN MINGUS
Colorado Spring, Colo.

After the column was published, Kenny Parham had his appeal hearing. The Army awarded him a permanent disability of 30 percent, up from 20 percent. The upgrade will make him a disabled “retiree” eligible for TRICARE as well as base shopping and other privileges of military “retiree” status – Tom Philpott

What an embarrassment and disgrace that concerns about rising military disability costs allowed the government/ politicians to engage in legal contractual manipulation, changing what one would believe is a commitment when enlisting so that it becomes discretionary pursuant to an administration’s convenience.

Just imagine a service member deciding not to comply with an order because of being “wary of” sustaining a disability or death as you say the government was “wary” in 1985 of rising disability costs. No, sorry, death would be okay since there would be no need to assign a disability rating.

What happened to this country’s respect for its Veterans? No one
wants war. But when necessary, the monetary costs should pale in significance to the human price paid by veterans and their families.

JOE MEHESKI
USMC-Ret.
Via e-mail

It is an outrage that when our men have served their country, giving hearts and souls and most of all their health, our country finds ways to make it difficult if not impossible to get decent health care. My husband served 22 years with the understanding if he gave everything he had to his country he would not have to worry about health care later. Now my son has enlisted. Will he be used until the military is done with him and then tossed aside when no longer useful?

CINDY ELLER
Via e-mail

While your column on the Department of Defense squeezing the disability retirement system through legal interpretation was shocking, a fact needs to be clarified.

Veterans who are mustered out with a 0 to 20-percent disability, or any veteran for that matter who proves service-connected disabilities and are later rated by VA to be 100-percent disabled, are entitled to special health benefits for their families.

The spouse and younger children can be enrolled in CHAMPVA, which pays 80 percent of their healthcare treatments with no premium. A spouse can be covered under CHAMPVA until he or she reaches age 65, then CHAMPVA for Life takes over, acting as a supplement to Medicare.

Until a spouse reaches age 65, some VA hospitals have clinics that treat them at no expense. Also, 100-percent disabled veterans and their eligible dependents can obtain a military identification card and shop at commissaries and exchanges on base. 

JAMES TEVIS
Nicholasville, Ky.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com