Ron II

We probably will never agree on this issue, but I respect your right to a different opinion--I've been wrong before, but in this case, I think law and regulations are on my side. To me, what you are saying is that although the vet's current problems are due to his/her own misconduct, they should receive benefits because they did a good job. To me, there are two separate issues. Doing a good job is what is expected. Participating in misconduct is one's own choice and against the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice). I think both opinions are greatly influenced by the military experiences of you and myself. Your service was during the draft era and a time of great turmoil in the Army. That turmoil included the riot at the LBJ in Long Binh Vietnam, massive abuse of drugs and alcohol, riots in Germany, and I could go on and on. I served during that time and for another 21 years subsequently. The majority of that time was in the All-Volunteer Army. Those negative things (on a large scale) that you saw, were eliminated for the most part. There were still problems, but they did not permeate the Army as a whole. Personnel who used drugs were put out of the Army. I saw a Division Command Sergeant Major relieved and told to retire after one DUI. The old, apparent tolerance for those activities was gone... I probably should not have gotten into this discussion because I truly believe there is a general anti-military feeling among many Hadit members. Those feelings are articulated through comments that seemingly say, "Military bad; all who have served, good." The fact is, that all who served did not serve without misconduct and some served dishonorably. I know because I sat on enough courts martial to form an educated opinion.

For once I have to respectfully disagree with you. Millions of young men (approximately 2.1M) were told they had to go to Vietnam. I was one of them. (And yes, there were some women there as well). I knew many drug abusers during my year there and heroin was the drug of choice for some of them. Mine happened to be alcohol. None of the soldiers with whom I served in Vietnam were traumatized; they just chose to use drugs. It is an activity prohibited by the U.S. Manual for Courts Martial and the U.S Code of Military Justice. Participating in that activity is considered "misconduct." When I went to Germany the first time, in 1972, the barracks to which I was assigned looked like a billows with all the hashish smoke come out of it. The activity of those soldiers was considered misconduct, regardless of one's personal attitude toward soft drugs. Drugs were in a lot of places, not just Vietnam and all of the military personnel assigned to those locations were "told" to go there. (i.e., ordered). Many of the people who decide to get off drugs suffer withdrawal symtoms and many suffer domestic and social consequences as well. Unfortunately, those problems were caused by misconduct. Ron

Me too! Also, I worry that someday an "enthusiastic" young police officer might taser me for some reason and short circuit my cardiac pacemaker. It could happen..."Don't tase me Bro."

You might try Social Chat at Hadit link for Social Chat

I'm with you on this John. Like you, I had an incomplete heart exam since my METs were not measured AND there was no medical contraindicated. My C&P doctor assigned my METs level by using Extra Sensory Perception (ESP). B) Ron

VA Disability Exam Worksheets The link shown above will take you to 57 Disability Examination Worksheets that are in use both by the doctors of VHA (Veterans Health Administration) who do the disability examinations and by the rating specialists, hearing officers, and Decision Review Officers of VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) who do the disability evaluations. I don't remember if this was posted previously. Ron

Yes, your DM II will be considered a service-connected disability since it first showed up while you were on active duty. From what you posted, 20% is the right percentage. Ron

Good luck and good idea regarding documenting everything...Ron

Hi Cowgirl! I don't think there are many military retirees on here, but I do know of at least three. There are also many visitors who might find the info useful, so I thought I would post the schedule.

That information makes me glad that I did return the Vasquez document. I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law's experience. Good luck... Ron

Others probably have much recent experience with this, but I received the same type of letter in Feb-Mar 08 and I'm still waiting. However, my case involves new and material evidence submitted after a DRO appeal was denied. Good luck in any case... Ron

Below is the schedule for viewing your tax statement on myPay for the tax year 2008: December 10, 2008 Retiree Account Statement December 15, 2008 Retired 1099R December 15, 2008 Annuitant Account Statement December 15, 2008 Annuitant 1099R

I agree.

Yep, he is a graduate of West Point. Ron

I believe your statement is accurate, but Shinseki is widely known for being principled. He obviously is not a person who would be afraid to tell the emperor he was wearing no clothes. I'm going to be positive about this selection until I see him being ineffective and hopefully that will not occur. Ron

Welcome... To me and most others I believe, your service regardless of when or where it occurred is important. I served in Vietnam and wasn't in any more danger than when I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. That was my experience; those who had jungle duty had a very different experience. My PMOS was finance and accounting. Glad you're with us. Ron

A great choice IMHO. Ron

I was hoping for Tammi Duckworth to get that job, but the general is a great choice as would have been Duckworth. I like Shinseki. As we know, "...Shinseki, 66, is the former Army chief of staff who upset his civilian bosses in 2003 when he testified to Congress that it might take several hundred thousand U.S. troops to control Iraq after the U.S. invasion. He was forced out of his job within months for being "wildly off the mark." But his words proved prophetic after President George W. Bush in early 2007 announced a "surge" of additional troops to Iraq after miscalculating."

Dang!!

Thank you Hadit and all its members for the advice, support, and interesting dialogue I've seen and participated in over the past couple of years. Nope, I'm not going away, I just wanted to offer kudos to a great organization and its wonderful members. Ron

You're right of course. BTW, I'm part of the 75% who are eligible, but never use it. However, I am glad for those who do use it...they earned it.

Government agencies do not customarily send their checks via certified mail. I hope it is good news, nevertheless. Ron

To my knowledge, every federal government agency applies increases the same way. If an increase is effective the first of January for example, the increased rate would be received at the end of January or first of February. One has to accrue the pay before it is paid (e.g., raise effective 1 Dec 08, increase is not payable until a month has elapsed--eom Dec 08 or first day of Jan09). I think one point of confusion is the month for which one receives pay. The VA compensation you receive on 1 Dec 08 (or a day or so earlier due to Thanksgiving) is the pay for November 2008. Ron

As others have stated, you will receive the increased rate on your next pay check or deposit. The raise was effective 1 Dec 08 and just like military pay, you accrued pay for one day on the 1st; 2 days pay on the 2nd, 3 days pay on the 3rd, etc. Since VA compensation is based on a monthly rate and is not paid incrementally, one has to wait until a full month has elapsed before you receive the new pay (rate). Ron 23 years U.S. Army Finance Corps

This is not the same thing, but I found, at least in my case, every time I sent a piece of evidence, the VARO took the opportunity to extend the dates one could possibly expect a review (i..e., a new suspense date was given to provide any more new evidence). I have gone from being supportive of the VA to having the very worst impression of any agency I have ever dealt with and THAT includes the IRS and back taxes. Ron