Veterans Compensation Act Of 2009

[broncovet]

According to what I have read this ACT 407, "The Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2009" which has been passed by congress but not yet signed by the president, will give us a raise.

If you read the link, those changes, if the president signs it, would mean about a 5.7% increase, or about a $150 more for a 100% disabled Vet effective December 1, 2009.

I dont know..maybe I dont get it, but it looks like we are getting a nice raise unless Obama vetoes it.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/ge...:s407es.txt.pdf

More is here:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-407

Considering that vawatchdog.org says that our normal COLA would be about 0% this year, I would say 5.7% is a much improvement from that.

http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfjun09/nf061809-1.htm

[Pete53]

Summary said the same as Social Security Cola so I believe it is the same thing they pass so that COLA is matched. No don,t think that its the Quality of Life one

[Testvet]

we got that 5.7% last year the COLA that is projected for this year is a negative number and the only thing good about that is they don't reduce our checks by that amount sadly no social security or veterans compensation recipients will get an increase this year despite the fact all utility companys and most other companies we do business with will be raising their rates wo already have gas for the house, cable TV, groceries, I have NOT seen any reduction in any items in the cost of living that I come into contact with

the only way most of us are going to see a raise this year is to file for another issue that would obtain us more funds like loss of use K award, aid and attendance, housebound etc and in that case you most likely won't see the money until late 2010 anyway I think you can sell blood without them counting it as employment.....

[MikeR]

Actually I did some research and found another bill competing with H.R. 1513 which ties Social Security CPI increases to the VA comp. Every explanation of this bill states that there is no projected increase to the tax payer.

The other bill on the President's desk waiting signature started with this language in Feb 2009:

S. 407 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amounts paid to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors for dependency compensation, at the same cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment rate payable to recipients of Social Security. This increase would take effect on December 1, 2009.

Then is changed to this:

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase, effective December 1, 2009, in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, to codify increases in the rates of such compensation that were effective as of December 1, 2008, and for other purposes.

It may be that S 407 is fixing H.R. 1513, but we should call Senator Akaka's office to ask for certain.

Mike

[broncovet]

Test...yes, I have heard, also, that they are talking about a zero percent Cola.

The very puzzling thing is

Why would there be legislation to keep VA and social security Cola's the same, when they are already the same, are they not?

[broncovet]

Has it occurred to anyone that the Department of Veterans Affairs has already gotten a substantial increase and maybe a part of this is being returned to the Veteran, so that no taxes need to be raised, that is, the increase is already in the budget.

I mean, if they are not passing these huge DVA budget increases to the Veterans, who is getting the extra money? More employees? More hospitals? More administrative expense for more red tape?

Of the huge increases for department of Veterans Affairs, would it not make sense that Veterans get at least some of this money, instead of giving it to the VA to create still more red tape for us.

[Testvet]

Test...yes, I have heard, also, that they are talking about a zero percent Cola.

The very puzzling thing is

Why would there be legislation to keep VA and social security Cola's the same, when they are already the same, are they not?

Because like all politicians they can claim they VOTED us a COLA raise but due to the fact that there was NO inflation veterans and social security aren;t getting any COLAs which is not THEIR fault after all they voted for US to get a raise but the fact that the CPI shows a negative inflation means we don't get one, but we congressmen and senators voted for you to get one so sorry but vote for us anyway because we delivered for you yada yada yada in other worsds they know we ain;t getting a raise and a vote doesn't cost them anything

now see which way they vote when that Quality of life 25% increase comes to the floor and see how they vote it won't be 100% for veterans I am sure

[Pete53]

No reason to be worrying about COLA's yet

[Philip Rogers]

It never ceases to amaze me how veterans here, receiving payment at the 100% rate, keep crying for, in the words of Billy Idol, more, more, more!!! Don't get me wrong, I greatly appreciate any increase we receive and have yet to refuse one but to sit around, in June, worrying about whether or not we'll get an increase, in December, and how much it'll be, is senseless. I'm quite content with all that we receive. But then, again, I've been accused of suggesting that we should "just think happy thoughts." jmo

pr

[broncovet]

I agree with Grunt...that huge increase that the VA gets will probably go to performance bonuses for the VA doing a good job.

After all the VA has done to Veterans recently...infecting more than 50 of them with serious and life threatinging illnesses...increasing the backlog from 400,000 to almost one million Veterans waiting for the VA to "process" their paperwork, shredding Veterans claims and evidence, etc, etc, its a wonder that Veterans dont start world war 3 against the VA.

[Testvet]

flip I have made the same comments in other threads and was told they weren't "greedy" they just want what they think they are "due" heck I am living better now than I did working full time at the post office I have no complaints we have won the "lottery" and this house knows it has been blessed the freezer and pantry is always full I can't say that about the past

Edited June 27, 2009 by Testvet (see edit history)

[Philip Rogers]

Mike, I know what you're saying! If life were just and fair our active duty personnel would be getting paid $60k-$100k a yr for what they are doing and veterans would get what they were promised. My lifestyle is much better than the first 10 yrs, before I won what I earned. But alas, life isn't like that. jmo

pr

flip I have made the same comments in other threads and was told they weren't "greedy" they just want what they think they are "due" heck I am living better now than I did working full time at the post office I have no complaints we have won the "lottery" and this house knows it has been blessed the freezer and pantry is always full I can't say that about the past

[broncovet]

I am happy for those people who are living better now on Va disability then they were before.

However, if these people waited 7 years for the VA to "process" their benefit check while watching their home be foreclosed, and vehicle repossesed, maybe they would not have such a great attidude either. It wasnt just about the money..the wife of 20 years left about the same time my home was foreclosed, too.

My "hardship request" was shredded.

I am going to try to get a better attitude, but I am still smarting from loosing my home, car, and family.

[Philip Rogers]

broncovet - I understand all that! I went thru all the same things. Only, I lost two houses, wife and eventually had to file backruptcy. My car wasn't worth taking. Now, I'm back in a house, vehicle is fairly new, I like living alone and have moved on. I've forgiven the VA or at least don't let them ruin my day, any more. I know, now, they weren't just out to get me but do screw everyone, as they are equal oppurtunity yada, yada, yada!!!! It'll get better, even if it's only after we die. jmo

pr

[Josephine]

Please don't take this wrong, as I am one who waited most of their life

for compensation.

Was it my fault, no it wasn't. My Psychiatric Records were intended to

be destroyed, but a Saint of a Doctor who treated me in service and

assisted me with my discharge, personally sent my military record to

The St. Louis Archives for me to locate 40 years later.

The Regional Office always told me they didn't exist.

I located them myself and spent 7 years from 2001 - 2008 before I saw

a dime of money.

I went from the R.O to the BVA remanded to the AMC and back to the

BVA Judge to grant me fair compensation.

Why did it take me so long, I had filed for benefits at a much earlier date.

The claim was re-opened and all Hell broke loose for me.

It was called Deny anyway you can and this they did.

It took a trip to D. C to for an Independent Medical Opinion from an

Expert Forensic Psychiatrist to tell them in writing what they already knew.

Yes my retro was paid back 16 years. Low balled of course, but I am grateful

for my 100% now.

Am I better off today?? Financially Yes, but my health No.

I know that I have the evidence to go for the other money, but I am grateful

to Hadit and its' members for helping me secure what they did grant me.

I may have rattled so much that I am off the Topic Thread.

I am like Phillip, I just do not allow them to ruin my days.

I was fortunate my husband remained employed and their was no

loss of my home.

I am sorry for those who did.

Edited June 28, 2009 by Josephine (see edit history)

[Testvet]

It has been my experience watching these vet boards that few if any get the 100% off the jump, almost all the 100% veterans have at least one divorce if not more I have 4 ex's I have lost everything I own, filed bankruptcy, it took me from Oct 2002 until a month ago when I got the last backpay for the cardiovascular issues so it wasn't easy for us either, I went from renting a room from an Uncle to what we have now that road took from June 2002 until now so no it wasn't an easy path, my stressor took place on Feb 5 1975 can the VA or the govt make my life right back to the day I was almost killed no and no matter what I do they can't and even if they could how do they repair the damage to my ex's my children how do they make me "whole" for the past 34 years?

Bottom line is they CAN'T and I have learned to be greatful that life is good now, I don't feel that I owe anyone I paid my SS every pay day like everyone else part of it was for SSDI insurance that check is an insurance policy I paid for like any other insurance policy (long term disability) that is an earned and paid for benefit mine was apporved solely on my heart problems so to have the VA claim I am only 60% disabled by coronary problems is ludicrous but it's not worth appealing any longer either 60% or 100% I still would onl;y get SMC S so it's time to let that fight go

My PTSD was caused by many stressors the assault and robbery in Alaska the human experiments at Edgewood, the many incidence of death I witnessed at NTC, the border incidents on the DMZ in 75/76, my best friend in Germany getting ran over and killed by a German driver while we were walking done the street in Schweinfurt (we had been drinking) still watching him get struck and killed will never leave me. But the VA likes to pick one stressor to focus on for the PTSD claim so the 7 fellow soldiers charged with attempted murder and robbery in Alaska and 4 of them sentenced to 15 years in leavenworth by General Court Martial was indesputible, the other 3 were given Field grade article 15's reduced to E1 and then given BCD's. They couldn't ignore that issue.

Every vet that is 100% has a history of a screwed up family life nad if their spouse stood by them they were lucky and they know it most spouses didn't, we all have had to rely on relatives or public programs and ended up homeless and lost everything we owned

but staying mad only makes us miserable there is nothing and I mean nothing the govt can do to make up for the screwed up years I agree with Flip now that you are here 100% learn to enjoy it many of us still have issues that make life less than 100% enjoyable but we can make our "caves" as enjoyable as possible me I have a hot tub and a pool I live on vacation now, I thought I would like to travel but I can't drive any longer and my wife can't drive an RV she hopes we can find a friend to drive and we pay most of the expenses and travel to places who knows that may happen one day other than that I tell her to watch the National geographic channel

will life ever be perfect? No but then even Donald Trump is not happy all the time I have watched vets spend years trying to get compensation back to the day of the incident and it will never happen, and some of them you can't talk to one guy wants 100% back to the day his ship sank in the early 1950's he didn;t file a PTSD claim until the early 2000's never happen, Keith Roberts wants to be paid back to 1969 never happen now they took away his 100% PTSD comp and put him in jail because he made the wrong people mad.

Sometimes it is better to accept how far we have come and let the sleeping dogs lay....nothing will ever make us whole nothing

[Philip Rogers]

Good post, Mike!!! I hope to get my hot tub soon! These old bones need it! ;-)

pr

[john999]

I have paid a very steep price for every dime I get from the VA in pain and suffering. I would rather have not paid it since I was doing quite OK before I became disabled with a wife and a mortgage and a car payment.

[boblandstar]

OMG

Read the bill.

In the event of a likely negative COLA this year our increase will remain at last years 5.8%.

[MikeR]

OMG

Read the bill.

In the event of a likely negative COLA this year our increase will remain at last years 5.8%.

I was just wanting the facts. Sort of like that old cop show with Harry Morgan.

[carlie]

I don't know why people get so intent on discussing the

possible COLA's for months.

We've had years when people come on Hadit and get in flamewars

because one member will post we're only going to get a 2% COLA

and someone wants to do battle because they figure it should

be 2.5% COLA.

Either way it goes will not either make or break us.

If we get a COLA this year - great, a few extra bucks.

If we don't get a COLA this year - we will still survive.

I feel many people have made some poor decision and forget

all about living within their means.

Most of us have cell phones - cable tv - internet,

I try to keep in mind, if I can't afford something extra and something

new -- I don't buy it.

BTW - I am one of those people that have been fighting for proper

adjudication since 1978.

I've had to do without and also had to give up several possessions, the worst being

a 1940 Chevy pick-up and a 1972 - Chevelle SS - drop top.

Even getting a 10% COLA would not have prevented me doing without

and having to sell those vehicles.

jmho,

carlie