Hello, it's me. I need some help here with this. One of my co-workers is a Vietnam Veteran, was a .50 cal gunner on a 50ft patrol boat. He spent most of his time in the Delta region. He developed Crohn's Disease while on AD. He ended up being Med retired as an E-4 in 1973. We had talked off and on over the past few years, and I knew this, and that he had spent some time in the squared circle with the VA. As is typical of most Nam Vets, he really didn't want to much to do with the VA.
When he did inquire as to what he might get for the Crohn's, they told him 10-15%, 40 years ago. He also filed for tinnitus and hearing loss, both denied. But sometime many hears later the VA gave him hearing aids for both ears. He said one of his boat mates pulled the trigger on his .50s when he was laying on the deck with his head right below the muzzles, as a joke. Told me that he felt the concussive blasts squeeze his head and felt his ears nearly rupture.
He told me that the VA had wanted to operate on him for his illness, but he was loathe to let them attempt to "heal"(kill) him. He had 2 surgeries in the years since, one was to fix lesions that formed on his bladder due to the Crohn's. His other was to remove intestine. He told me that he only has 2-3 feet of his small one left.
He said, when asked, that his retirement is only about $400 and change. I told him that he needs to come at the VA with both barrels of his twin .50 blazing, since his rating should give him many times more than the retirement amount.
That being said, I told him I would ask on here for guidance and gather some info to share with him. So he can make a solid decision regarding this. I looked on the rating chart, but could not locate Crohn's disease on it.
This is my first honest attempt at helping another Vet get what they deserve.
Asknod, I know you have insider knowledge with Crohn's, since you are a card carrying member of that special club. This old Vet was tearing up as I was telling him that he has a brighter future ahead of him as his retirement date looms.
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Andyman73
Hello, it's me. I need some help here with this. One of my co-workers is a Vietnam Veteran, was a .50 cal gunner on a 50ft patrol boat. He spent most of his time in the Delta region. He developed Crohn's Disease while on AD. He ended up being Med retired as an E-4 in 1973. We had talked off and on over the past few years, and I knew this, and that he had spent some time in the squared circle with the VA. As is typical of most Nam Vets, he really didn't want to much to do with the VA.
When he did inquire as to what he might get for the Crohn's, they told him 10-15%, 40 years ago. He also filed for tinnitus and hearing loss, both denied. But sometime many hears later the VA gave him hearing aids for both ears. He said one of his boat mates pulled the trigger on his .50s when he was laying on the deck with his head right below the muzzles, as a joke. Told me that he felt the concussive blasts squeeze his head and felt his ears nearly rupture.
He told me that the VA had wanted to operate on him for his illness, but he was loathe to let them attempt to "heal"(kill) him. He had 2 surgeries in the years since, one was to fix lesions that formed on his bladder due to the Crohn's. His other was to remove intestine. He told me that he only has 2-3 feet of his small one left.
He said, when asked, that his retirement is only about $400 and change. I told him that he needs to come at the VA with both barrels of his twin .50 blazing, since his rating should give him many times more than the retirement amount.
That being said, I told him I would ask on here for guidance and gather some info to share with him. So he can make a solid decision regarding this. I looked on the rating chart, but could not locate Crohn's disease on it.
This is my first honest attempt at helping another Vet get what they deserve.
Asknod, I know you have insider knowledge with Crohn's, since you are a card carrying member of that special club. This old Vet was tearing up as I was telling him that he has a brighter future ahead of him as his retirement date looms.
Thank you to all who chime in with guidance.
Semper Fi.
Andyman
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stillhere
He should also look at filing to have his hearing loss and tinnitus reopened. Has he ever had the AO exam at the VA? If not get him in there quick as you can too! I am always surprised when I find vet
broncovet
Vietnam vets should probably contact NVLSP to see if they are eligible as a Nehmer Class Vet. Nehmer Vets can be repped by NVLSP at no cost to Veteran.
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