As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the various other actions our troops fact throughout the world, the Congress continues to stall on passing a budget for the Veteran's Administration. Now this may seem of little interest to some but the point is, as long as there is no budget, the VA Regional Offices across the nation will continue to deny claims and stall on appeals. It does not take much thought to realize the these administrators in the VA are afraid to grant claims due to the fact they may face some censure from their bosses fro granting a claim if the money is not there to pay the compensation granted to a veteran.
The claims process is getting deeper and deeper in the hole as more and more vets from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan file claims. I noted an article the other day that stated that over a quarter of a million Iraqi vets had filed VA claims and that approximately 90% of them had been processes and granted. I find this very hard to believe. When one looks at the number claims still pending for Vietnam vets how can the VA make such a statement? If these figures are true then there is something very wrong at the VA and many vets are being put back in the pile of claims to be processes while other are moved ahead. There is no other explanation.
I have no problem what so ever with an Iraqi or Afghanistan veteran getting what he/she has earned in compensation, nor do I have a problem with them getting it in rapid order, however, I do have a problem with one "class" of veteran being put ahead of another, except for those so badly wounded that they need immediate attention. That goes without saying.
I have been processing VA claims for veterans of all wars, specializing in PTSD claims, for over 10 years and recently I took on the claim of an 86 year old WWII veteran who is still fighting his claim. The VA in 2004-05-06 and 2007 sent this veteran, who is living from hand to mouth daily, letters requesting further evidence. Each year this veteran has complied and sent in the requested evidence, yet, the VA continues to send him letters requesting the same information. Should this man be put at the bottom of the pile of claims while another is placed ahead of him? Hell no! This veteran, his wife and I all believe that the VA is simply waiting for him to die so that his claim dies with him leaving his wife with no survivor benefits.
The Congress failing to pass the budget only adds to the problems that already exist when it comes to claims processing, yet, they continue to speak about how they intend to speed up said process and insure veterans that their claims will be timely processed. This is simply talk to pacify veterans while no action is taken. We as veteran know about "talking the talk and walking the walk". We each probably know someone who is a "wannabe" who talks big but who has never walked the walk. Those in Congress who are talking big but doing little are, in my opinion, no better than those wannabes, and I hate wannabes!
I call on each veteran reading this blog to write to your representative and demand that a VA budget be passed and passed YESTERDAY! Demand an increase in the funds made available for veterans care and compensation! Let them know that if they do not support the veterans of this country then the veterans of this country will not support them with their vote. Let them know that if they want to talk the talk we, the veterans of this country, expect them to walk the walk. All this talk about Support Our Troops does not end with banners, magnets, flag waving and the like, that is only the beginning of the support needed by our veterans and troops in the field, who need to know that if they return from the war they will be taken care of if they are disabled in any way. That is our contract with Congress, always has been and still is today. Demand that Congress honor our contract!! Demand equal and just treatment for ALL veterans! Remember, Congress works for the people not the other way around; the VA works for the veterans, not the other way around. Note the name Veterans Administration, it is our organization and those who are in charge of it work for each and everyone of us. We should not have to beg for what we earned with our blood, sweat and tears! We should not have to wait years for what we justly earned by our service! It is time to tell the Congress put up or shut up!!!
UNITED WE MUST STAND! We would not leave a wounded brother/sister on the field of battle how can we leave them helpless on the streets of America? We can not, we must not! Stand up and be counted, write your representative and DEMAND that veterans cease to be treated like second class citizens whose survival depends on Pork Barrel budgets while we continue to die on the fields of battle or awaiting our just compensation and health care while they argue party politics. The only party they should be concerned about is the party of one called the United States Armed Forces -our troops, past, present and future.
Wake up; Stand up America! United We Stand there is no other way if we are to survive!
No comments:
Post a Comment