Posted on 08/29/2002 7:54:48 AM PDT by NMFXSTC
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 28 August 2002
The Honorable
Congressman:
The purpose of this correspondence is to address the issue of Concurrent Receipt of Veterans' Administration Disability compensation and receipt of concurrent military retired/longevity pay. The two are separate and different compensations and the military retiree is clearly and unjustly discriminated against and has been subject to this despicable denial for decades. I have addressed this to your office before and have emailed your local office numerous times.
I wish to provide the example of our (the military retiree) plight in clear and concise terms and descriptions.
1. We are simply exempted from Federal tax on the percentage amount of our disability (in my case 70%, or $1144 monthly). That equates to an actual compensation of less than $101 monthly simply because I retired from the military instead of federal civil service! That is a disgrace! I am forfeiting my retirement and funding my own disability!
2. Ostensibly, military retirees can seek medical treatment from military medical facilities. This, however, is not the case. The majority of military medical facilities see retirees on a "space available" basis, and, because of reductions in personnel and cuts in services, there is no space available!
3. Fine, you say; but you are authorized VA medical benefits. Possibly. Again, unless one is rated at 100% permanent and total disability, appointments are essentially unavailable or schedule months and years out! Nice system!
One argument is that we, the retirees, fulfilled a career and are receiving retirement allowances. True…as are each and every other federal retiree! The difference is that while the federal retiree receives full VA compensation for disability, the military retiree does not! (In fact, forfeits retirement for VA compensation).
The congress itself can (and does) receive VA compensation and federal retirement allowances. Why do you deny me the same and equal compensation? Why…that remains to be explained in terms other than "we cannot afford it in our budget"…trim the budget and find the funds! You asked me to sacrifice a civilian career, to risk life and limb (and I wear the Purple Heart…I did just that!), yet tell me that my disabilities are somehow less severe or incapacitating as those of my fellow service member who served less that a full career. That is absurd and disgraceful! In this denial of just compensation, you have insulted each and every veteran. Interestingly, the full congress, bipartisan, both houses and overwhelmingly supports award of concurrent receipt…at least 8 of 10 senators and congressmen claim to cosponsor the bills. However, to do "lip service" without action (in the form of full funding) is meaningless (and we all see that…it has been reoccurring for the past six congressional sessions at least).
So…I am not totally disabled, but am military retired. The military lacks room for me, the VA excludes me from priority because of military retirement, I am denied the same compensation the non-career veteran enjoys, and you fully support me? Please explain exactly how. Please tell me that funding education for illegal aliens should take precedence over disabled veterans!
I understand that the House has funded partial concurrent receipt…to be slowly "phased in" over a five-year span. Please go with me to tell the retiree who is suffering from terminal cancer as a result of Agent Orange that he will be accommodated…five years from now!
I also understand that the Senate agrees that full receipt is the correct thing to do…but failed to fund it in any way and a session of both houses will result in far less than full receipt.
I further understand that OMB (among other advisors) recommends a veto to the Appropriations Act. So what? If, as you have all stated in your full support, that happens, a veto override seems completely plausible and correct.
There is no excuse what so ever for this discrimination and unjust condition to remain a national policy! You know that.
I urge you to stand firm and fund and enact what we retired military members so desperately need…full and unreserved concurrent receipt! We elected you to handle our concerns and issues. Please honor that what you promised to do. It is time!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, USAF, Ret Disabled Veteran/Purple Heart Recipient
Please...explain how that is so.
If you're in this boat, feel free to copy and send to your politicos!
Please do not assume what I think or do support. You posted your opinion, I did not fault it, I posted my opinon without assuming anything on your part.
Thanks
Personal opinion, if such a program is enacted, great, I have no complaint. I just do not support it.
Being ex-military (short timer) and retired Federal service, on a disability, we can draw a pension, or a disability, not both. The main feature being a tax break. Even though seperation was at the governments instigation, not mine, there is only the one option.
You say "on disability"...may I ask: is that disability "service connected and a VA compensation? If so, you CAN (and should!) be awarded both federal retired pay and VA disability compensation!
From your post, I must assume the disability, then, is not service connected?
Hopefully, you will see my position here...that a federal retiree is awarded both federal retired pay and VA compensation for service connected disability...the retired military member is not.
If your disability is, indeed, service connected and VA is not awarding you compensation (or your federal retired pay is being forfeited), please let me know..I may be able to provide you with some information that may help.
Disability Federal service connected..More than enough years to retire but you can receive only one. Contrary to popular belief here on FR, the Federal government can and does rid themselves of people no longer fit for service, takes about a year. Federal service is exactly like the military. Generally those that pay the price, are walked on, those that have high enough position are taken care of, such as congress as you mention.
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