Today in the mail I had some interesting news. I have been jumping through hoops for quite a while with VA Medical. I applied for disability for some problems. The VA doctor said I was the poster boy for PTSD and would get some kind of disability. After filling out all the paperwork and listing things I did not want to remember, I find out today they have decided that I am not "qualified" for any disability. On one hand, I do not mind not getting the money, but it felt like my time did not count for anything. I put in a claim for ptsd, malaria, knife wounds, peptic ulcers, and an eye injury. Everything healed up ok, I have all my body parts; but for over 30 years I have had nightmares (viet vet). So, in this letter, even though THEIR doctor said I had service connected problems, the VA board that decides this stuff said I did not. It does not matter how much blood I saw, how much screaming I listened to, any wounds I recieved, or how many people I saw die or killed myself. I know they are doing the same thing to the Iraq vets. Not in all cases, but in many. I can submit paperwork to review their decision and I will. I do not have any faith in them though. The people that decide who deserves benefits are the same kind of people that believe we can win these types of wars. Most of their "managers" though, I do not believe ever served.
No, I am not bitter, I am disgusted though.
One piece of advice though for any veterans or family of veterans, while it is fresh in their minds, while they remember exactly who they were with and what days different things happened, the vets need to make a logbook or journal for future reference. It may become very important down the road. If they are still in the service, they have to have everything documented by the military doctors and keep copies!
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