Dad was a lifer, he was forced to retire
By rebelann1949
@rebelann (117244)
El Paso, Texas
November 11, 2016 10:24am CST
Dad served just under 30 years in the US Army. When he was told he had to retire in 1972 it devastated him. Dad had rheumatoid arthritis which caused his hands and feet to swell and on some days he couldn't put his shoes on.
The worst part was that he couldn't handle the instruments he had to use, he was a radar simulator maintenance man with the Hawk missile systems of that era and had to use tiny instruments to do his work.
Now to me he is a veteran and perhaps I got the whole idea totally wrong but I'd always thought veterans had served more than just 2 years in the Armed forces. Since he did get his pension and had access to military hospitals at no charge I just figured that was true for all veterans but so many are saying that there are veterans who are not getting medical care via the military, can someone please explain what the problem is?
That's my ma n pa in the photo above, it was their wedding day the year before I was born.
6 people like this
6 responses
@rebelann (117244)
• El Paso, Texas
18 Nov 16
I rarely listen to the news @simone10 most of the time the stories they tell give the impression they simply exaggerated something they heard hoping to sell the article.
When I took mom to the VA back in 2007 or 2008 it was simply a matter of them investigating her claim. Since she was a dependent they had to check on dads service records and once that was completed there were no further problems.
I was trying to get her inhome care at the time but because she was a dependent she didn't qualify but they told us that had my dad lived he would have because he had served for 29 years.
A friend of mine is 100% disabled and gets everything he needs, he never has a problem because his injuries were sustained while serving.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
12 Nov 16
bless his heart, sounds like my step-dad, he'd put'n 28 years 'fore forece to retire due to his health. what a precious photo to've, they jest look so'n love 'n devoted to each other.
's fer the benefits part, i think such depends'n whether they retired, got out'n medical 'r jest put'n their 4/8/12 'n got out'n their own. the latter don't receive those benefits i believe.
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@rebelann (117244)
• El Paso, Texas
12 Nov 16
You are correct. I spoke to Hank yesterday and told him how a lot of veterans were complaining they weren't getting VA help then he told me that if someone who only puts in his 2 or so years but does not retire then unless he has incurred a service related injury he is not eligible for VA benefits.
It makes sense to me because if you think about it no private firm will grant medical care if you worked there a short time and the medical care you need was not incurred as a workmans comp injury.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
13 Nov 16
@rebelann noperz, one'd not get such'n the 'outside world', but many sure 'xpect't from their military service e'en though they didn't do the time. that bein' said, i dunno how our veterans're bein' treated outside'f 'round these parts'n o'er'n las vegas, nv where the daughter lives. her hubs put'n 20 years'n 'tis 100% disabled. he's ne'er 'd any troubles seein' docs/gettin' appointments 't the v.a. there. the father-in-law drives to amarillo to the v.a. hospital to see his docs with no troubles neither.
i do know that there's some v.a. facilities that're jest horrid 'n somethin' truly needs to be done 'bout that.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117244)
• El Paso, Texas
13 Nov 16
I've heard that a few of the VA hospitals nationwide are not up to snuff and really need to be revamped @crazyhorseladycx just so sad when I think what one doc at Beaumont Army Hospital told ma n me that he's hoped to be picked to serve overseas.
Growin up I never saw the same doctor twice as they were always pickin the good ones to go to Vietnam where servicemen needed them most. It made sense cuz it's the service men they were supposed to be helpin rather than dependants, not that we didn't get care, just that their priority was the active duty serviceman.
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@iamshane487 (1138)
• Manila, Philippines
12 Nov 16
Perfect couple to look at. I don't know why but I guess there are many people here that can answer your question.
@rebelann (117244)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Nov 16
I asked my buddy Hank, who is a 100% disabled veteran who served in Vietnam where he sustained his injury, and he told me that if a person serves in war and sustains a work related injury they are considered veterans who can claim VA benefits but he also told me that he gets really upset over those he has met who think that because they served 2 years in they qualify for medical care through the VA because they got diabetes or something like that years after their service. No company that you do not retire from will offer medical benefits years later just because you came up with an illness unrelated to the time you worked for them.
People seem to think that serving 2 years means you have special rights, well you do but not 20 years later when you suddenly come up with arthritis or diabetes.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
6 Mar 17
Love your photo.....i don't know the answer to your question...
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