The 2009 increase never happened. I really don't expect an increase for 2010 either.

i lost my brother 3 years ago we where both in vietnam 67 and 68 marines and army,i have no brother now fron being adisabled vet, they took him away from illness of vietnam , now im a disabled veteran ,100 percent now they took our cost of living away, i quess guys we are dying for nothing take away a small amount , leaves big problems , we are all leaving this earth faster every day and they gives millions too car dealers whatare we jnck cars srap us out , they owe you that now there laughing at poor young kids who have nothing when they come back,im a veteran just tired of being a buse like being a prisoner of your own country

I think that veterians with 60% or more should be excempt from property taxes on their primary residents and reduced cost of taxes on any investment properties. I also think that advolreum taxes on cars for these veterians should be excempt. the more incentives that you give to veterians the more people that are on the fence about serving might go ahead and serve. people watch how veterians are treated and they make up their minds about serving based on that.remember we all raised our hand freely. and some of us paid a great sacrifice and we deserve incentives from a greatful nation.

Gent's, I agree with most if not all of these messages.
I myself am a returning combat vet with the Marines and believe we simply need to get organized. Look at the folks were dealing with here; educated ivy leaguers that create the very laws and red tape were all tired of. I'm getting my education and will be watching every move of this current and future administration. We all must get it together and be organized if we intend on making any changes. There's allot of talk here but how much of the rhetoric reaches the right people? There is a way and I believe we can change allot more then VA admin problems.
We can change everything through proper channels.
Thank you to all that have served! And remember, You didn't pick your order's but you did volunteer. Semper Fi!

My advise for those returning from combat today is take care of your mental health the same way you take care of your body.

The Department of Veteran Affairs has many programs to day and a staff that cares about Iraqi and Afghan combat veteran's employment needs. Disability benefits for PTSD should only be used after all methods of employment needs have been exhausted. Too often when a vet goes to the VA it is about compensation and not about getting better. My advise is try not to do this game. I have had a service connection since 1982 for PTSD I know the game guys. For your benefit do not play the compensation game.

ok men we can gripe and grumble but theres a need to express ourselves in such a way that not only the news and media can get wind of it but the whole world. I am 100%perament and total disabled, i waited over 30 years to say anything to the VA because i didnt and still dont trust the govt. they say 80% disabled and 20 % for unworkability. i had quit and gotten my ssd long before i went into the VA system. and i read where if we had diabetease we were an automatic 10% so jumped on board and next thing i knew i was seeing a shrink 1 time a month and have been 1 on 1 for over 5 years. i still get angry for no reason, cant and couldnt hold a job, worked for myself , caould stand my boss and i was the boss. so back to the local job scene and back for myself again. i suffer from copd exposure to agent orange (that i have not been tested for, but was located in country in the heaviest sprayed area while there, was transferred after i threatened to blow a captains brains out his sawed off head, they sent me to alpha comp 227th assualt hellicopter battalion (all of this was in 1969) when ask why i remember the year so well its because we lost more brothers in arms in that year than in any other year we were there.. i agree we need a raise better than COLA. there is a bill laying on president bushes office desk that would grant all veterans a 20% increase in their pensions or compensasion. and i too would love to be able to enjoy some pussy, but the pills do no good, and if ya smoke or use tobaco they wont even give ya the levitra. i had 3 cardiac ablations.. told uncle sam 3 times and the last letter was recieved and gave me another 10% if i added up all the percentages i would rate about 150 total but the govt has a system that covers their ass and cheats us the American combat troop his dues, now unlike some have said , if you were there, you was there.. if you were on a aircraft carrier then no you are not a veteran. if you was in thailand you are not a vietnam veteran . if you was state side the same applies .. you were in the military but not a Veteran who saw brains slide down a wall and bodies flopping and heard men cry for moma or a girl friend or help and you are in such a daze you dont know where to start, yes you are a veteran of a foriegn war.but just being in the service while vietnam was an enemy and in the states,, you deserve nothing.
you learned what you know from movies.
i know 1 right now who swears up and down he was in country but cant prove it.. and because he was at one time to damn lazy to get a job and work he claimed he was homeless and was living in a camper all the while.. just pisses me off.
then theres the Social Security who send you letters about if your better or not . hell they ask me twice in 1 year so the last time i sent them paper work from military stating i was disabled. (and it was their judge that made that discision long before i went into the VA) i called the SS and ask them if they thought Jesus came down last night and healed me? they said aaaah what did you say sir??? i said do you think jesus came down last night and healed me? they staarted grabbing at words i then said why do you people have to be so hell bent in cutting off a disabled veteran with prove from the VA.. SOB's made me made as hell.. ok enough for my 2 cents

I'd like to thank all of our veterans for serving our country.

Kent Brashear
30 Aug 2008, 20:57
I am sorry you feel guilt. But since my days as a veterans advocate I have heard too many people who never been in combat talk about when and why we should go to war. Do I respect your service to our country? Yes, but I do not want you speaking about war and veteran benefits to combat veterans unless you have been shot at at close range and put your friends bodies in plastic bags.

I see the consensus of many of our Disabled Veterans is that we aren't really getting a fair shake.
I agree, why do recent vets get automatic social security disability while those of us who served in the Vietnam era, kept our ptsd to ourselves for thirty years until we couldn't cope anymore before applying for benefits saving the VA millions?
Bail out poor businessmen, crooked bankers, etc, if that's what you want to do with our tax money, but at least throw a few crumbs to the people you conned into throwing their lives away in a stinking jungle 10,000 miles from home, or a Korean snowbank or wherever they gladly went to 'serve their country' while congressmen and senators live it up way above the poverty level partying in the islands, leaving their jobs with a fat retirement ostensibly because they 'served their country' even though they were never in danger of getting their legs blown off while those of us who did risk death and loss of limb for a whole lot less per month 'serving our country' get poverty wages as a thank you.
Bail out your friends, if that's what you want to do with your tax money, but if you really want to honor those who served and paid the price, give us a living wage.
I like many other vets who held on for the thirty years or so it took for the ptsd to become debilitating completely are deep in debt, and hurting

what is this quality of life increase all about,the 25% garrett was talking about...tell me more

Guys' we could debate this shit from now till jesus comes. Yeah you could even smoke a joint if your into that. Still! Remember?
When we were team leaders or squad leaders or plt. Sgt's we looked after our guys or died. Least in my unit from 65 to tet 68 that's the way it was. The people that should read this and hear this are the rear area mother fuckers in the service organizations. The Americam Legion, DAV, VFW (very few warriors).We were all told or should have been told to select an advocate. They should be helping you make your case and if you have military and civilian documentation it should fly the criteria is the same in every state. And if your being screwed around fire their asses and get someone else to represent you! In my state the 100% came after 33 years but they kept calling me in for physicals and raised my % as time went along. I worked as an operator all that time. But my spinal cord injuries started effecting my legs and prolonged sitting effected my strength and induced pain. Anyone want to stand under a hook with 100 tons on it with an operator that has back spasms and bad legs? No! So no bending no stooping, prolonged standing, prolonged sitting or strenuous physical activity including prolong walking! So the VA proposed my rating and I took it to the DAV they testified regarding the documentaion and evidance and my state did exams and SS was given based of unempoyability. So find all your records from everywhere Army 201 file, form 20, DD214, Hospitalization, med evac info, Army Hospitals, Civilian care for service connected injuries by civilians out of pocket expenses, where and when by whom. My 201 file shows every Hospital I was assigned to when I was med evaced. But find an advocate that's not on their 4th point of contact, head out of ass and has a vocabulary and IQ over 6. No or I can't do it, is not an acceptable answer. Make them understand what your goals and problems are backed up with documentation. Make your case it's has to be the best resume you've ever done. And don't expect any help from the VA or Elected officials. They are self serving bastards. You have to have unrefutable proof of injury or illness based on Nam! Then they cannot deny your claim because they have the criteria they have to follow. Written and personal opionion won't change the VA's criteria for compensation. Some of the Bastards you will come across think they will be promoted if they save the VA money by railroading your claim, remember there are kiss asses everywhere. Remember rear area MF's in the Military? You have every right to request the statutes, if they refuse get a legal aid lawyer, and get a court order get a subpeona. And don't get pissed off they will use your attitude to defray the issue, but don't take any shit either. Be persistant and throw the paper work on them that's really all they know. Like bee hive rounds, remember? Don't forget Vets that work for the VA are not your friends they are VC in the TOC. COPY? Also if your going to go off get an appointment with mental health and then you can demonstrate your problems (just how fucked up you are) with readjustment and coexistance, work problems, sexual problems, getting close to people, loss, fear of loss, wives, divorces and wanting to kill someone (go easy on killing), intrusive thoughts go to mental health and get yourself a PTSD award added to your total package, they (Injuries)all have a rating so add them up. But they have to be legit and your delivery is important. Get the DOA book on PTSD and read it. Government publication. Read it. Get a test for Diabeties Mellitus it's proven to be cause by agent Orange and other dioxins, And there were other colors of the rainbow, believe me. Periferal neropathy, loss of sex organ (Hard on) and drive. I think my total added up to 150 and they only pay for 100% 1st Go to a readjustment couselor tell him your problems at a local vet center, recon the joint and gather intel on your counselor you'll figure it out. Play a counter gurilla warfare game with them. You'll get it, they will right a letter for your file their opinion carries a lot of weight, remember any civilain problems can be pointed directly at your Nam experience then pick the appropriate time to go to VA and seek a rating for PTSD. Remember Your in a LP by yourself. Most readjustment counserlor are either psychologists or liscensed therepists hired by the VA. Most I've met give the vet the doubt. Be smart and truthful I know it's been a long time and your pissed, any Nam vet is smarted than these ass holes. These benefits are your right to demand, that's why they are there, but you have to be smart to get them. Proof is your best weapon and a good advocate, a good counselor and again I cant'say it enough you "ULTIMATLEY "you" HAVE TO PROVE IT, MAKE YOUR CASE" If you get phoney they will see right thru you, work smart but be as truthfull as you can and we all suffer from some sort of memory loss, don't we! And Night Mares, if you got it you'll see the program you have to work to get what is rightfully deserved for mental and physical disabilities but they must have been earned in Nam not at the Bar! Above all else don't embares yourself and the rest of us! We're all in this together. This has been my experience no one elses, if it helps great it's up to any of you to make your own decisions based on what I have written here, I make no guarantees other than, if you work smart and educate yourself your odds will shift to your favor. There is no replacement for education. The buddy's at the Bar can't help either, they usually make it worse! Keep your own counsel, everyone is on a need to know basis. Airborne

Fat Daddy Thomas, I think you are making some incorrect assumptions. Just because you receive SS disability and are rated at 100% (VA disability) don't assume that everyone else is. The picture would probably be considerably different for a vet who is rated at 70% and can't work a 40/hr week due to the pain associated with injuries / disease.

Vet1991,
Don't give up Vet it took me over 25 years to get the VA to pay me anything.

Fat Daddy Thomas. Hey man are you a Vet or a politican! Some of us just want to take care of our families! I bet if you did not have that 100% and SSI, your behind would be saying the same thing just like the rest of us! So, we're not cry babys, we're not looking for an hand out,we're not uneducated soliders,marines, saliors,airmen. No amount of money can take away pain, we just want what to be compensated for our suffering do to our injuries! I would love to go to work and contributed to society! We gave our lives in war and conflicts around the world! That's the sacrafic we took on and some of us survived. So, don't you call us any names! It takes a strong man or woman to put their lives on the line for God and country! You should give God your blessings that you have a 100% and SSI.

I have 3 teenage daughters and I lost my job. And now I'm about to lose my apartment! I just had back surgery due to and injury while I was on active duty, years ago the Army doctors told me that it was a fatty pocket in my lower right side of my back. I went to a cilivan doctor when I was employed and told me that the tumor was the size of a 2.5 lb dumbbell and 7.5 cm. The recently VA told me that my back injury was NOT military relate!! I gave them Army medical records on my back and plus what the cilivan doctor wrote them about my back surgery. They denied my claim! After waiting 16 years to get 50% this is bull that they are giving vets with injuries or mulitiple injuries with a cost-of-living 2.3 % !!! Give us what congress and the senate raises.By the way I'm still fighting VA about my back and I can't work!!!

I have to live with it no matter what, I'm just saying an extra 25% would help. By the way, Social Security has now decided for some reason that my condition has improved so they want to take away the Social Security disability. Guess it doesn't matter how bad you hurt or what the VA says.
So now I will really need that extra 25%.

Old Marine 73, smoke some weed. Vote for it on your next opportunity you have to legalize it or shall I say decriminalize it. At the very least lets bring in medicinal marijuana! Lots of vets would be in far less pain! Check out N.O.R.M.L. (national Orginazation for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws).

You are right...no amount of money can take away our pain or ability do to activities with family and friends again. However, I manage and cope everyday as best I can. I have been homeless and out on the street in the dead of winter. I have no one to blame but me! We all put our boots on the same way...don't we? Granted, some are way far off than I! Listen to you though...for an extra $10,000.00 you are willing to live with all that pain.
Old marine you contradict yourself.

Hey Fat Daddy Thomas,
I would give up all of my VA compensation right now if I knew I would be able to live the rest of my life pain free. My disability does not allow my to do much of anything other than regret waking up each day knowing it will be yet another day of pain. I am glad you're doing so well but $40,000 a year just isn't worth it to some of us. I would love to be able to play catch with my grandsons or play golf or go bowling with my friends, maybe even take a nice long walk with my wife. I would give up 40 grand a year for that. A 25% increase for losing all of that is not much to ask for. The VA compensation rates have not been updated in 51 years except for a yearly COLA. It has not kept up with the rest of the nation. These vets are not asking for the same $168,000.00 per year that congress gets but just a fair shake. So please, back off.

You all sound like a bunch of cry babies. I am 100% disabled. I have 2 childern and a wife who works. My income between Social Security($818.00)
and V.A. Benifits ($2843.00) monthly are $3661.00 or $43,932.00 a year! Now if you are smoking crack I can see you all need more money. What is the problem!
Most politicians are attorney's...had you gone to school maybe you would not be in the position you are in now... unhappy and broke.

mr akaka,where is our 25% dole shalal increase for comp, wheres our 2.5% annuity for years served,wheres our automatic ssdi for 100% vets.........anyone of them would make life livable with a family. Many of us vets got screwed by the 5 year work rule out of the last ten.low balled when medicalled out and not able to work due to service connected disabilities since service........Why do we not get ssdi automatically we paid in and when we need it we cant get it due to rules........yet someone says vets from 911 forward is deserving od ssdi over other vets from other eras........mr akak what makes their service any better than the rest of us..........if you can bail out wall street...how about bailing out the 100% dav guys too..........maybe a few wall street guys got there butts shot up to serving america.........but I really doubt it.......and main streets up the road from this vets house....you think you could trickle down a bit threw the gutter of the back alley.........I will be watching from my pup tent at least the half the military let me keep when i got medicaled out and low balled........

I would like Congress to change the penalty laws by collecting social security at 62 years of age. Since the reciptent received a 25% reduction from full benefits----they should not thereafter continue to be penalized because they are still forced to work and take care of their families. If this is our money, we should be allowed to accept a reduction from full benefits and not be penalized. Please AARP tell congress to change this hardship rule to many americans.

IM LIKE THE REST OF THESE GUYS ON HOW WE BEEN TREATED AS A VETERAN THAT SERVICE THIS COUNTRY WITH OUR LIFES AN
DONT GET A GOOD COST OF LIVING CONGRESS
GET EVERYTHANG JOHN McCAIN IS THE ONE YOU WOULD THANK WILL HELP BUT HE IS THE ONE DONT GIVE A DAM

I feel that cola will never get a properly assigned percentage for disabled vets. The real issue at large is to raise the dollar tables, and try to get a little realistic. Somewhere Congress and Senate took a 20 year vacation. It is especially sad to see spouses of deceased vets living without enough funds to eat and provide housing along with proper health care....Vietnam vet 65-67.

I think we should have the 25 million man / women VETERAN March in Washington DC and really raise some hell over veterans benefits, the slowness of disability claims and the unfairness over Agent Orange and why should congress get so much money.

Hillary C is a NY Senator and has a large estate, her mortgage is $10,000 a month. Her husband Bill a former President needs Secret Service (12) who stays on the estate in another house. Bill and Hillary charge the government $10,000 rent for the 12 agents. In fact Bill and hillary pay nothing for a mortgage as it's paid for in part by us. 100% is about $2,700 a month and you help pay for Bill and Hillary's mortgage.

when congress does one term and are not re-elected they receive a full pension those include congress that gets into trouble i.e drugs, abuses, sending underage boys emails, congress wherether in trouble or not receive a pension of $10,000 a month.

a veteran who is 100% disabled, can't hold a job, perhaps spoon fed, can't have sex or even read a news letter receives a pension of $2,700.

One day I can vision a civil war

what is all the bull about taking care of the veterians. this happens every year and congress fails give us good rsise, yet they always givethemselves ahefty raise. when are our veterans groups stand up and counted and supporting these people dont suupport us.

At the top of this list Archie Haase writes to quickly about those of us military members who "prospered" far from the battle field. As an enlisted man in the sixties I volunteered three times to go to Viet Nam, but was never chosen. I have always felt guilty about not being there, but E-2s,3, and 4, making $85.00 to $223.00 per month back then had very little control over their lives. On my second try to go "over there" it was between myself and a boy named Kip Lewis. Word came back that Kip got a motor round on his first night of watch. There waa a 50% chance it could have been me, but I had no control over which of us went. There are times I wish it had been me.
So Archie, control your tongue and fingers on the subject you apparently know little about. Kent Brashear, Capt. USAF (ret.) And 100%

From what I understand of the upcoming COLA increase, this figure of 2.8% was the forecast made back in January. The forecasted COLA increase is much higher now(6.2% through july with 2 months remaining this fiscal year). Check link below.
http://www.moaa.org/lac_issues_second_career/lac_issues_major_retired_cola. htm

anything short of 4.5% increase will cover less then the rise of gas and groceries by far. It is time for change, and I believe that we can do a lot better for the veterans who have served this country so faithfuly.

I sure hope the raise is more than 2.8%. I am the wife of a deceased DAV. I can barely make it through the month...I try to cut corners, but there is just so much you can do. You do have to eat to survive.

The recent inflation rate has gone to 5% so far this year. The gas prices are up 32% (or more) in the last year. The average food rate is up over 42% in the last year. Am I the only one with this public knowledge of our country's rise in the cost of living? Considering a gallon of milk is well over $4/gallon, a loaf of bread is $2, a dozen eggs is $2, gas is at $4/gallon, state taxes as well as federal taxes are increasing, I assume a 2.8% COLA increase is enough to suffice for those who fought and served for the preservation of democracy and a nation's freedom! Oh, by the way congress and Mr. President... YOU'RE WELCOME!

Bye the way, what ever happened to the Quality of Life benefit? The Veterans Commission recommended a 25% increase for quality of life, the house approved it and the Senate seems to have ignored it.

Well they did again, looks like the COLA for the year starting 2009 will be a whopping 2.8% increase. Every Senator who claims to care about our disabled vets should be ashamed.
You would think that McCain and Obama would at least try to stand up for us with the upcoming election. I am very disappointed in McCain, he is a vet and still turns a blind eye to this.
He may have been a hero during Nam but he is not now.

IM A 100% WITH 50% PTSD AND 50% UNEMPLOYBILITY IM PERMAENT IM NOT ABLE
TO WORK BECAUSE OF MY PTSD AND SERGERY
ON MY LEFT ELBOW AND RIGHT SHOULDER ROTATOR CUFF TEAR THAT NEVER HEEL

Considering that an annual raise for our legislators is about 3-4 times (or more) what those of us voting for them receive and those of us that fought to give them an opportunity to hold an office in a democratic country, do I feel betrayed and taken advantage of? Of course I do! Here is a thought... Let's give them a 2.3-2.9% increase for the next ten-20 years and give us their COLA increase! Then we can all get fat have some pork!

I have a great idea!! Just give the same cola increase as for the same increase in gasoline!!! haha we will see who fattens there wallet then!!! I have another idea!! Lets put the change we all have which is pennies, open a federal bank, take out high risk loans, default and profit from it, the morgage departments with there writedowns are receiving so much money by the government bailouts. as we know our government loves to spend money on themselves, they just forget about us!!!!

How long will we have to be placed below the poverty line so people who come here illegally can get more benefits than those who served our nation. The people who hate us from accross the ocean get billions in aid while we get a C.O.L.A that couldn't buy groceries for three days.

I totally agree with Mr Garretts assesment on the 2008 cost of living!!!Gasoline and Home heating costs swallowed any gain in pay for Disabled Vets like myself. The 2009 Cost of Living should be Far greater than 2.3 percent if we are to be able to feed ouselves and our family. I believe we deserve a little piece of mind for all we have given!!!! Ron /Disabled Vet/Vietnam War 1967-1968

2.3% cola for 2008, won't even cover the cost of one tank of gas today. Let's see how bad they hit us for 2009

While many served in combat and war for the United States thinking they were serving their country, Many in the military and our civilians in government served themselves and prospered far away from the battlefield.

No cost of living increase ($$$$) will take the years of pain and humiliation experienced by combat veterans at the hands of the media and politicians in Washington. Please stop the press releases out of congress talking about paltry 2.3 % and like disability pay increases.