Vets from Vietnam, Iraq treated differently

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/14693591.htm

Regarding, “Haunting photo, demons: ‘Marlboro Man’ Marine at home but not at ease” (May 20), about the man called “the Marlboro Man” from Jonancy, Ky. He served in Iraq and came home with post-traumatic stress disorder. He is receiving $2,528 a month from military and disability checks. I don’t begrudge this young man this money, but why he is different from other veterans? My son, Dennis, enrolled in the Marines at 18 years old and served 13 months in Vietnam. He was injured when his helicopter came down and was blown up.

A buddy was killed right in front of him. Dennis got a concussion to his head and injured his leg. He couldn’t hear, couldn’t see and somehow got away alive. He finished serving his four years in the Marines, and then re-enlisted in the Army for 7 1/2 years because he wanted his wife and kids to have medical benefits and a decent pension for himself. He receives $112 a month for a disability. He also received an honorable discharge and a Purple Heart.

Dennis still has nightmares when he is even able to sleep. He is sick a lot and has had several heart attacks. He has also been fighting for the Agent Orange benefits because of the Agent Orange they sprayed on him. You cannot just go up to him, especially from behind. For years be tried to forget by smoking heavily and drinking. Dennis has been trying to get his V.A. pension for six months now. He has had several tests done in Indianapolis, Marion and Fort Wayne. The doctors at the V.A. tell him he can’t work but also tell him it might be six months or longer before he receives anything.

Dennis also applied for disability with Social Security, and we got the same runaround from them. They tell him he is not supposed to work. What is he supposed to live on?

[panader0]

1. Vietnam had the draft, today there's a volunteer army.

But no matter how you look at it, these poor, wonderful pieces of our future are being sent into harm's way UNJUSTLY. God bless them all. Come home now. Peace.

[mykpart]

2. Please encourage Dennis to keep trying.

It took my husband nearly a year to get his VA pension, then another 7 months to get social security disability. The VA pension will be retroactive when he gets it. Representatives from the Disabled American Veterans will be an advocate for him with the VA. Also, he can appeal if he is denied. We had to get a lawyer for the Social Security. Does Dennis receive psychiatric care from the VA? That's important to document PTSD.

You're right about Iraq veterans to some degree, although the vets coming home from the first Gulf War with Gulf War Syndrome had quite a fight just having the government admit there was an illness. I hope he is successful.

[MADem]

3. He needs to keep going back and reapplying

It is an onerous process to deter people from applying. Helluva way to save money.

Sometimes, the VFWs or other organizations will help with filing a claim...a lot of posts have a knowledgeable guy or two on staff who can help. Call around, it can't hurt to ask.

Here's a list to get you started: http://www.themilitarycoalition.org/Members.htm

[bananas]

4. That isn't his son, he's quoting the letter to the editor..

Unless, of course, he's the person who wrote the letter to the editor.

[jody]

5. Please continue supporting Dennis and write his Senators and Rep.

The only way to make certain Dennis gets the health care and other services he earned is through his senators and congressperson.