thunderchicken
Grandmaster
First, thank you all who have served. I truly appreciate what you have done or are doing for our country.
So, I am on the outside looking in and mean absolutely no disrespect when I say this but I will voice my .02 cents.
I have no problem whatsoever with our Veterans recieving a variety of benefits. I also believe you deserve a much better medical resource than what I hear is the norm with the VA. But, I don't think run of the mill everyday injuries should qualify for a lifetime of compensation. All of us who work in any service industry are prone to endure some life long ailments simply from doing our job. That is part of life and it shouldn't qualify a person for life long compensation simply because you served. Now, if it was because of, say an injury due to not being supplied safety equipment suitable for the job (such as hearing protection for artillery) that is one thing. But if you have an ailment such as bad knees or joint pains from being a paratrooper, infantry man or a mechanic, or carpel tunnel from pushing buttons on a keyboard (and nothing combat related) that is a stretch for me unless it is so severe that you can't work and are disabled from it. Just like any of the rest of us, you knew there were risks when you took the job. I have worked for the local government for almost 17yrs, and it has taken a toll on my knees, shoulders and back too. But I don't get any compensation for my ailments. Heck they compensate us with a high deductible insurance plan that doesn't really cover anything until you meet said yearly deductible. Now again if it is disabling, exceptionally severe, chemical related (such as Vets who were exposed to agent orange) or combat related it should be covered. Again, no disrespect meant and I will always be thankful.
So, I am on the outside looking in and mean absolutely no disrespect when I say this but I will voice my .02 cents.
I have no problem whatsoever with our Veterans recieving a variety of benefits. I also believe you deserve a much better medical resource than what I hear is the norm with the VA. But, I don't think run of the mill everyday injuries should qualify for a lifetime of compensation. All of us who work in any service industry are prone to endure some life long ailments simply from doing our job. That is part of life and it shouldn't qualify a person for life long compensation simply because you served. Now, if it was because of, say an injury due to not being supplied safety equipment suitable for the job (such as hearing protection for artillery) that is one thing. But if you have an ailment such as bad knees or joint pains from being a paratrooper, infantry man or a mechanic, or carpel tunnel from pushing buttons on a keyboard (and nothing combat related) that is a stretch for me unless it is so severe that you can't work and are disabled from it. Just like any of the rest of us, you knew there were risks when you took the job. I have worked for the local government for almost 17yrs, and it has taken a toll on my knees, shoulders and back too. But I don't get any compensation for my ailments. Heck they compensate us with a high deductible insurance plan that doesn't really cover anything until you meet said yearly deductible. Now again if it is disabling, exceptionally severe, chemical related (such as Vets who were exposed to agent orange) or combat related it should be covered. Again, no disrespect meant and I will always be thankful.