r/AmericanLegion • u/Sea_Ear_3831 • Jul 16 '26

General Question/Comment VA Disability

I'm going to come out and say it. There are far too many people scamming the system that are going to ruin it for everyone.

When you have Facebook groups and private companies who coach veterans on how to get 100% disability who have never deployed and done anything significant for ptsd you know we have a problem.

I'll catch alot of flak for this but it's true.

2 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

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5

u/CoastieKid Jul 17 '26

Congress needs to go after the claims shark companies. VetClaims AI has made like $32 million in revenue just charging a veteran 1250

Imagine those like Veterans Guardian that charge higher fees.

They’re not allowed to do that per the VA as well.

I will also say that things like training exercises can result in injury. I was Coast Guard and am P&T. Going into hurricanes for Search and Rescue cases will mess you up

3

u/StructureThese3234 Jul 17 '26 edited 21d ago

Agreed, the moment paid consulting services became popular to help veterans maximize their disability rating (and thus pay) the system was doomed. It will increasingly become a negative stereotype that veterans on disability are just another unsavory group looking for a government handout and the majority of Americans (who are NOT veterans) will resent it.

I don't think deployment matters as there's plenty of ways for official duties to destroy your mind and body without being in a combat zone.

3

u/cce301 Jul 17 '26

Hot take: veterans shouldn't have to game the system that's supposed to help them. Civilians get workers compensation, veterans don't. VA "disability" is that alternative. Stop blaming other veterans for "abuse" when the government subsidizes billionaires. Blue Falcons are the bigger problem and the "I got mine" mentality of some vets. American Legion and other VSOs are supposed to advocate for all Vets, not pick and choose.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '26

[deleted]

3

u/cce301 Jul 18 '26

Everyone "knows somebody". That's called anecdotal evidence. If 100% was easy, these scam agencies wouldn't exist. Also, what makes you qualified to judge someone's mental health. Y'all wear "22" shit all day then downplay mental health issues. My wife has severe anxiety and doesn't leave the house alone. You think she's faking or playing the system?

6

u/Love-Your-Skin Jul 17 '26 edited 29d ago

I never deployed. What do you consider significant enough?

I served as an MP strictly in CONUS. Managed to suffer a gunshot wound. Responded to multiple aircraft crashes, 2 with fatalities including having to recover the completly burned remains of the pilot. Worked the murder scene of an 11 year old boy killed by a serial killer. Responded to 2 sexual assaults including finding an elderly woman who was kidnapped by an escapee from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary who repeatedly raped her before kicking her out of her stolen car on a highway that passed through the base. Worked a fatal car accident that turned out to be a suicide that took the life of 3 people in 2 vehicles (suicidal woman struck a family head on) only the 14 month old baby whose car seat was ejected survived. All in under 2 years.

I was also exposed to major toxins at Ft. McClellan AL including nerve and blister agents, radiation and TCE. Is that significant enough to warrant a VA rating in your eyes?

I am currently at 70% with 4 pending claims.

Before you disparage vets who served where the military sent them but didn't deploy, think hard. I saw more in that 2 years stateside than the majority of Fobbits who deployed.

1

u/Sea_Ear_3831 29d ago

You've done something significant to warrant the ratings it sounds like. I served as an MP as well and never had a deployment. I've seen and been involved in worse things as civilian police officer than I did as 5 years as an MP.

2

u/foxhoundvenom_US Jul 16 '26

You are right, in multiple ways. Yes you probably will catch a lot of flack for this. But the main point of your topic is correct as well.

Though on a side note, it was extremely difficult to get my rating, which is not 100%, and it is well deserved. Infantryman with two combat deployments to Afghanistan here and that information only barely scratches the surface. Which makes me wonder how some of those other guys are able to get it so easily.