I absolutely hate how hard it is for veterans who deserve compensation to get that compensation. Combat vets literally put down their lives and if they are fortunate enough to come home.. they DESERVE to not be treated like they are LYING.
All claims have to be approved by the VA board, still can be denied even though a person has all the proof they need. Takes many years to hear from someone. Wondering if anyone on the VA board is receiving benefits and how long it took them to get it.
Well they can't deny I was in combat I have a official letter from the secretary of the Navy awarded me a Navy unit Commendation ribbon. States we were under intense hostile fire.
@Brian-yt8fu Yeah.. I did 200 combat missions in Mosul Iraq as a lead turret gunner.. they still love to deny people with all the evidenced needed. Shit is disgusting.
I might be a bit biased here but if you have your CAR (combat action ribbon), CIB (combat infantry badge), and CAB (combat action badge) your claim should almost always be approved. Especially if your MOS is in the combat arms
Had a friend that was in Vietnam and was shot a number of times. He was sent to Colorado for rehab and his military documents were destroyed when the records were burned during that time. When he tried to get disability his claim was denied. He was told that there was no record of him ever being in Vietnam. 30 + years later his old unit was having a reunion and as luck would have it he went to the reunion for the first time. Some of his comrades had kept memorabilia of their time in country and had it on display at the reunion. There was an issue of Stars and Stripes with a picture showing his unit in country with him in the front row. Long story short, he presented a copy of the publication and he was granted 100% disability. Moral of this story is: NEVER give up!
Over 20 years ago I applied for VA compensation. I had moved to Australia to teach after being in the Army, combat tour (2/502 Inf 101st Airborne) plus another 7 years with 5th Army DOD. Back in the 1980's and 90's they had a VA rep who worked at the United States consulate in Sydney. The VA first response was I hadn't been in Vietnam ... I then sent them another DD 214, plus copies of the Awards including my CIB. Back in those days the Army gave us a mimeograph copy at the award ceremony ... my unit had no base camp or fire base, we worked in the field most of the time. Next thing I got was that when I was in the hospital 95th EVAC the VA said; "I didn't complain my back hurt(?)" ...turns out it was broke in two places. I was also burned and temporally blinded so I got a fair amount of morphine back them. Unreal ... from saying I wasn't there to what I said to the nurses in the ward? It took 20 plus years, now I'm rated 100%, as agent orange has played a part. "Thank you for your service"... pass...
@@airbrushken5339 I feel your pain (so to speak), after bypass surgery, my chest opened up again when the stitches didn’t hold and I had titanium strips glued in my chest. A month later I was evaluated and the doctor reduced my disability from 100% to 30%, and it took a number of years and another stint before I finally was approved back to 100%. It’s a shame this happens but some folks have made it bad for us and the VA is trying to right the wrongs as fast as they can for though’s who really deserve it. I was partly to blame for my situation because when the doctor asked me how I felt, I answered my normal answer, “fine” or “good”. She took it literally and didn’t look real close at the tests that showed no improvement from the previous test. Ken, thanks for your then and continued service.
MY cousin was a radio repair man for helicopters in vin long when he finally got his comp. He stopped in St Louis and asked if he could get a copy of his records or whatever they had that survived the fire the guard laughed at him and said that there has never been a fire and they would give him his records but they would charge him 500$ he told them to go to hell he didn't need them any more
is mortar and rpg attacks on base count? cause i was never in direct combat with the enemy but we would get mortar and rpg attacks daily for the whole year i was there
I was deployed to Afghanistan for a full year . Been getting seen and at last C and P exam which lasted 15 min . Saying my PTSD was attitude adjustment disorder . When I was exposed to violent actions from suicide bombers to morter attack on base . My PTSD was fear related caused by a traumatic event.
@@HillAndPonton yes thank you and that is exactly what I dont have. compared to almost 10 years of medical documentation. oh and I forgot to mention he said my issues wasn't related to service
Attitude adjustment my ASS !!!!! Let one of these white collar C&P physicians fear for their ever loving life when bullets and mortars are flying six inches from their noggin let’s hear them say it was a “ Attitude adjustment “. Just for the record when your in a fire fight which I was by the way take my word “ Your fearing for your freaking life”!!!!!!!!!!! Attitude adjustment my behind !!!!!!!!!! Only the freaking VA could think on those psychotic lines. Its no joke my friends….Moreover being in close combat and watching your best friends get killed or encounter losing a limb can effect you psychologically for your entire life…
If I could make a recommendation, perhaps involve a combat veteran or a JAG to translate for Military Personnel so the understanding is clearer for the folks looking to better understand some aspects of what you’re referencing. I only recommend this because I’m actively going through the retirement process currently. Thank you for what you’re posting.
VA denies whether they know the truth or not. I've fought that as a Combat Vietnam Vet...injured in a mortar attack. Leg injury which led to back issues...denied! Recorded at Fort Knox. I think regional directors get paid bonuses for denying, deny, deny!!!
Hi Mark, we are very sorry to hear that you are struggling with leg and back issues and have been denied. We understand that it can be very frustrating. Do you currently have an open claim?
It took me nearly 40 years after Army retirement to be designated 100% and special medical condition housebound. Three combat tours all appear on my DD Form 214. Do not have a Purple Heart. I also received TDIU with four years back pay. The PACT act got me the TDIU and four years back pay.
I was in beirut. 1982. 1983 navy beachmaster unit 2 we were car bombed shortly after landing on the beach. Small arms firing most days. 105 cannon fire in the distance. What combat catagory would this apply to
I was in Beirut in 1983, during the bombing of the Marine barracks. Good to see you my friend. Out of Camp Lejeune. Shore Party. Red markers that were on our cammies that separated us from the other Marines.
I gave one to a buddy from 1970. I’ve decided to put in a claim. He is writing one for me. We were in the same unit for about 3 months. I should have submitted a claim year’s ago but mistakenly thought since the VA was giving me medical care if they saw something they would recommend or give opinion. I guess thank you for your service ends when the words leave their lips.
If Navy or Marine aboard a ship, two things you absolutely want to get copies of: The ships deck logs showing operations within the 12 mile boundary and proof that you were aboard during those ops. Your quarterly personnel performance & evaluation reports will answer that quite nicely, your DD214 won't. Good luck and file now, don't wait for the copies of those records, sometimes the V.A. won't even request them but still...
I am a combat veteran and have a three time full statement of being injured guess what with proof of the battle and the Stars and Stripes printing the battle and the sinking of my ship and me explaining how I was injured I was denied and told we never repair teeth or broken bones
I’m a retired enlisted Army Guard soldier that deployed to Iraq 2004-05 was a flight engineer on CH-47D helicopters trying to get service connection on my health issues. On my DD-214 for that deployment, it states that I served in imminent danger zones during deployment and also was awarded a Combat Action Badge. How can I prove to VA I serve in a combat zone, I know it sounds stupid to ask but in VA eyes what would they need to see to prove I’m a combat veteran? Some of my missions were classified so I cannot explain details but most were routine service mission flights.
AN easy way to prove you are a combat Vet is if you received the extra $65.00 a month combat pay in addition to your base pay for your rate. It is on your DD214 and also in your pay records in your military jacket with all your records. You didn't receive that combat pay unless you were boots on the ground at least that is how the Navy did it.
That's correct. Recall too, the other benefit of total combat pay was that a service member's base pay (the "wages" received, based on years of service and rank) and combat zone "Hostile Fire Pay" were both tax free. Another thing I recall, if we were scheduled to depart the combat zone near the end of the month, we would stay in the zone at least a few hours into the next month, and only then depart the combat zone. Why? Because DoD policy back then (and perhaps even today) was that soldiers and sailors qualified for an entire month of tax-free wages, and Hostile Fire Pay, even if having been in a combat zone for literally only a few minutes into the new month. Put in financial terms, here's how the DoD's Vietnam combat zone pay policies benefited me: Base Pay: In 2023 dollars, when serving in Vietnam my E-4 base pay, with less than two years service, was around $1,740. While typically serving four months in a combat zone, that money was tax free. (Note: still had to pay into Social Security and FICA taxes). Hostile Fire Pay: In 2023 dollars, Hostile Fire Pay was around $490 each month or part thereof. A New Month: With those numbers you can understand the motive for manipulating events to make sure we got next month's pay tax free, and to assure we got that extra $490. To be sure, our efforts paid off. After being in the combat zone for four months, this horny over-sexed 19-year-old sailor was pulling into port, with $6,700 in his pocket to spend with reckless abandon.
So if you was to have your CIB would that be a "buddy statement" and enough evidence? Where a captain and a NCO from our ODA/SF group has to prepare and send it up to higher to get signed off on.
Would getting combat pay "in country "and getting indirect fire or crawling under a fire fight to get back to the rest of the crew be considered in combat. In that situation ARVN and VC were trading shots and would not have any idea who we were and we probably would have gotten engaged by both sides.
@@HillAndPonton I understand what you are say and the point you are proving. What I mean is that I have seen signal specialist, transportation specialist , and even ammo specialist be gunners on a convoy. Those same soldiers could also belong to a QRF team and do foot patrols and other duties that put them in harms way. That is the point I was trying to bring up when a soldier deploys to a combat zone. Even if a soldier never leaves the fob they can experience trauma to the brain. You take a 18-25 year old soldier to a combat zone while the brain is still developing and they take IDF or an attack on the fob. Depending on the location of IDF or the attack on the fob the soldier can be traumatized. Soldier can and will experience trauma in theater. Veterans need to understand that they are entitled to their VA benefits and to continue to fight the process that is trying to keep them from receiving those benefits. Thank y’all for what y’all are doing in helping my fellow veterans.
Why don't you just say the VA doesn't want to pay the veteran reguardless if he been in combat or not because we had base security personal, clerks etc. They should all be compensated, that's what makes a combat veteran who makes sure their equipment is workable, or replaceable, people in charge of ammo depot, vehicles, food dept.etc.we even had civilian personnel on base, keep in mind if the base was hit with enemy artillery and died how would explain that to the family of the deceased, died in peaceful environment
I am a veteran who was over-medicated during the time of my last examination, who was put in the fiduciary program. The VA strips vets of their rights and currently is allowing a financial fellon to steal my benefits and no one will help me or listen to me. if anyone can help me please reach out to me the va has allowed my past fiduciary to steal tens of thousands of dollars of my benefits .
THANKS FOR THE SHOW AND YALLS SUPPORT I HAVE WATCHED ONLY A FEW EPISODES SO FAR I THINK YALL ARE TWO SMART NICE PEOPLE AND LIKE I SAID JUST THANKS FOR HAVING OUR 6 IT MEENS ALOT NOT MANY AMERICANS CARE FOR WHAT WE DID OVER THERE AND SO YALL ARE A RARE FIND THANKS THATS ALL SPC BRITT OUT
My story: I was wounded by enemy mortar shrapnel. I was told that I needed two eye witnesses. I hunted down the corpsman who removed the shrapnel and another Marine who remembered the incident and fire fight while in Vietnam. I was denied my purple heart even after sending the government the supporting evidence. They said there was nothing signed by a medical officer. My wounds did not require medivac. There were no medical officers nearby.
If you look up what Federal Law considers “Combat Veteran” you will see that receiving “hazardous duty pay” is one way to qualify as a “Combat Veteran.”
I had my case reviews in February by the board they made a decision and hasn't released any information as of August B-26 and I was told that they were is responsible to release that information within a hundred twenty days every time I call try to speak to somebody they tell me that my filing case it's on someone's desk how long does it sit on there without notifying my VA lawyer I have no idea so he's just a mystery so I see why a lot of vets don't get paid in they end up passing away and this money comes on much later even seen where some World War II veterans doing Hiroshima government radiation they still haven't received it down and that's a shame something needs to be done about this grave Injustice none of these people have seen come back so I don't think this should be the one making decisions like that.
In Mogadishu, Somalia we were mortared often and snipers shot in to our compound several times weekly. That was 29 years ago and I am just now having nightmares about it and periods of anxiety where I vividly recall it all. I think it may be unusual after this many years. Should I file a claim?
@@13Dtownfan Thank you. I filed a claim and was sent to a clinical psychologist for the C&P exam. He made his recommendation/diagnosis to the VA and I’m now waiting for the VA to inform me of the results.
Attorney Ann, I am a combat vet. One of my patrol teams"situations" in Iraq is in my VA file. I am intrigued by your knowledge. Dinner at 7 to discuss further? :) J.k. thanks ladies, for this fantastic video. I am going to see what else the VA offers.
I’m fighting the VA now I was a board ship off the coast of Vietnam in 1972 received combat pay we had helicopters coming in it was a hospital ship we had helicopters flying in with wounded and they are bored it was chaos. The VA says I was never in any type of combat area, back then I did get combat pay I’m having trouble getting a paystub for 1972 from the Marine Corps you have any suggestions
One other thing. Please don't get discouraged. Tell the truth. I was in the Army in Viet Nam, 1971-72. Oddly, many people falsely believed that combat was over by then. Nothing could be further from the truth. My unit was in intense combat. Being offshore, suffering sleepless nights, anxieties, the loud noises, and seeing the trauma of others can be extremely stressful.
Get copies of the ship's deck logs, irrefutable proof of where she was, also get copies of your quarterly fitness reports of the same time, proof you were aboard.
I think it’s funny how some veterans think they are more deserving of other veterans because they were in an actual shootout or hit by a mortar or exposed to enemy fire. While other veterans may not have been fired upon but no the less were in a combat zone. They are ALL Combat Veterans regardless. If you were in a war zone then you are a combat vet. And it doesn’t matter if you cooked in the cafeteria or you were manning the 50 Cal or were a SF operator. If you were in a combat zone you earned your benefits! I was a Medic…does that make me more deserving of a cook that was in combat zone? C’mon people, enough with the labels. You served your country then you earned your benefits. PERIOD!
I just got rated 2 months ago. Idk what your service record was but mine kinda spoke for itself due to verified combat awards and being an 0311 infantryman. Never had a diagnosis or treatment. The c and p examiner was great and diagnosed me and linked my experiences to a nexus. It is possible but I should say I haven’t been employed for 6 years so that probably helped me too. Just be open and honest and hope you get an examiner that actually cares. Good luck to you.
you seem to be real unfortunatly in Arizona the V.A. dosen't even answer calls for assistance or call back for appointments its like they don't exist out here
About if you’re in the ship during operation enduring freedom 100 miles from the coast of Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom? Where on the combat zone. I observe missing a lot in my medical records especially when I work in the ship in get deployed the va send me my services medical records but I think missing a lot of Stuff.
Yes, I knew cooks in Viet Nam, who certainly didn't have a combat MOS. But how can they not be a combatant, if they go down to the river to get water, and come back with a body of the VC he killed strapped to the hood? What's more, almost everyone was subject to guard or berm duty. They got shot at. Even naval personnel, who were aboard an offshore ship had the stress of combat.
Well there Larry, coming from a combat veteran myself I highly disagree with you on that one bub. Being a Fobbit doesn't count, unless you got attacked at your FOB. You ain't a combat veteran unless you've seen it in person and close proximity or were injured or took part in it.
Hi Abel, we also have a written article on benefits and shrapnel wounds. Check it out here: www.hillandponton.com/can-you-get-va-benefits-for-shrapnel-wounds/ !
Well i have my offical letter from the secretary of the Navy awarding me a NUC navy commendation award. Also a letter awarding a CBR days we were under fire.
My whole squad has PTSD. My friends keep killing themselves. We appreciate the support but there's something missing if we not reaching everybody. I'm at fault to I try to keep up but its different now we not all together
Asked to prove combat and I was told you cannot show your records nor where you were. My Family had to file suit before the asses decided to get the CIA and Army to release files but still they only sent a simple " yep he was in combat, from the Military" then family was able to at least show some prof. but were told NOTHING CAN BE SHOW OR ELSE.
I am 100% but still need help with some VA claim issues. Also, how do i claim I was engaged in combat? As i wasn’t able to catch any enemy bullets in my fancy bullet trap or anything?? Most of us didn’t. So won’t the VA argue our word against theirs?? I get you’re saying to “bring s letter from a friend”. But I also know how the VA treats 100% proven facts!!! So I just don’t see their seriousness in a note from mom.
francisco Gomez....no!! I did not get one!! I was in a special job where I deployed as a one man show WITH but not part of other units. It was a special duty and although it made it to where I had very little to no supervision nearby, it’s also very diff when it comes to admin items, like this. There are MANY things I missed out on and screwed out of Bc of my situation. Also, I was Air Force, so it’s completely different to how Army things work out.
Combat Douglas....yes!! It makes a HUGE difference in my particular situation. I flew jets for the AF and have landed Jets full of bullet holes, shot ALL to pieces. The AF admits they were bullet holes even, yet I’ve never once had a single event ruled as “combat action”. I’ve even heard the excuse that “the enemy was having a wedding and shooting into the air as celebratory fire, I just happened to catch bullets from this”!! I shit you NOT!!! I’ve heard that excuse way more than several times!! Also, not that this one matters, but ANY Air Crew that lands on the Antarctic Continent 7 or more times is qualified for the Antarctica Service medal....I have 13 landings and was SCREWED outta my medal here too Bc of my special duty position.
blah blah blah .. could have afforded us a better representative. I learned absolutely nothing other than I loved the interviewers backdrop and outfit :) BOHICA
Actual combat vet here (11B), purple heart recipient, Bad knees, 4 buldging disc's in my back, 2 in my neck, ptsd, and tinitus-70%. If I were white it would be 100%.
Wow, it really does sound like all of your conditions are keeping you from being able to work. Have you considered VA Unemployability benefits? It's the equivalent compensation of a 100% rating. Here's our video guide on that: th-cam.com/video/6QZYplYLwZk/w-d-xo.html
Oh yeah, because you forgot to mark "white privilege" box on your application. The VA actually reduces your rating when you pull the race card. What a tool.🤦♂
If You served at least one day, when we were fighting somewhere. And your income is low enough nearly all veterans qualify for a pension. Just apply on E-Benefits
Hi Garry, I have linked more information from our website about non-service connected pension here www.hillandponton.com/non-service-connected-pension/
The lady did a horrible job explaining who is considered a combat veteran. Do you just need to have served in a combat zone or did you actually have to be engaged in combat?
The best thing to have is if you were injured in combat, like get a Purple Heart kind of injury. It basically tells the VA that yes you were in legit combat and were directly attacked. The next thing is to have been in a combat zone and have been on combat missions and have been engaged. You received small arms fire, were attacked by rockets, mortars etc. If you were in a combat zone but didn’t go on combat missions, it still helps. Having a Combat Action Ribbon helps a lot,
Good info and appreciated. Please listen to your videos and try not to begin each sentence with SO and end each with OK. Work on the umms and ahhs also. It’s very difficult to listen for more than 30 seconds.
I absolutely hate how hard it is for veterans who deserve compensation to get that compensation. Combat vets literally put down their lives and if they are fortunate enough to come home.. they DESERVE to not be treated like they are LYING.
All claims have to be approved by the VA board, still can be denied even though a person has all the proof they need. Takes many years to hear from someone. Wondering if anyone on the VA board is receiving benefits and how long it took them to get it.
Well they can't deny I was in combat I have a official letter from the secretary of the Navy awarded me a Navy unit Commendation ribbon. States we were under intense hostile fire.
@Brian-yt8fu Yeah.. I did 200 combat missions in Mosul Iraq as a lead turret gunner.. they still love to deny people with all the evidenced needed. Shit is disgusting.
@@InnoV8Official they can't deny mine official letter saying we were under fire from enemy shore batteries and awarded a CBR.
Pay records, Hostile Fire Pay may be a good way to show service in a combat zone.
I might be a bit biased here but if you have your CAR (combat action ribbon), CIB (combat infantry badge), and CAB (combat action badge) your claim should almost always be approved. Especially if your MOS is in the combat arms
yes that would be a no brainer for the VA espeicially if you were deployed at that time. OEF OIF
Combat Medical Badge
@@trarock24 obvious oversight by me, not army so forgive me.
@@devildog1989 no worries
Agreed
Had a friend that was in Vietnam and was shot a number of times. He was sent to Colorado for rehab and his military documents were destroyed when the records were burned during that time. When he tried to get disability his claim was denied. He was told that there was no record of him ever being in Vietnam.
30 + years later his old unit was having a reunion and as luck would have it he went to the reunion for the first time. Some of his comrades had kept memorabilia of their time in country and had it on display at the reunion. There was an issue of Stars and Stripes with a picture showing his unit in country with him in the front row. Long story short, he presented a copy of the publication and he was granted 100% disability.
Moral of this story is: NEVER give up!
Over 20 years ago I applied for VA compensation. I had moved to Australia to teach after being in the Army, combat tour (2/502 Inf 101st Airborne) plus another 7 years with 5th Army DOD. Back in the 1980's and 90's they had a VA rep who worked at the United States consulate in Sydney. The VA first response was I hadn't been in Vietnam ... I then sent them another DD 214, plus copies of the Awards including my CIB. Back in those days the Army gave us a mimeograph copy at the award ceremony ... my unit had no base camp or fire base, we worked in the field most of the time. Next thing I got was that when I was in the hospital 95th EVAC the VA said; "I didn't complain my back hurt(?)" ...turns out it was broke in two places. I was also burned and temporally blinded so I got a fair amount of morphine back them. Unreal ... from saying I wasn't there to what I said to the nurses in the ward? It took 20 plus years, now I'm rated 100%, as agent orange has played a part. "Thank you for your service"... pass...
@@airbrushken5339 I feel your pain (so to speak), after bypass surgery, my chest opened up again when the stitches didn’t hold and I had titanium strips glued in my chest. A month later I was evaluated and the doctor reduced my disability from 100% to 30%, and it took a number of years and another stint before I finally was approved back to 100%. It’s a shame this happens but some folks have made it bad for us and the VA is trying to right the wrongs as fast as they can for though’s who really deserve it. I was partly to blame for my situation because when the doctor asked me how I felt, I answered my normal answer, “fine” or “good”. She took it literally and didn’t look real close at the tests that showed no improvement from the previous test.
Ken, thanks for your then and continued service.
Hate to tell you this they never had a fire it was all a lie
@@waynewood1991
That's my initial suspicion of something ii smell coming from right out of the E'litist Playbook.
MY cousin was a radio repair man for helicopters in vin long when he finally got his comp. He stopped in St Louis and asked if he could get a copy of his records or whatever they had that survived the fire the guard laughed at him and said that there has never been a fire and they would give him his records but they would charge him 500$ he told them to go to hell he didn't need them any more
This was a very helpful description to help navigate through combat related VA claims. Thank you!
is mortar and rpg attacks on base count? cause i was never in direct combat with the enemy but we would get mortar and rpg attacks daily for the whole year i was there
I was deployed to Afghanistan for a full year . Been getting seen and at last C and P exam which lasted 15 min . Saying my PTSD was attitude adjustment disorder . When I was exposed to violent actions from suicide bombers to morter attack on base . My PTSD was fear related caused by a traumatic event.
@@HillAndPonton yes thank you and that is exactly what I dont have. compared to almost 10 years of medical documentation. oh and I forgot to mention he said my issues wasn't related to service
Get a different doc and a lawyer aaaand i would probably file a formal complaint. Just reading this makes my blood boil
@@YouGotOptions2 was also denied crsc because of that change to my VA diagnosis.
Attitude adjustment my ASS !!!!! Let one of these white collar C&P physicians fear for their ever loving life when bullets and mortars are flying six inches from their noggin let’s hear them say it was a “ Attitude adjustment “. Just for the record when your in a fire fight which I was by the way take my word “ Your fearing for your freaking life”!!!!!!!!!!! Attitude adjustment my behind !!!!!!!!!! Only the freaking VA could think on those psychotic lines. Its no joke my friends….Moreover being in close combat and watching your best friends get killed or encounter losing a limb can effect you psychologically for your entire life…
These examiner see so many pog liars that it has created a bias in the minds of examiners. We should be given more respect by these bastards.
Depends on the state you reside in as well as the VA.... Some VAs want to help you. Others want to leave you beat and battered.
More a reflection of the personnel involved, not the state?
Like ny
info for all veterans, always, always save all your records, every thing!
So true! Make sure you document what you can.
Keep in mind that CRSC isn't paid out by VA but through your Branch of Service by DFAS
If I could make a recommendation, perhaps involve a combat veteran or a JAG to translate for Military Personnel so the understanding is clearer for the folks looking to better understand some aspects of what you’re referencing. I only recommend this because I’m actively going through the retirement process currently. Thank you for what you’re posting.
VA denies whether they know the truth or not. I've fought that as a Combat Vietnam Vet...injured in a mortar attack. Leg injury which led to back issues...denied! Recorded at Fort Knox. I think regional directors get paid bonuses for denying, deny, deny!!!
Hi Mark, we are very sorry to hear that you are struggling with leg and back issues and have been denied. We understand that it can be very frustrating. Do you currently have an open claim?
It took me nearly 40 years after Army retirement to be designated 100% and special medical condition housebound. Three combat tours all appear on my DD Form 214. Do not have a Purple Heart. I also received TDIU with four years back pay. The PACT act got me the TDIU and four years back pay.
I was in beirut. 1982. 1983 navy beachmaster unit 2 we were car bombed shortly after landing on the beach. Small arms firing most days. 105 cannon fire in the distance. What combat catagory would this apply to
I was in Beirut in 1983, during the bombing of the Marine barracks. Good to see you my friend. Out of Camp Lejeune. Shore Party. Red markers that were on our cammies that separated us from the other Marines.
Hard to get a buddy statement after 30 yrs.
Wierd, I just got one from 1975. Pretty amazing.
Amazing he remembered me and remembered my exposure and the symptoms he witnessed. To make it even more amazing he is a Navy Captain.
I gave one to a buddy from 1970. I’ve decided to put in a claim. He is writing one for me. We were in the same unit for about 3 months. I should have submitted a claim year’s ago but mistakenly thought since the VA was giving me medical care if they saw something they would recommend or give opinion. I guess thank you for your service ends when the words leave their lips.
If Navy or Marine aboard a ship, two things you absolutely want to get copies of: The ships deck logs showing operations within the 12 mile boundary and proof that you were aboard during those ops. Your quarterly personnel performance & evaluation reports will answer that quite nicely, your DD214 won't. Good luck and file now, don't wait for the copies of those records, sometimes the V.A. won't even request them but still...
How does one go about getting the deck logs?
Being on a ship 12mi from a combat zone isn't combat lol...
@@makaiokalahamayou have no idea what you’re taking about. So maybe best not comment on it.
I am a combat veteran and have a three time full statement of being injured guess what with proof of the battle and the Stars and Stripes printing the battle and the sinking of my ship and me explaining how I was injured I was denied and told we never repair teeth or broken bones
With all due respect to the company COO, the lipstick she is wearing looks amazing on her.
I was on a ship (Navy) USS Duluth LPD where we made landing and took enemy fire. Would this classify as combat ?
My DD214 states Combat Service
I’m a retired enlisted Army Guard soldier that deployed to Iraq 2004-05 was a flight engineer on CH-47D helicopters trying to get service connection on my health issues. On my DD-214 for that deployment, it states that I served in imminent danger zones during deployment and also was awarded a Combat Action Badge. How can I prove to VA I serve in a combat zone, I know it sounds stupid to ask but in VA eyes what would they need to see to prove I’m a combat veteran? Some of my missions were classified so I cannot explain details but most were routine service mission flights.
AN easy way to prove you are a combat Vet is if you received the extra $65.00 a month combat pay in addition to your base pay for your rate. It is on your DD214 and also in your pay records in your military jacket with all your records. You didn't receive that combat pay unless you were boots on the ground at least that is how the Navy did it.
That's correct. Recall too, the other benefit of total combat pay was that a service member's base pay (the "wages" received, based on years of service and rank) and combat zone "Hostile Fire Pay" were both tax free.
Another thing I recall, if we were scheduled to depart the combat zone near the end of the month, we would stay in the zone at least a few hours into the next month, and only then depart the combat zone. Why?
Because DoD policy back then (and perhaps even today) was that soldiers and sailors qualified for an entire month of tax-free wages, and Hostile Fire Pay, even if having been in a combat zone for literally only a few minutes into the new month.
Put in financial terms, here's how the DoD's Vietnam combat zone pay policies benefited me:
Base Pay: In 2023 dollars, when serving in Vietnam my E-4 base pay, with less than two years service, was around $1,740. While typically serving four months in a combat zone, that money was tax free. (Note: still had to pay into Social Security and FICA taxes).
Hostile Fire Pay: In 2023 dollars, Hostile Fire Pay was around $490 each month or part thereof.
A New Month: With those numbers you can understand the motive for manipulating events to make sure we got next month's pay tax free, and to assure we got that extra $490. To be sure, our efforts paid off. After being in the combat zone for four months, this horny over-sexed 19-year-old sailor was pulling into port, with $6,700 in his pocket to spend with reckless abandon.
So if you was to have your CIB would that be a "buddy statement" and enough evidence? Where a captain and a NCO from our ODA/SF group has to prepare and send it up to higher to get signed off on.
Yep
The CIB certainly shows you in combat. I think the buddy statement only fortifies your claim of a direct occurrence involving you.
Would getting combat pay "in country "and getting indirect fire or crawling under a fire fight to get back to the rest of the crew be considered in combat. In that situation ARVN and VC were trading shots and would not have any idea who we were and we probably would have gotten engaged by both sides.
MOS does not matter when you are in theater.
That's an interesting point, Israel. Sometimes your MOS can help you prove your disability claim when there are missing or incomplete records.
@@HillAndPonton I understand what you are say and the point you are proving. What I mean is that I have seen signal specialist, transportation specialist , and even ammo specialist be gunners on a convoy. Those same soldiers could also belong to a QRF team and do foot patrols and other duties that put them in harms way. That is the point I was trying to bring up when a soldier deploys to a combat zone. Even if a soldier never leaves the fob they can experience trauma to the brain. You take a 18-25 year old soldier to a combat zone while the brain is still developing and they take IDF or an attack on the fob. Depending on the location of IDF or the attack on the fob the soldier can be traumatized. Soldier can and will experience trauma in theater. Veterans need to understand that they are entitled to their VA benefits and to continue to fight the process that is trying to keep them from receiving those benefits. Thank y’all for what y’all are doing in helping my fellow veterans.
Thanks, very helpful info. Old Army Vet with a 70% rating.
Thank you! If you need any assistance, please feel free to give us a call at 407-537-9000. Thank you!
Why don't you just say the VA doesn't want to pay the veteran reguardless if he been in combat or not because we had base security personal, clerks etc. They should all be compensated, that's what makes a combat veteran who makes sure their equipment is workable, or replaceable, people in charge of ammo depot, vehicles, food dept.etc.we even had civilian personnel on base, keep in mind if the base was hit with enemy artillery and died how would explain that to the family of the deceased, died in peaceful environment
CRSC. Combat related special competition. I was approved for this due to my medical retirement because wounds received in a combat deployment
How long does it take to get after you file
Does having a combat action badge (CAB) count as credible proof?
@@HillAndPonton thank you
shit it better be. you know how many times I had to get shot at just to get that stupid thing
Yes
CAB is combat action badge. If u recieved this. Yes..
Thank you for stepping
What if your DD214 states...disability, combat related?Also Combact Action Badge and other information obtained on the DD214
I am a veteran who was over-medicated during the time of my last examination, who was put in the fiduciary program. The VA strips vets of their rights and currently is allowing a financial fellon to steal my benefits and no one will help me or listen to me. if anyone can help me please reach out to me the va has allowed my past fiduciary to steal tens of thousands of dollars of my benefits .
Im in the same boat as you declared incompetent to handle my finances fiduciary robbed me for thousands
@@atruceforbruce5388 sorry left Twitter there censorship is to commi for me go to parler
THANKS FOR THE SHOW AND YALLS SUPPORT I HAVE WATCHED ONLY A FEW EPISODES SO FAR I THINK YALL ARE TWO SMART NICE PEOPLE AND LIKE I SAID JUST THANKS FOR HAVING OUR 6 IT MEENS ALOT NOT MANY AMERICANS CARE FOR WHAT WE DID OVER THERE AND SO YALL ARE A RARE FIND THANKS THATS ALL SPC BRITT OUT
My story: I was wounded by enemy mortar shrapnel. I was told that I needed two eye witnesses. I hunted down the corpsman who removed the shrapnel and another Marine who remembered the incident and fire fight while in Vietnam. I was denied my purple heart even after sending the government the supporting evidence. They said there was nothing signed by a medical officer. My wounds did not require medivac. There were no medical officers nearby.
So go the agent orange route
Or the ptsd thing that should be a walk in the park for you
@@Rollercoaster555 RollarC: I have PTSD rated at 70%. It's the Purple Heart Medal that I would like to have.
I'll give you mine
@@Rollercoaster555 I don't think so. I want the one I earned. Nobody else's.
How do I get my 85 year old Korean War Veteran Grandfather his VA disability for PTSD?
Hi Roy, has your grandfather filed a claim for this already and been denied?
How can I check if an agent is certified to rep you .If the agent is not certified can they collect from you.
Would a Veteran qualify as a Combat-Veteran if the Veteran received Hostile-Duty Pay?
Veterans who received Hostile duty pay ought to qualify as receiving a Combat Veteran status.
If you look up what Federal Law considers “Combat Veteran” you will see that receiving “hazardous duty pay” is one way to qualify as a “Combat Veteran.”
@@chino2037 Yup and Imminent Duty Pay because you are in a Combat-Zone whether you came under direct fire...
makes sense if you were in a combat zone, you are a combat-veteran, duh!
even if only for a day...... The obvious is so obvious it is elusive....
I'm a combat veteran and was decorated with war medals, however Congress and the VA doesn't recognize Lebanon 83-84? What can I do?
Some Marines qualify for CAB. Pres. Clinton retro
If you have a bronze star will that help with your Claims
I had my case reviews in February by the board they made a decision and hasn't released any information as of August B-26 and I was told that they were is responsible to release that information within a hundred twenty days every time I call try to speak to somebody they tell me that my filing case it's on someone's desk how long does it sit on there without notifying my VA lawyer I have no idea so he's just a mystery so I see why a lot of vets don't get paid in they end up passing away and this money comes on much later even seen where some World War II veterans doing Hiroshima government radiation they still haven't received it down and that's a shame something needs to be done about this grave Injustice none of these people have seen come back so I don't think this should be the one making decisions like that.
In Mogadishu, Somalia we were mortared often and snipers shot in to our compound several times weekly. That was 29 years ago and I am just now having nightmares about it and periods of anxiety where I vividly recall it all. I think it may be unusual after this many years. Should I file a claim?
I was in Somalia also. You need to go see a psychiatrist and get a diagnosis first. Whether that be at the VA or a private physician.
@@13Dtownfan Thank you. I filed a claim and was sent to a clinical psychologist for the C&P exam. He made his recommendation/diagnosis to the VA and I’m now waiting for the VA to inform me of the results.
Route Irish, Tampa, shlicks, camp Clark, camp liberty, Sadar City, Fred flent stone house, etc etc
Right On, Brother.......Wuzzzzzz There!!!
Attorney Ann, I am a combat vet. One of my patrol teams"situations" in Iraq is in my VA file. I am intrigued by your knowledge. Dinner at 7 to discuss further? :)
J.k. thanks ladies, for this fantastic video. I am going to see what else the VA offers.
wtf....
What are missile strikes against soldiers considered would that be considered combat
I’m fighting the VA now I was a board ship off the coast of Vietnam in 1972 received combat pay we had helicopters coming in it was a hospital ship we had helicopters flying in with wounded and they are bored it was chaos. The VA says I was never in any type of combat area, back then I did get combat pay I’m having trouble getting a paystub for 1972 from the Marine Corps you have any suggestions
One other thing. Please don't get discouraged. Tell the truth.
I was in the Army in Viet Nam, 1971-72. Oddly, many people falsely believed that combat was over by then. Nothing could be further from the truth. My unit was in intense combat.
Being offshore, suffering sleepless nights, anxieties, the loud noises, and seeing the trauma of others can be extremely stressful.
@@lifesabeach5405 The Vietnam ribbons were given out also for support. It doesn't mean you were in country or combat.
VA has different rules than the DOD. Getting combat pay doesn't mean squat to the VA. You were either physically in combat or you were not.
Get copies of the ship's deck logs, irrefutable proof of where she was, also get copies of your quarterly fitness reports of the same time, proof you were aboard.
What area in Vietnam was not Combat Rated Service???
If you were in country you get combat pay.
I think it’s funny how some veterans think they are more deserving of other veterans because they were in an actual shootout or hit by a mortar or exposed to enemy fire. While other veterans may not have been fired upon but no the less were in a combat zone. They are ALL Combat Veterans regardless. If you were in a war zone then you are a combat vet. And it doesn’t matter if you cooked in the cafeteria or you were manning the 50 Cal or were a SF operator. If you were in a combat zone you earned your benefits! I was a Medic…does that make me more deserving of a cook that was in combat zone? C’mon people, enough with the labels. You served your country then you earned your benefits. PERIOD!
A combat infantryman's badge
You would only get that if you've been in combat
I almost had a stroke listening to the attorney trying to explain anything.
Honestly
Your DD-214 has your deployment information on it as well.
If your 214 indicates you were in the AOR that pretty much says that you were in a combat zone.
Does having a Purple Heart help when filling VA claims
It should
If that doesnt help.....nothing will. Thank you for your service. Welcome home
Yes it does
Hello. Great video. Maybe I missed it but do I need a diagnosis of PTSD prior to filing for it ? I am a combat veteran
I just got rated 2 months ago. Idk what your service record was but mine kinda spoke for itself due to verified combat awards and being an 0311 infantryman. Never had a diagnosis or treatment. The c and p examiner was great and diagnosed me and linked my experiences to a nexus. It is possible but I should say I haven’t been employed for 6 years so that probably helped me too. Just be open and honest and hope you get an examiner that actually cares. Good luck to you.
I have many pictures and Iraqi currency. 20 years later my skin began to turn colors, muscle cramps, and ichy crawly skin.
If you get combat pay isnt that enough to get the benifit,
Everyone in a combat zone gets combat pay and over seas pay.
you seem to be real unfortunatly in Arizona the V.A. dosen't even answer calls for assistance or call back for appointments its like they don't exist out here
I served Vietnam '73-'77 , the VA sux , they hang up phone on me cause they can't understand how it was 50 years ago.
I'm 100% disabled but money can't buy happiness.
About if you’re in the ship during operation enduring freedom 100 miles from the coast of Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom? Where on the combat zone. I observe missing a lot in my medical records especially when I work in the ship in get deployed the va send me my services medical records but I think missing a lot of Stuff.
If you were in a combat zone getting combat pay .. you are a combat vet. I dont care what she says
Yes, I knew cooks in Viet Nam, who certainly didn't have a combat MOS. But how can they not be a combatant, if they go down to the river to get water, and come back with a body of the VC he killed strapped to the hood?
What's more, almost everyone was subject to guard or berm duty. They got shot at.
Even naval personnel, who were aboard an offshore ship had the stress of combat.
Well there Larry, coming from a combat veteran myself I highly disagree with you on that one bub. Being a Fobbit doesn't count, unless you got attacked at your FOB. You ain't a combat veteran unless you've seen it in person and close proximity or were injured or took part in it.
im sure u were cleaning toilets in Nam', just becuz ur in a combat zone getting combat pay doesnt make u a combat veteran.
Bullshit
I'm 74 Marine combat vet am I eligible for VA rental assistance
Only evidence you need is your dd 214
I got wound from with shrapnel
Hi Abel, we also have a written article on benefits and shrapnel wounds. Check it out here: www.hillandponton.com/can-you-get-va-benefits-for-shrapnel-wounds/ !
Service connected is anything that happen while in service. Wow she is so wrong.
Not so wrong, You are in the line of duty 24/7, except if you mess up.. Establishing a clinical connection later on and rating may be a problem.
My DD214 states Combat service Vet ?
Well i have my offical letter from the secretary of the Navy awarding me a NUC navy commendation award. Also a letter awarding a CBR days we were under fire.
My whole squad has PTSD. My friends keep killing themselves. We appreciate the support but there's something missing if we not reaching everybody. I'm at fault to I try to keep up but its different now we not all together
Get like stick vet. Reach out bro. Y'all need each other. I think we're all bad about it to be honest.
Asked to prove combat and I was told you cannot show your records nor where you were. My Family had to file suit before the asses decided to get the CIA and Army to release files but still they only sent a simple " yep he was in combat, from the Military" then family was able to at least show some prof. but were told NOTHING CAN BE SHOW OR ELSE.
What if your injuries are from combat that is classified secret and the government on another level doesn't want to talk about it?
The combat vets should not be held at the same standard as non combat. The DBQ for ptsd should be easier for combat to qualify for 100%.
I was shot at lots. That is why I don't sleep at night.
I am 100% but still need help with some VA claim issues. Also, how do i claim I was engaged in combat? As i wasn’t able to catch any enemy bullets in my fancy bullet trap or anything?? Most of us didn’t. So won’t the VA argue our word against theirs??
I get you’re saying to “bring s letter from a friend”. But I also know how the VA treats 100% proven facts!!! So I just don’t see their seriousness in a note from mom.
@@combatdouglas1306 very good advice!!!!!! Let it be James
Didn't you get a combat action ribbon? That's the proof.
francisco Gomez....no!! I did not get one!! I was in a special job where I deployed as a one man show WITH but not part of other units. It was a special duty and although it made it to where I had very little to no supervision nearby, it’s also very diff when it comes to admin items, like this. There are MANY things I missed out on and screwed out of Bc of my situation. Also, I was Air Force, so it’s completely different to how Army things work out.
Combat Douglas....yes!! It makes a HUGE difference in my particular situation. I flew jets for the AF and have landed Jets full of bullet holes, shot ALL to pieces. The AF admits they were bullet holes even, yet I’ve never once had a single event ruled as “combat action”. I’ve even heard the excuse that “the enemy was having a wedding and shooting into the air as celebratory fire, I just happened to catch bullets from this”!! I shit you NOT!!! I’ve heard that excuse way more than several times!!
Also, not that this one matters, but ANY Air Crew that lands on the Antarctic Continent 7 or more times is qualified for the Antarctica Service medal....I have 13 landings and was SCREWED outta my medal here too Bc of my special duty position.
blah blah blah .. could have afforded us a better representative. I learned absolutely nothing other than I loved the interviewers backdrop and outfit :) BOHICA
In oif/oef mos was irrelevant
Actual combat vet here (11B), purple heart recipient, Bad knees, 4 buldging disc's in my back, 2 in my neck, ptsd, and tinitus-70%.
If I were white it would be 100%.
Wow, it really does sound like all of your conditions are keeping you from being able to work. Have you considered VA Unemployability benefits? It's the equivalent compensation of a 100% rating. Here's our video guide on that: th-cam.com/video/6QZYplYLwZk/w-d-xo.html
Oh yeah, because you forgot to mark "white privilege" box on your application. The VA actually reduces your rating when you pull the race card. What a tool.🤦♂
If You served at least one day, when we were fighting somewhere. And your income is low enough nearly all veterans qualify for a pension. Just apply on E-Benefits
Hi Garry, I have linked more information from our website about non-service connected pension here www.hillandponton.com/non-service-connected-pension/
The lady did a horrible job explaining who is considered a combat veteran. Do you just need to have served in a combat zone or did you actually have to be engaged in combat?
The best thing to have is if you were injured in combat, like get a Purple Heart kind of injury. It basically tells the VA that yes you were in legit combat and were directly attacked.
The next thing is to have been in a combat zone and have been on combat missions and have been engaged. You received small arms fire, were attacked by rockets, mortars etc.
If you were in a combat zone but didn’t go on combat missions, it still helps.
Having a Combat Action Ribbon helps a lot,
That girl she is interviewing drives me crazy !!!! What the hell is up on the ceiling?
Also make sure the VA has you listed as a combat veteran know some people who they tried screwing
👍🏾
Good info and appreciated. Please listen to your videos and try not to begin each sentence with SO and end each with OK. Work on the umms and ahhs also. It’s very difficult to listen for more than 30 seconds.
Thanks for your feedback, Keith. We've definitely made advancements in more recent videos to help the flow go smoother. Thanks for watching!
Yay? We should have slept
H+P we all are combat veterans. What the Hell are you talking about.
Where people were K I A is war WITH THE ENEMIE BACK THEN HARDLY NO RECORDS
???
Ha VA EXPLAIN 👉 VNA
America considered hostile ? 🕶