Veterans

Congratulations!

I watched a lot of friends get nickel-and-dimed on VA claims. Those who weren't initially denied were given 5% `or 10% on the first go-round. Those who continued to fight eventually were raised to 30%, 50%--even 100%. But only because they fought ridiculous evaluations and kept going back until they got a fair rating.

I didn't have to go through that because I got a 50% combat disability rating from the Army and was retired for disability. The VA automatically accepts that, and though I have the option of converting my disability compensation to the VA, I've elected to continue receiving it from the Army.

I could get a few hundred more dollars a month from the VA for PTSD if I applied--but after seeing what my friends went through, I figure I don't need the stress.