The amazing rise of disability in America

[geetrue]

There are exceptions ... I was one of those exceptions way back in 1997 when I stumbled into a veterans program for the homeless. It took five months to qualify, but after I did they paid me for the next 12 years till I hit social security age three years ago and then I was no longer qualified.

The program was designed for Vietnam vets that were on drugs, shooting at people and thinking they were Charlie and living in the park or at the beach.

When I took my physical the doctor kept asking me questions as he tapped on my knee and listened to my chest.

Doctor: How long since you took your last drink?

Veteran me: 14 years

Doctor: How long since you took your last drugs?

Veteran me: 14 years

Doctor: How long have you been on the streets?

Veteran me: 14 years

When I got approved on Christmas eve 1997 they sent me a little check for $4000 for waiting five (5) months ...

I was so happy I cried

http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/about_the_initiative.asp

In 2009, President Barack Obama and VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced the goal of ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. Together with partners and supporters nationwide, VA is determined to meet that challenge through the Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative, an unprecedented commitment to those who served our nation but lack safe, secure housing.

Since 2009, the number of Veterans who are homeless has dropped by 17.2 percent. To build on our progress, VA has increased programs and funding to help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. In fiscal 2013, VA will dedicate $1.4 billion to specialized homeless programs and $4.4 billion to health care for Veterans who are homeless.

[Stealhead]

Part of the problem is the many law firms that specialize in disability claims they are every where and from what I understand these lawyers know how to make a claim so that the odds are very high the claim is approved and if it does not get approved they know how to "rig" the re-application process so that odds are high the claim gets approved.

There are certainly people that do need help like Geetrue but there is no doubt a lot of people that really do not have a disability that keeps them from working.

I recall when I was doing my out processing with the USAF at one point I had to talk to this VA representative.To be honest I was not impressed with this person because they sat and explained to me how by listing three(3) medical incidents that occurred to your while on active duty you can list these and VA more or less will give you the minimum disability level.

The VA rep said, "for most vets it is not that much but you will get at least $100.00 a month if you get approved" I told her that I did not need 100 dollars a month because minor medical things happened to me that have no long term effect on my health. I wonder how many people take advantage of that.

Sure there are people that need to be on disability but there are people that find any way that they can to get something from the government when they do not truly need it.Like others said those with legitimate disability should be concerned about the frauds because they are sapping money out of the system.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

I think some of this may be attributed to the de-stigmatizing of mental illness. 50 years ago you would have been locked away for many forms of mental illness. Today its no big deal to make an appointment with a mental health care professional and get help and be on your way.

I do agree with this, but here's the thing: just because something becomes less of a social stigma, doesn't mean that people are therefore less capable of dealing with the symptoms. I would think the opposite should be true, actually - as more people seek and receive treatment, less people should be truly debilitated.

What used to cause pain at work now causes an inability to even perform work even though the treatment is better? That seems unlikely.

[Skybird]

People are allowed to vote.

People vote for those who promises them more candy than the other.

The time preference is such that the immediate advantage now (candy) is more attractive than the greater disadvantage in the distant future (bill).

People learn that this way, they can vote their candy.

What it all means? As long as politicians try to get voted by promising candy, and those wanting more candy than they give back into the candy pool are allowed to vote, it is unlikely that things will turn better. They will turn worse. Democratically turning worse, but turning worse nevertheless.

It is a principle inbuilt problem of democracy itself that cannot be avoided. At least not as long as humans are humans.

You are following the European example Neal. They call it "justice" and "solidarity". It is highly unfair and has nothing to do with justice, and it is an abuse of the word solidarity, but nevertheless they call it like that. With ham you catch mice.

[Wolferz]

Any nation that forgets its warriors will itself be forgotten