Biggest Fix for Elon and the DOGE

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SquirrellyDan
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12:53p, 11/13/24
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I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
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BusterAg
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12:55p, 11/13/24
Phatbob
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1:00p, 11/13/24
AG
As soon as you start considering if sleep apnea counts or not, we've lost. This needs to cut entire departments, not get lost in the weeds.
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Ag87H2O
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:03p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
You're going to trigger a certain poster around these parts. I salute you.
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javajaws
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In reply to Phatbob • 1:04p, 11/13/24
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Phatbob said:
As soon as you start considering if sleep apnea counts or not, we've lost. This needs to cut entire departments, not get lost in the weeds.
Don't even get me started on the sleep apnea industry. They have rigged it so that in order to get anything like a replacement mask (just some plastic!) you have to have a prescription...which means a dr appt that also then gets charged to your insurance (actual cost of course never disclosed to you just like every other dr appt). It's a total grift setup that entire industry is a part of and we have to pay for their benefit.
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BluHorseShu
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:04p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
Good luck with the vets. The VA has had such huge problems providing vets the service the deserve, I think digging into the minutiae is only going to slow the process down of them getting the help they need. Not saying they should overlook the frivolous...I'm saying they first need to fix what is broken in terms of real medical benefits and getting them to vets in a timely manner. That is far far more important than this. Could be the next step after the fix things...but certainly not the first.
A large number of service members work 9-5 and have long term injuries, PTSD, etc.

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SquirrellyDan
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In reply to Ag87H2O • 1:05p, 11/13/24
AG
Ag87H2O said:
SquirrellyDan said:
I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
You're going to trigger a certain poster around these parts. I salute you.


I've no doubt it's a touchy subject. I firmly believe the average tax paying citizen hears "disabled veteran" and assumes it's combat related. In actuality, disability ratings directly connected to unique military circumstances are very small percentage.
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Fightin_Aggie
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1:06p, 11/13/24
AG
While I do hate that they give disabilities for these now I also hate that my Uncle who is still alive was denied disability for seizures related to possible agent orange exposure because he couldn't prove the seizures came from the agent orange exposure. There is no way to prove that in the way the DOD was requiring it at the time.


He eventually gave up pursuing DOD disability because he is fully disabled on social security. Always thought he should go back and retry but he firgured it didn't matter.


The real solution is to streamline and bring in common sense.
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TKEAg04
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:06p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
As someone with severe Sleep Apnea, CPAP literally saved my life. Night and day difference.
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SquirrellyDan
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In reply to Fightin_Aggie • 1:07p, 11/13/24
AG
Fightin_Aggie said:
While I do hate that they give disabilities for these now I also hate that my Uncle who is still alive was denied disability for seizures related to possible agent orange exposure because he couldn't prove the seizures came from the agent orange exposure. There is no way to prove that in the way the DOD was requiring it at the time.


He eventually gave up pursuing DOD disability because he is fully disabled on social security. Always thought he should go back and retry but he firgured it didn't matter.


The real solution is to streamline and bring in common sense.


I think there was a massive over correction in what they approve after not approving situations like your Uncle had.
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Kashchei
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1:08p, 11/13/24
AG
The USPS would be a close second
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texagbeliever
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In reply to Phatbob • 1:08p, 11/13/24
Phatbob said:
As soon as you start considering if sleep apnea counts or not, we've lost. This needs to cut entire departments, not get lost in the weeds.

Food allergies count. Adhd. Add.

Basically if you want to be "disabled" you could find some category that you could loosely qualify for. I'm waiting for them to just put not having a disability as having a disability.
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Phatbob
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In reply to texagbeliever • 1:21p, 11/13/24
AG
texagbeliever said:
Phatbob said:
As soon as you start considering if sleep apnea counts or not, we've lost. This needs to cut entire departments, not get lost in the weeds.

Food allergies count. Adhd. Add.

Basically if you want to be "disabled" you could find some category that you could loosely qualify for. I'm waiting for them to just put not having a disability as having a disability.
Sure, but those are checkboxes on paperwork run up and down a chain of bureaucrats. This needs to start off with chopping the chain of bureaucrats instead of arguing over the checkboxes. That step is down the road when there aren't entire departments to cut anymore.
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Jason C.
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1:21p, 11/13/24
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Any government program gets abused, worse where veterans are involved. What politician doesn't want to SUPPORT TEH VETS!!!!11!!! (Listen to new SecDec on Shawn Ryan about the perverse swamp of the VA and veterans' rights orgs.)

Half of a close family member's fire department are on almost full disability and yet can still work as firefighters.
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SquirrellyDan
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In reply to Jason C. • 1:24p, 11/13/24
AG
It's anecdotal, but I worked with folks who were 100% disabled and parked in a handicapped spot while going to the gym to play basketball.
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agracer
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:25p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
Know a guy who is in the USMC reserve and was talking to him about my son who was in for 4 years and got out. He gave me his card and said "tell him to give me a call, I can get him 100% disability which is $30k a year".

The fraud going on is unbelievable.

Son is 6'4 and definitely has some back problems from humping around 60lb packs and gear while training and deployed, but his response is "I knew what I was getting into, I'm not going to scam the system".
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lb3
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1:27p, 11/13/24
AG
There are marathon runners with 100% disability ratings. Texas gives lifetime property tax exemptions to veterans holding down jobs making over 6 figures.

The intent was to honor the vets who made extraordinary sacrifices for us, not the vets who hired disability consultants to help them maximize their disability ratings.

I understand the Marine Gunny who fell off a truck in the motor pool and has been serving for a decade with an unrepaired MCL tear getting a disability check.

But the 40+ year old Major who has been managing warehouses for most of his career and runs marathons on the weekends shouldn't get disability for having worn out his knees after 25 years of running. His civilian counterparts are in just as much pain.
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DBird
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:28p, 11/13/24
SquirrellyDan said:
Sleep apnea? Disability.
You ever sleep in a 12 man tent in a foreign country for a year at a time, then try to sleep in your own bed back at home?
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Ag_SGT
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:29p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
I hope they review and completely overhaul VA disability ratings. Sleep apnea? Disability. Hurt yourself while skiing on leave? Disability. Got a little whiplash from a fender bender on the way to the movies? Disability.

I don't fault veterans who take advantage of the system as it currently exists, but that system needs to be changed. A large number of service members are 9-5 office workers that don't leave the US, and they are being coddled to an extreme degree.
It's a very legitimate claim, especially after everything that has come about due to exposure to burn pits. I never had any problems with sleep apnea until I spent a year in Afghanistan. I was 150 lbs soaking wet, and snored like an fat old man when I came back from deployment. To this day, I can't sleep without that dang machine
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Ben Franklin
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agracer
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:29p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
It's anecdotal, but I worked with folks who were 100% disabled and parked in a handicapped spot while going to the gym to play basketball.
There is a 100% disabled 'vet' on this board who proudly boasts about his disability, and yet is still in the national guard (or reserves, not sure which). HTF can you qualify for military disability, yet still be able to serve? That makes no sense whatsoever.! Same poster also defrauded the college tuition reimbursement system and is proud of that too.
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akm91
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1:29p, 11/13/24
AG
Unless there are multiple agencies that are involved in this, wouldn't this be under the purview of VA and not DOGE?

"And liberals, being liberals, will double down on failure." - dedgod
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Ag in Tiger Country
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1:30p, 11/13/24
AG
How about POSs that accept compensation for impairments simply because they're available?!?!
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DBird
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In reply to agracer • 1:38p, 11/13/24
agracer said:
SquirrellyDan said:
It's anecdotal, but I worked with folks who were 100% disabled and parked in a handicapped spot while going to the gym to play basketball.
There is a 100% disabled 'vet' on this board who proudly boasts about his disability, and yet is still in the national guard (or reserves, not sure which). HTF can you qualify for military disability, yet still be able to serve? That makes no sense whatsoever.! Same poster also defrauded the college tuition reimbursement system and is proud of that too.
They deduct the pay they make on drill weekends, mobilizations, annual trainings, or any other duty performed in official capacity of the National Guard from their disability check.
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In reply to Kashchei • 1:41p, 11/13/24
AG
Kashchei said:
The USPS would be a close second

Shut down USPS and the IRS.

You're welcome
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swc93
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1:42p, 11/13/24
AG
DOGE coin to the MOON!
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TommyBrady
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1:46p, 11/13/24
AG
First thing we should do is go after Veterans who honorably served their nation…bold strategy especially from people who never served.
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Jack Squat 83
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In reply to agracer • 1:50p, 11/13/24
AG
agracer said:
SquirrellyDan said:
It's anecdotal, but I worked with folks who were 100% disabled and parked in a handicapped spot while going to the gym to play basketball.
There is a 100% disabled 'vet' on this board who proudly boasts about his disability, and yet is still in the national guard (or reserves, not sure which). HTF can you qualify for military disability, yet still be able to serve? That makes no sense whatsoever.! Same poster also defrauded the college tuition reimbursement system and is proud of that too.


Seems he brags about buying vehicles with it too.

I have a young family member getting$3-4K monthly who was a personal trainer for a while and does physical labor often. I 100% appreciate the service but get livid about the abuse.

Fine, call it retirement or whatever but make damn sure those that really need help get it. I hear the VA in many cases does a really sh_tty job in many places and maybe some of these funds could be used there although it's likely poor mgmt.
Pretty sure most of you don’t know me.
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SquirrellyDan
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In reply to DBird • 1:51p, 11/13/24
AG
DBird said:
SquirrellyDan said:
Sleep apnea? Disability.
You ever sleep in a 12 man tent in a foreign country for a year at a time, then try to sleep in your own bed back at home?


I have actually.
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DBird
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 1:54p, 11/13/24
SquirrellyDan said:
DBird said:
SquirrellyDan said:
Sleep apnea? Disability.
You ever sleep in a 12 man tent in a foreign country for a year at a time, then try to sleep in your own bed back at home?


I have actually.
Then you know how s***** of a transition that is. However, I agree that people take advantage of the system, just like welfare.
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Funky Winkerbean
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In reply to TommyBrady • 1:56p, 11/13/24
AG
TommyBrady said:
First thing we should do is go after Veterans who honorably served their nation…bold strategy especially from people who never served.


Once again, you distort the reality.
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SquirrellyDan
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In reply to DBird • 1:56p, 11/13/24
AG
DBird said:
SquirrellyDan said:
DBird said:
SquirrellyDan said:
Sleep apnea? Disability.
You ever sleep in a 12 man tent in a foreign country for a year at a time, then try to sleep in your own bed back at home?


I have actually.
Then you know how s***** of a transition that is. However, I agree that people take advantage of the system, just like welfare.


I'm not saying there aren't legitimate claims for sleep apnea. I'm talking about office workers who go to one of these pop up sleep study clinics that litter areas surrounding military bases for the sole purpose of getting a disability rating.
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LuoJi
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1:58p, 11/13/24
Yup. Know guys with zero disability and never even served in active war area, but get disability checks.

However, this is the last place to cut, not the first. Those that served in our military deserve to be taken care of
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Wabs
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2:08p, 11/13/24
AG
20 year retired vet here. May surprise some, but I don't necessarily disagree with OP. I have a 20% disability, which is not much. I did not seek more even though I certainly could have "worked the system" for more. I know several that retired around the time I did and some got 100% - a few of them with the sleep thing. Most of those that got 100% got out in just as good shape as I did. A few got a well-deserved 100% because of combat injuries.

HOWEVER......these cuts should be near the end of the list. There are WAY, WAY more areas to attack first.
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SquirrellyDan
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In reply to Wabs • 2:13p, 11/13/24
AG
Thanks for your service. I'm a vet as well, and understand my take would seem a little harsh coming from a non veteran, which I think is why the issue hasn't been touched. It's politically a bad look.
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Wabs
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In reply to SquirrellyDan • 2:18p, 11/13/24
AG
SquirrellyDan said:
Thanks for your service. I'm a vet as well, and understand my take would seem a little harsh coming from a non veteran, which I think is why the issue hasn't been touched. It's politically a bad look.
Well, I don't think retroactively going back and taking away retirement benefits that have already been awarded would ever happen. That would be a HUGE political no-no. However, I think there is great value in revamping the system and procedures for determining how much someone gets awarded going forward.
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