70,000 disabled vets still have chance to gain ‘retiree’ status (please pass along)

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/11/02/2868481/70000-disabled-vets-still-have.html

70,000 disabled vets still have chance to gain ‘retiree’ status
By TOM PHILPOTT — Contributing Writer
Published: November 2, 2013

About 70,000 disabled veterans who served on active duty after 9/11, and were medically discharged with disability ratings of 20 percent or less, still have a shot to gain “retiree” status, with base shopping privileges and lifetime eligibility to Tricare for themselves and families.

The catch is they have to know about this opportunity, and they must apply.

Applying is a breeze. Notifying eligible veterans they can apply is the greater challenge. Efforts to reach many of them by mail have been delayed.

To win an upgrade in disability rating, qualified vets don’t have to appear before one more medical or physical disability evaluation board. They have only to fill out a short application form, send it to a panel called the Physical Disability Board of Review, and wait until the board reviews all relevant health records and decides whether the veteran’s parent service did indeed lowball their original disability rating.

[daybranch]

1. we will never leave our brothers behind again???

I am performing a self examination of my motive here. Are you telling me that because the military did not perform a fair assessment of the soldiers and discharged them with unjustifiably low ratings that they can now be assured if they again apply and receive an increased rating they have a great chance at using the PX, the liquor store ., commissaries etc as well as receiving Tricare for life?
From what I know , the way you receive the commissary privileges etc., you apply after being rated 100m percent disabled due to a service connected disability. So unless and until these men and or women receive such a rating this is pretty much pie in the sky. Now as to their medicare care, why would they not be covered at no expense by the VA in VA facilities if they receive a disability rating of 100 percent? Would they really want to buy Tricare or would they get it free? I believe Tricare does collect premiums at this point, is this correct?
So while I have no problem, no, actually I support veterans getting upgrades of their ratings when deserved and help others to do so, I see no reason to oversell the possibilities. In their 10 percent rating is upgraded to say 60 percent they will receive $1000 or more per month and have free health care at VA facilities. This is much more likely than the 100 percent rating which provides over $3500 per month tax free.
Let us encourage all veterans to receive the ratings they deserve, but let us not mislead them into believing a large percentage will receive 100 percent disability ratings if able to work or working. I suggest these men contact a Veterans Service Office and speak to a representative.