"Until there is change in the very ethos of this giant, dysfunctional machine, veterans will continue to fight them in every way possible."

by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org

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Just eight days ago, Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland brought you the following article:

THE ATOMIC VETERAN'S WIDOW AND HER CLAIM (09-17-09)   Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland examines a VA claim decision you just won't believe.

In short:  This was a claim for benefits that could NOT be denied, but it was.

The COMMENTS section on that article displayed the outrage of many veterans.  How could this be?

But now, all that has changed.

Jim Strickland checks in with the following:

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Mrs. Hasler, the Atomic Veteran's widow, just received a call from the VA Regional Office. She emailed me the following:

"You're not going to believe this, Jim. I just got a phone call from a woman at the VA Regional Office in Jackson, MS. She wanted to inform me that they have approved Greg's/my claim at 100% service connected from May 2008 and I will be getting a check for all accrued benefits within the next 7-10 days. WOW!!!!!!!!"

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Jim's commentary on this decision follows:

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"This is why veterans across America have no respect for and no faith or trust in their Department of Veterans Affairs. This wasn't an error. It was an attempt to balance a budget on the backs of the deceased veteran and his mourning widow. Each day the DVA reads the words of Abraham Lincoln but fails to comprehend their meaning or to act upon their spirit. 'To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan...'

President Lincoln didn't include any legalese or bureaucratic doubletalk about budgets, his meaning is clear. Today's VA makes a mockery Lincoln's words in more ways than we can possibly count.

Had they done this right the first time, the American taxpayer would have saved money. Rework and appeal is expensive.

Until there is change of the very ethos of this giant, dysfunctional machine, veterans will continue to fight them in every way possible.

We will not stand idle as they grind the heels of their boots down upon our widows. Maybe my friend Kurt Priessman is right...it's time to 'Tear it down, brick by brick.'

Rest In Peace, Greg Hasler. We will never allow the VBA to harm your beloved Connie.

We've got her back."

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TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, atomic, claim