Here’s how we thank our veterans

An article by Mr. Filas reminds me of another Fox Lake disabled veteran. This vet is living. He was an Army captain during Vietnam.

When he applied for V.A. disability due to leukemia and multiple sclerosis, V.A. denied his claim in a strange way. They wrote that his leukemia was “service connected” but that he waited too long before claiming the multiple sclerosis. V.A. stated further that while the leukemia was “service connected” it was non-compensable.

Since the time for filing a claim for the M.S. had passed, it also was non-compensable.

This veteran is severely handicapped. He receives a small, monthly Social Security disability check. He is 65 and has recently lost his father. His elderly mom is over 90 and in a nursing home. He visits her when he can.

I read the V.A. denial letter, Social Security disability award letter and the veteran’s DD214 Discharge form The V.A. denial letter was dated in 2009. The veteran didn’t know he could appeal, so that initial claim is dead.

The Rudyard Kipling poem “Tommy” documents this centuries-old government practice of hailing the soldier and ignoring the veterans in need. Nothing has seemingly changed except, “Thank you for your service!”

Thaddeus Kochanny

Ingleside