Published on Wednesday, December 13, 2000
© 2000 The Press Democrat
EDITOR: Dear Santa,
My wish for Christmas is for the Veterans Administration to adjudicate the claims filed by veterans for disability benefits resulting from service connected injuries. The Veterans Administration has the resources to adjudicate claims promptly and does so for those whose claims are notsupported by the medical evidence and are therefore denied.
For veterans with claims supported by medical evidence, delay in the adjudication of those claims is standard practice. My three-year-old claim of disability is fully supported by the evidence but has yet to be adjudicated. I am only one of hundreds, if not thousands, of veterans who are crippled by our military service but not eligible for benefits solely because the Veterans Administration will not process our claims.
Social Security processes disability claims within a few months while veterans wait years without a decision of denial or affirmation. While we wait, our conditions worsen, our suffering increases, and we are left without recourse except to plead with you, Santa, because the Veterans Administration is not ``Semper Fi'' to those whom have served their country and have been injured while doing so.
ROY DOWNEY
FREEDOM, CA
Thanks, Wes, for allowing the reprinting of your letter to the editor!
Hope Santa brings you what you want!
Gwen
Back to Gwen's Vet Page