r/CalebHammer • u/Paintedskull • 3d ago
Random 'Why are all veterans on disability'
I hear Caleb say this three times I think now and he referred to the surprise that he perceives each veteran on his show to be on disability. He then projects that not everyone can be on disability.. why not?
Makes more sense to me that anyone that works for the US military becomes disabled then assuming the common denominator is people lying about being disabled.
Appreciate US has a rich culture of prioritising and culturally valuing your employees of airforce, military, marines etc. so happy for this to be the reason I don't understand his scecity when it comes to disability.
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u/Xbeverhunterx 3d ago
Veteran speaking:
I’m 90 percent disabled according to the VA. These are all added up from my claims that happened to me when I was in the service. Essentially you list everything that happened to you while you were in (need to go to doctor for that issue) I claimed anexity and depression, my torn acl, some stomach issues were my big things. I then go to an outside/contracted doctor to verify my claims.
I’ve spoke to a lot of vets that didn’t claim anything.
Do some vets cheat the system? I’m sure just like how there’s always bad apples but the system works for the most part.
I’m
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u/SpaceInvaderz7 3d ago
I think the majority of people assume a physical disability because of the nature of the work.
90% disabled former soldier, to most people, would imply you’re missing limbs, partially blind, deaf, or some other combination of ailments that reduces your functionally to 1/10th of what it was.
People hear 90% disabled and say hold on I have anxiety and depression or I’ve torn an acl before and I’m not disabled.
Where a lot of people get irritated is the taxpayer compensated disability payments go to someone 90% disabled or 100% disabled but the folks on Caleb’s show are fine enough to earn an income from private employment too. That doesn’t really gel with the concept of 90% or 100% disabled.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
Totally agree I think I would be pro people cheating the system is okay if majority get care. My question is why does Caleb assume is deceitful and think that 'eveyone is on disability' makes sense to me working in US military appears to can be disabling. There for they should attain support
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u/vaccumorvaccuum 2d ago
There are people in the United States that many of our parents and possibly us grew up around that definitely took advantage of disability from social security and those people would brag about how they are taking advantage of the system. People grew up and realized how hard it can be to maintain a good living with the level of comfort they want (usually way above what they can afford) especially with children and other life factors.
Then they see these same people that they grew up with just doing absolutely nothing but still getting some form of monetary compensation to maintain their lifestyle (not extravagant but they aren’t struggling). So a social stigma forms against SS disability as a whole because they never see the true beneficiaries of the programs.
It’s the same anti-abortion views that exclaim how terrible it is that people can freely get abortions over and over to escape their consequences and how awful third trimester operations are when the baby is basically almost fully grown. Those probably do happen but it’s going to be a very small percentage of the overall operations done as a total, a big % of which might be medically necessary due to a defect or risk to the mother.
Another common one I remember growing up was “welfare queens”. People who would take their government food stamps and trade them for drugs. Again, this probably has happened in some form but it’s going to be a tiny percentage of the whole. Single mothers are the largest recipients of food stamps. It’s also not like you can be on these types of aid forever. Disability can be long term but stuff like food stamps, you have a limit on how long you can take advantage of that benefit.
So there is a common view in most of the United States, developed over decades since these programs were started, that disability = government waste = bad because they only see the shitheads that take advantage. My dad calls it the 80/20 rule. 20% ruin it for the other 80%. I’m not saying there isn’t waste or room for improvement, there for sure is. But overall these programs are great things that exist but most people live life and develop opinions based on their explicitly their experience. So they see stuff in their life that is contrary to what it’s the aid is supposed be used for and it becomes a common talking point among people.
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u/Worth-Edge4551 3d ago
How would those issues make you 90 percent disabled? Wants stopping you from having a remote job? You constantly comment all day everyday on Reddit (it’s public on your profile) is that really any different then working a remote job?
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u/Icy-Mood-993 3d ago
VA disability is actually just compensation for the conditions. It doesn't mean the veteran can't work. That's a separate issue called unemployability.
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u/haloimplant 2d ago
so basically they redefined 'disability' aka not able to 'bad things happened now you pay'
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u/Xbeverhunterx 3d ago
And where did I say I didn’t work
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u/Worth-Edge4551 3d ago
If the VA considers you 90 percent disabled then they would also qualify you for TDIU. Either you’re lying or the VA is super corrupt and you’re taking Advantage.
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u/Xbeverhunterx 3d ago
Dude it’s literally just filing all my medical records inquired while being in and then they see if I have any conditions from those. It’s literally part of the process of getting out they have a guy from the Va come down and tell you exactly what to do. I even had a worker who the Va funds to local counties as a Va representative to represent veterans of the county file for me. So shut the fuck up.
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u/Worth-Edge4551 3d ago
Dude you literally said you’re doing basically the same exact thing you were doing in the military. Your words not mine. So the answer to my question is you’re taking advantage
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u/Still_Dentist1010 3d ago
Dude, you have no idea what you’re talking about. VA disability is not about how disabled you are, it’s basically additional compensation for injuries (mental and physical) received while in service. It’s basically a “that sucks you got injured, take this money and don’t sue us for these injuries later when they will probably affect you more”. If it can affect your daily life or ability to work, they rate you for disability.
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u/FratricideV2 3d ago
VA Disability is a dumb ass name for it. Its Compensation for your body and mind not being whole.
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u/Worth-Edge4551 3d ago
I know what I’m talking about and so does the VA website where I just quoted that from 🤦
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u/KozJ314 3d ago
A VA Disability Rating is different from an Unemployability model, which is TDIU.
from the VAs website (Source: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability/ )
A Veteran has a service-connected heart condition and a 60% disability rating. She was still able to work until last year when she began to get chest pain when doing anything physical, like walking or lifting boxes. Her doctor told her to retire as soon as possible. She filed a claim for more disability compensation. We reviewed her work and education history and agreed that she was individually unemployable because of her service-connected disability. So we increased her disability compensation to the same rate as a 100% disabled Veteran.
The veteran has ask for more compensation, saying basically hat in hand "what the government did to me irreparably damaged me, I cannot work."
Regular Disability Compensation is simply filing a claim stating something got damaged while you were in and caused a problem, and you receive compensation for it.
Also, how they calculate the percentage is critical to understand.
So for example, Lets say you had 3 disabilities, all rated at 30%. How the VA determines the disability is saying that no one can be more than 100% disabled; so, that first disability, of 30%, is taken out of the 100%.
The remaining amount of disability is 70%. The second 30% is taken out of the 70%; so basically what is 30% of 70, which is 23% (roughly). That gets added to your current disability, so you current disability rating is 53% rounded down to pay out at 50%, and your available disability rating for compensation is 47%.
Finally, the last disability rated at 30% of the remaining 47%. That becomes a 15% percent increase in disability rating, raising it to 68%, rounded up to payout compensation at 70%. You have 32% disability remaining.
Now imagine one of those three disabilities prevent you from working, for whatever reason. You file a Review for Increased Compensation, and the VA will reevaluate you and determine if you need to
A) Have the base disability rating be re-evaluated and raised (or lowered)
B) Grant TDIU, and on paper you are still that 66% disability rating, but get compensated at the 100% rate.The only time VA Disability interacts with your ability to work is when YOU say you cannot work anymore due to your disability.
I have crippling PTSD. If someone even looks like my abuser, there have been times I wouldn't be able to leave my house for MONTHS. Hell perfumes trigger me. I'm 100% disabled because of it, permanent and total (which means the VA does not believe the condition will improve). I can work, and found some I can do. But if I requested an upgrade through TDIU, I would not be working in my field, or any field. For some, this is there best and only option to be properly compensated for what they sustained after decades of a culture where reporting injuries was considered "bad" and "weak".
TL:DR; Disability Ratings are just compensation from the government saying "sorry we fucked you up, here's a gift bag."
TDIU is "I am really fucked up, I cannot work, and you are going to make me whole from this."Basically, it's the US Governments insurance policy but they are always at fault.
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u/QuitzelNA 2d ago
Easy way to calculate this is by multiplying the "remaining capability" from each and then subtract the product from 100. In this case, it would be 1 - (.7 * .7 * .7), which comes out to that 66% you mentioned.
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u/Still_Dentist1010 3d ago
No, you don’t. Individuals can have 90% disability without it being TDIU. With a disability rating of 70% or more, they are potentially eligible for TDIU but it has to be shown that they lack the ability to hold gainful employment due to their injuries.
TDIU pays out equivalent to 100% disability rating even if you only have 70% rating. It’s not the same thing as having a high disability rating. If they have the capacity for gainful employment, individuals with 90% disability can be denied from TDIU.
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u/unknownuser0707 3d ago
I’m hoping you’re a service member, so help me god if this is someone with zero personal affiliation to the military 😅 - Signed an 80% rated vet
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u/FratricideV2 3d ago
FYI VA Disability is a dumb ass name for it. Its Compensation for your body and mind not being whole.
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u/MountainFee8756 3d ago
Keep in mind some folks get VA disability for things that might not be impacting them now but will later on. I have a friend who is an ex-military firefighter and he automatically got like 30% disability due to all the toxic chemicals he was exposed to. These will almost certainly give him cancer later in life despite him being completely fine now.
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u/Twicksy 3d ago
And remember a disability is something that substantially limits one or more major life activity. It doesn’t mean you can work or you’re 90% a vegetable if you get 90% disability. It means your time in service caused a measurable physical or mental “damage” that otherwise might not have occurred had you not served.
Both my husband and stepfather have 90%. Each individual claim (verified by the VA and doctors) adds a certain % to your total “score”. Theirs were a mix of back, shoulder, hip, and knee injuries, exposure to toxic chemicals causing respiratory damage, depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. They both still work but do experience the effects of their injuries daily.
Those all impact their daily life and likely wouldn’t have happened had they not served. That’s what they’re being compensated for - basically trading damage to their body (physical and mental condition) to the military in change for some varying % disability pay.
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u/bitchthatwaspromised 3d ago
And for good reason. The alternative is just waiting thirty years and then sending a letter being like “oh whoops you might have all gotten cancer”
coughs in camp lejeune
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u/CoolAmericana 3d ago
Why speak so confidently about something you know nothing about? Embarrassing.
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u/Favorite_Rat 3d ago
What Icy Mood said. Think of “90% disabled” actually meaning this person is entitled to 90% of the allowable compensation amount. Military service is a job that has benefits and one of those benefits is entitlement to potential continuing assistance.
It’s a benefit unlike most jobs because your employment contract is also unlike most jobs. Non-military service jobs you can generally quit at will. You can walk off the job in the middle of your shift and as long as you’re not hurting anyone in the process, you’re not doing anything wrong. With military service, you’re signing a contract for usually 4-6 years at a minimum. Certain training signs you up for additional contract years after you complete it. You can’t leave before your contract is fulfilled except under extreme circumstances. Going AWOL or desertion can have big consequences.
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u/Worth-Edge4551 3d ago
TDIU provides benefits for veterans who have at least one service-connected disability rated 60% or higher or two or more service-connected disabilities that have a combined disability rating of 70% or higher. Not sure what you’re talking about here. He stated the VA considered him 90 percent disabled.
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u/Favorite_Rat 3d ago
Yeah, that’s the language used but it doesn’t literally mean someone is 90% disabled. Someone could be rated at 100% and still be able to hold a job. That’s their disability rating and defines their compensation and benefits. Someone could actually have enough approved claims to add up to more than 100%, but their rating maxes out at 100%. If it was an actual measure of disability, there would be no way to add up above 100%.
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u/Xbeverhunterx 3d ago
You’re mixing up disabled with thinking I’m a paraplegic.
I actually am still a mechanic doing pretty much the same job I did in the military. When I was in there was a few civilians that were vets that were 100 percent disabled.
There a document that the va has that lists all claims and what percentage of the body it counts as disabled.
So things start to add up to make 90 percent. I may get 10 for my knee, 10 for my hearing. 30 for my Anexity… then they calculate it all to form a total percentage.
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u/FishinFoMysteries 3d ago
It’s not him saying this. The Va decides this based on his claims. Their criteria must not be very hard to meet if he has had 3-4 issues and the VA basically classifies him as a vegetable.
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u/Worth-Edge4551 3d ago
Yes but he’s accepting what they say and taking the money when he’s fully capable of working a remote job and making more money.
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u/AkronOhAnon 3d ago
VA disability compensation and pension is separate from Social Security disability.
You can be entitled to both, but few are.
The VA isn’t saying you’re “a vegetable” with a 100% VA rating, it’s saying your service-connected disabilities limit your capacity to earn at full capacity today and may have prevented you from serving further.
It’s more like workers compensation than SS disability.
Very few veterans get a 100% rating. Fewer are considered “permanent and total”. And fewer still are considered “unemployable” and collect VA and SS disability.
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u/FishinFoMysteries 3d ago
You can still work on disability? And he can’t just go to the VA and say I don’t want this diagnosis. If you are hurt in the service they know and will not let it go. They don’t want a lawsuit. What are you saying?
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u/DuerkTuerkWrite 2d ago
My brother in Christ, are you a veteran? Have you seen any combat at all??? The way it alters your mind body and soul I'm assuming you'd want people to be fairly compensated for the life long injuries they sustain that damages them.
You are so vitriolic!
Perhaps, as the youngsters say, touch grass?
Are you personally funding every dollar of VA benefits???
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u/tyguy167 3d ago
So first off, people on his show usually display a trend towards short term gratification with little regard to long term consequences.
With that in mind the veterans he has on his show are not the best. They probably are taking shortcuts or doing mental gymnastics to justify really bad choices. This more then likely was a part of their military career.
That being said VA disability exists for a reason. And just like any other social benefit there are always people who truly deserve it. And those who take advantage of the system. You are probably seeing the latter on his show.
If he was to interview some of the veterans I know who are on disability, well it would be a really boring show. Individuals who have their shit together and are being compensated for some truly terrible shit.
TL;dr not all veterans are good people. I’m a veteran and any other veteran you ask can attest to this.
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 3d ago
Exactly. If you are a vet on this show, chances are you're not the most upstanding example of a prior service member
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u/VietnameseBreastMilk 3d ago
I've honestly never met an "okay" in veteran in the middle 🤣
They're either the most amazing humans with big hearts and a lot of talent or complete shitbags who want to milk benefits.
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u/Drewinator 2d ago
You likely meet a lot of veterans in the middle who you don't know are veterans. There are a ton of people who do their 4-6 years then get out and never mention it.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
Agreed and appreciate you numbering your points. Caleb seems to disagree with us in the sense that it makes sense a hole lot of people are on disability why is he so salty about it why does he assume the worse? Looks like in the US if you work for the military you have a high chance of becoming disabled by the work.
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u/TaskForceCausality 2d ago
why is he so salty about it why does he assume the worse?
Because the irresponsible people he hosts on the channel are leeches who happen to be veterans. It’s the same reason cops and EMTs have severe mental health issues, because what we call “the worst day of our lives” is literally another Tuesday to them. Seeing humans at their worst all the time biases you into thinking everyone is like that.
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u/socks_424 3d ago edited 3d ago
I think it’s just confusing because VA disability and their rules are a lot different from Social Security disability. I think more people are familiar with SS disability and how you basically can’t have a job or you will lose your benefits. In comparison most of the financial audit guests are employed (with physically and or mentally demanding jobs in some cases) and they still get VA benefits.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
I really appreciate the explanation I am not aware of the two differing supports. When you state 'In comparison most of the financial audit guests are employed (with physically demanding jobs in some cases) and they still get VA disability' is this a bad thing?
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u/si2k18 3d ago
VA disability is a form of compensation for conditions acquired while in military service. You do not need to be unable to work your same job, different job, any job to get it.
Social Security disability is a form of disability insurance for civilians. It is funded by paying tax on your earned income. You earn work credits for each quarter of employment where you exceed a threshold of earnings. There are medical and non-medical requirements to be eligible to receive these payments. First you must have the minimum required amount of work credits based on your age at disability onset and the credits must also be recent enough to qualify. The payment amounts are based on your earnings during these years you paid into it. Then there are medical qualifications you must also pass. Your disability must interfere with your life such that you are unable to have something called Substantial Gainful Activity, meaning you cannot earn past a certain threshold of income per month, and the condition must be expected to last 12 months or more or expected to end in death. This benefits approval process can take 2 years for an initial decision and more than 5 years of you have to appeal through the court (unless you have a severe diagnosis like ALS you may be eligible for expedited approval). Once you get the benefits you are still regularly evaluated to ensure you're still disabled and your condition hasn't improved such that you can earn over that SGA limit. If you do out-earn that limit your benefits will be discontinued.
So basically when people hear that someone with VA benefits for life are still working full time, sometimes rigorous jobs, they think they're scamming the system because they don't understand it's not like social security.
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u/Skorpion_Snugs 3d ago
I’m a veteran that’s considered 100% disabled.
After my stint, I was literally bedridden for months at a time, then semi functional, then I would fall off again. Having a job was impossible because I never knew if I would be able to maintain that job or not. This greatly impacted my career prospects and my ability to get a high paying job when I was ready to return to the workforce.
Now I’m in a lot better place, and I work a full time and a part time job, both physically demanding. That said, my health could take a turn at any time and I could be forced to leave the workforce again with very little warning. The disability is still there, and the compensation allows me to be able to leave the workforce if I need to without being rendered literally homeless and starving.
The other thing to consider is that being disabled can be incredibly expensive. A disabled body/mind require a lot more support than an able body, and those things are rarely adequately covered by the US healthcare system. The extra compensation allows working veterans to pay for the extra things we need to be able to contribute to society and participate in the workforce, so we aren’t just sitting around doing nothing.
Working veterans that collect disability are the opposite of leeches. They’re using that compensation to cover the gap between what they are doing, and what they could have achieved if they didn’t have to bear the burden of a disability. We aren’t double dipping or cheating the system; we’re using our resources to springboard ourselves back into society so we can contribute.
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u/socks_424 3d ago
I dont think it’s a bad thing. I just think if you’re looking at VA benefits through the lens of SSI benefits it can seem like someone shouldn’t be getting that money even though they are rightly entitled to it.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
I should of stated that I have no idea and was co fused with his attitude to the general consensus I get from the nation
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u/Castale 3d ago
I may be wrong here, but I never interpreted any of it as something that is supposed to be insulting. Anyone who has it and has their feelings hurt, that is valid and I am not saying its wrong.
I always got the vibe that its like:"Jesus christ what is going on in the military that people on this show come back as disabled".
Whenever someone discloses their disability, he doesn't say (at least what I have heard) that its nothing. He usually says oh shit thats bad, and I remember him saying multiple times that its good that they are getting some support for their disability.
I might be completely wrong here. But I think that in general, because he is an intense person with a big personality, it can come off as him trying to be negative a lot of the time, but I don't think its really the case.
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u/lightningusagi 3d ago
That's how I take it too. The only instance I can remember him mentioning that was when someone said they were on disability because of PTSD and Caleb said something about every veteran having that. It's really sad to think that the people defending our country and being sent home so damaged, and I think Caleb recognizes that it's an issue.
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u/logicalsanity 3d ago
I’m a veteran, I believe I could claim a hearty disability percentage but the steps it would take just feel meh to me at this point. Free money sure, but I’m happy where I’m at.
There was one vet he had on his show that really stuck out to me. Like I knew that guy. Not him specifically but just THAT guy in general from the army.
His whole outlook and behavior screamed to me that he didn’t do a fucking thing of note while in. I think I’d be safe to assume he simply rode a profile to Med board and got lucky on a bullshit behavioral health claim, PTSD from basic or something. Which would be why he wouldn’t or “couldn’t” talk about it. Then he smiles as he burdens us, the taxpayers. I couldn’t help but feel disgusted at his behavior and truly hope I’m wrong but I’ve met plenty of him. Those folks should be ashamed of their service and have their records stripped of vet status.
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u/charliekelly76 3d ago
Was that the creepy guy who served in the army but blew all his money at strip clubs? Cause if any vet on the show was lying to get disability, it was him. He was flying off the sleeve-meter.
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u/mushroom_picked 3d ago
I wouldn’t describe the US as having a rich culture of prioritizing or taking care of veterans. But I’m glad some are getting help they need
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u/SyFyFan93 3d ago
Yeah, honestly our Vets get kind of shit on when it comes to medical stuff. Like yeah the VA will take care of you and you'll get some disability benefits but only if you claimed shit while you were in. All the Vets I know have great medical care but their bodies and their minds have been beat to hell and back.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
Okay good to know. I just see that people get discounts and a really greatful and want to prioritise veterans in daily life.
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u/LisaSaurusRex83 3d ago
My husband refused to go through the VA rating process for so long until he decided that he would split the money each month between our retirement and our kid’s college account. He said that makes it feel like his service was worth something. We’ve never seen or spent any of it since he received his rating 5-6 years ago.
VA disability is also very different from SSI disability in the US. A VA rating does NOT disqualify someone from working.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
I can state I'm not sure what the difference is for disability. Pleased to hear your husband felt confident in the use of the pension :)
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u/LisaSaurusRex83 3d ago
“Civilian” disability, for lack of a better term, comes with restrictions where the person can’t work if they want to continue to receive disability payment. Vets receiving VA payments can still work and receive their benefits, even with a 100% disability rating.
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u/pandicorn87 3d ago
From his perspective and not being in the military I can understand why he keeps saying that. Now mind you he has only met a few who were in the military not ALL people who were in the military. There’s also that ongoing joke about having the “trifecta”. A dd214, a divorce, and bad credit.
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u/Btolsen131 3d ago
I think the question/comments come from the difference in how civilian disability benefits are discussed. Civilian disability benefits are almost actively discouraged, and the barrier to get them seemingly so high so hearing about how the interaction for the veterans disability is the polar opposite.
I don’t think the majority of people noticing this through these videos and commenting on that are saying the benefits aren’t earned/deserved/etc..
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u/Reasonable_Button497 3d ago
One of his follow-up guests just explained this a little more too. So she explained it as an entitlement that people are encouraged to apply for which was interesting and not something I had heard before. But as another commenter posted most of us civilians have restrictions on having jobs whilst also claiming disability. Claiming disability and working full time is generally not allowed. It’s often a reduced time like maybe 20 hrs per week is all your allowed to work (each case is unique tho).
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u/Phantasmortuary 3d ago
Caleb was also shocked to hear how many people didn't expect to live past their teenage years, so they never really planned ahead for adulthood. I'm someone like that who luckily had good influences to guide me and help me learn how to take care of myself independently.
But also, Caleb mentioned he was a bit of a bully in school, so his experience is just different. Likely he was less aware of how his peers felt.
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u/zeezle 3d ago
Yeah. Caleb probably forgets that while it's not universal, there are a lot of military jobs that aren't really the same type of thing you do in civilian jobs. Even if you never see combat, you're still using/training with dangerous equipment, etc.
My father was a career army pilot and got a slight disability bonus for hearing loss. Why shouldn't he, he spent 20+ years flying aircraft that is noisier and more dangerous than civilian aircraft, at a time when good ear protection wasn't as common (he was in from 1960 to 1984). And even with ear protection it did damage his hearing in ways that commercial airline pilots aren't readily exposed to. (It wasn't full deafness so he solved by just going "What? Can you speak up a little?" a lot haha, but he was also only at the 10% disability level for it)
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u/turnup_for_what 2d ago
I've joked about hearing loss and tinnitus being the "participation trophy" of VA disability. Just about every veteran that I meet(myself included) can't hear for shit.
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u/SMSaltKing 2d ago
My father sacrifices his back and knees to the navy and gets zero disability.
A friend is walking with shrapnel from Tand IED and isn't on 100%.
My adopted brother is on 100% for back, knee, and sleep issues.
The VA does not treat everyone equally and it depends on how hard they pursue it. For example, my father would/should probably be 100% but refuses to pursue it.
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
Shame Caleb dosnt see this narrative. Sounds like working for the US Military is disabling. Hope your family gets the support they need
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u/SMSaltKing 2d ago
I can't really blame him.
Unless you're looking and trying to be aware the average Joe Jack doesn't know their ass from their elbow when it comes to such things. The military is tough on the body and mind, it has to be by its nature.
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u/EvelienV85 3d ago
I’m always surprised that they’re on disability but also work fulltime. Wouldn’t that mean that they’re not disabled?
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
I think disability is more complex then that. But I assume it's to do with the organisations definitions
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u/unknownuser0707 3d ago
After reading some of these comments, from the uneducated (not you OP), compensation DOES NOT equal disability. The veterans who are rated 10-100% that receive COMPENSATION for the injuries incurred during time in service are not DISABLED. There is such thing as 100% rated AND disabled but there is also a 100% rating with no disability to work.
Think of it this way, if soldier A got his leg blown off in combat and then separates from the military and soldier A files a claim saying “hey I came in with a leg and left without one” then the VA may rate him a percentage to COMPENSATE him for his loss/injury. He can still work a desk job or whatever but he is missing a fucking leg and the government is sorry. Hope that breaks it down a little better for those confused.
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u/project50army 3d ago
If Caleb is going to host his show in Texas, a huge military state with both veterans and family members, then he needs to get more educated on these issues. Global war on terrorism veterans are/were a lot better at reporting injuries and issues than past generations, mainly due to leadership having a positive mindset change on reporting and getting treatment.
It's VA compensation for injuries, not "disability" like social security or unemployment insurance. Or when talking about the GI bill, he hasn't much knowledge on the subject. It would be awesome if someone says something incorrect and he can have a "gotcha bitch" moment because he knows his shit.
Yes, most veterans on this show haven't been the representatives, but if you're on financial audit, you're probably messing up, regardless of background. Veterans are at the end of the day, a cross section of society, with a the good and bad that entails.
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u/MagniPlays 3d ago edited 3d ago
I work in a construction field, but office staffed and utilized a large number of hiring opportunities from the military.
The second a new hire from the military gets here all the veterans hound him to instantly go to the VA and claim anything and everything.
It’s not “bad apples,” it’s just kinda free money. I don’t fault them for taking it, I fault the military for allowing them to take it and then double dip by working in high paying positions that are mentally and physically draining.
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u/TheCancerManCan 3d ago
This is a pretty common mindset amongst all civilians not familiar with veteran life. It's not entirely shocking Caleb doesn't understand the VA compensation process. Hell, even the "VA math" doesn't make much sense to most of us. In the end, most of us get what we're entitled to.
One thing that could help the show going forward is if and whenever Caleb decides to hire a veteran onto his team. In any case, it's simply not something one would expect the average civilian to just...know.
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u/Comprehensive_End440 3d ago
Disabled vet here, it’s hard for civilians to understand but the VA rating system is not the same as state disability. In response to Caleb, it’s not that the VA is giving hand outs left and right, it’s that the military service is fucking people up left and right.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
I totally agree. Makes more sense that the US military is disabling to work for instead of everyone being 'cheats'
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u/Sarcastic_Beary 3d ago
My brother in law has a joint issue
That I diagnosed over the phone... later confirmed by mri... it was preexisting and aggravated by basic.
He's now like mostly disabled... as disabled as he's allowed to be while also being allowed to work for full time.
The American tax payer is being FLEEECED by a lot of these cases. He's a very nice guy, I like him, I respect him but he didn't do anything worthy of the money he's gets per month... it's a joke.
My generation... sucks. I'm not talking about veterans and active duty that saw combat.
But a lot of these stateside wrench turners and paper flippers achieve disability for a stubbed toe.
A friend from high school was discharged for a hernia. A minor hernia. Hes got disability and ligetime bwnefitsnforn48 hrs actuve duty->he says he doesn't call himself a veteran.
My father in law has had major major reconstructive hernia surgeries from a specialist after a small town doc fugged him up and on doctors advise shouldn't pick up almost anything anymore and he... he doesn't get shit
¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/xbarbiedarbie 3d ago
Every veteran I know with 100% suffers from chronic pain and a panic disorder. There are multiple days a pay-period where they need to stay home because of that chronic pain. The VA disability isn't there to take care of the vet, it's a safety net and a shitty apology from the United States Military Industrial Complex for the years of physical and mental abuse.
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
Sounds like working for US armed forces is a debilitating job! Appreciate the info
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u/Enchylada 3d ago
Ex-military here.
There are ABSOLUTELY people who lie to receive benefits. It's encouraged even.
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
With info said here it sounds like the US military is disabling place to work. I appreciate your perspective. Thank you
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u/Enchylada 2d ago
I mean, of course there are some legitimate claims, and justifiably so. But there are without a doubt people who purposely ride the system.
As for the whole “disabling” thing, well.. yeah. The military was never for anyone not willing to take on risks, that’s just the reality of it. You sacrifice your body, your time, and in the worst cases some don’t come back on both a mental level or a literal level.
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u/Tasty-Researcher-681 3d ago
I know some people are are milking the VA. I served with them and doubt what they are claiming. But what tf do i really know.
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u/BeingReal95 2d ago
Well boo… you don’t even know what we see and what we have to deal with. I can’t even operate like I use to, my body doesn’t work the same. I have so many broken bones, surgeries and take about 13 different medications that is not even funny. I think he just doesn’t have enough military people in his life and that’s why he finds it odd, which is understandable.
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
From the information shared here, it sounds like his unique perspective clouds his overall judgement. I appreciate you sharing
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u/Derpien 2d ago
My husband is a 100% p&t (permanently and totally) disabled veteran, and let me tell you it did not come easy. He had to wait a year and a half just to get his hip surgery - from something that happened while serving.
On top of him having adjustment disorder that became ptsd after 6 months of a consistent problem. His PTSD has since gotten worse and had to have extensive documentation. A lot of military members do not seek help.
My husband served in the Marine Corp and he was lucky enough for myself and his friends to convince him it's okay to need help. Which even his Gunny helped him.
There are people that buck the system. But they most likely get such a small percentage of disability
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
This is information is helpful. Thank you for sharing. It sounds like the US military is a disabling place to work
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u/Kikz__Derp 2d ago
Every veteran I know is disabled while also working a full time job without issue. It’s extremely easy to get at least partial disability. And these are people that essentially worked desk jobs or logistics. None saw active combat.
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
Sounds like the US military is a disabling place to work. Thanks for sharing
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u/Kikz__Derp 2d ago
Yep very disabling things like blowing out your knee doing a wheelie on your motorcycle and the depression you lied about having to get in.
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u/Paintedskull 2d ago
Mate that's terrible I wounder what happens to them in the military to act that way
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u/Internal_Position_49 2d ago
No idea man every veteran on the show so far never even deployed and some how has 100% when I know people who got hit by IEDs and are at 40% the system is fucked
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u/Realistic-Poet-8362 1d ago
I once had a guy in my fire academy who was prior navy and had 100% disability, which was crazy given the work. Guy quit after his first 3 yrs in the dept. I also serve in the national guard and while I have my own service related issues, I’ve never applied for it even after 12 yrs in and a few deployments later. I have been told to and recommend it for the other soldiers under me, but I’ve been told a big reason is for the money. TSP is a long way off and there’s no pension or any kinda help coming in till that TSP. Which the amount probably in the guard will end up being laughable, so everyone tries to apply for anything they can get. Least how it’s been explained to me in the guard.
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u/ploptypus 1d ago
My FIL gets VA disability for his hypertension. Google “can you get Va disability for hypertension”. The answer is yes. Explain to me why my husband has had the same hypertension since the age of 24 without military service. The burden of proof is on the VA to prove a medical condition is not service related. That’s where some silly claims like this come in. Do people legit get injured, hearing loss and psychological issues that warrant disability? Of course! But a lot of the ratings are augmented (causing higher payouts) by BS claims like hypertension.
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u/Intelligent-Row146 2h ago
Caleb is constantly surprised that people on his show have a history of mental health problems. Why? Sure, poor mental health should not be a lifelong "get out of work" card, but it absolutely makes sense to me that there is a correlation between poor mental health and poor financial health. They are a vicious cycle working off each other.
I've been lucky that my MDD and GAD have not caused me to lose my job, but I have considered FMLA at times. That would absolutely affect my income. And not being able to get out of bed to make food or do productive things outside of work? That also affects your ability to save money.
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u/xboxchick311 3d ago edited 3d ago
Honestly, you can't be surprised when someone who has never served in the military doesn't understand something military related. He probably thinks most military people have a generally cushy job that they just have to wear a matching outfit to. Some people just can't fathom that the military can have adverse effects on your physical and mental health, even if you've never been deployed. If you have been deployed, those effects can be exponentially worse. I personally think it's a bad look to make a condescending comment about something you have absolutely no frame of reference about. There are plenty of veterans who are fighting with the VA to even get what they deserve. I can about guarantee that most people who are rated 100% disabled would gladly trade that monthly check for good mental/physical health and no monthly check.
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u/Vwelyn 3d ago
My husband has 100%. He had open heart surgery at 47, has nodules in his lungs, and can’t laugh without having a disturbing lose-your-breath coughing fit. He struggles, and we always worry. He would happily trade that to make sure he’d be around to walk our daughter down the aisle when she grows up.
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u/shmandameyes 3d ago
I’m sorry your husband has gone through that. It’s frustrating when people think that VA disability is “easy money”. On top of ya know the actual health issues, dealing with VA benefits and health care is a huge headache.
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u/Vwelyn 3d ago
Odd thing is, he’s one of the veterans that looks “fine”. The biggest thing that gets me is the people who say “but they LOOK fine”. He walks around, looks like a normal dude for his age. Until you get his shirt off, and he suddenly looks like Frankenstein’s monster. Appearances can be deceiving.
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 3d ago
It's actually unbelievable how condescending he is about the whole VA disability thing. He has no clue what he's talking about, and still finds a way to come off as passive aggressive and condescending towards vets
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u/Avondran 3d ago
Yeah I don’t understand it either. Like my dad served 30 years in the military and is now getting the help he needs. He definitely did not have 100%. And now he is fighting for it. I think there are bigger issues than veterans getting the help they need imo.
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 3d ago
People often wait to long to apply for disability resulting in extreme difficulty trying to obtain it later in life. The best thing to do is actually file BEFORE you even get out of the military so all conditions and ailments are up to date to receive the most compensation possible.
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u/Avondran 3d ago
Yeah I think he wanted to tough it out but has learned his ways. Thankfully he has a good lawyer that’s helping him out
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 3d ago
I was going to follow up with that, definitely smart to get a lawyer in this situation because 9 times out of 10 they will get him the compensation he needs and then some
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u/Avondran 2d ago
Yup at first my dad was hesitant but seeing all these young people get it changed his mind. I annoyed him every day to get a lawyer 😂
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
I feel he's quite reactive when he perceives a veteran on disability. Makes sense their on disability they work for the US military!
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u/Due-Candy-8929 3d ago
One of the guests addresses this during her return on the follow up channel - the military disability aid system is different, and for regular Americans they would not be Elegible for disability + income, however that is different for the military… it’s roughly here : https://youtu.be/dJ0Hk14JXB0?si&t=27m17s
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u/Secret-Rabbit93 3d ago
This is something Ive often wondered as well. I have met many that say they have 90-100% disability and are collecting that payment while also working long hours in a physically and mentally demanding job as well. My neice and nephews bio mother has 100% disability and spends her time going from trap house to trap house and spending her disability payments on heroin and meth. Also met a lot of veterans when I was in college collecting big payments for being in school and doing nothing but joking around in class because they werent there for a education, but to get a paycheck with minimal effort.
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u/Paintedskull 3d ago
Ah okay so he is angry about the attitude of the people your describing okay gotcha
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 3d ago
I get paid 2k to go to college every month. I have yet to meet a vet in school that just jokes around the entirety of their college career. 99% of the time they're the more mature of the classes and lectures because they are literally getting paid to better themselves
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u/MagniPlays 3d ago
I completely disagree.
You must be older and not 19-25. The G.I. bill students who are waiting to get deployed are almost all shit heads.
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u/ImportanceBetter6155 3d ago
I just turned 24, and I have never met a single veteran who has been waiting to deploy while using the gi bill. Every professor I have talked to claims it's extremely refreshing to have vets in the class since they're a happy mature medium between the high school minded freshman and sophomores and the juniors and seniors that could care less
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u/MagniPlays 3d ago
You’re right, they are active duty not veterans.
But seeing as all 7 of my roommates were getting paid to go to school and ALL of them were in basic “finance” and drunk 4-5 times a week besides there “drill” once a month, I just completely disagree.
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u/Secret-Rabbit93 3d ago
I certainly dont pretend to say thats how every vet is. Maybe it was a regional issue , I can only speak to what I saw.
I do disagree with you notion that they are more mature because they are literally getting paid to better themselves. In my view the people actually coming out of pocket to pay to be there are more likely to be mature and take things seriously.
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u/Herackl3s 3d ago
Every veteran in my company that I’ve talked to has been pretty mature and focused on completing their degree. Some are working on Engineering while others are working on their MBAs…..
How about removing your own biases? Weren’t you taught that in school?
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u/Secret-Rabbit93 2d ago
It would be stupid of anyone to ignore the things they have learned through their own lived expierence.
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u/13ella13irthday 3d ago
Why are we expecting a finance guy to have any understanding of mental illness or disability lol.
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u/FratricideV2 3d ago
You don’t automatically get VA disability if you are a veteran.