BanderasNews
Puerto Vallarta Weather Report
Welcome to Puerto Vallarta's liveliest website!
Contact UsSearch
Why Vallarta?Vallarta WeddingsRestaurantsWeatherPhoto GalleriesToday's EventsMaps
 NEWS/HOME
 EDITORIALS
 ENTERTAINMENT
 VALLARTA LIVING
 WHY VALLARTA?
 LOCAL PROFILES
 VALLARTA ART TALK
 COMMUNITY SERVICES
 HOME & REAL ESTATE
 RESORT LIFESTYLES
 VALLARTA WEDDINGS
 SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP
 PHOTO GALLERIES
 101 HOTTEST THINGS
 PV REAL ESTATE
 TRAVEL / OUTDOORS
 HEALTH / BEAUTY
 SPORTS
 DAZED & CONFUSED
 PHOTOGRAPHY
 CLASSIFIEDS
 READERS CORNER
 BANDERAS NEWS TEAM
Sign up NOW!

Free Newsletter!
Puerto Vallarta News NetworkVallarta Living | Veteran Affairs | December 2007 

VA 2008 Compensation Rates
email this pageprint this pageemail usDavid Lord - PVNN


Mike Bowman, of Forreston, Illinois, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on December 12 before the House Veteran's Affairs Committee hearing on mental health issues and suicides facing veterans. Bowman's son, Tim Bowman, committed suicide after serving in the Iraq war. (Susan Walsh/AP)
The annual cost of living increase for the year 2008 is a meager 2.3% increase over 2007 rates. Social Security, military retired and those having service-connected disabilities or pension are entitled to this annual increase, which is based on the government's calculation.

Americans have a hard time watching the value of the U.S. dollar plummet against the Canadian Dollar and Euro resulting in a 30% loss of value over the last few years. While the last three cost of living increases have only amounted to an 8% increase - that's a 22% short fall!

America and its Veterans are being pulled deeper into poverty, with compensation benefits being skimmed off and diverted into rebuilding foreign nations, at the expense of the Veterans who served and suffered in those very nations.

Veterans deserve an income which is capable of providing some Quality of Life as well as covering the lost income they incur due to service-related disabilities. They not only suffer disability, they continue to be held hostage to a war no one wants.

They have survived real wounds, wrecked bodies, battered emotions, and traumatized minds serving America. These are the heroes who have bought and paid for these so-called Compensation Benefits with their blood and guts, but guess what? There is a new way to deny benefits normally granted to a Veteran, it is to dismiss them from military service by labeling them as Unfit for Duty.

Of the 83,008 Veterans found to be Unfit for Duty from 2000 to 2006, 81% were discharged from the military with a 20% or less disability rating, that is $230 dollars a month if rated 20%, they were given no future medical care, or any other benefit from the Department of Defense.

The majority will receive $117 per month, and over 25% of those found Unfit for Duty were forced out of service and given no money, they have a 0% disability rating, which means they are not entitled to disability pay.

So how did they become unfit for duty? The VA tells us that their conditions pre-existed their military service, yet, when you are accepted into military service you are presumed to be 100% fit for duty when accepted, that's the Law.

Those that are found Unfit for Duty must be given more than a boot out the door when the cause of discharge is due to a medical condition or mental disorder. The rates below are for those fortunate enough to be given Compensation Payments.

2008 Pay Rates of Service Compensated Veterans

10% - 20% (No Dependents)



30% - 60% Without Children



70% - 100% Without Children



30% - 60% With Children



70% - 100% With Children


David Lord served in Vietnam as combat Marine for 1st Battalion 26th Marines, during which time he was severely wounded. He received the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation for his actions during the war in Vietnam. In Mexico, David now represents all veterans south of the U.S. border all the way to Panama, before the V.A. and the Board of Veterans Appeals. David Lord provides service to veterans at no fee. Veterans are welcome to drop in and discuss claims/benefits to which they are entitled by law at his office located at Bayside Properties, 160 Francisca Rodriguez, call him at home 222-5990, on his cell: 044 (322) 205-1323, or email him at david.lord(at)yahoo.com.

Click HERE for more Veteran Affairs with David Lord »»»



In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving
the included information for research and educational purposes • m3 © 2008 BanderasNews ® all rights reserved • carpe aestus