Column raises concerns from disabled vets.

I just read National Adjutant Wilson's column in the May/June edition of DAV Magazine. My husband was drafted and served during the Vietnam War for two years. During his tour of duty he never complained, did whatever was asked of him and then some. He has injuries that removed most of his ability to properly digest food. His disability rate was considered 20 percent. Why should he now be penalized for becoming permanently disabled through no fault of his own? Rules shouldn't change on the whims of the current administration. Disabled veterans' wartime service to our country is trivialized with the mere thought of reducing VA benefits if they receive any other forms of pension compensation. I say to the government, "Walk a few hundred miles in a DAV's shoes." Cheryl Monroe, Charlotte, MI

I've just read National Adjutant Wilson's column "Punishing Disabled Veterans." What a kick in the teeth this is. It makes me sick. This is what you get for putting your life on the line for your country. There's a group out trying to take away your benefits, like I'm getting rich off of these benefits. I can't work anymore because of my disability. If that isn't bad enough, now they think I'm ripping off the government. I made more money working and paid into Social Security, so why am I not entitled to it? Too bad nobody plays with their income to see how it feels to be constantly attacked by your own people. Who the hell are we fighting anyway? Yeah, be all you can be, but don't become disabled. Now I know why the last time that I went in for a VA compensation and pension exam the first thing I was asked was if I also received SSDI benefits. I thank the DAV for keeping us informed on this attack. We need to stop this nonsense. Michael Kondel, Adams, MA

The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission should understand that service-connected disability benefits are analogous to benefits paid to workers injured in the course of their employment. Persons receiving worker's compensation payments are also eligible for Social Security Disability benefits simultaneously with no offset. One is compensation for an injury sustained and the other is insurance. In the veteran's case the employer is Uncle Sam which acts as its own worker's compensation carrier, and therefore the federal government is responsible for issuing two checks with no offset. Allan Zimmermann, Fernandina Beach, FL

I am a 50 percent disabled veteran and agree 100 percent that we do not need to give Congress any way to take away any part of our disability compensation. Social Security Disability Insurance and our compensation should always be kept separate and should never be associated with social security. I work full time and had planned to retire from the Army before I became disabled. I am counting on my disability compensation to help me through my retirement years. Michael Lanphere, Rock Island, IL