Friday, June 28, 2013

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Braulio Castillo claimed disability based on an injury he sustained at the U.S. Military Preparatory School nearly 30 years ago. The Times reports that Castillo broke his foot (the record actually indicates that he twisted his ankle) at the prep school, but went on to play football in college.

Castillo, president and CEO of an IT company called Strong Castle, reported a foot injury he sustained in 1984 at the U.S Military Academy Preparatory School, according to a report released by the committee. He was honorably discharged in his first year at the school, and later went on to play football at the University of San Diego as quarterback and linebacker.

Seeking to acquire a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business credential–designed by the Small Business Administration to help veterans apply for federal contracts–he listed his injury as his qualification. After reporting ongoing pain and treatment for his foot, Castillo was granted a 30% disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The highest rating for injuries below the knee that department can offer is a 40% disability.

Asked Castillo some questions about his "disability." He dipped and dodged, but ultimately had to own up to receiving the 30% disability so he could get the credential he needed to apply for his federal contract.

Turns out he might re-think his application after being questioned by Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
See, she lost her legs and use of her right arm when she served in Iraq. She is only afforded a 20% disability by the Department of Veterans Affairs.





I neither know about, nor have I researched Representative Duckworth's (D-Ill.) politics. But in this case I say to her, "Well done!"

15 comments:

Xavier Onassis said...

I agree with and wholeheartedly support everything Rep. Duckworth said.

The fact that you do too, gives me hope.

We will make a sound thinking human being of you sooner or later Joe!

Joe said...

XO: "...a sound thinking human being of you sooner or later Joe!"

Never.

Joe said...

XO: What I DO think is that even some Democrats are beginning to see the level of corruption that is prevalent and encouraged by the political climate in the U.S. today. Remember, this was from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a government department.

I have many friends who get "service" from the Department of Veterans Affairs, none of them is happy with them.

Scotty said...

Castillo had some outside help in the rating. The VA makes their awards based on active duty injuries. A prep school does not constitute active duty military.

There are some big skeletons in that closet of his rating. In other words some connected folks in the government got him that rating.

Rep. Duckworth was pointing at the rating for her arm only. I have no doubt that she has a much higher overall rating as ratings are based on each individual injury. She has a much higher overall rating, of that I have no doubt.

I have many friends who get "service" from the Department of Veterans Affairs, none of them is happy with them.

I'm rated 100% by the VA, I was retired from the Army based on my disabilities.

I live in Florida and the care I get from the VA is second to none! I use the VA exclusively for my care.

Scotty said...

Oh....and if she got only 20% rating on here arm she got screwed! My right wrist is fused with a titanium plate in it. I've got a 40% rating for that alone.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

X.O. actually agreed that there is corruption!!!! We just might make a sound thinking human being of him yet.

Lone Ranger said...

My doctor told me I should register with VA. So, I went down to a VA office for info. They guy there told me that in his opinion, EVERYONE qualifies for some sort of assistance. I walked out. Don't want any part of that sort of corruption, even if I were to benefit from it.

Joe said...

SR: "...EVERYONE qualifies for some sort of assistance."

It's the Great Nanny State!

GEC: "We just might make a sound thinking human being of him yet."

Never.

Scotty said...

My doctor told me I should register with VA. So, I went down to a VA office for info. They guy there told me that in his opinion, EVERYONE qualifies for some sort of assistance. I walked out. Don't want any part of that sort of corruption, even if I were to benefit from it.

Your doctor is a wise man. You shouldn't have walked out because of the few that abuse the system.

There are certain things that you earned by being a veteran. Compensations for the sacrifices that you made in your service to your country.

As veterans, it's our job to call out the abusers just as Rep. Duckworth did! And we veterans are doing the same. There is a large network of vets that are involved in doing this.

Xavier Onassis said...

I've probably said this before, but I'll say it again.

The day a citizen is sworn in as a member of our Armed Forces, a dormant VA account for them needs to be created,

From that point on, every duty assignment, every Infirmary visit, every battle they are in, every injury they sustain, every treatment they receive and every evaluation they are given should be added to that dormant VA file.

The day they are discharged, they are given their VA Benefits card. All they need to do is show up at a VA Hospital an hour later with that VA Benefits card and another photo ID and BOOM! They swipe the card, the VA has immediate access to their entire service history and they begin getting the benefits that WE PROMISED THEM immediately.

We owe them that.

Scotty said...

I don't think I would take it quite that far, XO. There are many that survive the military experience quite well. Not all need the VA and there are many that choose not to participate in the system.

Xavier Onassis said...

Scotty - No problem. They never activate their card and their file remains dormant.

Scotty said...

That's more or less how it operates now, XO. Once one leaves the military, they can register for services at anytime. It's pretty much been that why for at least 20 years or better.

Initially, the VA was for those that had service connected issues.

My older brothers, all Navy guys, are all enrolled in the VA system and get all their care needs met there and they had no claims for injuries while they were active duty. It is a better deal than medicare.

I'm not sure of the time frame but, anybody coming out of the services now can get free care there.....I think it's for a year I'm a little foggy on that, it could be more, not sure.

But to be sure, the VA is there for any vet that needs care.

But, some centers are better than others. The quality of care often has everything to do with location, because our politicians (both sides) like to use to VA to their own advantage as it is a big cash cow not unlike the military bases are.

It's often used as pork and often centers are open only because one has the political clout to get it their domain, whether they are needed or not. And more times than not, those with less political clout aren't able to get them in the areas they are truly needed. I could give you plenty examples....

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

The VA should be for ONLY service-related issues. I know too many ex-Military who, like myself, suffered no injuries nor had medical issues while in, yet just because they are a vet they use the local VA hospital. I've been too often told to use VA hospital to save money on my medical bills (which cost me almost $14,000 out of pocket this past two years), but since I have no service-related issues, it would be unethical.

Scotty said...

The VA should be for ONLY service-related issues.

That's been pretty much my sentiments too, Glenn. But, I will say this, I think care at the VA has improved since they've opened the system up a little bit.

But, at the same time, it also has made us service related folks wait a big longer, at times, for appointments because services can get a bit clogged.

I first entered into the VA system in 1972 and it wasn't a pleasant place to get care back then. I think the increased numbers being cared for, non-service connected, helped the quality of care.

But hey! What can I do about it, I'm barely the oil that lubes the cogs of the system.

The whole system has been politicized way beyond what it should ever be. And, I see no hope in changing it because too many on both sides of the isle benefit in game of where do we put the next VA center.

Sometimes my little Kia looks way out of place in the VA parking lot parked next to a LOT of new Lincolns and Cadillacs!