The National tribune., 1885-07-09

one but a skilled surgeon can determine how much
a man is disabled, and only then after he has made
n personal examination of the applicant. No de-
scription of disease, injury, wound can impart
sufficient information to enable anyone TO decide
such question as you propound The only way
you can ascertain whether you are entitled to in
crease Is to apply for same alleging all the dsab
tiles for which you desire to claim and the certif-
cate Of the Examining Surgeon will show whether
you are entitled to higher rate. To expect us to
be able to determine from q non-professional de-
scripton of several disabilities the proper rate of
A skilled physician or surgeon could not do it.
Were it otherwise the Pension Office would have
no need of Examining Surgeons.
H. s., Lille Falls, N. Y.-My pension claim
filed in County Clerks Office June 30 1880. inn
mediately forwarded it to the Pension Office. Can
L draw back pension? Ans,Uer. No. The law
must have been fled in the Pension Office or be-
fore June 90 1880; otherwise they can only draw
from date of filing in said Office.
III. T.. W., Freedom, PA First Lieutenant was
pensioned for rupture of important blood vessel
at the rate of 80 per month Is this the full pen
sion or does not an act of Congress make it SIS?
In event of asking an increase, granted, would it
date to time of discharge application? The in
crease was asked in lieu of hernia. Would this re-
There is specified rate for the disability described.
The rating depends upon the degree of disability as
found by the Examining Surgeon, which showed
you one-half of totally disabled Total pension for
your rank would be SI7. There was no act of Con-
gress increasing pensions for such disability. In
crease if allowed. will date from the date of the Ex-
cation for increase was filed and which shows you
entitled to an increase. new examination is ne
cessary, if not already made since you applied for
increase, but probably no testimony will be re-
quired. The certificate of the Examining Surgeon
will decide the question of increase.
j. III. H., Fort Collins, CoIo-1. If a claim has been
made special under a former Commissioner, does it
go on record and is the present Commissioner
bound to go with the special? 2. If a
case is before the Commissioner with proofs all in
for final settlement, and the disease for which he
applied becomes very much aggravated since he
was last examined, would it be policy for claimant
to ask for another examination? Ans,oer. 1. 1t
would be continued as special case. 2 1t would
be advisable to ask for another examination.
b. A. Lebanon, Kda.-When an invalid pension is
allowed is it fixed for life, or is it subject to being
raised or lowered, according to the ability at any
time; and If so, by what process? Afss,Uer. If a
pensoner at any time within six months from date
of last action in his claim thinks heis rated too ow
he apply for increase by fling his claim there
fore with the Commissioner of Pensions He is then
ordered for examination, and upon the report of
the Examining Surgeon his right to increase is de-
termined, which. if allowed, will commence from
the date of such examinations; or, the Pension
Office has reason to believe that the pensoner is
rated too high he may be ordered for examination,
and upon the Examining Surgeons report he may
be reduced or If found not to be disabled his PEN
sion may cease.
Prisoner No. 7401, Allegheny City, Pal. A pen
sioner draws small pension, lays it by year after
year, until it amounts to few hundred dollars,
gives it to party for safe keeping, to be returned
when called for the party fails to return the money.
is there any law to reach him? 2. Can pensioner
be dropped from the rolls for not drawing his
pension for q number OF years say six or eight
years. there being no other reason? 8. Please pub
lish the law passed by Congress April, 1884, in
gard to pension attorneys, any one claiming to
be such for the purpose of defranding pensioners.
AnS1rer /. The law relative to q breach of trust
embezzlement would apply. 2 Yes; failure to
draw a pension for three years causes the PEN
sioner's name to be dropped from the rolls. and he
can be restored only by application for restoration
3. The following Is the act referred to: - Be IT
enacted. ETC.. That every person who, with In
tent defraud either the United States any per-
son, falsely assumes presends to be an officer OF
employee acting under the authority of the United
States, or any Department., or any officer Of the
Government thereof, and who shall take upon
himself to act as such, who shall in such pre-
tended character demand or obtain from any per-
son, or from the United States, any Department
or any officer of the Government thereof, any
shall be deemed guilty of felony and shall on con.
victon thereof. be punished by fine of not MOI g
than one thousand dollars, imprisonment moi
longer than three years, or both said punishments
in the discretion of the court" Approved April
18. 1884.
j. b. b., Wismar, Minn-1. Is a soldier who has
just received back pension for varicose veins and
ulcer entitled to communication money for elastic
stockings? 2. Is a pensiOner exempt from work ing
or paying poltax? AnsWer 1. No. 2. Not that
we are aware Of We know of no law on the SUBJ
ject. There is no potax levied in your state that
we know of.
Antietam, Minn-1 Am obliged to draw my
pension quarterly? 2. Or can draw once in six
or nine monthsf g. And if can, must execute
the vouchers quarterly, how? Please give me
full information this last point. My idea is to
save expense of fees. AnS,Uer. L. No. 2. Yes. &
You can execute them all at time if you desire
to do so. sending them altogether to the Pension
Agent.
C. D.. Philadelphia, PA widow of seaman OF
other person in the navy who served and con-
tracfed his disability prior to March 4, 1861, was
discharged, and subsequently died by reason Of
did not die in the service The pension laws do moi
provide for her in any way.