The National tribune., 1899-11-02
PENSION POINTERS.
Inquiries Answered and Sugges-
tions Made.

Mrs. A. p, .SteeIburg, Nob.-The gen
eral law as to widows pensions is stlli IN
force. The rate hereunder is 81 II the
widow was married 10 the soldier before
March 10. 1886. or if since that date. before
or during the soldiers service; 1he sol
diers accrued pension will not be paid the
widow until she has fully established the
fact that she is the legal widow. AS the
widows title under the general law de-
pends upon her being able TO prove the
soldiers death due to the service and llne
duty ii is possible that the Pension Blu
reau suggested the making OF the clam
under the act of June -. 1890, because OF
it appearing doubtful if such fact can pe
proved.
j. A. D., Arcpaioc. Ncb.-Thc Board
of Pension Appeals ordinarily dlspoSes OF
about 500 cases per week. On Sept. Il the
docket numbers of the group of appeals
then under consideration ran from E4,4oo
to l4.50O.
". S. ", DanriIe W.-The delay in
payment of your claim is not eXtraordi-
mary. even though it was in July that YOU
signed the duplicate receipts for the pay
due You.
A. Z. NJ. Lyons. kon.-T'he fact ths.,
YOU were discharged for general disa hility-
and that you had other disability in ad-
dition to the injured ankle, would seem to
indicate that the injured ankle was not
then regarded as sufficient cause alone
for your discharge. OF course, it would
deDend somewhat upon the actual con-
dition of the ankle at the time of your dis
charge, and the fact that the leg has since
been amputatei would Indicate that the
injury was quite serious in its results at that
time. The fact that you are receiving $50
per month for amputation of the leg below
the knee precludeS your receiving Il higher
rate on additional disabilities. unless your
disablement from all causes proven due TO
the service and line of duty is such that
YOU require the frequent and periodical
aid and attendance of another person
that is, aid in dressing and undressing,
and the like, without requiring constant
attendance. The rate for total disability
of foot was S15 from June g, 1866: SIS
from June i, 1872; S24 from March 3, 1888;
ii has been $50 since Aug. 4, 1886. If the
foot was totally disabled before amputa-
ton, it is possible that You are entitled 10
have your pension rerated.
l.. ". B., Irittd, IU.-The rate for loss
of both hands was increased from S72 to
500 per month from Feb u, 1889. The
following iSabilities We're given higher
ratings by ruling of Dec. 4, 1891: Com
plete double inguinal hernia from S12 to
S14: loss of sight of an eye. from SS to So;
complete single inguinal hernia. from SS
to SO; femoral hernia, from SS to $40;
slight deafness OF one ear, from 81 to 81;
severe deafness of one ear, from 81 to 3d.
impaired hearing of both ears. equivalent
TO slight deafness of one ear, 81 to 81;
Impaired nearing OF DOIll ears. equivalent
TO severe deafness of one ear. from 81 to S4
b. s., Liroa5n Station, N. Y.-If YOU
are allowed rating on your general law
claim for increase on account of disability
not covered by your general law certifi-
cate, it will commence from the date you
filed application on the same.
j. T., National Soldiers Home. Va
Section 1884, Revised Statutes, provides:
NO person shall be entitled to q pension
by reason of wounds or injuries received or
disease contracted in The service of the
United States subsequent TO the 9th day
of July, 1868, unless the person who was
wounded or injured. or contracted the
disease, was in the line of duty; and if in
the military service, was at the time actu-
ally in the field, or on the march, or at some
post, fort, or garrison, or enroute, by di-
rection of competent authority, to some
post. fort. or garrison" lire
spec.ive OF this provision, a man on the
Retired List would hardly be regarded as
in pensionable line of duty simply from
he fact of his being on the Retired List OF
.he Army.
J. W. b., Aurora, No-There is no
need OF an invalid pensoner under the
act OF June ~, 1890, accepting lower
rate under the general law. The fact that
you have established title under the gen.
eral law to the satisfaction of the Pension
Bureau Will be Just as beneficial hereafter
as though YOU accepted pension under
the general law. The difference between
your act of 1890 rate and the general law
rate would not in any event be charged
against you; you would not have to refund
the difference between the two that you
have heretofore drawn.
A. c., Vest Concord, Vt.-Where an
invalid pensioner under the general law
is pensioned for disabilities for which GER
tain rates are fixed, and he has not drawn
such rates for the entire pensioned period
he IS entitled TO have his pension rerated
on application TO the Commissioner OF
Pensions.
G. ". AscGIOn, No.-If you have com.
piled with all the official requirements in
your pension case, the member of Con.
gress. from your district may be able tc
facilitate the settlement of the claim by
calling it up, which he will be pleased tc
do if you ask him. On the other hand. il
there is important evidence required that
you are unable TO furnish, neither your
attorney nor member of Congress can gel
the claim through without the evidence
Querist, San Angelo, TeI.-The pay Of
private soldiers of the army was increased
from IS 10 S1i some time in the SOS; from
S11 10 S13 by the act Of Aug. 6. 1861; from
s13 10 SIG by act of June 30 1864, to date
from May l, 1864, and continuing during
the continuance of the present rebellion"