Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1948-02-13
Would Increase Benefits

of approximately three-quarters of
billion under the present fiscal
year, flood Of new bills calling for
more appropriations for veterans
were introduced early in the second
session of the Both congress.
These bills included one to pro-
vide an increase in present veter-
ans benefits and removal of the
three-year limitation on CT. irsur-
ance; disability and death benefits
to reserve personnel on active duty;
renewal of CT. insurance for an
additional five years; extension Of
veterans benefits to members Of the
civil air patrol who performed SUBJ
marine patrol duty; allowances for
feeding of seeing-eye dogs given to
blind veterans; priority for veterans
to purchase surplus residential real
property; free distribution of blank
ammunition to veteran organiza-
tons for funeral services; hospitali-
cation for World War I veterans who
were in the occupational forces, and
numerous other measures,
Questions and AnsUers
Q. was drafted July ~, 1914,
from my position as an aeronautical
engineer at Langley field, Hampton,
Va. My boss at the field had asked
for deferment for me, but hadn't
heard from Washington when l had
to 60 to the reception center at Fl.
George G. Meade, Md. He wrote a
letter for me to take to the COM
manding officer asking him to hold
me for 10 days. At the end Of 10
days I had been approved by the
NACA and was honorably dis
charged and put in reserve. The
question is am 1 entitled to any
benefits in any way? am still work.
ing at Langley field. - X. w. G.,
Hampton, Va.
A. Since by any stretch of the
imagination you were in service
only 10 days you would not be eligi-
BILE for any G.I. benefits, since the
law requires at least 80 days on
active duty unless released prior to
that time for physical disability on
a medical discharge. Even had you
served the 80 days, your release for
your own convenience to take a
priority job would cancel some of
the benefits, such as mastering out
pay.
@. l have been home from over
seas now almost two years. During
all that time 1 have been in an army
hospital taking treatment for a
tropical disease I contracted in the
South Pacific. I have not been dis
charged, SO can't 60 to a veterans
hospital. l am sick and tired Of the
atmosphere around this army hospi-
tai and on top of that they are not
doing me any good. Isn't there any
way I can get out Of it and at least
go to private physician for treat
ment?-A. ]. H., Buffalo, NY.
A. You are in tough spot. Insofar
as I can find out from the army
there is nothing you can do about it,
and the army certainly can't dis
charge you if you are sick. If the
army doctors decide they can't do
you any good you would 60 before a
disposition board, be certified to
Veterans administration and then
retired on pension. However that's
up to the army doctors. If you are
well enough to obtain furlough so
you could 60 home you might con-
suit a private physician.
q. We are very worried about our
son. He spent several months in the
hospital after he came home from
overseas and finally was discharged
from the army and now Is drawing
a disability pension from Veterans
administration. While his disability
does not keep him belfast and he is
able to be up and around he Is in a
continually depressed condition and
very morOse. We were wondering II
he could get into the vocational re.
habilitati0n program. We have
heard they do wonders for some vet
Grams. Can you tell us the require.
ments and how to get into the work?
Mr.. and Mrs. J. ]. L., Muscatine,
Iowa.
A. From your description of your
sons condition and disability we be-
lieve he would be eligible to get into
the vocational rehabilitation pro-
gram if he can indicate a real need
for this rehabilitation to overcome
his disability handicap. Suggest that
you contact your nearest Veterans
administration office for advice on
where to apply for this training.
@. Could you tell me where to
write to find out about my sons in
surance? He was in the navy and
his wife got divorce while he was
In the service and he remarked
again and I have never heard from
him since he did remarry. I want
to know II his insurance has been
left to his children or to this last
wife he married. I feel there has
been foul play. R. s., Douglas,
Wyo.
A. Suggest that you write directly
to the insurance division, Veterans
Administration, Washington, D. c.
Be sure to give your sons full nxssie.