Evening star., 1955-02-24
Veterans
and Druftees
By Moi. Thomos M. Mol

Many eX-GlS Win service
connected ailments are going to
be re-examined soon by the Vet
Grams Administration to see if
the disability rating is correct.
Monthly compensation pay
ments are based on this rating.
So If the re-examination shows
your rating to be incorrect, pay
ments may be raised or lowered.
Men with such permanent dis
abilities as loss Of parts of the
body will be exempt from these
denominations. So will men
with longtime disabilities or,
generally, If they are over SIS.
Just how many Of 2 million
veterans receiving compensation
viii be re-examined is impossible
to tell. The VA is now sitting
It's files to decide. In any case,
the number win be high.
Many Unchecked.
There are two reasons behind
this mass re-examination:
/. Many veterans haven't been
examined since they started get
ting compensation after World
War II. The VA has re-examined
some on a spot basis, but this
will be the first time that any
thing approaching a complete
check has been planned.
2. The VA wants to set up
regular schedule Of re-examining
men with service-connected all
naents. After this first re-exam-
the schedule will be worked out
on this basis.
If your ailment is likely to get
better or worse within a short
period, you'll be re-examined
every year. If it's the type Of
disability where changes will be
gradual, you'll be re-examined
every three years. For an injury
which is likely to improve or
worsen very slowly, your re-exam-
ination will wait five years. How
the VA will catagorize the vari-
GUS disabilities is a matter Of
medical decision.
Call May be Soon.
How soon you'll be re-examined
depends on when the VA region
al Office can slip you into its
schedule without interfering
with its regular routine. But the
first denominations are under
way. so don't be surprised if you
get your call soon.
AS you know, the VA pays
two kinds of compensation for
disabilities received in service:
For interference with your
ability to make a living. The
VA. after the physical examina-
ton, decides how much the dis
ability interferes. Then, it rates
your disability from 10 to 100
per cent disabling and pays you
compensation based on that per-
centage.
For loss or loss of use of
certain parts of the body-arms,
legs, eyes, etc. This is a fiat pay
ment, officially called a statu-
tory award. The amount depends
on what part of the body has
been disabled and to what de-
gree. It's paid in addition to
compensation for interference
with your ability to make a liv-
ing. It's a permanent payment
which will continue throughout
your lifetime.
Permanent Rating Stays.
If you're getting compensation
because of the latter, you'll not
have to worry about being re-ex-
amined. Your disability obviously
Is permanent and no amount of
re-examining is going to change
this fact.
However. if you're being paid
compensation solely because
your disability interferes with
your ability to make a living,
there's a good chance you'll be
re-examined, unless you have
longtime disability or you're
over SIS.
= If the VA decides to raise or
lower your disability rating after
ypur examination, you'll hear
about it in a month or so and
your compensation checks will
reflect the change.
(You may Drite Maj. Mai
IN care of The Star about your
serUice-connected problem.
Please inclose a stamped, SELF
addressed envelope and 20