Comments on: LA Times: A president who’s 100 percent disabled?

By: Molly Priesmeyer

Molly Priesmeyer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:20:45 +0000

I should add that it also means McCain was collecting BOTH a pension for 100 percent disability while also collecting a salary from taxpayers. It is necessary to find out if it's legal to collect a pension as “100 percent disabled” (aka, unemployable) while also earning a living as “employed,” especially as a civil servant.

By: Molly Priesmeyer

Molly Priesmeyer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:04:05 +0000

yes, it means that he has a 100 percent disablity rating what the article doesn't make clear is how much he receives in medical retirement (VA) and severance pay (Navy). However, pensions are paid by the VA. And either way, with a 100 percent rating, both define it as the inability to hold a civilian job.

By: Michael Blaine

Michael Blaine — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:34:56 +0000

Clarification Needed What's not clear to me is whether a 100% tax-exempt disability pension (as is the case with McCain) means the recipient is 100% disabled.

By: Molly Priesmeyer

Molly Priesmeyer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:29:34 +0000

Just to clarify the DoD and VA have different disability ratings: If a soldier is rated 30 percent disabled by the DoD, he/she qualifies for discharge and VA benefits. Then, the VA applies another rating to determine what those benefits are. However both the VA and DoD define 100 percent disabled as the inability to maintain gainful employment due to service-related injuries.

By: Steve Perry

Steve Perry — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:59:35 +0000

The smoking reg Molly, a great and pertinent find. So there you have it: The US Navy opposes John McCain for president on grounds he is not capable of being trained for any type of gainful civilian-sector employment. Or else the Navy thinks Senator and President are not gainful civilian-sector employment.

By: snap528

snap528 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:55:47 +0000

never assume anything i don't mean to sound snarky, but why assume McCain was disabled solely for physical reasons? Mental conditions were not treated the same then as now. If what is said about his temper has any validity, it is entirely possible that these anger outbursts could have been factored into his overall disability rating. The overall goal of the military is to maintain safety of its own. Wouldn't someone who had been within recent history a prisoner of war and subjected to what he described as torture necessarily also have had his mental condition evaluated in determining his fitness to continue serving? Just wondering….. He was not disabled out immediately following his return from North Vietnam, despite his physical permanent wounds. It occurred a little bit later in his career, didn't it?

By: Michael Blaine

Michael Blaine — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:11:59 +0000

This Should End McCain's Candidacy Immediately If he's disabled, he's not fit to be president. If he's not disabled, he's been defrauding the federal government and should be prosecuted.

Disgusting. The military/welfare complex lives!

By: Molly Priesmeyer

Molly Priesmeyer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:51:01 +0000

that's interesting... considering that a number of returning vets with TBI and torn limbs are receiving a disability rating of 10 to 40 percent.

Here's how 100 percent disability is defined, according to the Military Times:

At the other end of the spectrum, the military may not exceed the rating ceiling for a specific diagnostic code under the VASRD. However, the VA can award a 100 percent disability rating for the same condition if it finds that the severity of the condition rises to the level that the veteran is incapable of being trained for any type of gainful civilian-sector employment.

By: Molly Priesmeyer

Molly Priesmeyer — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

that's interesting... considering that a number of returning vets with TBI and torn limbs are receiving a disability rating of 10 to 40 percent.

Here's how 100 percent disability is defined, according to the Military Times:

By: Michael Blaine

Michael Blaine — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This Should End McCain’s Candidacy Immediately If he’s disabled, he’s not fit to be president. If he’s not disabled, he’s been defrauding the federal government and should be prosecuted.

Disgusting. The military/welfare complex lives!