So What’s Going on Anyway?
Posted by Kirk M on 30 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Life as a veteran
So maybe some of you who glanced at the previous post are wondering what might have happened to prompt me to write such a thing? Well, maybe you didn’t but if you had really cared you should have…so there. 
Anyway, as some of you know I am what you would call a disabled vet. In fact that’s exactly what you’d call me (amongst other assorted names) and my category of “Life as a veteran” is where I keep all my posts and complaints and the gory details of what the VA puts me through every time they get their hands on me (the truth of the matter is that I’m very glad to have the VA. No VA–no health care). The important thing here is that just a few months ago I was branded 70% disabled. The other important thing here is that just a bit over 3 years ago I was 40%…everybody get the picture? In case you didn’t it means that I’m getting worse! (grumble-mumble-bitch-complain etc).
God! I just hate it when reality slaps me in the face like that.
Now as you might imagine this has significantly affected my attendance at the workplace and as time went on I found myself losing ground rather quickly to the point where a fair day’s work came to mean 1 to 2 days out of said work and not quite recovering 100% each time. I knew I’d have to make an unwanted decision soon enough and that time came last week when I reluctantly came to the conclusion that it was past time to leave the workforce and damn well start taking care of myself. My wife, who had been wondering if she was going to come home to a seriously dead corpse one day, whole heartedly agreed.
You might be thinking that it was simple as that and now starts a new chapter in my rather interesting life and all is well etc, etc. Well…almost.
You see, if my “condition” ( a back injury and burned up esophagus…oh yeah, I’m mostly deaf also) had gotten to this point say, last year sometime, it would have been disastrous since I would have only been at 60% and 60% just ain’t good enough for that all important jump to 100% and that’s what’s needed for us to stay on solid ground. However once a vet reaches 70% he can automatically apply for 100% and the chances of getting the increase are much better so once again it’s a race that I’m in and a gamble at that. 100% is what’s needed…period.
To keep this post from becoming a novel I’ll just say that I had hoped I could continue to work for at least another couple of years but unfortunately I never really recovered from the flare up that occurred a month back and between upcoming testing, quite possibly surgery and recovery time I was looking at……
I turned in my resignation today.
I also immediately applied for that all important jump I was talking about. Probably take about 3 months for them to make a decision which would be just about the time I’m headed to that possible surgery. Life’s funny that way isn’t it?
So for now it’s scrimp and cut back on every expense possible and hope it all works out. It feels right, like I’m headed down the right path and all that, so we’ll see how we fair here. And true to form my daily dose of stamina is giving out fast so it’s off to the couch and “The Return of the King” (I love watching the horrible beasties get stomped).
Of course this means I have more time to devote to my blogging as well which is another factor altogether.
This could be interesting.
Possibly Related Matter
10 Comments »
on 31 Oct 2007 at 5:09 am 1.Cat said …
“once a vet reaches 70% he can automatically apply for 100%”
Sounds like silly bureaucracy to me..
How do you feel about having resigned? Apart from the money aspect.
on 31 Oct 2007 at 11:58 am 2.GoingLikeSixty said …
I sure hope this all works out for you. Good luck. You are a gutsy guy.
on 31 Oct 2007 at 12:23 pm 3.KirkM said …
Hi Cat!
Too soon to tell yet which is the problem of feeling lousy but there’s definitely a stirring of something I can only describe as a huge sense of relief.
And I suppose that 70% rule is to keep the slackers from receiving what they don’t deserve. I guess you have to draw the line somewhere.
So how’s your cat(s) and your new place? Are you lovin’ it or what?
on 31 Oct 2007 at 12:25 pm 4.KirkM said …
Thanks Mark,
Much appreciated and it’s going to work out one way or another…usually does if I remember right.
Oh yeah, that was mighty considerate of you to provide on-blog bathroom facilities. That’s why your readers love you so.
on 31 Oct 2007 at 1:47 pm 5.Cat said …
Hi Kirk, I hope it all works out for you.
I’m loving it, but I’ve been ill with various things over the last few weeks, so it’s not been too great all in all. Plus I have to tidy up…
on 31 Oct 2007 at 2:10 pm 6.Elaine said …
Hi Kirk,
Hang in there my friend.
If it feels right then you have to trust those instincts. Hopefully it will all work out and that 100% is approved. Too bad it will take 3 months to find out though
on 31 Oct 2007 at 8:06 pm 7.KirkM said …
Hi Cat,
Hope you feel better soon and the tidying never ends now does it?
on 31 Oct 2007 at 8:08 pm 8.KirkM said …
Hi Elaine,
I’m hanging. One thing good that happened today was that my PCP called from the VA and he’ll back me up on my claim so that’s good news. Waiting is.
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