W3 Company - Contact Details |
See this link for contacts concerning medical conditions and war disability pensions |
|
Evan Torrance -
W3 Officer Commanding |
Bruce Young - webmaster
& contribution editor |
contacts concerning medical conditions and war disability pensions |
War Disability Pension - Webmaster [10
July 2008] There are several arguments raised by the irresponsible veteran: 'there are others worse off than me, let them have the money' is the most common. Another is to say 'this pain is old age, not attributable to my time as a young soldier in Vietnam'. The ultimate argument might be: 'I don't need the money'. Then use it to shout your grand-children an awesome experience, or upgrade your car. Lets look at some facts: [1] There is plenty of money in the veterans budget for all of us, so you going without won't mean someone else is allocated more money. Under the War Pensions Act an individual veteran can only be allocated a finite sum for their disabilities. [2] Your spouse can also benefit long-term from your WDP if you reach a certain level of disability. [3] Many problems in old age can be traced back to activity as a young soldier, such as PTSD, worn discs in your back, skin cancers, smoking related issues. So how do you reconcile your arguments with the facts..? Simple really. When you apply for a WDP you ask a panel a question, 'is my ailment attributable to my service in Vietnam..?' The panel ask specialists to review the issue and then make a decision. If they say 'no' then you have your answer, but if they say 'yes' then you receive some additional income and better still some long-term assistance with medical treatment. You can then choose another ailment and ask the question again. The number of ailments accepted increases your 'percentage' of disability. The preferred outcome of the process is to receive a combination of decisions that add up to more than 70% disability. At this level you are better off at 65 than receiving national superannuation. And your spouse also receives better treatment because when you depart on your next posting they will continue to receive 50% of what you were receiving prior to departure. Tell them they are not worth it...! The process starts with a phone call to War Pension Services 0800 553 003 if you are in New Zealand, or ++64 9 985 1070 if you are calling from overseas (but you pay for the call). War Disability Pensions [WDP]. John Nicolle is the W3 standout expert on WDP matters. Any queries on how to obtain a WDP or on what constitutes a condition for a WDP can be directed to John here. Associated with the WDP is registration as a veteran. There were spouses at Tribute08 that were unhappy their irresponsible veteran had not registered himself and his family as part of the veteran community. Registration costs nothing but could lead to long-term benefits. The good news ladies, is that you can do it yourself. The forms are available on-line here, there are different forms for veterans [even if deceased], spouses, children & grand-children. Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the long term health effects associated with service in Vietnam. Baden Ewart [NZ Component 1970-71] [click name for email address] has recently been through the operation to remove a cancerous growth in his prostate and is offering support to any other veterans or family who may have questions about the condition, or who have been through the operation and post-op treatment. His news to sufferers is that caught early enough the condition can be safely treated, and he has been cleared following his procedure. At this link is a free downloadable book about prostate cancer which Baden recommends, entitled "an Oncologists view of prostate cancer: understanding the facts, sorting through the options 2nd Ed" by Srinivasan Vijayakumar . The PDF file is 18Mb so a fast link is recommended, if this is beyond your computers capabilities email the webmaster to request a hard copy. Anyone with experience with any of the following willing to be a contact..? |