I am a quadriplegic veteran, severely injured during combat in 2004. Like many others who have served our country with courage, I find myself facing not only physical challenges but also financial ones due to the current policies of the Aid and Attendance program.

After serving our country, sacrificing our lives, and often ending up paralyzed or with severe loss of limbs or traumatic brain injuries, we veterans require long-term care. However, under the current laws pertaining to the Aid and Attendance program, after being an inpatient for one month in a VA facility, we are stripped away from our aid and attendance portion. This payment program constitutes more than half of what veterans make when medically retired.

This unjust policy leaves many veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our nation, struggling to make ends meet while dealing with significant health issues and also the fact that we have a social life, we have a family, we have bills to pay, and education for our children. It is disheartening to feel like we are fighting against a system that fails to provide us with the support we desperately need.

According to a report by The National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine (2018), nearly 4 million U.S. veterans have service-connected disabilities. These brave individuals deserve better treatment from their nation.

The recent cases of veterans receiving debt letters for seeking necessary inpatient care are not just unjust but also disrespectful to their sacrifices.

I recently received a debt letter for $54,000 for staying inpatient for a total of 8 months between 2022 and 2024 for a situation in which I would have died if no care had been provided. This experience is unjust but also disgraceful, disrespectful, and inconsiderate. We do not choose to be disabled; we deserve to be taken care of with dignity and respect.

We call on Congress to reform these laws immediately so that those who have given so much are not left struggling financially while dealing with significant health issues. Our heroes deserve better than this; they deserve fair treatment and respect for their sacrifices.

Please sign this petition urging Congress to change these unjust laws surrounding the Aid & Attendance program for disabled veterans.

Here is the unjust part of the law hurting us veterans.

From https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4

• 38 CFR

§ 3.552 Adjustment of allowance for aid and attendance.

(a)

(1) When a veteran who is already entitled to the aid and attendance allowance is hospitalized, the additional compensation or increased pension for aid and attendance shall be discontinued as provided in paragraph (b) of this section except as to disabilities specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (See paragraph (k) of this section for rules applicable to a veteran who establishes entitlement to the aid and attendance allowance on or after date of admission to hospitalization).

(2) The allowance for aid and attendance will be continued during hospitalization where the disability is paraplegia involving paralysis of both lower extremities together with loss of anal and bladder sphincter control, or Hansen's disease, except where discontinuance is required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section. In addition, in pension cases only, the aid and attendance allowance will be continued where the pensionable disability is blindness (visual acuity 5/200 or less) or concentric contraction of visual field to 5 degrees or less. Awards are, however, subject to the provisions of § 3.551 (except where the disabling condition is Hansen's disease) .

(3) Additional compensation for dependents under § 3.4(b)(2) is payable during hospitalization in addition to the rates authorized by this section. The rates specified will also be increased by amounts authorized under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) based on independently ratable disability, subject to the statutory ceiling on the total amount of compensation payable as set forth in § 3.350(a).

(b)

(1) Where a veteran is admitted for hospitalization on or after October 1, 1964, the additional compensation or increased pension for aid and attendance will be discontinued effective the last day of the month following the month in which the veteran is admitted for hospitalization at the expense of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(2) When a veteran is hospitalized at the expense of the United States Government, the additional aid and attendance allowance authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1114(r)(1) or (2) or 38 U.S.C. 1114(t) will be discontinued effective the last day of the month following the month in which the veteran is admitted for hospitalization.

(3) Where a veteran affected by the provisions of paragraph (b) (1) and (2) or paragraph (k) of this section is discharged or released from the hospital against medical advice or as the result of disciplinary action, and is readmitted to such hospitalization within 6 months after that date, the allowance, additional compensation, or increased pension will be discontinued effective the day preceding the date of readmission. A readmission 6 months or more after such discharge or release will be considered as a new admission.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,

Visnu Gonzalez ( Medically Retired. USMC )