Disabled veteran says benefits held up because he criticized VA

[babylonsister]

Disabled veteran says benefits held up because he criticized VA

September 17, 2007 - A disabled Vietnam era veteran says his disability benefits were withheld by administrators after he spoke critically of the handling of benefits claims by the Veterans Administration and the group Paralyzed Veterans of America.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court Monday, Samuel L. Hennon says he is a Vietnam era veteran of the U.S. Navy and, since his discharge in April of 1971, he has received disability benefits "associated with injuries from his military service."

Hennon also has received benefits -- under the Federal Employment Compensation Act (FECA) -- as a result of the effects of a flu shot he was given in 1999, "in association with his duties as a registered nurse for the Veterans' Administration," the suit says. Hennon has been a registered nurse for the VA since 1972. The flu shot he received in 1999 resulted in his contracting Guillan Barre Syndrome -- a nervous system disorder which can increase in intensity until the person is almost totally paralyzed -- "and other related ailments preventing him from continuing in his employment."

Hennon's service-connected disabilities were submitted for review and occasional update by defendants Bo Rollins, Director of Field Services, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and Charles Ed Rogers, National Field Director for PVA, the suit says. At the same time, Hennon has "acted as a representative and advocate for other veterans in the obtaining of benefits to which they are entitled," according to the suit.

more...

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5662666

[lonestarnot]

1. Good luck Samuel Hennon!