Service connected disabilities. I've fought long and hard to get to 80% -- Type 2 diabetes, mental stuff, peripheral neuropathy in both feet, CVA, tinnitus. They are fighting the after-effects of stroke and hypertension due to Agent Orange ("The Gift That Keeps On Giving"). You see, the VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) doesn't talk with the VHA (Veterans Health Administration). It is said that every morning the workers in the VBA get into a huddle, they all grasp each others' hand, stand up straight and shout their warcry, "Deny! Deny! Deny Until They Die!" This finishes with a cheer and they dash off to their "DENIED!" stamps.

You see, my disabilities taken singly and added total 140 percent. But because of the way disabilities are figured I need another 40 percent. For example, if you have a leg blown off by a land mine, you're considered 40% disabled. Losing both would make you 60% disabled. I have no idea how this rating schedule was determined, but I doubt that it was done by double amputees and it's been in place for a very long time.