U.S. military practices genetic discrimination

[uscitizen]

U.S. military practices genetic discrimination in denying benefits
Those medically discharged with genetic diseases are left without disability or retirement benefits. Some are fighting back.
By Karen Kaplan
August 18, 2007


Eric Miller's career as an Army Ranger wasn't ended by a battlefield wound, but his DNA.

Lurking in his genes was a mutation that made him vulnerable to uncontrolled tumor growth. After suffering back pain during a tour in Afghanistan, he underwent three surgeries to remove tumors from his brain and spine that left him with numbness throughout the left side of his body.

So began his journey into a dreaded scenario of the genetic age.

Because he was born with the mutation, the Army argued it bore no responsibility for his illness and medically discharged him in 2005 without the disability benefits or health insurance he needed to fight his disease.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081807C.shtml

[Blackwater Lunchbreak]

ANd this will become common under nationalized health care.

[/MSG/]

At which point I would kindly tell the medical officers to "BLOW ME" and give me my veterens benefits that I'm entitled to.

[uscitizen]

At which point I would kindly tell the medical officers to "BLOW ME" and give me my veterens benefits that I'm entitled to.

Umm sorry to say you are only entitled to what the military says you are entiltled to. It is the military way.

[/MSG/]

Taking such an attitude with me would be generally considered the greatest single mistake the United States military could ever make.

[uscitizen]

Taking such an attitude with me would be generally considered the greatest single mistake the United States military could ever make.

I agree, but the term military intelligence has always seemed such a contradictory term to me.

[Battleborne]

Then the military was correct...however he is entitled under the VA for medical treatment and can apply for SSA disabilty...all he need do is apply!

[uscitizen]

Then the military was correct...however he is entitled under the VA for medical treatment and can apply for SSA disabilty...all he need do is apply!

Correct and right are not always the same thing.

If the military is going to do this they should genetically screen all new enlistees before they go active duty.
They way it is they use them up and then say sorry....

[Battleborne]

Correct and right are not always the same thing.

If the military is going to do this they should genetically screen all new enlistees before they go active duty.
They way it is they use them up and then say sorry....

correct and right... providing the diagnosis was correct...if the cause was a on the job injury then he would have received a medical retirement...however the cause was not a on the job injury...therefore he is eligibile as a veteran under Veterans Administration benefits and also SSA! This is just another pick on the government without just cause...imho

[uscitizen]

correct and right... providing the diagnosis was correct...if the cause was a on the job injury then he would have received a medical retirement...however the cause was not a on the job injury...therefore he is eligibile as a veteran under Veterans Administration benefits and also SSA! This is just another pick on the government without just cause...imho

Umm this genetic based descrimination is pretty much illegal everywhere except in the military...read the article BB.

[Battleborne]

Umm this genetic based descrimination is pretty much illegal everywhere except in the military...read the article BB.

His case was not found to be job related as the other similar case...he is also receiving medical benefits under the VA and is training to be a Tenn Highway Patrolman...so what is the problem...he is receiving medical benefits and has a new career in the works!

[uscitizen]

His case was not found to be job related as the other similar case...he is also receiving medical benefits under the VA and is training to be a Tenn Highway Patrolman...so what is the problem...he is receiving medical benefits and has a new career in the works!

If you do not see the problem at this point then I cannot help you to understand.

[Damocles]

If you do not see the problem at this point then I cannot help you to understand.

Supposedly the problem was he was "denied benefits" because of this. He was not, he received benefits from a different source because of the condition not being related to a work injury. The idea that he was refused any help at all was implied, and inaccurate.

[uscitizen]

Supposedly the problem was he was "denied benefits" because of this. He was not, he received benefits from a different source because of the condition not being related to a work injury. The idea that he was refused any help at all was implied, and inaccurate.

Not denied any help at all but denied the help he had earned. Had it been any other cause except genetic.

[Damocles]

Not denied any help at all but denied the help he had earned. Had it been any other cause except genetic.

Well, had it been caused by his work environment you mean. You "earn" the help you wanted him to have by being injured by your job, not from a previously undiagnosed genetic disorder. Had they denied him all help and just kicked him out we'd all be on your side. In this case the benefits came from a different source because the injury or illness was not work related.