Iraq veteran rerated as 100% disabled on appeal

Iraq veteran rerated as 100% disabled on appeal 

By Paul Wood

Sgt. Garrett Anderson is 100 percent again, at least as far as his disability rating goes. The soldier's injuries remain, though he is being helped by therapy.

On Oct. 15, 2005, an improvised explosive device tore through his body in Iraq, smashing his jaw and an eye socket, severing his tongue, shocking his brain and destroying his lower right arm.

But after a painful stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Veterans Benefits Administration told the 30-year-old in March that he is only 90 percent disabled, following a complicated formula that gives him 70 percent automatically for his arm.

The letter said his shrapnel injuries "were not combat-related."

With the help of his wife, Sam, who just graduated from law school, the Bellflower native appealed the ruling. The newest letter says he is 100 percent disabled, which gives his family about $1,000 more a month and greatly increases education benefits for his family.

     Anderson said Tuesday he's "very pleased" about the change in the decision.

He thanked U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, and especially U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin.

"I think Durbin was the squeaky wheel that got it done," Anderson said.

The family has already received some reimbursement for costs incurred under the old rating.

"Now my daughter (Skyler) will be able to go college for free. We're also working on getting some help with Sam's law school loans," he said.

As a National Guard soldier earning hazard pay in Iraq, Anderson earned $3,000 a month. His disability pay will be close to that.

The Andersons had been told the process could take two years.

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