John McCain: On 100% Navy disability pension but fit enough for White House?

Last summer, amid staff disarray and fractured finances, most people wrote off the presidential hopes of Arizona Rep. Sen. John McCain. The 71-year-old pointed out he had recently hiked the Grand Canyon with a son and vowed to "out-campaign" them all.

He did just that. Now he is the presumptive GOP nominee. And as such he released his 2007 income taxes last Friday. Disclosed separately was pension income of $58,358 that went untaxed.

Monday, McCain’s staff identified the retirement benefit to The Times' Ralph Vartabedian as a “disability pension” and said the candidate “was retired as disabled because of his limited body movements due to injuries as a POW.”

During the Vietnam war in 1967 McCain was shot down over Hanoi and in the ejection from his crashing plane and beating by his captors he suffered a shattered knee and two broken arms, which went untreated during his resulting five-and-a-half years of imprisonment and torture.

He was released in 1973, arrived home on crutches to begin a long painful rehabilitation and eventually returned to duty as a squadron commander before retiring in 1981. His knee still bothers him in cold weather, McCain has written.

And he cannot raise either arm above his shoulder. The Navy has classified him as 100% disabled, which makes the pension taxfree. So is there a disparity and health concern in a White House candidate, who if elected would be the oldest man ever inaugurated president, also receiving a 100% disability military pension?

"Tortured for his country," McCain senior advisor Mark Salter said tonight. "That is how he acquired his disability."

Vartabedian explores the issue in a story on this website later tonight and in Tuesday's print editions.

--Andrew Malcolm

                                                        Photo Credit: VietnamWar.com

Comments

[allison]

Just to be consistent, you ought to write an article on the New Governor of New York.

(He is interesting, isn't he? We did write 2-3 items at the time of his affair revelations. Click on Scandals in the subject cloud to the right here and you should find them.)

[JT]

The McCains' net worth is over $150 million, but he's still accepting $58,000 a year from the US taxpayers, and has done for nearly 30 years?

This from the guy who's pushing welfare reform?

Nobody's questioning how he was injured, but that money could have helped a lot of people in New Orleans, for example. Or other returned soldiers who actually need it.

And the media is still in a tizz over whether Obama wears a pin or not? McCain should be pressured by the Democrats and the media to renounce the pension, and to declare his wife's income as well as his own.

[CALIFORNIAMARTY]

McCain suffered grevious injuries being shot down and later at the hands of his captors.
This blog is a cheap insinuation shot at the man who earned the Purple Heart and Siver Star and other ribbons and medals.
Spend some time talking about Obama who spent not one second doing something for his country and spends alot of time asking his country to do something big for him.

The Commander in Chief should not be someone so closely connected with unrepentant terrorists and anti-Americans. He would be able to raise his hands over his head and surrender this country to the Hamas and Iranians who support him vocally.

Get a life.

[Wallter L Johnson]

In all fairness, it is easily possible for a 100% disabled person to be a success in politics. John McCain is but one example, but you do have to wonder if he has received mental injuries that might impair his judgement as a President.

Relevant public right to know content would include all of his medical and mental health records (separate records) particularly from his days in the military. A lot of war veterans and especially prisoners of war never are really able to fully put past torture, etc. behind them. Like an abused child, who becomes a child abuser himself, is he more likely to do torture because he was tortured? Does John McCain still have dreams and flashbacks to his POW days? Might he in a fit of anger, push the nuclear button, since he is known to have a temper? Will his judgement be tainted by his time as a prisoner? Is it proper for him to still be receiving a 100% disability payment when he is working full time? Are today's veterans being denied simiilar levels of disability ratings because of John McCain's votes in the Senate? These questions deserve deep exploration and fully detailed answers.

These matters should have been fully raised and explored when John McCain first sought to run for the Presidency. The fact they were not, at least known to me, suggests all these questions should have been raised and answered during the Presidential Primaries. I have to wonder why I never heard them being raised nationally before? There is a huge difference between being one of one hundred Senators and one of one President.

The States should really demand an Article V convention to propose unambiguous Constitution Amendments to address these issues, especially in view of Congress's apparent inability to reign in President G. W. Bush when hundreds of thousands of lives are involved, whether foreign or American.

[HB]

If the disability that McCain received is based on his torture, how is it that he returned to active duty and regained his flying status in '74? I thought that to be a military pilot required passing a pretty strenuous physical.
Something doesn't compute.

[JXThompson]

Ya know, FDR also would of qualified as 100% disabled and I don't recall any (modern) commentators saying it made him less able to serve. In fact, its part of his legend.

Yeah, so McCain doesn't need the money, but after getting blown out of the sky and spending 5 years in the VIP suite of the Hanoi Hilton, I figure the man has earned it and I don't begrudge it. Just like I don't begrudge the pension of any other vet. Heck, if I ever meet McCain, I'll buy him a drink (and I may not even vote for him).

[georgia]

If McCain gets a 100% disability pension, won't his millionairre wife continue to receive it after he dies?

[La Verdad]

We all know that if the public had known about FDR's disabilities he would never have been elected.

Clearly Senator McCain is deserving of his disability pay. The question is, is it a bit hypocritical to be talking about ramped government spending and then this same figure is collecting $57,000 (tax-free) from the loose spending government when your personal wealth is measured in 9-digits?

[gleek]

ah yes another smear post.
Why aren't you complaining about the huge amount mcain gives to charity each year.I am sure it is more than his %100 disability.

Is a woman who compulsivly lies better?Or a man who has shady ties and socilist ideals more to your liking?

I don't think you care as long as they are amoral.

[Frank Murphy]

I don't think most people give two hoots about the fact that after his service and injuries he is getting a disability pension. I do think that we are entitled to know that he is fit and able for the job of president. If he weren't running for that position it would be none of our business - However he is and I am sure 'ol straight talk express could clear it up for everyone, no problem, if he would clarify what it is that makes him 100% disabled -

[Rachael Kasper]

Don't you people remember that we had a president in a wheelchair due to polio????????? Was HE fit to be president????????? You damn right he was.......Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Sit down and shut up. Thank you.

[Crazy Politico]

For those who would like to means test McCain's military disability would you be willing to have the same done with your social security? If not shut up.

[Olden Atwoody]

Amazing how cavalier people are about spending other's money. McCain should rebate his DISABLITY pension because his wife is rich?

Insanity.

As someone intimately familiar with service-connected disabilities, let me say that there is no amount of money to compensate for the physical wear and destruction that occurs on soldiers’, police and firemen’s’ bodies during their short but intense career. Why do you think they have a 20 year retirement?

Oh! Didn’t know that your local cop or fireman draws a full pension after 20 years? That a young person can go in the military at 18 and retire at 38?

Well, then that’s fodder for another Vartabedian smear job.

If you want to complain about pensions, go after Congress. They wrote themselves the best pension scheme on earth.

[Larry Gilford]

During the 90's I though McCain could walk on water. Time certainly is changing that. Unquestionably he was severely injured and a long tern prisoner of war, forwhich he deserves earned recognition. This a 100% disability that he is receiving, which despite his many known problems means that he is 100% disabled. He has severed many years in the senate, campaigned vigorously in 2000 and 2007-2008, traveled to Iraq on multiple occasions, and many other demanding endeavors, which means he does not qualify for a 100% disability. Perhaps some other smaller percentage amount. He knows this, and so do many other service members. ( I have served on military disability boards in the past) We have veterans living in shelters, parks, under bridges, committing suicide, etc. who are UNABLE to receive a disability pension for one reason or another. Having political connections certainly helps greatly in receiving an inappropriately weighted dsiability pension. Apparently McCain in accepting and continuing to accept an inappropriate disability has no more honesty or integrity than any of the other candidates or politicians. Certainly shoots the candor and STRAIGHT Talk EXPRESS all to hell. The word hypocrite is not inappropriate. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kevin Schaefer]

A few folks have mentioned FDR, who was completely unable to move below the waist, although he could walk VERY short distances while wearing braces and using forearm crutches during his first two terms, by 1940 when he campaigned for and won an unprecedented third term, he was almost totally confined to the wheelchair. YET he regularlly ranks as either #1 or #2 on historians lists of the greatest US Presidents.

BTW: the other guy who flips with FDR at #1 and #2 is always Lincoln, who had major physical problems himself, as well as a history of debilitating attacks of depression.

How about JFK? Addisons disease, near crippling back problems (he was on crutches at a White House reception the day before leaving for Dallas due to the pain), not to mention Dr. Feelgood's chemical cocktails.

Grow up America, read your history. We have often chosen men with serious health problems to lead us. John McCain served his nation honorably and well. He carries the scars of that service rendered. His senate service has been notable for his independence and non-partisan approach to issues.

Yes, he is 71 but does anyone think that the experience needed to be US President can be acquired with a few terms in a very safe state senate seat, followed by a gimmee election where his challenger dropped out two months before the balloting, followed by a grand total of 39 months as a backbencher in the US Senate?

Senator Obama has, in fact, been running for President for more than half of his US Senate "career". At least Hillary waited until her second six year term before going for the big chair!!!!

[J]

I don't have an issue with McCain getting the disability pension. What I have an issue with is now we have vets who have to jump through a trillion hoops to even get a quarter of the disability rating that McCain got.

[Robert Drury]

His benifit is not a hand out it is an earned benifit and I certainly do not begruge his payments.

What I don't understand is his constant votes on other Veteran benifits and improvements. It does seem hipocrytic. I cannot vote for him on this issue alone.

[T Basford]

Remmber the disabilities of FDR who couldn't walk, and JFK who had debilitating back pain.

As far as I am concerned McCain EARNED that pension and deserves more than $58,000 a year!

If you wnat to shed some light on things, look at the pensions and perks Congress is entitled to. How about doing a story on the lousy job they are doing.

[Brian]

Why should he renounce his pension? Did he not EARN it? Would you renounce your pension if you won the lottery? In regards to is position on tourture (pointed to you, Walter L. Johnson) Mccain has publically stated his postion against it! Your argument about "abused becoming the abused is ridiculous. For Larry Gilford, I don't think that he had any personal impact on the decision of the board for the amount of his disability. Maybe because McCain was repatriated in such a visible manner. Have you ever questioned the pention of ADM Stockdale when he was Ross Perot's running mate? I didn't think so. For the LA Times, the timing of this smear article is highly suspect. Why did you not run it when McCain ran before, or during the primaries? You waited until he is the presumptive candidate for the Republican party. Your claim of unbiased journalism is tainted by your overt efforts to undermine public opinion of Senator McCain. You are not journalists, but proliferators of speculation and opinion that runs consistent with your political bias and slanted editorial policy. Shame on you.

[t.fry]

forget the talk about his physical injuries .my deep concern is his mental capacity with his suffering from PTSD ..how will he react with that 3am phone call ?

[John McKenzie]

A service related disability pension is essentially a snapshot of a service-members' physical and mental condition at a certain point in time, and his/her further ability to carry out his/her duties in the military. Extensive medical documentation is submitted to a disability board that decides, based on the evidence, the service members' ability to continue in the military. A rating can be from nothing to 100%, and the service member can appeal the decision or accept the recommendation of the board. In very general terms, a person who receives a 100% disability rating has NO future of continuing the "job" that the military has trained him/her to do - and in McCain's case, it was being a Naval aviator. Therefore, his *service-related* disability has effectively ended his Naval career. And as compensation for ending his career before the possibility of making it to 20 years - or more - for retirement, a disability retirement is granted. That doesn't mean he's not so disabled he can't do other things - he just can't do what the military wants him to do. As for the amount he currently receives, his 100% rating pay is connected directly to his rank at retirement (CDR, O-5) and is adjusted annually for inflation - like everyone else in the military. So to answer the original question, is he fit for the White House? Of course he is. But is he/was he fit to continue to be a Naval aviator at the time of his disability rating? Of course not. His injuries ended his career in the Navy. And because of that, he, like many, many, many other disability retirees is compensated for that fact. Now - should he continue to get it forever? Well - that would mean that the Congress would have to change the laws surrounding permanent disability pensions and do something like make them come back every two years to be reassessed. And what if they were found fit? How would you re-instate them to the military? Officers are holders of Presidential commissions and the number of officers on active duty is limited by law. And at what rank would you bring him back at? And how would you train them? And what would you do with someone who was found fit 20 years after the initial rating? What do you do with him/her? You can't just stop the pension because remember - the military ended their career because of the *service-connected* disability. So a gentle reminder to the many, many of you who gladly jump on the anti-military bandwagon - and are most likely members of the largest generation to never have seen military service - put your mind in motion before you put your mouths (or keyboards) in gear.

[Mike]

I'm a DAV and I still believe this is a question that JM should have to address. The Mayo Clinic doctors that are saying, He's in excellent health is very misleading when he has a 100% rating. Why was it not even mentioned in the recent medical report? I'd like to know the exact basis upon what he was awarded the 100% rating for. There is a firm schedule that the rating board is supposed to adhere to when making the decision. We have a right to know this info.

[James Wilson]

Excuse me!
Check the V.A. Website and please find any disability rating that pays a veteran $58,000 a year!

[Art]

There are a lot of unanswered questions. Who cares about the medical records of a 71 year old man for the last 8 years, and his BP/cholesterol count. I had heard rumors he was receiving 100% disability for PTSD, which would make sense for a POW in Captivity for 5 1/2 years. I did a Wikepedia search, and McCain graduated from the Naval Acadamy in 1958. So his service comp date must be around 1954? He retired in 1981 from the Navy. So that's what... 27 years service? He was born in .. 1937.. So he retired at age 44.. Figure the COLA increases since 1981. I worked with retired Military officers as civilians for Dept of Defense. A lot of them go to the VA to try and be declared 100%, so they get tax free retirement, and their spouses and children, will get free health care from CHAMPUS the rest of their lives, also.

Anyway... Maybe $58,000 is right considering it's been 27 years since he retired. But, his military records are sealed, and totally separate from his civilian medical records for the last 8 years.

He needs to release VA medical records, the diagnosis for the disabilty rating. Broken bones, PTSD also causes temper tantrums, and little friends you talk to in his head. 5 1/2 years is a long time, not to develop severe mental problems. PTSD is permanent and flash backs occur at anytime. The straight talk express needs to release his VA medical records from 1973 - 1999.

I'm sure the media will dig that all up, maybe around October.. So why not get it out now Juan McCain, while we have a true Republican candidate, (Romney) who has suspended his campaign, that might be able to reactivate his campaign, if you and Joe Liebierman, and the other RINO's get out of the way. You should have run as an indepedent with Lieberman like you suggested 4 years ago. But, now you choose to destroy the Republican party, and probably the country under Democrat rule.

[John McKenzie]

To James Wilson: Please, re-read my post, again. McCain's payments have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the VA. He was rated 100% by the Navy - which has a totally separate disability rating system than the VA. Now - he would have had every right to go to the VA and request a rating from them - and until recently, his NAVY disability retirement would have been reduced by the VA payments. And "Art" is right: do the math. He was rated 100% over 20 years ago, at the rank of CDR (O-5). With adjustments for COLA, he probably is making that much. Please, people, understand the complete and total difference between a MILITARY disability rating, and VETERANS disability rating. They *are not* the same thing! The military may and can rate you at anything from 0-100%, and so can the VA - totally separate from what the military decides to do. Until recently, your military compensation was reduced by the amount of your VA compensation. Now, with concurrent receipt, under certain circumstances, your VA disability is no longer deducted. What is not clear from any information provided, is did McCain seek and receive a VA disability rating? If he has - that may contribute to the amount of money he is currently receiving.