Soldier says Army is giving him the runaround on benefit

One local soldier we talked to feels the Army has let him down, after he was injured during training last spring. Sergeant Ball of Leesburg has been in the Army for eight years. He served a year in Iraq in 2003. His unit has been re-deployed, but Ball can't go because of a shoulder injury.

Ball says since the injury last April, the military has denied him incapacitation pay he claims he's owed. In civilian terms, that's worker's compensation. Ball says he's owed more than 20-thousand dollars.

“This is the last resort here. I didn't want to get the media involved,” says Sergeant Ball. Ball says he and his family are getting desperate, stuck in between the military's red tape and paperwork.

Ball seriously injured his shoulder during training last April, but wasn't able to have surgery until December. Ball says that surgery only happened after dealing with unanswered calls and the military losing his paperwork.

“I'd ask, ‘Do you have my paperwork? Got it faxed down there,’” says Ball. “And she says 'Oh yeah, we got it somewhere, we'll find it...,” Ball explains in frustration.

In that time, Ball says he was supposed to start getting incapacitation pay because he wasn't able to work due to his injuries. Ten months later he's still waiting for that pay. “I’ve called the VA, called the Legion, everything I can think of to think of to find out what that paperwork is. If it's a matter of me going out and getting the paperwork to pay me the pay that I am owed to take care of family and pay my bills, that's fine. I just want to know what it is! And nobody can tell me what it is and that's where we stand now,” explains Ball.

The situation has left Ball, his wife, and three young children struggling to pay bills. “My mom got me groceries last night, paid my car payment,” explains Brenda in tears. “We just don't get things.”

Brenda ball is angry. She says her husband is getting the runaround after sacrificing and serving his country at war. “There's no reason why it shouldn't be taken care of. Everything that he's done, it's what you would expect to be given back,” adds Brenda.

Right after his shoulder injury, Ball received worker's comp through his job in the RV industry. However, that pay ended after about four months.

This Friday, Ball has another doctor's appointment. His doctor may clear him to go back to work. But if he's not cleared he must follow the doctor's order and stay home or he would risk any claim he has with the Army.

Newscenter 16 spoke with an Indiana National Guard spokesperson several times on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Deedra Thombleson says they're missing paperwork and admits there might be a "breakdown" of communication somewhere.

After phone calls from Newscenter 16, Tombleson says she wants to get this taken care of.

Meantime, late Tuesday afternoon, Sergeant Ball tells Newscenter 16 that he did get a phone call and is being assured that his issue will get addressed.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: charles whittington Location: ft.bliss,tx on Aug 11, 2008 at 06:10 PM
the unit here is doing similar stuff to me as you. i was injuried over in iraq 4 times, and was medavac from iraq to germany, than back to my duty station here at ft.bliss in el paso,tx. my injuries are an amputation im missing half of my finger on my right hand, both of my knees are damaged and have torn legiments. every disc in my back is torn and damaged except two,a and some disc in my neck are damaged. I have ptsd and depression, and last year i was involved in a car accident and was accused of drinking and driving, but i left a military event that was held by the wounded warrior battlion here at ft.bliss and after the accident they told me im not allowed to get seen for my depression or my ptsd and im being charged thru the civilan courts right now and im being charged from the military too, and the army says they always look out for their own, well all ive seen is the army screwing over soldiers left and right so they dont have to take care of them. im not the only soldier here.

Posted by: Dee Location: Angola on May 20, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I knew Phil, before he went the first time to the war, He isn't a scammer or a con artist. His wife is right. He is a good man. I know a few others who the national guard has let down when it comes to medical. Hey Phil This white witch supports ya!! Good luck.

Posted by: Brenda Location: Leesburg on Apr 12, 2008 at 04:26 PM
A few last comments: To all that have bashed my husband u should be thanking him for your ability to even get on this website and do so. He and his platoon were some of the first soldiers to be deployed to Iraq, if they were not there then would you have the freedom of sitting in your living room bashing he and our family. No you may not. Did u ever think of that. Also did you consider that his platoon is on their second deployment right now, if they were not would you have your freedom? He would be there with them if the medical branch had done their jobs, and my children and I would have no husband or daddy. Has that fact even crossed your unemotional minds? U all have no compassion, u should think before you open your mouth, that is a lesson everyone should think about. It is easy for u to sit behind your comp and bash away, but u don't know all the facts. I would love for you idiots 2 know all the facts and proof. Look us up we'll show u everything. If not shutup & enjoy ur freedom.

Posted by: Brenda Location: Leesaburg on Apr 12, 2008 at 04:09 PM
My name is Brenda Ball. Sgt Ball is my husband,and I have a few comments for all u idiots who think that you know our life story after watching a five min interview. First of all we did file all the proper paperwork, and for your info it took the national guard 2 months after his injury to file his lod. It was only filed after personal calls to medical that we made ourselves. You may call it whatever you want but his chain of command failed him and they continue to do the same to this day. For your info also the way that the figure they owe to us is figured by the amount of money that he would of made from his civilian job. That right he works hard and would have had that income had he not been injured, so they do owe us that amount. That is the policy in place by the national guard not just a figure we pulled out of our rear ends. Unlike all of your comments. Just because he is not ARMY does not matter. If not for this injury, he would b overseas right now fighting for your freedom.

Posted by: ACTIVE DUTY Location: IN on Mar 24, 2008 at 11:56 AM
For your information Soldier 2, I (RAKKASAN MAN) was in the National Gaurds for 9yrs before going active duty.

Posted by: Soldier 2 Location: FW on Mar 19, 2008 at 01:47 AM
I am totally amazed at some of the comments on here. This soldier did not give his life away. He answered the call when his country needed him, just like millions of others have done for this country. Rakkasan man, why don't you join the National (Guards) as you call it and see if you like the term "weekend warrior?" I have been on active duty and a proud member of the National Guard. I don't think your stupid because I too used to think the same sterotypes about NG soldiers. That was before I became one. It's pretty apparent that the Senior Leaders of this country believe that the National Guard is a ready, reliable, and relevant force to carry out national/state objectives. The name tape says, U.S. Army. Soldiers are soldiers and given the proper training will execute missions successfully. SGT Ball knows what happened here and this is his side of it. He wrote a statement and then tried to retract it. It's unfortunate that his family has to suffer because of it too!

Posted by: Heather Location: Warsaw on Mar 3, 2008 at 02:08 PM
What is up with some of you people?This man gave his life away to the military to defend us his country men,and to fight and die for it!If the man was injured he is entitled to some help period.It is pretty sad nothing was done until he contacted a news channel.I have no faith in the military helping out their own.My father passed away and when I had called to find out about burial benefits,it was like hitting a brick wall.No one returned calls I called several times,I also went in myself to talk to them personally.I also wanted them to do taps for his burial and no one not a single person cared to get a hold of any of us.He deserves the help and hopefully he gets it.For the rest of you asses wait until you get hurt and get this same treatment,maybe you would do us a service by dropping out of the military.I want someone that stands up for the rights of others,and protecting others.Not people that turn on the people you are sworn to protect.

Posted by: Rich Location: Niles on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Deadbeat

Posted by: Military Member Location: Indiana on Feb 27, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Take note People! It seems the majority of people bashing SGT Ball are the same people still serving this great Country! Some of us have even seen him in action. He is pretty poor at that! He admitted collecting workmans comp through the RV Industry, so why is the military at fault? He claimed the injury occured in April, read below, there was no drill in april. That posting was made by a member of his unit with whom I work with! I have served in the military for over 10 years, both Active Army and National Guard, the bottom line is there is a chain of command in place for a purpose. No where in that chain of command is the media! SGT Ball was wrong to get the media involved and should pay the price with UCMJ action! Get a life Ball, McDonalds is always highering! Flipping a Big Mac shouldn't hurt too much! You would do the Military a great justice to disappear.

Posted by: yadayadayada Location: USA on Feb 26, 2008 at 10:46 PM
there was no drill in april for his unit. read the comment on Feb 25, 2008 at 02:49 PM.

Posted by: Dwayne Location: sb on Feb 26, 2008 at 10:10 PM
you know all through this people have complained about sgt balls manor of getting something done. there acting like a bunch of spoiled little kids.the man has every right to service on his behalf. its a injury DUE TO SERVICE thats it .

Posted by: Dwayne Location: SB on Feb 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM
folks if a man and his family serve there country .then his country needs to put him and his family back together after his service.the service was behind the injury and they have the means to make it right so whats the problem with some of you people .

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 26, 2008 at 09:09 AM
I cannot believe the way people are bashing a man who served our country. This man cannot get what is owed to him after risking his life, yet we are giving money to illegal aliens who don't put anything into our country. We also give to very able bodied people who stay on welfare because they are too lazy to get a job. What a time we live in where we will give to people who give nothing before we give to men and women who serve. Seems to be the same story from alot of people, lost paperwork. Let's not act like children and nit pick about the branch he worked in and that he has a jersey on. Let's give him what he is owed. He chose this job and takes all the risks with it, let's pay him like he would get paid for at any other job. If we keep treating a fellow American like this when we give so much to the illegal alliens (like the one that hit the bus and killed our school children)we will be doing more than pressing 1 for English.

Posted by: Dwayne Location: sb on Feb 25, 2008 at 08:06 PM
by he way you folks that are tic'ed at him if you follow all the proceedures and get a blank wall at all of them then where do expect him to go. and people are'nt just picking on your beloved army it's all the branches there all pulling the same crap so dont get your pantys in a bunch

Posted by: fromthegrave Location: fromthegrave on Feb 25, 2008 at 02:49 PM
WHAT IS INTERESTING IS WE DIDN’T HAVE DRILL IN APRIL OF 2007 FOR THE 1-293D INFANTRY. WE HAD A MUTA8 IN MARCH, SKIPPED APRIL, MUTA 8 IN MAY, 2 DRILLS IN JUNE, 3 WEEKS AT IN JULY/AUGUST, MUTA 6 IN SEPTEMBER, 2 WEEK AT IN OCTOBER, MUTA4 IN NOVEMBER, THEN MOBILIZED IN DECEMBER. TWO MUTAS ARE ONE FULL DRILL DAY. STATING THE FACTS, THAT’S ALL.

Please do not post in all caps. Thank you. -WNDU.com

Posted by: Dan Location: Indianapolis on Feb 25, 2008 at 09:46 AM
John, have you read my response about being medically discharged and spending time at Walter Reed and William Beaumount Army Medical Center? If you did then you would see that I have used my experience on this subject. The reason I brought up my family is b/c there are over 40 years of dealing with the military via retirements, simple end of service or medical discharges. I'm not saying that I agree with how Sgt Ball went about getting the attention/help he needed. I will say that unless you have been through the process of dealing with the military with an injury you really have no right to argue with someone that has or is going through it. I will say that I'm sorry for attacking one specific individual on this topic though. It was not right since there are multiple people that are responding that are not educated on this subject. I am no expert but from my experiences on the subject I can honestly say that the Army lacks integrity when soldiers are injured and need help.

Posted by: John Location: Kalamazoo on Feb 24, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Dan, it's obvious you don't know crap about the military since you are using your family's experience and not your own. That's like saying I know everything about cars since my dad was a mechanic and I've never turned a wrench in my life. As for the responses dying down, the story's old! This guy is a poor excuse of a soldier, let alone a leader. He has done the Army a favor by not deploying and leading soldiers into combat. You never see a police officer going on tv complaining about their benefits. And if he was just some guy working any other job, this wouldn't have been on tv. Just another poor attempt by the media and anti war fanatics to make a story and a quick buck at the expense of the military.

Posted by: Mitch Location: Mishawaka on Feb 24, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Holy run on sentences Dan. Take some remedial English classes, please.

Posted by: Dan Location: Indianapolis on Feb 24, 2008 at 05:43 AM
What is interesting is that the people that were arguing before have nothing to argue about b/c they have been proven wrong on numerous occasions.. I guess they could argue but the proof is in the puddin. That's aimed at you Karin Army Wife.. you obviously have you rebuttle and even if you did it would fall on deaf ears as the arguement at hand is 5-0 in favor of the disabled or injured. I guess that your husband and youself don't know everything about the miltiary... Imagine that.. By the way.. my father was in military over 20 years. Both of my brothers spent more than 8 years in.. So explain how you know more about the military than me?? Oh yeah.. Your silence speaks volumes for your rebuttle.. I hope that you have some ignorant response to this.. Thanks for playing.. :)

Posted by: ACTIVE DUTY Location: Mishawaka on Feb 23, 2008 at 11:01 PM
All i hear is a bunch of moaning. I have had back problems for the last 7 years and i have never had any trouble getting medical care. But the BIGGEST problem i see hear is that everyone that has had problems has been calling people or sending things by mail or fax, get off your lazy butts and drive the paperwork where it needs to go and have someone sign for it. I have never of so many people getting there paperwork lost... OH by the way if SGT Ball loves the ARMY and his COUNTRY so much why is he a weekend warrior and not on ACTIVE DUTY..... Looks like to me he doesnt love it that much. If he loves the ARMY so much why doesnt he drive the paperwork where it needs to go and make someone sign for it and that way he can get the medical attention he needs.. And if it was a injury that happened why he was at training with the National Guard why is he getting Workers comp for, sounds like a intergity issue to me, but He loves the ARMY. He needs to learn how to live the 7 ARMY VALUES....

Posted by: Mitch Location: Mishawaka on Feb 23, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I do hope this guy gets the health care promised. He seems to have pretty good range of motion now..why can't he get a job doing something different to take care of his family that would not require such a strain. As a dad you do what ever it takes no matter what. The RV and manufacured housing industry is in such a mess right now..he is taking such a gamble on wanting his job back. Seems like he has money to get what looks to be a fairly new colts jersey. Get out there and help your wife and kids man. Best of luck to you with the military mess.

Posted by: peach Location: leesburg, in. on Feb 23, 2008 at 03:45 AM
I'm Brenda's aunt. Phil is agood person, he takes care of his family. He love's his country. He is doing what is needed to get resolution to a problem that should of been taken care of a long time ago. the shoulder injury Phil has is very painful and even with surgery will still give him some pain. I have a simular injury. It hurt's alot. You all who judge him for wearing a colt's shirt are ... well, just stupid. Phil's parent's worked hard while Phil and his sistr Sara were growing up They still work long hard hour's. To set an example . Both Phil and Sara use that example in their own life's. Brenda is a hard working good mother to her 2 kid's and her stepdaughter,and her nieces are treated like her own kid's. Both Phil and Brenda would and have helped people in need when ever they were able, I'm very proud of both Phil and Brenda they are standing up to the Army for what is due them. Those who think they are wrong probley voted for Busch! Have a nice day all!

Posted by: Dwayne Location: sb on Feb 22, 2008 at 11:09 PM
IM glad its working out for him and his family

Posted by: Kat Location: Millersburg on Feb 22, 2008 at 08:57 PM
this is such a shame. reading all this crap make's me ill. i would just like to say there are lazy ****** out there that like to squeeze every penny out of the government while they sit on their butts and feel no remorse for it. and yeah we all have to pay for that! Phil is not one of those people or i WOULD NOT DEFEND HIM! i know he's not out 2 pull a fast one, sympathy, or a con. he's proud. and i could only imagine how frustrated with this situation he had to get to go to the media. and it's AMAISING to me that the matter is getting resolved before this story was even aired. think twice before finding nothing better to do than judge. just remember karma sucks and will stab you when your back is turned and when you least expect. spend a day in someone elses shoes, & get the BIG PICTURE before running your mouths. support your troops that fight for your way of life and freedom. like the freedom of speech ;D sit on high horses and preach all you want but i find holes in your stories to

Posted by: Dwayne Location: sb on Feb 22, 2008 at 04:24 PM
POP stand by your son he will need a lot of help even if he says he wants to do it his self.he will need his family more than ever now.

Posted by: Darrell Carr Location: Warsaw, Indiana on Feb 22, 2008 at 03:19 PM
I am Sgt. Phillip Ball's stepfather. My name is Darrell Carr. I would like to share with you how proud my wife and I are of Phillip and his family. Just like many soldiers today, they serve and protect our way of life each and every day. Phillip love's the army, believe it or not.He also loves his family. If Phillip had the chance, knowing him as I do, he would give his life for his country in a heart beat. It is easy for all of us to jump to assumptions when we don't have all of the facts. It is the nature of the beast in some of us, and my family understands. His wife does work and always has. She is a young mother of three, trying to provide for them. Secondly, Phillip took all of the necessary steps to get the surgery taken care of. It is not his fault that the army did not take care of it until December. And no, he dose not sit around waiting for the government to take care of him. I have not listed everything that he has done to take care of this. It would take to long.

Posted by: unknown Location: indiana on Feb 22, 2008 at 02:17 PM
what is interesting is we didn't have drill in April for the 293d INF. We had a MUTA8 in March, skipped April, and then resumed in May. Did he put in for an LOD during his training related injury?

Posted by: Amazed Location: SB on Feb 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
It is such a shame to hear all this, but I am not surprized!! My husband has been trying to get his medical records for a year and a half!! We just keep sending out the same letter to a new location each time. He has health issues as well and we get nowhere!!!

Posted by: Military Brat Location: Indiana on Feb 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Active Duty and Military Wife I hope you never have a major health probl