Martin’s Veteran Story
Veteran Testimonial
By Martin Abrams USN
To all my Brothers and Sisters who are Veterans of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and all branches of the United States Armed Forces:
My name is Martin Abrams, and I am a proud U.S. Navy Veteran who served our great country from 1976 to 1980.
I served two years aboard the destroyer USS Richard S. Edwards (DD-950), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and two years aboard the destroyer tender USS Sierra (AD-18), homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. I served as an E-4 Quartermaster.
(For more information about my military service, I have included my email address at the end of this testimonial.)
During my service, I suffered a service-connected injury that left me hospitalized for approximately seven months at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and Bethesda National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. I completed my service and was honorably discharged on August 24, 1980.
After leaving the military, I began my civilian career as an electrician in New York and later in Florida. Like many veterans, I was never fully aware of the benefits available to me. Looking back, much of that was my own fault because I never took the time to investigate what I had earned through my service.
As a result, I went 45 years without ever applying for my VA benefits.
A friend and fellow veteran eventually encouraged me to file a disability claim because I had broken my C-1 vertebra during my military service and had experienced years of neck pain, limited range of motion, headaches, and occasional dizziness. I finally went to my local VA clinic and benefits office to apply.
The employee handling my intake jokingly asked, “Where have you been for the last 45 years?”
After about four months, the VA awarded me a 60% service-connected disability rating.
Approximately one year later, around February 2026, I found myself hospitalized for an unrelated medical condition. I remained in the hospital for approximately 42 days. As I prepared for discharge, the hospital social worker explained that I would need physical therapy and a caregiver because I was essentially bedbound and unable to walk.
I contacted my insurance company while still in the hospital. Unfortunately, they approved only four home physical therapy visits and did not approve a caregiver.
That is when I turned to the VA again for help.
Unfortunately, because I was only receiving disability compensation and had never established care with a VA Primary Care Physician, I discovered that I was not automatically eligible for many of the additional VA healthcare services I desperately needed.
As I tried to navigate the VA system to obtain a Primary Care Physician, I encountered what felt like endless red tape, confusion, and frustration.
I reached out to a relative whose neighbor knew a disabled Vietnam veteran. After hearing about my situation, he gave my relative the phone number of someone named Ian L Small, who he said worked with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) and advocate for veterans though his own nonprofit organization: ILS Healthcare Initiative Inc.
I waited a day or two before finally making the call.
From our very first conversation, Ian listened to my situation with compassion and understanding.
The very next day, he came to visit me in the hospital. He spent a long time sitting with me, talking, encouraging me, lifting my spirits, and helping me understand how to navigate the VA system. At a time when I felt completely overwhelmed and alone, his visit meant more than words can express.
Ian also recommended that I contact his colleagues a Veteran Service Officer, Ryan Gamby, a retired Army Lieutenant with extensive experience helping veterans.
It took several attempts because Ryan stays extremely busy, but once we connected, he immediately understood my situation. Ryan explained exactly what I needed to do to establish my VA Primary Care Physician while Ian continued visiting me and helping guide me through the VA process.
Although my immediate concern was obtaining medical care, Ryan also reviewed my existing 60% disability rating. With my permission, he prepared and submitted all of the paperwork necessary to request an increase based on the worsening condition of my neck, headaches, dizziness, and other service-connected issues.
Ryan knew exactly how to present my case to the VA because helping veterans is what he does every day. Ian and Ryan may not officially work as a formal team, but they work exceptionally well together for the benefit of veterans.
By the time my paperwork had been submitted, I had already returned home and was using my limited physical therapy visits.
The VA later scheduled an examination, but because I was still bedbound, I explained that I could not travel. They accommodated me by arranging a telehealth appointment so I could discuss my condition with the VA physician.
Thanks to the guidance, dedication, and support of both Ryan and Ian, my disability rating was increased from 60% to 80%.
Today I am still recovering and walking with the assistance of a cane.
More importantly, I now have a VA Primary Care Physician, receive my medications through the VA, have ongoing physical therapy at home through the VA, and receive caregiver services as well.
None of this would have happened without the help of Ian Small and Ryan Gamby.
I am deeply grateful to both of these gentlemen for everything they did to help me.
People sometimes say negative things about the VA, but I want to tell my fellow veterans something important: if you have served your country, you have earned benefits. Don’t let them sit unused for years like I did.
Reach out. Ask for help. Use the benefits you earned through your service.
I am proud of how the VA ultimately helped me once I was connected with the right people.
Most of all, I am proud to be an American.
If you are a veteran and need assistance navigating VA benefits or services, I encourage you to contact a qualified Veteran Service Officer (VSO). Reaching out to people like Ian Small and Ryan Gamby changed my life, and it may help change yours as well.
Sincerely,
Martin Abrams, USN