Potentially Negative Credit

I was in the VA Hospital in Seattle and unable to work due to Service Connected Disabilities, but I had not yet received any compensation from the VA.  One benefits came in, I began to pay off past debts even though those benefits were not attachable for payments by Creditors.   Even after paying Verizon in full for the amount owed, they have refused to remove this from the Negative Information on my Credit Report and because of my credit score being driven down by this, I dont qualify for an apartment which I could pay for and I've been force to live in Homeless Shelters while I've been saving enough to buy a home.  I've contacted Verizon and Disputed this so many times that Im just waiting out the next year and a half when this will finally expire.  Point is, if you have a Verizon Debt that has gone to collections.  Don't bother paying it off, it wont affect your credit one way or the other.  And Verizon;  Thanks for supporting the Troops