LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
From time to time we will see forum posts describing negative experiences with VA (Veterans Administration). The past several years have brought news reports of serious deficiencies in some VA facilities.
For some perspective, I came home from Vietnam the second time in late October, 1971 and left active duty Army service in December, 1972. My out-processing physical examination noted shrapnel remaining in my legs (including a sliver lodged in the bone of my left knee joint), a few other relatively minor injuries, and the head wound caused by a projectile (bullet or shrapnel?) passing through my steel helmet and fracturing my skull. Small shrapnel fragments were expected to eventually work their way to the surface over time, and the knee was expected to experience calcium deposits and become arthritic over time with a possibility of the metal dislodging and requiring surgery.
In 1975 I began experiencing fragments coming to the surface, causing constant irritation usually fixed by outpatient treatment to pierce the skin and extract the metal. I recall a VA clinic appointment to have that done one day at 1:00PM. At 4:00PM I was informed that they could not see me that day so I should come back the following week. When I returned I learned that my records showed that I had missed the first appointment so I was dis-enrolled from VA medical services. I had to re-apply for benefits, taking several months. VA clinic appointments resembled cattle calls.
In 1982 the scrap in my knee came loose and dropped into the knee joint, locking my knee solid and causing considerable pain. A few weeks later I was scheduled for outpatient surgery at a VA hospital 110 miles from home at 7:00AM. Sat around over 3 hours, then they brought in my surgeon AND AN INTERPRETER! The doc spoke no English! When I inquired about qualifications and board certifications the staff became very rude and angry. I left, spent the next several weeks dealing with staff members in the offices of a Senator and a Congressman. Finally scheduled for the surgery at a USAF hospital, attended to by an active-duty lieutenant colonel (who actually spoke English quite well).
I learned at that time that physicians, surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals were allowed to work in the VA system even when they held no US licensing (in fact, state licenses might be suspended or revoked and they could continue to practice in the VA system).
I found other ways of getting my medical care after that.
By 2004 I was over 50 and, like many others, required a few prescription medications on a regular basis. Re-applied to VA in hopes of getting my required meds without shelling out a couple hundred per month. This required at minimum a preliminary physical exam and lab work, then an annual physical and review of prescriptions.
I was treated very well, always with courtesy and respect. Routine appointments might take several weeks to get in, but urgent needs were easily taken care of on a walk-in basis or telephone consult and referral.
By 2008 I was receiving all of my medical care through VA with generally high satisfaction. All of my prescriptions have been promptly refilled and mailed to my home. I have undergone several in-patient and out-patient surgical procedures, either in VA facilities or on referral to community specialists or hospitals. Seldom billed for anything beyond a token co-payment on prescription meds (typically $3 per 30-day supply).
Over the years my VA docs and nursing staff have always expressed surprise to learn that I was not receiving disability compensation. I was always reluctant to apply; I was always capable of working and I wanted to be productive and self-sufficient. Also, for quite a few years VA disability benefits were "means tested", i.e.: if you were working or capable of working you were not disabled, and if you accepted disability compensation you were prohibited from having earned income without loss of benefits.
Early this year I received a lot of good information from some other vets at my local VFW post. The means-testing was gone, and lots of otherwise healthy and productive veterans were receiving disability benefits routinely.
Finally on July 24 I submitted my application on-line. VA staff quickly accessed my service records (including the old out-processing physical exam) and VA treatment records. Starting in early September I was scheduled for medical evaluations, all done by civilian sources in the community. Had a total of 6 evaluations, 3 in September and 3 in October (last one on October 30). Then I expected to wait the average 4 months or so for a decision.
On October 14 I received a check in the mail for disability compensation for the months of August and September. On October 29 I received a check for October (with a request to go on direct deposit payments). Keep in mind two things:
1. I still had 3 more evaluations to complete when the first check arrived, and one more when the second check arrived.
2. I still had not received notification of a determination in my case.
On November 7 I received the official VA determination letter awarding me 60% service-connected disability effective from the date of my application (thus the first check and second check).
On November 21 I logged into my checking account as usual, found another payment from VA. The amount was different than the monthly benefit award, but a moment with a calculator showed it to be the difference between 60% and 70% for the 3 month period August thru October.
Still no written notification to explain, but I expect that to come along soon. Will probably receive November's benefit payment any day now.
I am impressed! Barely ten weeks from application to a compensation payment! Then a raise in benefits the following month (which I assume to be based on the final 3 med evaluations that had not been included in the first determination).
It is a whole new ball game at the Veterans Administration, folks!
I know of quite a few Vietnam veterans who spent several years in the process of qualifying for disability compensation. One acquaintance in particular received over $120,000 in back pay when his case was finally decided (about 8 years). In my case they will only go retroactive to the date of my application in July of this year.
Also interesting, VA disability compensation is no longer tied to Social Security benefits so there is no decrease in one for those receiving the other. Both programs pay through at full benefit amounts. Social Security Disability Income may also be awarded in addition to VA disability.
Effective January 1, 2022 VA disability compensation will receive a 5.9% increase, same as Social Security benefits.
For others who, like me, avoided the VA system for years and continued to live with the results of injuries and trauma I strongly recommend that they look into the new VA and the benefits provided for us.
For some perspective, I came home from Vietnam the second time in late October, 1971 and left active duty Army service in December, 1972. My out-processing physical examination noted shrapnel remaining in my legs (including a sliver lodged in the bone of my left knee joint), a few other relatively minor injuries, and the head wound caused by a projectile (bullet or shrapnel?) passing through my steel helmet and fracturing my skull. Small shrapnel fragments were expected to eventually work their way to the surface over time, and the knee was expected to experience calcium deposits and become arthritic over time with a possibility of the metal dislodging and requiring surgery.
In 1975 I began experiencing fragments coming to the surface, causing constant irritation usually fixed by outpatient treatment to pierce the skin and extract the metal. I recall a VA clinic appointment to have that done one day at 1:00PM. At 4:00PM I was informed that they could not see me that day so I should come back the following week. When I returned I learned that my records showed that I had missed the first appointment so I was dis-enrolled from VA medical services. I had to re-apply for benefits, taking several months. VA clinic appointments resembled cattle calls.
In 1982 the scrap in my knee came loose and dropped into the knee joint, locking my knee solid and causing considerable pain. A few weeks later I was scheduled for outpatient surgery at a VA hospital 110 miles from home at 7:00AM. Sat around over 3 hours, then they brought in my surgeon AND AN INTERPRETER! The doc spoke no English! When I inquired about qualifications and board certifications the staff became very rude and angry. I left, spent the next several weeks dealing with staff members in the offices of a Senator and a Congressman. Finally scheduled for the surgery at a USAF hospital, attended to by an active-duty lieutenant colonel (who actually spoke English quite well).
I learned at that time that physicians, surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals were allowed to work in the VA system even when they held no US licensing (in fact, state licenses might be suspended or revoked and they could continue to practice in the VA system).
I found other ways of getting my medical care after that.
By 2004 I was over 50 and, like many others, required a few prescription medications on a regular basis. Re-applied to VA in hopes of getting my required meds without shelling out a couple hundred per month. This required at minimum a preliminary physical exam and lab work, then an annual physical and review of prescriptions.
I was treated very well, always with courtesy and respect. Routine appointments might take several weeks to get in, but urgent needs were easily taken care of on a walk-in basis or telephone consult and referral.
By 2008 I was receiving all of my medical care through VA with generally high satisfaction. All of my prescriptions have been promptly refilled and mailed to my home. I have undergone several in-patient and out-patient surgical procedures, either in VA facilities or on referral to community specialists or hospitals. Seldom billed for anything beyond a token co-payment on prescription meds (typically $3 per 30-day supply).
Over the years my VA docs and nursing staff have always expressed surprise to learn that I was not receiving disability compensation. I was always reluctant to apply; I was always capable of working and I wanted to be productive and self-sufficient. Also, for quite a few years VA disability benefits were "means tested", i.e.: if you were working or capable of working you were not disabled, and if you accepted disability compensation you were prohibited from having earned income without loss of benefits.
Early this year I received a lot of good information from some other vets at my local VFW post. The means-testing was gone, and lots of otherwise healthy and productive veterans were receiving disability benefits routinely.
Finally on July 24 I submitted my application on-line. VA staff quickly accessed my service records (including the old out-processing physical exam) and VA treatment records. Starting in early September I was scheduled for medical evaluations, all done by civilian sources in the community. Had a total of 6 evaluations, 3 in September and 3 in October (last one on October 30). Then I expected to wait the average 4 months or so for a decision.
On October 14 I received a check in the mail for disability compensation for the months of August and September. On October 29 I received a check for October (with a request to go on direct deposit payments). Keep in mind two things:
1. I still had 3 more evaluations to complete when the first check arrived, and one more when the second check arrived.
2. I still had not received notification of a determination in my case.
On November 7 I received the official VA determination letter awarding me 60% service-connected disability effective from the date of my application (thus the first check and second check).
On November 21 I logged into my checking account as usual, found another payment from VA. The amount was different than the monthly benefit award, but a moment with a calculator showed it to be the difference between 60% and 70% for the 3 month period August thru October.
Still no written notification to explain, but I expect that to come along soon. Will probably receive November's benefit payment any day now.
I am impressed! Barely ten weeks from application to a compensation payment! Then a raise in benefits the following month (which I assume to be based on the final 3 med evaluations that had not been included in the first determination).
It is a whole new ball game at the Veterans Administration, folks!
I know of quite a few Vietnam veterans who spent several years in the process of qualifying for disability compensation. One acquaintance in particular received over $120,000 in back pay when his case was finally decided (about 8 years). In my case they will only go retroactive to the date of my application in July of this year.
Also interesting, VA disability compensation is no longer tied to Social Security benefits so there is no decrease in one for those receiving the other. Both programs pay through at full benefit amounts. Social Security Disability Income may also be awarded in addition to VA disability.
Effective January 1, 2022 VA disability compensation will receive a 5.9% increase, same as Social Security benefits.
For others who, like me, avoided the VA system for years and continued to live with the results of injuries and trauma I strongly recommend that they look into the new VA and the benefits provided for us.
