The VA sent me a letter

[Lee Barner]

thanking me for choosing the Memphis VA Medical Center as my choice for my primary care. I started trying to apply for service connected disability in 2003. sent four packages in from 03 to 05. I would call after a few months and get told they had no record of me or my application. on a couple of occasions I was told I was not eligible for VA benefits because I made too much money, but they never asked me how much I made. I was unemployed then. they obviously knew I was retired AF. this morning I called and gave them all my info again and was told by the droid that answers the phone that someone would contact me within 7-10 days. we'll see. hope it works this time. I told the guy on the phone I could tell the VA was trying to cover their tails and that they did know I existed and he said he didn't know anything about that. I told him I wouldn't call back, but my congressman's office would. lee

 

[rimfired]

Lee, my VA is 10 minutes away in Wilkes-Barre. I've been in their care for over 5 years. Have Agent Orange issues plus a host of other stuff they found from Nam. They've treated me well.

I applied for disability over a year ago. Worked with VFW advocate, American Legion advocate and finally a VA advocate. Got my 100% disability ajudication two months ago. They made me dig up stuff I've been trying to bury for the last 43 years. The VA advocate made it happen.
Don't lose faith they're trying to make the system better.
Hope you have success.

 

[4011]

I didn't serve. But I sure hope you guys who did can finally get those people to take care of you. I have heard story after story of men who have tried and tried to get help and been denied. I can't say what I want to cause I'll get dinged so Ill stop now.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I first contacted the VA about 3 years ago by going to the regional clinic. They had me fill out some paperwork and I waited for 6 months. I got a letter saying that I was not eligible for any health care because of my income. Millionaires get social security but I wasn't eligible because my income was over the poverty level. So I retired, my income dropped in half and I have a service connected disability so I thought I would try again. About 10 months ago I went to the American Legion where they have a paid advocate that helped me with a claim. Finally got the VA to own up to the fact that yes, I might be eligible for assistance after some tests. They wouldn't tell me that the first time I applied because they didn't want me in the system. Now I'm in the system and being tested by a private doctor payed by the VA. I don't know what the outcome will be but the doc said there was a very good chance I would get some help.

It's unfortunate that vets can't get the help they need. Like you they tried to deny my benefits and only after I found an advocate did I get them to process me into the system. My advocate was on a first name basis with a state senator who stirred the pot constantly.

Bottom line is I'm 3 years in and still waiting. I don't blame the VA, I blame the adm. and the lack of accountability that seems to be acceptable in just about everything they do.

 

[vonn]

All posters ,Please keep us posted and updated on how things are going. I hope the system is going to get better for all vets. Probably should get going on it myself just in case.

 

[1sg]

My 2 cents: It's a commonplace understanding among all the active duty and military retiree folk I know that VA is both inefficient and way slooooooooow in virtually everything they do. It seems to me that they only folk who don't realize it is the VA and Administration Leadership. It's taken months for me to obtain appointments and years to resolve compensation issues. I don't intend to turn this into a political rant but can someone tell me why the average Joe can't seem to get a timely appointment nor an accurate answer to an inquiry when we have invested BILLIONS of dollars in the VA system? The best advice I can give you Lee, and all the other Vets out there is to simply persevere. I suspect there's a bunch of good people trying to make the system work and eventually they will get to you; I sincerely wish you best of luck.

 

[1sg]

Hue 68 noli me tangere

I haven't heard this phrase in a long time. I'm a 2nd Inf Regt alum; thanks for the memories...

 

[carpriver]

I feel your pain. When I retired in 1986 I requested and got a VA physical and was rated for a couple of service connected problems. I do get some treatment at the VA mainly for the service connected stuff. I was given an Agent Orange physical but when I seek treatment I am told it doesn't matter. I have little faith in the VA.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

The VA is a screwed up mess. My son in law can prove that. Nam vets all have problems, Agent Orange being one of them. Later on it will be from the Sand Box. We were promised health care when we enlisted, now that isn't true.

 

[SW01SS]

I read an article the other day about a vet who finally got an appointment at the VA 2 years after his death... Really pathetic and upsetting. I can only hope and pray that they start actually doing their jobs asap so you guys can get taken care of.

 

[BigBoy99]

My question is: Why are veterans who have served their country forced to beg and grovel for the basic care and benefits while there is a whole group of people who have never done ANYTHING for the country but get much more in benefits from the Government and there is nothing wrong or broken with their welfare system?

 

[golfrj1]

My question is: Why are veterans who have served their country forced to beg and grovel for the basic care and benefits while there is a whole group of people who have never done ANYTHING for the country but get much more in benefits from the Government and there is nothing wrong or broken with their welfare system?

Now here is a "GREAT" Question.. Does it take 2, 3, 5 years to get on Welfare?

 

[Brian41]

You don't give me much hope for my claim I just made with them in January over service related hearing loss. I did get a letter recently stating they're working on my claim whatever that means.
I'm just hoping the physical I had on exiting showing hearing loss isn't lost now somewhere.

 

[golfrj1]

You don't give me much hope for my claim I just made with them in January over service related hearing loss. I did get a letter recently stating they're working on my claim whatever that means.
I'm just hoping the physical I had on exiting showing hearing loss isn't lost now somewhere.

I would think that right now they are really doing their best to right the ship.. I have personally been with the VA for about 10 years and have received the best of care ( a little slow at times).. Of course IF you have some income your co-pays my be a little high, but nothing like the private sector..

Good Luck with your claim and keep the "Faith"..

 

[amazingflapjack]

Lee-if you have not already done so-I would suggest that you join a service organization and sign power of attorney with them and submit a claim through them-asserting that you previously did so, with that date. You will probably get no action from VA until you do this. If you have questions, please feel free to email [email protected] Regards.

 

[Springfield Bob]

Sarge, have you contacted the DAV ?It's worth a shot.

Good luck,

Bob

 

[S42N8]

+ 1 on the DAV (DAV.org). Can't say it was fast, but that was entirely the VA's doing. My DAV rep was clear, focused and set my claim up well. Did have to go through additional tests, but once that started, the VA did come through. Would highly recommend contacting your regional DAV rep, do the power-of-attorney and let them lead the way...my DAV rep was actually hired BY the VA because he was that well-effective. Best of luck with your claim, and don't give up.

 

[LostintheOzone]

You don't give me much hope for my claim I just made with them in January over service related hearing loss. I did get a letter recently stating they're working on my claim whatever that means.
I'm just hoping the physical I had on exiting showing hearing loss isn't lost now somewhere.

I got about 4 of those letters. They seem to come about every 2 months or so. I was told by my AL advocate that the waiting period now was 9 months before they will schedule any tests. Then another 3 months before any decision is made as to your disability status. My AL advocate had a great deal of hearing lose due his job on the flight line. He said he had a 30% disability. He also told me that even a zero % disability entitles you to some health care benefits like reduced cost dental plans and free eye exam/glasses from the VA clinic.

The funny thing about the benefits is I was never told any of this when I first applied at the regional VA hospital 3 years ago. The initial letter I got from them stated that there were no benefits available to me because of my income which was totally false as I found out later using an AL advocate. My question is if I was trying to get some help for a disability, why would they tell me that?

My assessment is the VA has regional administrators running the VA like an insurance company trying to squelch claims. They are being hammered right now by Vietnam vets who have service connected disabilities and filing for the first time. Many of those vets are retiring with limited resources and need some assistance from the VA and are being treated like welfare scammers.

I think this is a huge embarrassment for this adm. If it isn't it should be. This is just another example of the fed not taking care of it's citizens while spending trillions of dollars in other countries with nothing to show for it.

I didn't enlist in the Iraqi army, I enlisted in the U S Navy and served my country.

 

[Bill_inBouse]

Coming up on 3 years since I filed my claim with the VA. I do get some good medical care but boy is the claim service s l o w .....

 

[brucev]

My question is: Why are veterans who have served their country forced to beg and grovel for the basic care and benefits while there is a whole group of people who have never done ANYTHING for the country but get much more in benefits from the Government and there is nothing wrong or broken with their welfare system?

The problem is not that people in one system must compete with people in a different system. There are people who consider that the VA system should be eliminated entirely and that all veterans should simply go through the normal medical system. In the same way there are people who consider that any sort of public assistance should be eliminated. In both cases, some justify that position b/c they don't like the military or they don't like poor people, etc. In both cases, individuals whether veterans or poor people have a legitimate expectation that they will be able to access those benefits to which they are legitimately entitled.

It is outrageous that our government should put in place and maintain a system by which anyone whether veteran, poor person or senior citizen should be forced to have to negotiate a callous process calculated to discourage or otherwise deny these persons from accessing those benefits that are their legal right.

There will always be occasional instances of individuals who will "work the system." That is no excuse to tar and feather everyone else who seeks to file a claim for legitimate benefits. And if someone just simply doesn't like it that those persons have the right under law to seek those benefits, fine. Let them act through the processes in place to change that system. But, whether veteran or poor or someone seeking benefits through the Social Security system, they are not criminals or sorry lazy people, etc. for seeking to obtain those benefits that are due to them under the law.