Reporting for Roll Call ; 18:58 Hrs 6-5-13
Hi LT:
Well, now that we' ve chatted on the side, I now know where your responses to my questions are...and we can move on.
First, to summarize, we've gotten our troop with his VA card, and he/she is ready to continue with the process.
You may, or may not, have gotten together with one of those State advocate groups, like CalVet. But, regardless, you now need to get connected with a VA-Primary Care doctor. From what you've explained, you do so by asking the VA directly, and you will get whatever one is appointed by it for you. Once you have that, your next move is to make an appointment with that doctor for a preliminary face-to-face.
I think we can both agree that the most critical thing is...make sure you keep that appointment...and on time too! In fact...never miss any appointment, no matter whether with you primary doctor or anyone else.I'd even go so far as saying...keep your own log of all appointments, and with whom, and for what...so you have your own "record".
All right, so you meet with your PCDr...now you're on the threshhold. SIDEBAR COMMENT HERE: While my contact with VA doctors has been minimal, as far as I can figure...most are as good as you'll find anywhere else, and most are really there to do their best for you...whatever is medically justified.
The next question is....how does the subject of "disability" come up? I'm curious about what the interaction between a troop and the doctor might be for that. Believe it's worth "dissecting" a bit because that will be the foundation for any claim for it.
CENTURION
OK, this is a new site. It is not a BLOG. Nor is it 'social media'. No one can leave a comment. And, I've produced it as such because this is an educational tool for those who have not approached the VA as of yet, or those who have, and have been 'backlogged'. So far we've established 4 'rules'. All 4 of them can be applied before you go to Step #1. A 'disability' is a 'wound'. For example, at the Presidio this past Memorial Day we spent together, we say Max Cleland give a speech. He is a Vietnam Veteran who lost both legs and one arm in combat. This is a 'disability'. You, on the other hand, served honorably and totally in combat in the Korean War, and you suffer from no 'wounds' so you do not have a disability. Simple as that. Perhaps before I rant, this should be a good place to halt on what is going on and look at the 4 Rules and the Two Steps.
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