Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Post No.15 - Moving into the Process

Reporting for Roll Call - 15:15Hrs - 6-19-13
Hi LT:
Re: VA Card...as I previously mentioned the medical services of the VA were then for those with service connected problems/disabilities or retirees. Maybe it was in the 90s, but it took enabling legislation by Congress to make it otherwise. If you recall, they mounted a big promotional campaign, including a deadline, to get veterans signed up for it. It wasn't until then that the idea of applying those services to all veterans really took hold. As far as I know, I'm still a Cat. C with that card. As to those who claim "they don't want or believe in getting a hand out", I've never considered that as anything but an ignorant outlook. Anyway, you asked me that question, and that was my take on it all. Any idiot can take a potshot at a situation, but it serves no purpose unless you have some thoughts about how to fix it...no matter how far out those might be (yeah, yeah...i"m as far out as it gets...I know.)
Re: PTSD...I'm with you, and glad we're getting into the process. The first thing that comes to mind is this: How is the claim initiated? I think our Cherry Troop should get some idea about it at this point. Who determines the need to file a disability claim? The veteran's doctor...both together? And what are the immediate requirements to do so? Can you give us some specifics about that? Not nitpicking, just curious and trying to understand the process. Well, I'm looking forward to that.
Short sidebar comment here...re: that 47% PTSD figure they've come up with...DUH...any veteran who has had combat experience must have been impacted by it. Granted, some more than others...interesting it's taken all those experts and pundits all this time to figure that out. C'est la vie!
CENTURION

1 comment:

  1. Reporting for ROLL CALL 9:26AM 6/3
    Hey Captain!
    As far as 'Playing The Game', here is the kicker: PTSD needs to be addressed IMMEDIATELY! When the Cherry Troop is in the presence of his/her primary care doctor, it needs to be addressed. If there are other wounds, like hearing loss, or gun shot wounds, etc, these need to be addressed, but not to put great influence upon. The fact is that if there is a problem with hearing loss, the VA will use this as their starting point with any claim, and that is a ploy on their part. PTSD needs to be the first condition addressed.
    Many of the Veterans of these Rich Man War's in Iraq and Afghanistan have served in combat. And, many have done more than one tour. A tour can be up to 18 months. Some have had back to back tours. And some have been sent for more than 6 tours. I'm 100% disabled and I only did one tour in the Rich Man War in Vietnam. So, if you have done more than that, you have PTSD to one degree or the other.
    So, Step 4 is to demand a mental evaluation. You do this with your primary care doctor. And, actually, you can do this the day you go for your VA card and before you see your primary care doctor. I will go into more details on this later. But, for right now, Step 4 is to get an appointment with a doctor at the VA's Mental Hygiene Clinic.

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