Reporting for Roll Call 14:40Hrs 5-13-13
Hi LT:
Re: Your comments your last post. All of them give good background info, but I think it would be useful at this point to move forward with the Claim Filing process: That is, let's focus on the specific step by step things that need to be done just to get a claim filed. From a cherry/Troop's perspective it's the most immediate thing of concern. So, with DD214 and VA Card in hand, can you tell us what should be the next move?
We're not talking about the big picture here, just about getting the process started.
Re: Geting an Advocate. That's all well and good, and having one should certainly help maneuver through that mine field of VA rules and regulations, etc. But who has a clue about how and where to find one, especially one with the expertise and knowledge to guide you effectively?
Re: On the subject of Disability in general. There are obviously two aspects related to that. The first concerns -physical- wounds.That's a relatively cut a dried deal because such wounds are self-evident. In the past there was a specific % of disability rating based upon any given body part involved. State of the art in prosthetic technologies these days, while not quite up to the 6Million Dollar Man level, will probably impact on determining the level of disability allowed in the future. The Wounded Warrior program is a good example of that. And we know of a number of these who, because of technological advancess in prosthetics, have been able to remain in active service, rather than just being discharged for medical reasons. Overall, I think that is a good thing. Good for the Service member, and good for the Service. A win-win deal.
But with those invisible wounds, such as PTSD, various head injuries and related traumas,b that's a totally different case. Unfortunately, because the impacts of such "wounds" are invisible( for the most part), and not necessarily immediate, figuring out an appropriate level of disability formula for these, the VA's system has never really managed to effectively do it, so, becaus of that, they stall, they delay, they crochet all sorts of bureaucratic hurdles, while they try to figure it out.
Well, let's leave all these "big picture" matters aside for now, and concentrate on getting that cherry/troop's claim filed into the box that will start his disability claim's journey through the process.With your first hand experience we should be able to "field strip" it down for him so he can see what tits parts are, and how they relate to each other.
CENTURION
Good Morning Captain and All! Want to point out first the "Links Of Interest" part of ROLL CALL located on the right side of this page. These are incredibly important for all "Cherry Troops" reading this to study. Their numbers prove the credibility of what we are saying here about the backlog at the VA, and the problems being faced with the "7 Year Burn". Currently, the VA is dealing with claims from Veterans for many different wars, starting with WWII and concluding with the one we have going on now in Afghanistan. The numbers are staggering. And our economy SUCKs and as a result, many Veterans are suffering on the home front with monetary troubles because they don't have jobs. But, that's another can of worms. Physical wounds incurred from combat are what I call 'automatics' as far as the 'claims' process with the VA. Without becoming too gruesome, with the advent of the helicopter on the battlefield, many wounds which would have automatically been mortal in WWII are now 'routine' and can be treated almost immediately at MASH units near the combat zones. And, a certain percentage of these war wounds are so ghastly that when the soldier does recover, he has to spend the rest of his life in treatment. So, the VA automatically approves the claims on these victims of war. But for those who are 'walking wounded' and are honorably discharged from service, the situation begins to bog down. The smartest way to deal with this is for the Cherry Troop to IMMEDIATELY go to his nearest VA the day after discharge and sign up for his VA card and by presenting his discharge papers (DD214) and get into the system. BUT, 99% of those in this case are not advised by anyone to do so. Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. So, when I say, "Get An Advocate", as Rule 4, then here I am! I'm your advocate! Each day that passes from the moment your are discharged is another day in favor of the VA. So, with this in mind, one only needs to go to the "Contributors - Contact Us" link to the right, just above our pictures, and click my name: "LT Bobby Ross". Introduce yourself and give me a brief description of your claim, be sure to include the State where you are living, and I'll set in motion a personal advocacy for you.
ReplyDelete