Reporting for Roll Call 16:50 Hrs 6-12-13
Hi
First off...Re: Backlog Figure...that one million number was in various news outlets...not just the Net.
Well, we're getting closer to what I'm trying to get from all this...investigating the process...and doing a bit of "forensics" along the way. Your comment confirms things for me...you get fully checked out going into service...but nothing beyond a handshake when you leave it. Frankly, it's not so much a case of indifference or considering any GI as nothing more than cannon fodder. It really is more of a matter of it being just an old practice...from way way back...which has more or less become a "normal" procedure (you might even say it's almost become...tradition).
Anyway, as I've pointed out, maybe that entire entry/exit process needs to be re-thought. That is,, given the state of the art in technology, perhaps those old dog tags of ours, instead of just the bare bones data on them, why not make them similar to a -flash drive -. On entry into service, the EEI re: physical, mental, condition is put in it.During service, any further medical entries are added to it. When being discharged, a close out medical entry is made, with whatever appropriate notes re:any physical or other dings incurred while in service. Something along these lines. Hell, instead of metal, the new style dog tags could be made of -graphene- (thinner, and almost indestructable). Okay...something the powers that be should chew on. You may be right...they just might catch up and get into this 21st Century of ours.
Moving on: Now, we've brought our Cherry Troop up to the point to where he's gotten his VA card,he's gotten an Advocate (of sorts...sounds like a 50/50 proposition to me), a primary care doctor,and now a complete physical. Based on the results from that, this puts him on the "threshold" so to speak. What if one of the results comes back showing he has either a physical or emotional problem/condition to one degree or another. What happens next? It seems to me that at this point the question of "disability" should logically come up. Who initiates that? The doctor? He's the primary care medical professional, shouldn't his medical opinion have some weight? Here's where things seem to get fuzzy in the process...for me. Can you elucidate on how things happen at this point?More importantly...who starts the process going forward?
Here's the impression I have of what happens. If you recall, last year, there was a big hooha about the Oakland, CA VA facility having some 34,000 disability claims backlog. That suggests to me that the problem begins at the "intake" end of the funnel, not somewhere further up the chain. That is, it sounds like there is a preliminary evaluation/determination process right there at that facility, so if a given facility (such as Oakland) is not able to do that process in a timely way, all those who are trying to work their claim through it, get jammed up. Whereas at some other facility somewhere, if they don't have that problem, things move better forward. In some places, it may even be worse ( remember that other case in SC...the dead weight of those files were a menace to the structural integrity of the facility). All of which suggests that the key first "obstacle" or "land mine" in the process is the state of any given VA facility's capacity to handle the volume of claims it is handling.
Let's do a bit of "disection" here, and see what are the pieces involved.
CENTURION
Reporting for ROLL CALL! 6/13/13 10:09AM
ReplyDeleteI think we would have a better country if we established strict Term Limits on all of our Congress Critters, just like we have for the President. And, I believe it would be better if we established some sort of a National Sales Tax and did away with all other taxes. BUT, this is a dream concept, and not reality. Nor will it likely be, any more than you having our military give a full accounting of a soldier's departure from active duty. And, so, on ROLL CALL, I'm going to stick to the 'Real World' and not throw out any speed balls about 'how I wish things were'.
In all seriousness, our military does give the Cherry Troop the full physical upon his departure. BUT, it has to be done the way I have written about here following the 'Steps' and 'Rules' listed on this site. It is the option of the Cherry Troop to do this. It is not the responsibility of the government to snatch this guy by his collar and drag him to the VA.
I want to bring to your attention the "Links Of Interest" I have on this site. It is important to study these links if you indeed are reading this as a Cherry Troop. These links are being sent to me by readers of this site to 'help' us help you! The most recent link is "State Veteran's Benefits". Look at it. Go to your State, hit its link, and see for yourself the various 'benefits' you have as a Cherry Troop. And, understand that a 'benefit' is different from a 'disability' or a 'claim'. This distinction is critical in establishing an understanding of the 'process'. OR, as some would say in a coequal, "Playing the game!"
Once again, it is of consummate importance to have a Veteran Advocate to help you through this process. So, taking a step back, you are now with your primary care doctor, and you are being 'checked in'. This is a process in itself. This doctor will probably be sitting in front of a computer and will no doubt be filling in all kinds of 'blank spaces' on the screen with your facts. This starts out by asking you if your address is correct, you date of birth, your phone number, and blah blah blah. Then, the doctor will ask about your medical history, in your words. For example, are you allergic to any drugs, foods or political party. (Forget that political party!)
This is where the advice of a Veteran Advocate such as myself is most important. The Cherry Troop has to 'request' all kinds of tests from his or her primary care doctor. This goes for hearing, dental, X-rays, and most importantly, mental hygiene. We called them 'shrinks' when I was in the service. It is now a stated fact that 47% of all Veterans in America suffer from PTSD. Go get your head checked and 'demand' this from your primary care doctor.
LT