Post No. 11 -- Baby Steps Forward

Reporting for Roll Call -14:35Hrs - 6-10-13

Hi LT:

Re: Your comment my Post No. 10. My impression is what you're advocating amounts to a "stealth" approach. That is, getting a complete, head to toe, physical at this point in the process, will preclude any later bureaucratic efforts to apply the "pre-existing condition" ploy against our troop. Fair enough, But this brings up a possible bit of reinforcing support here. When someone enters military service, they are subjected to a similar head-to-toe physical and even psche eval before being accepted for service. Thus, if the results of that are okay, that individual is deemed fit for service, and accepted, with no "pre-existing" dings of one kind or another. Later, upon release from active service shouldn' the Services perform another complete physical, like the first one? In effect "certifying" that the individual is free of any dings of one kind or another...or not. I'm not sure, but unless the service member was released from a medical facility, that isn't the case. When I was release from active duty back in the day...other than being handed my DD214, and a parting citation by my boss...it was just good-by-Charlie- and-it-was-great-to-know-you... I coud have been incubating the Bubonic Plague...for all they knew. So, in my view, this is one of the first "land mines" in the system. The Services should be requiredd to perform a complete head-to-toe exam before releasing anyone.

Okay, now, after some time has passed since return to the civilian world, our troop does as you advocate, and gets another (this time VA) complete physical. He will now have not just one, but TWO, physical "certifications" saying he is fine, or, has specific indications otherwise. Either way, he has a stronger foundation for any future needs. My point to all this is that our troop would be better prepared for any future encounters in the claims process, than he is currently.

CENTURION

Post No.10 - On With The Process

Reporting for Roll Call 16:25 Hrs 6-7-13

Hi LT:

Well, it was D-Day, and some folks did remember about it. At the rate things are going it may soon be seen as "ancient" history.

Meanwhile, I'll continue picking away at the process involved with filing a disability claim.

You are correct...a wound is a wound is a wound...whether physical or otherwise. The question boils down to what extent does it affect normal functionality? So, here's where the process begins, that is, having been assigned a primary care physician, and having had the first appointment with him/her, our troop now faces the first scrutiny on the subject. Physical problems from physical wounds are self-evident. PTSD related problems are something else. So...two questions appear to need answers here:

 1)To what extent does the PCDr's preliminary medical evaluation of the troop's condition have a bearing on a potential disability rating?

 2)How is that recorded?

What I'm asking here, LT, is who initiates the process...the doctor? So what does the troop have to do?

While the Dr.'s medical opinion must have some validity, I suspect that the next thing is probably referral to a specific specialist of one kind or another (that would seem to be a logical step to take).

From your experience, is this correct?

CENTURION

Post No. 9 -Moving on

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

Post No.8 -Moving Forward

Reporting for ROLL CALL - 15;56Hrs. 5-29-13

Hi LT:

Well another Memorial Day has passed for us. Good as usual. Of course, it had its not so uplifting moments...like having to listen to some of our career politicos' blather on about how much they have done, and are doing veterans, etc., etc., etc. Like the Church Lady might say...isn't that special!

So, can somebody explain to me why there's a million or more backlog of disability claims at the VA..if these "honorables" have done, and are doing so much for Veterans? Well...it is what it is...but I prefer to move forward from here.

Re: Before returning to our cherry troop, however, let's clear up a difference in perspectives we argued about on the way to lunch on Memorial Day. That is, a lot of older veterans from earlier times have never filed fo "disability". That's not because any of them are shy about doing so, or having some kind of macho attitude about not needing-no-stinking-help-from-no-goddam-VA, etc.It's very simple...they don't have any disability, service connected or otherwise. Just because they served, and just because they were lucky enough to come out of any combat experience with neither physical nor emotional dings, they don't see that as any kind of basis for claiming disability or anything else. They have, and do, apply for whatever other "benefits" their service entitles them to however, but none of these have anything to do with "disability". That's the clarification I wanted to make.

Re: Having a VA card. As I mentioned, when they announced all veterans needed to get one, i did. Went directly to Member Services (my DD214 was in a file folder in an old footlocker, in storage, back in Missouri, at the time), walked in, and within a few minutes sat in front of a sweet young clerk lady.Even without a DD214 in my hand...no problem. Gave her my name, rank and serial nujmbers(enl & comm), dates of services, etc. Within minutes, she had all the verification needed, had me stand up against the backdrop on the wall, facing one of those mugshot-type cameras, a quick flash, and five minutes later I walked out with my VA card in hand, classified as Category C. The category for all those who are not either retirees, or with a service-connected disability of some sort. What this means is...yes we can use the VA for medical services, but on a tail=end charlie priority basis. Fair enough. I use it once a year...for a free flu shot. And the reason I don't use it for more than that is because I have.. MEDICARE.

Now, there are hundreds of thousands of veterans just like me with MEDICARE...which is paid for out of our Social Security "benefit"(taken right off the top from that benefit...a no "opt out" deal, of course). But we can't use it at the VA...because of the Congressional prohibitions against the transfer of funds from one Federal program to another(even though Congress does it every day of the week). The VA can bill any other insurance provider, but not Medicare. Supposedly Congress was going to fix that problem, so veterans could use it with the VA, just like any other medical service provider, but they've been screwing around with that for the past 10 years...and there's still no resolution. in sight. So...since I'm forced to pay for Medicare anyway...no sense leaving that on the table...it takes care of any HMO bills. The co-pay it would cost me at the VA, would simply add to any medical expenses....and those rates are adjusted annually, always upwards, naturally. Yes, the quality of medical care and services would probably be much better at the VA...but until the Medicare issue is resolved...the economics of it just don't work. C'est la vie!

Re: Moving forward...we left our cherry troop out in the rain, with his DD214 in hand, and perhaps he's also gone ahead and gotten his VA card besides. Obviously his next move must be to get connected with a primary care physician of some kind. How does he do that? Does he pick from a directory at that facility...or is the process much like getting a Public Defender (you get whatever is assigned by the Court).?

Well enough for today, give me some specifics in answer to these questions,I'm trying to report on how the step by step process works here which, hopefully, will shed some light on why there's such a claim backlog.

CENTURION

Post No.7 - He's standin' in the rain, standin' in the rain

Reporting for Roll Call 1605 Hrs - 5-21-13

Hi LT:

Well, our cherry troop is standin' in the rain, standin' in the rain...so to speak, waiting for the next step in the process.

Okay, so he's ready to proceed...how does he initiate the process of filing his claim? Now what does he need to do it?

Need to have some specifics here. I'm asking because I don't know. Since you have first hand experience with the process, enlighten us on how he needs to do that. You mentioned that you had recently helped a young veteran get his claim officially filed, and that it took almost a year to do it. Can you explain why it took so long to do it? The details of what you went through with him should be instructive for our cherry troop, as he prepares his claim.

CENTURION

Post No 6 - May We Shift to How To Mode?

Reporting for Roll Call 21:20 Hrs - 5-15-13

Hi LT:

If we're going to help anyone to understand how to file a claim for the benefits they've earned and deserve, may we shift to a how to mode?

Yes, we know the VA claim processing system is a mess. No question about it...and both you and I have a collection of annectdotes about specific cases on how screwed up the system is (as do a lot of other veterans too). So...so far we had brought our cherry/troop through to get his VA card, along with his DD214. His next step is....?

He needs to know that if his claim is going to be filed. Let's help him along here.

CENTURION 

ROLL CALL!

ROLL CALL!  It has come to the attention of many Veteran Advocates recently in America that the VA (Veterans Administration) is dealing with over one million backlogged claims.  Also, it has been brought to my attention that the VA is experiencing the "7 Year Burn" beginning this year.  That simply defined means that the Veterans who have returned from service in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars seven years ago are now realizing they are in trouble.  With destroyed marriages, wrecked relationships with family and friends, drowning their pain with booze and drugs, and lost jobs and getting in trouble with the law, they are finally accepting the fact that the Black Snake (PTSD) is coiled within their souls, and they can't sleep at night because they are Dancing with the Devil's Daughter. They want help.  The VA can not handle over a million filed claims right now from the Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans, so how in the world are they going to do so with the millions about ready to enter their doors with the "7 Year Burn"?  I have set up a web site that I list here to help any and all Veterans get their claims filed with the VA.  You have to know how to do this!  It is not a simple process.  And, it is to the advantage of the whole VA system if Veterans get mad, or frustrated at the process, and turn away, go home, and settle for a life curled up with the Black Snake and Dancing with the Devil's Daughter.  PLEASE help me help our fellow Veterans.  Tell any and all about this site.  And spread the word.  Thanx!  LT Bobby Ross

http://www.vetrollcall.blogspot.com/