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Yeah, gonna have to say I'm down with the VA. School, medical, home loan, etc, etc. If it wasn't for the VA (and my wife) I'd be living under a bridge right now.
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Sep 10, 2011 04:34
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front wing flexing posted:va keeps me paid. OK, whos dick did you suck. Cuz I'm getting neither money nor respect/decency or basic healthcare from anyone. (especially the ones that get paid to help me. Those ones seem the meanest)
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Sep 10, 2011 04:36
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You need to talk to an OIF/OEF program manager/counselor at your hospital. However, being in Florida seems to raise the incompetency rate (generalized Florida hate, gently caress that state). If you have a VA hospital near you and have not enrolled there, go do that first. Hospital locations: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?State=FL Some VSO specific to Florida: http://www.floridavets.org/ It's not a matter of sucking anyones' dick, just bitching to the right people. I've had a lot of headaches with the VA. Monumentally annoying poo poo. I've gone to three different hospitals, I've dealt with great doctors and awful ones that must have barely passed med school. The VA works for you, not the average joe citizen. If you're having problems, file a complaint. If your complaints are being registered by enough people, the problem will get fixed, especially in the hospitals. In summation, bitch, bitch, bitch like no other. Get a VSO, talk to the OIF/OEF program manager.
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Sep 10, 2011 17:07
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If you're just going through regular va channels you will be hosed. There should be an OEF/OIF office at the hospital where they will fast track you. Other than that the va takes it's sweet rear end time doing anything.
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Sep 10, 2011 22:36
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So...I guess OEF/OIF vets get healthcare....but what if you havent deployed?
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Sep 11, 2011 02:18
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rockamiclikeavandal posted:If you're just going through regular va channels you will be hosed. There should be an OEF/OIF office at the hospital where they will fast track you. It was the OEF/OIF office giving me the runaround. When I finally saw someone, the dude who had been ignoring my calls and e-mails for months was listed as the guy you see if you had comments/concerns/complains about the program. I decided not to tell him what I thought of him.
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Sep 11, 2011 04:14
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Sounds like my brothers' situation. He managed to avoid deployment during his four years. The education benefits are still there, but I think medical is two years for undeployed instead of the five for deployed. Shouldn't really matter though, as it's not your fault you didn't wind up in a unit that deployed. My brother took extension in Korea as opposed to going back CONUS and risking an Iraq tour. The main reason for the separate OIF/OEF program, from my understanding, is the PTSD, depression and suicide problem (and the media coverage it was receiving). When I started going to the VA in 2007, they had a separate clinic for OIF/OEF, but it was nothing like it is now. I felt like a shitheel going in to the VA in '07, and there was next to no mental health advertisement or promoting. Over the years the doctors have gotten better, the scheduling was a bit more accurate, prescriptions became free instead of $8/month. The doctors I've seen lately are far more understandable (as in, they speak english fluently) and understanding of my physical handicap and marijuana use*. It's been progressively getting better, but not without hiccups. The problems you're having not unique. Most vets run into problems with the VA at some point. The best thing you can do is to keep pressure of them to set up appointments, provide worthwhile medical care, and bitch to their superiors (who are civilians that work for you) whenever necessary. *I can't find the article on it now, but there was one about a bill on medical marijuana in Texas that made mention of the VA easing restriction on medications if the patient was using marijuana, leaving it up to the physicians' discretion instead of a policy. All I can find is roughly the same language for those in medical marijuana states. Not my situation, but it hasn't stopped my doctors from prescribing me useful medication (a variety of nerve meds, anti-inflammatories, anti-depressants, but I refuse pain killers).
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Sep 11, 2011 05:08
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t_bright posted:So...I guess OEF/OIF vets get healthcare....but what if you havent deployed? If you're an OEF/OIF vet and haven't deployed you have to be still under contract and thus eligible for tricare.
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Sep 11, 2011 06:33
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You don't have to deploy to be eligible for that VA healthcare thing under the OEF/OIF program, you literally just have to have been flagged for tax-free in one of those zones, ever, even just on one day. I have it and all I ever did was fly in and out of country on jets, on the ground for less than 2 hours at a time.
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Sep 11, 2011 15:58
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I always thought the OEF/OIF office was merely code word for post 9/11 vets, who were supposed to get a streamlined service when compared to older vets.
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Sep 11, 2011 16:34
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To receive the 5 years of VA healthcare you must have been flagged with the tax free code at some point.
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Sep 11, 2011 17:34
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This thread has seriously changed my life. Big thanks to everyone in here who has posted anything useful ever. Starting tomorrow I'm going to get a lot of benefits I did not know previously know were eligible to me.
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Sep 12, 2011 00:36
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When can I start to fill this stuff out? On terminal leave? I was wondering if it was even worth it to fill one out for me. I went through a bad ankle sprain while in and I went through rehab for the military but it's still pretty weak and gives me some pain if I have to stand on it for awhile.
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Sep 12, 2011 20:23
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You should be able to file a service connected disability claim before you get out, in place of your outbound ETS physical. I lined up mine with the VFW (which was a stop on my outprocessing form) rep, and he did all the leg work. You'll check your records out from the hospital or TMC, maybe give them a form explaining why you're checking your records out. Between checking them out and handing them over to the rep, photocopy the entire folder. Everything, down to the pages 'left blank intentionally', as it will be your only copy of the records and great for references. You'll get an appointment set with likely a civilian doctor, but maybe at the VA closest to you or at the base facility. Mine was set some 80 miles away from base with a civilian doctor (who hosed up some paperwork that led to some credit problems later, long story). If you're done outprocessing and are already on terminal leave, call the hospital closest to you and ask about enrollment. Once you're at the enrollment appointment they'll ask if you have any claims. There's also eBenefits, but their section for compensation is kind of a cluster gently caress. Even if you wind up with 0% rating, the fact remains that it's been documented. If it's anything that can get worse with time, the sooner they have a rating on you, the better. There are added benefits to having at least a 10% rating. A 0% rating establishes that your involvement in the military led to the injury, or at least aggravated it.
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Sep 12, 2011 21:54
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Chiming in to say I love all the VA has done for me so far. I've been working with a Speech-Pathologist for help with memory loss and how it affects me in school. She recently ordered me this awesome pen which I received today. Holy poo poo this thing is awesome. Paper and digital copies of my notes, plus integrated audio? Hell yes.
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Sep 14, 2011 01:04
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Roving Reporter posted:I'm thinking about working on a 'new guy' packet for guys getting out. Something like a checklist at for medical benefits/disability. Navigating this poo poo is hard, even after doing it for almost 2 years. gently caress yes, do this. I have experience watching guys go through it, but if you could come up with a checklist from your experience, that would be amazing. Also: t_bright posted:How the gently caress do you guys post all these awesome success stories? Every time I go to the VA I just get sent all over the place. Whenever I actually sit down and talk to someone, they recommend that I don't get a VSO to help me. Another month goes by, and I still get not a single letter or loving email from the VA about either my disability claim or healthcare or even a loving status update. The phone system literally hangs up on me. I filed 11 months ago. My unemployment was denied. I have no money left. My wife hasn't seen our bank account yet, thank god. Otherwise I'd be out of pussy too. One of my least favorite parts about the sometimes-clusterfuck of VA healthcare (there, I said it, they're not perfect) is the part in bold there. So many men and women come back with issues, they get loaded down with pills to "fix" it, and yet if they miss the letter that was mailed to the wrong address with their clinic appointment, or the clinic cancels the appointment and can't reschedule 'til six months later, then those prescriptions can be voided by your primary care doctor just because you haven't been on the property for a while. It's been a while since I've stressed this, but getting an advocate can make or break your claim. Employees at the VA, as much as they may want to help, are stuck in such a massive and ancient bureaucracy. Contact your Regional Office or closest Vet Center (Florida links). Contact the DAV. You don't have plat, but if you feel comfortable emailing me at busketposket@yahoo.com, I will put on my casual advocate pants and at least try to get you a path to follow. I'd just need your city and the names of people you've talked to so far if you can remember. I'm not familiar with the VAs in Florida, but hopefully some of the same Jedi mind tricks work there as work in Wisconsin. Just don't lose hope. The success story you quoted earlier was a guy who waited 40 years before anyone offered to help him. You're gonna get help a lot sooner than that. And I'm sorry you've been dicked around so far, but I will throw all my resources in your corner and hopefully a few others on here can do the same.
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Sep 14, 2011 15:08
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You have reached the office of veterans affairs. Unfortunately, we cannot complete your call. Call back at a later time.  Thanks man. I sent you an email.
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Sep 16, 2011 18:01
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So the VA has once again randomly added a debt to my account. The last time they did this it took them almost 2 months to clear, during which time my GI Bill BAH was being stolen and I was told "Well, it's not the VA's problem if you need to pay rent, this money is a bonus, not an entitlement. No, you can not speak to my supervisor." Between that and the poo poo terrible healthcare the VA healthcare system will give you, I have absolutely 0 faith in the governments ability to manage any program and am probably back to being against UHC. Rrail fucked around with this message at 22:02 on Sep 16, 2011 |
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Sep 16, 2011 21:41
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TylerReksNEffect posted:I know you specifically mentioned PTSD, but would a much more minor thing, such as Tinnitus, count as a condition under this rule? I know it's really easy to prove that you developed it through working on the flightline. I'm rated at 10% for tinnitus (and 100% for depression) so yes.
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Sep 16, 2011 22:52
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Rrail posted:Between that and the poo poo terrible healthcare the VA healthcare system will give you, I have absolutely 0 faith in the governments ability to manage any program and am probably back to being against UHC. truer words have never been spoken.
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Sep 17, 2011 04:54
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Is it normal to not hear a peep about the status of a claims appeal? I filed an appeal along with a new claim almost a year ago. I got those "We're working on it letters" every few months for the new claim and finally got the result today. However, I haven't heard anything about the appeal. Is this normal for appeals or have I gotten lost in the sauce?
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Sep 17, 2011 06:32
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Appeals take 2-7 years. You can check the status: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/
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Sep 17, 2011 07:48
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A couple of things that make me just "WTF". -The #1 thing thats wrong with me physically is they took some bones out of my foot. Now; I filed for disability, but I'm certain it's getting worse and worse. The pain is increasing a ridiculous amount (to the point where I have to stop walking in between my classes so the pain sub-cedes). Basically, I can't see a doctor until my claim gets processed, which literally can take forever. The VA doesn't have a time limit on how long they can take. This is where poo poo gets confusing for me. If my injury is now worse, what the gently caress am I supposed to do? Imagine if the VA gives me 10% for my wounded flipper next year. After a year of it getting worse, doesn't that mean that I should get a higher rating? But appealing it can take 2-7 years. -On the subject of letters. Maybe why I have such little faith in the VA is the fact that I haven't gotten a single sheet of paper from them. I call them once a month asking them for an update, and they say that they have sent a letter my way. I inform them that I have never received any mail from the VA, and then they just read me the letter through the phone. It would be pretty cool to get a letter every couple of months telling me where my claim is sitting, how much longer they think its gonna take, etc... t_bright fucked around with this message at 13:48 on Sep 17, 2011 |
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Sep 17, 2011 13:44
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vx15i posted:Appeals take 2-7 years. You can check the status: Wow thanks, I've never seen that site before. I just realized that sounds sarcastic, but I'm being serious.
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Sep 18, 2011 06:52
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-bill-would-create-id-card-for-all-veterans-092211/ Hey House of Reps is gonna see a bill to give all veterans an official ID card. Pretty good idea to cut down the need to carry a DD-214 around. I'm sure they can't find a way to gently caress this u- quote:Two veterans serving in the House of Representatives have introduced legislation to have the government provide identification cards to all veterans, not just military retirees. 
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Sep 23, 2011 04:28
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It's already a giant pain in the rear end to get a retired ID card. When I got mine they had already filled that days waiting list by 9:30am. If they don't expand facilities good luck getting one.
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Sep 23, 2011 06:08
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quote:http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-bill-would-create-id-card-for-all-veterans-092211/ ahahahahahaha Why then, is it, that the unemployment rate for veterans is higher than that of non-veterans? Especially when the government is offering tax incentives to employ veterans? Oh, Akin is republican. Welp, that explains that quote.
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Sep 23, 2011 22:48
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Hey I like that idea...
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Sep 24, 2011 00:14
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Holy poo poo! I thought this thread was dead. I just got home from work, I'll try to get caught up tomorrow.
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Sep 24, 2011 04:20
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In sep 2005 I was stoplossed 18 days before I was supposed to get out so I went awol in protest and ended up getting a chapter 517 for anxiety. It was honorable, and right now Im going to school with the GI Bill. Im really angry about what I went through and I want to get as much money as possible out of our jerk government. When I was being discharged the doctor told me straight up that they were giving me a chapter 517, which is "condition other than physical" so I wouldnt qualify for ptsd benefit. Since Ive been out Ive just bounced around from job to job until I quit because the old oil smells like iraq too much, or my boss reminds me of the army too much. I read a article about how depleted uranium poisoning is affecting returning veterans by making them super aggressive and hostile and generally crazy(like the shootings at ft hood). So when I think about how I handled depleted uranium sabots, I wonder if thats where my anger is coming from. I've only gotten one job from being a veteran, and was because a guy from highschool i knew was deployed and his dad gave me a job. No one gives a poo poo and I want mine gently caress you pay me
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Sep 25, 2011 18:55
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PBRstreetgang posted:
First off, the Fort Hood shooting was done by an officer, a major, who was a psychiatrist. He was likely never around anything related to DU. Second, your rear end went AWOL. Consider yourself lucky you came out without time in a cell somewhere and with a worthwhile discharge. You signed the contract, you knew what you had gotten yourself into, and just because your ETS was supposed to be X date doesn't matter when your contract with the military extends beyond that for 2-5 years. You'll get no pity from me or likely the vast majority of folks in GiP. Hell, I served with guys that volunteered to be stop-lossed, and at least one of them stayed out his whole 8 year contract because of it. Third, you must not be looking very hard for jobs that take vets, even if it's just Home Depot or a gas station. Though while that may depend on your location and the localized unemployment rate, it's likely there are other factors holding you back. gently caress, I'll admit that I've only been shooting for jobs that don't drug test because I love my weed, but I'd rather have a job after being clean for a month or two than be broke and not be able to pay bills, let alone buy weed. All that being said, the government gives veterans preference for jobs, as do a lot of businesses (i.e. the postal service). Depending on how you get the job, the company may get a tax credit for hiring veterans (through VR&E, specifically, not sure otherwise). Yes, it sucks that vets have a higher unemployment rate right now, but we also have access to poo poo civilians don't, and often get preference with state unemployment offices, as well. Finally, go see a psychiatrist or psychologist. You, me, and (probably) everyone else in this forum has an anger problem of some kind. Stop being a shitheel about it and do the responsible thing, get help. Don't give us the "But if I go to a shrink the gubernmint won't let me buy ma guns" excuse or whatever else you might think can weasel you out of proper care. In summation, be glad you even have the services available to you, and start using them. The benefits you're shooting for do not just appear from thin air in the form of completed paperwork and checks, you have to do the legwork.
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Sep 25, 2011 19:30
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PBRstreetgang posted:So when I think about how I handled depleted uranium sabots, I wonder if thats where my anger is coming from. DU is not gamma radiation see a shrink
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Sep 25, 2011 19:34
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PBRstreetgang posted:
Sounds like you're the type of person who could greatly benefit from the VA's help. Read the rest of this thread and then go file an application for benefits at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp. As has been stated previously, contacting a representative from a veteran's service organization such as Disabled American Veterans or Veterans of Foreign Wars will give you a point of contact to help explain the process and push your application through. The doctor gave you completely wrong information. As long as you have an honorable discharge and have a clinically diagnosed disability that began during your military service, you're entitled to benefits. The reasons for your separation mean literally nothing to VA so long as the discharge is honorable. Secondly, GO GET HELP. Ask specifically to be assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.) Not only will this help to document your symptoms, but it will open up a wide variety of services to help make sure that you are able to retain housing and help you to find employment. It's a big bureaucratic system, but you have to take the first step. It may seem like no one cares, but trust me, the VA is full of people who truly do care about each and every single veteran who walks through the door, no matter how screwed up and angry they might be. If you need help, this thread is full of extremely knowledgeable people willing to help. cult_hero fucked around with this message at 02:16 on Sep 26, 2011 |
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Sep 26, 2011 02:13
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PBRstreetgang posted:In sep 2005 I was stoplossed 18 days before I was supposed to get out so I went awol in protest and ended up getting a chapter 517 for anxiety. It was honorable, and right now Im going to school with the GI Bill. You got an honorable discharge. Thats all you loving need. Stop being a little bitch, put on your big boy pants, and start being proactive. I got an OTH discharge 5 years in, I got demoted 2 ranks, and I got hurt while I was in. Right now the pain in my foot is so bad I have to stop walking in between classes to rest for a while. I just came back from the VA Clinic, after being denied seeing a doctor. I filed for disability about 11 months ago. My claim is still in the development phase. This means that the earliest I'll be able to see a doc is probably late 2012. You have it made. Now shut the gently caress up.
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Sep 27, 2011 16:31
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t_bright posted:You got an honorable discharge. Thats all you loving need. Stop being a little bitch, put on your big boy pants, and start being proactive. Have you tried to get your discharge upgraded at all?
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Sep 27, 2011 16:47
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front wing flexing posted:Have you tried to get your discharge upgraded at all? Yea, but it's a pain in the rear end to track down all your medical papers and your SRB. I haven't mailed out the form yet but I'm going to when I have all the documents. Which reminds me- whats the best way of getting these documents? The form says go to nara.gov/regional/mpr.html but there has to be a better way.
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Sep 27, 2011 21:24
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t_bright posted:Right now the pain in my foot is so bad I have to stop walking in between classes to rest for a while. Get a cane. Don't scoff, seriously, get a cane. You can get a collapsible cane and stuff it in your backpack leaving only a bit of it hanging out the top. I've had one for years even though I haven't needed it for more than a few months off and on. Until two months ago I hadn't used it regularly for years, but after playing the disc crushing game in my lower back and having sciatic nerve problems, I'm glad I have it. I had to use it consistently from December '06 to about April '07 since I'm a loving idiot about taking warning signs of back problems setting in. Otherwise it sits in a closet. My problems compound into each other, so taking weight off the whole leg is important for now. Disc onto nerve, nerve into the leg. Half of my leg is numb from hip to toes, the other half below the knee pulsates with pain of differing pressure. Walking without a cane (which I'm forcing myself to do at work) means having a limp and swinging my leg wider so I don't fall over. With it, it's a less noticeable hobble. I used to be self-conscious about it, but gently caress what other people think, I can walk better with it for now than without it and I won't be on it forever. Hell, after just two months on it and the scatter-shot of medication I'm on (13 pills a day and no painkillers), I'm feeling like it'll only be another month, maybe two, that I'll actually need the cane regularly.
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Sep 28, 2011 16:17
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I've got a question that someone would maybe know off-hand. VGLI. Does anyone know the time frame for getting it reinstated if you let payments lapse? I know you have a year and a few months to have your SGLI switched over after getting out, but not sure if the same applies if you've let payments lapse for a few or more years. I think I'm screwed, but want to make sure before I give it up as a lost cause.
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Sep 28, 2011 22:48
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Spongebob Tampax posted:Get a cane.  can i just get a longboard
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Sep 29, 2011 00:24
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I suppose that would work too, assuming your school doesn't have gravel parking lots or rules against skateboards. You could always get those skate shoes that are practically banned in every store across the country too. But like skateboards, they're banned primarily for insurance reasons.
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Sep 29, 2011 05:27
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