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Hello, I mostly lurk here, but here goes. I was a guard at Camp Bucca in 2004 when the Abu Gharib story broke. I was serving with the Pennsylvania National Guard and was assigned to a Field Artillery unit that was retrained as ‘MPs.’ I also spent some time at Abu Gharib. I was active duty from 1989-1998 and also served in Desert Storm. I left active duty in 1998 and pursued an IT degree. I joined the National Guard in 2003 and retired in 2012. Yes, I'm old (45). I am so jaded and disillusioned with everything. When I was a civilian I worked for Koch Industries as a programmer for their asphalt company, where I uncovered a systematic collusion to defraud Native Americans, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blood-and-oil/ . I also wrote software for Amazon warehouses that was sold for millions, all that money went to my employer, I had my bonus canceled and my health insurance costs rise that same time. I joined the Guard in 2003 as a Forward Observer (13F). I was called up for active duty later that year. We ended up assigned to Camp Bucca where I worked as a guard. There were no permanent facilities when I first arrived, it was c-wire and tents. It was hot and brutal. At one point the general in charge had people in dog cages with no shade. I left Bucca in September 2004 on emergency leave after my home was destroyed by a flood. My wife and children were able to escape but we lost everything. I went home for emergency leave and tried to sort things out. I received amazing help from my civilian co-workers. My commander, on the other hand, thought that because we were renting at the time I should have just sucked it up. I returned to Bucca in October 2004 and had a breakdown. I ended up being compassionately reassigned and sent home. That involved being sent to Ft Dix to wait indefinitely. I was only able to leave Ft Dix after getting my Congressman involved. I returned home in November 2004. I stayed with the Pennsylvania guard until 2007 when I moved to Kansas. I retired in 2012 and now live in Colorado. That’s my background. I started seeing the VA in 2008 and have since been diagnosed with PTSD as well as a TBI. I am not really currently receiving any treatment since I moved to Colorado in 2015. The VA in Colorado has been very frustrating. I see a different doctor every time I go in and it seems like I have to start over every time I go. On the other hand, the VA in Wichita had me on so many medications I nearly died, I was able to ween myself from all of them, and currently take nothing. I do however consume entirely too much cannabis, which I recognize isn’t good. My experience with veteran’s charities has been more of the same disappointment. After the flood, not one military group helped us, even as the President gave a speech a few hundred feet from my destroyed home (https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/09/images/20040922-9_p8c4358-515h.html) I have since sought help from various groups to no avail. I do however have some nice swag from different charities. A branded watch cap is ever so helpful. I was too sick to get a service dog, but not sick enough to go on a veteran’s retreat. I am 100% disabled, permanent and total, and receive social security, yet I feel completely forgotten. I fight to get even a neurological appointment. My wife is my caregiver through the VA. She hasn’t received a call from the VA since we moved here and they quickly reduced her pay for the program. None of the checkups or home visits have been done. The VA is just a paycheck at this point. It’s very frustrating and disheartening. I see all the talk about helping veterans but it just doesn’t seem to trickle down. Everyone seems as though they all talk more than they act. Any advice?
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Jan 15, 2017 01:19
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Kawasaki Nun posted:Hey Monkeywash, are you going to the Denver hospital or one of the community health centers? I've been using the Golden center for a while and always see the same people who are familiar with my case, treatment, etc. My experience here in CO has actually been a huge improvement compared to the treatment I got in New Orleans. Thanks, I'm in Colorado Springs. I moved here in 2015 and it took the usual four months to be seen for the first time. I saw a primary care doc who got me to see a neurologist in Golden. I saw her once and never could get scheduled again. After my annual exam in December 2016 with a different primary care I am scheduled to see a different neuro in April. I have migraines and cluster headaches (look up cluster headache if you're unfamiliar). Its a different neuro, so it would be like starting over again. I think I'm going to use my Medicare to see a headache specialist in Aurora. I have had to use Veterans choice to see a gastroenterologist and pain management doctor. My experience in Colorado has been, being sent to the wrong clinic a few times. Having a doctor talk to me for 5 minutes and want to completely change all my meds. Having absolutely no contact from the caregiver support program. Seeing a different doctor every time go in. It's frustrating, I realize I'm my best advocate, but it's hard to do everything by ourselves without any support. Would a Veterans service officer do any good? I have no current claims, but perhaps they would know how to better navigate the system. I used the American Legion in the past, but have no preference.
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Jan 15, 2017 14:16
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I was being seen by a specialty clinic at the VA that was recently closed and I was informed that patients from the clinic would be sent to Choice program instead. This morning I read this: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/19/va-limits-choice-for-veterans-care-as-funds-run-dr/ I'm assuming it will be funded, but this raises some concerns. That means the clinic was closed before there was a solid plan to treat vets, they just went on the assumption that Choice works and would be funded. Also, isn't Congress supposed to be in recess right now? So noble of them to introduce emergency funding since they happen to be in town. I've got bad brains so I may be completely off the mark here, I'm just trying to make sense of the whole thing. I've had amazingly bad experiences with every aspect of the VA, so nothing surprises me.
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Jul 20, 2017 13:38
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It's the Pain Management clinic in Denver. I was getting regular nerve blocks done but the Dr switched to nerve ablation since it lasts longer and he was so booked. I went to my most recent appointment and was informed he was leaving, the clinic was closing, and the new hospital in Aurora won't have a pain clinic. I tried to use Choice for pain in the past, it took three months and when I went to the appointment I found out that the VA had canceled the choice appointment and hadn't told me. I still got billed and I am fighting that battle as well. I just want to use my own Doctor with Medicare, but when I tried that somehow the VA got involved due to being my primary insurance and the billing was messed up.
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Jul 20, 2017 14:42
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I know just about everyone has a VA horror story, mines pretty bad and I thought I’d share. I’m older than most of you. I retired from the Army in 2012 after 21 years of service. I am a veteran of Desert Storm and OIF, with other deployments thrown in as well. I left the Army with PTSD and TBI, which I never had diagnosed in the military because I didn’t want to ruin my career. I self medicated with alcohol, binge drinking heavily. I wasn’t an alcoholic because I could function and quit anytime, that was my rationalization. Things fell apart quickly after I retired and I ended up in the psych ward of the VA a few times after multiple suicide attempts. I wasn’t very good at suicide, I guess. I ended up heavily drugged and numb. I was taking almost 30 pills a day and was a drooling idiot most of the time. I was rated 100% by the VA with a few special comps thrown in. The drugs didn’t really fix my broken brain so the VA decided to go full retard. I went through three sessions of Electro-Convulsive Therapy. They put a hot wire to my head, because of the things I did and said, to quote Johnny Rotten. ECT isn’t really a good idea for a person with TBI, but I was too drugged to protest. I lost a large chunk of memory, my daughter's high school years are a blank. I look at pictures from that time and it rips me apart because I don’t remember. My wife finally had enough of me and we separated for a time in 2015. I had some self-realization and weaned myself off the drugs and alcohol. We got back together and moved to Colorado. Colorado was good for a while. My health returned and I lost 90 pounds. I hiked, climbed 14ers, and volunteered for outdoor causes. The Colorado VA system seemed overwhelmed and not very responsive, but I didn’t really care too much. In September of this year I started waking up with some leg pain. I went to my primary care and he diagnosed me with hip impingement. I was given a Veteran’s Choice referral to an orthopedist. It took a month and a half to get the appointment. During that time my leg got worse and I went to the ER a couple of times where I was given steroid packs and sent home. My wife and I planned on going full time in our RV in November, living a leisurely life of travel. We were able to do so for a month, travelling all over New Mexico, it was great, while it lasted. We headed back to Colorado for my Ortho appointment, the whole time my leg and now my back were getting worse. The ortho spoke to me for maybe five minutes before saying it certainly wasn’t a bone issue, it was a nerve issue. Rather than waiting another 45 days for a neuro appointment in Colorado we came to Kansas where I have family. I was able to get an appointment immediately at the VA and multiple tests were done. I have a tumor on my spine, pressing on nerves and pushing against my bladder. Awesome. I’m in a wheelchair now and wearing adult diapers. I’m back on a bunch of pills, Oxy, Valium, Flexeril, etc. In September I hiked Mt Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado and now a couple months later I can barely walk 10 feet or stand for more than a minute. The VA in Colorado completely misdiagnosed me. I’m waiting for a neurosurgeon evaluation next week to see what can be done. I got an apartment in Wichita and my RV life is hopefully just on hold for a bit.
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Dec 10, 2017 14:06
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I went through the anthrax series twice. Once in Desert Storm and again in OIF because no one was sure if it was still valid. My location is listed. I'm already at 100% though, so checkmate I guess? I'm gonna die
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Mar 29, 2018 14:05
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Soulex posted:Just hired an attorney for my stuff. I've done the same, hope it works out for you too. Also, my attorney pointed me towards this. It's probably a long shot, but why not? It's a class action law suit against foreign banks that funded terrorism. https://iraqwarfund.com/
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Apr 5, 2018 06:13
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LtCol J. Krusinski posted:Patient Advocate, my man. If the patient advocate doesn't work, call the local VA directors office. I had some issues with the Patient Advocate not doing her job, I did some google-fu and found the director's number. I had my wife call as I was livid at the incompetence and within 30 minutes my issue was resolved. Hope you get your med issue sorted out.
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May 1, 2018 11:21
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McNally posted:The patient advocate at the Memphis VAMC is the guy I had complaints about when I went there. I didn't get anywhere with my complaints, oddly enough. I was having problems getting an outside appointment in Wichita, when I spoke to the Patient Advocate she told me how she used to work in the department that sourced appointments and how the whole process worked, she also mentioned how she was friends with the person who kept dropping the ball. I gave her the amount of time that she said the process takes and then called back and she gave more excuses for her old office. That's when I looked up the local VA Medical Director's phone number and called him. The patient rep called back within 30 minutes and apologized and my appointment was scheduled the next day. Even the Patient Advocates have a boss, don't be afraid to be pushy to get the treatment you need.
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May 2, 2018 00:11
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Nostalgia4Butts posted:is the estimated time for claim decision anywhere near accurate? Just curious It was for me. It moved a week or two but was overall fairly accurate. Now I am anxiously awaiting April 9th for the next decision.
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Mar 5, 2019 13:51
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Soulex posted:Space A is vets and family right? Planning a move and it might be the best way for us to get from A to B There are priority levels and it can be a pain but here's some info https://www.militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/travel/travel-planning/plan-your-trip-with-space-a-travel
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Mar 8, 2019 21:38
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GoGoGadget posted:This makes me wonder something. I'm medically retired and at 70%, but I can use Space A. 100% disabled veterans also have to be retired, right? So why are they only just recently able to use Space A? Why would they get less benefits than me at 70%? Someone said it's because I'm still subject to UCMJ and can be recalled at any point, while they cannot be recalled and are not subject to UCMJ. Is this true? 100 Percent Disabled vets can now fly on Space A whether retired or not, but their families can't, which is kind of dumb. https://taskandpurpose.com/disabled-veterans-space-available-travel
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Mar 10, 2019 13:51
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iKon posted:So much of claims stuff is about getting screwed by what you couldn’t possibly have known about the claims system, so I feel like it’s always worth it to talk to a VSO before dropping any paper. I agree, it's always better to go with a VSO. There's so much to the whole claims system it's hard to do it all by yourself. A good VSO makes a big difference.
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Mar 18, 2019 14:04
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Nostalgia4Butts posted:just a heads up mine moved to preparing for decision Thanks, I checked mine and the date changed, April 13th instead of the 9th now.
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Mar 19, 2019 14:30
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Nostalgia4Butts posted:mine changed to may 18th now July 2 for me now
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Mar 23, 2019 02:41
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Nostalgia4Butts posted:yo monkeywash i got like 5 pending deposits from thr va now, check yo poo poo Good deal! Mine is still showing July 2.
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Mar 29, 2019 13:20
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Nostalgia4Butts posted:mines showing dec 31st lol Mine is for some SMC stuff, I don't know if that means it will take longer or not. I'm expecting to have to appeal it anyway. I currently have another appeal going for TBI-Migraines that hasn't updated in over 6 months. It just says appeals can take 12-18 months lol. If it all goes through it will be a huge backpay, so I can wait.
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Mar 29, 2019 16:16
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Have a VA claim in. I submitted it in March 2018. It was originally supposed to be decided in April, that was pushed out until July. I checked this morning and now it's pushed out to February 2020. Two loving years. I guess the backpay will be nice.
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May 16, 2019 13:44
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McNally posted:Two loving years for an initial claim? I'm not really sure if the claim counts as an initial. It's for a new Special Monthly Compensation though. I have a lawyer on working on it, I'm waiting to hear back from him.
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May 16, 2019 19:19
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GoGoGadget posted:Do any other states do stuff like that? A few do, https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory.html I know Washington, Oregon, and South Dakota do. I'm currently living in Kansas and the only benefits are a $700 property tax credit and annual fishing and hunting license. It varies by state and by disability percentage.
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Jun 9, 2019 23:28
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Anyone remember the Burn Pit Registry? I just got a call for a exam in a couple weeks at the VA, apparently they are being scheduled now, years later. It is for research and not ratings although it is being done through Comp and Pension.
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Dec 2, 2020 18:13
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CRUSTY MINGE posted:VA care varies wildly across the country anyhow. I've had good experiences since moving to Colorado, but Tennessee was a goddamn joke. And even within systems it varies, I had a horrible time in Colorado. The VA there outsourced Pain Management completely and lost track of me. They also dropped appointments or sent me to the wrong clinic several times. It ended up being easier to move to another VA region to get a tumor removed from my spine than to deal with the Colorado VA system. The providers I did get to see were all great, it was just comically mismanaged. The VA system in Wichita has been better to me, but I am sure there are some here with problems too.
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Mar 3, 2021 15:39
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Synnr posted:I hope this is the right place to ask, if not please direct me elsewhere. There should be a Patient's Advocate at the VA hospital. If you call the main line they should be able to direct you. They can assist you in navigating the system. It can formidable for anyone.
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Mar 11, 2021 20:29
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White Chocolate posted:If you’re not feeling charitable, call your local congress critter. I’m sure they will love to hear this. Time to escalate. Contact the military/veteran's liaison at your congressional representative's office. They will have to get a release of information and then they are pretty quick.
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Mar 11, 2021 22:40
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life is killing me posted:Any of you goon veterans have any experience with disability ratings? Specifically, anyone who didn’t apply for it and get all medical situations documented at the separation medical visit, did you do it later or is this possible? I never really got things documented but my back is poo poo and I have had tinnitus since before my ETS, and I figured back in 2012 I’d just deal with it (especially since I got only five years of free VA care), but now I’m thinking it might not hurt to see if I can get a disability rating. It is never too late to file. Definitely use a VSO for your initial claim, but be aware that some VSOs are better than others. It varies by area. Initial claims seem to be being processed quickly right now, and buddy statements can help you a lot if your records are vague or missing.
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Jun 11, 2021 01:37
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CRUSTY MINGE posted:Are they more lenient on credit ratings if they're giving higher rates? Yes, they have a couple of different programs.
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Aug 5, 2021 22:55
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CRUSTY MINGE posted:If you're in Colorado with a 50%+ rating total, get your DV plate. The DV plate in Colorado also lets you get into Colorado State Parks for free.
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Dec 31, 2021 19:57
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Just a reminder, if you have been exposed to burn pits or radiation be aware of any changes in your health, or any lumps in your neck. The PACT Act now covers a number of presumed illnesses.
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Dec 2, 2022 21:39
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My radiation exposure is from depleted uranium in wartime and stupidity from the peacetime army at the Trinity site. I doubt sights would do it but who the gently caress knows? There could well be lawyer commercials in the future asking if you or a loved one were exposed to tritium.
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Dec 3, 2022 22:05
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Booger Presley posted:The two main benes for her are CHAMPVA and C35. The phone lines and websites are useless. My daughter used my Ch 35 and I ran into the same delays. I ended up reaching out to my congressional aide and the claim was found and processed in a week.
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Oct 12, 2023 13:16
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