I am thankful so many vets have had wonderful care at the VA. Unfortunately, I have not, and this is not the first time. I've been having a particular medical issue going on since January. Finally I have an appointment with my primary doctor. Not the VA's or Doctor's fault. I REALLY, REALLY hate going to any Doctor or Hospital for that matter.

While at the VA, I step into dental to make an appt. since around a week ago (5/29) a tooth broke. A sharp edge is shredding my cheek since. I've been seen before, but have been unable to make my last three appt. due this another medical issue. Dental holds a suspension over my head.
Each time a cancelled, I called to let them know I can't make the 2 1/2 hour drive due to being in a GREAT deal of pain. My primary VA Doctor even called them and explained I have abdominal tumors and I am on a Class II narcotic for the pain.

Dental does not care, I can't miss another appointment or I will be dropped. I flat out told Dental, their policies held no merit and intended to start climbing their C.O.C.
Next thing I know, I receive a call that my Dental will be Fee Based out, since I had a bad experience.
Bad experience? I'm 100%, and it's not because of my teeth!

Somebody please explain to me how Dental became "holier then thou", pick and choose, create their own rules and get away with it? I'm a 100% vet with OTHER medical issues. VERIFIED by my Doctor, and still no change to their policies.

I'm suppose to write a grievance letter to the Dental Chief of Staff. Fine. Do I bother to send copies to others in the C.O.C.

Meanwhile I'm on enough narcotics to kill a bull elephant. I have tests for the "tumors" in 10 days. That long so I can adjust to the drugs, so I'm safe to drive. Likely my beloved Hubby will end up driving me anyway. (I can not stand the thought of taking another's life period, let alone while under the influence.)

Two things I forgot to mention. The tumors are benign. The narcotic I am on is the only one that allows you function normally, after I've adjusted to the dosage.

You are really suffering health and "the system."
I personally, would get a copy of the letter your VA doctor wrote and send it with your letter the chief of staff.

It has been my experience that a well crafted letter asking for help, without calling names. Just lay out your problem and ask for their help. I would never play "place the blame game" in the first letter. I would ask the question, "What can I do to get the treatments/entitlements I disparately need.

But, please give our other members and moderators an opportunity to give you input on this matter.

Please take care of your self and don't let this thing push you to far. Also, Keep us posted, others will will benefit from you experience.

Bruce

I am having some trouble with the wording of some parts of this letter. I seem to be stuck on conveying several points, without beating the subject to death.

I know it is not appropriate to post the letter but I haven't a clue on how to properly yet simply convey what occurred.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hang in there and give us a couple more days to see if there any advice others maybe able to provide.

It appears that I didn't ask and you didn't say if you have a Veterans Service Officer "VSO," do you have one and if not, why not?

Nope, I don't have a VSO. I have not needed one for 7 +/- years. Since I received Total and Permanent around that time. I was no longer involved in the legal end of the V.A.
I thought those days were over. Guess not.

The VSOs are a free service. It sounds like it a good time to talk to DAV or whoever and find a good VSO. Three things to look for

-1- VSO who has experience in the area that you need help in.
-2- VSO who can think outside of the box.
-3- VSO who whom you can place your trust.

These are my standards, others might beable to expand this list.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OldArmyLove,

Concact the Patient advocate and take the letter that you recieved with you. Te patient advocate can solve problems!! You do not need a VSO. Also, make a copy of the letter and mail it to the top of COC( Chain of Command) of the hospital. Sally

I spent the day working out in the yard with my husband. It felt great forgetting about problems for a while.

The patient advocate was "Thankful" she had a legitimate complaint to deal with. I was stunned and perplexed by her comment. Apparently some Veterans expect her to make Doctors fill prescriptions, hand out extra travel pay, etc...

Sally, I received no letter. This incident occurred on Wed, 6/3. The Advocate called me on 6/4 to tell me my dental care would be fee based out and I would be contacted in a week or so with the details. This is completely NEW to me. She did tell me to go ahead and write the grievance letter to the Chief of Dental.

BTW: Someone from the VA called my home and cell phone on Saturday 6/6, and left no message. Odd and worth noting.

My issue has nothing to do with hurting reputations or careers for that matter. It has everything to do with veterans being given FAIR treatment, especially when other medical issues interfere or take presidents with appointments.

No Veteran should be talked down to, degraded, or threatened for missing appointments, as I was. A Veteran must be 100% to receive Dental. I will guess not one Veteran is 100% because of their teeth.

Something is very wrong especially when a Veteran's doctor calls to "verify" the legitimacy of the missed appointments, and Dental could care less!

I'm being fee based out so it shouldn't matter to me anymore.

Well I got news for them. IT MATTERS TO ME, and I intend to see that my VA's Dental policies are changed.
I am starting to wonder if this is a policy in all VA Dental Clinics.

OK, on a personal note. Test have been scheduled for the origin of my pain. I was a bit surprised that an abdominal aortic ultrasound was scheduled. I'm the first to admit I know enough to be dangerous.