RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,143756,00.html

"But DoD soon could be out of the disability rating business and using VA to end any unfair disparities."

Yes, the VA has such a good reputation for the speed, fairness, and accuracy of their disability rating practices. I mean, how could anyone looking at the history of the VA's treatment of disabled veterans ever question their expertise, policies, and compassion?

On a personal note: It took the VA 3 times to accept the medical records and diagnoses I obtained OUTSIDE their little "system" (you know, from a REAL doctor and not a VA or military doctor) for grand total of 14 years. Now that they have had their neurosurgeons screw up my life over a service-connected issue and put me in a wheel chair, I expect to be...I don't know...DEAD?...before they increase my rating. It has already been over a year and I haven't even seen the temporary compensation for the hospitalization I endured for over a month for what was supposed to be a same day procedure. And, yes, their blunder resulted in me losing my job, too. Guess how many job interviews I wheeled myself into that have hired me, Masters degree (and EBD doctorate degree) and all under my belt? I'll give you a clue: the number starts with a "Z". And I bet they wonder why they are being sued by so many different parties...
My suggestion? Eliminate ALL bonuses for senior level VA executives and use those millions, yes, MILLIONS, to hire more evaluators and allow service connected disabled veterans the opportunity to use any physician of their choosing, inside or outside the VA, at little or no cost to them, OR enroll those service connected disabled veterans into the same health care plan that the President, Vice President, and all of Congress (House and Senate) have the luxury of having, many, if not most, without having to have donned on a uniform. Just a suggestion, a thought, a possible solution. I'm sure there are other solutions that are, if not in line with mine, maybe even better...and have pretty "fireworks" involved...

quote:

(you know, from a REAL doctor and not a VA or military doctor) for

In my opinion a highly unfair statement "from a REAL doctor and not a VA..." Some of the best healthcare on earth is provided by VA physicians, psychologists, nurses, MSW's and other clinicians. These people are trained for the unique conditions veterans suffer. VA is consistantly on the forefront of research as well.
I am sorry for the delay in your claims process, we all suffer that, however that is due to short funding and human error in securing records, not the doctors.
However I completely agree with this portion of your post "Eliminate ALL bonuses for senior level VA executives and use those millions, yes, MILLIONS, to hire more evaluators" but not doy away with VA Healthcare.
Politically motivated act of $3.8 million going to bonuses, for incompetent work, could have been used to hire nearly 300 adjudication employees.

I cant believe what i see on here from time to time.I have fought the va since 1984 on my claim and it has gone nowhere.Every state must have their own blackhole to lose info in as i have been waiting for twenty years on appeals.I am treated very well at the va for service connected disabilites.It is the claims process that sucksThe last c and p i had,i was sent to another state and my sc was taken away by someone i talked to for ten minutes.

Good day to you all,

The recent President’s Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors report and recommendations, as well as many reports and news articles, has documented numerous problems with caring for our veterans.
• Injured Vets Shortchanged Again
• Pentagon Shorting Troop Benefits
• System Shortchanging Disabled Vets
• Policy Shift Cut Disability Retirements
While I applaud the intent of your esteemed colleagues’ effort in submitting a broad range of legislation in the Senate, it is quite apparent that real reform is not coming.

As reported to the Senate, key provisions of the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act on 2007, Bill # S 1606 concerning disability evaluations were struck from the bill, insuring continued problems with obtaining fair and equitable disability ratings.

As reported to the Senate, and now a part of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, a key provision of the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Act of 2007, Bill # S 1233 provides for opening the VA to Group 8 veterans. Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the committee former chairman and ranking Republican, said VA needs to do more for disabled veterans and those in financial need -- the VA's "core constituency," rather than “open the gates” for a “surge” of Group 8 veterans. VA estimates that 1.7 million new Group 8 veterans would enroll, if given the chance, and 600,000 would seek VA care. The added cost to VA over the next 10 years would be $33 billion. But not one word about the fact that the funding would also mean added effort by the VA to reduce disability compensation to fund these additional enrollees.

While the Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlement (‘the BRAVE Act”) was not adopted, it again points to either the unwillingness to deal with the issues or to deal with them in much too specific manner. Veterans are required to fight three systems when one considers the DOD, the VA, and Social Security. Should not all veterans be entitled to a much faster process for determining disability pensions, not just those that are 100% disabled?

The Dole – Shalala Commission recommends using the VA disability rating system. I disagree. VA Disability and Pension is in shambles and quite possibly in violation of the law. There are more than 379,000 pending claims, most of which will be denied (see GAO Report). Only an independent body not concerned with budget constraints will do a fair job.

• http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07562t.pdf

A recent ruling, overruled the Waco Regional Offices decision and awarded a veteran benefits. Unfortunately, it took seven years for the ruling. This is typical of VAROs across the country. Please see the attachment.

• http://shop-las-vegas.com/VBA/Enroute-Claims/0515988.txt

My Post Continued:

Yes, I am sending this to Senators on the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up

The contents of S. 1606 were adopted in H.R. 1538. So the legislation is still alive.

Ha ha ha ha ha!! The VA ? Doing its job ? For you defenders out there, it's like winning the lottery to get the attention and compensation due. VA managing a new system? good luck !!

Just a couple of points that I would like to make.First,I can see the hand writting on the wall.The plan is to reduce the Vietnam Vet's dissability payments in order to gain money for the Bush war Vets(and they should be taken care of)but not at the cost to the Nam vets.The second point is in regard to the VA doctors.I took my father to the hospital in Columbia Mo.several times and the place was a mess.The doctors were from India and the mid east,and could barly speak English.They smelled so bad that you could not stand to be near them.

Is this going to be retroactive for ALL disabled vets or just the ones returning from Iraq???????????????????????????????????

Take it from "been there done that". If you are repeatedly filing claims it is time for COMPETENT representation. Quit filing claims and go for a regional hearing. I was borded prior to retirement for service connected arthritus. After retirement VA would not accept the board findings. I was seen at VA and given a 0 so I could be "treated". I fought that claim for 21 years. What really tipped me into the fast lane was when I got a letter from VA that stated that in order to prove that my Artralgia was my Arthritus I would have to prove that my Arthritus was my arthralgia. DUHHHHHHHH?? I got on my computer and downloaded the definition of both from the Mayo Clinic which crossreferenced both as the same. I already had the diagnosis and prognosis from a civilian rhumatologist (VA HAD NO RHUMATOLOGIST ON STAFF IN LEXINGTON KY). My rep from the Ky Dpt of Veterans Affairs and I went to the hearing at the VA Regional office where the doors are locked and everyone is sworn in and everything is recorded and all evedence is presented and everyone has an oportunity to make a statement. It is a very cival legal hearing semular to a Sovial Security Hearing of the Cival Law Judge for disability compensation. I went feom 0% to 100% not reviewable. The problem with VA is as Viet Nam Vets put it that VA is "Waiting for you to DIE and GO AWAY". My suggestion to every Vet is to take the glover off. GET REPRESENTATION, get in contact with a Senator or Congressman that has a good Vet Rep. I fought my claim for 20yrs without a C&P. VA would not review its own records or my military health record because at that time they didn't HAVE TO although they had my records. I had to get a copy through my Senitors office through the Freedom of Information Act. Realise that the VA claims office is not your friend and they do not have your interest at hand or at heart. It took me 21 years. They paid me 3yrs back pay. If you have a claim pull out all the stops and get representation.

My suggestion to you is to Get Your Head Out Of Rectal Defilade and take a realistic look around at the real VA INCOMPETENCE

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:

quote:

(you know, from a REAL doctor and not a VA or military doctor) for

In my opinion a highly unfair statement "from a REAL doctor and not a VA..." Some of the best healthcare on earth is provided by VA physicians, psychologists, nurses, MSW's and other clinicians. These people are trained for the unique conditions veterans suffer. VA is consistantly on the forefront of research as well.
I am sorry for the delay in your claims process, we all suffer that, however that is due to short funding and human error in securing records, not the doctors.
However I completely agree with this portion of your post "Eliminate ALL bonuses for senior level VA executives and use those millions, yes, MILLIONS, to hire more evaluators" but not doy away with VA Healthcare.
Politically motivated act of $3.8 million going to bonuses, for incompetent work, could have been used to hire nearly 300 adjudication employees.

Why does Congress/President appoint these Commissions? No one ever follows there advise or findings. Hundreds of millions are spent and no real changes implemented.
I agree with the commission findings wholeheartedly. I think Bob Dole has had the unique experience to qualify as THE expert on Military/VA blunders.
Only change ALL veterans separated should be entitled to these changes. Not just post 911. What does 911 have to do with being treated fairly by your nation?

OK, I was the Army Physical Disability Agency Headquarters Operations Manager, serving as an Army Commissioned Officer from '86-'90. That was my signature for the Secretary of the Army . . . (I had two Company Commands). For active duty service members, each service has an Agency that determines fitness and unfitness to serve because of illness, disease, or injury. Once that is determined, each service uses the Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD - Vass Ar Dee) as a guide.

The problem is not to confuse the service Agency that makes determinations of fitness or unfitness over the Service Hospitals and VA Hospitals that treat the ilness, disease or injury.

We keep saying that we want commanders to make decisions on the ground. Experienced Commanders is who makes the determinations of fitness or unfitness during the formal disability boards or informal boards for active duty service members. "I'm the Commander and I'm responsible for winning the war and will decide who is fit or unfit to serve under my command." Even Generals go before the board at times.

The split is when these same active duty commanders have to make a schedule rating using the VASRD. A couple of experienced battalion commanders, an experienced Brigade commander and a Doctor (usually Civil Service) are the decision makers (The Board). These command experienced active duty officers are then asked to read medical records and compare to the schedule (VASRD). They take a short course to gain some proficiency on medical terms. The rating decision is not an objective choice as some know from SSA ratings and Vet Admin (VA) rating determinations.

This rating schedule (VASRD) is primarily a guide in the evaluation of disability resulting from all types of diseases and injuries encountered as a result basically if its less than 29% ie. 29% or less the soldier gets severance pay, and if 30% or more retirement from the service pay for life according to grade. A Specialist Four gets less at 30% than a Lieutenant Colonel. Then the service connected disabled soldier goes to the VA for treatment and gets a rating from the VA. Surprise, the rating is not the same as the rating from the Service Agency. They decide whether they want to the VA rating or Service Agency Rating. Have you ever gotten the "Trust us, we do this all the time", speech?

Please allow me to regress. The statement that DoD is recommended to get out of rating completely is scary, because I would want experienced commanders to make the call of fit or unfit to serve because of an injury, illness or disease. The rating of disability is guided by the VASRD and the person that is interpreting the schedule. Do a search of VASRD and get an idea of the different schedules for the different illness, injuries, or diseases.

We don't not want VA administrators to make fit or unfit determinations of soldiers on active duty that have an illness, injury or disease. Let the Commanders do it.

Once a determination of unfit is made, - Asking commanders to read medical records and make a determination from a Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) that will impact the rest of a soldiers civilian life is not objective because once out of the service, that bronze star, poor evaluation report, ranger tab, unit citation, highest grade held is just as good as your luck in any of the good ole boy rating determinations.

Is anyone else here as confused as I am? I have read this stuff until I'm blue in the face and can't figure out where I stand in this whole mess. I am 40% DAV since 1984. I was under the impression that if you were in the VA system for more than 20 years, and disabled at more than 30%. They couldn't take away your benifits. Is this correct? I'm not remembering where I read that but it was probably on their web site.
The $64,000.00 question I have is what does all this mean to non-wartime DAV's? Increase? Decrease? Swept under the carpet? Also, in the "for what it's worth" category. I have had EXCELLENT care everytime I go to the VA. IMHO, You need to walk in with the attitude that it is free and that the people in there are trying their best to help you. With the amount of people being cared for, it is inevitable that someone will fall thru the cracks.

Well GOOD then. I hope they make it a better system. It DOES seem that the claims process is really deficient. I have been in oin appeal for about 5 years for an agent orange claim for my diabetes. Because I was in THAILAND, that was disapproved initially. However, now it appears they are admitting to its use there as well as the fact that it was a conduit for the material. My duties required me to access the flightline frequently and alot of material was stored there which I came into contact with.

The VA medical itself is good in my opinion, but have been severly underfunded for YEARS. They unfortunately have a severe shortage of specialists too. (If I were NOT on SOcial Security Disability and medicare, I would be forced to go from Tulsa to Oklahoma City 3 times a week for Dialysis) I understand that FINALLY they are starting to "Outsource" SOME procedures to the Local Civilian medical facilities, but it has been very slow in coming.

Still waiting on my appeal (which was reviewed by a judge and favorably approved). Perhaps after I die, something will be done. The longer they delay, the fewer of us they have to deal with. Sad, but all too common... At ehe moment, I thus don't have any service connected rating, nor any pention or funds for my disability from the VA, but at least they let me in the system for financial reasons and for that I am grateful.

The warriors of old got to die with some honor usually. WOuld that this generation at least allow us THAT, even if they don't want to compensate or help otherwise with some of those who have born the consequences of batle. They help many of us and for that I can't complain. But, there are many others that seem to fall through the cracks. Perhaps with this new proposal, that will be looked into and addressed. One can always hope.

I think we can all agree that one of the things the VA *desperately* needs are more "raters" and a better rating system. All of us have had to wait too long (in my case the better part of 10 years) to get our ratings. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater however. Some of the Dole - Shalala suggestions are very worthwhile if they ever get enacted.

As for care in the VA system -- it depends on where you are to some extent. I've received some *top-notch* care in some VA Med Centers and been completey ignored in others. It's a crap-shoot and there's no way to change that. I've been in VA Med Centers that are spotless and in some that have been *pits.* That's an management issue for specific VA's not a system issue.

I agree with 12332227 who says " DON'T GIVE UP, DON'T EVER GIVE UP." We got out of post Viet Nam being "warehoused until we die" by our actions and it's time to demand excellence again.

Right on nighthawk_22,lets hang tough, we viet nam vets have come too dang far to let this slip away, united we will endure.

Like we're supposed believe this? What I want to know is why, why can't they believe that those of us that were in the 1st Persian Gulf War don't have PTSD, etc. Believe me some of us do have Gulf War Syndrome. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP TRYING TO GET BENEFITS for all the things that happened to me in Saudi & Germany during that war...NEVER!!!