Tips for a Newbie to the VA HealthCare system

Thanks

I dunno....I'm seeing a trend here......

No, I can't afford my health insurance any longer and will be depending on the VA for my medical treatment. I'm a 55 year old breast cancer survivor needing help with meds and developing cataracts from the cancer medication.

I guess I need an advocate, how do I get one? I need help with follow up care and meds after breast cancer. I also have depression and am developing cataracts from the cancer medication. The radiation treatment took all of my money. I can only find part time work and need help now that my husband died.

Finding an advocate is in two parts - (1) select any of over 20 different Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) and speak with their Service Officer. Sign a VA form 21-22 (Power of attorney) to permit the VSO to speak and advocate on your behalf directly with the VA for benefits / disability based on military service connected issues.

(2) For every VA clinic / hospital there is normally a patient advocate - when you have an issue with the medical care at any VA facility go directly to the patient advocate and have them investigate the situation - it's useless for you to complain to the doctor/nurse they are not empowered to change another doctor/nurse's decision. Going to administrative personnel will be just as useless.

Going back to the VSO's Service Officer - most of these can be found in places like the VFW/DAV/American Legion, etc. Their service is always free. Additionally, if you have an issue with benefits they have paid staff that can actually sit down with the VA decision makers and advocate on your behalf.

States/counties have similiar staff - but they normally are not permitted to advocate on your behalf in front of the VA. That does NOT mean the state / county staff are not effective - they simply can't advocate directly with the VA decision makers. I'm assuming since you are showing Panama City, FL on your profile that is the area you are using the VA in. If you need/want I will be willing to attempt to find you a service officer from a Veteran Service Organization in your general area.

I found the Women's Clinics to be awesome in the VA Hospitals. I wish you well. Take reading material. lol

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce An advocate is someone who has YOUR permission and YOUR authority to present YOUR side of an issue to competent or deciding authority. In the case of a Veterans Service Organization's Service Officer, they will also help you properly fill out necessary forms. As the forms are processing through the VA benefit section the advocate you have chosen can monitor and seek claification for obvious issues - unfortunately there are too many things that happen in the benefits side to go into any usable detail.

I've had an appointment with a benefits counselor named Salley Furland, she requested a copy of my medical records and will review them to see if there is any service related disability.

Honestly all I really want is routine medical treatment and assistance with my meds. If they can help with my eyes (cataracts) that would be wonderful. I have about four years before I can start collecting my husbands social security.

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce It's all a part of the indoctrination process. Adding your civilian medical records will enable the VA doctors to continue your treatment rather than start you from scratch. Bringing your military medical records will help if there are any issues that could be considered service related (disability).