Posted on Oct 15, 2020
Do you know of any groups that advocate for veterans?
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I'm not getting what I need from the VA hospital. Actually they are not equipped to help me. They did send me to a neurologist who has done as much as he can. I keep requesting they send me to a military hospital that has a cutting edge neurology department, NIH or a research hospital like the Mayo Clinic. They keep telling me they don't know how.
Posted in these groups: 
Disabled Veterans
Disabled Veterans
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 4
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Your best bet is the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the Veterans Support Officer at your County Admin.
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PO3 Patricia Miner
Thanks. I'm in middle of nowhere Tennessee. The DAV here doesn't do much. My VSO doesn't either other than fill out paperwork for my service connected claim. I have been diagnosed with systemic central nervous system poisoning from exposure to chlordane, arsenic and lead in the 1980's. The government pulled funding for chlordane research so there are no treatment options. I need to get into a hospital where a doctor will look at me like I'm a lab rat. It's pretty much my last hope.
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The VA and Mayo have an agreement so the process exists. Just keep pushing and work with your providers and patient advocacy. You could also contact Mayo for assistance directly.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-expands-commitment-to-serving-veterans-by-participating-in-va-community-care-network-beginning-august-1-2020/
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-expands-commitment-to-serving-veterans-by-participating-in-va-community-care-network-beginning-august-1-2020/
Mayo Clinic Expands Commitment To Serving Veterans By Participating In VA Community Care Network...
Veterans in the upper Midwest may now be eligible to receive care in their local communities from Mayo Clinic Health [...]
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PO3 Patricia Miner
- Did the VA award you a disability rating for the claim/condition you are seeking treatment for?
- you said you went to the DAV for help and they helped you file a claim. They are a national organization, so the fact you live in a rural area should not matter.
- VA is a bureaucratic organization. So "paperwork" is what gets services. You said the VA Veterans Advocate filled out paperwork. What was the paper work? What did they request/report?
- if you are not being treated for a service connected illness/condition, recommend you get an external advocate. I would search out an attorney, possibly one that will do this pro-bono.
- have you written a letter to your congressman and senator?
- if you are not being treated for a service connected illness/condition, recommend you engage the VA office of the inspector general, but would do that once you have representation to ensure there is follow up.
- Did the VA award you a disability rating for the claim/condition you are seeking treatment for?
- you said you went to the DAV for help and they helped you file a claim. They are a national organization, so the fact you live in a rural area should not matter.
- VA is a bureaucratic organization. So "paperwork" is what gets services. You said the VA Veterans Advocate filled out paperwork. What was the paper work? What did they request/report?
- if you are not being treated for a service connected illness/condition, recommend you get an external advocate. I would search out an attorney, possibly one that will do this pro-bono.
- have you written a letter to your congressman and senator?
- if you are not being treated for a service connected illness/condition, recommend you engage the VA office of the inspector general, but would do that once you have representation to ensure there is follow up.
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PO3 Patricia Miner
LTC Jason Mackay is there any special protocol for that? I'd like a second opinion before I'm dead. If they won't put in the work to send me out I'm sure they won't dig me up.
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LTC Jason Mackay
PO3 Patricia Miner I’d want some sort of advocate with me to ensure everything is communicated properly. Otherwise start with a summary letter of what you’re requesting, summary of why, and what has been done so far. Whiz on their leg. It what they are there for. Stress the obstacles they’ve created that are keeping you from your goal.
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PO3 Patricia Miner
LTC Jason Mackay a patient advocate told me 1) I have to forget what I've been through for the last 30 years 2) I have to accept there is no treatment available and 3) I need anxiety meds so I do both. It is the most despicable thing anyone has said to me and I had a doctor accuse me of hurting myself on purpose so I didn't have to go back to work.
Believe me I am ready to do more than whizz on people's legs. I'm ready to kneecap a few. I don't know when people decided it was acceptable to do as little work as possible in order to get by. I plan to make them start jumping through hoops to facilitate what I need. I've certainly jump through enough at the VA. The latest one is going to therapy to cure my sleep disorder which is definitely caused by neurological problems. I guess they are going to shrink me to sleep. I have to do it in order to be referred to an outside sleep doctor. It is craziness.
Believe me I am ready to do more than whizz on people's legs. I'm ready to kneecap a few. I don't know when people decided it was acceptable to do as little work as possible in order to get by. I plan to make them start jumping through hoops to facilitate what I need. I've certainly jump through enough at the VA. The latest one is going to therapy to cure my sleep disorder which is definitely caused by neurological problems. I guess they are going to shrink me to sleep. I have to do it in order to be referred to an outside sleep doctor. It is craziness.
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LTC Jason Mackay
PO3 Patricia Miner I’ve provided advice. When I said advocate, I did not mean a VA provided one. I’m talking about someone you trust. Go to the IG.
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