Has the VA deliberately lied about what you have done? How did you deal with it?

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:28:01 -0500

Over the years I have been deliberately deceived by the VA a few times about my disability benefits. the first time I needed Congressional action to get the VA to do what they are chartered to do namely provide benefits and medical care to disabled veterans. Today I was notified that the IU packet submitted by a PA was denied because they claim I didn't go to an appointment I went through.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 29 at 2016 7:28 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:28:41 -0500

In October 2015 the Patient Advocate at Martinsburg, WV submitted an individual unemployability (IU) packet for me. The next month I went to a VBA evaluation for my heart and back. The first weird experience was that the office refused to reimburse me for local travel. I was able to straighten that out and received a check for a modest amount for my travel. Today I received official notification that my claim was denied because I “did not attend the VA examination we scheduled in connection for your claim, and did not show good cause for your failure to do so.” I am disgusted with the VBA.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jan 29 at 2016 8:04 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 20:04:35 -0500

What a bunch of bullshit! The VA does any damn thing they want and it seems that they just don't care at all. Bastards!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 29 at 2016 8:05 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 20:05:26 -0500

It surprises us that the VA is Incompetent and Untrustworthy?

Response by COL David Turk made Jan 29 at 2016 9:38 PM

COL David Turk — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 21:38:50 -0500

Have you tried contacting the local DAV chapter for assistance. They have been known to perform near miracles in dealing with the VA. If you are rated VA disabled, you should consider joining that organization. I am not a recruiter for them, nor do I make anything off this. I do know they are very dedicated in helping disabled vets.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 29 at 2016 10:35 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 22:35:45 -0500

Would you like SecVA cell phone? I have it....

Response by SPC Rhonda Gulifield made Jan 30 at 2016 1:41 AM

SPC Rhonda Gulifield — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 01:41:31 -0500

Seeing all the negative comments about VA incompetence is disheartening. I work for the VA and I can tell you that we do our best and I so not find that incompetence is the issue. So often people blame the VA but it is a two way street. If you are scheduled for an exam it is your responsibility to show up for the exam. Currently it is not set up that if u contact the hospital the regional office is informed. Give is at the regional office a break. Have compassion. A lot of us that work for the VA are Vets and we do our best to provide favorable outcomes!!!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 30 at 2016 8:43 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 08:43:14 -0500

LTC Stephen F. Steve, I would take whatever action it takes-Congressional or otherwise-to over rule this denial as well.
Don't take this "stuff" sitting down; as you know.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 30 at 2016 10:50 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:50:54 -0500

[2015-01-30 Update] I found the business card for the VA patient advocate (PA) who helped me on October 20, 2015 and plan on preparing an email with attachments for him this afternoon and calling VBA on Monday.
1. The VBA claims they never recieved my previous employer information yet the PA submitted it on the appropriate form and the VBA confirmed receipt on October 20.
2. The VBA claims I failed to go to my scheduled appointment and failed to offer justification for missing it. I have a packet prepared with dates and details of my communication with VBA through their contractor QTC including QTC cancelling one appointment which was too close to the other. I have a copy of the EKG done at my appointment on November 5.
I hope to be able to resolve this situation without going through congress. I want resolution of the issue and a written apology from as high up in the VBA as necessary. That happened 6 years ago in similar circumstances where VBA was not doing what they were chartered to do for no good reason.
Thank you for offering good counsel COL David Turk SPC Rhonda Gulifield Sgt Jay Jones MAJ Carl Ballinger Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Jim Gilmore 2LT Tom Waters, JD Sgt David G Duchesneau
FYI I wanted to let you know COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. CPT L S SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Forrest Stewart

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Jan 30 at 2016 1:22 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:22:32 -0500

LTC Stephen Ford, Sir you are we're I have been when I had my stroke a few years, I go, I had my claim denied 3 times, then it went to Congress twice and was approved by them. You might have to make a trip to your local IG office and speak to him or her directly. I stayed on the phone with his assistant until they knew me by name.

Response by SPC Jack Hunt, JR made Jan 30 at 2016 2:56 PM

SPC Jack Hunt, JR — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 14:56:32 -0500

They do what ever they please. I had a hearing examination scheduled showed up the tests were conducted. I wait... Get a letter a month later saying I was a no show for the appointment. It this very thing that makes Veterans kill themselves. I know that because I was so frustrated I almost did. 10 years is a long time to spend playing their games. I have always said if you don't have some type of psychological issue, that you will after dealing with the VA for any length of time. And then we have to deal with SHIT care.

Response by SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc made Jan 31 at 2016 10:12 PM

SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 22:12:37 -0500

Very disheartening to hear. Not one vet deserves this kind of incompetence or deceit!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 1 at 2016 2:50 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:50:38 -0500

[2016-02-01 Update] This afternoon I contacted QTC which coordinates VBA evaluations in my area. I learned that it seems they initially reported me as a no show for the 11/5/2015 evaluation I went through. Then they received the doctor's notes and uploaded them on 11/10/2015 and forwarded the packet to VBA on 12/18/2015. Since VBA mailed me the denial on 1/21/2016 i expect the bureaucracy did not have sufficient time to review.
Then I left a voicemail message for the Patient advocate at Martinsburg, WV VAMC keeping him up-to-date.
I hope this situation will be resolved soon and that VBA will do what they are chartered to do without me having to request congressional action.
FYI COL David Turk SPC Rhonda Gulifield Sgt Jay Jones MAJ Carl Ballinger Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Jim Gilmore 2LT Tom Waters, JD Sgt David G Duchesneau COL Mikel J. BurroughsbLTC Stephen C. CPT L S SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Forrest Stewart

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 4:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:43:46 -0500

At our Houston VA, I have been going 16 years. In that time period, I have seen our VA go from very bad, to excellent. After Dr. Michael DeBakey took it over, he fired all of the medical staff and we have medical students from Baylor College of Medicine, and UT Texas Medical School. They have an excellent Cardio department, an excellent Mental Health department, and an excellent
Dental/ Surgical Department. I have always been treated great by all of them since DeBakey took over. I read what SPC Rhonda Gulifield, wrote and she is correct. I've seen vets come in with no DD-214, and no records of any kind. They get all bent out of shape because nobody can help them. I have tried to help some of them, but they seem not interested in anyone helping them. I've seen vets come in 1-3 hours late for an appointment, and get all bent out of shape because they have to be rescheduled. I've run late a few times but I called and let them know the circumstances, and got in with no problems. The VA is there to help vets, but the vets need to help themselves with the required information and don't need to act rude and entitled, I've seen them get so irate, they are escorted away by the VA police. They forget the VA is a Federal institution, and they will be locked up, and turned over to the Harris County Sheriffs Department if it's really bad. I have been to an appointment, and when I get a print out, it shows me as a no show. I've asked about it, and they gave me some reason, I don't remember and didn't make sense. Maybe SPC Rhonda Gulifield can elaborate on that. The worst thing about my VA is the parking and the Pharmacy, and it sucks big time. There are never places to park unless you drive around until you see someone leaving, and the wait time in the pharmacy is anywhere from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours. I was there today and saw vets getting upset. If you don't want to get upset, you better realize it's going to take a while and don't get in a hurry. It will save you from having a stroke.

Response by Candy Alkaabi made Sep 10 at 2016 5:56 PM

Candy Alkaabi — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 17:56:36 -0400

They did this time and again to my grandfather. The best you can do is keep extra copies of EVERYTHING, including phone calls made, (you have the right to tell them "this phone call will be recorded for evidence of our conversation" and record it just make sure you say it each time) and all papers should be copied and placed with a friend or in a safe place as back up in case you or a representative need them. In the end you will have the proof and you can bug the heck out of them with it. They hate it when people have proof and are well organized.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Sep 11 at 2016 12:28 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 12:28:29 -0400

I'm still fighting with them about the date of the Award. Hell, I had documentation, dates and time of two injuries, one for my arm and one for my left leg, two separate incidences in Nam, one in May and one in June of 69, I even have photographs and they still said that both injuries occurred at the same time. Then I got operated on in a Field Hospital in Quang Tri and again, I have photographs but they have no record in my file of the operation. Hell, I showed them a copy of our Companies Daily Reports which shows that I was not in the bush and that I got medivacked out but they still insist that both injuries occurred at the same time. Hell, how much proof can you show them? And when I asked them why there is no record of the operation in my Medical File, , they just looked at me with that "deer in the headlight" look. It sucks, it really does. But I'm still fitting!