How do you look him in the eyes?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:47:55 -0400

How do you look him in the eyes?

Great article by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM one of our Civilian Supporters here on RallyPoint working for veterans through Action4Vets and Kids4Horses&Dogs4Vets, all part of Virtual World Solutions d/b/a Sponsor a Vet Life.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-do-you-look-him-eyes-kimberly-bolen-rn-lnc-acm?trk=prof-post

I can really relate to this article RP Members. Take a minute to read this. My father (Korean Veteran PFC Donald F. Burroughs, Purple Heart Recipient of the 25th Infantry Division) is now 84 years old and faced some of these same issues.

Action4Vets and Kids4Horses&Dogs4Vets needs your help to continue their work for veterans. Please make a tax deductible donation at the following link:

http://www.sponsoravet.life/#!our-501c3/c1wlb

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 28 at 2015 3:27 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:27:57 -0400

Thank you COL Mikel J. Burroughs post posting yet another interesting article :-)
To be honest I have no trouble looking anybody in the eye as a general rule. Much of that is because of my faith in Christ I am sure and I know that each person is created in the image of God and has generally equal worth before God.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 28 at 2015 3:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:31:37 -0400

It's sad. The eternal patrol.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 28 at 2015 5:20 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 17:20:05 -0400

Thanks for sharing COL Mikel J. Burroughs!

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 28 at 2015 8:36 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 20:36:11 -0400

The unfortunate truth that this happens to almost all veterans. Veterans who were seen just a couple/three years before not on VA rolls. I don't recall the policy or statute that VA hides behind, and to be clear maybe my phrase "hides behind" is a bit harsh, that allows them to clear the rolls if a veteran hasn't been seen in either a year or 2 years. Nor do I recall the premise that it was started and maybe it's this premise that requires it. It appears in Kim's story her father had fallen prey to this rule.

The cold and heartless clerk who would not help the veteran complete the form is atrocious. Even if she had a line of veterans waiting to see her, she should have had some answer to at least direct him to someone else in the facility to assist, like the "Health Benefits" staff under Health Administration Service (HAS). For many years, the VA Fayetteville, NC staff would refer veterans down to the DAV rep who had an office on the ground floor. Too many times people like to hide behind HIPAA, although HIPAA doesn't apply if the veteran enlisted the clerk's assistance.

Not all clerks have access to the complete details of veterans files as well. I don't recall the acronyms anymore but there are separate systems, not unlike DOD, in which certain information is stored. For example many in the hospital can't look at the VBA (benefits) system and vice versa. I'm not defending it, so don't kill this messenger.