VA Trying to address problems. What do you think?

2014-11-12T02:01:29-05:00

I have a mixed message because of some of my troubles with the VA. I have never had a problem with the doctors, PAs and Nurses. In fact the staff at Hillandale I and II Clinics is generally above reproach.

However let's backtrack to early 2013, when I was homeless. Sleeping in my car at a variety places, including truck stops, Walmart Parking Lots, Denny's, Flying J Truckstops and Rest Areas.

Just me and my cat and a litany of dangerous people always lurking especially with those Party Buses and some of the party goers. But a person's choices become more and more limited. My therapist called me a survivor, but I was NOT the ONLY and I was not the only vet.

CW2 Joseph Evans is doing a bang-up job and I might have a job for someone on this site. I have been talking to a graduate of the University of Arkansas myself and vet friends from Linkedin and elsewhere. I also have a plan and it is networking to help people at this site and other veterans who are under bridges and taking their chances at 24hr a day businesses.

Now the biggest rub and think that CW2 Evans has the right idea. The state of NC is also embarking on a project that will help the homeless with treatment and HOUSING. I am going to be honest with you, the homeless advocacy sucks and I was to the point of possibly being a danger to myself. Finally I was getting help from a local Human Society. The helped me with my cat who got fixed at no expense to me. Provided food and litter, etc. More on that later.

Their biggest concern was the fact that winter was approaching and I was in my car. At the Human Society they were worried about me and so was Sen. Burr of NC. I told him my situation and within a month I had some help and a stable place to live.

But just because I am safe now doesn't mean I forget what I went through, struggling with a left hand which is getting weaker and Stress, GAD and Severe Depression, not to mention Petit Mal Seizures. The Dr handling my case noted that my situation was dire so I got the help and I think Senators who do this, should be lauded for their initiative.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Nov 12 at 2014 2:09 AM

2014-11-12T02:09:13-05:00

1. Cut out the layers of bureaucrap between doctors and patients
2. Make vouchers available so veterans who don't live near a VA hospital can get medical care from a private physician.
3. Increase veterans' outreach to attack the homeless problem. If need be, expand existing hospital physical space and let homeless vets live there.
4. Encourage veterans to attend college by removing the roadblocks to VA tuition assistance. Right now, if you're going to college less than full time, you might as well forget any tuition assistance at all. That's fine -- unless you work.

Just my little bit for the cause

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 6:06 AM

2014-11-12T06:06:50-05:00

I think that maybe the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald just might be what the VA needed. He has no government or medical experience but I believe he does know management. Having been the President and CEO of Procter & Gamble. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and was in the Army for 5 years, with the 82nd Airborne Division, attaining the rank of Captain. It going to be a hard road and he is saying all the right things. So hopefully you will see some improvements in the system. One can only hope.

Other then fighting with them on my disability claim (40% right now and starting a appeal). I haven't had any other dealing with them. SSgt Private RallyPoint Member I really hope that your situation continues to improve because we all deserve to be happy in life.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 12 at 2014 6:55 AM

2014-11-12T06:55:56-05:00

Try my a$$. Its time for DO or DO NOT. I'm sick & tired of hearing the word "try" when it relates to government's ability to do something. When you're in a combat zone, you don't have time for trying, you do it. The only time I want to hear "try" is when we try these idiots in the court of public opinion for doing, accomplishing and being successful at nothing.

I always bust my brother who's a dentist - when are you going to stop practicing and do it for real :-)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 12 at 2014 7:15 AM

2014-11-12T07:15:17-05:00

In 1961, JFK challenged this country to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. With no experience, resources, personnel, plans or direction, this country gave birth to NASA and put a man on the moon in 8 years. Today after billions in spending, we're about to "try" to land a probe on a comet.

Yet we can't fix problems here on earth - WTF?

The VA as we know it has been around since the 1920s, we've been dealing with veteran issues since the Revolutionary War, our government through its actions keeps creating new veterans by the day, yet we're still "trying" - WHY??

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Nov 12 at 2014 3:45 PM

2014-11-12T15:45:31-05:00

I want to thank you for your honesty and transparency and I want you to know that you are a voice for many that would not take the time to expound on the issues. My prayers are with you and thank you for keeping many of us informed. It is vital that we are an advocate for those that come to us with their concerns.

Response by PO1 Walter Duncan made Nov 12 at 2014 4:21 PM

2014-11-12T16:21:31-05:00

You may go one time and the service is great and the next see and atrocity. I was at the M.H.C. (Mental Health Clinic) and a service member walked up and told the clerk if he doesn't see someone right now he was going to kill himself or worse and they told him to have a seat. I blew up!
I told him to stay right there and I told the clerk to get a professional to help him "NOW!". Yow don't have him wait. That individual is ready to go and others may be in the way. This was the MHC. This happens daily. Poor training, judgment or stupidity I really do not care. We have to stop these kind of mistakes.
We cannot take the same approach as we always have: In the service we do what they say even if it is flawed, then we wait for them to serve us. The time now is for them to serve us and we earned it and we deserve the highest possible care in the country, not just some young doctor in training. When we have problems, "Speak up, Be heard, Be Bold" for We are the Foundation upon which this nation continuously is rebuilding, renewing and remodeling itself.
Without the Military, all branches, all types, active and reserve, veterans, alive and those who have passed on our great land would not stand a chance. I pray for our Active Duty and our Veterans. Those who care for them as well, respect them as your family, for without them all of our families would not be here today.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Nov 12 at 2014 6:45 PM

2014-11-12T18:45:30-05:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I don't know how the state health care systems work or even how well they work, but here in Oregon the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) covers vets who may or may not have the VA healthcare. As for housing, well there is the rub. Klamath Falls has a VA worker who works with homeless vets trying to find them stable and affordable housing. The only reason I know these things is that over the past few months they have offered to help me and my wife find housing to get us out of the situation we are currently in.

My advice to veterans would be to check with their local community outpatient facilities and see if they offer these same services and if not do they know who can these homeless veterans can contact to get this type of help. State help may not be the greatest but it is better than nothing. They may also want to check with the VFW, American Legion, and the DAV in their areas to see about similar services. Hope this helps.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 15 at 2014 11:59 AM

2014-11-15T11:59:04-05:00

We the People are sympathetic to veterans (a few of us are veterans ourselves). Sadly, our government is not so much. Money that should have gone into providing services for veterans has been diverted into bonuses for bureaucrats. Vacant military facilities that could provide shelter for homeless veterans is occupied by illegal aliens who are being courted as a new constituency. Medical service providers who could help increase the availability for all Americans, including veterans, are being chased back to their home countries by the ravages of a government-managed healthcare system.

Last week, We the People took a bite out of these crimes. However, it will take a lot more time to undo the damage already done and We the People have to remain vigilant to insure that our government replaces good intentions with real results.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Nov 15 at 2014 2:38 PM

2014-11-15T14:38:04-05:00

The VA certainly is "trying". There are a lot of good people there, but a lot of bad systems and extraordinary levels of judicial abuse by people promulgating policies and regulations who should be shot, drawn and quartered for the abuse they force upon those who need help - not abuse.
The VA needs to start putting people in management who have a clue, not senior officers who know which country club to hang out in. The amount of money wasted is enormous - bring in financial professionals who know how to make things happen - use veterans who have become successful to design working programs, eliminate the union -sorry folks, union personnel can be part of the problem (try and get an incompetent fired), and eliminate extraneous offices. Stop hiring political appointees to flesh out the senior staff, and use people who are professional. The VA has a lot of great people - use them, don't abuse them.
Stop all non-essential legal actions against military getting close to ETS - do NOT start or push them down the very expensive road of the downward spiral.
Stop all legal action against vets regarding pension and compensation. Bring in a competent board to review why the heck we have put in for it, and stop playing stupid games regarding specific language, specific events, and ridiculous forms that have no bearing on anything but are required to be able to put in for disability.
Stop the medical folks in the policy division from killing us prematurely with faulty concepts and ignoring the underlying law. Pretend we are on the same side. Understand what an MOS does - if you are in the artillery your hearing loss is very probably caused by making loud noises. Tanks, aircraft, ships, engine rooms, infantry-we all get to experience that every day. Not sure if loud TAC NCO's count, but we can look into that.
Hold people doing wrong accountable.
Do an economic study to determine how wrong your premises are with respect to"saving taxpayer money". Did you look at cost drag in the GNP, loss of productivity and economic multipliers because veterans are so frustrated, angry, and hurt? How much are food stamps, medicaid, homeless costs, ad infinitum? How many families have been destroyed? How many of us have or had children who have problems because of exposures - which you should just stop lying about anyway.
And finally, the Secretary should listen to the NGO's outside of the beltway who are at the forefront of making a difference. We do not have enough time or money to waste continuing to try to get you to listen. Finally, look at us who struggle, then look in the mirror. What are you doing to make a difference in your own way? Use us, don't abuse us. We know what we are doing - and doing it a lot better and cheaper.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 9:07 PM

2014-11-15T21:07:19-05:00

I'm afraid a national approach has to be made from the community level to look out for and aid veterans and the rest of the homeless populations.

The issue is definitely nothing new and since the government is focused on levying taxes to pay bills and foreign aid, it will take the communities of America to open their eyes and provide for their common men, women and children that are in such dire conditions.

Looking to Big Brother to help will only keep us looking for help.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 9:45 PM

2014-11-15T21:45:12-05:00

Be extremely careful in dealing with the VA since they may be looking for reasons to hassle you. According to my friend he had a lot of issues and has PTSD. Feel badly for him because of the grind it put he and his wife through.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Nov 15 at 2014 10:24 PM

2014-11-15T22:24:17-05:00

Short of criminal prosecution for many of the people responsible for denying treatment and causing the loss of life, it won't be enough. Firing people who were likely guilty of criminal actions that resulted in the loss of life will not be enough if those same people can still work in the same industry.