When should you go out of the VA for service-connected treatment?

2017-01-18T09:44:08-05:00

I've now had 4 VA drs and an out-of-care physical therapist tell me that I need bilateral knee surgery for a service-connected injury. It's been over 2 years and so far the VA has done nothing, despite 2 comp reviews, more MRIs, more X Rays, and more appointments. Every time my local dr sends me to the ortho-surgeon he opts against knee surgery.

Response by Cpl John Mathews made Jan 18 at 2017 10:30 AM

2017-01-18T10:30:06-05:00

Ask for a consult to a different orthopod. Depending on where you are at you might be able to go to a different VA facility for the consult. Tell the orthopod that you are requestng surgery to improve your quality of life. If he refuses then ask him to include in his notes the detailed reasons why you should not have surgery. Take those note and your x-rays and MRIs (you can get them from Patient Information) to an outside ortho. If the outside ortho recommends surgery then go back to the VA and do the following. If anyone at the VA says they cannot see you within 30 days request a consult for Veteran's Choice.

1. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician.
2. During the appointment request to be referred to the Veteran's Choice program.
3. Ask that he confirm that the VA is unable to perform the surgery within 30 days while you are in that appointment.
4. Ask for the referral and instructions before you leave that appointment.
5. Call the Veteran's Choice program and have them schedule an appointment ASAP
6. If you are held up at any of the above steps immediately go to the patient care representative in that hospital. If s/he cannot resolve the issue ask to see the chief patient care representative.

If this does not work, call your Congressman. They have staff that just live to take on the VA, and they get fast results.

I hope this works for you. I just had spinal surgery and knee surgery outside the VA. I could not get the VA to support my going outside because my surgeon was not enrolled in the Choice program. Luckily I have excellent insurance and pre-existing conditions are covered.

Response by SSG Sean Honea made Jan 18 at 2017 5:38 PM

2017-01-18T17:38:46-05:00

If you have a reason to be around Minneapolis there are several community acupuncture clinics you could try there. Most are sliding scale starting as low as $15. https://www.pocacoop.com/clinics/search-by-state/MN

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