va backlog

[Scooter24]

Since I am a southerner (by means of 2 tanks of gas as per my red neck nieghbor) I can't say they just give things away but they do seem to be more compassionate regarding approvals.

As I have said before I went from not knowing I was even eligable for SC to 100% in less than 2 yrs, was given 60% after 8 months with only 1 C&P exam, this after being out for 25 yrs but did have quite a few sx which were noted in my med records but were blamed on other things at that time.

But I must say my PVA rep asked if I had a relative in congress or something as they did seem to get approved fairly quickly, but then again I was approved for SSDI in less than 2 months so it may mean my doctors have just documented my sx etc very well. My VA nuero wrote a letter with out me even asking saying that it should be approved and gave many references to my medical records to support it.

The only thing they "threw" at me was my scooter, this was done per my nuero who said I was a fall risk and requested I be given one, there again w/o me requesting it nor did he even tell me he was doing it.

Not to say that I have not had problems but have been able to find the right person to speak to about it and it got cleared up, they also have a policy that all priority 1 & 2 patients that need to see a specialist are to be sent to a civilian spec if they cannot be seen at the VA within 90 days.

Most of my problems have been with the admin types, I ma still fighting to get reimbursed for co-pays I paid last year that they are saying I am not intitled to, but they were all fr ms meds. they are currently doing internal audit to review the case but this is the 3rd time they told me they are doing it so I wil see what happens this time.

[gomer]

Compassion is a are trait around here. I have had dirty remarks made etc, in front of me about Vets and even one time me specifically behind my back. It was about a unrelated black beret I had kept but never worn here.

Many often treat you here like you are a blood sucking leach if you ask for anything that you even earned or entitled to. There are no military bases near here, so that might be part of it????

I had a hearing test, told I was fine and no hearing aids needed at all. 2 weeks or less later, same clinic & test results for a C&P and told I need very strong hearing aids and fitted for them.

Same test results.. same VA diff situation = very diff results....go figger?

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[gomer]

Scooter....

I hope my posting about what the PVA rep told me HIS opinion was did not imply in any way you or any other southerner were simply just given things not deserved.

The VA is FULLY aware I have been a fall risk for years. I even asked for walking/mobility HELP back in spring of 2007 after a couple falls. I got NUTTIN, nowhere nohow!

It was a civilian ortho in the same office as the surgeon who did my 2 shoulder surgeries (from 2 falls in half a year+/-) who checked me out and Rx'd the AFOs to try and help with the foot drop & falling problem, the VA did NOTHING (as usual).

The same waiting room for MS clinic is also used for urology clinic same days. I have seen only one vet, one time in all my MS etc visits with a chair of any type, and rarely anyone with a cane or walker either over the 2+ years.

IN a way the VA here is not unlike when I was on active duty. Go to sick bay and they right away assUme you are just trying to get out of something/duty. Only here its you are just trying to get something for nothing or rip them off. They treat you more like a thug than a vet about half the time.

Sorry if you got the wrong impression.....

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Scooter24]

no problem Gomer, just sounds like you need to make your voice heard little better, I'm not above going up the chain of command if needed. Some of the situations you describe about being ignored would never happen with me, I would be standing on someones desk if it did.

My new ENT is moving to another VA hospital and they canx my appointment in Dec with him, I called and they tried to make an appt with the old one, I told them I would not see that jerk under any circumstances, I am being referred to my original civilian ENT for cancer follow up now. I didn't yell or scream just told them the truth and they said ok.

[gomer]

I made my voice polite but LOUD and CLEAR back in the mid 80s. All that did was buy me a ticket to their shrinks! The shrinks noted I was not even depressed, just "adamant" something else was wrong, and whatever it was did not show up on tests.

I did, in looking thru old records find where one labeled me "paranoid". So I am sure that 'helped' getting anything checked or fixed, maybe that was the VA's excuse NOT to follow up on my medical complaints.

I also found so many gross errors in my records its pathetic.

Despite joining under a special technical program for HS grads, they put in my record I never graduated from HS? When I had a back problem while at Pensacola they put in my med record I had been carrying a tool box, totally false I repeatedly told him I was not carrying anything.

When I had the pancreatis problem all it read is must see MO before leaving, they completely left out my MO (doctor) visit and the urine sugar test he made me take.
That omission blocks me from claiming my diabetes is in any way service connected, which limits the level of VA care I can get for my diabetes.(not worth bothering with anyway with their poor diabetes standards).

Problem is what works t one VA location/state may or may not work at another.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot