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    V.A. Troubles

    I am a vet. and have been going to a V.A. hospital in Iowa city for over one year and haven't been diagnossed yet. I was seeing a Neurologist who jsut wouldn't even test for a neurological problem even though the E.N.T. doctors have told me that it is a neurological problem that is going on with me. They have even told me to get out of the V.A. system and see a MS specialist. She kept on insisting that my problem was a Vestibular Issue and kept sending me back to the E.N.T. doc's. Unfortunatly they told me that Because they are not a Neurology Doc. they have done all they could and sent me back to her. I then asked her for a New Doc and requested a second opinion. But was denied both.

    I went to the patient advocates and to the Dep. of veterens affairs but found out that I was discharged from the Neurology department and no longer allowed to be seen because of the lack of evidence of a Neurological Problem. She never even tested for a neurological problem how can that be I asked. after no action from either the patient advocates or the Dep of veterens affairs I contacted my Senator and Congressman and both have tried to resolve this issue. But to no Avail. They both have informed me that I Can't and Won't be seen any further By the Neurology Department, but can be seen in all other departments for my medical needs. Just not Neurology.

    I reacently obtained state Insurance to be treated at the University Hospital but have been told that because of my ties with the V.A. and thier agreement with the V.A. Hospital that I need to be Referred to them By the V.A. Hospital. Guess what they won't do that, so back again I went to the Veterens Affairs, Senator and Congressman to get a referral from the V.A. Hospital, again was told that there would be no referal from the V.A. hospital.

    I was also informed that both the Veterns Affairs and the Congresman have done all they can do to help resolve this issue and wish there was a more favorable response. Gee thanks... So now where do I go to get any kind of Diagnosis or treatment, Because of the length of time I have been going through this, three years, I no longer have a Doctor to address this problem or even have a job, no income, no insurance and can't go to the state funded Hospital. Just where am I supposed to go now...So for the last three months I'm still waiting to hear from the Senator to see if they can resolve any thing at all...

    I don't really know where to go who to see or who to talk to at this point Guess I fell through the cracks in the system, but this is one hell of a crack......

    #2
    You haven't mentioned what is wrong.
    You mentioned a Vestibular Issue but what the heck does that mean? Problems with mobility, maybe balance?
    What tests have they run so far? Bloodwork, maybe some kind of scan like x-rays or an MRI?

    It almost sounds like you dodged the MS bullet, if so then congrats!! You may not know yet what is wrong but at least it might be cureable.

    Comment


      #3
      called the PVA or disabled vets of america, they will get you on the right track........just give them the power of attorney for your case, and they will square you away, but be prepared for it to tacl upto a year or longer, keep in mind though va will back pay to date irst applying.....You need to cross your t's and dont your i's and save copies of everything ... have been dealing with VA since 84 and they have never failed me ... Also when did you get out of service? and what is the discharge sated on your DD214?

      Comment


        #4
        I HAVE GONE TO THE COMMISSION OF VETERNS AFFAIRS AND GAVE HIM POWER OF ATTORNY AND WAS TOLD I'M YOUR LAWYER IM YOUR ADVISOR I'M YOUR ADVOCATE I'M YOUR ....BECAUSE I GAVE HIM POWER OF ATTORNEY...BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND HE COULDNT GET ANY ANSWERS FROM THE VA HOSPOTAL AND I WAS CALLING HIM EVERY WEEK TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IF ANYTHING...GUESS WHAT HE NO LONGER CALLS OR ANSWERS MY CALLS SO THIS GUY WITH ALL THIS POWER JUST DOSENT HAVE WHAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD.

        AS FAR AS TO WHAT MY DX IS...LIKE I SAID IN MY FIRST LETTER..HAVEN'T BEEN DIAGNOSSED, OR TREATED. AND NOW REFUSED BOTH...

        Comment


          #5
          Are you saying that you gave POA to a county commissioner of Veterans Affairs? When did you give power of attorney to them? I am confused about this part of your statement. If you are already receiving health care from the VA and you are not applying for other benefits, why would you give this person a POA? What are you expecting them to do for you?

          What are you trying to achieve at this point? Are you wanting to continue receiving treatment from the VA or just get a referral to the University hospital? I understand not having a diagnosis can be frustrating, but with the VA it really helps to break things down and focus on one thing at a time (in my experience).

          When I was unhappy with my local VA clinic I transferred to a different one. It is a little further to drive, but the quality and efficiency of care I receive is 100x better. Do you have that option?

          Are the vestibular issues your only symptom? I found it helpful to write all of my symptoms down for the doctor to look at, rather than just listing things off verbally.

          Hope that you are able to get this figured out. The VA system is by no means perfect; but, I have found the best results come from being proactive, learning employees names and always thanking people for their time (even if they couldn't help me).

          Comment


            #6
            just fire the guy you gave poa too, its that simple and kav you got it so right i have learned in the va or any goverment agency thanks goes along ways even if they step on your foot say thanking you and your paper moves to the top of the pile.PS i have never had any problems with the VA SS or even the IRS treat them they way you wanted to be treated and there are ways of telling them to F off and they think your completmenting them

            Comment


              #7
              You might try contacting Sen. Harkin's office. I've heard his staff are pretty vocal for vets with the VA but keep in mind this is what I've heard and I don't know for certain.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by katvar View Post
                Are you saying that you gave POA to a county commissioner of Veterans Affairs? When did you give power of attorney to them? I am confused about this part of your statement. If you are already receiving health care from the VA and you are not applying for other benefits, why would you give this person a POA? What are you expecting them to do for you?
                Many Service Officers in Iowa are county or state employees. All of them know how to file the forms and do the S.O. stuff (I'm not sure if they're trained by the VA or the Feds, but they are trained).
                Sometimes you have to do some digging to find out who else is trained.
                While many S.O.'s are effective, some are not. These kinds of S.O.'s tend to fall into two camps- the Why Are You Bothering Me On This Beautiful Day? camp (AKA: the No Hopers) and the Want Me To Get You A Free Bass Boat? camp (AKA: the False Hopers which are worse).
                This is why I've suggested in the past to interview a potential S.O. and ask around before you sign the POA.
                The good news is that its easy to re-assign POA if needed.

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