Thank you for this post service forum.
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Thank you for this post service forum.
I would like to thank the administrators for this forum.
Here we go. After I was discharged, I went to the V.A. for my initial eval. They didn't even take x-rays. It was just a "hands on eval" by the doc. I walked out with only 20%. Thats rediculous considering the condition of my back at the time.
I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience.
Here we go. After I was discharged, I went to the V.A. for my initial eval. They didn't even take x-rays. It was just a "hands on eval" by the doc. I walked out with only 20%. Thats rediculous considering the condition of my back at the time.
I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience.
B Co 3/75
1989-1990
Just Cause Airlando Commando
1989-1990
Just Cause Airlando Commando
Whatever problems you guys have, make it a point to see a othopedic specialist doctor. Complain, complain, complain. if you have health plans, go to see an othopedic specialists on the outside and introduce your treatment on the outside to the fucking V.A. Don't let them brush you off. Tell them at the V.A. you want to see another doctor. Get X-rays taken on the outside so you have a record of your injuries somewhere. What would you do if you found out the doctors had a quota for turning vets down. hmmmm. A young doctor may be more sympatethic than an older guy who just wants to collect his paycheck. Keep searching until you get a doctor that knows what he is talking about and is sympathic to your symptoms.
DON'T TAKE NO FOR An ANSWER
I went 17 times before a doctor said, maybe V.A. shoes will help? Keep going back, over and over again.
DON'T TAKE NO FOR An ANSWER
DON'T TAKE NO FOR An ANSWER
I went 17 times before a doctor said, maybe V.A. shoes will help? Keep going back, over and over again.
DON'T TAKE NO FOR An ANSWER
Last edited by Steadfast on March 15th, 2004, 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RLTW
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
You probably need an MRI to see in your knees Ranger Luna
The V.A. paid to have me sent to an outside dianognostic place to an open MRI. I got clostrophobic to an indoor MRI. They got a full report on my knees, right one had a bad minuscus. the left had a torn ACL and was decided to let nature heal it up. I was given pain medication until heal was complete. The right one still bothers me but only when I sit for long periods like flying. then I took the MRI copies to an outside orthopedic and he told me everything I needed to know. was a lot more informative than the fucking V.A. Sad, huh. :(
The V.A. paid to have me sent to an outside dianognostic place to an open MRI. I got clostrophobic to an indoor MRI. They got a full report on my knees, right one had a bad minuscus. the left had a torn ACL and was decided to let nature heal it up. I was given pain medication until heal was complete. The right one still bothers me but only when I sit for long periods like flying. then I took the MRI copies to an outside orthopedic and he told me everything I needed to know. was a lot more informative than the fucking V.A. Sad, huh. :(
RLTW
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
Working on claims
Well here comes a smack....
Remember when you were in and like me, you smacked it out and didn't say shit to anyone and just went on about your day despite any injury or illness. Remember when you just sucked it up and rucked up and moved out never wanting to look weaker or softer than anyone else.
***I am not by any means or mark or stretch of the imagination going to tell anyone to fall out, puss or punk out of anything so do not misread or read anything into what I am getting ready to type***
But, the records that we initiate while we are in the service help us when we get out of the service. Those records establish a basis for a claim and most certainly give your doctors somewhere to start. Now, my Doc's may well be the exception to the rule but overall, I am pretty happy with the care I am getting at the VA. My entrance examinations were a bitch, spinal taps, EMG's, MRI's and more tests than Carter's has pills. But in the end, those tests have proven invaluable in establishing a baseline and we have been able to track how far my disease has spread since I have begun my care and treatment with the VA.
In all, take your time and make your case. Build it methodically just like writing an essay in school and get help from one of the service organizations right away. In as much as that is said, find someone that you like and can work with, don't just go into the first office and say "Hey, I want to make a claim." Talk to the Service Officer. Interview them a bit, they are going to be handling something that is really going to potentially impact the rest of your life. Ask questions and stay informed throughout the entire process. And then if you are denied or you are not happy, explore your rights.
Sincerely though, the majority of the people I have worked with at the VA whether it be at my hospital, the Regional Office or at the Secretary's Office are all eager to help and just simply overwhelmed with cases. Right now, enrollment in the VA is up by over 70% and that is not allowing for the current conflict, further funding has only been increased by between 35-40% depending on who you listen to. Work with them, know your rights and as I am sure you've all been hearing for some time know what legislation is on the table and get involved.
Don't hesitate to drop me a PM and I will help anyway I can. If nothing else, maybe I can steer you in the right direction.
Good luck and Godspeed,
usaftacp
Remember when you were in and like me, you smacked it out and didn't say shit to anyone and just went on about your day despite any injury or illness. Remember when you just sucked it up and rucked up and moved out never wanting to look weaker or softer than anyone else.
***I am not by any means or mark or stretch of the imagination going to tell anyone to fall out, puss or punk out of anything so do not misread or read anything into what I am getting ready to type***
But, the records that we initiate while we are in the service help us when we get out of the service. Those records establish a basis for a claim and most certainly give your doctors somewhere to start. Now, my Doc's may well be the exception to the rule but overall, I am pretty happy with the care I am getting at the VA. My entrance examinations were a bitch, spinal taps, EMG's, MRI's and more tests than Carter's has pills. But in the end, those tests have proven invaluable in establishing a baseline and we have been able to track how far my disease has spread since I have begun my care and treatment with the VA.
In all, take your time and make your case. Build it methodically just like writing an essay in school and get help from one of the service organizations right away. In as much as that is said, find someone that you like and can work with, don't just go into the first office and say "Hey, I want to make a claim." Talk to the Service Officer. Interview them a bit, they are going to be handling something that is really going to potentially impact the rest of your life. Ask questions and stay informed throughout the entire process. And then if you are denied or you are not happy, explore your rights.
Sincerely though, the majority of the people I have worked with at the VA whether it be at my hospital, the Regional Office or at the Secretary's Office are all eager to help and just simply overwhelmed with cases. Right now, enrollment in the VA is up by over 70% and that is not allowing for the current conflict, further funding has only been increased by between 35-40% depending on who you listen to. Work with them, know your rights and as I am sure you've all been hearing for some time know what legislation is on the table and get involved.
Don't hesitate to drop me a PM and I will help anyway I can. If nothing else, maybe I can steer you in the right direction.
Good luck and Godspeed,
usaftacp
"Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum"
(Sometimes I get this urge to conquer large parts of Europe)
Mentor to those who would seek to be CAS God's
(Sometimes I get this urge to conquer large parts of Europe)
Mentor to those who would seek to be CAS God's
USAFTACP speaks the truth. Although I have run into a BOAT LOAD of shitbag doctors, the main deficency that is prevalant throughout the VA system is OVERLOAD. The majority of the time I see RN's; they diagnose/treat my ailments and push meds. Some are on top of their game; others are not.
With regard to x-rays: they don't show very much, generally speaking. If you have back/knee/joint injuries with persistant pain, you will almost assuredly need an MRI to get a clear picture (no pun intended) of your injury(s). I had lower back problems, to the extent that I constantly was loosing feeling in one or both of my legs. Every time I went to the hospital (ER), they simply took x-rays, did a 'hands on exam' and said that I must have pulled a muscle or something. It wasn't until I sneezed one day and temporarily paralyzed myself from the waste-down that I decided that I could no longer 'suck up the pain' or put up with what I realized everytime was a BS answer to my problems.
Moral to the story....YOU'VE GOT TO PUSH THOSE V.A. BASTARDS. Never, ever forget that you are the one in charge; they exist to serve you because you served your country. Remember; the sqeaky wheel gets the oil.
With regard to x-rays: they don't show very much, generally speaking. If you have back/knee/joint injuries with persistant pain, you will almost assuredly need an MRI to get a clear picture (no pun intended) of your injury(s). I had lower back problems, to the extent that I constantly was loosing feeling in one or both of my legs. Every time I went to the hospital (ER), they simply took x-rays, did a 'hands on exam' and said that I must have pulled a muscle or something. It wasn't until I sneezed one day and temporarily paralyzed myself from the waste-down that I decided that I could no longer 'suck up the pain' or put up with what I realized everytime was a BS answer to my problems.
Moral to the story....YOU'VE GOT TO PUSH THOSE V.A. BASTARDS. Never, ever forget that you are the one in charge; they exist to serve you because you served your country. Remember; the sqeaky wheel gets the oil.
Damn straight, Ranger Saltbitch! Think of them as a used car salesman: they will be pushy and try to make you see things their way....but if you don't want what they have to sell, then tell them how it's gonna be (use professionalism and tact - then they will have no ammo against you). The VA exists for YOU, the veteran...not so some doctor can line his pockets by treating us like shit.Saltbitch wrote:Moral to the story....YOU'VE GOT TO PUSH THOSE V.A. BASTARDS. Never, ever forget that you are the one in charge; they exist to serve you because you served your country. Remember; the sqeaky wheel gets the oil.
The VA exists FOR you, and BECAUSE of you, the veteran.
RSD 96-99