Thank you for this post service forum.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » March 15th, 2004, 5:51 pm

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.

BadMuther · Post by **BadMuther** » March 15th, 2004, 5:54 pm

Yeah, on my re-eval I could hardly fucking walk, but the doc didn't give a shit-no x-rays or nothing either.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » March 15th, 2004, 6:00 pm

When my little bro. got out(yeh, the one that hasn't posted an intro yet

) he got the entire work up.

When I asked the doc if he was going to have x-rays taken, he told me I didn't need any.

BadMuther · Post by **BadMuther** » March 15th, 2004, 6:08 pm

I like the fact that my back is totally fucked up, and while they granted me the disability, they don't exactly know what's wrong with it....

Looon · Post by **Looon** » March 15th, 2004, 6:15 pm

Ive always had problems with my knees, since Batt. Well I asked them to check em out. After his "hands on exam" he said he couldn't find nothing wrong.

Steadfast · Post by **Steadfast** » March 15th, 2004, 7:14 pm

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

Looon · Post by **Looon** » March 15th, 2004, 7:17 pm

Thank you for your advice Ranger Steadfast. I will.

Steadfast · Post by **Steadfast** » March 15th, 2004, 7:20 pm

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. :(

Slowpoke · Post by **Slowpoke** » March 16th, 2004, 1:49 am

You also need an MRI on you're back, X-rays won't show anything haveing to do with the disks.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » March 16th, 2004, 7:51 am

Thankyou Ranger Slowpoke.

I am a man of rather large stature. 6'3" and 275 lbs, with the frame to carry it well. Would some one of my size fit into one of those tubes?

Slowpoke · Post by **Slowpoke** » March 16th, 2004, 9:56 am

I'm 6' and 220 and I fit. They do have larger machines for people who won't fit into the smaller ones.

VAK · Post by **VAK** » March 18th, 2004, 6:28 am

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

Looon · Post by **Looon** » March 18th, 2004, 8:34 am

Thank you for any assistanc you might be able to give, usaftacp.

Saltbitch · Post by **Saltbitch** » March 18th, 2004, 10:31 am

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.

Vee · Post by **Vee** » March 18th, 2004, 9:55 pm

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.

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.

The VA exists FOR you, and BECAUSE of you, the veteran.

ArmyRanger.com

Thank you for this post service forum.

Thank you for this post service forum.

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