My first medical visit to the VA was in 2004 after I received a letter from my military treatment facility that due to manpower constraints, they were not providing services except emergency room treatment. My first thought was Woe is me recalling the problems my father had in the 50s and 60s after getting all shot up in Korea. I served honorably for twenty years and had retired and was using the military through Tri-care Prime. Therefore; I felt comfortable with my letter of referral from the MTF to continue my medical treatment at the VA. (I was awaiting surgery to repair my shoulder from a non work related and non service connected injury). I was told I must first fill out a financial means test and would need to file for service connected disability. So much for a veteran receiving care. I waited two years for my first medical exam. I waited another 4 to 6 months until I had my first C&MP hearing. They gave me service connected without any compensible disabilities. They turned down my request for non-service connected unemployabilty even though I was undergoing current medical treatment for an injury lasting more than one year. I also would be unable to pass a workmans Comp medical review board. I served in Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm-Desert Shield and it took me four years to finally get 10% service connected disability. I had to give up dollar for dollar offset to my retirement account and had to pay for all meds not contributed to service connected. I succumbed to cancer in 2009 and was granted 100% disability due to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Here it is ten years later and they are trying to cut my disability pay without a medical examination. I have a lot of faith and trust in the VA system. Ha Ha. More to come.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 14:25:58 +0000
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