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Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
From: Steve Sevets
Date: June 3, 2014
Subject: Disability Pay Rates
Here's a link to disability pay rates.
Infantryman Robert McNutt in Vietnam
From: Jim Anderson
Date: June 3, 2014
Subject: Proof that you should NEVER GIVE UP
Widow Wins VA Claim 24 years after Filing
From: John "Jay" Lehman
Date: June 3, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
My first experience with VA medical care was back in 1981. I had a eye infection in both eyes and required an MRI. Was referred to James Haley VA Med Ctr I Tampa. Was treated with a med that I was allergic to. Left eye wound up as a case history article before I was finally cured. Decided then that since I had Tricare I didn't need the VA. Years later in 2010, a post here cited the AO exam. Called the McClellan VA clinic in Sacramento since I was living in Rancho Cordova then. Was told to go to Mather VA Med Center and put in a disability claim at the VFW service officer first. did that and then drove over to McClellan to register for healthcare. Registration took 10 minutes. Then had a 1 hour exam with an MD in the Disability Benefit Office...then Lab where 5 tubes of blood was drawn. referred to Primary Clinic for follow up one week later. Found out 2 things I wasn’t aware of. Had Hyper Thyroidism caused by a med that Cardiology had me taking for three years and I had a slow leak of blood. I already knew that I had stenosis of my aortic valve plus coronary heart disease, A-fibrillation, glaucoma, had prostrate cancer in 03, bilateral knee replacement in 07 and bladder cancer in 09. Also I had Medicare and Tricare for life. On Christmas Eve, I was transported by ambulance to Sutter General ER ...Acute Anemia from blood loss. got 2 units of blood in the ER and 2 more upstairs after they found where the leak was and corrected it. When a vein comes in contact with an artery, you turn into a fountain. The following week, the VA approved me for 30% for heart disease and 10% for PTSD. Said Cancers were both service connected but no disability since both were in remission. Compensation was retroacive to August 2010 but most was withheld since I was drawing Army Retired Pay. On January 15, 2011, I was back in the ER again for anemia & blood loss. This time got 3 units in the ER and 3 more upstairs. Took Nuclear Med to find the leak this time. On Feb 22, got 2 units pre-op and had the aortic valve replaced. After inpatient Rehab I was Transferred to a SNF for more therapy. In 3 days my pulse was down to 33 pm and I was back in an ambulanceon my way to Mercy Heart Hospital where they put in a pacemaker on March 9th. Went home and called Home Health to set up more therapy. Nurse said that I did not sound well....Back to Sutter ER.....Pneumonia plus fluid in the right lung, 800ml to be exact. At Cardiology follow up, Dr told me that all records would be sent to VA per their request. By August it was apparent that did NOT happen. So I ran around getting records for everything from 12/24/10 onward. ER visit on 1/15/11 had the magic phrase, “Myocardial Infarction” AKA Heart Attack. In January 2012 I was approved for 100% ( P ). and retroactive cto 1/15/2011, Then Dual Compensation was approved by the Feds and everything that had been previously withheld was added to the pot. Didn’t get around to adding my marriage into the claim until Jan 22 2014 at Bay Pines Regional VA here in FL. After a few months, they lost it....took in my copy and my Service Officer ran it upstairs where it was approved 4 days later retro to Jan 22, 2014. Check the current disability rate for a married VET and remember that it is TAX FREE.
So if you haven’t yet go get an AO Exam, it is FREE. and put in a claim for disability with a good Service Officer Locally and then find out who your Service Officer at The Regional Office is and keep after them week after week. Make copies of all paperwork,
and if you already have Medicare keep it, it comes in handy now and then.
From: John Thomas
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
I agree with all of you, a patient advocate is the way to go. When I lived in the Sherman area there was a good VA rep that really took care of you, Jimmy Petty. Great guy.
They did another eval on me after my bypass surgery, Jimmy suggested that I get checked again. They used an outside Hosipital and doctor for the testing and evaluation. I didn't go to the big place in Dallas. The odd thing, to me, was the doctor was an OD, that was the first time I ever had an Osteopath look at me. He was great.
The upshot was that they increased my disability level. That comes in handy now that I am 'retired'. Another thing you might think about is if you are using that money to pay bills, find out how much your spouse will get if you pass. Also who they should contact for questions.
From: Nancy Smoyer
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
My info on this is several years old, so correct me if I'm wrong, Bob. Another thing to know about AO is that because exposure is presumptive, if you have diabetes you are automatically eligible for 10% disability. If you are being treated for it, it's 20%.
I have diabetes with no family history or weight issues, so I attribute it to AO....and feel it's my badge of honor.
Nancy
From: Frank Burke
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
I applied for the Agent Orange thing; had a couple of visits with VA folks in Temple; and, received a letter telling me that I don't qualify. I get a 20% comp from VA plus my retired pay from USMC. As a retiree we have Medicare and TriCare4Life and use local civilian medical facilities with no sweat. We also get our pills from the USN at Carswell/Corpus Christi and no cost.
Back in 1984 and 1994, I had cataracts removed and lenses implanted -- first at Lackland AFB and second at AFB in Wichita Falls. This was before they cut off freebe stuff for retirees.
S/F,
Frank
From: Steve Pennington
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: VA CLAIM
I would get on the Registry, regardless. It establishes you as an in country veteran and gets you on the roster.
Steve
From: Steve Pennington
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: VA CLAIM
I would get on the Registry, regardless. It establishes you as an in country veteran and gets you on the roster.
Steve
From: Bob Nelson
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: Many Thanks for the Great Advice
Mike, a slight correct to your analogy if I may. VA is not a ship plowing through the waves...it is an iceberg floundering it's way through the sea of life.
Bob
From: Bob Nelson
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: Many Thanks for the Great Advice
Mike, a slight correct to your analogy if I may. VA is not a ship plowing through the waves...it is an iceberg floundering it's way through the sea of life.
Bob
From: Mike McNally
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: Many Thanks for the Great Advice
Thanks to all who have suggested methods to get the Veterans Administration to respond to a claim. I am trying to get my paperwork in order, again. I'll let you know when I've made some progress in finding out whether my documents are in the system.
I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble or to get them ticked off. I have the philosophy that everyone does what they think is right, otherwise they wouldn't do it. I know that bureaucracies take on a life of their own, which individual workers must often conform to.
I hope that the families of those who died without care will be compensated. I hope that those in need of care will get it ASAP.
When the VA ship is headed in the correct direction, and the priority problems have been dealt with, then the VA should fine-tune the submission process.
I hope the Congress will provide the funding to enable the VA to handle the volume of veterans who need assistance. Even a well-intentioned supervisor will have a difficult time making an inadequate system work well.
Thanks again for all the responses.
Mike McNally
From: Joe Ciokon
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: VA Claim
This is the answer Gary Rossio got from our local Veterans Legislative advisor. I also have a contact in New York to whom I could refer.
Joe
"Gary, sounds like an example of why vets ought to be going through a VSO or CVSO service office when they want to file a VA disability claim. Am sure Alex can refer this inquiry to his colleague at the LA VA Regional Office. Shouldn't be necessary to get elected officials involved with a congressional inquiry.
Am assuming Alex will let us know how this case gets resolved, and quickly.
It's good that Joe Ciokon reached out to our local Dan Diego veteran network for assistance. We can help!
Yours for vets,
Steve A."
From: Randy Kafka
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
I also had a physical for the Agent Orange Registry, the longest, in depth and most professional physical I ever had. It took just over four hours. The guy did two a day, and that was all he did, AO physicals. After a few months, it showed up on my file. No claim filed, but it is there if I need it. My servicing VA Clinic is the one in Pensacola. Only 8 years old, Large, co located with the Navy Branch Clinic for Corry Station (Navy Spy Headquarters) Just a great place.
Randy
From: Joe Ciokon
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: VA Claim
If he's as good as the ones here, yes. Steady as she goes, mate.
Joe
From: Steve Pennington
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: VA Claim
The ongoing discussion about VA claims prompted me to review my copy of the recent claim file. It includes a copy of the letter and claim originating with the local VFW Service Officer to the VA regional office in New York City and a hard copy response by form letter from the VA office in New York City acknowledging receipt of the claim.
So this is all I need to be assured that I’m in the system, right?
So now I just wait for the physical examination at the VA, is this correct? Or is there something else I should do like getting on the Agent Orange registry?
Steve
From: John Thomas
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: VA Claim
Good to know they changed the process. It took about a year to go through all the stuff they ran me through. Of course that was back a number of years ago:)
From: Bob Nelson
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
Right on, MIke.
Bob
From: Bob Nelson
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
You used to have to complete a map of Vietnam showing where you were geographically. Now if you were there A-O exposure is presumptive.
Bob
From: Steve Pennington
Date: June 2, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
Whether or not you are symptomatic of anything or actually filing a claim, if you were in country you need to go to the VA and get on the Agent Orange Registry. It is a simple process and takes 2 visits, the first visit is for lab work and the second is for a quick consultation. I had mine done at the VAMC in Seattle a couple of years ago and both visits were under a half hour. The work is done through the Environmental Exposure Clinic.
SLP
From: John Thomas
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
My experience with filing for the agent orange, was helped a lot when I was able to produce records showing where I was in 'Nam. There were certain areas, I do not remember which, where the defoliant was used. This makes the claim easier to process.
John
From: Joe Ciokon
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
Here is a response from someone I trust here in San Diego. You can bet actions will be taken. As far as VSOs, I had good success with both the DAV and the VFW. They are like bulldogs and will hold the VAs feet to the fire. Gary Rossio is former Director of the La Jolla VAMC, an Air Force Veteran and a member of our San Diego County United Veterans Council (UVC). Some years ago, they formed a group we call “OneVA” composed of key Veterans leaders in the community and meet once a month with the local VA leadership to discuss the issues. Here’s his response to the AFVN conversation.
Joe
From: MIke Miller
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
I went through AmVets and had a rep very similar to what you describe, Steve. After he retired, that office went through three other people who were simply putting in time. They didn't fight for us like their predecessor. The VFW here in Albuquerque, or at least the rep I got, was no help whatsoever. If I'd relied on this guy, I'd still be waiting. So, I took the responsibility of representing me back to me. I go see the highest level in the food chain I can get access to. Of course, I have to do a lot of research that way, but it feels better than leaving my case in the hands of some guy who may be so burned out that he doesn't do anything more than he just has to to get by.
Mike
From: MIke Miller
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
If you were in Country during Vietnam, you are presumed to have been exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. You need your DD214 to prove your In Country status. They then note your file with Agent Orange and anything presumed caused by AO is automatically eligible for rating...thus the medical exams but no other proof. However, they don't coordinate really well with the VA, which is why you want your medical records. I go in once a year now to obtain a hard copy of all my records. So they don't turn up missing.
Mike Miller
From: Garry Brill
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
The VFW Service Officer at the Albany, NY said being “in country” during a specified period of time (dates) was “presumptive” of Agent Orange exposure. The DD-214 plus service awards prove service at that time as I understand it.
Your question is best addressed to a service case officer at the nearest VA facility: VFW, American Legion and DAV all may have case officers who can answer your questions. I elected to deal with the VFW rep as I’m a life member of the VFW. During the interviews the case worker never asked about whether I was a member of the VFW or not. He treated me and my wife as if he were on a personal mission on our behalf, although I know he has many people whom he is serving.
Steve
From: Garry Brill
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
In 1999 I filed for disability with the help of the VFW Service Officer at the Albany, NY VA hospital. We had one brief interview and the claim was denied. I don't recall being asked to collect medical records at that time.
More recently I visited the current VFW Service Officer who spent a great deal of time with me and gave me a detailed list of medical records he wanted in support of the claim. At the second interview he assembled copies of the medical records I collected in support of the claim. He advised me that the portion of the original claim dating back to 1999, if approved could be subject to retroactive payment. The additional claims would not be retroactive.
The last contact with the VFW rep was in March or April when he advised me that physical examinations at the VA in support of my claim should be anticipated around October of this year.
Does anyone know if this is a reasonable time frame?
From what I hear, perhaps it might be prudent for me to inquire if my file is still in the system and not “lost.” Think I’ll do that on Monday. The VFW rep I've been dealing with this time seems to be on the ball and knowing what he's talking about.
Other suggestions anyone might have would be sincerely appreciated.
Steve Sevits
In Upstate NY
From: Garry Brill
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
Question...what is an agent orange certification?
Garry Brill
From: Mike Miller
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
Agreeing with Bob here. I've been there, done that.
First go to the VA Hospital and find a patient advocate who will walk you through the registration process. Do not accept no for an answer. Be prepared to sit there all day if you have to and remind them at appropriate intervals that you are still waiting. At the same time, find their Agent Orange department. Tell them you are getting a claim filed and want the Agent Orange certification. Take your DD214 with you to every appointment until you get the case filed. Then, if you are mobile, go to the closest VA Office and refile your claim in person.
Keep a running log with the date, time, place and name of EVERYONE you talk to. Then do as Bob said, find out which Congressman or woman is placed with enough tenure and military committee connections to be able to do something. One of the Armed Services Committees would be best. I've been told that Senator Barbara Boxer is very proactive and productive with Vet issues. But do the research and find out because I have no direct experience with her office.
Sounds like a lot, but the whole process should take NO MORE than a week to get the ball rolling. Take every scrap of paper or email correspondence you have to the Congressional office. Once you get their attention, they'll get some action moving. Also, sometimes I've gone all the way to the top of the local VA or VA Hospital to get action. Believe me when I say that under normal conditions, the last thing they want is one of us to get all the way to them to get things done, and the pressure is on high all over the country right now.
Here's some information you might find helpful at this website.
Mike Miller
From: Bob Nelson
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
Mike... Go political... The loudest voice you can find. See if your political choice has a mil rep - talk directly. Do it now.
Bob
From: Mike McNally
Date: June 1, 2014
Subject: My VA Experience
In March 2013 I had a heart attack and received a bypass operation. This operation was done at a civilian hospital and was covered by Anthem Blue Cross. A physician told me that Ischemic Heart Disease had been diagnosed and that this was a presumptive for Agent Orange compensation.
I went online and submitted a Fast Track VA claim. It said that Fast Track meant it would be handled within 30 days. After 60 days, I arranged for a VA callback to ask about the status of the claim. The lady said she did not see the claim in the system, but assured me that it would probably take longer to be processed.
After one year, not hearing anything, I submitted an online inquiry. In about a week, I was told via email that there was no record of my claim and that I should submit a hardcopy claim to an area service center.
I sent the forms and hospital records Certified, Return Receipt, to the VA Office in the Federal Building in West Los Angeles. USPS sent me an email saying they tried to deliver, but there was no one to receive it at 1015 on a Monday, not a holiday. USPS said they left a pickup notice but had no record of the envelope being picked up or delivered. They don't know where the envelope is, so I'm hoping it was picked up.
I sent another online inquiry asking VA whether the packet had been received. In about a week I got a reply that there was still no record of my claim, but that, if they had received it, it might take 75 days to be processed into the system. The messge suggested that I might want to resubmit online, just as I did a year ago.
What's that old saying? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
I am currently financially-challenged, so any VA compensation would be welcome. Also, due in part to my poor financial situation, I am now a Obamacare Outlaw without any health insurance. I get a good LA Water and Power pension, but it all goes to making minimum payments on mortgages and credit cards. I eat thanks to getting deeper in credit card debt. I'm stll supporting a lot of family members, but that's another story.
I've heard that if the VA honors my Ischemic Heart Disease claim, they might give me a VA card which will be considered Credible Coverage under Obamacare. At least that would cover me from having to pay a penalty on my tax return.
I defer my problem until the VA can settle with the families of those who have died and until they can give immediate help to those that need it. After that, they should take a look at the online and office systems.
Mike McNally
Veterans Administration - Claims and Experiences - Page 1
June & July 2014 and October 2014
Getting Treatment and Problems with the VA plus some Information on Agent Orange.
AFVN Group Conversations