Soliciting your VA experiences
I’m doing an interview on Monday afternoon in regards to how you guys are getting screwed over by the VA. So, if you folks can tell me some of the interesting things that have happened to you (wait times for claims and appointments, lost paperwork, irritating VA employees, etc…) it’d sure help me out. Since I mostly use MTFs, I haven’t had much experience with the VA, although I’m in the middle of one right now trying to get some leg braces, but that’s probably not enough to fill up a whole interview.
Category: Veterans' Affairs Department
RE: TSGLI claim made by one of my Marines (he is now in law enforcement).
Direct quotes from our texts:
2APR13 “Hey Doc. Any suggestions as to where I should go in order to get a better physician? Mine just won’t do my claim?”
4APR13 “They have not scheduled me for an appointment. They told me that they would call me back, but nothing yet. I think that I am going to have to try another place.”
15APR13 0726 hrs “Hey Doc, I’ve called the VA hospital in Long Beach several times in attempts to make appointments. They have given me many excuses and will not schedule me for an appointment once I tell them it’s for a TSGLI claim, they pretty much blow me off.”
15APR13 0824 hrs “I tried the VA hospital one last time and I spoke to the social worker that has been helping me. She told me that they can’t help me. She also told me that I should re-think putting in a claim since I got a 90% disability rating. She said that I should feel compensated enough.”
29APR13 “Typically the VA is great with me, but when I tell them it’s for a TSGLI claim they blow me off. Has —– got his stuff taken care of?”
And this is the same story for the name that was deleted from the 29APR text as well. Both Marines sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to more than 50% of their face. That injury according to TSGLI rates $100,000. They received $25,000 in 2006 and were told to go away. We are now fighting to get the TSGLi claim reviewed, but cannot file for a review without a VA doctor’s signature stating that their medical record from the burn center at BAMC actually records a TBSA claim of greater than 20% (which it does, I have the .pdfs to prove it).
$150,000 in TSGLI payout on hold because they refuse to schedule patients for a 10 minute appointment.
Jonn- I’ll email you mine. It’s a long story lol
Unqualified professionals (PhDs) practicing and opining outside of their venue.
ie. A psychologist diagnosing a ocular injury, PAs conducting mental health exams, etc.
Unethical and illegal.
I’ve been to the VA in Orlando and Louisville and both had terrible service. The employees, especially ones over the phone, are exceedingly rude. My thought has always been, “OK I can take it,” but what about the combat Vets who’ve given much more than I, possibly limbs or their peace of mind? You can talk to me like that all day long, but what about them? It just rubs me the wrong way.
When I had my first kidney stone about 4 years ago, I was in agony, and had no private insurance at the time. I decided to go to the VA hospital ER, and 5 hours later I was seen. After about two minutes of inquiry, I walked out of the ER with antibiotics and motrin, all the while being treated like dirt.
I called the ER two days ago to check the wait time was as I was told by the VA doc to go to the emergency room: 2-3 hour wait. I was in the private ER with my son 2 weeks ago, and we waited no longer than 20min to see a doc. Unacceptable.
i discharged in april 06, with a blown shoulder from iraq, and a broken back from a jump in april 05, i was given 30%. i filed an appeal in december of 06, finally had a hearing for my appeal in july of 08, and now, nearly 5 years later, still have not gotten a response. i check back on them regularly and am told my paperwork is being processed. not sure what that means, but i think it is VA talk for they are getting more lube.
so my shoulder was messed up in december of 04 in baghadad, finally in september of 2012 the VA performed surgery on it. so an 8 year wait, i guess that is typical. except my shoulder really is no better now, and the only follow up ive been able to get was 2 weeks after the surgery.
Smitty reminds me of my disability rating: 10% after a back injury that discharged me. I also appealed to no avail, that was ~7yrs ago.
mine would have only been 10% for 3 fractured vertabre, the IED to the shoulder was considered more for some reason. i have pain in my shoulder, but full use of the arm. my back is what causes problems.
It took me THREE appeals to get my claim approved for a 40% disability rating. The nice thing is that it was retroactive back to my 1st physical at the VA. I got decent chunk of money. I believe that it took me two and a half years to get it done.
I had several urology appointments at the VA in Minneapolis.EVERY single appointment went two to four hours past my appointment time. Because of that, I started going to private doctors and using Tricare because being paid on an hourly wage, the VA was actually costing me up to $75 per appt. in lost wages.
I wont even get into the poor knowledge of the doctors at the Minneapolis VA.
Relatively minor compared to some people but when using my CH33 I spent about 6 months convincing the VA that I hadn’t actually received an overpayment. I had dropped some classes and signed up for different ones right at the start of a semester and for whatever reason the VA office at the school told the VA I had dropped all my classes. In this confusion I guess the VA said cancel my payments, and they did.. I didn’t receive anything (Would love to see them try going 6 months shy about 6500 dollars…) My first alert that there is even a problem, since 3 months waiting for my first payment isn’t that uncommon, is a letter in the mail saying I’ve had an overpayment because I stopped my training. So after multiple times calling the VA, and being on hold for 2 or 3 hours each time, I finally got someone to look up and see that no the payment had never been deposited to my account. Of course then it took another 3 months before they finally did get all my paperwork filed and my payments were released. Side effect I had to put my entire tuition for that semester on my credit card so I could sign up for the next semester, since they didn’t send that out either and the school wouldn’t give me a deferment extension to let me enroll.
I left the Navy in August 1974. I filed my claim with the VA right away and in March 1975 received an answer. No computers, just a typed form, and later, in 1977, another letter from the Chicago VA office.
In Dec. 2009, I went over the Lovell VA Center to get a new ID card and a flu shot and, as my chiropractor requested, a cervical spine X-ray. I got the ID card in 2.5 weeks, the X-ray series the next day with a diagnosis. No hassles, no delays, nice people, pleasant atmosphere. Also, there was a sign on the wall in the flu shots area that stated vets can substituted VA prescription drug benefits for Medicare Part D. The co-pay was $8 for what they gave me.
In May last year, I got a booklet similar to my SocSec booklet from the DVA, outlining my benefits, nicely done and personalized. Oh, yeah, and in July 2012, the DAV sent a VSO van to the Kenosha area to answer questions and give vets help if they needed it. Nice people, very helpful. I saw quite a few WWII and Korean War vets while I was there, and a few in my generation, too.
What in the world has changed? It seems to me this is coming from the top down. What you guys are describing is not the VA I’ve run into.
Maybe it’s where I am, near Great Lakes Naval Station. If I need something, I simply go over there. They have all kinds of programs going on. I know Hines VA Center has a big wish list for donations to fund materials for their geriatric, homeless, and returning vet programs.
So why is my experience with the VA generally good, and not so much with other people? Is it the location or the VA in general? Because I truly haven’t seen any of the things you guys describe.
@10.
Probably because your a lady.
Just kidding.
My first son was born in Dec 2009 and I had him added to my disability dependant claim in Jan 2010, no problems. Submitted for adding my wife and second son on 21 June 2012, still nothing as of now, waiting for it to be reviewed. How hard is it for someone to look at the certificate copies and just add their names to the list?!
Had a lumber disketomy and laminectomy in June 2006; a few years later I had a review for increase in compensation due to increased pain and decreased mobility; the report the doctor took dictated just that but it was still denied by the review board saying there was not enough evidence, that they were satisfied in their opinion I was fine the way I was.
I’m having more spinal issues now with ruptured discs and bulging of the disc that was already cut, I turned in second opinion MRIs and consult reports from outside doctors back in March and the VA said they will consult with me in mid July about what they want to do. Meaning I will drive 1 hour each way to spend 5 minutes with a doc who will have me walk on my heels, toes, and then squat down, to tell me I’m fine (just like other past appointments) and send me back home and to let them know if things get worse. And I am only rated at 40% for DDD, ruptured discs, radiopathy of right leg and ringing in the left ear while people I know with a claim for a concussion or arthritis in their elbows get much higher. Awesome.
-Long wait in the adjudication of claim
CHECK
-Initial lowball of disability
CHECK
-Spotty ability to obtain and consistent lateness of appointment
CHECK
-Inability of the VA to use a test or screening result from a TRICARE provider defaulting to a second run through of the same screening complete the month prior
CHECK
-PISS POOR customer service (defined by rude telephone manners, not very informative directions to hard to find clinics, limited operation elevators, no signs to the stairways that I like taking vice waiting on the non-functioning elevators, etc…)
CHECK
-NO PARKING at the clinics/hospital
CHECK
It’s Gravel time!
90% DAV after fighting with the VA since 1995.
Denials of, or low balling of claims. To having them approved or rated higher only upon filing numerous NODs and appeals.
Denied 100% Unemployability despite wording to the effect in denial letter that despite not being able to any longer work in the vocation I had held for most of my adult life, there was something I could still do… literally. I did find something eventually, it took me 3 years and extreme poverty to get there though.
Currently VA Health care is pissing me off refusing to order an MRI or even X-rays for my neck. I have neuropathy in my left hand and my right (left is far worse), that is confirmed by EMG showing the Ulna Nerve stops in mid forearm of left arm, and before the wrist in right hand. Sure would like to know if the Degenerative Joint Disease in lower spine is present or not in my neck too (guarantee it is from addition symptoms).
They cut my kids off at 18 in my disability, I did not realize that between 18-26 you still can get additional compensation for dependents if they are still in school. 3 years since oldest turned 18, but he has been in school all along… more paperwork, more time waiting for them to process tha through the system as if it is a “disability claim” instead of a simple adminstrative procedure.
Filing for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea next week, supported by treatment for associated conditions while on Active Duty. look forward to them denying it or low balling the percentage on that too… even with CPAP, bet they give me a lower rate if approved.
Retired 2007, (23 years service) with complete physical and 170+ pages of documentation
Went to DAV and filed-
High Frequency Hearing Loss (Jet Deaf)
Tinnitus due to Anthrax Inoculation series (AD USAF Drs at Malcom Grow Andrews AFB hipped me to this common and irrversable side effect..at least it wasn’t suicide another problem with the anthrax shots. {:-(
Multiple Degenerative Discs in lower back.
Tore both tendons in feet Plantar Faciitis. Wear custom orthotics.
Initially rated 10% in 2009, DAV rep went back and requested appeal. By 2010 upgraded to 30%.
I was told I’m not “deaf enough yet” by their minimum standard but as I get older my hearing loss *will* get worse and then I can come back and ask them to appeal and change it to 40% when I can no longer hear. Lovely
Just filed online for adding my new daughter in February 2013, gave them her new SS number. Computer says “Still Need Documentation” even though I sent it twice on the eBenefits it says “Development Letter Sent” whatever that means. I only got a form letter saying that they are reviewing my submission and because of the increased workload they are unable to give me any estimated time this will be completed.
Just adding a dependent to your record?
Ugh.
Got off active duty with a 10 percent disability for my knee (torn ACL, MCL and meniscus) and some other issues. Was instructed to head over to the VA hospital in Martinsburg to see a doctor in order to check up on my knee. Sat around the exam room for THREE hours. There wasn’t a doctor or a nurse in sight for me to even ask WTF was taking so long!
Finally, a doctor came in, looked at my chart, asked me to walk around the exam room and released me.
What a fabulous waste of my day!
I started my claim for dependency for my two sons back in 2009. My oldest is in college and I provided proof that he was going to school. That part of the claim went through with no problems. My youngest son has Autism. I provided proof with a medical statement from two doctors that he was a helpless child. Now, I did 20 years in the Army and I had a lot of duty stations and the VA wanted my son’s medical records from all the places that I have been stationed. I have his med records and gave it to them. I have been asked by the VA no less that 6 times to provide his med records from the different hospitals, even though they have everything. I was told during the first two times that the VA had nothing as proof and that it must have been misplaced. I had the American Legion as reps for 2009-2010 and changed to the DAV about 2011. I get periodic updates that they are still working the claim about twice a year. My youngest son is now my perm dependant but the VA won’t take DEERs as proof of his disability.
2 year wait on my claim, finally had to call my senator to light the fire under their ass.
Civilian doctor told me that my TBI wasnt anything serious and that I should just get over it. Sure it was a mild TBI but I am still getting migraines, that I never had before the VBIED blast, to this day.
Same doctor told me that my shoulder problems were the result of a frozen shoulder, when I asked the physical therapy guy about it he made me put my arm behind my back. Turns out if my shoulder was frozen I couldnt have done that at all.
Nerve conduction test that was done in Germany showed that I had a decrease in nerve conduction in my lower back. I get the same test done at the VA and they tell me I am fine. They didnt even hit my lower back with the needle like the Army doc in Germany did, they only went as high as my upper thigh. So I question how valid the VA’s test was.
Lost my records not once but twice, then asked to keep my set of records so that they could verify that they were correct. Not only no but hell no, I gave them a copy of mine.
My mental health doctors are pretty good, but some of the other ones are just plain uncaring. I have been treated like a dirtbag looking for a handout, or someone lying to get benefits. All I want is to not live in pain every damn day, and get treated a bit better by professionals who are suposed to “Put the veteran first”.
When I retired in ’08, I went to the VA clinic at Sill, just to get the lay of the land and ask a few questions, ie processes and required documents. I walked through the door and stood at the receptionist’s counter. When the receptionist deigned to grace me with her gaze, she said, “What do YOU want?”
I replied, “The exit.” I haven’t been back since.
I would much rather make the trip to OKC (Big thumbs up to them, BTW) to the VA clinic there than deal with the apathy so readily displayed by the Ft Sill VA.
In addition, checked out the Detroit VA since it was in my region, I just wanted to find someone to talk to, you know seek out the VA counseling as advised and was asked by the Nurse Practitioner/”therapist” whatever you call him, “what kind of drugs do you want?” WTF.
@13. “Initial lowball of disability”
Yep.
Also made by unqualified practitioners.
I filed my claim on February, 2012. My claim is for PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression. At the time, my VSO helped me fill out the necessary paperwork, including the release for my medical files for the Veteran’s Center counselor. I sent it in with my DD-214 and DD-215. A few months later, I was told that they never received the release for my medical files and they required official copies of my DD-214 to process my claim. I was told that I had 30 days to send the information in or summary judgement would be reached on my claim. So, I contacted the VA about obtaining a copy of my DD-214 and was told that it may take up to 60 days. Not to mention, it would be shipped literally from the floor below where I needed to send it. I contacted my VSO and he told me that what I sent in (DD-214 and DD-215 printed from his office), was what was required. He mailed in the copies of my release and DD-214/215 for me. A couple of months ago, March 19th to be specific, I received a letter from the VA telling me that could not locate my medical jacket. They could not find it in the Records Management Center in St Louis, the National Guard State Surgeon’s Office in Oregon, the Defense Personnel Records Imaging System, of DoD/AHTLA – VHA/CAPRI records interface. The letter told me that it was my responsibility to provide them with a copy of me medical jacket to prove my claim. Last time I saw my medical jacket, I was in Walter Reed. A couple of days later, on the 25th, I receive a letter stating that my DD-215 showed that I received the “Iraq Campaign Medical” (their typo, it was supposed to be Medal). However, they were unable to determing if I deployed to Iraq or Southwest Asia as my DD-214 does not show any foreign service. Yeah, it also shows me as having 1 year and 7 months in my MOS and that I deployed as an E-3 (I deployed as… Read more »
In January 2006 I reported to the Hampton VA after a very rough week. A friend had committed suicide by cop the previous Monday and I had a hard time dealing with it. I had never been there before, I was registered quickly and taken to the ER. I waited for three hours and was called in to Triage. I told the nurse that I had a PTS diagnosis and was suicidal. She said that the on call Psychiatrist goes home at 3:00, (It was now 3:30.) She offered to let me wait in line behind her “real” patients with actual medical problems and warned that it would be at least six more hours. I reiterated that I was borderline suicidal and just wanted something to help me calm down and sleep. She then suggested that I come back on Monday for the walk in PTS Clinic. I went to an MTF to get what I needed. Two months later I got up my courage to go back and was told that there was no PTS clinic and never had been. I was told this only after I had wandered the campus for an hour going to every clinic with initials to see if it was the right one. I finally ended up in a walk in STD clinic and lost my stuff. A nice PA led me to the Psyche unit to set up an appointment. They gave me the initial contact form which asked for specific details of my trauma (where did you serve, did friends die, did you fire your weapon etc.) This was of course, re- traumatizing. I turned the form in and they told me that they would call me with an appointment time. When they called to set the appointment they complained about my handwriting and asked four of the hardest questions, told me to there at a certain date and hung up. Once I got in I went through a PTS orientation that was awesome and had a good counselor. The Vet Center has also been a great help. But still when I… Read more »
Ex-ph, the people at the OKC VA hospital where i go, are very friendly and try to be helpful. it just takes forever to get anywhere. appointments usually have waits well beyond your appointment time, but i blame that on highering more beurocrats instead of doctors and nurses. it isnt the employees that ya see at the hospital ive ever had problems with, its how long it takes to get an appointment, then to get anything back once ya have the appointment.
Almost all of my VA encounters have been fine with the exception of a couple. I was never informed about my compensation and pension appointment until the day after it happened, by chance because the OEF/OIF case manager happened to see it and called me. The Comp & Pen people told me they called me and mailed a reminder, but I live a mile from the VA so it would be pretty hard for even the USPS to lose that letter and I never spoke to anyone or received any voicemails. But my case manager squared me away and I only had to wait another 3 months instead of the usual year or two that people have to wait to get another Comp & Pen appointment. My only other irritation is having to wait 6 hours in the waiting room for a doctors appointment only to be told he needed some more X-rays before I came in, extending my trip to the VA by another two hours. My dozens of other encounters have been very good though. Friendly people and fast wait times.
I don’t know where most of you go for your VA care (places aren’t mentioned in all of them) but really, where I go must be an absolute abberation. I go to Bay Pines facility in Clearwater/St Pete FL. While some waits can be long, I’ve had nothing but VERY positive experiences there. Its a huge facility, lots of vets, but not once have I had bad people helping me, bad doctors, or anything like that.
I go in expecting a wait; its a pain, but hey, its part of the system. The waits are not days/years like for a claim; I am getting ready to go into that part of the system soon. I expect that I may have a change of heart.
But for now, my care has been first rate, friendly, and actually better than expected. SO FAR…
Got out in 2008, submitted my claim through an American Legion liaison when I was checking out of my unit for Tinnitus, bum knees and a heart condition that was found doing a physical to be a MRAP driver in Iraq.
VA scheduled ALL 3 of my doctors appointments on the same day within 15 minutes of each other on opposite ends of Atlanta. Called in and said that they would need to reschedule because there was no possible way I could make it to all 3 appointments even if I could teleport there.
Response I got in effect was: “Welp, that sucks. Nothing we can do for you. Hope you enjoy getting a 0% rating for 2 of your conditions since you wont make it to the appointments. Your more than welcome to appeal the decision when it comes back.”
Needles to say after a lot of talking to “supervisors” I only missed one appointment. I would rather pay a regular doctor for actual care than ever go back to the VA even if it’s free.
No parking, doctor’s change once a year, on time for appointment 15 mins. early, two hours after appt. time might see nurse, 30 mins. later a doctor. Sent paperwork in to review my 40% disablity, eight months later they reported my injuries was not worse. Two days later I get a letter asking can I send my medical file, they do not have it. I go to a private doctor unless it is disability related.
I put paperwork in for vocational rehab. V.A. said that I missed my first appt. that I never received a notice for. The second appt. that was set up was on the day that a hurricane came by Jacksonville FL were my appt. was. Radio and TV asked everyone to stay off the roads so I didn’t go. I was informed that since I was a no show on this appt. that I would not receive any further appts. I was evaluaded by a vocational rehab. specialist before I left active duty.
I retired in 2000, getting a joint final/VA physically in the process. This process worked as intended, I received a 20% rating for degenerative disk and class 2 hypertension, and started getting monthly pension checks as soon as I retired. Due to being pissed of by tricare providers I decided to open up my health care options and contacted the Local VA to get into the health care system. It took a few hours of phone calls, ( over three days) being put on hold, transferred and losing signals to set up an appointment. The Appointment itself was pleasant and efficient, I got my VA ID card and a local clinic location. That being said, because I was retired and already in the system I didn’t have to produce a DD214 or any records, as they had them from my retirement Physical,’ For a few years IO bounced between my tricare Doctor and The VA clinic, depending on my issue. I went tricare for everyday things but got my high blood pressure meds through The VA. My Tricare doc also noted I should be screened for sleep apnea, which ended up being paid for by the VA. They used a Civilian facilty for that and I have been using a CPAP since Jan 2011, and have nothing but praise for the customer service they give me. But I must stress that the people who provided My CPAP and up keep it are on contract with the VA, not part of it. I have dealt with the CPAP section at LaJolla and the were just block checking cronies. My VA physician at the time wasn’t a bad guy but he was atypical of others I would have in the next 2 years. They were contracted physicans that were more interested in documenting they had seen a patient then examining me. The worst thing was that they never got my hypertension undercontrol. It almost cost me my life and it have now affected me greatly. In April of 2011 I had a massive stroke, a blain bleed from a ruptured vessel in… Read more »
Just today in fact:
Had LASIK eye surgery this morning from a local LASIK surgeon here in Nashville. I need to get some special medicated eye drops to put in my eyes. Since the only insurance I have is VA, my first stop to try to get the prescription filled was the Nashville VA hospital. Went to the pharmacy, waited just a couple minutes, went to the window and got told they can’t fill prescriptions from outside providers and I had to be seen by a doc there so they could write me a prescription that could be filled there. Went over to the ER and gave them all my info and told to wait for a doc. My wife drove me around to all this so she’s waiting there with me. After an hour and a half, my wife and I are anxious and just need to see the provider. Mind you, all I need is for the VA doc to rewrite a prescription that the eye surgeon already wrote. I can’t imagine that its that hard to do. I told them to cancel my name out and that I would go to the grocery store pharmacy and get the eye drops and pay for them out of my pocket, since I have to go to school today and attendance at school, on time, is mandatory. Turns out the eye drops cost over $300. Screw that. So, it is currently 1330 hours here and I’m in school from 1420 to 2105. After school tonight I’m going back to the VA hospital to wait around again for who knows how late into the night so I can get something simple like get a prescription rewrote so they can fill it. More to follow…….
20 month wait on VA disability claim but a ton of back pay. It eventually worked out but, if I didn’t have a friend working in the regional VA office, it would have taken longer
Jonn, Good luck with the interview. I have been waiting on my claim to be processed since January 7 2012. I retired Oct 31 2011. I am using an AMVET rep to help with the claim. I had a complete Physical done at West Point and all of my Medical issues documented, however the VA felt that I needed to see VA Doctors. I was on Tricare Prime Remote my last 4 years and had 2 shoulder surgeries as well as numerous injections into my neck for nerve issues. This is just the tip of my medical issues, 5 years on status at Bragg has taken a toll on knee’s and back. Anyway my biggest bitch is the time it takes to process a claim. Make sure you post a link to the interview, I look forward to seeing it. Also good luck with the braces I hope it works out for ya..
A few months ago I called to make an appointment to see a doctor about a sinus infection. I got one of those telephone recordings saying for this press 1, for that press 2, for the other thing 3, ect. I waited till I got the prompt for scheduling and changing appointments pressed the number and got a very friendly lady who told me I could not schedule an appointment with her but she would go leave a posted not for the person that could make one to call me back. She told me she wasn’t sure if they would call me back and that if I didn’t hear back from them in three days to call again. Waited three days then called again, got a recording saying scheduling is closed and call back next business day. This was at 1pm on a Friday. Everyone had apparently left early since it was a federal holiday that Monday. I then had to wait till Tuesday and called again by now my sinus infection was also an ear infection and I was missing work. Waited through all the prompts till I got the one for scheduling. After a couple minutes on hold the phone was answered by a very angry sounding guy who told me this wasn’t even the right number for making appointments. He rattled of a phone number I should call if I wanted to make an appointment and was upset that I asked him to repeat it. I hung up and called this new number just to hear a recording saying the number you have dialed is no longer in service. I called the VA again, got the same asshole tried to explain that the number he gave me was no good and had him tell me to stop wasting HIS time, before he hung up on me! I drove down the road to a little clinic for uninsured and paid $180 to get seen and some medicine. I work at a gas station for $8.00 Hr. $180 dollars is a small fortune for me.
Well, mine is kinda simple. I came off title 10 orders on Sep 30, 2012, still waiting on resumption of benefits. VA.gov shows the estimated date of completion as 03/14-09/14…
Just to turn it back on!!
Lets not even go into the claim to adjust my percentage for re-injuring myself and getting to have another surgery…while on active duty orders.
How about complaints about the VA by a VA employee.
Update:
My eye surgeon is awesome. She called me in the afternoon to check how I was doing, and I related the story to her about waiting at the VA and then getting an outrageous quote from the other pharmacy on the cost of the eye drops. She did some calling around herself, then called me back and told me the name of the generic stuff that the Walmart pharmacy has in stock. Went to Wally world and got the eye drops I need for $21. Screw dealing with the VA. And Loden Vision Center in Nashville is good people.
I have been figthing TSGLI for a shoulder surgery that I had in 2008 . Paperwork have gone back and forth between TSGLI and me and my doctor and 14 months later Im still waiting on someone to tell me what else they need to go forward with my claim.The latest is that my claim (appeal) is in the final stages (whatever that means) and they cant tell me anuithing over the phone.
My injury, (disability) is small change compared to you guys posting here. So I won’t bother with telling you about it. I will say I gave up, paid for the tests and things I needed myself. Over two year wait just for approval/disapproval for a hearing test. Never got either. Phone support is like talking to your ex-wife’s mother. Face to face support is when you say “Hello my name is…” and they respond like you just called their kid and family a bunch of inbreeds. My summation, Veterans are their fucking CUSTOMERS, not a pest at their window or desk. CUSTOMERS who keep them in a job, not a piece of paper with a claim number on it which is all I was to them. I feel for those like you who need leg braces and worse. If I were a gojillionaire I would pay for every vet I could find to get the help they need. If mine was worse I would have done the battle with them but at this point I wouldn’t take my wife’s cat to the VA…and I hate my wife’s cat. I feel badly for all of you who have to be stuck in the system and pray you get the help you EARNED and rightfully DESERVE.