A large number of veterans grapple with mental health issues after returning from deployment, and for many, the effects of these issues can be severe. Recent reports have revealed that veterans have been found to have a higher risk of suicide than the general public, leading to a call for improved mental health resources.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has now announced a new initiative to try and tackle the issue of veteran suicide. Under the new policy, any veteran that has is having suicidal thoughts or behavior will be eligible for free emergency mental health care at a VA or non-VA facility. This includes up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.
These benefits are available to veterans regardless of whether they are enrolled with VA Healthcare.
The VA’s new policy aims to address the concerning trend of veteran suicide rates by providing free mental health resources to veterans in need.
The VA’s new policy is a major step forward in helping to provide critical support for our veterans. By offering free emergency mental health care, veterans in a suicidal crisis can gain access to the professional care and resources they need to help manage their mental health issues and hopefully find relief from the daily struggles they may face.
It’s important to recognize that the VA’s new policy is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to preventing veteran suicide. It’s also critical that we continue to provide access to more mental health resources, including reaching out to our veteran community to better understand their needs and seek out support. Ultimately, preventing veteran suicide will require a joint effort from both public and private sectors.
Veterans who are currently struggling can be connected to specialized help by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 and then pressing 1.
So you were not drafted you chose to join but for those who faced prison time if they didnt signe on the dotted line when drafted by Uncle same had no choice military or prison or lea e the country, so to me a draftee your stupid comment is disrespectful to a Draftee!
I was at 2 Airforce Base and both shut down because of chemicals spills. I have had bad health forever after my discharge. I have filed HLR and can’t get a honest answer for over a year now about my disability. Please print this comment so all of us still waiting for needed benefit. THANK YOU.
Get a lawyer. The VA has no interest in an individual fighting for himself.
Go to the website REE Medical they will take of you i was at 20% and they got me 100%, you have nothing to lose
Sorry to hear what happened to you. With the way the government works and cares for those of us who gave everything for our country. I am a Vietnam Veteran and returned to the states sick. After a while I learned about Agent Orange attacking my entire body. The government refused to admit to poisoning us abe we had no disability rating or benefits. From 1960 until 2021 cared about or supported us. After over fifty years of suffering on January 20, 2101, Joe Biden became president and one of his first acts was to grant 100% disability with compensation and full benefits to Vietnam veterans. (Trump has stated that his first act as president will be to take it away from us). My recommendation is for you to contact CCK Lawyers. The serve only veterans all over the country. I would suggest that you contact Christine Clemens at [email protected]. Her phone number is 401 315-3805..You can give her my name, David Goldman. Overthe years she has been great with me. My email is [email protected] if you want to contact me. Good lick.
Get an attorney. They will work for payment later .
I hope Bingo does not work for the VA.
The system is not broken, it’s intake that is broken.
Veterans have to remember that proof is their responsibility. The more paperwork the better when applying for benefits and knowledgable intake worker with good attitude.
I continue having cong shot at me and began wake up hollering in the morning
If you have PTSD, you really need to learn about EMDR. Find a practitioner on the internet. There are even practitioners that are accepted by Medicare and there are some in the VA system. I carried my PTSD for over 50 years, in about 6 weeks, no flashbacks, nightmares, depression. Wow, it was truly like magic. Huey pilot in Nam.
Really
PTSD is a life sentence with many tentacles you find out about your personality as you get older and you have no family.
The VA tried to overdose me on Fentanyl. I died. They brought me back. After years of WHY? I now know why.
Boomers better stay out of the VA if at all possible. Ppl still work from home.
Working from home is great!! Because you can get mental help therapy and do groups from your home office !
Wow in Nam. I know you must have had horrible PTSD. I’m happy you got the help you needed and I pray for the others to get the help they need. Thank you for your service. From one vet to another🌹
The problem is Vets gave up their college & Trade School Years to join the military and then after 5-10 years they get out and then realize the job they had in the military doesn’t mean crap in the civilian world and then struggle to find a job that pays enough to live. They then get depressed and realize they are way behind others their age and are basically started as if they just got out of high school, but now they are late 20’s & early 30’s. NOBODY CARES!
I tell all my friends to not let their kids join the military but instead go to college or a trade school or they will be left behind. I know this isn’t a popular comment I’m leaving but it’s true.
If you let it it is true to you! I completed my BA and MS. I never felt that was true! I always remained positive!
Stephan,
I agree with you 100%. There are opportunities offered while on active duty that can keep you from falling behind your counterparts on the outside. It is up to the individual to take advantage of the programs.. I took night and weekend classes every where I was stationed. After eleven years the education office pulled all my courses together and I finished 3 BS degrees and 1 Ms before I hit the 14 year mark. When I retired I had finished two more degrees and came out the door into a great job. And I was not a desk jockey I was in a operational combat AFSC.
Joe, I hear you. I did 18years of active duty only to be medically discharged for having bad knees. Single dad with three kids I struggled to find a job and ended up at McDonalds. Then I went to college, got my BA degree and the college kept me to be a teaching grad assistant. The last 25 years I have done as well or better than most people my age, but it was a huge humble pie to eat and my kids grew up poor. We all have a good life now. I highly recommend college first and then military.
After 18 years active duty in MC I was medically discharged for a runner’s knee. Originally they tried to award me 0% disability, but I appealed and got 10%. I collect $165 per month and no benefits. I have never been to the VA nor do I plan to go. I have no interest in reapplying to claim ringing on my ears or any other fake stuff to get a higher rating. I am proud that I served my time, but when I was discharged I never looked back. I do not believe anyone owes me anything. I enlisted, served proudly and got out. End of story.
I hear you wow
Joe,
I served in the USAF and got out after 3 years to go to college. I am now 61 and have suffered from depression all of my life. I have only good things to say about the VA. The have stood by me through thick and thin and they still take care of me today.
Oh yeah good for you
It would be nice if the VA could force or pass a law that any Federal Contractor or Federal Agency cannot discriminate against a Veterans Age to be employed. The Employment Management, Group or Department, should not let a persons age prevent them from being picked up. The position should allow the persons qualifications such as Education or a combination of experience and education support them to be Employed!
No that is not the problem. Idiots do not get higher education degrees , licenses, and certifications when they are in the military. Idiots are the issue. You are the problem BocaJoe
I make $124,000.00 per year. No college degree. Served in the Military 12 years, nine months and eleven day, all over the world on land air and sea, including two wars. Medical canceled my third war deployment so I left the military. I was diagnosed with PTSD, so I got a friend and a garden. In 2021 she was murdered and my garden was taken from me by my HOA, so I have nightmares again. I find sleeping with a gun helpful, and I am still working making $124,000.00 per year, no college degree. Some people are just lazy.
You make 124,000 doing what? Selling dope.
Joe those got dam Ho’s
And some people are just crazy Joseph!
Wow your smart
Brother, while your argument sounds good, it holds no water. We, the individuals, fail ourselves as we need to take the opportunities provided while in the service. We are the ones who choose not to attend school while in the military. I did so and left the service with two masters and no debt. And no, I’m not an officer; I am a retired NCO (20 years active) the one thing I counsel my Soldiers to do is invest in themselves and their families by attending college. I am an artilleryman.
Good for you, Jose. But those opportunities are not available for all military people. I worked 60-120 days straight and typically 12-20 hours per day. The rest of the time I slept. I was in a really terrible unit. The morale was super low. So it all depends on where you are stationed.
Wah! Wah! Wah! Sometimes the jobs in the Military are not easy or fun. You were not drafted.
True, it happened to me but I didn’t let that hold me back. I went to college, I got my degree, then bounced around at various jobs, eventually got a job at the VA. I was able to bridge my service time with my years working at the VA now I’m retired. The one thing I learned in the Marines is you have to make your own luck. No one is waiting on the outside just waiting for a veteran to show up. Many interviews went south for me. I was called a baby killer among other things, I didn’t want that kind of job anyway. But I made it happen.
If someone wants to serve their Country. I signed up at 17
It is a shame that it has taken so long for someone to care about those who sacrificed so much. Every veteran should march to Washington DC and let politicians know how we feel. We should never have to beg for anything. Freedom is never free. Let’s pass law that says if you don’t do your elected duty you don’t get paid or any benefits. I promise they will change.
Captain Michael Benge, USN Enlisted, USCG Merchant Marine Officer Disabled-Retired, Brother Hardy I agree 100% and if we can just let these jerks do this for one year, I believe they might get the picture. NAAAA they have never had to live and survive with very little or nothing before, and do without to provide for there loved ones. Welcome Home Brother, and Remember the fallen, and support the living.
I’m 100% service connected disabled veteran, most of us that have asked for help, at the VA, are treated more like jail, like the Cincinnati VA, where rooms and treatments are just like jail cells, and even those seeking help, are treated as violent prisoners, not veterans !
I am a 100% disabled vet. I think we all struggle at times with mental issues some severe some not, it’s life. But I also have come to the realization that munch of my mental anguish is caused by the VA itself. It seems like all I do is fight with the administrators of my health care. Now let me say that right now I have great doctors at the VA. Yes I’ve had some bad ones but right now they are good. But getting the care that my doctors have ordered and could be considered essential has been canceled by VA Administrators way to many times. Now I am strong enough to fight for my care and try to figure it out not just for me but the other vet that does not know how that is in the same situation. Those vets are the ones that I worry about, that no longer have the fight. 22 was the number of the past 53 is the new number that is in my opinion feed by the VA Administration.
Agreed 100% I get overwhelmed and anxious just walking into the VA like what will it be this time… being cancelled and moved multiple times… it is overwhelming when you just need help. Maybe more contracts with community providers would be a benefit to everyone involved
You should be able to have access to Care in the Community. I too have this anxiety…
Push to have your care in the comnunity due to “veterans best interest”.
Just have to warn you that malicious va employees will take any innocent events and turn them into tools to hinder authentic care even out there.
Still, i encourage you to call va hotline and talk to them.
You have to advocate for yourself…as best you can.
Bs
I am a 100% service-connected Vietnam & Gulf War Veteran and have been in the system for over 30 years now. I find the VA medical system to currently be the best it has ever been. You should have been involved with the VA during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Since 2000 things started changing in the VA and have steadily improved. You are no longer put off by we can’t help you with that or you will have to wait your turn, or we don’t provide those services. Pretty much all of the VA medical staff are now listening and providing help anyway they can now. Also, LettyC, I have never encountered what you describe as Malicious VA employees ever, even in the 80s and 90s when most of the VA staff was indifferent about most things except their paychecks.
I just wanted to say that I can relate to your story on so many levels. VA Administrators act like our benefits are coming out of their personal bank accounts. Malicious tampering happens all the time.
Especially, those whose stories lay responsibility upon the military and government.
Thanks, for telling your story. Thanks for fighting.
You make a very good point. I’ve had similar experiences with VA doctors and nurses. I had two nurses that drove me to tears. They were dogging me about my weight. I had just gotten bladder sling surgery. It took me a really long time to wake up, my lung function was just 46% and I couldn’t get out of the bed. They kept complaining about me and telling me that I couldn’t leave because if I fell, they would have to help me up and would end up being injured because of my weight.
I also had a neurosurgeon poke me in the belly and say that I wouldn’t fit on the table because because “I’m kind of large.” Fortunately, I have since lost most of that weight. But I don’t care if I weigh 3000 pounds, no doctor or nurse should be allowed to publically humiliate me. I was “kind of large” because of my thyroid. And I have a tough time waking up from anesthesia because that’s the way I’ve been for years.
I have been the butt of weight joke for over 20 years. I’ve been needing a knee replacement for 12 years. My weight is now fine. The only thing holding me from the surgery now is my A1C from the diabetes the VA gave me. The neurosurgeon with whom I had the consultation – the one who poked me in the belly – decided that shots in my lower spine would be in my best interest. Three weeks after my last shot, my blood sugar shot up to 610! It was 124.
I’m still in the A1C battle. At my last VA visit, it was 12.5. It needs to be about 7. So, I still have a battle. I’ve lost more weight but that A1C is still my sticking point. Please pray that it goes down. I’ve recently had my diabetes medicine changed. I have much better care now. They are actively trying to help me lower my A1C. My blood pressure is much better now. It used to be 135/90. Now, it’s 115/70 – not bad for a 63-year-old woman who is 100% P&T!
Having to fight to get care after relocating due to cost of living and not getting back into counseling for 4 years due to covid bs and to top it off finding out I have copd while having never smoked. Yea it’s fun
I have used VA since I got out of service in 1983 with a SC issue. I fought the claim they awarded me for over 20 years and other issues before a BVA Judge ordered them to go back and review it all. DAV in Boise ID is worthless after the change of people there. My PD at the CBOC in Caldwell ID is only allowed 15 minutes per client and the nurses come and knock on the door and tell him he’s running behind.
Individualized services are out the window and it’s all about handing out pills. God Bless you if you have a real medical condition requiring a real doctor to address. It’s changed in past 15 years but so has the world we live in. This will be how Socialized Medicine will be practiced in this country if it continues down this road. All congressmen and senators as well as administrative staff of our government should have to use this VA system. That would evoke change!
Sorry what’s happened for you and your misunderstanding. I’m 76 and a Vietnam Marine combat vet. I’ve received outstanding care from Reno, San Francisco, LA, Austin and other locations. I’ve had multiple surgeries including meniscus repair, total shoulder and knee replacements as well as back surgery. I’ve received exceptional care. Your comments are personal and uninformed.
I suspect this man has his own experience. You cannot discount what he has experienced so how do you say it is uninformed? I am a retired Army CPT Physician Assistant (68 y/o). I still work occasionally. Many people do not have good experiences with the VA. Happy that you do and did.
Some of the Doctors in the VA put you on the back burner not being taken care of properly.
My Dr at the VA is a mean ass SOB, But I have a good Mental health team who helps me better, so I put up with the SOB.
AMEN my
Brother-in-Arms! You hit the nail on the head!
I have a big loosing case the 1st thing I wanted was my medical records from when I was in the regular Air Force the only thing that I got back was 16 and a half years of national guards which showed no medical problems it took about 4 months to get that now what
I was confined to the hospital in Dayton Ohio VA center for 2 weeks. I walked into the ER so depressed I was ready to end my life. After interview with doc 2 armed VA police officers escorted me to the mental ward. This was not the first time I needed mental help. In the early 70’s tried to OD on pain medication, in the late 70’s tried get local police to shoot me after crashing road block. Prozac made it worse, drugs turned me into zombie. Now I just avoid crowds of people, shop for food a few items at a time quick in and out. I hate people 90% of the time I spend most of my time alone. My VA report says “mild PTSD. I haven’t been able to hold a none union job since Viet Nam. Union always got me out of trouble when I lost it at work. I filed for disability for agent orange finally got 10% for Thyroid damage which comes off my retirement and is non taxable as income. I am afraid to apply for PTSD I don’t want to relive the madness I went through before it is not worth it just to change my retirement to disability. I would rather suffer in silence than deal with the VA again.
I understand your reluctant to file for ptsd. I first had a VA shrink diagnose me with cptsd due to mst. Then I filed, became homeless but got awarded after about 3 years.
If you have C&P exams and answer honestly you will be fine and get whatever award you deserve. Exams are set up to answer specific questions on DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaires) and are not personal. Be honest. Get what you deserve.
The VA is a piece of shit. My suggestion for preventing suicides would be more productive but the VA has already be proven wrong on this suggestion. They won’t listen to my suggestion bc they don’t want to admit how incompetent they have been throughout the years. I can prove their corruption n lies.
lol the VA and proactive don’t mix shit they have already gone “woke” that would be consistent with the rest of their actions and idiocy. A larger group of totally ineffective and incompetent people have never been assembled.
You are completely clueless.
Sherrill, please don’t give unwanted comments. If it’s not your experience then you don’t understand how they feel. When you disagree with an opinion, it’s best to ignore it and save the unwarranted comments! This what a true Vet does. Thank you for your understanding.
I went to the VA Mental Health for the 1st time in Ft Wayne. When i got there they told me that my doctor called off. I had two missed VA calls but never left a voice mail about my appointment being canceled. But I held my ground, I told I drove 1 1/2 hours to get there, so better find me a doctor to talk too or I was going to have the biggest meltdown that they have never seen before and I would be telling the new channels that veterans are better off going to civilian doctor, because VA docs like to call off anytime they feel like and let’s the vet hanging with what is wrong with them. They found me a doctor 45 minutes later and he was a nice guy and listened to what I had to say.
I went to the MHVA for 25 years with an insomnia issue I could stay awake for 30 days or longer and still do. 25 years and absolutely no help, I’ve lost so much respect and trust in MVHA I no longer allow them to treat me. I have extreme depression and anxiety I’m 80% disabled because of severe chronic pain and when I ask for help from MHVA they branded me a drug addict and a manipulator of the system only looking for a buzz, I’ve had three major surgeries on my back and MHVA had arranged for me through community services to get surgery from a Ballad Health Hospital for a fourth surgery but I was treated worse than a cartel member for asking for the same thing help with the pain. I have left the Mountain Home Veteran Administration for good and the only health system locally around Kingsport Tennessee is Ballad Health I’d rather die in my recliner crying like a little bitch than be treated by my own country men like a dog. I travel approximately 50 miles outside Ballads area to get healthcare now. I don’t have much to offer this country or my state since I wore out my body in my 16 year service in the regular Army and the Tennesse Army National Guard I’m no good body wise so they have no use for me and they could care less both the state and federal government have turned there back on me . I fly my American flag upside down with the Words Mountain Home VA CAN KISS MY ASS . that’s just how I feel. Yeah Joe Biden had really made a difference in this country as a president.
Sorry to hear that, I have used the VA since the early 80’s I have seen where they just keep cutting the benefits. I have seen it cut so many times which leads to less staff and stricter rules on meds and medical help. I still remember when someone asked me why they cut some of his benefits so I asked him who did you vote for he said Bush and I said you cut your own throat. I don’t like being political but it has always seemed to be a republican congress that cuts the VA budget. President don’t make laws or budgets congress does.
I have had 5 surgeries with another on May 9th yes in my lower back. People have asked me why don’t I use the VA Hospital for surgeries. I told I do not like VA Hospitals. I love my surgeons and they highly recommended. South Bend Orthopedic is great, because they treat the athletes from Norte Dame. I have not had a bad surgery from them and St Joseph Hospital personnel are great and care about how I feel after my surgeries. They even call me a few days after the surgery to see how I am feeling. I don’t know of any VA Hospital that does that. The VA treats the vets little cattle.
So glad you were able to see outside doctors. I had to use the VA in New York for my back surgery. They were so bad I had three surgeries in a ten-day period. My back has never been the same. I am fighting to get Community Care, but it is like pulling teeth. I am 100% disabled and can never get good care.
Mark
A proud disabled vet.
8-12 days is the longest humans can go without sleep. Hopefully you can get help.
Never trusted and never will trust the V A . I suspect the V A is only trynig to find out why they have driven over 16000 vets to commit suicide in the past 20 years in order to cover their asses
Our Gov’t like the IRS and the VA hospital system push us hard when we are at the most risk. I was told I had a cancer that was going to kill me within 2 years. I have PTSD and my VA nut house doctor stopped sending my meds and would not call me back and no other doc returned her calls for 6 months. I think my Doc went back to Iran or Pakistan. My cancer was a rare cancer, and a new drug was used hoping to would work and it did but the infection almost killed me.
I’m a Vietnam veteran who served 1969 wounded in combat Purple Heart . Stuck at 30% for 50yrs until 3 months ago after filing many claims I’m finally at 100% total & permanent I must say BVAMC have been great to me Don’t give up hope keep on fighting
Hi Jeff
Welcome home. It took me over 10 years to hit 90% for unemployability I get 100% disability. You should have received all back pay for the claim if you were fighting it all those years. IF not then apply for it. I used the DAV to work on mine.
have a good day
Gregg Lyell
Amen they are slow but I am Desert Storm Desert Shield Vet. Waited Four and a half years. Do not give up it will come. I think over worked. Blessings to you
I’m 100% and so I was eligible for full dental. It took 4 years of appts going back and forth to VA facilities 85 miles away until I just gave up. This was something that would have taken about 5 visits in the real world. The system that they tout as the best in the world is built on sand and rubble designed to frustrate and wear down the Veteran. And the same goes for most Veteran’s service Orgs. If you don’t hit on the bullseye right away with competent service people, it becomes just another hurdle to jump over on the way to justice. Garbage in–Garbage out!
I hear you, I also am going thru the same thing, I was supposed to get dental implants but have a new provider and it’s gonna take an act of Congress to get it approved, it’s not about the Veteran, it’s all political BS, so now I’m going to have to pay out of pocket, VA will not spend any money for our health and welfare🤨 The PACT ACT was only initiated so they won’t have to pay large sum’s of money, ie. Agent Orange and Camp Leguene, they just opened a can of worms, VA couldn’t keep up with our care then, what makes them think they can now 😌 guess what, they can’t, it keeps getting worse, until us older Veterans kick the bucket 🪣
Get a hold of your case worker and your representative believe or not the both help get crap straight. My husband which is the veteran andi got a hold of both and they have to correct stuff that the VA messed up including his legs and mental.
I retired from the Army and was afforded dental care. They took my case and screwed up several times with incompetent dentists. It finally came down through their error that they offered me implants upper jaw front top. Getting regular dental appointments weekly or even monthly was a joke. Maybe ever three months they may see me. When they did and the dentist cancelled I would have to wait more moths to be seen. By the time they rescheduled, they had put one implant in and I needed three more, they said my entitlement was over and they couldn’t work on me anymore. They suggested pulling the remainder of my teeth and providing dentures. I spoke to the hospital administration and said that dental wasn’t in his jurisdiction and that I was out of luck. The new dental administrator came in and said absolutely not will they finish what they started. So far it has cost me over $30,000 to fix what they screwed up and it’s still not fixed. Beware if VA dental.
The VA put me on some pills for being a Diabetic. They almost killed me, my daughter, she is my care giver as I can’t live alone, went out to feed our horses one morning, she came back a half hour later and found me slumped over in my computer chair unresponsive. She called 911 and the Ambulances arrived within 5 min. Two crews of EMS worked on me until my vital signs kind of stabilized and off to the Perry, Ga. hospital. I remained in the hospital ICU for 6 days until they got me stabilized enough to send me home. My daughter called my VA Doctor to set up an appointment follow up and was told I could not be seen for 6 months. I now have a great civilian doctor who said I am not a Diabetic and has now got my high blood pressure right where it should be. I am 83 now and feel much better with my new civilian Doctor looking after my health. All the VA Doctors I’ve seen are all foreign and hardly able to understand any of them as their English is so bad. My mental health doctor I see every six months for PTSD rated at 70 percent. I’ve had 3 heart attacks and open heart surgery, still rated at 70 percent. I figure I’m lucky to still be alive.
Agree
.refuse to use VA. Half the people in there were homeless and smelled it. The services sucked with long lines for everything. The dr was okay tho
I finally emailed the Secretary of the VA and the entire leadership of the VA hospital. I finally got treatment. It is not for the week! Stay strong.
I am very happy that the vets are now getting this benefit. HOWEVER, we need to push to get the benefits that were promised to the VETS that have been TAKEN AWAY. For a lot of vets dental and vision are not authorized unless one has the ability to go to a VA clinic/hospital. Just a note to ponder. How long will the VETS who served this country 20 plus years have any benefits left?????
You cannot get dental unless you can show it was service related. However, if you get to 90% disability you get the implants then. It took me over a year for the implants added. It was a 6-hour surgery to fix my jaw and then 6 , months or so to let the posts get settled into the jaws. I have them now and it took over a year in total. I have no complaints with the VA here in DC.
have a good day
Really need to update your news feed. It’s my understanding that reservist do not fall under this if no active duty
You need to investigate about what is going on inside the Nutrition and Food Service Department in Jennifer Moreno VA Healthcare System in San Diego, California. Short of staffs and people are resigning and taking stress leave. The department head is not doing anything positive, and the 3 supervisors resigned because the stress is too much to handle.
I did 10 years in the Army, spent a year in Vietnam, and other than an abortive attempt to use the old VA educational benefits immediately after getting out in 1978, I’d not dealt with the VA. About 4 years ago, my medicare doctor told me I had Type II diabetes. Soon after I started hearing about the presumtive link between diabetes and AO exposure in Vietnam. I figured what the heck and filed a claim in August 2019 thru the DAV VSO. About 6 months after filing the claim, I got a letter saying I needed to come into the VA hospital for an examination. The VA doctor looked me over and signed off on the claim. Everything I’d heard said that claims were never approved initially, and that you’d have to appeal the claim. I kept in touch with the VSO and sent them all the info they asked for.
In April 2020, my wife passed away from Covid, taking about 40% of my income with her. In early May, I got a God-sent “surprise”, I recieved backpay from August 2019, only 10 months after applying. I was rated at 40% disability. I strongly suspect this quick approval was due to my using the DAV VSOs..
Yes. DAV was a godsend for me too.
DAV office at the Robert Dole VA HOSPITAL didn’t do anything for me with my sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes that I was diagnosed in 1998 with no luck in getting my disability raised up and get back pay because I didn’t get anything when I was at 40% disability and the VA dropped me down to 20 %.
contact Berry Law Firm in Lincoln, Nebraska #! VA Attorney Award
Yes, it was the DAV that helped me file my claims. The lady that worked with me was amazing. She didn’t give up and communication with me.
I had around 40% when I first went to the DAV, and over several years getting raises each time for about 10% to 20% and the help of one of my doctors who rewrote one of my problems. I finally reached 100% in 2017. The DAV has always been great in helping me. As for the PACT ACT, it was very easy to get an appointment to get scheduled to see the doctor for my interview and small physical. Before leaving the off, the doctor told me I was on the PACT ACT Register. I met two of the listed medical problems.
For those on here that haven’t taken the step to get scheduled, don’t drag your feet or complain. If you haven’t been going to the VA for treatment make sure you have medical records or letters from outside doctors indicating what your medical problems are and if any of them are on the list. Also, you have your DD214, to show you served in any of the areas covered.
I would like to request that all Veterans who have received a General or Honorable discharge from the United States military get Dental coverage for there overall health care. Every Dr. and Dentist agree your teeth are a important part of your overall health.
I would love to but at the moment it will not fit in our budget. I agree with you, everyone should have dental insurance.
Unless you receive 100% from the VA you can’t receive dental. I don’t know if the military especially the AF if you were enrolled in a dental program to save your teeth prior to discharge or retirement, you could still get dental work done after being released. Again, I don’t know if that program is still happening.
Deny, Deny until you die. The VA motto. All way back to Vietnam, about Agent Orange
Agreed Brother! USN 1968-1972 USS Coral Sea and USS Midway Denied AO coverage but have MOST of the related diseases.
I love my treatment at the Durham NC VAMC, but I wish they would honor the AO coverage…
Yes, but were those ships you were on in the locations that are listed in the PACT ACT? if not, you are out of luck.
I guess I have to consider myself lucky. When I was discharged I went to Bay Pines VAMC and the Tampa VAMC. I moved back to the northwest. Started getting seen at this shit hole called the Saginaw VAMC. So, I moved towards the Detroit area and was seen at shit stop #2; the Detroit VAMC.
Now all my care is at the Ann Arbor VAMC. This place is wonderful! Top quality in every department where I was treated.
My Ptsd started to get evaluated back in 2007 at the Battle Creek VA. They were pretty good. I was inpatient there for 3 months and when done, Ann Arbor was ready for me to resume outpatient therapy immediately.. it was helpful. I’m stI’ll working myself out mentally at age 52, but at least I always have a person to talk to and not just the suicide hotline.
I’m glad the VA wants to improve their programs for us, but there is only so much they can do when their employees have serious problems.
I started at the VAMC in San Diego and they were great, they were working with UCSD. They helped with everything including my benefit rate when I developed prostate cancer. We relocated to Tx & connected with the VAMC here they are alright. Calif was too expensive to live. They treat vets better here, no state or property taxes + other benefits. My primary care doc I don’t care, she didn’t like that I also have civilian doctors.. AO really messed me. I am a Marine Veteran.
The Criminal V A has created most of the VETS mental problems.. @@ vets a day commit suicide, a lot on VA property in an attempt to make a statement. The V A tries to blame suicides on PTSD in an attempt to cover their ass. The V A court of Veterans Appeals has been caught by the Court Of Military Appeals lying and manufacturing evidence against vets in their disability claims. This is not an indictment of corruption in the whole system, there are many V A Clinics and Hospitals such as Harlingen Texas that are terrific and others such Ozark Arkansas that are good old girl s**t holes that cannot keep a Doctor long enough to say stick out your tongue We were at war in Iraq Afghanistan and god knows where else for a period of roughly 20 years and lost around 5000 troops, in the same period of time over 16000 vets committed suicide. F*** YOU VA
Dude, you have major mental health issues. Have you ever thought of seeing a mental health specialist. You need to stop whining, and seek out some help for you. The VA has treated me right, except when it comes to benefits.
Most of the Doctors I have had are from foreign countries. I can not understand their English, so I get little help. I have requested a change in Doctors twice and got another foreign Doctor I can’t understand. My psychiatrist is from Nigeria I have to have him repeat what he is saying as I have a hard time understanding him. I have to guess at what he is asking of me. This is very frustrating not only me but others as well. I have had great doctors but most seem to all be foreigners. All I get are more pills and more pills No cures at all. I have had referrals for my area civilian Doctors which are great I have PTSD rated at 70 percent. This is after 3 each 6 week stays in hospitals. I can’t make any friends and I stay home all the time. I’ve been divorced three times and am single now. My BIG day out is now going for a Doctor visit. I have not been to the Mall in over 5 years as I am uneasy in crowds. I have had 3 heart attacks and open heart surgery. My life has been a living hell since I came back from Vietnam in Oct. 1967. I can’t remember when I had a full nights sleep. I think I could hear a mouse fart.
You have plenty of company, if that is any help. I also have gone through similar trials and tribulation to yours. I am Marine Veteran. It is hard to understand why the VA employs so many foreign doctors and why we manufacture just about all our pharmaceuticals in China! Maybe if the money being spent on the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukrainian veterans and Illegals was used for American kids who want to become doctors and Veterans, many of the problems you and others are experiencing would be greatly diminished. Bill D
You were so wrong for that, Not everyone had gotten good care at the VA; You’re one of the lucky ones; Not everyone’s journey is the same.
I am totally pleased with the VA treatments and support.
I am totally pleased with all VA medical help I always recieve.
Last December I was informed that I had liver cancer. My oncologist, who was a female, told me if I was her father she would recommend I went to the University of WI Medical Center and have this doctor there treat me – he was a specialist in that particular liver cancer. I told her to pretend I was her father and get me scheduled to see him. She informed me that he approved for me to come there, and I saw him on Jan 12, 2022, the morning of Jan 13 he performed the procedure and I walked out of the hospital at 1:30 that afternoon, cancer free. Haven’t had to take any medicine or treatments. I do have to have an MRI done every three months to ensure it hasn’t come back.. The doctor told me that the type of cancer I had could recur in four years, but no problem, just come back and he would take care of it.
I see a lot of different specialists at the VA, and all I can see they all have been great.
What are you gonna do about people who have suffer an unexpected over the top fag that you allowed to be over myself and others and he tricked a 18yr old into allowing him to put his dick inside my ducking ass and I haven’t had any life and now I’ma 54yr old male with a sex secret that Ill be taking to, my grave??? Mental health care needs to start b4 you have these power hungry homosexuals around 18yr o;d boys
Sorry for you having to go through this alone. I went through the same thing only with my commanding sergeant and had no one for support until 30 years later.. I I did not know I could even get help.
Sorry so many of us endured this traumatic sexual abuse while in uniform; and of course 20 – 40 years ago it’s something that wasn’t reported; so you find now something you’re trying to get help with is denied. The night terrors are horrific, sudden noises are frightening, you jump at everything. And no one cares. Yet they can’t understand the hypocrisy high suicide rate!!!!
What branch of service were you in? It turned out that our First Sgt was messing around with boys, never found out if any of them were in our unit. But I had just received my line number for MSgt, and my commander asked if I would be the acting First Sgt since I had met the board to become a First Sgt. The First Sgt was allowed to retire since he had 26 years, but he was reduced to TSgt. That was back in 1978.
In such an enlightened era, it is incomprehensible that the VA has just now offered assistance to vets who have received psychological injuries as a result of their commitment and service in the protection of our citizens – not just idealogical lip service!
Thank you for your service should be more than just a contrived patriotic response. IF we, our government, doesn’t fully support the veteran victims – by fully addressing physical AND psychologist wounds of battle we are an immoral nation.
Our VA’s mission is not to deliver cost effective remedies – it’s imperative is to return veterans, as fully healed as possible, to society as quickly as possible.
Why is this new declaration of benefits reek of a magnanimous del-serving attempt to now award services which have been inherently available to veterans always?
If veterans have been denied the full extent of mental health services, this ”new” announcement, without any comment for the delay in the lack of its implementation for decades, is a cynical farce.
Why? Why now? Why not before? Who’s responsible for this delay in service?
The VA is a gargantuan organization whose impersonal rules and regulations have few mediation available for individual needs once a diagnosis is made by a doctor. The diagnoses are parsed for the largest category possible. This makes it easier for technical personnel to upload the information to the simplest common denominator.
Veterans suffer many different injuries. So when a doctor prescribes physical therapy for a back problem -OR- orders surgery both injuries are labeled- back injury- for the data input. Yet, the remedies are greatly different.
For years PTSD has lacked adequate medical attention.
For years our veterans with this injury, a many pronged disease, have been ill-served too frequently.
Hopefully, this great new VA announcement will fully serve our veterans, improving their lives and awarding them the respect and gratitude they have earned heroically!
I am the “dependent” spouse of a Navy Veteran who has struggled with the wounds received during the Vietnam police action
Viet Nam was not a police action it is and was a war!
Yes, it was a damn war, but politicians declared it as a police action. We all know it was not.
Wrong! Vietnam was a police action. War was never declared with Vietnam by our government.
Does one bleed differently in a police action instead of a war? What a silly argument. It was sold to the public to try to make idiots believe that what they did was less than some how., A rose by any other name is still a rose. Some vets fell for the BS that the govt was selling to downplay the seriousness of the insane blunder that they perpetrated to fatten the coffers of the Military Industrial Complex.. And the same con job played out in Iraq. We bled and people like Dick Cheney reaped the rewards. When will we ever learn??
Sorry, the United States has only been in four wars, there were no more wars after World War II. Everything after has only been conflicts – sorry.
Sorry, VN was a conflict, the last the US has been in was WWII. Everything we have been in since then was only conflicts, even Korea.
Day late and a dollar short.
the v.a system is broken
You have to blame those in Washington for the most part. They keep underfunding the VA, or placing really unqualified people to run it.
Suicide and depression co exist for veterans you can’t have one with out the other and I have all the symptoms so it’s not a matter of if it’s when.
Bruce, I know I can’t give you any advice since I don’t have your problems. Have you sought help from any agencies either government (VA) or civilian agencies? I know there have to be some agencies where you can get help. Remember, it takes to tangle as they say. You have to be honest and open up to those that try to help you and not hide what you are feeling. Suicide is the easy way out, it takes a brave person to fight their demons! Best of luck, and I hope you find the help you need, rather than thinking of suicide. Take care