Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers questions from VA Watchdog dot Org readers.

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by Jim Strickland

NOTE:  Letters in my Q&A columns are reprinted just as they come to me. Spelling and grammar are left as is and only small corrections are made to improve readability, ensure anonymity or delete expletives that may offend some readers. This is not legal advice. You should always seek the advice of an attorney who is qualified in Veterans' law before you make any decisions about your own benefits.

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Jim;

I have been in the VA System out of Sepulveda facility since 1980s and have many many horror stories about the Hospital itself as well as the VA and VBA system. Since most of the problems are systemic and have been descibed time and time again, I will keep my letter short and not get into other issues still pending. Instead I would like to concentrate on two issues that I have been butting heads with the above mentioned hospital. I am a disabled Viet Nam Vet. I am rated at 100%, (actualy138%) and I do have a verity of difficaltys. The biggest problem is that driving to VA facilities is out of the question, so years ago I was placed on Fee Basis where I can go to a local doctor vrs a 500 mile plus ride to the hospital, and in which I have had nothing but problems with the hospital, doctors, and thier antquanted equipment.

Being on 'Fee Basis' is a problem all to itself. If the problem I am having, let's say I need to go to a specialist in a certain field I must first go to my not so good GP and have him request for me to see these different doctors. The request is filed and after it comes up on my workers desk, it must then go through at least two other desks to a VA doctor in the hospital where he looks at the request and approves it 'or not'. Then the paper work goes back thru the system with a request for a second opinion. Once the paperwork gets back to me, which can be as long as a year, I have to find a doctor that will even take Fee Basis and (if) I do I can get a consult. If the doctor recommends a procedure, the entire file must go through the VA System to get approved. This may take as much as another year if I call every month to push it through. This must be done on each and every appiontment to each and every doctor. This system seems to be over redundent to say the least.

Now, if that is not bad enough I have been trying to get the VA Fee Basis unit to develope a list of the doctors names that except Fee Basis for those on the program in rural areas as I live in. All I have been getting is, " We cannot provide a list of doctors that except Fee Basis due to the liablity of a law suite". They say it is VA policy but I have found no such policy written that verifies this claim. However I do know that for me to call every doctor, some out of the area, just to find one, let alone two on each problem is luticrist being that the very doctors I need cross the desk of every VA FB worker every day. I was told that I would have to call Washington D.C. to make any changes to this policy.

I have done this kind of call which generally upsets the workings of the unit and just makes everything harder for all the Vets and generally does little good in the end. Do you have any insite on this situation?

Reply;

I don't have any solutions for you.

You aren't happy with your VA facility and you don't seem to care for your "not so good GP". Overall, you seem to be displeased with it all.

I understand the problems. I drive 2 1/2 hours to get to my hospital when required and I often need to beg a ride with someone else. But...overall I'm really pleased with all my services. The quacks are good, some better than others. I have to make some advance plans and it isn't always convenient but that's life.

You have access to VA care as well as approval for fee basis care. I can't help but think that somewhere in there is a doctor and a care plan that will agree with you...if you will look a little harder for it. Good luck.

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Jim;

I’ve written so many people in the last 6 months, forgive me if my fingers, and brain, are getting tired. In short, does anyone care that the Military is giving out benzodiazepines like popcorn in the Mideast to emotionally blunt our troops? There are at least 20 names for benzos, although Klonopin seems to come up a lot in this practice. Roche must have a good “in “ to land such a large contract. I was prescribed Ativan for 17 years, that’s about 20,000 pills( 1mg.). Many experts say it’s harder to get off of than heroin. I ran out for a weekend, as did my wife of 37 years, and we almost went nuts. The Ashton Manual got me off with very little withdrawal symptoms (Google it). Everyone who gets issued these, including the “z” drugs, Ambien and Lunesta, should at be issued a Ashton Manual upon going home. No way to turn back the sales contracts now. Combat stress is bad enough, now our troops get to become accidental addicts too. Col. Elspeth Ritchie denies their use. Read Men’s Health, May 09, The War….On Drugs, by Melody Petersen. This is a tragedy. Thanks for your time.

Reply;

You're correct, of course. The problem is that this has been standard for wartime since the Romans marched over Europe. The British navy gave a ration of rotgut rum daily and not much has changed since but the drug of choice. Pilots are given amphetamines as are many combat troops. The first drug I ever took was in basic training when my DI wanted to give his boys a little edge over another company...he handed out what were then known as "white crosses" or "west coast turnarounds", very popular with truckers.

It isn't only the military. You seem an intelligent fellow so you know that often enough our military is no more than a reflection of our society. Turn on your TV set and note that with a simple pill...or a dozen pills...you can have a manly erection, no hemorrhoids, get skinny, stay healthy and younger forever, cure any trace of indigestion, prevent cancer, lower your cholesterol, be smarter and more alert and stop farting in embarrassing places.

There's a pill for everything...we don't even want to talk about pain medications or vitamins. God forbid any American might have a headache or feel tired...there's a pill for that!

I was in the Army when it was thought a good idea to put smokes in our rations. As a medic I handed out enough APC tablets to sink a battleship. My dad was USMC and I recall the medic making sure everyone took their salt pills. Jesus...those things were the size of salt licks we put out for deer and we took 2 a day. Can you say high blood pressure? The Phenacitin in APC tablets has long been banned as a carcinogen.

I spent my youth in Tarawa Terrace at Camp Lejeune...now known for the ground water contamination. My dad drank a lot of Tarawa water and has had his right kidney, most of his colon, his prostate and his bladder removed.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me. Keep up the pressure sir. It's people like you who can force change.

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Jim;

I draw 100 percent service connected V A disability,80% disabled 100% for unemployable,due to PTSD. Will social security reduce my VA comp?

Reply;

No. This is a rare circumstance where you are allowed to draw both benefits with no offset. Every few years Congress may try to change that and it gets shot down very quickly.

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Jim;

You met with my husband and helped him complete his paperwork. He's is getting a little concerned that he has not heard anything from the VA. Is there anyone he can contact to find out what is going on, or does he still just wait? That's REAL hard for him , you know :).

Reply;

Nope. Don't do a thing. Don't call the 800 number, don't get anxious.

The VA started the year with 1,000,000 claims overdue. Yeah, that's ONE MILLION that are months behind. It gets worse every day. His folder is in a very long line in Atlanta and is marching along.

I advise veterans that it will take at least 1 year from the time of filing to reach the first decision. That means 12 to 18 months without hearing anything but those stupid letters that say "We're working on your claim...".

When the decision comes in the mail, there is a 70% chance it's going to be so wrong it will require an appeal. Add another 18 to 24 months.

This is for everyone...not just us who work through Atlanta.

Patience is the ultimate virtue that a veteran must have. The VA will be in touch...eventually.

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TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Jim Strickland, Veterans' Advocate,