Posted on May 9, 2020
Can the VA refuse to treat a 100% service-connected veteran citing their case as "too complex," and also refuse to outsource them for care?
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I have a pretty 'complicated' medical case but the VA continues to refuse at times to even consult with me despite internal VA referrals for the consults. They also refuse to refer me to anyone who possibly CAN help-- or the Mission Act options don't have any providers for the care needed within hours of me. Then they refuse to cover many of the meds that outside specialists suggest, costing me >$3,000 per year out-of-pocket. Is this OK at any level and would anyone have any suggestions for how to get the needed care? This way preceeded COVID-19 issues but continues despite it. I've been told the doctors won't even agree to a telehealth or video health consult at the VA across a few departments and programs. I'd already involved a senator's office a few years back and have made almost no progress. Help, please?
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Washington
Veteran Benefits Advisor
Team Veteran Foundation
My Veteran Community
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Washington Veteran Benefits Advisor Team Veteran Foundation My Veteran Community
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 430
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Search for additional benefits that you may qualify for:
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Advice on using benefits.gov from You Tube:
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Are your medications on the VA Pharmaceutical list, if not is there a medication that can be used to substitute for it, in the same class of medications? Which VA is this?
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Good response to your problem. Now, If you think you have exhausted all avenues. There is always one more. Your local (or long distance) TV Investigative Reporter. Or you can try it now. Good Luck.
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Pvt Patrick Bryan
Top, the media does not really care about issues with the VA, if they did, reporters all over the country would have their hands full with VA issues.
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
Done that also. I'll try to dig up the link to the interview I did with ABC News. Reached out so many times but then politics, COVID, lots of distractions, I think. Thanks for the suggestion.
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I've been so sick for months and apologize for it taking me so long to reply. I'm going to try answering each comment, with great thanks again to all of you for reaching out and trying to help. I'm now connected with a managerial-level vet rep from my senator's office, changing from the last senator who wouldn't even show me the letters they allegedly sent on my behalf over a few year's time, although I've seen no evidence of most of it. I did file a FOIA request directly to the VA to see what they did receive. Fingers crossed this new and very dedicated caseworker might be able to help. She's at least very dedicated to trying and has been very responsive so far. Everyone's suggestions here are awesome! You have all given me some renewed hope and new avenues to try to get the VA to step up. Even the main department chief helping in my care said to use a senator or even the WH Veterans Hotline (he talks to me regularly but has taken months if not years if things are supplied at all, also now fighting with Prosthetics and Pharmacy-- again). You are all wonderfully helpful!
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FN Marc De Anda
Pvt Patrick Bryan - That doesn't work at all. White House Hotline, not that either, it's designed to make one spin their wheels.
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FN Marc De Anda
SSgt Lisa J. Markland - I'll be straight with you. Go on your next-door app. Tell the citizens about your experience, ask them to call patient advocate as a private citizen and watch stuff start to happen. See they (the VA) knows we all know its BS, but they ONLY care what the other 98% think, that 98% are the cows, the chattel that hasn't been milked yet. The moment they realize you are putting a bad image into the citizens who are not vets, the freak out and will help you to minimize collateral damage. Even the VA approaches how they do things like a war, a numbers game. Another way, man I'm giving away all my secrets, these people live and die by their ratings, remember the VA is a public relations tool FIRST, whenever you get those surveys in your email, fill them out ALL with 1's for poor service, in two days you will have a supervisor call you to take a list of your wants and needs, they freak out on poor reviews (sounds just like the military doesn't it) no one likes a poor review.
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I’m 10% VA rated, permeant, I have never had them refuse anything, but then I may not have your issues. I do have a problem that with more complex things; they used to tell me, it was all in my head; though more of late, a number of years ago, they said your symptoms are not definitive.
I had a past VA primary care physician not too many years ago, when every he asked what was wrong, and I told him, he would always say, I have that too, no big deal. Some have told me, you should see a VA specialist, then never produce a referral. For basic things that they and see, they take care of; But most of my main problems are auto immune and toxic exposure I figure; too many vaccines from being in Asia during the Viet Nam Era, plus JP 8 jet fuel and herbicide exposure, most likely Agent Orange, but not like the Nam Vets who got sprayed while out on patrol etc
50 years ago faced with its, all in your head, I turned to Natural Health with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and learned to figure out my own issues and take care of them myself, issues of health and not from a accident or etc.
A 100% VA Vet has a full ride medically; they should be dealing with it. 25 years ago, I finally got my 100%, but it was only after I wrote my Senator and asked them to review my medical file, it came back 3 months later, 100% I had been fighting with VA since I was discharged in 1969. Even the Air Force tried to shove me out with only a General Discharge and no medical disability rating; I found out later they were doing that to a lot of us back then.
It worked in 95 I think because unknown to me, the Senator was on some Congressional VA committee; plus felt the Lord had his hand in too.
I had a past VA primary care physician not too many years ago, when every he asked what was wrong, and I told him, he would always say, I have that too, no big deal. Some have told me, you should see a VA specialist, then never produce a referral. For basic things that they and see, they take care of; But most of my main problems are auto immune and toxic exposure I figure; too many vaccines from being in Asia during the Viet Nam Era, plus JP 8 jet fuel and herbicide exposure, most likely Agent Orange, but not like the Nam Vets who got sprayed while out on patrol etc
50 years ago faced with its, all in your head, I turned to Natural Health with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and learned to figure out my own issues and take care of them myself, issues of health and not from a accident or etc.
A 100% VA Vet has a full ride medically; they should be dealing with it. 25 years ago, I finally got my 100%, but it was only after I wrote my Senator and asked them to review my medical file, it came back 3 months later, 100% I had been fighting with VA since I was discharged in 1969. Even the Air Force tried to shove me out with only a General Discharge and no medical disability rating; I found out later they were doing that to a lot of us back then.
It worked in 95 I think because unknown to me, the Senator was on some Congressional VA committee; plus felt the Lord had his hand in too.
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A1C David Johnson
I have seen too, a wide number of Vets who were exposed to jet fuel and other toxins, excessive stress etc; develop a Methylation malfunction in their bodies, read that 45% of the worlds population is susceptible to the problem; In my case and others I have meet from other Vets, you don’t have the Methyl to combine with B-12, which leads to a host of neurological problems and eventually permeant damage. Anxiety, depression, claustrophobia, and if left uncheck some form or mental break or etc
Blood tests show you have plenty of B-12 in your blood, but you cannot use it, like a type 2 diabetic can’t use insulin. You need it to repair nerves, and it is needed to produce stomach acid to digest food. It will also produce increasing MS like symptoms too ; I had it all, before it was figured out.
Remedy is easy, Methyl B-12 instead of regular B-12
Blood tests show you have plenty of B-12 in your blood, but you cannot use it, like a type 2 diabetic can’t use insulin. You need it to repair nerves, and it is needed to produce stomach acid to digest food. It will also produce increasing MS like symptoms too ; I had it all, before it was figured out.
Remedy is easy, Methyl B-12 instead of regular B-12
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A1C David Johnson
Wow rats, I accidentally put down 10% then changed it to 100 and now it is still showing 10%, seems no easy way to edit
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A1C David Johnson
I survived by going Natural wholistic and slowy over my life time gone more and more toward veganism; now I there. Even though my other family members do not have my kind of issues, my two kids do, especially as far as the food intolerances i have acquired since being out.
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
A1C David Johnson - So interesting. I've had B12 deficiency (diagnosed as pernicious anemia) for ages but always feel SO worn down and I used to be super-athletic and active. I'll look into the methyl B12. I'd never heard of this issue or this alternative-- thanks!
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While we have this POTUS no progress will be made. My husband had cancer and the same problems when this POTUS was in office the last time.
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VA is my primary and I’m 100%. I just drove 50 miles through Houston traffic to go to a VA specialist dermatologist. They WILL NOT remove a mole, skin tag, crusty growth, period. So much for specialty care. They refuse community care because they have a dermatologist clinic. Bite me.
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ATTENTION ALL VETS: From BENEFITS.GOV
After Years Of Digging Around On The Web, I Inadvertently Ran Across This From Benefits.Gov
So I Wrote And Asked The Following Question_ Then Received Their Detailed Response:
~~ My Question, Due To Medical Needs:~~
"Is A Military Veteran Entitled To Care And Supplies,
Through ANY VA Facility, Regardless Of Where He Resides"?
~~~ Their Response.~~
YES, a military veteran can receive medical products from out-of-state VA facilities, even if they are not living there. However, the veteran must be eligible for VA care without needing to enroll or be enrolled in VA health care 1. The eligibility for community care is dependent upon a veteran’s individual health care needs or circumstances 1. In most cases, veterans must receive approval from VA prior to obtaining care from a community provider 1. VA staff members generally make all eligibility determinations 1. Please note that VA is not authorized to ship medications or medical/surgical supply items outside of the U.S. or its territories 2. If you’re a veteran who lives overseas, you remain entitled to the benefits and services you earned through your military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of your place of residence or nationality 3. If you’re moving outside the U.S., you’ll need to sign up for the Foreign Medical Program. Through this program, VA will pay for certain needed health care services received in foreign countries to treat a service-connected disability or a disability that’s making a service-connected condition worse 4.I hope this helps
After Years Of Digging Around On The Web, I Inadvertently Ran Across This From Benefits.Gov
So I Wrote And Asked The Following Question_ Then Received Their Detailed Response:
~~ My Question, Due To Medical Needs:~~
"Is A Military Veteran Entitled To Care And Supplies,
Through ANY VA Facility, Regardless Of Where He Resides"?
~~~ Their Response.~~
YES, a military veteran can receive medical products from out-of-state VA facilities, even if they are not living there. However, the veteran must be eligible for VA care without needing to enroll or be enrolled in VA health care 1. The eligibility for community care is dependent upon a veteran’s individual health care needs or circumstances 1. In most cases, veterans must receive approval from VA prior to obtaining care from a community provider 1. VA staff members generally make all eligibility determinations 1. Please note that VA is not authorized to ship medications or medical/surgical supply items outside of the U.S. or its territories 2. If you’re a veteran who lives overseas, you remain entitled to the benefits and services you earned through your military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of your place of residence or nationality 3. If you’re moving outside the U.S., you’ll need to sign up for the Foreign Medical Program. Through this program, VA will pay for certain needed health care services received in foreign countries to treat a service-connected disability or a disability that’s making a service-connected condition worse 4.I hope this helps
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