Posted on May 9, 2020
SSgt Lisa J. Markland
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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?
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SPC Richard Zacke
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland I know it's sonds a little crazy but send the White House a letter with all your complaints. It won't make it to the POTUS but he has a staff just for this. I was fighting the VA for a very complex lumbar back surgery and they kept denying it because of the very large amount of money it costs. Some guy at the VA Clinic told me that he had a simular problem and he wrote POTUS. It took him 6 months for a response but it was a great response The White House team sent a letter to his VA Clinic and told them to get it done!! I sent my letter with all that needed to be done and even a letter from the doctor telling them that I've already had 8 lumbar surgeries and will have more if not done correctly with this new methode using stem cells in cages screwed right to the vertabe 4 levels. On x-ray it looks like a roller coster, it's been just over a year since the surgery was done and the pain was gone when I came to in recovery. It worked so well the VA did my cervical surgery with the stem cells, I needed 4 levels but the VA thinks they know more that the surgeon that did it. I had that one done while waiting for lumbar approval and it was great but my doctor kept telling them I will need another surgery in about 18 months but the VA said NO!!! Well I'm now post-op 1.5 months and so far it's been great. I had this surgery during the corona-19 virus, that scared me more than the surgery itself. PLEASE give it a try, send to 1600 Pennsulvania. I sent mine to POTUS (spelled out) instead of The White House and mine took 9 months until I got a call one day from my VA clinic asking me to please come in as soon as possible to the VA clinic and go to the administraition office. I thought I had done something wrong and was probley in trouble because that's the way my luck is. MURPHY'S LAW and all that. When I got there and gave them my name I was sitting down getting ready for the usual hour wait but before my butt hit the seat thay called me back and told me that The White House has over ridden the VA denial and my auth forms were there and the doctor also got his the next day. Give it a shot you have nothing to lose. Good luck, I'll be praying for you.
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MSG Ron Radar
MSG Ron Radar
2 mo
MSgt George Murray - Except that they DON'T act the same for every Vet ! They seem to bounce between whatever political party is in charge at the time . Good Luck !
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
2 mo
LtCol Bruce Janis -
For Over 2 Decades Our North Las Vegas VA Has Made So Many Mistakes, Such As
Wrong Diagnose ~ Undiagnosed Illness ~ Wrong Prescriptions ~ Which Among Other Things Which Required Emergency Surgery And A MONTH Of Hospitalization. And Here's Something I Happen To Think About Later On ~ Of The Month In Hospital, I Spent 2 Weeks At The VA, Then Was Transferred To The University Medical Center For The Remaining Days, That's How Sick I Was; One Of The ER Staff Told Me I Was Fortunate To Be Alive Because Had I Not Been Brough In When I Was, I'd Not Lived Through The Night Because I Had A Liver Infection Which Spread Throughout My Body & Had Entered My Brain ~ I Was Not Aware Of Going To The VA, Having Had Surgery Or Anything Else Until The Following Day When I Was Awoken By One Of The Doctors & Was Told What Had Happened. ~~~ As I Thought About The Sequence Of Events And Concluded (Right Or Wrong) I Was Sent To UMC Because, IF I Died It Would NOT Be On The VA's Records ~ But On That Of The University Medical Center. VA = "Not Our Fault"
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LtCol Bruce Janis
LtCol Bruce Janis
2 mo
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - sounds horrific…glad you are still with us, though. Sempervfi
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
2 mo
LtCol Bruce Janis -
And Those Were Just A Couple. It Began With My Very First Appointment When I Was Misdiagnosed As Being Bi-Polar And Medicated Accordingly, For Multiple YEARS I Was A Basket Case, In & Out Of The ER So Often, When I Came Through The Doors They Knew Me By Name. It Took About 9 Years Before ONE Dr. Finally Listed To What I Had To Say ~ Dr. Grey, My Life Saver ~ Said "You're Not Bipolar"~ And Took Me Off All Related Medications ~~ I'M CURED ~~ The End
~~ But Due To Their Multiple Errors I Lost Over 50% Of My Adult Life.~~ And I Remain Disabled. ~ Being Driven Insane Is Unforgivable, There Are NO Excuses.
I Paid The Price For Their Mistakes ~ And I Never Received As Much As An Apology.
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SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr
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159
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VA's refusal isn't new but this level is disconcerting. Since a Senator has been involved and results aren't good, that leaves only one choice. Engage an attorney specializing VA issues.
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SFC Domingo M.
SFC Domingo M.
1 y
Last June, I had a 12-hour open-heart procedure at the UC Hospital in Cincinnati. Mine was farmed out because they said they seldom do them at the VA. They even covered six weeks of rehab at a second hospital. So far, so good. I get more care at times than I really ask for and have a wonderful PCP. I was rated at 90% based on my history and have no complaints what-so-ever. My situation was backed up by my health records. I retired in 1990 and didn't apply for disability until 2017 at my wife's urging. I missed out on 27 years of care and pay. Good luck and I hope someone helps you find the right solution.
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SP6 Richard Kellar
SP6 Richard Kellar
1 y
SPC Matt Ovaska - Been going to the VA for 50 years. I have gotten that letter about missing an appointment when I didn't. Aside from that I have been treated far better than my mother might have and at 75 I am ready for combat still thanks to them, something real local with my 3 sons there to referee. Prefer an older guy with some serious handicaps. but nonetheless. I am always polite however. I cannot thank them enough for my longevity.
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Sgt Brett Holdeman
Sgt Brett Holdeman
6 mo
SFC Domingo M. - Cincy VA may have misled you, brother, as the Indy VA has been doing open-heart surgeries for at least the last dozen years. I think Dr Sharp has since retired, but was grooming another fellow to take his place, whose name now escapes me. I'm glad you're recovering well and pray you'll be back to normal soon!
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PO1 Ray Reasy
PO1 Ray Reasy
21 d
Sgt Brett Holdeman - He did say that it was a 12-hour surgery, so that may have been a little more complicated than the VA had the experience for. I've had open heart surgery, had a valve replaced, and it didn't take more than an hour. So, 12-hours sounds a whole lot more serious to me.
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LTC Jason Mackay
75
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SrA Cecelia Eareckson
20 d
PO1 Ray Reasy Found it. So, DAV withheld service to a woman veteran in three states, two contact w nationsl, over twenty yesrs, and you think that is vanilla? That’s almost funny. Find one man who got totally ignored to that extent. I will wait.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SrA Cecelia Eareckson
20 d
LCDR Mike Morrissey oh, please! All reps, VSO, county, etc, are just (mostly) old guys somebody felt sorry for, and gave him an excuse to leave the house a few hours a day. Nobody reviews their work. I am told they do track C&P case apptovsl rates, which is why they will not rep MST cases, a viscious cycle if ever there was one. The VA does not want to pay those, so the reps won’t handle them, instead of advocating for that set if claimants, and so it goes.
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PO1 Ray Reasy
PO1 Ray Reasy
19 d
SrA Cecelia Eareckson - I'm trying to say that YOUR first post was too vanilla because it did not mention the things that your second post did. I made my first post off what you said in your first post, then tried to apologize for a comment I made without all the facts laid on the table. If you can't see that, then we will never agree. So I'm out of this conversation.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SrA Cecelia Eareckson
19 d
PO1 Ray Reasy whatever. Inwill remain baffled how you thought multiple contacts at mulyiple levels over decades was innocuous. Tootles!
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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?
A1C Jason Jones
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28
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If you really wanna get them to start making progress write to the President and then call all your local officials and let them know. Then call the news all of them TV, Radio, web whomever will listen get them all talking about your story in an Election Year you will be amazed how fast they can move when it starts looking like they will lose votes.
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
SSgt Lisa J. Markland
5 y
Great ideas-- especially in an election year! The media seems so tied up with White House stuff and COVID I've been hesitant to reach back out to them. I did one interview that aired a few years ago but can't seem to even get that reporter to respond further.
I sat on this stuff for so long, trying my best not to go outside the VA for help (media, representative, etc.) but even within the VA they often tell me that the media or a representative or both will get things moving. I've got a second senator working on things now and thanks to this forum now know about contacting the WH or using their Veterans Hotline, which I'd never heard of before. Thanks for your ideas and help!
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PO3 Jerry Hyden
PO3 Jerry Hyden
3 y
I am a retired federal agency director. Writing the POTUS will work in some cases…however their response time is terrible. I suggest you contact your local Senator or Congressman. They have have staff members that can intervene on your behalf with the VA and federal agencies are required to give these inquires priority. My agency had a 30 day time frame to answer any congressional inquiry. Hope this helps
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PO2 Charles Tweddell
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25
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I think you need to go where you can get the care you need and then get a lawyer and go after the VA to pay for your care! Take your story to the news agencies! Be very vocal about your troubles until you get the results!
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Pvt Patrick Bryan
Pvt Patrick Bryan
5 y
News agency's don't care, VA issues are at the bottom of the list for them. Senators don't care as well, all they can do is "inquire", they have no standing to demand action. Best to stay away from the VSOs as well!!
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SGT Thomas Labine
SGT Thomas Labine
>1 y
Dem's hate Veterans just remember that, and if you voted for them then it is your total mistake...... Suck it up soldier!!!!
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Amn Joseph H.
Amn Joseph H.
>1 y
SGT Thomas Labine - This 76 year old veteran never knew any veterans who were not from working class, democratic households. Only neonazi veterans ever heard of, were most southerners, or want to be veteran camp following militia:) Neither qualified to serve in our secular democratic armed forces as they require special treatment:) Remember first mail call, called out for Lawrence Jackson, two guys stood up! A white guy from Georgia and a African American from South Carolina:) Somehow the white guy disappeared by the next week, just up and quit, was told the southern all were bad disciplines cases. [but the bear in the room, racism was never mentioned]
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SGT David Schrader
SGT David Schrader
3 y
SSgt Lisa J. Markland - have you enlisted the help from the Wounded Warrior Program? I have a friend that was able to get quite a bit of help and legal advice from WWP.
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SFC Laurie Schultz
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19
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If the congressional didn’t work go to the media. Also post on Trump’s twitter. Good luck.
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Amn Joseph H.
Amn Joseph H.
3 y
PO3 Kenneth Suvanto - Your jokes are not really that funny, speaking respect for draft dodging scumbag, Russian bought dog like he was one of us:) Instead being put in front of a Utah firing squad for treason:) Now that would sober up those thinking about joining the insurrectionist and save us having to continue to watch for crackhead crusading saboteur:)
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PO3 Kenneth Suvanto
PO3 Kenneth Suvanto
3 y
Amn Joseph H. - Joke? I don't think so. You must be lost...
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Amn Joseph H.
Amn Joseph H.
3 y
[~1665475: PO3 Kenneth Suvanti it's happened before, but need facts to examine any thing clearly, which will be produced at The Trials of Insurrection's, June 9th, 2022 live on tv for informed citizen's examination by our laws if these folks should be convicted of High Crimes and Misdemeanor Against the People of the United States of America?
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Amn Joseph H.
Amn Joseph H.
3 y
Really, get some help from a draft dodging guy who publicly asked why americans died fighting in Europe in WWII? A WH occupant who was demanding kickback for weapons' congress had already set-aside for the Ukraine to use to defend itself from Russia. So if some of that equipment showed up late, was he responsible for more Ukraine people to die? The facts show only criminality and treasonable behavior.
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Pvt Patrick Bryan
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18
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The news agencies don't care about VA issues unless it pertains to Pizt 911 Vets, all the issues taken up by both Committees only relate to Post 911 Vets, We, the Pre 911 Vets get discriminated against by the VA, the WWP and the VSO's every single day, we need to all be treated equally
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
SSgt Lisa J. Markland
5 y
Agree! We ALL should have the same basic benefits.
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SGT Thomas Labine
SGT Thomas Labine
>1 y
Don't vote for a Democrat.... Problem solved!!!
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SSgt Scott Ezra
SSgt Scott Ezra
3 y
Isn't that the truth. In my case absolutely no one, outside of my family/friends, cares at all. Except the people that hate this country and just want to say bad stuff and use veterans to do it.
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MAJ John Lavin
15
15
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Are you 100% P&T or 100% because of unemployability? Are you seeking help for a Service Connected condition and/or a condition that is secondary to your SCC or is causing your Service Connected Condition to become worse? Do you use the VA Health Care System?

If you use the VA Health Care System, complain to the Patient Representative at your VA Center. Do it in writing if necessary. If you don’t use the VA Health Care System, even though you see a Non VA Physician for the SCC the VA DOES NOT LEGALLY HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR VISITS TO YOUR NON VA PHYSICIAN UNTIL YOU GET VA APPROVAL TO USE THE NON VA PHYSICIAN. This is a hard concept to accept but that’s the law. If you are 100% P&T you have a much better chance of getting the VA to pay if you are using a Non VA Physician than if you are 100% because of unemployability. If you are seeing a Non VA Physician for any condition that is not affecting your ACC or is not secondary to your ACC you pay and that’s the end of that discussion.

So you have to decide. It’s up to you what to do. If you use VA Health Care, you have a good case. If you don’t use VA Health Care and you want the VA to pay a Non VA Physician for non SCC care it is just not going to happen because the US Code is adamant about who pays what to whom. As to going to a Senator who didn’t help you, go to the other US Senator in your State. Go to your Congressional Representative who represents you in Congress. But remember one thing about seeking Congressional help. A member fo Congress is also bound by the US Code so if you want help with a non SCC issue it’s up to you to solve your own problems with your Non VA Physician. Good luck.
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
SSgt Lisa J. Markland
5 y
I'm permanent-total, no IU now that I finally just about a month ago won my 30+ years of claims and appeals, although I'm still rated at 0% for the very reason they put on my discharge and only 30% for the spine injury that dumped my life upside down (up from the stupid 10% I'd had since 1992-- from a 1988 SC injury). Crazy, huh?! The care/meds/supplies/DME is for a combo of SC injuries and other fallout. They had always covered all of it, even when I was 60% + IU. Everyone but me must have good patient reps. Ours just say they can't help with this sort of thing. That seems kind of useless IMO. I'm not asking them to cover any non-VA care (or outsourced care at their direction). I'm continually told even in writing that they are refusing me treatment for various things (all referred within the VA for care at a VA facility) because my case is so medically "complex." I know none of this "should" be this way, which is why I've involved a representative. It was the VA staff, up to department chiefs, who are the people suggesting I use a senator or congressperson to "light a fire" under the VA-- this coming from a dept chief and national director of all things. Thank you SO much for your detailed reply and help! I'm keeping notes and really appreciate it Hopefully this second senator I'm working with now will make some headway. At least I'm confident she'll try.
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CWO3 Us Marine
CWO3 (Join to see)
5 y
SSgt Lisa J. Markland - VA math can be confusing, i.e 30 plus 10 plus 60 might come out to 70, but we'll call it 100 (IU). If it was previously treated, but current facility has changed course, they need to send you to another one for treatment. Can be their decision whether VA or outsourced. If you're picking Senators, find one that has Sen. Duckworth on speed dial, or the media. Be prepared for fallout.
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CPO Don Campbell
CPO Don Campbell
>1 y
Major I have to ask U do U work for the VA because it sounds very similar to what I have been told by the VA and yet there are new things I didn't hear before...now I have a shitty attitude from my experience with the VA and it comes out every time I talk VA so it's not directed at U but what level of benefits/ compensation is higher than individual unemployability and deemed total and complete which is what my letter reads and means permanent because my wife gets benefits...everytime we contact VA it seems like we're getting opinions rather than facts and opinions are like assholes everyone has 1 and knows many...Aloha
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SGM Willie Sanderson
SGM Willie Sanderson
1 y
That is great advice and spot on Sir. I have had several back surgeries. Most recently a 12.5 hour surgery on my cervical spine C2 to T2 and this was to correct a surgery done wrong by a civilian neurosurgeon 20+ yrs ago. I am 4 months out and doing well. I am 90% and the VA did the surgery and a team from Duke Medical Center did the Sugery and all my follow up care there at the VA Hospital. It
May be time to move to Durham N.C. WELCOME!! Be persistent and demand whats yours. I
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SMSgt Billy Cesarano
10
10
0
This being an election year, I would very clearly state the specific issue with the VA you're having trouble with, in a letter to your state and federal representatives. It needs to be something they can act quickly on. If you have an attorney, doctor, or VA Rep, they can help with the wording, to your satisfaction, while keeping on point in language the readers understand best. Being so close to the heart, it is difficult to write effectively by just your hand. Rural states and locations far from major cities sometimes have a great deal of underserved vets and old clinics and others are newly built and wonderfully equipped and staffed. If it's possible, you might find a clinic or hospital that can serve you better at another place or state. That's what I had to eventually do.
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
SSgt Lisa J. Markland
5 y
Great ideas, thanks so much!
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Pvt Patrick Bryan
Pvt Patrick Bryan
>1 y
First, you have to have Senators who care about Veterans, not just their vote, Chuck Schumer is my Senator an I have a letter from him, clearly stating he will not address the VA about any issues!!! tell you alot about him, right!!!
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Amn Joseph H.
Amn Joseph H.
>1 y
Calling you out on that Patrick, first all senators have Veteran representatives, as only 1% of our population serves. They actually in some cases hire honorably discharged veterans to fill the position. If say of them did refuse to help they would be forfeiting that prestigious job pronto. The only exception is red state gop folks, who are the ones caught throwing away filings for benefits and hiring non veterans for their veterans representatives positions. There are objective sources to verify things, today it is more important, as the powers to be are pitting veterans against each other...deliberately.
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SP5 Paul Renard
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7
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Our US Senator from Kansas is the Chair of the Senate VA subcommittee. His name is Jerry Moran. He would be a very responsive and valuable resource. Call his office.
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SSgt Lisa J. Markland
SSgt Lisa J. Markland
5 y
Thank you!!
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Pvt Patrick Bryan
Pvt Patrick Bryan
>1 y
Only if you live in his state can you contact him!! thats part of the problem!!!
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SPC Paul Harrington
SPC Paul Harrington
1 y
That is incorrect. You can contact any Senator or Congressperson, but only the ones from your State(Sen)/District(Cong) will help you generally. Contacting the subcommittee chair may get you some response.
I concur with contacting a patient advocate in the VAMC. They are usually helpful. Also, do you have denials in writing? If so, file an appeal. An attorney may not help if there is no money involved.
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