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 Joseph Goodland
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No.
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SFC Richard Baerlocher
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One of our Senators here in Oregon was having a town hall, and a veterna had complaints that the Senators staff had ignored his request for assistance. The Senator, Ron Wyden immediately asked his veterans representative that was in the town hall, and she confirmed that she had seen the complaint. The Senator fired the staffer on the spot. You state has 2 Senators, and you also have a Representative. Contact all of them in writing, put a CC line at the bottom of each with who else is also getting a copy. Send them Certified, so they can not say they weren't recieved. Also add the President to the CC. All of the out of pocket should be reimbursed to you.
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SPC Richard Rauenhorst
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I am happy to be retired and have medicare and BC&BS supplemental insurance. I have used such resources in the past to get a second opinion. I believe in covering my bases even if it will cost more outside the VA.
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Sgt Gregory Weeks
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What VA hospital are you going to? The one in Fayetteville Arkansas referred me outside for a lumbar surgery and they covered everything. It just makes no sense especially if you’re back problem is service-connected
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SGT Michael Koukaras
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White House hotline # is: [login to see] . Call that number and explain your situation. It's a recorded line but you leave your information and they call you back to confirm the details, then make the appropriate phone calls.
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SGT Michael Koukaras
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The White House actually has a hotline for this type of fuckery. [login to see]
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PO1 David Kingsley
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have you tried contacting Senator Tammy Duckworth's office?
as a Disabled Veteran, she'd probably be really interested in getting a fellow female veteran the Medical care she needs
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SGT David Schrader
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I would recommend that you consult with a VSO (veteran service officer) if you haven’t already done so. These officers can be found through your local VA office, local VFW, American Legion, AmVets and DAV. These organizations are usually very good about trying to get the resources you need.
If none of these organizations are helpful, you can always direct your situation to the Va IG office.
I have had the same luck as you had concerning a Senator. However, this is an election year and It might ignite a flame under the ass of your congressman and Senator.
Since you are rated at 100% you should not be turned away for any illness or conditions that you may have. Service connected or not.
The Choice Program, Mission Act, Community Care or whatever that program is called now were designed for Veterans to get local care, especially if your VA doesn’t have the facilities to treat you. You could also be sent to a VA facility that might have the proper medical personnel and equipment to diagnose and treat you. At no expense to you. This also applies to all Veterans that are registered with the VA regardless of disability rating.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t provide you with much advice but I hope that this helps you.
God bless and good luck
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SFC Marcia Smith
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Someone needs to listen to her. I don't have any answers. I wish you well.
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SSgt Gerald Morris
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It troubles me deeply that Veterans must FIGHT for fair treatment, butt, if you WANT a sex change ... JUST ASK !
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SGT Joseph Dutton
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I can't comment on your case because everyone's case is unique to each individual. What I can do is to advise you to write the Office/Department of Veterans Affairs office in Washington D.C..
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PO3 Robert Buckels
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Have you spoken with the onsite VA advocate's office? The DAV may also be able to help. The DAV does not require membership to assist you.
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SGT Richard Hanson  SSP/CGS
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In the case of your payment for meds prescribed by an outside doctor, have the doctor route the prescription through your Personal Care Phisician and then he can send it to the Pharmacy in the VA to be filled. Then you get your meds and all you pay is the co-pay which used to be $8 per month. Do you have a Care in the Community office at your local VA. If you do contact them and see if they can help you.
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SGT Richard Hanson  SSP/CGS
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I had a back problem and the VA sent me from Rapid City, SD to Omaha, NE to the VA hospital there for a Laminectomy on my L4 vertebra about 8 years ago. I still had problems with pain that they could only address with pills. After a while they decided they couldn't do anything more, so they turned me over to Monument Health the local medical affiliate here that is now owned by Mayo Clinic. I went thru their pain management program and finally ended up with an Orthopedic Surgeon in September of last year, he looked at my CT scan (I can't do an MRI anymore because of a spinal cord stimulator that is surgically implanted) he said it made him want to sit in the corner and cry. He sent in the paperwork to the VA and he scheduled me for a laminectomy on the L2, L3, and the L4, vertebras. Evidently they didn't get enough of the L4 when they were in there the first time. This did wonders for my back pain but didn't get it all. I have developed a condition known as Arachnoiditis. That is not a fear of spiders, the Arachnoid is the sheath around nerve fibers and also the spinal column. Arachnoiditis is when the nerve fibers in the sheath get fused together with scar tissue. They when you move these fibers can no longer slip and slide over one another they pull and stretch. There is no cure for it and it can't get better, it can only get worse, and it is. Through a healthy dose of drugs and the stimulator I can usual mask the pain, today isn't one of those days. The most prevalent cause of Arachnoiditis is an errant stick with a cortisone shot that penetrates the arachnoid sheath, I think that accounts for about 95% of the cases. I have had so much cortisone and other crap shot into my back I slosh when I walk. First there was the Pro Low treatments where the injected a saline solution into the ligaments in the back to make them inflamed and grow stronger. Which did no good. Then came the cortisone shots. Those never ever gave me even a moments relief, but every time I saw my PC he would ask how was my back I would say it was a mess and off I would go for more cortisone shots. Finally refused more shots and the Ortho guy at the VA said I don't blame you. So back I went to my PC and he sent me outside to a Sports Medicine Group who wanted to give me more cortisone shots. I said no way then they sent me off for some hot wire treatments where a needle is inserted under x-ray into the nerve and then a wire is run thru the needle which is heated with radio waves and it burns the nerve and kills it. I went thru that for a while and it didn't work so they implanted the spinal cord stimulator. Vola, success, pain was mask for a while. As time went on I had to turn the stimulator up higher and higher to get the same amount of relief. I used to run it on 2% to 3% at night and 4% to 5% during the day now I run it at 20% to 25% night and day. Anyway that is my tale of woe, I think the VA caused my arachnoiditis but they won't admit it, they said it is scar tissue from the first laminectomy. How the hell that scar tissue grew about 4 inches and then got inside the Arachnoid Sheath beats the hell out of me. The same old VA that let me walk around on a broken leg for 4 months two years ago, but that's a story for another day,
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Sgt Tom Gainer
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Something is really wrong here…….my suggestion is to consult an attorney who specializes in VA issues. Being 100% I don’t see how they can deny you the care you deserve either thru the VA or via Tri West Community Care.
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LTC Ray Buenteo
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Apparently by what your saying they can and are doing what you quote
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
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CAN They?
Uh.... "NO"!

Contact Your Congressmen, State Senators & The US President.
The VA May TELL You That, But It's Pure Bull Shit.
I'm Going After The VA Also....
Due To My Primary's Long Series Of Screw-Ups,.
I Had Emergency Surgery, A MONTH Of Hospitalization.
Months Of Rehab ....And Am Permanently Disabled.
kinda Pisses Me Off., Ya Think?
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PV2 Ellen Wentzel
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I know you probably don't want to hear this, but you just have to keep at them. Go to the director of the VA, all and any veteran organizations, every one you can get involved. Secure message all your doctors and whoever else you can through secret messenger to your VA and any other one you have been. It too me 2 years to get any help for horrible tinnitus (ringing in the ears 24/7). Was still not listened to and took me 2 years after that to get hearing aids from an outside doctor paid for by the VA. I was in agony and crying about the noise in my head for 4 years. I get so tired of fighting with the VA for the least little thing, but that is what you have to do. Go to the top, also, like the director of your VA which mine was no help to me. The VA is my biggest source of stress. I was a medic and have a little medical savvy and I tell my doctors I feel sorry for those who don't and just take anything handed down to them by a VA doctor. I would rather NOT have a VA doctor. Now I am seen in the community and have the best doctors there are. I have quite a lot of stories of the incompetence at the VA. As they say, "You can't make these things up."
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LCpl Allen Lusk
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As sad as it is to say yes it's been done, but is it right,? I don't believe so, they're about to do the same with myself
I've had lung issues since I've had covid,they're refusing to run the needed tests. I actually went to the er to get them to be run. Now they're dragging their feet on it. To say the least it's very frustrating
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PO1 Bob Gutsche
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Since the letters to a senator really are seen by staff members who at time s could not care less about veterans I would suggest contacting the local press or TV as they really like issues such as this,.
You might also consider contacting Fox news as they may want to raise awareness of this. Also send information to Judicial Watch.
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