Posted on Jul 22, 2015
How do you get the VA to listen to you about "conditions" or ailments you might have received during Desert Storm?
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Posted in these groups: 
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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You also need to be persistent to the point of being a pain in the ass. A lot of patience is needed and paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork with the verbiage that the VA wants and understands according to "their guidelines". It took me 8+ years
to finally get the VA to listen to me and arrive at a positive decision. You do get very
discouraged and want to give in - BUT, don't do it, keep sending in the repetitious paper-work time and time again! Do not give up and you will get your just award from
from the VA. I also hope this helps.
to finally get the VA to listen to me and arrive at a positive decision. You do get very
discouraged and want to give in - BUT, don't do it, keep sending in the repetitious paper-work time and time again! Do not give up and you will get your just award from
from the VA. I also hope this helps.
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SSG Keith Roberson
Thank you MSG Pitstick, yes, it helps tremendously. I will keep standing in their windows and their doorstep until someone gets tired of me.
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Have you signed up with the Desert Storm Registry? You can ask your primary care doctor about it or the DAV will get you the info on where to go. You need to get your conditions listed before the 2016 deadline. You should file a disability claim for all injuries and illnesses incurred on active duty. Even if the rating I'd 0 at least it is recorded and if it worsens later on it is easier to get an increased rating rather then a new rating.
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MSG Gary Saffell
I totally AGREE with you SGT Yarum. I had some issues when I returned and my personal doctor suggested that I see someone at the VA. I did. Had a complaint with one of the Doctors there, but when it was done an over with, i was able to get some help for several years. Glad I went, and didn't hold off getting to the VA clinic. Still dealing with some things, but all is well. To address the topic: I need to have a "discussion" with the Director of the Clinic about the Doctor's assessment and rudeness (to say the least), and am sure that it was taken care of quickly, because my care improved and after a couple years, good enough so didn't have to continue scheduled visits. Needed to talk to the right individuals to make my challenges understood. At first they were bucking the issues, because of what it seems all of us have had with the terms/correct verbiage that they understand, to click with their understanding.
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Well, there are three options: 1. You don't get them to listen and give-up (they like this option). 2. You don't get them to listen and die waiting (unstated preferred option of VA) 3. You don't give up and continue to fight for benefits earned through your service until you can no longer fight (you die) or you get covered.
I am 22 years into my VA claims and although it took 17 years for VA to approve the first claim from ODS, I am still young and will continue to push my claims until I can no longer carry the fight to VA. The process that may work best is to file a timely claim on the right forms, follow-up on the claim online (they tend to send follow-up requests for info to your on-line account with no indication and when you miss the deadline, because you aren't checking the website every day, they deny the claim), appeal decisions (especially if your Region is well know for failing to follow standards in ratings, review, record keeping, etc.), when your appeal fails (usually always does), request a BVA appeal. If that fails, it might be time to get an attorney (working on contingent), to fight the agency.
Good luck.
I am 22 years into my VA claims and although it took 17 years for VA to approve the first claim from ODS, I am still young and will continue to push my claims until I can no longer carry the fight to VA. The process that may work best is to file a timely claim on the right forms, follow-up on the claim online (they tend to send follow-up requests for info to your on-line account with no indication and when you miss the deadline, because you aren't checking the website every day, they deny the claim), appeal decisions (especially if your Region is well know for failing to follow standards in ratings, review, record keeping, etc.), when your appeal fails (usually always does), request a BVA appeal. If that fails, it might be time to get an attorney (working on contingent), to fight the agency.
Good luck.
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SSG Keith Roberson
Thank you very much for the advice Sir. I'm going to the local VA hospital and start filing all the necessary paperwork and follow up until I get satisfaction. Again, thanks for the encouragement.
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