Posted on Jun 14, 2015
Is this really how we take care of our injured heroes??
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Folks, this is actually a guy I'd call a friend. This link is to a facebook post of one of our own on RP SGT Robert Shelton. I first met him a year or so ago as I was teaching him to dive, and I can tell you, he is one tough son of a gun. Yeah, his injuries are real (the picture above is the Blackhawk he went down in)...and YES, he pushes through them as much as any man could, but VA treating our soldiers like this is straight up BULL! I, for one, will be sending some letters to our local representatives, and if I can think of anything else I can do, I'll be on it in a heartbeat.
PS... SGT Robert Shelton if you don't want me posting this, say the word and I'll take it down.
PS... SGT Robert Shelton if you don't want me posting this, say the word and I'll take it down.
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Help
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Have they considered or have they contacted their Congressman and Congressional Representative, contacting their local news station, etc.? You would think that the VA wouldn't want this kind of publicity in light of all the crap that's going on with them right now!
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SGT Richard H.
Congressman, Yes, and so far no action. I'm going to pass along the suggestion to get the media involved!
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I don't know how I saw this question from a while ago, but am glad I did. As a rising military physician, I agree with many of the sentiments on this post. Soldiers win wars not the equipment they utilize. My class at USUHS has reflective courses on this topic monthly. Productive care on a patient-physician level is just as high a priority as the medical knowledge. Part of the problem is an inability to understand many aspects of PTSD. Some wounds don't heal, they just get covered up.
As for the government/VA/finance part, I am lost for answers. Just go look at the homeless vets on the steps of the VA in DC. Dad went to Afghanistan, Uncles went to Vietnam, Grandfathers were in WW2. I've seen the system fail my loved ones.
Anyways, thanks for some motivation to do better. At least on my end, constant effort will not be a problem. Thank you all for your service. Happy Thanksgiving.
Duty, Honor, Country.
MT
As for the government/VA/finance part, I am lost for answers. Just go look at the homeless vets on the steps of the VA in DC. Dad went to Afghanistan, Uncles went to Vietnam, Grandfathers were in WW2. I've seen the system fail my loved ones.
Anyways, thanks for some motivation to do better. At least on my end, constant effort will not be a problem. Thank you all for your service. Happy Thanksgiving.
Duty, Honor, Country.
MT
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I have had many great experiences with VA Connecticut. Hard part is getting in the system. Once your in they tend to do an excellent job with what they have available. There are many problems that do need to be addressed concerning available Doctors, staffing and scheduling appointments because of the lack of available talent and funding from our government. Veterans Administration needs to be a part of the permanent federal governments budget. Not somthing we have beg for every year...that is a shame...The care of our Veterans needs to be one of our nations top priorities.
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I have not read the individual case, but the VA systems quality of care seems to vary quite a bit by location. While on active duty I battled with civilian doctors and the Army to get my cervical spine fixed after deploying to Mosul, Iraq for a 15 month tour. I switched my MOS to stay in and left for Afghanistan and was summarily medically retired in 2013. The VA in Mpls, MN took care of me quite well an had me fixed shortly after I got home. The system as a whole needs work so that the standard of care is equal across all locations. Remember that the protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have more of us needing the VA system than it was designed to support.
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The VA in Orlando took great care of me but Murfreesboro Tn sucks. I have been waiting for 2 weeks so far just for an appointment to get a new knee brace. The one i have is so worn out the metal has cut through it.
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SGT Richard H.
Glad to hear there's at least one that takes good care! I hope your new one steps it up.
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Tell us what we can do to help this hero and we will at I will if you let me and tell me what I can do.
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SGT Richard H.
I think a great start would be to contact your congressional representative and ask what's being done. The more attention we can get on this, the better. Enough of us doing this would hopefully not only help resolve this, but countless others.
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As avert an I've come to a understanding with the va I deal with. If I'm not in their butt arguing I'll NEVER get them to do anything
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I don't know .. the only place this is appearing is Facebook.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
Now you are confusing me .. if it is really "until now" why is the time stamp on the video 2003?
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SGT Richard H.
The crash was in 2003. The aerial photo was taken either the same day or the next day during recovery. The "until now" part comes in because the VA has been doing OK in taking care of business, and suddenly seems to be cutting off his care. There have been small issues along the way...taking a week to get meds, etc., but now they are suddenly cutting them off altogether....in other words, the accident was 12 years ago, but there was no reason to raise hell until now.
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SSG Lonny Self
I have had same issue as of late with pain clinic at my va everything was going good they have been very good at taking care of my back issue till about end of may it may be that everybody is taking vacations so short handed but am three plus weeks to getting injections in my neck that I have been trying to get in for as of march hope it is not more budget cuts but it seems that is the cycle of life with the gov and va so cross my fingers it will not get any worse ,
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SFC Patricia JANE Babcock
As I tell my veterans: "Make a loud noise". Write, email, get face-to-face with your state & federal representatives AND your VA facility leadership. When a veteran comes to my office to Witch about or praise the VA I ask them to put it in black & white so I can send it to the facility, region, VISN, and sometime the Secretary (Hi Bob!). What the boss does not know is broken he can not fix, what he does not know is working well he can not emulate.
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