What are some veteran issues you feel are being ignored that someone could write about?

Lack of real progress in clearing claims. Seems we are hearing stories more often of unprocessed claims bein found in lockers and closets. The VA should be hiring veterans for this...

It's not a new story, in fact it is getting really old yet it has never been discussed seriously. GWI and why 10,000 chemical alarms were disregarded and thrown under the rug of silence.

That war is considered by most who were not there as not really serious no real troop death count, but in reality we have over 270,000 veterans that have been dealing with debilitating chronic conditions for the last 25 years. That is pretty serious where I came from. Another discussion I am 80% disabled my chronic pain has never been dealt with sufficiently. The VA treats us veterans as if we are all at risk of addiction and this results in under medicating chronic pain, at least in my case that is an issue. Also their treatment for CFS is plainly a joke, and if those don't do it for you how about a writing something about why Doctors at the VA seem to have little to no real "bed side manner" to them. I have had several now I would not have treat my worst enemies.

One of the major issues is the US government policy of deducting disability payments from retirees military pension if the disability is rated at less than 50%. So they are actually penalizing Vets for getting hurt in war and to add insult to injury what they are saying is that you got hurt but you were not hurt bad enough. There is a bill in congress to eliminate this policy but they can't get enough sponsors to bring it up for a vote.

Here is an unpopular and popular discussion

Why don't you write about the need for legalization of marijuana nation wide. it has been proven it's better than the cocktail of drugs we take for PTSD , Pain, sleep disorders , cancer treatment etc

Why won't the VA let it be prescribed instead of opiat based narcotics !!! ( because it is federally illegal) love to see an open and honest article from someone that isn't in the marijuana reform orgs

A1C DeMoss, Sir; Here I go again.. "Veterans Issues" VA and Congress, fulfill promises made to all military members.. VA to live-up to their motto ! Congress to stop committing our military to fight world-wide, then cut military funds, and expect total success ? They ALL talk of "boots on the ground" to fight ISIS.. and after 40 years they still ignore, and allow our Veterans to suffer from service related health issues, but want us to fight ISIS, and should we return with health issues they can Ignore claims, Betray us, and allow our Veterans to suffer.. Cover-up: 101st Congress, 2nd session House Report 101-672, Deny Veterans.. Ships listed as Exposed by the VA.. Okay, these ships should remain EXPOSED, No time element, as Da Nang Airport is still contaminated and in 2012 the U.S. spent 4 years and 43 million in clean-up as people were still getting ill with symptoms of exposure A/O.. Why Not our Veterans ?? Enjoying our freedoms ?? Respect and Support our Veterans.. Thank You..

I wish someone could investigate and write about the poor customer service delivered by the VA. I personally have been blessed to live in a decent area for VA care. However, I occasionally deal with individuals who have a horrible disposition. It is these individuals, who treat veterans as if they are "making his/her job difficult." In reality, they fail to recognize that they are employed with the sole purpose to aid veterans. At least, we would like to believe so.

It is so scary to transition to civilian life after serving when these folks are likely the first representatives of the VA that we encounter.

The individuals I speak of are found on both the medical and benefits side of the VA. Like most other Veterans, I believe that there needs to be an article thoroughly examining the disability benefits side of the VA and horrific application process of it.

Veterans have no access to commisary or exchanges unless they are recipients of the Medal of Honor, or who have been certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as 100% disabled in connection with military service. While I have nothing but the best respect for those recipients of the MOH and those disabled, I hold a disability rating of 50% and also have a family to feed. It would be great for other veterans to be given commisary and exchange privileges as well. The same goes for spousal support. Veterans spouses have no access to anything at all unless the veteran is rated at 100%

I know we all hear a lot about veteran hiring in the civilian sector, but I'd like to see more light shed into the veteran retention issue. It seems that many of us leave our first civilian role within a year. There are many reasons I could give as to why, but it would be great to read a piece that dives into this deeper and really puts a spotlight on how we can fix this going forward.

The biggest issue, that is very close to my heart, A1C Dustin DeMoss, is that on average, twenty-two Veterans are committing suicide every day in the United States. Already this year more than 1200 Veterans have taken their own lives. Our Veterans with PTSD are not being properly cared for, and the VA suicide hotline has actually gone unanswered several times this year already.

As a Veteran who struggled with PTSD for many years, I have started a Facebook page that encourages Veterans to text/call me before taking that final step. We are a very small group, but we have already helped many Veterans to realize that the greatest strength is the strength to go on for one more day. That there is so much to live for.

We all have an obligation to those who have been there for us. Sometimes just a kind word, or a phone call when you have not heard from a Vet for while, can be the very thing that they need to go on for that one more day.

The pic shown here is from last year. Since then many more Veterans have senselessly been lost to us due to suicide.

Lack of any common sense when claims are settled. I was rated 40% disabled. 30% for about an inch long scar on my forehead, that really isn't very visible, 10% for having a spinal fusion done on C5/C6 in my neck, and 0% for the 4 inch long very prominent scar on my neck from that surgery, but didn't even get rated for the scar on my hip where the bone graft came from to do my spinal fusion. You ask me, what they pay out for what injuries/conditions is completely retarded and needs to be looked at. Oh and the fact that I was denied being put on a med board by the Navy in 2012 even though I was on my third period of limited duty and should have been med boarded is another problem, but the Navy was tired of malingerers hanging around during that time frame because the job market was bad and the military was downsizing. The Docs in New Orleans told me very bluntly, "Go see the VA. They'll take care of you." Yeah, I got taken care of, after my claim being denied after 13 months because the VA couldn't prove that my injuries occurred in service (they couldn't find my medical records which I promptly supplied my copies of). Then I had to wait an additional 6 months for my appeal because they wouldn't reopen the original claim and made me submit an appeal instead only extending the process.

I believe that someone high up in DC was making the calls that money had to be saved and I'm sure lots was due to vets like me giving up after the initial nonsense and ridiculous amount of time and effort that it took to get that claim paid. Now I just have to go back because my neck has worsened and I have had to take up physical therapy to help with my stiffness in my neck, but they never even bothered directing me on the process to get a VA ID. It's such a pain in the neck (literally) to even think about dealing with the VA again.