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Has Anything Really Changed?
Article by Harriet Nix
Recently, my esteemed colleague and myself, were reviewing past topics we had elaborated upon, as they were pending issues for Bills supporting Veterans at the time they were written. Initially, it was concluded, that much had changed; or did it ? We discovered that many of the misguided policies, and important details, in what are now the law, still remain. I ask for your patience, as I point out some examples for you.
The Senate Committee of Veterans’ Affairs, and Secretary Robert Wilkie, control the VA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When the new Secretary of The VA took office in 2018, he was sent a letter for the Committee, signed exclusively by Members of The Democratic Party, indicating that all adjunct policies and changes to such, must be sent back through the same channel that penned the letter. This is quite regulatory, dictatorial and “ties the hands” of Committee members seeking positive change. The name of the Committee does include the word “Senate”; thus, The Senate, which is bipartisan, should be the governing body that either accepts, or denies, any change to policy.
As a result, many SOPs are flawed. Several of these, have affected many of you: The Vietnam Veteran Bluewater Navy Act, took more than 40 years to be rewritten, and The Combined Rating Tables, which determines disability percentages, took more than 100 years to even be slightly corrected.
There are dozens to choose from. So, only the most obvious, will be exemplified.
We can ( and have) illustrated the extent to which the Bluewater Veterans Bill was rife with mistakes. (Partially due to the CBO's flawed reporting) The objective of the Bill became a method of redirecting funds not to help the Veterans, but to the riders attached to the Bill, which benefitted banks. Also, not expanding the territory of The Sea of Vietnam beyond the prescribed 12 miles, was a very bad joke.
There are other important matters that have either gone unnoticed, or unapproached. My colleague will comment further:
“This one goes unnoticed because it is so tricky to detect. To help with this effort, I can give real examples of how it impacted me and continues to affect the wellness of thousands of Veterans.”
“What happens is the Veteran's records are alerted. The documents then indicate that treatment is ‘not’ needed—a couple of short examples….
“During a routine Opthamology exam, the Doctor explained to me, that sadly, she could not correct the vision in one of my eyes like she could the other. I asked why, and she said casually that I had a membrane growth over my retina, and she would look at it again in a year. She did not have time to discuss it, because she had many more Veterans to be examined.”
“The consequences of such, could develop problems that were even worse. Here’s what I learned from research”
“Retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye and the blood supply. Without a blood supply, the retinal cells will start to die. This can cause permanent damage to your vision. If the macula (central vision area) begins to loosen, your vision may be permanently damaged.”
“The Vet, in this example, myself, would not be treated until there was permanent damage.”
“Here’s another example: I had a Pulmonary exam. The exam showed a mild reduction below the range, and an abnormal test. I asked the lady who administered the test for a copy of the results. She provided me with such. Then I waited for the VA. The VA's report showed normal. Which it was not. “
“I asked to speak with the Pulmonary Specialist; he would not see me. I questioned my Primary Care Physician (PC), and after several attempts, she said if they had said what the reported showed, ‘they would have to treat me.’ So they had altered it_ many Veterans would not have known nor asked, for further investigation.”
“You can see, there are so many details to follow. Wouldn’t it benefit all Veterans more, to have a direct policy conversation with VP Mike Pence, and provide specific examples, when asked ?”
“Here is the solution. Many Veterans, because of financial conditions, need the support of the VA. They may, or may not have, any service-related conditions. But they need help and should get help.”
“As a result, our Veterans with service-connected conditions have to wait in line. This suggests to me, that yes, the VA should provide care for those who do not have the financial ability to pay.”
“On the other hand, our Veterans with legitimate service-connected conditions should have a priority, and that priority would be to use any Medical Care facility the Veteran chooses, as provided by “The VA Mission Act of 2018.”
“The Veterans’ Administration was designed to help Veterans with service-connected conditions, but it has evolved to include ALL Veterans.”
Semper Fi
Harriet Nix
Article by Harriet Nix
Recently, my esteemed colleague and myself, were reviewing past topics we had elaborated upon, as they were pending issues for Bills supporting Veterans at the time they were written. Initially, it was concluded, that much had changed; or did it ? We discovered that many of the misguided policies, and important details, in what are now the law, still remain. I ask for your patience, as I point out some examples for you.
The Senate Committee of Veterans’ Affairs, and Secretary Robert Wilkie, control the VA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When the new Secretary of The VA took office in 2018, he was sent a letter for the Committee, signed exclusively by Members of The Democratic Party, indicating that all adjunct policies and changes to such, must be sent back through the same channel that penned the letter. This is quite regulatory, dictatorial and “ties the hands” of Committee members seeking positive change. The name of the Committee does include the word “Senate”; thus, The Senate, which is bipartisan, should be the governing body that either accepts, or denies, any change to policy.
As a result, many SOPs are flawed. Several of these, have affected many of you: The Vietnam Veteran Bluewater Navy Act, took more than 40 years to be rewritten, and The Combined Rating Tables, which determines disability percentages, took more than 100 years to even be slightly corrected.
There are dozens to choose from. So, only the most obvious, will be exemplified.
We can ( and have) illustrated the extent to which the Bluewater Veterans Bill was rife with mistakes. (Partially due to the CBO's flawed reporting) The objective of the Bill became a method of redirecting funds not to help the Veterans, but to the riders attached to the Bill, which benefitted banks. Also, not expanding the territory of The Sea of Vietnam beyond the prescribed 12 miles, was a very bad joke.
There are other important matters that have either gone unnoticed, or unapproached. My colleague will comment further:
“This one goes unnoticed because it is so tricky to detect. To help with this effort, I can give real examples of how it impacted me and continues to affect the wellness of thousands of Veterans.”
“What happens is the Veteran's records are alerted. The documents then indicate that treatment is ‘not’ needed—a couple of short examples….
“During a routine Opthamology exam, the Doctor explained to me, that sadly, she could not correct the vision in one of my eyes like she could the other. I asked why, and she said casually that I had a membrane growth over my retina, and she would look at it again in a year. She did not have time to discuss it, because she had many more Veterans to be examined.”
“The consequences of such, could develop problems that were even worse. Here’s what I learned from research”
“Retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye and the blood supply. Without a blood supply, the retinal cells will start to die. This can cause permanent damage to your vision. If the macula (central vision area) begins to loosen, your vision may be permanently damaged.”
“The Vet, in this example, myself, would not be treated until there was permanent damage.”
“Here’s another example: I had a Pulmonary exam. The exam showed a mild reduction below the range, and an abnormal test. I asked the lady who administered the test for a copy of the results. She provided me with such. Then I waited for the VA. The VA's report showed normal. Which it was not. “
“I asked to speak with the Pulmonary Specialist; he would not see me. I questioned my Primary Care Physician (PC), and after several attempts, she said if they had said what the reported showed, ‘they would have to treat me.’ So they had altered it_ many Veterans would not have known nor asked, for further investigation.”
“You can see, there are so many details to follow. Wouldn’t it benefit all Veterans more, to have a direct policy conversation with VP Mike Pence, and provide specific examples, when asked ?”
“Here is the solution. Many Veterans, because of financial conditions, need the support of the VA. They may, or may not have, any service-related conditions. But they need help and should get help.”
“As a result, our Veterans with service-connected conditions have to wait in line. This suggests to me, that yes, the VA should provide care for those who do not have the financial ability to pay.”
“On the other hand, our Veterans with legitimate service-connected conditions should have a priority, and that priority would be to use any Medical Care facility the Veteran chooses, as provided by “The VA Mission Act of 2018.”
“The Veterans’ Administration was designed to help Veterans with service-connected conditions, but it has evolved to include ALL Veterans.”
Semper Fi
Harriet Nix
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
Posted >1 y ago
This is accurate. I have been advising some of the folks who worked for me about dealing with the VA and making sure they have copies of all original test results and diagnoses. One cannot be too careful. People get put on wait lists, and if the wait gets too long they simply are removed so that the VA can meet their metric. Again, keep track of EVERYTHING
(23)
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Jenn Moynihan
>1 y
Lt Col Charlie Brown - they are lucky to have you lead them in the right direction!
(2)
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(0)
Posted >1 y ago
Thank You COL Mikel Burroughs for sharing this article by Harriet Nix.
Unfortunately, the situations discussed by Ms. Nix plague the VAMC’s and Veterans are not receiving adequate and appropriate care.
As for Veterans’ Choice; funding providers which will agree to provide care fir the minimal amount paid by the VA dramatically reduce the actual number of providers who are willing to provide services to Veterans. Add to this convoluted system; the fact VA does NOT pay community providers in a timely manner and the system of care for Veterans is substandard. Doctors never seem to have the time to discuss important medical conditions and I have been told on numerous occasions my doctors’ have not even read my medical records...IMHO, VA health Care needs immediate attention, revision, and reduction of doctors’ who are not concerned with Veterans welfare.
Unfortunately, the situations discussed by Ms. Nix plague the VAMC’s and Veterans are not receiving adequate and appropriate care.
As for Veterans’ Choice; funding providers which will agree to provide care fir the minimal amount paid by the VA dramatically reduce the actual number of providers who are willing to provide services to Veterans. Add to this convoluted system; the fact VA does NOT pay community providers in a timely manner and the system of care for Veterans is substandard. Doctors never seem to have the time to discuss important medical conditions and I have been told on numerous occasions my doctors’ have not even read my medical records...IMHO, VA health Care needs immediate attention, revision, and reduction of doctors’ who are not concerned with Veterans welfare.
(17)
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(0)
Posted >1 y ago
It is absolutely imperative that one maintain a complete set of records of everything... Many people just take things in stride and move on and do not keep records... That is a big mistake... Great post!!!
(17)
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(0)
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