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E-3 - LCpl
E-3 - LCpl
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I'm Timothy McCain Us Marine and new member of the SC combat veteran group. I've been working with Congress to pass legislation that would increase the VA disability payments by 60% for all veterans. Also as apart of the same legislation we have asked that veterans that are not receiving military retirement and are classified as I.U to be allowed to draw VA pension benefits. And to make VA pension benefits tax exempt. Ten months ago then minority leader Pelosi, Rep. Clyburn, and Rep. Takano agreed make it apart of the funding bill if they won control of the house. But since they won control they haven't returned phone calls or texts about the increase. And the reason why is that majority of veterans don't speak up to get positive legislation passed. So here is your opportunity to let them know that you want to see legislation on raising VA disability payments by 60% back dated to January 1 and allowing I.U veterans that not receiving military retirement pay to receive VA pension in addition there disability income. And the VA pension benefits should be tax exempt. And it should be a part of any funding deal to open the government.
Contact
Rep.Clyburn's legislative director Matthew Ellison [login to see] also you must email him at [login to see] .gov
Rep. Tankano's legislative director Justin Maturo [login to see] also you must email him at [login to see] .gov
Also contact your representative also
There's a time limit on this we have a five day window to get this done. Please don't let up until it passes.
Contact
Rep.Clyburn's legislative director Matthew Ellison [login to see] also you must email him at [login to see] .gov
Rep. Tankano's legislative director Justin Maturo [login to see] also you must email him at [login to see] .gov
Also contact your representative also
There's a time limit on this we have a five day window to get this done. Please don't let up until it passes.
Posted in these groups: 
LCpl
LCpl
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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LCpl Timothy McCain Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I will share this with all of my contacts here on this message. This isn't about politics, it's about action for veterans!
RallyPoint Members, Connections, and Friends pass this along to all of your contacts on RallyPoint:
SGT David T. SGT Robert DeemSFC Michael Hasbun PO2 Kayla Modschiedler SSG Keith Cashion SP5 Mark Kuzinski CPO Joseph Grant TSgt (Join to see) MAJ David Vermillion CSM Tony Bowen SGT Francis Wright SGT Patrick Reno MSG (Join to see) CW3 Jim Norris SPC Paul Missick SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell
RallyPoint Members, Connections, and Friends pass this along to all of your contacts on RallyPoint:
SGT David T. SGT Robert DeemSFC Michael Hasbun PO2 Kayla Modschiedler SSG Keith Cashion SP5 Mark Kuzinski CPO Joseph Grant TSgt (Join to see) MAJ David Vermillion CSM Tony Bowen SGT Francis Wright SGT Patrick Reno MSG (Join to see) CW3 Jim Norris SPC Paul Missick SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell
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I have found that talking to legislators is akin to talking to used car salesmen from lots right outside the main gate. Best listeners until YOU want something. Vets grow accustomed to making do, as is our lot in life. But as we see from the couch surfing non-vets, squeaking wheel gets the news soundbite. Contact your representative but be respectful in spite of their attitudes.
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Well to be honest LCpl Timothy McCain since the VBA seems to be working feverishly to reduce Disabled veterans rating, I would be careful before attempting to lobby Congress on this point.
In 2015 an again in 2016, I was advised by my VA doctors and patient advocate to apply for IU. That paperwork seems to have fallen by the wayside and the VBA has decided that they would reduce my disabilities [heart from 60% to 10%] and leg function from 10% to 0% per leg. Per the neurosurgeon my leg/spine function is worse and I am waiting too see my VA cardiologist.
I have to go through the appeal process now.
At this point the Democrats seem to be focused on stare down with POTUS over the border security.
Since the Federal government is partially funded, it would make sense to hold off on contacting Congress more than once per congressperson IMHO.
FYI my friend COL Mikel J. Burroughs
My elected officials are democrats now and they have their own agenda which rarely intersects with the needs of my family.
FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
In 2015 an again in 2016, I was advised by my VA doctors and patient advocate to apply for IU. That paperwork seems to have fallen by the wayside and the VBA has decided that they would reduce my disabilities [heart from 60% to 10%] and leg function from 10% to 0% per leg. Per the neurosurgeon my leg/spine function is worse and I am waiting too see my VA cardiologist.
I have to go through the appeal process now.
At this point the Democrats seem to be focused on stare down with POTUS over the border security.
Since the Federal government is partially funded, it would make sense to hold off on contacting Congress more than once per congressperson IMHO.
FYI my friend COL Mikel J. Burroughs
My elected officials are democrats now and they have their own agenda which rarely intersects with the needs of my family.
FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend 1SG (Join to see) - I typed a lengthy response and lost it when I replied to originator of this post.
The crux of the matter is that the VBA sent a notification letter to me dated January 4, 2018 that I never received. I received the annual notification letter sent the day before. [Mail gets mis-delivered periodically. I always try to get mail where it should go. I have a filing system and keep track of all VA mail].
1. I received notification at end of October that my disability would be reduced to 50% [was 80% then 60%] effective February 1, 2019. [strange math - 30% to 10% for my heart and eliminating disability for my legs]
2. I contacted my primary care doctor, VBA and patient advocate at the VAMC that treats me. I was able to schedule an appointment with cardiology for January 28, 2019
3. The patient advocate downloaded a copy of teh January 4, 2018 letter and messaged it to me.
4. The VBA agent told me that the fact that my heart performs with medication indicates I am better. I have been on blood pressure medications to lower blood pressure and reduce my resting heart rate from over 20 years. Long-term medications make the heart more rigid earlier in life. My mitral valve leaks a little more but the ring is holding in place.
5. My primary care doctor coordinated an appointment with pain management at Martinsburg, VAMC on December 9, 2018. The neurosurgeon wondered why I was there until he tested my reflexes, balance and sensation to pain in my legs. He indicated it could be serious and ordered a CT myelogram of my cervical and thoracic region and an EMG for my legs. The EMG was coordinated for February 6.
There was issues with the wording of the CT order which wasn't fixed until after the holidays break. I was able to get in touch with the nurse who coordinates CT myelogram on Monday. I stopped taking a medication which needed to be stopped for 7 days prior so she was able to schedule me for Monday January 14, 2018. [1300 to 1600 or so]
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
FYI SSgt Addison R. I am copying you since you were looking into my case early last year.
The crux of the matter is that the VBA sent a notification letter to me dated January 4, 2018 that I never received. I received the annual notification letter sent the day before. [Mail gets mis-delivered periodically. I always try to get mail where it should go. I have a filing system and keep track of all VA mail].
1. I received notification at end of October that my disability would be reduced to 50% [was 80% then 60%] effective February 1, 2019. [strange math - 30% to 10% for my heart and eliminating disability for my legs]
2. I contacted my primary care doctor, VBA and patient advocate at the VAMC that treats me. I was able to schedule an appointment with cardiology for January 28, 2019
3. The patient advocate downloaded a copy of teh January 4, 2018 letter and messaged it to me.
4. The VBA agent told me that the fact that my heart performs with medication indicates I am better. I have been on blood pressure medications to lower blood pressure and reduce my resting heart rate from over 20 years. Long-term medications make the heart more rigid earlier in life. My mitral valve leaks a little more but the ring is holding in place.
5. My primary care doctor coordinated an appointment with pain management at Martinsburg, VAMC on December 9, 2018. The neurosurgeon wondered why I was there until he tested my reflexes, balance and sensation to pain in my legs. He indicated it could be serious and ordered a CT myelogram of my cervical and thoracic region and an EMG for my legs. The EMG was coordinated for February 6.
There was issues with the wording of the CT order which wasn't fixed until after the holidays break. I was able to get in touch with the nurse who coordinates CT myelogram on Monday. I stopped taking a medication which needed to be stopped for 7 days prior so she was able to schedule me for Monday January 14, 2018. [1300 to 1600 or so]
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
FYI SSgt Addison R. I am copying you since you were looking into my case early last year.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
LTC Stephen F. I'm really not qualified to chime in on this. I'm retired with no disability so rely 100% on military pay and healthcare. My only experience with the VA is what I see posted on RP and a couple employees who worked for me who used the VA for their medical care. I do agree with LTC Stephen F. that this is an overall government and not necessarily a political issue, sometimes big is not better and the VA seems to be the champion of not wanting to make significant changes to their procedures.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, very much SSgt Addison R..
If I had received the original letter it would have been easier to get reevaluated in time. Now I have a CT myelogram of my cervical and thoracic region on Monday January 14, 2019 and an EMG for my legs on February 6, 2019. I expect the results will be justifications for additional treatment - hopefully nonsurgical. I expect the results may justify additional nervous system disability centering around my spine.
I see my cardiologist on January 28, 2019. Right now I intend to file the disagreement and request an appeal after I get the findings of the myelogram.
Last year I was given state disability placards based on my health issues.
Life stays interesting.
I hope you are doing well.
My experience with the VAMC system at Martinsburg, WV and my primary care VA doctor at Fort Detrick is top notch. They upload my data [3 day lag time] and I review it and comment if applicable.
If I had received the original letter it would have been easier to get reevaluated in time. Now I have a CT myelogram of my cervical and thoracic region on Monday January 14, 2019 and an EMG for my legs on February 6, 2019. I expect the results will be justifications for additional treatment - hopefully nonsurgical. I expect the results may justify additional nervous system disability centering around my spine.
I see my cardiologist on January 28, 2019. Right now I intend to file the disagreement and request an appeal after I get the findings of the myelogram.
Last year I was given state disability placards based on my health issues.
Life stays interesting.
I hope you are doing well.
My experience with the VAMC system at Martinsburg, WV and my primary care VA doctor at Fort Detrick is top notch. They upload my data [3 day lag time] and I review it and comment if applicable.
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CPO Nate S.
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - Sir, BIG is not always better and the VA is often resistant to making "important" changes. Like all medical "systems" they are laced with the GREAT and the not so great!
I will say that when I was in NC my Durham VA Doc who is now at the UNC School of medicine was OUTSTANDING!!!!! While my Primary CBOC doc is a little mousy and OK. Frankly, I have gotten more out of my civilian Dr. My wife however, has had a generally good experience with the VA.
I will say that when I was in NC my Durham VA Doc who is now at the UNC School of medicine was OUTSTANDING!!!!! While my Primary CBOC doc is a little mousy and OK. Frankly, I have gotten more out of my civilian Dr. My wife however, has had a generally good experience with the VA.
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