13,500 Michigan veterans wait for care during VA system overhaul

Still does not jive with the 3 years I have been fighting the VA and their delay tactics. 1st & 2cd claims rejected because neither the Navy or the AF showed me in their records. As my supplied (attached) DD214 reflects I was ARMY for 6 years. I ETS'd the first time in Germany so I reenlisted for another 3 years.

While I am whining, why do I have to attached my DD214 every time I correspond via either email or phone conversation. I mean, I got MY copy from THEM.

Then my SVC Officer rejected my appeal, yelled at me on the phone and called my email on the rejection of my appeal as "irrelevant"! Now I am dealing with the next delay tactic, I have to complete a NOD (Notice of Disagreement) and a special form as supporting documentation. Plus, letters from 2 people that knew me in the military that will attest to my claim, service-connected. I have letters from my Primary Care Provider and Oncologist. I got pancreatic cancer from "ionizing radiation" from the HPIR illuminator of the Improved Hawk (CW) Missile system. (24K20)

I WILL win however no matter how long it takes. At 100% Disability they owe me over $90K right now. Of course that's before they deduct 10% for the "WEP" or Windfall Elimination Program. It sure is. I don't need the money. It really is principle. No warning signs, no dosimeter, no shields ( even there had been we would have had to remove them to get at the "guts" ) The instructors loosened waveguide tubes to induce failure. So all of us students were lying across these tubes, getting a bellyful of cancer....

Wish me Luck!

Thanks,

Rick

The sad thing is that the quality of care differs SO MUCH from one VA hospital to the next. I NEVER felt so hopeless and angry when I was in Phoenix, but move a couple hours to Tucson and it is like an entirely diferent world. Whoever is running the show down here has my vote. They are either excellent administrators, or they empower the staff to make the much needed decisions. They actually communicate with each other and help each other. Same day psychiatric care?!?! Unheard of in Phoenix. When I got there for my initial "transfer to Tucson appointment, I met with 6 different people back to back (I'm a polytrauma pain in the a$$) and when it came to the social work person, they said "let's reeval your meds while you are here." Within an hour, I saw a psychiatrist (takes 30-45 days in Phoenix) who tweaked meds, made appointments, and walked me to the office of the person I would meet next, and made introductions. After the nightmare in Phoenix, I felt like royalty! Can't get seen within 30 days?......Here's your VA card you present to a civilian provider and have them bill us (must be approved in advance by the VA). I immediately went to the volunteer coordinator with my wife and got on the list to volunteer our services.

They can build all the buildings they want, but the real problem is that there are not enough providers