Posted on Aug 10, 2017
VA secretary vows to bring down veteran suicide rate
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QUESTION: Which Department within the VA is leading the charge?
(I have been traveling for a few weeks so may have missed it) COL Mikel J. Burroughs Al Putnam SPC Margaret Higgins Col (Join to see) LTC Stephen F.
(I have been traveling for a few weeks so may have missed it) COL Mikel J. Burroughs Al Putnam SPC Margaret Higgins Col (Join to see) LTC Stephen F.
VA secretary vows to bring down veteran suicide rate
Posted from thehill.comPosted in these groups: 
PTSD
Suicide
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)Vietnam Veterans of America
PTSD Suicide Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)Vietnam Veterans of America
Posted >1 y ago
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So a news station (KARE11) did a report on the VA and where people were being seen for C&P by people not qualified, especially for those with TBI's. There's a good place to begin reaching these people and setting the record straight.
Another area they focused on was about the soldiers coming back from deployments with PTSD and other psychological issues who had been kicked out with something less than an Honorable Discharge. They find out when they go for help at the VA that they can not touch them until the discharge is changed to Honorable. The example was a soldier who's wife left him. He went AWOL to try to save his marriage where more than likely was due to his multiple deployments and PTSD. Another place the military needs to look at in reduction of suicides.
Another area they focused on was about the soldiers coming back from deployments with PTSD and other psychological issues who had been kicked out with something less than an Honorable Discharge. They find out when they go for help at the VA that they can not touch them until the discharge is changed to Honorable. The example was a soldier who's wife left him. He went AWOL to try to save his marriage where more than likely was due to his multiple deployments and PTSD. Another place the military needs to look at in reduction of suicides.
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CCMSgt Ed Bonfrancesco III
Speaking of TBI, I went for an evaluation at the VA....took 11 weeks to get an appointment. The doctor said she would contact me and do some cognitive testing for further evaluation. Then she blew me off and wouldn't return my calls. My VA Primary Doctor is the one who told me to get the test. I'm lucky enough to have a military retirement and full medical coverage outside of the VA, and my psychologist is referring me to a Psycho-neurologist. I hear they are highly respected in the diagnosis of TBI. Then my psychologist can write me a "Nexus Letter"--a document prepared for a claimant by a medical professional that explicitly connects an in-service event to the current medical condition for which a claimant is seeking compensation. I have also been unable to get my medical records from the VA, who say they must be in the pile of records "To Be Digitized". I'm getting records from my psychiatrist's office, dating back to 2004. Fingers crossed. I am one of the 90 percenters at 100% unemployability.
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CCMSgt Ed Bonfrancesco III
I am pretty sure there's a bill out there, helping less than honorable discharged soldiers get honorables, based on their TBI and mental conditions. Either Veterans-For-Change or VFW Action Corps Weekly Newsletter.
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Hopefully it is not the dysfunctional VBA Sharon Danitschek.
I would expect that the directive would be focused on the Medical Treatment side of the VA. That is the side where when you call, you have to listen to the suicide protocol with contact info, before you get to talk to whomever you need to talk with.
I would expect that the directive would be focused on the Medical Treatment side of the VA. That is the side where when you call, you have to listen to the suicide protocol with contact info, before you get to talk to whomever you need to talk with.
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