Does anyone know how to work the VA

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11 years 3 months ago #28294 by 13fcolt
Does anyone know how to work the VA was created by 13fcolt
Dealing with the VA has never been easy. I get that. My patience is at an end with this mess.
I don't even know where to begin. I got out in '09 and was SUPPOSED to get the dental work that the army missed. At first it was "lotsa vets out there, just gotta wait your turn, you'll be cared for in the order you were processed". Well it still aint happening and when I bring it up, I get the shoulder shrug "don't know what to tell you" routine. And my jaw rotting off is just the small stuff. There's plenty else they were supposed to fix and all they do is give me simvistatin for my cholesterol and freakin motrin for my teeth.

Any of you old hats out there got the inside track on getting these #$% :censored: ^&ers to go to work?
Do I really have to lawyer up just to get them to take care of the obvious?
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

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11 years 3 months ago #28295 by Dabu
Replied by Dabu on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
:( I have had the same problems with them. I know lots of people who waited 6 months for little things.

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11 years 3 months ago #28296 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
Been waiting on my dental appt for almost 3 years now. I am at the TOP of the list and in fact got a letter from the VA telling me to come down and get my dental work appt.

Shoes: I am supposed to get special footwear. I got them about a year ago. How long did I wait? 12 years. NOTE, these were DOCTOR ordered, I did not ask for them, the Doc did.

My last claim was adjudicated FINALLY, 6 years later.

I have been in the VA system since 1968, sure wish I could help you or give you some advice and would if I could.

I went to EVERY org that is supposed to help and asked for help for COMBAT issues, not off the wall stuff like tripping and falling in the motor pool in Ft Hood. My rating is solely based upon combat injuries.

VFW: Can't help you, you are not a member!

Az Veterans Office: You did not enter into service in Az

I went to EVERY vets service office that is in the VA building, the only one that did anything was the DAV and that was because I am a life member. But what did they do? Not much. Lost my records (with luck it was only a Xerox). Fact is they really did nothing other than just keep the wheel spinning but never going anywhere. They handled my claim for over 7 years with NOTHING getting done. The way it got adjudicated was: I kept getting disapproved. THe DAV did NOTHING to help nor did it forward or include my 36 pages of medical records and my 2 weeks in the hospital records. My DAV POC told me it was not needed. So I Xeroxed them and sent them to VA- Wash DC TWICE and requested they be signed for. Even then my claim was denied. But this was the LAST appeal and had to be reviewed by LEGAL. Some VA lawyer who reviewed my claim wrote a letter to the VA board. HE SCORCHED them. He sent me a CC of the letter. This guy roasted the VA for ever disapproving my claim to begin with let alone the 3 appeals.

Of note, the DAV told me I should just go to the SS Admin and see if they can help me.

Bottom line is were it not for some hot shot VA lawyer reviewing my claim I would not have got anything.

But I am a Vietnam vet and the VA still does not like to give us a damn thing. I wish you well

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11 years 3 months ago #28297 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
I'm afraid you're probably going to have to seek counsel to get the VA to move an inch. The VA is so backlogged right now (worse than usual) that it's going to take serious action on your part to get them to do ANYTHING.

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11 years 3 months ago #28298 by Sharkey
Replied by Sharkey on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
Sorry I'm no help on this one Colt but the PowerBall drawing is tonight and if we hit it, I'll see that you can call up the VA and tell em where to stick it - no red tape required...

Nothing worse than needing help, having it promised and OWED to you and the bastards playing games... :mad:

Sorry man...

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11 years 3 months ago #28302 by 13fcolt
Replied by 13fcolt on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
Thanks guys, I guess I'm lawyer shopping. I hate to go that route but it's getting bad enough I gotta do something. I've got a clinic appointment next week, more crap about ldl levels, but I am going write down names or bring a recorder or something.

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11 years 3 months ago #28303 by mrraley
Replied by mrraley on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
I have not had to use them, but was given this link just in case...

You can call 1-888-5 REPVET (573-7838) or go to their web site.

Rep for Vets

Hope this helps...

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11 years 3 months ago #28312 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Does anyone know how to work the VA
My Father has had some "luck" getting a surgery from them, he is a Vietnam vet, it only took three years to get lined up. Another problem was the service was terrible. The Dr. did a good job on the actual surgery but the care after the surgery almost killed him. He swore he would never go back to the VA for anything again. Us kids had to be there 24-7 in shifts, had to get very vocal to get him help when he needed it and he was in ICU most of the stay, not something I care to repeat!

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