Experiences with Veterans Affairs.

[JunkyII]

So as some know, I am planning my transition from the Army late next month. Everyone of my brothers who got out before me told me to submit my VA claims ASAP because of the back log.

I submitted for 4 claims for disability compensation 2 months ago and got word back this week that they have assigned me a case manager. She sent me an email and needs a full copy of my medical transcript from the Army.

Why can't the VA pull my medical transcripts? They are all digital these days, this would definitely speed up the process.

Now I thought it would be easy just to go to the Troop Medical clinic and make a copy of my medical records....nope I was wrong.

I had to fill out a release form and they have to mail it to me, which the old retired 1SG told me takes 30 days normally.  So 30 days from now I have to upload them into my profile on EBenefits and then wait for my case manager to look at them again.

For anyone dealing with the VA who is still active, submit your medical records prior to submitting your claims to the VA, it will help your process go faster.

Overall, I'm not mad about my experience with the VA, just a few things that are frustrating and get the "Man if I would have known that" from me which are taking long.

How have your experiences been? What problems did you run into them? Any advice moving forward?

 

[Kanth]

I have only dealt with VA in terms of like getting copies of my DD214 (yep that's slow to arrive)

However I have a friend who's husband had submitted for disability and had a heck of a time so sadly it doesn't seem unusual.
Best of luck!

[USRanger]

Welcome to the VA!  I hardly ever use them.  I prefer to use civi doctors in my hometown, because I'd rather get in this week, than six months from now.

[JunkyII]

Welcome to the VA!  I hardly ever use them.  I prefer to use civi doctors in my hometown, because I'd rather get in this week, than six months from now.

Yea I will probably use them for when I'm going to school and then switch once I get into the work field again.

[WpnX]

Junky,
They are completely incompetent and all these ahats getting out claiming PTSD and a bunch of other fake BS are overburdening the system that was set up to help guys like you. Always gets me goin when I see guys that never left the FOB getting 80-90% disability for doing nothing. Anyway, go to the DAV, they will help you. And don't claim anything that you don't deserve, keep your integrity... and pride, that's worth much more than a few bucks a month.
Good luck my friend.

[JunkyII]

Junky,
They are completely incompetent and all these ahats getting out claiming PTSD and a bunch of other fake BS are overburdening the system that was set up to help guys like you. Always gets me goin when I see guys that never left the FOB getting 80-90% disability for doing nothing. Anyway, go to the DAV, they will help you. And don't claim anything that you don't deserve, keep your integrity... and pride, that's worth much more than a few bucks a month.
Good luck my friend.

Heck man, want to me more pissed off? We just had a non deployed Private get 90% RETIREMENT for behavioral health reasons....they are giving out money to anyone who asks...

My knee is what's going to pull a chunk of my final percentage, another guy just got 50% for the exact same injury but I have the bigger scars.

[Randy1]

A veteran here bragged he got hearing aids from the VA with FM radio so he could watch a game on TV and listen to one on his hearing aids.  He could hear just fine without hearing aids.  He bragged a lot of veterans got them just for the radio feature.

[Maverick]

I'm sure you have already heard it but let me state the obvious. Make sure you have complete records before you ets. You should have a copy of ALL your medical records before you walk out the door. Yeah the VA has that nice saying about caring for the soldier yadda yadda, but the sad reality is that it is a bloated bureaucracy that is a sham instead of the proper help it should be. At the DR level parts of it are OK but it will be a long tedious job getting anything from them. Good luck.

[SlipKnt]

They can pull the records.  If they do, plan on about a 3 to 4 year wait. Provide them yourself, and you stand a shot at resolution in about 18 months.

It is a process.

[Ramesis]

I am a veteran as well (U.S. Navy) and have never used the VA because
until 7-8 years ago I was healthy and have private Insurance.
However, I am well familiar with the VA because I installed and
serviced CTs and MRIs for a living. I was servicing a CT at the VA hospital in
B'ham, Al ( sometime in the early '80s) when the techs shift was up before the next shift tech had arrived.
Despite this and that he still had a patient on the CT couch, he just
left for home leaving the patient (an elderly vet) in the CT bore moaning and groaning.
I hung around keeping an eye on the man until the replacement
tech arrived.
I swore then I would never rely on the VA for my health care even if it
were life or death!!
This is why I feel for all those vets out there with no private health
insurance,  do not trust obama care and want it repealed.
Osiris

[JVboob]

I only did 6 years in the Air guard.
From what ive heard im screwed (i would love to truely exresss my feelings but mods would own me) in the claims i want to make.
I was always asked by my NCOs "are you dieing?" when I said no just hurts ect. and the responce was always "you'll be fine drink water take asprine/IB profine" only went to medical once so NOTHING is documented which is where im screwed.

I havent started with the VA (ETSd in Mar15) because I doubt anything will happen except maybe tenitious and hearing loss.

They never make sense with what they do from the stories ive heard.

Edit: My father 1970-74 active USAF 74-77 Army guard 77-97 Air guard just started his stuff and they have been pulling his files even the buried ones from nam that "dont exist/still classified". This 9month time frame in his record is whats taking 3+months now for them to get ahold of.

[Ramesis]

Sooo JunkyII... you are making a distinction between those veterans
that were in combat and those that were not?
It shouldn't matter! A veteran is a veteran and deserves
what they were promised regardless of the claim.
If it is shown to be true, it should be honored. Btw,
I was in the Navy from '70-'74 and then in Air national guard from
'74-'76. Does that make me less of a veteran than you?
Osiris

[FLS]

Osiris check your messages.   

[JunkyII]

Sooo JunkyII... you are making a distinction between those veterans
that were in combat and those that were not?
It shouldn't matter! A veteran is a veteran and deserves
what they were promised regardless of the claim.
If it is shown to be true, it should be honored. Btw,
I was in the Navy from '70-'74 and then in Air national guard from
'74-'76. Does that make me less of a veteran than you?
Osiris

It absolutely should and it already does matter, when you submit a claim through the VA they ask if you have a combat tour and where to/how many months.

You don't want to defend the Soldier who I mentioned....just because they found him to be medically retired doesn't mean he deserved it....I literally called his PEBLO to tell her another Soldier told me he told them he was faking it just to get a paycheck.

Does it make you less of a Veteran? NO, never said that....but it should make you not entitled to certain things.

Some entitlements I think combat Veterans should get
o Priority Handling of Claims
o Priority on appointments at VA installations
o Reduced Taxes
o Doubled GI Bill (Which is able to be transferred to Dependants)

My opinion, you don't like it I honestly don't care....I still  you for your service.

[rpm]

You don't want to defend the Soldier who I mentioned....just because they found him to be medically retired doesn't mean he deserved it....I literally called his PEBLO to tell her another Soldier told me he told them he was faking it just to get a paycheck.

Well if that's not rock solid proof I don't know what is...