The VA’s guidelines for PTSD say that there has to be a precipitating event…We were guiding along a few dozen civvies, and one of them had a video camera. The VA initially refused to view the video, then reluctantly did so, then said, “So…did you have a traumatic childhood?”

What the flying *fuck?!*

(Sorry I have nothing more coherent to say. But…jebus. Grrr).
.-= Tera´s last blog ..Rosemary =-.

Everytime I have to interact w/ the VA, I think of you and all the shit I have read that you have been through (your name precedes you). I am only beginning to scratch the surface of starting the VA half of the process, I am still dealing w/ how I feel after basically being told to fuck off from the military side of it all. If I wasn’t married to a current AD Sailor I know that I would be fucked right now…I make no mistake in knowing how privileged I am my daughter are there.

The thing w/ “precipitating event” is that it seems that they make it intentionally vague…don’t they?

It was also filmed. We were guiding along a few dozen civvies, and one of them had a video camera.

The VA inititally refused to view the video, then reluctantly did so, then said, “So…did you have a traumatic childhood?”

I had to have a root canal this week because the VA either didn’t read my file or just didn’t give a shit. A month ago I went in for a toothache; they gave me penicillin. Two weeks ago, the toothache came back and even vicodin didn’t make it better. The VA’s blood pressure machines wouldn’t work, they didn’t get an accurate temp, and so I had to suffer for three days. By the time they deigned to see me, I had a high fever, sky-high blood pressure, a red and grotesquely swollen face, and eyes clouded with blood. The tooth had gotten infected and an abscess had formed. When they drained it, the doctor estimated that they’d cleared out a tablespoon and a half from the abscess. All this because the ER staff—I was the only patient—just didn’t give a shit. Two weeks of utter agony. That pretty much sums up my experiences with the VA.

It is worlds different with a physical disability that you can point to and say “See?”, because the doctors are more likely to believe you (general “you”). If there is a blood test or a scan for it then it is a lot easier to get support from the doctors in the Active Duty system. Please note that I am talking specifically here about the DoD side, not the DoVA side, which is two entirely separate entities, and which I am only beginning to get into. I am talking about the split between the two, where one side wants to make the other responsible. Also, whether it was diabetes discovered while you were in or a slipped disc playing a game during PT on a carrier deck, if it didn’t exist before you signed your life to service then it is the military’s responsibility to take care of it, no matter what they tell you (because someone will tell you otherwise unless you fight for it). These medical professionals are being pressured to turn away people with disabilities and illnesses and battle wounds that we can’t see and easily diagnose in the name of the bottom line of a budget. I am so very happy for the service members who get their med boards successfully handled prior to separating, because it should NOT be up to the VA to sort this out. The military needs to step up here and care for these troops as well…

One of the biggest issues I have with this is that giving a lower diagnosis in the name of a tighter budget is going to set up a veteran for a difficult time getting the proper care (as I can attest to w/ my mental health only regimen that was forced on me) after separation. You shouldn’t have to fight so hard to get the correct diagnosis, especially when doctors have already told you what is wrong with you.

Leelee: I think I said that 20% gets you a one time payment, because there are two magic numbers: 30 will get you monthly payments and 80 gets you “medical retirement”, which is what I said in the OP.

And yes, if you get any award form the DoD/military, and then are awarded a VA claim that VA claim first must pay back the DoD/military for the money they gave you, and then you receive money after that is balanced out. You also have to go back annually to be re-evaluated just to make sure you are still disabled, and your rating can change at any time.

Everyone here who mentioned a loved one, thank them, as a sibling in arms, for their service (K, Electrician’s Mate, Second Class. He would have been a Second Class Petty Officer, no?)

The process and support structures during the process varies wildly from command to command. My husband was on the General’s staff of a division headquarters element, so he had some big guns (and names) watching over his packet. Not everyone is so fortunate. We also knew the system well, and our liaison knew that, so she was extra-vigilant with us, because she knew we could raise holy hell and someone would listen.

We *shouldn’t* have been so fortunate – that’s a huge indication that something is amiss. I do think the docs are under tremendous pressure – and the civilian ones are fleeing the system. I don’t blame them.

I do miss my Tricare, though. Managing a genetic connective tissue disorder, even with good federal employees’ insurance, is breaking my piggy bank. I had two MRIs tonight – I have sticker shock.

I don’t think he got an award (yeah, it’s an ugly construction but the idea that people with disabilities have won something when we get assistance is very common) on his separation from the Navy but he reports that the VA has been mostly helpful.