Va Not Fixing Wheelchair In Timely Fashion.

[Berta]

Some months ago a vet here had an issue that I told him to contact the VA Inspector General's office about.

He had been getting quite a runaround from the VA on a medication issue.

I didn't know if the IG could help him ,but they did ,and resolved his problem right away. They considered his issue as a Safety issue which could be the same problem here.

http://www.va.gov/oig/contact/default.asp

I forget just what offfice he contacted and I used to ave an IG fax number....will try to find it.

The IG is more user friendly then many vets think.

They might be able to help this vet.

[carlie]

http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/Docs/Manual_Wheelchairs.pdf

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http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/StaffDirectory.asp

VISN Prosthetic Representative Listing 11 Michael Rilenge Indianapolis, IN 317-988-1802

PSAS Staff Directory

The Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service central office is located in Washington, DC.

Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (10P4K) Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 Phone: (202) 461-0389 Fax: (202) 495-5473

Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) Central Office Staff

Name

Title

Penny Nechanicky National Director, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service Vacant Field Operations Nickema Carter Executive Assistant Dr. Joseph Miller National Director, Orthotic & Prosthetic Services Joyce Edmonson Prosthetic Program Manager, Medical/Surgical Devices, Service/Guide Dogs Shayla Mitchell Prosthetic Program Manager, HISA, AAE, Clothing Allowance Patricia Suh Prosthetic Program Manager, Policy and Regulations Vacant Prosthetic Clinical Coordinator, Wheeled Mobility, Adaptive Sports Richard Rodriguez Program Analyst, Field Operations Support Vacant Program Specialist

[SueEdel]

Thanks for the info. There are a few people working on it. One issue is that while they are actually in Ohio--this VA clinic is under Ann Arbor MI. The VA office in Columbus said sorry they do not know the contact person in Michigan. They suggested contacting Congresswoman. The VS County Office did make several calls and is supposed to be getting back to them today. I will pass this info on.

I suggested joining this forum. They are still fighting to get from 90 to 100%. Another bit of insanity on his claim--they signed for VA to get documents from hospital which is right next door to VA clinic. They got a letter that stated VA could not get those documents as they did not have an address for the place....

[SueEdel]

They were told by Ann Arbor VA that the company that repairs the wheelchairs would contact them Friday. It came and went. No call. They faxed a 3 page letter to a local senator today requesting assistance. This fax outlined all that has been done so far. Meanwhile the local Vietnam Vet organization was told of the continued delay. They contacted county VS again. VS made some calls. He was told it would be handled ASAP. (What exactly ASAP in VA terminology???) As of 5:00 PM no one had called. Wheelchair still inoperable.

[Notorious Kelly]

Contact the media, Go to the most visible recruiting office in the area, flip the wheelchair on its side and lay on the ground with a sign reading, "Waiting for the VA to help me."

Refuse any offers of assistance from bystanders.

p.s. Have copies of your story available for handout and maybe a donation jar to fix it another route.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Notorious Kelly

[SueEdel]

Wheelchair finally fixed today. It took getting a senator involved. The mobility company told all the VA contacts that they had been trying to call the vet. The mobility company did finally call and asked them "when did you move from Warren Michigan?" The Vet has lived his entire life (other than military service/Vietnam) in Toledo, Ohio. The mobility company called and said they would be there next Tuesday....then they called back and made an appointment within 24 hours.