Loose Cannon

Meghp - I have the utmost respect for you because of the advice you continually provide on this site, however I respectfully disagree with much of what you posted above. I think you have a conflict of interest going on since you are a DAV VSO and it's only natural for you to defend them. Please don't take my comments personally as I am not attacking you. You are way too valuable to us here!! john999 - I love you to death brother but unless the "free service" vet organizations hang a sign over their door that says "Free advice provided at all times / Good advice provided sometimes" I don't see that it makes a rat's bit of a difference. If we apply your theory to our legal system, we are saying that anyone accused of a crime who uses a public defender should not be surprised when they are found guilty...That they should have known better and hired an attorney? I respect your opinion but as with Megph, I respectfully disagree. LC

Check this link...Hope it helps you: http://www.foia.gov/report-makerequest.html LC

Tela - I commend you on your efforts to work AND better your education in spite of your disability. You have been given great advice in this thread. I wish you well and I'll keep you in my prayers as you go forward with your claims. Hang tough girl & continue to fight for yourself & your children. LC

Best advice ever!!! Couldn't say it better... LC

Be careful...I think your above statement may be misleading or you were incorrectly informed...LC

Good question. My VAMC PCP set it up. He told me the eye clinic at the Durham VAMC had a long waiting list. I was told I'd end up having to pay for the glasses anyway so he placed a referral in the system. Ended up paying about $450 for the frames & lenses. The "routine eye exam" referral (VA) paid approx $130 for the exam only. Carlie, you have more experience at this than me. Does it appear that I got screwed? LC

Many thanks...will check into these options. LC

I see 2 groups doing the most right now: VeteranWarriors and The American Legion. But as others point out, without the big $$ lobbyists they are only making noise on our behalf. What a shame. I really can't answer your question. Cast your votes wisely folks... LC http://veteranwarriors.weebly.com/ http://www.legion.org/front

Took the advice of many here and signed up for Part B, effective July 2014. Still going to use my VA PCP but nice to know I can go elsewhere if I choose! Thanks all for your valuable input! LC

Went...have stigmatism and needed glasses with progressive lenses. Paid eye doc for exam & ordered glasses. Doc was great...fee basis office did not send them the fax. Glad the headaches may be reduced after glasses arrive. Just call me "four eyes" I guess!! Still wonder why no paperwork arrived for this referral...OR the other 2 referrals that were approved but expired sine I was never notified. Fee basis office has some explaining to do. I went 10 months total with severe headaches & bad eyes because of some "breakdown" in their system. I'll be all over them come Monday. Bottom line- I got my exam, I got my glasses (ordered) and the fee basis office is afu. I'm about tired of silly excuses...and not even an aplogy? Not holding my breath for that to happen though. LC US Marine Retired- "No greater friend...No worse enemy!"

Being on SSDI and Medicare - You're right. As soon as you qualify for SSDI you get FREE Medicare Part A. This more or less entitles you to hospital benefits ONLY. You must decide if you want Medicare Part B and notify Social Security. There is an easy form to fill out and they will take approximately $100 out of your monthly SSDI benefit check to pay the premium each month automatically. Many here on Hadit highly recommend doing this and after my own personal research, I tend to agree! I don't feel a need for Medicare Part D as I get all my prescriptions through the VA. Your situation may differ so do your research. The Ssa.gov website is loaded with info to help. Just wanted to clarify. LC

Makes me wonder (between the Social Security Disability Disability process AND the Veterans Affairs Disability claims process) how truly needy people living on the streets with no assets to assist them ever manage to get a dime out of the programs that were put in place to help them...I feel you Phil and this is no doubt, a grueling process for us. But...After being on this emotional roller coaster for so long with peaks & valleys in our way it IS worth pursuing. I know this because our families will someday benefit from our struggles with the VA. Maybe then we can sit back and ask...What a long, strange trip its been? LC

SecondChance - my bad on the USMC comment. Not sure what gave me that impression looking back at the tread so I must have gotten my i's crossed and my t's dottet somewhere...hee-hee! Please forgive me. LC

Don't get discouraged! They ALWAYS send or mention the "appeal is possible" info with every claim package that goes out...even in cases that have been decided completely in a vet's favor. It is usually a yellow colored document & I believe they must do this so simply advise each vet of their rights under the law. Don't read anything more into it...it is SOP. Good luck. The written paperwork will reach your mailbox soon & only then will you know for sure. Hope to see you post some good news in the Success Story section of our forum! LC

Sure, my bad. http://www.legion.org/serviceofficers/218161/ask-service-officer-affordable-care-act LC

Not a doc...nor am I qualified to give medical advice, BUT...secure messaging via MyHealtheVet should NEVER be used for emergencies whereby a fast response is required. Pretty sure it says so on the site somewhere. Not saying you had an emergency situation either. But if I was bleeding out my ear, I'd be inclined to get to an ER asap...just my opinion. I'm concerned about you. Nothing more, nothing less. Hope it winds up being nothing more than an inconvenience for you if that makes sense. Please keep us posted! LC

Great to see a fellow Marine here on Hadit...even better when they are of the "aviation/helo" community!!! You may have an admin MOS but you're still a helo guy or girl!!! Semper Fi, LC

I never knew this...Thank you! I imagine most young vets don't either. I honestly assumed that when I gave POA to a VSO years ago to file and assist me with my claims that they would have access to EVERYTHING. I see now how unleveled the playing field has become! Thanks to 63Sierra for RAISING THIS QUESTION in post #72 of this thread and Meg for opening my eyes to that fact...A fact that free VSO's should be required by law to disclose to potential vet "clients". LC

Dot09 - I hear what you're saying. I think most healthcare providers do this to some extreme to cover their butts legally. Maybe the VA does it more because the suicide rate has been "in the news" a lot more than in years past. As far as the "mini C&P" goes...I definitely feel that too. I would rather my doc sit there and look at me than constantly typing as I'm speaking but I think it might just be a habit they have since they started their practice. Who really knows for sure? But it comes down to the bottom line: If you have genuine symptoms worthy of a 100% rating, you should get/keep that rating. If you have genuine symptoms worthy of a 30% rating, you should get/keep that rating. It might be wishful thinking on my part but I think there is enough data to say that NO VET will have their rating reduced OR increased based on one visit to a doc. The VA or the vet must show that over an extended period of time a person's condition has shown improvement, declined, or stayed the same. Not saying there haven't been cases where exactly that has happened... Just My Humble Opinion so please don't crucify me all! LC

Carlie or Meg - Fantastic news. The link to the decision doesn't say if LTC Ausmer was represented by a VSO when he was recalled to active duty. If he was, I am very surprised the Court didn't say it was their job to file the appeal. If he wasn't, it becomes clearer to me. I don't know enough about the law to really say...But VERY happy for this vet and the Court's ruling. Hope my question makes sense? Does anyone know more on this ruling? Appears to set a new precedent to me which is fantastic news for vets everywhere...Great post, thank you! LC

Here's the link to what Ms. Lauren Price testified about. I was moved and tears were flowing when the Viet Vet's wife spoke. Their experiences/concerns are only reinforced by the complaints of the VA employees I posted about. Truly emotional stuff that goes right to the heart of our issues. I strongly encourage you to view this. LC http://c-spanvideo.org/program/AffairsDis?fb_action_ids=186427908229503&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%22186427908229503%22%3A190748371116703%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22186427908229503%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Congratulations...Well done! Inspiration to all that persistence can pay off. Best of luck going forward! LC

Hi Mike...Welcome! Might be reading too much into your screen name but were you a helicopter mechanic by chance? We could use some more "rotorhead" people here at Hadit!! If not...still nice to have you aboard. LC

Sierra63 - Nice word dude! Impressive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_minimis LC P.S. - You'd be better off opening a "pot shop" in Colorado..$$$$...hee-hee!

I have not experienced this. My PCP has always been attentive to my needs. Recently had a piss poor experience trying to get the authorization referral paperwork for a routine eye exam MAILED to me or FAXED to the eye doc. Long story...you would not believe the BS I had to go through. Gaffed off by fee basis office AND patient advocate office. Next week I will be paying their supervisors a visit in person to see their reaction. If I can keep me cool....someone will lose a job over what transpired this past week. Don't mess with the Loose Cannon...I am retired & have plenty of time to go "up the chain" whenever needed. LC "No better friend, No worse enemy"