maryriver

I am begining to understand that some of the problem is the way we talk about this subject. First off, I have discovered that the ADA does NOT apply to federal agencys - but the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 "prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors". And in Jan of 09 congress added language that makes all of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act virtually the same PLUS they added language that clearly makes mental health disabilities equal with physical ones as far as these two laws go. Second, the way we name the professional dogs confuses people. Service or therapy or companion psychaitric ..... there are only two catagories either the dog is a pet or it is a service dog. Some pets are trained to visit nicely with folks who are living in nursing homes and the like. These dogs are pets. Service animals are trained to provide a service ....and here is a web site that helps us see the types of service acknowledged by the laws: http://www.psychdog.org/tasks.html So now that I have answered my own question :P I have set up a meeting with folks from Senator Murrays office and we will see if thay can get through the police mentality B) TKS and I hope this helps others too Semper Fi

I was told that my psychiatric service dog is not the same as a service dog and not allowed in the VA medical center at Seattle. The police said Shinsecki had ordered this. Does anyone know about this? The police also said the Americans with Disability Act does not apply to the VA. I have tried for hours now to find a way to call Shinsecki's office to inquire but can't find any number other than 827-1000 and when I finally called that the woman told me to google it!! What's up with that??? :P

I had to retire as could no longer work due to PTSD getting worse (I was a DVOP and retired as soon as I turned 65 1/2) - I have my c file and all other docs. shrink said (as stated in SOC) "your increasing symptoms of anger, social isolation and difficulty dealing with others are not related to PTSD, but rather to your personality disorder. the opinion was given that your mood disorder, alcohol abuse (in partial remission) and personality disorder with cluster B symptomatology are not secondary to yopur PTSD. A GAF schor of 60 was assigned." I have been in and out of thearpy for over 40 years and NEVER diagnosed with moor or personality disorder, and I told the shrink that I drink about 1 or 2 bottles of wine a month which is certainly not alcoholism! Are you telling me to just wait the 4 to 6 years the VA says this will take? Do they get to change diagnose after a 40 minute interview? Do I have to go back to therapy now to reestablish the PTSD? tks for your help and support

Hello, I asked a VSO to help me file for an increase in my rating. I was told to just write a letter and ask for that which I did. Now after waiting for 2 years I was denied and when I asked for help the VSO said to appeal which I did and now I am being told by the VA it will take up to 4 to 6 years for my hearing to happen. My question is about the service I received from the VSO. Even though I asked over and over for the VSO to make an appointment with me and listen to what I had to say that never happened. She was always too busy, didn't return my call, out of town, or telling me to wait for something or other from the VA. Now that the appeal process is going I am getting "well we wait till they schedule you and then we'll talk. I finally got it clear that this VSO organization is worthless and switched to another. But the lack of communication with the first one jeopardized my claim and led to the appeals process which is going to delay the claim even more. I want to know how to hold VSOs accountable. If I had had proper representation in the first place my claim would be settled. If the VA had any oversight on this process what has happen to me could be called a failure on the part of the VA to provide assistance to me. If the VA in effect "outsources" claim assistance to VSOs are they (the VA) accountable for the incompetence of the VSO? If not who is?