MikeR

Considering the VA as an employer does illegal things to employees, it’s not a stretch to think that they would be unscrupulous with veterans. The attitude that I observed towards veterans was mind blowing. Now the medical people tend to be better, but people in desk jobs often never see veterans.

I filed it and they notified the attorneys. I don't really believe there is anything as a "Protected Rating." Having worked at the VA I do know the mindset of some non-Vet civilians over there.

Considering the VA as an employer does illegal things to employees, it’s not a stretch to think that they would be unscrupulous with veterans. The attitude that I observed towards veterans was mind blowing. Now the medical people tend to be better, but people in desk jobs often never see veterans.

This is a very serious thing to undertake. There are no perfect law firms, and often the attorneys have to work with what is in a legal sense. Having a great attorney with experience is huge. I had Chisholm, Chisholm, and Kilpatrick. They were great, but when I appealed the lowball RO decision to the DRO, they wanted to fire me as a client. So I asked them a simple question, “When I win, and I am going to win, do I get to keep the attorney fees?” They called me back in an hour to say that they were staying onboard with me. Had they dropped me, they would have lost $60k. One thing I know  for a fact is that the VA has some poor attorneys. A law degree does not make one intelligent, just an ability to parrot information is needed. I had to write 7 page memorandums to justify making decisions without legal concurrence due to VA attorney incompetence. A good attorney can pick apart a weak legal stance that any agency attorney can make. You need to conduct due diligence when taking one on to represent you.

This is a very serious thing to undertake. There are no perfect law firms, and often the attorneys have to work with what is in a legal sense. Having a great attorney with experience is huge. I had Chisholm, Chisholm, and Kilpatrick. They were great, but when I appealed the lowball RO decision to the DRO, they wanted to fire me as a client. So I asked them a simple question, “When I win, and I am going to win, do I get to keep the attorney fees?” They called me back in an hour to say that they were staying onboard with me. Had they dropped me, they would have lost $60k. One thing I know  for a fact is that the VA has some poor attorneys. A law degree does not make one intelligent, just an ability to parrot information is needed. I had to write 7 page memorandums to justify making decisions without legal concurrence due to VA attorney incompetence. A good attorney can pick apart a weak legal stance that any agency attorney can make. You need to conduct due diligence when taking one on to represent you.

A lot of attitudes towards sexuality has changed in the last 2 decades in the military. I think we have served with people from a variety of backgrounds.  As I have said before a crime is a crime. If it is unwanted, it is a crime.

I think men and women that are attacked are not likely to come forward due to the memories, feelings of shame, guilt, anger, so often they need a caring person to pick up the torch for them.

Ok, he is lucky to have you advocating for him. MST is a serious thing.

I was going to mention the Sheltered & Protected Employment. It is not the same as other employment situations. I would push for 100% P&T. Never stop fighting. Good luck with the Service Dog, I would love one....but my Springer Spaniel would be pissed if I brought another dog in to share me with.

I read that report of Dr. Whaley, and he sounds like a real hoot. You are on a lot of drugs, depressed, and have migraines....but in his opinion could probably work, but he can't opine wink wink. That letter pushed my buttons. VA psych docs are a lot of charlatans.

A crime is a crime, and needs to be reported. Sounds like you have more than enough for a valid claim.

This will be very interesting to watch. It never ceases to amaze me about how the Army does what it can to save money on personnel. "Mission First, People Never" should be the motto.

Sure, I mean if you go to the sick call you are badgered. I did not care. I went and had everything recorded. I had 44 things I could have claimed, but only claimed 4. I wanted to only fight for the items I felt particularly grieved by.  

I broke both my large toes in a pool. It was part of an exercise, but the VA says it was for recreation.
The VA is very large, and has people behind the scenes that have been here 40 plus years. Every VA Medical center is it's own reality. SESs want to blame the workers. There are a lot of poorly trained people in management.

I had a claim that sat at the BVA for 5 years, only to be denied by what looked like an barely literate person. It was a comical read, except it had my name on it.

To follow Buck's point on the employee's......you have to be the nice one in the room if you can. Let them show their butt. My dad has impressed me with his handling of the VA. He goes to appointments with slacks, nice shirt, shoes, and a blazer. He looks like a guy that will contact the Center Director. Trust me, no employee wants that. You don't know, a bad employee could be that one complaint away from being placed on a PIP. That is the first step in the documentation process. You have a lot more power than you know. VA Management sometimes needs your help to get rid of these people. Scott Blackburn made it clear that he is shopping the VA as a Disabled Vet. He is reporting back to Shulken who is pretty tired of the VA business as usual. He was CEO of Beth Israel so I see changes coming. Congress will have to navigate 100 years of civil service rights, but it is coming. Of course in management we have problem people too. I have seen 3 people fired in my office in the last 2 years alone.

I had this discussion with a friend today. The VA has to change, the client base has more social media tools to make it happen. Vietnam Vets are still treated very poorly by the VA as a matter of policy it seems. My Dad did recently get new teeth, but he has had to learn not to go off on people in order to get help. If you have a problem with a VA contractor, ask them for the name of the COR (Contracting Officer Rep) on their contract is. You can report them to the COR, who will report to the Contracting shop. Respect is a two way street, people in pain will be grumpy. People with mental issues will not always kiss your ass. The VA needs to do a better job with sensitivity training, and instead of the "ICARE"campaign annual training. They need to do it monthly. Sorry for the rant.

Andy,
Are you discussing this crime that occurred with the VA? I was a CID Investigator and put lots of rapists in prison when I was active duty. You need real help. 1. You are in crisis. You need to seek real and meaningful help. I am not 100% sure the VA is the place to go, but you might need to let someone there know that you are in crisis. 2. You probably will need an attorney, do you have one?
Kind Regards,
Mike
 

Sort of reminds me of the fact that the VA won't send us Insulin Pens. The doctors ask for this stuff, but the Contract people are told to buy the lowest price technically acceptable. I think if we ask nicely the PCPs for the nicer stuff, they may demand it for us. They can always buy an item "Brand Name or Equal." All they have to do is list the salient features of the item. After all, VA is here for who?

If there is anyway you can see a board certified urologist that would help to get a letter from one. I am seeing Dr. Haber at the Cleveland Clinic who did my Kidney cancer surgery. Pads are expensive, I found out when I had a lypoma removed and then had gotten a nosocomial infection. The hospital cut my sutures for drainage, and that went on for months. I don't know who invented wings, but they are my hero.