I have significant peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands. I had an appointment to see a podiatrist and I kid you not the doctor was so busy working on his computer I sat there for 2 minutes waiting for him to acknowledge me. He then spent no more than 2 minutes with me and sent me on my way. He was inept, If I get even a scratch on my lower legs it takes months to heal and this clown wouldn't even listen to me.
My neuropathy has worsened over the last 6 years. More pain, atrophy of both the muscle and the fat pads, and even less sensitivity. I am on a dose of gabapentin that exceeds the pharmaceutical recommendation.
Before I submitted my claim for a secondary rating on my hands and feet I paid for a nerve conduction study and EMG. In Tucson I simply called the office and set it up. Here in NY the medical establishment is a club. Specialists won't even see you unless they receive a referral. Do you think that the VA is going to give the veteran a referral outside of their sub-par folks? So I thought I would call a podiatrist and set up an appointment for a foot check thinking that the podiatrist would give me a referral for the nerve conduction study... nope, same thing, they want a referral from the VA. The joke is I have secondary medical insurance but can't seem to hire my own doctors without the VA being involved.
I know this is a rant, I was wondering if any of you have the same issue?