tdiu The Va Destroyed My Brother

[Pete53]

Thursday my Brother Mike will have his funeral in El Paso. The Church seats 185 people and they are expecting an overflow crowd. Everyone who knew Mike liked him as he was a standup guy. He always was there to help. He was a great Dad, Now his wife can;t stand to live in their home cause although she has great memories and they had a beautiful home its not the same with out him. She plans to move to Austin Texas and live with her parents now.

On December 25th Mike in despair took his own life. Why did he do it? No one can be sure but most of his family believe it was because of his pain and the incompetent bastards who run the VA Medical in El Paso. Mike had good insurance but trusted the VA cause he had been service connected for two conditions at 10% each and after talking to Dr Craig Bash and some contacts I have we knew he would get 100% TDIU when he could no longer work. Mike went from and large active man to someone who needed help to get out of his bed. When he went anywhere it hurt. On Decemebr 22nd he was forced to retire from his job

He took Medicine to help his condition and was give anti biotics that were not appropriate for him by VA. A couple of weeks ago he was taken by ambulance to get morphine and waited in an ambulance for 11 hours and than was sent home and dumped onto his bed. He had a catheter and his wife did not know how to help him.

I cannot tell you how angry I am at this point. Mike had good insurance and I had been begging him to use it instead of the VA.I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to see that the VA does not get away with this again.

[rdnkjeeper]

So sorry for your loss.....

[JRW]

I do not know you. Also, I am very new to this forum.

I send to you my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May your brother rest in everlasting peace.

[Berta]

This is terrible and horrible news.

I am stunned that this had happened Pete.

His pain is over but the toll of this will be very difficult on his family .

I cannot tell you how deeply dismayed I am. I too have been trying to get my neighbor out of the VA system.It isn't always easy to do even when a vet has Medicare-they often will stay with VA but will have doubts about their care.When they doubt they are getting proper care they should get a better health care provider.

My prayers are with you all.

[Sgt Schmidt]

I've heard horror stories about the VA hospitals too and that is why I don't enjoy going to them for any major problems. They should completely do away with the VA medical centers and let vets go to their own community hospitals and personal doctors for any problems and pickup the tab. The problem is with insurance though for most of us. My wife and I pay $5000.00 out of pocket and it's destroying us financially.

Once again Pete, we are sorry for your great loss.

Jeff

[carlie]

Pete,

I am at a loss for words.

XO,

carlie

[halos2]

Pete,

When you posted that Mike died the other day, I knew this was a terrible tragedy, but now finding out the facts behind this sadden me even more. The loss of Mike, the contributing issues which played a major part in his death, and trying to deal with it all around the Christmas holiday I feel may consume you and your family. The event of him being gone should not overshaddow the fact of all the years you had with him.

DO not let his death be his legacy, but rejoyce in his life. Many people do not have memories to think about...growing up, special times shared together. The choice he made, he felt was the only choice he had at that time. You have the choice to remind people of the goodness about him.

Sending you and your family peace and strength to cope with your loss.