diabetes Diabetes, Medications,

[Papa Jack]

I have a few questions , I was going to post on the claims research forum but it says I cannot start a new subject...or something like that.

I am rated at 80% from the VA for PTSD and Diabetes.

1) I am Diabetic, VA Diagnosed me. VA provides my Metformin.

I have friends who I served with in Nam, most all have Diabetes, One in Texas gets shoes and socks from the VA about every 6 months.

I asked him how he got the ugly shoes ? He said from the VA and If I had Diabetes I could get em too... Just had to ask and to be fitted by the VA.

So I asked the VA dr. How can I get shoes and Socks ? He says do you have sores on your feet ? NO, my feet are pretty good other than Fungus and some loss of feeling... He says, then you don't get shoes....

So, are shoes available and if so, whats the deal getting em ????

2) Medications: Prior to getting into the VA I had a local DR., Because I had high blood pressure and Cholestrol, I was on several meds.for treatment.

Quinapril

Atenolol

Hydrochlorothiazide

Zocor ( Cholesterol )

I asked the VA dr. about getting these meds thru the VA ? NOPE, you had high B/P before we diagnosed the high blood sugar...However, they did issue me Simvastatin in place of the Zocor. They also started me on low dose aspirin and they issue that as well.

I thought that when I was 80% I was intitled to ALL my meds ?????

So one day I was having a VA check up, and the Dr wrote a Rx for Lisinapril, she said it would help my B/P and protect my kidneys....( I am already taking QUINAPRIL and I listed it in my list of meds. ! It was in my files ). I didn't take the pills, I knew better. She called a few days later and asked how I was doing, I asked her about the Lisinapril and informed her that I was taking Quinapril..... Ohhhhh my goodness, I see that now on the computer, I'm so sorry, do not take those meds ,you are already taking the same drugs.!

Seeee, here is the problem, every time I go to the VA I sign in on the computer and it lists all my Medications and asks if I am still taking them, I mark all the boxes, and I carry a list of all my meds. So now I have VA meds and non VA Rx's, and sometime or other there is going to be a BIG mistake because they don't pay attention !!

Sooooo, How do I get the VA to give me my drugs ?

I attend my Viet Nam Unit reunions, they are held every two years, talking with the guys ( most all of them have Diabetes....and B/P and Cholesterol ) I find that most all are 100% one way or another ( PTSD or whatever..) and they are getting their meds from the VA.

I am also finding that there is a wide difference in the way the VA treats the vets. from one state to another. Some have no problems at all, some have to jump thru hoops.

This is the first of several questions, I hope you guys can offer some answers, I'll get into my claim at a later post......Thanks for your time !! "Papa Jack" ps: as of the 10th of July, I am once again PAPA JACK, my grandson #4 was born, Life is GOOD ! my gene pool lives on....

[dman001948]

Veterans do not need to be service connected for Diabetes I or II in order to recieve treatment and diabetes supplies.

You only need to be enrolled in the VA's health care system.

If your not recieving what you need and can't get your care provider to properly treat your illness, request a hearing before the VAMC administrator. You can also request to be treated by another DR.

If you have elevated or low sugar levels, than you need to check it. If your care provider is so dumb they don't know how to treat Diabetes, they need to be reported to the main VAMC that over sees the clinic you go to. Report them directly to the administrator in writing or by fax.

This is why, I ask for the Reg that calls for the treatment and whats included...I'm not going to fight with a knife and the VA have the gun..I lose, you lose and every vet lose's for treatment under this condition or any other condition for that matter.

I have been a member of this board for yrs, but post very little, I read and enlight'en myself with your alls knowledge. This board is been a great help for all vets. Keep up the good fight and never leave anyone behind.

[dman001948]

Please don't open that attachment I was trying to upload a file for Type 2 and my whole "MY documents" or most of them got loaded and it has a lot of private info in there. I'm in the process of getting the whole thing remove now.

But the jest of the document I found states from what I can read Type 2 should be tested around 3 times a week BUT!!! It would more or less be at the doc's call to let you have the testing supplies...

[dman001948]

Please don't open that attachment I was trying to upload a file for Type 2 and my whole "MY documents" or most of them got loaded and it has a lot of private info in there. I'm in the process of getting the whole thing remove now.

But the jest of the document I found states from what I can read Type 2 should be tested around 3 times a week BUT!!! It would more or less be at the doc's call to let you have the testing supplies...

I just move my whole "My documents" some where else, so all that is there is the PDF file I tried to upload and you can't open it..so forget about it...

I don't know why when I tried to attach 1 file it took all of my document file..now that was a strange one...

[Pete53]

I deleted the entire post did not want to take any chances. When you are posting if you find something by browsing need to read the entire location cause you obviously posted the mother file and not the baby you wanted.

[Chuck75]

The VA is required to provide drugs, etc. to any veteran, service connected or not, as long as the veteran is willing to pay "co-pay" if not service connected. This includes diabetic testing supplies, etc.

Since the VA is likely providing Metformin if you have DMII, and the approving VA doctor must have noted in your records that you have diabetes, a claim from a Vietnam veteran for service connection

under A.O. presumption laws and regs is fairly cut and dried. It's a "no brainer" for the RO. As to the supplies, they are considered a part of normal diabetes treatment. The VA is commonly using a test called A1C

to determine the average blood sugar level. If this is stable, and not excessive, you may not need to use the strips, etc. other than as an occasional check.

I just move my whole "My documents" some where else, so all that is there is the PDF file I tried to upload and you can't open it..so forget about it...

I don't know why when I tried to attach 1 file it took all of my document file..now that was a strange one...

[Papa Jack]

I already got my claim back and I'm at 20% for Type 2 (Agent Orange) and yes I'm a Nam vet, served with the 25th inf in Cu Chi 66-67 time period, but not with the Rangers at that time. I served with A/75th Rangers out of Ft. Hood Tx Mar 1971- Oct 1972, then back to the 25th Inf, but this time in Hawaii 75-78 may Warrant in 76. Does your friend who lives in Scottdale use the Phoenix VA? (I think it and the one in Tucson are the only VA's in AZ so he should)

The VA at first gave me everything, meter/test strips and the lacents, but told me once they run out I'm on my own, I double check just last week when I was up there and was told the same thing again in the Diamond Clinte (sp).

I have a friend of mind who lives here in town and use's the Tucson VA and he has Type 2 also and they told him the very same thing..must be a AZ thing...But he got in a program run by the VA for 1 yr that gives him 16 strips per month and lacents and pays him 20 extra bucks every time he comes in to get his blood check, but thats only for 1 yr, then he is out there fishing again.

Had a friend of mind just pass away who was in F Company for awhile around your time frame, We called him Bone, His real name was Charles Hegerboom or something like that..he live in N.C. I guess him and F Company didn't get along in Nam or out of Nam (I guess there was some problems at one of the reunions and Bone was kinda disowned) He was crazy..kill a few folks that broke in his house he found out who they were hunted them down and killed both of them with a shotgun. I think he was a tunnel rat for awhile also in Nam. Well, after the 1st disagreement with F company he transfer to the 3/4 Cav and drove APC's.

So the Phoenix VA is giving some vets what they need and some not....Now go figure....

Maybe whats going on is the VA in your area is in the process of changing over to a new or newer type of meter...... They did that to me earlyer in the year, they wouldn't allow me to Reorder the supplies and they gave NO explaination , then later on ( several months ) I get a notice to come in for a NEW meter , and they gave me all new stuff, a big box full of lancets, test strips, test solution, all the supplies. If I were you I'd damned sure be making some noise about this !

Hey, thank's for the info on your service, I was just curious. We had our 3/4 cav reunion in Tucson, last April and thats what has me fired up at the VA right now ! I found out a heck of a lot of guys are getting all kinds of benefits and Umemployability and I'm one of the few thats not..... Not that I am being slighted , but why is there soooo dang much difference between one state VA system and another?????? Good Luck !! "Papa Jack "