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Diabetes, Medications,

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Papa Jack

Question

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....

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Sugar levels should be tested atleast three times per day at a minimum and keep accurate logs for your Dr to read.

Test strips, monitors, syringes, insulin & pill form, lancets with lancet injectors, syringe disposal containers, and logs to record "DAILY" sugar level tests are all supplies the VA health administration provides any veteran with diabetes type I and type II.

Along with this you recieve foot care & treatment.

If you are not getting these supplies, ask for a referal to a diabetes specialist, an appointment with your patient advocate and request a hearing before the VAMC administrator if need be to see why your VAMC is not following Diabetes treatment guidlines. ALL of these supplies are in the VA's formulary list.

This is your life people. Don't let them short change you on supplies you need just to save a few bucks. They get the money from Congress to care for you. If you need to fight to recieve it, than put up a fight.

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I sure appricate the input from all, its like I stir up a hornets nest..hahahahahaha, in the good way. But with all the good intentions could somebody please direct me to where in the 38 I would find that I'm entitled to the Strips and Lancets? If your going to a fight with a knife and the VA has the gun, guess who loses? We do..Now if I have that info and can show it, (I will print it off and take it with me) now my knife is a gun and bigger gun then their gun.

I just call my buddy today (He was up north on a family visit run) he has Type 2 also and he use's the Tucson, AZ VA (The one I plan on transfering to from the Phoenix, VA) and he told me they told him the very same thing, no strips or lancets until he gets to Type 1...Now he has entry a test program the Tucson VA is running on Type 11 and the they provide him with 16 strips per month and Lancets and pay him an additional 20 bucks everytime he comes in to be check. I say ani't that some shit sarge!

Anyhow, Can anyone provide me with in writting info stating what Type 2 is enttiled to as far as meds, strips, lancets, meters, etc.

It would be a powerful weapon to use against them.

Thanks

Dennis A/75th

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I sure appricate the input from all, its like I stir up a hornets nest..hahahahahaha, in the good way. But with all the good intentions could somebody please direct me to where in the 38 I would find that I'm entitled to the Strips and Lancets? If your going to a fight with a knife and the VA has the gun, guess who loses? We do..Now if I have that info and can show it, (I will print it off and take it with me) now my knife is a gun and bigger gun then their gun.

I just call my buddy today (He was up north on a family visit run) he has Type 2 also and he use's the Tucson, AZ VA (The one I plan on transfering to from the Phoenix, VA) and he told me they told him the very same thing, no strips or lancets until he gets to Type 1...Now he has entry a test program the Tucson VA is running on Type 11 and the they provide him with 16 strips per month and Lancets and pay him an additional 20 bucks everytime he comes in to be check. I say ani't that some shit sarge!

Anyhow, Can anyone provide me with in writting info stating what Type 2 is enttiled to as far as meds, strips, lancets, meters, etc.

It would be a powerful weapon to use against them.

Thanks

Dennis A/75th

I don't know if this makes a difference or not in your case......But have you filed a CLAIM for your Diabetes with the VA ??????

If you have not, then I feel you really should ! It's not much in my case, it was only 20% for Type 2......But I get a meter/test strips/ lancets, free of charge in the mailbox.

Maybe thats the hang up if you haven't filed a claim . I have a friend in Scottsdale, he's also type 2, we served together, he gets all his supplies from the VA...

Say, are you a NAM vet ? 75th Inf. Rangers ????? We worked with "F"-75th Rangers out of CUCHI and TAY NINH , can't recall the TN company anymore....69-70..J

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  • HadIt.com Elder

You are a Vietnam veteran, and service connected for (I assume) DMII.

You would likely have to file a claim for the various conditions you have that DMII aggravates, and have them denied. (Present regs)

However, the drugs you mention are drugs that are given patients with heart trouble. If you have any of the problems that cause ischemic heart disease,

the secretaries ruling service connecting ischemic heart disease will eventually kick in. You should make a claim for it as soon as you can, and hopefully you have enough documentation in your records to get the claim approved. Once this is done, Nehmier applies, and you can supposedly at least get some retro compensation for the drug co pays. I might speculate that part of the VA's delay concerning publishing a "final rule" has to do with an effort to try and write the regs in such a way as to evade Nehmier. I believe that only the congress can do this, by enacting a law that goes around the court order. I don't think a regulation has that capability.

As to the shoes-- your primary care person would need to refer you to a podiatrist. The podiatrist can write a prescription for the shoes.

Why do you feel that you need the shoes?

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....

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I don't know if this makes a difference or not in your case......But have you filed a CLAIM for your Diabetes with the VA ??????

If you have not, then I feel you really should ! It's not much in my case, it was only 20% for Type 2......But I get a meter/test strips/ lancets, free of charge in the mailbox.

Maybe thats the hang up if you haven't filed a claim . I have a friend in Scottsdale, he's also type 2, we served together, he gets all his supplies from the VA...

Say, are you a NAM vet ? 75th Inf. Rangers ????? We worked with "F"-75th Rangers out of CUCHI and TAY NINH , can't recall the TN company anymore....69-70..J

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....

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  • HadIt.com Elder

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.

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