Task Force On Returning Global War On Terror Heroes

[Tbird]

Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes

The Task Force has to report by June 30th, 2007! If you have comments send them now TFHeroes@va.gov

http://www1.va.gov/taskforce/

Link To Executive Order Forming The Commission Forming The Commission

The mission of the Task Force is to:

(a) Identify and examine existing Federal services that currently are provided to returning Global War on Terror service members;( Identify existing gaps in such services;

© Seek recommendations from appropriate Federal agencies on ways to fill those gaps as effectively and expeditiously as possible using existing resources; and

(d) Ensure that in providing services to these service members, appropriate Federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively, and facilitate the fostering of agency communications and cooperation through informal and formal means, as appropriate.

The Task Force is focused on improvements using existing executive authority and resources. If you have comments for this commission get them in now TFHeroes@va.gov

The Commission shall issue a final report by June 30, 2007, unless the Co-Chairs provide written notice to the President that an extension is necessary, in which case the Commission shall issue the final report by July 31, 2007.

Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes

Email TFHeroes@va.gov

Correspondence

Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes

c/o Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning

Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, NW (008)

Washington, DC 20420

Fax 202.273.9599

[betrayed]

sent the following

March 17th, 2006

James X XXXXXXXXXXX

Disabled American Veteran

United States Navy Retired

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXX Mi 48XXX

The Honorable Bob Dole, and Donna Shalala

1.) Dear Senator Dole and Ms. Shalala, I am writing to you in response to the President's Commission on Care for America 's Returning Wounded Warriors. Senator Larry Craig stated "We are all committed to improving the lives of all injured servicemembers. The main objective is to see that our service wounded members receive the finest care available."

I served in the United States Navy for 28 years of active duty from 1976 to 2004.

I enlisted as a health young 18 year old kid and retired as a crippled up old man with many diseases and conditions. I filed for Service connected compensation in Jan 2005. My claim for service connection compensation is still not settled. On May 17th 2005 I applied to the Veterans Administration for Vocational Rehabilitation. On June 1st, 2006 12.5 months later I was denied Vocational Rehabilitation. The denial letter states:

“It does not appear feasible for you to obtain suitable employment through your Vocational Rehabilitation benefits at this point in time because of the severity of your disability.”

“After carefully reviewing the evidence, I have determined that it is not reasonable to expect you to be able to train for or get a suitable job at this time.”

“In reaching my decision, I considered the following evidence: Medical records from VAMC and private physicians, independent living evaluation; vocational and independent living interviews, rating decisions, personal documentation.”

So Here I am a disabled veteran with disabilities so bad that I can not “obtain suitable employment through Vocational Rehabilitation benefits at this point in time because of the severity of your disability,” or “train for or get a suitable job at this time.”

2.) On December 21st 2006 I had a C&P Physical for PTSD. My exam was conducted by JXXXXX XXXXXXX MD. DR Kales made the following Psychiatric diagnosis

1. Major Depressive Disorder secondary to pain syndromes.

2. Post traumatic Stress Disorder, chronic, delayed onset, with panic symptoms.

3. Nicotine dependent.

Dr Kales also made the following note on the physical “The prognosis for improvement is deemed poor in light of the veterans deteriorating health. His capacity for employment is felt to be poor in light of his overall impaired functional and emotional status.”

So I am unemployed, deemed unemployable by both a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist and a Medical Doctor stated “his capacity for employment is felt to be poor”

And yet the Department of Veterans Administration drags its feet on my claim and I and my wife live in poverty.

3.) Now you ask yourself what does all of this have to do with the President's Commission on Care for America 's Returning Wounded Warriors.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, the object of several recent investigations, epitomizes more unlearned lessons. The head of the VA is a political appointee; thus, VA officials typically echo what the White House stance is and not necessarily act as vigorous advocates for veterans’ interests, another unlearned lesson. When a “new” war is being conducted, veterans of prior wars, their families and programs are pushed to the bottom of the priority list.

In the midst of the emotionally charged climate to support our forces in harm’s way, perhaps this is somewhat understandable---understandable, but absolutely not acceptable.

The three letters from the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs letters listed below all explain how to expedite claims of Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans at the expense of veterans of prior wars, their families and programs are pushed to the bottom of the priority list to favor the newer vets, this is not only immoral it is unacceptable.

March 26, 2003

VBA Letter 20-03-11

Director (00)

All VA Regional Offices and Centers

SUBJ: Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom

September 23, 2003

VBA Letter 20-03-36

Director (00)

All VA Regional Offices and Centers

SUBJ: Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom

March 8, 2005

VBA Letter 20-05-14

Director (00)

All VA Regional Offices

SUBJ: Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom

James X XXXXXXX

USN Retired

Copy to: Senator Carl Levin

US SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

This is your/our chance to say something meaningful to these lawmakers. Can you imagine what a impact we can make if each and every hadit member sends these knot heads a letter? Also send a copy to your Senator and a Copy to:

US SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

Edited March 19, 2007 by BETRAYED

[Tbird]

these are some of my thoughts

Examine the effectiveness of returning wounded service members' transition from deployment in support of the Global War on Terror to successful return to productive military service or civilian society, and recommend needed improvements.

If an active duty service member is injured to the point of being discharged the DO should keep them on active duty pay until their VA compensation is awarded.

Quit leaving veterans to fend for themselves, men and women being medevaced out of the combat zone should not be left on their own, to find there way around the facility they are to be treated at. A sponsor should be there to meet them and assist getting them checked into their new surroundings.

These men and women need someone checking in with them on site who will have answers like where do I go, what's my next appointment, etc.

An onsite veterans service office to assist veterans with all the claims paperwork that must be done when applying for veterans benefits.

Mandatory funding for the Veterans Affairs department.

[betrayed]

T Bird this isnt getting much attention, this is a very important item and we need to all write, any way you can keep this at the top of the new items page ??? I cant believe everyone wants to complain about waiting time and this for sure effects our waiting time.

GET OFF YOU LAZT ARSES AND WRITE A LETTER OR A EMAIL!

[Tbird]

put in the announcements on all forums and on the frontpage of the homepage at http://www.hadit.com

T Bird this isnt getting much attention, this is a very important item and we need to all write, any way you can keep this at the top of the new items page ??? I cant believe everyone wants to complain about waiting time and this for sure effects our waiting time.

GET OFF YOU LAZT ARSES AND WRITE A LETTER OR A EMAIL!