Thread: Injured US veteran needs advice

Well I hate to tell you this, but your experience is probably based off of your inexperience..You hurt yourself when you were 17years old in the military? That indicates that you don't have a lot of time in the military learning how to navigate the military systems..Correct? How did your injury occur? That is kinda important..You mention Desert Storm..Were you injured in combat? What you need to do is submit the injury through a Disabled Veterans Rep and go through the process. It really doesn't take that long when you consider all the vets out there submitting claims that have to be reviewed (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Salvador, Panama, Gulf, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan). Then remember to establish a paper trail of douments that list your problems. If you injured yourself in combat then you would start with the date you were injured and list it in a factual context..It is actually pretty simple. A couple things to think about are: Whenever I go to a doctor I get a different opinion..Doctors are not "perfect" people...They make decisions based on the information in front of them. What your doctor did 20 years ago was probably based on the data and info that he (or she) had available. ...Another thing to think about is that whenever you get a surgery, you will not bounce back to 100%. So, all is not lost my friend you just have to go through the wickets without skipping anything. I have had several surgeries from injuries in the military (AirBorne Ranger), I have paid my pound of flesh for my country (22 years in the Army). So saying all of that...You need to go to DAV and submit your claim Take your recent doctors report to them when you do. If it is a service connected injury then you an claim 100% disabity while you are healing (if approved). ....After that you can get some really good physical therepy to help that shoulder out. I have had some surgeries on shoulders also and it takes awhile to heal..Have the headaches gone away? Did you get blown up? I got some serious head tramau from Iraq also....That does suck..Part of the occupational hazards I guess...And lastley you said last year the VA talked you into a hernia operation? I don't think I have ever heard that before? Under what conditions does the VA talk a person into a hernia operation 20 years after service? Well good luck, it really isn't as bad as it seems.. Thank you for your service.

Wintchase, you are absolutely right...I was injured when I was barely 18 years old (my years may be off a bit, lotsa drugs) and yes it was in the line of duty. I have absolutely no experience with the DVA other than the aforementioned problems, and I separated after my first term of service. As far as the hernia surgery is concerned, they discovered I had a small one during a routine physical and spent several weeks telling me that I should have it operated on before I was 40 because then the recovery would be much worse. They hounded me constantly, and I took that to be concern. Like I said, completely unrelated. I will take all of your advice under advisement and contact the DVA as soon as I have all my documentation in place.
The headaches have not gone away, and probably never will completely. I was just in the ER the other day with another severe one, although I get them less frequently and they are (usually) less severe.
Once again, thank you for the advice.

Chef,

I won't go into a lot of detail, but will tell you that your recourse is exclusively through the VA disability system. Service Members are barred from suing the government/military for tort injuries (e.g., medical malpractice) suffered incident to or arising from their service. This is known as the Feres Bar, and it's pretty much impenetrable...

I am not shocked with your treatment. I am sorry for your problems. I have a nephew who has some problems because of the treatment from the VA. One avenue open to you is to become educated about what your rights and benefits are. Find out, don't just accept somebody's verbal always check and investigate further. Another avenue is to go an see your Congressman after you have documented things. You need to start a notebook and write down all events and conservations, past, present and future. This actions is a powerful thing and it has helped me in my life to be able to help loved one's and friends alike. Just do it! Set out a concise list of action points that you need to be able to go on with your life. You can raise hell and sometimes it will help the cause. Foremost, you have to know that there are people that will help you, they just have to know about your situation. I am not talking charity but real help.

Take Care,
Richard

I have no advise to offer you. I just wanted to thank you for your service. And wish you well with your up coming surgery.

Question. Have you applied for Compensation through VA yet? If not, you need to get your butt in gear and get that done. I can be done online using VONAPP which is located at www.va.gov. Make sure you have all of your paperwork in order when it comes to dates of medical care and what was done. Include any paperwork you may have from an independent doctor and make sure you get him to write a nexus letter. The VA is under a lot of scrutiny these days and are really trying to improve their processes.

Also, if allowed, I would direct you to www.hadit.com/forums which is a HUGE source of information on all things VA related.

Your local American Legion or VFW post most likely has a service officer that can help you navigate the paperwork maze of the VA. Also, if you're on Facebook, there's a group called Military with PTSD. Everyone on there is either a vet, active duty, or closely related to someone w/ PTSD. They're a great source of support and information, not to mention many of them have been down the same road as you.

Best of luck to you

Thanks for your service. Your's is another sad example of why a lot Vet's refer to the VA as the "Hampster Cage".
LeagleBeagle has given you the correct advice, you cannot sue the VA but you do have every right to file a new claim based on your service related injuries, even if aggravated by the VA itself. The online filing was suggested and I would second that, it is the cleanest most efficient way to get the claim into the system. Then you simply have to wait, sometimes for months, as they get to your claim and schedule back into the system. You will hear from them and please don't be tempted call your filing office for any updates, that is always a bad move and will further delay processing your initial claim as it moves the claim temporarily off path. Lacking any efficiency using this method then I would seek out a Veterans Service Officer/Advocate for help. The VFW or AL can reference you.
I have been in the VA system since Vietnam, initially for GSW's that later had to be operated on again by civilians and my claim was successful for
getting the VA to add an additional % of disability to the initial claims. I am still involved with the VA over several agent orange exposure related diseases and PTSD.
I am very glad you have finally found a surgeon who can help put you back together. God's speed with all of this and please keep us informed. You will find support here, especially on this subject. Anything I can do based on my personal expriences feel free to use my email address in my profile.
Bob
Life Member 101st Airborne Division Association
Life Member Vietnam Helicopter Crewmembers Association
Member US Pathfinders Association

I had a friend who was an M.D with the VA and based on what he has told me and other vets experience I wouldn't send a dog to a VA Hospital.

Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

I have no advise to offer you. I just wanted to thank you for your service. And wish you well with your up coming surgery.

Thank you for your service compadre', I did the "storm" as well. I had some "botched" doctoring in the Navy myself and had the civilian doctors to patch me up properly. Fortunately there was no permanent damage. I pray for you a speedy recovery in your surgery and if you are permanently disabled, I wish you the best with your pursuit of the benefits you deserve.
Scott