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JIM STRICKLAND'S MAIL BAG: VOLUME #22 FOR 2008 --

Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland answers

questions from VA Watchdog readers.

Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland provides regular columns for VA Watchdog dot Org.

If you would like to contact Jim about his columns, you can email him here...

The archive of Jim's articles is here...

To find an answer to a specific VA benefits question, use the VA Watchdog search engine... click here...

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by Jim Strickland

NOTE:  Letters in my mailbag are reprinted just as they come to me. Spelling and grammar are left as is and only small corrections are made to improve readability, ensure anonymity or delete expletives that may offend some readers. This is not legal advice. You should always seek the advice of an attorney who is qualified in Veterans' law before you make any decisions about your own benefits.

Jim;

My 47 yr old brother has no medical insurance. He needs Thyroid. He has been out of the Marines for over 20 years after serving 2 years. Is he eligible for VA medical insurance of any kind? Thank you

Reply;

Maybe. The very best way to find out is to apply. There are currently a set of restrictions that could keep him out of the VA system. If he has no service connected disability rating and if he makes a steady income above poverty level, he may be classed as a "Group 8" veteran. Currently the VA health system isn't accepting any new "Group 8" veterans.

However, that is likely to see a change with the latest election and political climate. It's smart to get started with the process now even if he can't get in the door today.

Click this link http://www.va.gov/  to learn more. There are other links to follow from there and he can even apply on line.

Jim;

Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Peak is having a positive affect on the VA folks in San Antonio, Texas. This past Monday, I went to the Frank Tejeda Clinic for a hearing test to replace a hearing aid that I managed to get destroyed. The receptionist was friendly and helpful, the very young lady doctor who tested me, treated me like a long lost relative. I wanted to look at the front of the building to see if I was in the right place. The doctor told me that there had been some changes made in the management very recently. I can't remember ever being treated this well by anyone who worked for the VA. I made sure I complimented them for being the friendliest VA folks I had ever encountered.

Reply;

Thanks so much for sharing that. I often laud the VHA health services care I get at my CBOC and my VAMC. Even our CMOP is very responsive. It's worth repeating; Most of the DVA works very well and provides a terrific benefit system. It's unfortunate that the C and P division of the VBA jumped the tracks somehow. It's hard to imagine anyone describing the disability benefits applications process as "friendly and helpful".

Please keep telling your caregivers how much you appreciate them. They deserve it and they love to hear it. (BTW, if you didn't have to stop and think of what each acronym above was, you may be reading too much VAWatchdog.)

Jim;

I been very fortune to found your web page because at last I have locate some one with so much knowledge about VA WEB. I have use your advice, and recommendations to prepare my own claims. I will like to let you know that I am using your information to lead other veteran in my home land of Puerto Rico about the benefit of using the information you provide and in addition, I even have used your recommendations like letters and other articles to answer other veterans question. Thank you again from the bottom of my hart. Sorry for my writing; English is not my first language but I try to do my best.

Reply;

Gracias por su servicio a nuestro país. Don't you worry about your English. It's better than some veterans who write to me and they can't speak another language! Thank you for your kind words. I'm happy to hear my writing has been of value to you and even more pleased to know you're helping others. Don't hesitate to let me know if I may answer any future questions you may come across. I'm at your service!

Jim;

How firm are the estimates of bogus claims? If they are any where near 50%, it would certainly explain why there has been no massive rebellion over the huge back log of claims. Interested in your take on this.

Reply;

I doubt there's ever been a formal inquiry. The first thing you'd have to do is define "bogus". I know what it means to me but others would disagree. It's like fine art or porn, I know it when I see it but I couldn't tell you how to define it.

So far as any rebellion goes, as a group we veterans are so disorganized we can't get anything done. We could be the most powerful voting bloc ever but we turn our influence over to places like VFW or DAV and watch as they get in lock step with the VA. I want to weep openly some days when I think of the fact that DAV is as large as it is. Their leaders often position themselves firmly against veterans rights and we continue to send them money because they have nice hats and cool pins to wear.

Today, every veteran has a right to file for anything that he feels like. That's a good thing. However, I'm personally aware of many veterans who file claims that are for very minor complaints that don't seem to be disabling in any way. I get a lot of email from vets who insist that a thing happened but for one reason or another, it wasn't documented.

The VBA allows an undocumented event to be given very serious consideration if it is in a combat area. That's understandable and the right way to look at that situation. However, those veterans who served 2 years 35 years ago and now recall an event of a fall during a time where they were working on a truck and their sergeant wouldn't allow them to go to sick call are dubious. I guess I'm thinking of that instance because I heard that recently. The veteran had hurt his hip in the fall. According to the veteran who wrote to me, his sarge told him he wasn't injured and there was never a sick call or any other documentation.

Today he needs a hip replaced...he's well into his 60's. His claim was denied and he's pissed off about it and wants me to help him. He's been blunt about telling me that he needs the money. Another was the Vietnam era veteran with Hep C. He was angry because he was totally blown off by the VBA and wanted my help.

In the case of the hip guy, between his discharge and a recent visit to an orthopedic doc there is zero history of any complaints. But our veteran says that arthritic hip isn't hurt because it's getting older, it's the fault of the Army.

The Hep C guy claimed to be a Vietnam veteran. As it happened, he was Vietnam era. He served his 2 drafted years in Hawaii as a mail clerk. After discharge he went to San Francisco and entered the intravenous drug use lifestyle. He served time in prison and had prison tats. But, according to him, his Hep C is something the Army caused him to have. He also was clear that he was filing because he needed the money.

Both of those guys were appealing their denials and wanted my advice and counsel. The VBA is required to give thorough and complete consideration to each of those fellows. I could cite dozens more and the VA Insiders who write to me could cite hundreds like that.

I also do some work with The Veterans History project. http://www.loc.gov/vets/  I happen to think that this unique approach to capturing our past is very important to our future. I've had grown men sit in front of the camera and tell me lies that were simply so far fetched as to be embarrassing. The most common story I hear is that the veteran was covert...some sort of CIA spook. Each one followed the pattern of baby killing with bayonets, hippies peeing on them in public restrooms while they were in uniform, crowds of strangers spitting on them and so on. The stories are startling in how one is the same as the other, straight from a Hollywood script.

The story always says records were lost or are still top secret. To this day they can't tell me the names of anyone they served with. Their failures are always the fault of the military, the VA, Nixon...you get the idea. It had nothing to do with drugs or alcohol...never.

I don't call anyone on any of that. It isn't my place. I feel sorry for anyone who has so little enjoyment of their life they have to make up something. I was no hero. I'm Vietnam era, not a Vietnam veteran. I was on my way to Vietnam and the Army, in all its wisdom, changed my orders along with a bunch of others and sent me to Germany. I have no regrets, no shame...I did what I was told and I did a good job. I don't understand the need for aggrandizing one's history. For anyone to claim things that they didn't do takes away from the credit others deserve.

Is it really 50% who are faking it? I don't know. I do know a lot of my email is from people who have gone way overboard in thinking that their minor injury should lead to a fat financial payoff.

But...most email here comes from people I genuinely admire. Through my volunteer work at VAWatchdog I've been privileged to chat with some of the finest men and women who ever walked our planet. So, for me, putting up with the whack-jobs is worth it.

It is too bad that there isn't some way to stop the ones who obviously have no claim from clogging the system. If only 10% of claims were questionable, it's still way too much and diverts resources from those who deserve much more.

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posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org

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