Veteran Benefits: Delivering Compensation and Pension and Fiduciary Services
As research and environmental study evolves or new legislative and regulatory provisions are written regarding illnesses for Gulf War Veterans, the VA Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) performs necessary rule-making and develops field training to support the changes. To further assist Gulf War Veterans, Compensation Service developed two training letters designed to inform and instruct regional office personnel on development and adjudication of disability claims based on Southwest Asia service. VA also completed a regulation to add functional gastrointestinal disorders to the list of disabilities that are presumed to have resulted from service in the Gulf War. The final rule was published and became effective on August 15, 2011. VBA continues to work with the VA/DoD Deployment Health Working Group to identify environmental exposures whether related to the Gulf War or elsewhere. Finally, VBA worked with the VHA on an effort to develop and execute a separation health assessment with DoD, an effort that is intended to reduce the future burden of proving service connection that Veterans often must bear when seeking recognition for exposure-related illnesses and injuries years after service.
Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Veterans Benefits section of the report.
-
James Laubler commented
To fix something you have to DO something. That's the problem. You've institutionalized all these employees who judge our cases. It's time to promote them out of the V.A. and get people in there that are motivated by one thing.... to help the soldier.
There should be at least a couple phone interviews. However, if a doctor says we have an undiagnosable or uncurable problem, don't doubt him. I have half a dozen doctors saying the same thing. They still drag feet at the V.A.
-
James Laubler commented
It's too bad we have to beg. We aren't fighting. I offered my email in an earlier post to start organizing like these kids on Wall Street (except our will be at the regional V.A. near us). I've had zero responses.
Like the Local Tea Party, there is no reason for our U.N. loving city council to fear them. We sit on our fannies, too. It's America. If you don't fight for it, you don't get it. sfret2@yahoo.com
-
ROBERT LESSARD commented
I am a Vietnam/Desert Storm Veteran and I have all kinds of illnesses from Both of the wars and have been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis,I am on 4 different breathing appartises, pills for RLS, pills for PTSD but they will not say I have PTSD. but they don't sleep with me nor were they with me during my career to see and do what I have done. so how can a non veteran doctor be qualified to say what I do and Do not have. Then I had to file everything twice because of 2 different War and still haven't heard anything but get 20 % for my hearing and stomach which are both Service related. Now that Iam almost 65 I guess that it can be put off for a few more years than it won't have to be processed..
-
michael commented
Attention TASK FORCE This message is for you. Veterans seek treatment for conditions told nothing is wrong with us even if we are sick. Often told idiopathic or may be viral. Let me set the record straight I was in excellent physical condition before my military service in Gulf. Yes I could do it all run, push up, setups anything... overall well rounded solider.
And for those who wonder yes I had High Pt scores consistently 295 above that is when the test were structured differently . An example someone in their 20'sr had to run less than 12 min in run to get 100 points in that area .I have 9 siblings who have minor health problems and out of everyone I was always the healthiest as a child and adult until my military service. By the way I also one of few whom took active interest in staying healthy. Now fast forward today i have chronic health issues with no comorbidities except those after my military service. Stark contrast from then to know. Let me list a few conditions cardiac, gastrointestinal, neurological, and musculoskeletal. All this begin at a young age with no history of smoking,drinking or drug use. So let me tell you people first hand after I became ill enough to be hospitalized several times nearly dieing would VHA even believe I had a problem. Then for them to only tell me they don't know why. Do you think this is good enough evidence for VBA acknowledge GWI exist with me? No it was not even if had many years of chroncity some even presumptive conditions.
I think not since I am only service connected for one condition so far.And must wait until someone follows the law and regulations properly and get fair claim adjudication. But let me tell you how my life has been since this GW illness hit me. My quality of life suffers significantly not only did I lose my home because I could not work but everything I owned. Do you think anybody cares? What is the purpose of these 30 day periods are you actually going to do something to help veterans? Why don't you go to the VBA regional offices and get them to follow the presumptive rules for GWI the training letters and the fast letters. Instead delay delay delay and make veteran appeal right. Yes you can appeal what about all those years your living in poverty waiting for someone to put the pieces of the puzzle together while your children go without. Yes VA pays back pay how in the hell does that help when your child has birthday or Christmas time is here. The back pay will not make us better, compensation years latter will not get our homes back. The list goes on and on. That is why I call all this smoke and mirrors. Do something for us please. I have always been patriotic but this foolishness with claims process is ridiculous. I can be reached at us_vet@yahoo.com if you like specifics and some additional suggestions.
-
Shaun Orris commented
Dirty lawyer tricks, doctors pissed off they have to do legal paperwork when they simply want to be doctors get frustrated and quit VA and another great doctor that could've helped veterans like mine from Columbus, Dr. Cacchilo ... quit. Its obvious its a stalling tactic with the Federal Reserve screwing us while they pay billions upon billions to banks who failed because they suck. Dare I say they are Nazis? Oh no, I didn't just right that, did I? Its this simple- we are 100% disabled as SOCIAL SECURITY SAYS WE ARE. Enough said, tell Bernanke to put on the ledger the max for us all. We are more important than the Banks. WIthout us, there would be no banks to freely operate. VA and The President need to work out an executive order forcing Bernanke to put the dollars on the ledger NOW ! Now I've vented now I need another anxiety pill. Damnit!
-
Shaun Orris commented
The practice of war-time military bonuses began in 1776, as payment for the difference between what a soldier earned and what he could have earned had he not enlisted.[
-
Shaun Orris commented
If social security says a veteranis disabled to the max ... why does VA stall and deny? End this please. We've earned our benefits. We do not deserve poverty.
-
James Laubler commented
Here is the bottom line. A system that has this much power won't be taken down with pleeding. We need to do what the anti-wallstreet crowd are doing. Unfortunately, there are armed guards at the V.A.'s We need to show up in mass with our tents and gear. When we get a big enough group, we move into the building and march every floor (the guards will not shoot us). It's should be good old civil disobedience.
My email is SFret2@yahoo.com . James Laubler, 5th S.F. retired army.
Contact me. Maybe we can get something done.
Oh. And write to your editor TODAY so they can print you message before Veterans Day. Title it "Stop The Parade". People do these parades and make themselves feel patriotic and good. That's all fine and well but we need people to write their congressmen and senators. I wrote the first lady. No reply. Yet, she hangs around veterans/soldiers, using us to bolster her image.
Lets do this. I'm in NW Arkansas. I'd be happy to go down to Little Rock and build a crowd. To hell with the passive garbage. I'm hurting, I take mass quantities of pills, and I'm sick and tired of feeling this way while also trying to figure out how I'm going to get my 65 year old wife into retirement (and looking for refinancing on my home loan).
-
Anonymous commented
Take time to read these comments, our Veterans are not being taken care of. The comprehensive Exam at VA hospitals is lacking in understanding what the higher authority is saying. The adjudicators just do as they always have and disregard presumptive conditions. I have fought with them tooth and nail untill I am blue in the face. There needs to a house cleaning not training. Some people think Veterans are quacks to have served this country. I cannot understand why VA penalizes Veterans who do well who have disabilities. Why does the VA make us sick it is because they do not give a damn. The Gulf war ended in 1991 why are you cheating the Veteran out of benefits he/she deserves from the day they retired. Presumptive illnesses should go back to the date of separation. The Veterans have been sick since serving in the Gulf. You know that and I know it and it is unfair to adjust dates due to some laws favoring the VA system. When will the VA support and do the right thing for Veterans. Stop spending all the money on research and giving to charities. The people who deserve the compensation are losing their houses, cars, and cannot feed their families. Additionally when Veterans are entitled to benefits pay them. I personally had my benefits withheldf for thirteen months while Va was deciding whether or not I was competent. A fiduciary service is a last draw measure I personally felt the VA attempts to channelize their process to fit their needs not the Veterans. The measure by VA to propose someone not competent for VA purposes needs refinement. One thearapist should not be a deciding factor. A second look needs to be done by a psyciatrist. You can add all the diseases to presumtive conditions but veterans who have already submitted and had these conditions denied must resumit claims. The process is worst than going to the denist. Y ou submit yourself for failure and possibly loss of benefits because VA will now relook at all your conditions and they take advantage of getting back compensation. The VA know who has submitted before if not let them review the records. Veterans are tired, sick, homeless, and unemployed. Their life expectenacy dropped and will continue to drop untill someone thanks, rewards, and give them what they signed up for. Why does a system say we want to help when the next thing you do is stop our services. I know the job requires alot of teamwork and many places are better than others. Overall asks the Veteran what you can do for he/she most will say only what I signed up for.
-
There have been several questions regarding status of cases at BVA and/or other questions for them. Check the "Knowledge Base" for contact information on BVA.
-
robertVentrella commented
Sorry U missed the bandwagon, I submitted yesterday. I am a volunteer counsellor at a Naval Station! PTSD is real I see it often, help with rehab and disability. There was and is a hell of a burden on these kids going to the Mid East. PTSD is one issue what about silicon fibers in the lungs? We do help and try to get them paid as quick as possible that helps calm the PTSD also once they can feel worthwhile we go in for teir rehab. The VA does a great job in both departments BUT we fail them in a large way by the slow snail pace process of getting them paid. I too am one so I can speak both Vietnam, Arabia and a few other pleasure spots left me disabledm yet now I am seeing myself a long time ago waiting for the magic answer that yes you are entitled. We try to help with Military releif but that is a bandade fix. We have a full staff and probably coyuld cut the time a bit by assisting and pre researching the claim. We have also a Dr. and two attorneys as volunteers. We coould not volunteer at the VA because they cannot insure us,. If near GLStation come in to the RSO.
-
Anonymous commented
I have also been denied compensation for Gulf War Illness from the regional office in Cleveland Ohio. Even though I have suffered headaches and vertigo for the last 19 yrs, I am on two anxiety pills, 2 sleeping pills, 2 antidepressants, fear of being in public places, and have nightmares at least 3 times a week. I have PTSD, and severe depression.
-
Gary commented
I agree with anonymous. I was a reservist during Desert Storm. During my outprocessing from active duty, I was not even offered a seperation physical. They only had me fill out the paperwork and put that "I feel good" on it. I was later informed by fellow reservist that they were advised to to try and have children for at least a year after returning. I was never told this. I now have a daughter who has developmental delays.
-
Anonymous commented
Gulf War veterans like myself elected to separate after returning home and expeditiously out-processed from the service without realizing the importance of the separation physical. Most of us just wanted to start a new career so we wanted to go through our out-going physicals as quickly as possible, thus, we now have a difficult time getting disability claims approved because of this action. During the aftermath of the Gulf War, the military as a whole was downsizing so quickly so competition for civilian jobs was very high. The VA should look beyond what was indicated on the separation physicals for all veterans in determining claims approval or denial. Most veterans suffer disabilities way after their separation from the military and the greater percentage didn't have symtoms of their illnesses during their separation physical
-
Anonymous commented
I am a GW vet and I filed a claim for Fibromyalgia, osteoarthitis, muscle pain, joint pain, memory problem, heahaches and GI problems. I am tried of being denied and the Va stating we have to prove our ailment are service connected from Gulf War. WE SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND THIS IS THNAKS WE GET...WOW
-
drinkme commented
Seems people are being a bit gullible here.
This law is actually for "undiagnoses Illness" which isnt service in the Persian Gulf War. Gulf war is one of its primary services listed but its still about if a doctor writes saying "Gee, I cant figure this out so it must be undiagnosed". There isnt a C&P clinician in this country right now that will use the term "undiagnosed" when they are being told to diagnose vets even if its wrong. Same thing for "environmental' clinicians or WRIISC doctors.
This is a antiquated term that VA set to stomp out in 2001, and did so. Around 3,700 out of 11,000 that filed using this term got service connected out of the 330,000 that filed from the 1991 Gulf war.
The VA throws in 9 diseases recently to service connect. All of which the person would have died from by 1992/1993 if they had not been diagnosed. This isnt a opportunity for service connection because its way to late. Which is why its a given. It doesnt cost them much now.
The gastrointestinal option is not much help because its vague. So a ICD 9 code with this is of little help. Maybe 30% at best on 2nd or 3rd try. The problem, medical records in the Gulf that establish a chronic condition in theater. No records.
This is compounded by the fact that without classified records from the Gulf war being disclosed then substantive evidence doesnt exist to any cause. There are over 6 million records related to the Gulf war currently held by the Pentagon of which 1.7 million are medically relelevant to exposures during the war. All unavailable 20 years later though $150,000,000 was spent in 1995 to declasify them and make them available to the public.
Until the terms of this law itself change or DOD releases all the records from the Gulf war then this is a empty gesture to stall vets longer on claims. That there wont be any real sweeping changes on service connection as long as "burden of proof" beats out "benefit of doubt" as vets cant produce evidence of what they were exposed to in Iraq.
All the people voting on this are voting for a hollow gesture rather than sweeping reform. This has no teeth. This has no champion at Congress or at the Pentagon. Its not ammending the injustices behind this or changing the very wide range of how C&P doctors use this as each is very different. Each VAMC does business different and doesnt enforce the same.
Service connection and the Gulf War, thats something you dont see on a VA claim grant as they dont service connect to that region. Just for specific bodily function dissorders. This needs to revamped all together and stop using the term "undiagnosed".
-
Brian commented
Contact dav disabled american veterans 90 yrs in service
-
Dave Sherman commented
There is a number to call that they actually answer if you want to file a claim or get an update.
VA Helpline 800-749-8387 press 2 for the Gulf War -
Dave Sherman commented
I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux by the german doctors when I was living overseas after I got out. I registered with Darmstadt and saw the VA when I moved home in 1995. I have been on medication since 1992 and have changed my diet severely over the last 10 years to avoid flare ups. I recently put in my claim again in Nov.2010 and saw C&P in April I think for PTSD, Hearing loss, and Increase in disability for my L knee and to include my R knee. I added Chronic lower back problems and my GERD to my claim. Everything is being processed, just waiting on an answer. I have been denied twice already for GERD.
This new idea that just passed was about Presumtive Illness and I have an outline following about it. The only problem is how far back will they pay considering it starts 6 months before being diagnosed with the illness.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including, but not limited to,
irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia (excluding structural gastrointestinal diseases);
or Note to paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B)(3): Functional gastrointestinal disorders are a group of conditions
characterized by chronic or recurrent symptoms that were present for at least 6 months prior to diagnosis
and have been currently active for 3 months, that are unexplained by any structural, endoscopic, laboratory,
or other objective signs of disease or injury and that may be related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, substernal burning or pain, nausea, vomiting, altered bowel habits
(including diarrhea, constipation), indigestion, bloating, postprandial fullness, and painful or difficult swallowing.
Specific functional gastrointestinal disorders include, but are not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome,
functional dyspepsia, functional vomiting, functional constipation, functional bloating,
functional abdominal pain syndrome, and functional dysphagia. -
AngryGulfWarVet3SWAServiceStars commented
How's Kucinich helping you? He lied to my uncles face in the 1980's Some VA hospitals are better than others. As for treatment the East Orange, NJ VA is absolutely wonderful. As for the administration part -- terrible!
Do I mention Philadelphia Insurance part of VA? I still receive letters claiming my last physical exame was in 1952 -- odd as I was born in 1974. Sort of telling how messed up the VA administration can, and will continue to be.