Getting better, but VA still staying away from GWI
It seems that the regional offices are getting better with granting claims but they still don't want to use the words Gulf war illness. They would rather split up all of the illnesses and put them through separately, rather than just call it Gulf war illness for everything, very strange. But getting there
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janet commented
remember, it's GOP, Inc. LOL
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janet commented
I've only known of one MD in the Denver area who was/is sick from nbc exposure.They need to resolve this one before the nex wave comes home, wonder what they'll call it then. You can go to www.va.gov and search info sites or search Gulf War registry sites, etc. Local VFW or other veteran's groups have the info. Call your regional offices. I agree you are getting ignored, there were medical personnel there, too. I have diagnosed illnesses and compensation. I think GWI is too general and the medical diagnoses have to be evaluated individually and treated as well as the whole person. to me, the bottom line is $. disability and the financial stressors on society. Review what the VA covers for claims, they cover pre existing conditions, conditions aggravated by military service, conditions occurred during military service and complications. The benefits extend to inlaws, adopted children, mother's in law, etc, wide range of benefits. Not all the MD's you see are involved with GWI, they may be just rotating through the clinic, until a "Congressional" decision is made, just stay as well as you can, or go to the Mayo Clinic and cont medical care, keep copies, dvd's of radiology and other labs, tests, etc, list of meds, costs, this is not a new method of handling post war injuries of any type, they are just not very good at it with this situation.
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Angel Warrior 07 commented
I think doctors at the VA are afraid to admit there is Gulf War Illness. I have had it written in my records but now they are writing it as being in the theatre. However, I visited one specialist, a neurologist in Portland, Oregon, and I mentioned Gulf War Illness and I got sick from the gulf war and she came unglued. I was interrogated with about 10 or so questions to try to stump me as if I was lying and it didn't work. She talked down to me as if I had committed a crime just because I mentioned Gulf War Illness!!! and I had the light turned down some when she came in because of my eyes being light sensitive since the gulf war. She gave me severe PTSD for 3 weeks and it still stays with me and bothers me. Her fellow who had worked with me already for at least an hour had told me what the problem was which matched with others that told me that but she didn't go near it. Once I told her what he said she looked at him and if looks could kill she would have killed him. Poor fellow!!! The report that was written up that it was depression and nothing the fellow said was written up and it was written up incorrect. I really felt for the fellow who had to put up with working with a doctor like that. No one should have to put up with a doctor treating them that way, much less a Veteran who has served their country honorably and are ill from that service, or a co-worker. I can only imagine how many other Veterans she has done this to and gotten away with it and it is WRONG!!!! I put in my story to my doctor and added it to my file of what really happened. But then I got sent to another specialist who said she read all my file, meaning what I wrote too, and she didn't want anything I had written regarding my symptoms and what I have experienced (needs to be written because you have trouble remembering things and there are lots of things) and she didn't do me any favors in her write up and had incorrect things written up too. I wrote up a letter to my doctor regarding that visit too. So, they work together. You tick one off they team up against you. Neither one of them said anything about Gulf War Illness and I did talk about it!!! They act like they are scared to mention it. I think they don't understand it. They might screw us but they will have their day one day I truly beleive. Gulf War Illness is really bad stuff and I beleive it is transferred to others. Also, they are talking about giving the anthrax vaccine to kids now. So they and there families may be affected before they know it and they could have stopped it by doing what is right! When I have things like this happen it just makes me want to fight for what is right that much more! Doing what is right for the Veterans is what is most important!!! I thought I seen the Portland doctor at a RAC meeting and I watched her sometimes. It was interesting to see her completing cross word puzzles in a newspaper as important research speakers were speaking. All that money for her to come and she was doing cross word puzzles!!! Oh my gosh!!! Then we wonder why things are like they are with doctors and gulf war illness. And then I think of all of my taxpayer dollars being spent on her to come. I'm pretty sure it was her. That is the problem!!!! They need to know GWI is real and be trained. You need to have us GWI Vets on a committee at each clinic to help train them so they understand us and aren't afraid to do what is right!!!!
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Ezjay commented
Wouldn't today (Veterans Day, 2011) be the perfect time for the VA to announce they are going to compensate all Gulf War Veterans that have pending claims...and in the next 60-90 days.
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Captain Rik commented
I just read the Task Force 2011 report and found it like all the other that have come out over the last 20 years. Training of medical personnel at the VA should be relooked. I have suffered from Chronic Fatigue, PTSD, and an intestinal problem since early 1991 while still in the Gulf. 20 years later I am still sick 2-3 weeks out of the month where I cannot hold down food except liquids and wind up in the hospital. Since 1991 the VA has reclassified my illness 'Unexplained Diagnosis', Hepitittus, Irritable Bowel Syndrom, and back and forth depending on which VA hospital I am at. The report says that GWI is a 'presumptive' illness, but they do not rate it? I have been trying to get the VA to act since I was forced to retire in1997 because I was non-deployable. I have an 80% rating for severe hearing loss, bad knees, back and mental health issues - but they still refuse to address my main problem. My last request for upgrade was in Nov 2010 and is still not at the rating desk. THANK YOU AMERICA.
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NDGWI.blog.com commented
We are the forgotten generation of Gulf War Deployed Veterans, NonDeployed Gulf War Era Veterans, Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans, and family members that are suffering with illnesses defined by Gulf War Illness (GWI).
We collectively see areas for immediate change:
• Transparency from all agencies involved in the Gulf War Illness
• All GWI research findings be declassified and shared with the public
• NonDeployed Gulf War Era Veterans need inclusion in presumption laws/research/treament
• Registry/Network for Ill Gulf War Era Veterans pre 9/11 through current conflict or until the war is declared closed by Congress
• Train VA practitioners to identify GWI
• All outside medical diagnoses and nexus letters should carry more consideration than the C&P exams
• FAST TRACK on claims and appeals with medically trained raters from 3rd party
• Uphold the benefit of a doubt clause and stop ignoring Part B of the unemployability regulation
• Repeal the quota system within the claims process
• Funded research into alternative medicine and its treatments
• Medical marijuana research funding for GWI treatment
• Financial assistance given to veterans awaiting claims decisions to help prevent the financial devastation that results from waiting 2-10 years for decisionsImprove and apply lessons learned from past practices and policies that can improve today’s programs and services supporting all Gulf War Era Veterans. We stand together in solidarity with all the lives lost due to death and disability.
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Anonymous commented
This Is the Thanks Of A Grateful Nation? Ignored by the US Representatives, Senators, Presidents, VA, The Military Services, and Last but least The Media
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Bryant Barbee commented
Bryant Barbee here, I don't get it. A task force for something that actually happened. The system needs total revamping, totally. Just like other things in our government is broken. This sorely needs fixing ASAP!!!!
I have been sick now for 20 yrs with some good days and some horrible days. I was in excellent shape before I went in and up until the GW. After that all kinds of weird things have gone wrong in my body. My skin is now full of white spots, (I'm a black person), migraine headaches, PTSD, MDD, Panic Attacks, CFS, and many more things to list but I was told that this forum was not to gripe. I am very sick, If it weren't for my wife I would be homeless because she is taking care of our business for us.
I have had my claim in for 14 months now at the Waco RO and I don't understand why its taking so long. I've done everything they've ask me to do. When they told me I had to go to war I went without hesitation and from the moment we got the word we were there in a matter of weeks so my question is why is it taking so long to give me a answer, we are Americans. We have technology that can sniff out a ant 3000 miles away and take it out if need be ,so no one can tell me that " we have a lot of cases" is going to cut it. We have super fast computers that can detect what the hell I'm doing right now so I know the VA has some pretty powerful technology and bright people to make things happen a lot faster than what they're doing.
If your going to do us the same way you did the Vietnam Vet and jerk us around for 40 yr to recognize that we are a legitimate group, don't, we know what we have. I am embarrassed to be an American now at this time. Is this how you treat your people who served honorably ?
I see our country falling apart in all areas basically because of too much government and bad debt. We are not stupid , we see your financial problems and know that the VA is the biggest Government debt, don't cut at the VA ,our bill was prepaid when we went into battle, but I say this, If you don't want to take care of your honorable veterans don't make veterans.
Get your butts in gear and take care of us who earned the medical care and compensation. I can be reached at topnotchcleaningservices1@yahoo.com ALL DAY LONG!!! Get at me with a fix to the problem & Mr. Shinseki or whoever is in charge of this fiasco please look into my claim. I'm upset now after writing this so I'm going to stop here.
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Wendell commented
The system is totally broken. My claim has been on someones desk 2 months before the person realize that they need to ask for some test to be done that had already been done and sent in. here I am 7 months later still no closer. What is the secret about my file? Its my file but the VA don't want me to see what the doctors wrote when I call about the status of my claim. I believe the system is so broke I am writing this e mail in vein. I would love to know if Mr. Shinseki will actually read these and get something done. When it comes to the VA the right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing or even if it exsist. Just make it simple. And do some work. I can't imagine if I were this slow at doing my job that I would still have one. "We have a lot of claims" is no excuse for for hard. Here is your first test. respond to this email with a solution on my claim. e mail for for my info. and in case you missed it here it is again. wendellfant@hotmail.com
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Denise Nichols commented
The claim system seems totally broken for gulf war veterans this needs to be simplified! DD214 proves there, drs records and testing shows abnormality, diagnostic tests and blood work.....then grant it.
Many having to start all over to try yet again and deadline on 31 Dec 2011 needs to be removed immediately!!! If drs you have seen document and diagnosis of CFS, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, etc then it is proven and should be granted tooooo many steps. Gulf war veterans are also getting sicker neurocognitively and need the help now! -
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.
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Shaun Orris commented
I find the fact that my anthrax shot record from boot camp in Navy in San Diego is missing. Nut to butt with guns firing from both sides ... yeah vaccines damnit. Where's the shot records? What are trying to say, My Captain ignored a direct order to have me receive the anthrax vaccine as it was the standing order in 1991. Hello?
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marilynbfo13@yahoo.com commented
Gulf War Vets Our Hero's
Respectfully: As of November 4th, you as Gulf War Vets, should write your Congressman and ask for Support dealing with the VA, I urge you to explain the trials you have had with the VA as a Gulf War Vet...This Is your Life..Vote if you agree -
Anonymous commented
Mr Shinsecki
Are you sleeping at night comfortable, Is there a way for The Vets to contact you....I really hope you have read these comments -
Anonymous commented
I have seen my relative who also served in the Gulf war, a before and after person...I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself full force, and for the VA and whom who so ever is in charged for helping these people, who are having all the signs and symptoms from the Gulf War,and have to wait so many years to recieve and if they recieve, if they are alive...as quick as you sent them there, you should have been as quick to take care of them....with no questions asked
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Ezjay commented
I just got my SOC for Sleep Apnea...Correct me if I'm wrong, but would you say Sleep Apnea is a type of "Sleep Disturbance"? I know it's a slim shot but I really hope Mr Shinseki reads some of what we are going through here. The word is not getting out to the people making the decissions. My pkt sat there gathering dust since 2008...Here's a hint, Work 3 shifts, OT, Weekends and clean up your mess, then Train your people what the word Presumptive Service Related really means. None of us asked to be ill, and we all rather not deal with this crew at all. Its a game, and a joke...
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Brian commented
Split up can be better for ratings. Gwi is a syndrom not medical definition
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jerome byrd commented
Most of the problems we have must be fought for in order to get service connection. The mystry disapperance of medical records after coming back is concerning. Also records from the VA I used in 91-94 are missing. I am not a conspiricy theroist but it is a real battle with the VA right now. I understand they must follow regs but after 20 years there should be some research results providing answers and treatment. Even Aids is being treated now extending there lives. We face every day questions of what is wrong with me. We get juggled between mental health and traditional medcine. Getting no answers. Since 1991 I have had elevated MONOCYTES/100 LEUKOCYTES and sed rate. Confirmed many times by blood tests. This is the bodys attempting to fight infection. It is my opinion that we were expose to something that has comprimised our immune system.
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Anonymous commented
The problem is if they admit it is all related then they have no choice but to pay. I have been seeing doctors ever since i returned in 91 and have had my current disability claim pending for 2 years.
While i deal with all the issues, all the pain, all the mental problems. All the while trying to hold a job so i can support my family. I have had tons of jobs since returning and once all my limitations are revealed i lose my job. I have been thru 3 marriages because my wives couldn't deal with it. And still i wait on the VA. -
Kevin Buker commented
I initially just requested an exam to see if my health problems might be related to my service. After being told at Baltimore that I had to file a claim to get an exam, 2-years later, I still have no answers, the exams have been a joke, and also no rating on my claim. I'm consistently told that the VA is "very busy". I've had several other Marines I served with exposed to the same things I was since die while waiting for answers. The VA doesn't seem to be interested in helping Gulf War Vets; we seem to be treated as a burden to the system.