36 results found

1. Why is VA hiding its first GWVI-TF report from September 2010?

   Why has the GWVI-TF webpage not have a link to its first report back in September 2010. In fact, there is no link on the VA website to this report at all. Those of us that were around for it know this information. The report is at http://www.va.gov/Final20GWVI-TFReport.pdf . How odd is that, with VA leaving this off its Gulf War webpage and its own task force webpage, Its mostly filled with ramblings of the past and then lots of unnecessary fill materials at the end. The next one would be much shorter.

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   Thanks for pointing this out. I will see why the links were crosswired. I believe that there was an issue with this version as it looks like it it is still a draft based on the wide column on the right.

2. Persian GUlf War Registry Washington DC VAMC, Desert Storm Doctor was incompetent.

   Went to do Registry exam in local VAMC.
   I did it before in 1993 in SF, in NC and now in DC. ALso I did one Registry exam in NC, registrar for Persian Gulf registry could not find me in their VA MC computers. She said that I was missing. Also I have documents proving that I existed and went to the Gulf War exams in NC in 1996. It really set my mind off, and I started to go thru all the daocuments related to me and VAMC. I found letter about Khamisiyah and other.I spoke with Doctor from Persian GUlf war clinic about my symptoms and problems like we all know. He said that "We all die. Why veterans htink that they are better then others? we all die and we all need help. It blew me off. I talked with American Legion rep. VSO about it he said: we have a freedom of speech in this country. So all could do is to write about doctor and his remarks about veterans and death and that we are not special - like everybody who was not in those Desert Storm anti anthrax pills places to VA.
   I have freedom of speech also and I use my right to express what I feel. anyway I think that doctors and staff in DESERT STORM clinic should be more attentive and educated in this. They have it all. But they dont want to admit Khamisiyah also it is all there on the letter.
   Actually this doctor from Desert Storm clinic who told to me that veterans are not special and all it infalted too much, said to me, that
   DOD SHould NOT mail this letter to Veterans who were in KHAMISIJYA. He said that it was a MISTAKE to send to us this letter.
   I just did not answer. and left.
   I know that this doctor moved to another agency .
   Olga E Roemer, KNECHT in Persian GUfl War, KKMC

   Went to do Registry exam in local VAMC.
   I did it before in 1993 in SF, in NC and now in DC. ALso I did one Registry exam in NC, registrar for Persian Gulf registry could not find me in their VA MC computers. She said that I was missing. Also I have documents proving that I existed and went to the Gulf War exams in NC in 1996. It really set my mind off, and I started to go thru all the daocuments related to me and VAMC. I found letter about Khamisiyah and other.I spoke with Doctor from… more

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3. One thing everyone should say is "why has the VA not done a follow-up study on all of the diagnosed illnesses in the veterans of Desert Sto

   One thing everyone should say is "why has the VA not done a follow-up study on all of the diagnosed illnesses in the veterans of Desert Storm? They was to have done one a few years ago that was to look a all of the illness we are diagnosed with not the mental health issues. I know many with Migraines, GERD, sleep apnea, nerve problems, and thyroid disorders. When will you do this study to look at the deployed and non deployed veterans? We are smart and know that most that cannot get into the service is because they may have these problems and that it why it should be only based on those in the service. Also since the exposures was everyplace, one cannot do the study on where one was in the war as to get the out come."

   One thing everyone should say is "why has the VA not done a follow-up study on all of the diagnosed illnesses in the veterans of Desert Storm? They was to have done one a few years ago that was to look a all of the illness we are diagnosed with not the mental health issues. I know many with Migraines, GERD, sleep apnea, nerve problems, and thyroid disorders. When will you do this study to look at the deployed and non deployed veterans? We are smart and know that most that cannot get into the service is because they may… more

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4. Fiduciary program revision

   The fiduciary program was great at helping me to save and budget my money While suffering with a Traumatic Brain Injury. However it did nothing to help me resolve my past credit issues. Consequently, if my credit issues were resolved I would have to spend less money for Rent, Homes, and Insurance. It would also make me more employable for ceratin jobs who run your credit. The VA should develop a comprehensive program to help Veterans who are rated incompetent to budget smartly and restore their credit so that they can become more viable in the community.

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5. The VBA's and the VAMH's just don't communicate with each other or verify the medical condition properly and timely.

   As someone who had a great involvement with the VBA's and VHA's, I have witnessed too many times the misunderstanding or lack of communicating, coordinating and cooperation from both sides to the Veterans and Their Families. The VA uses their M-21R to base their decisions not Title 38 the regulatory law or follow the statutory law of 38 USC, they don't update their e-benefits for their current status, they don't communicate with the VSO's, CVSO's, and National or State VSO's on a continued basis. And I would highly suggest that every veteran who had served during the PGW, (1990-1991) be re-evaluated every two to five years. It took me almost 22 years to realize I needed help badly and I had recognized this because I was a Veterans Service Advocate with over 17 years of experience, but saying that we don't have any medical problems with Undiagnosed illnesses and yet they are diagnosed as illnesses by the VHA and not the VBA. Do you see a problem with this. Also our gallant media had informed all the people of the US that we all are either crazy, mentally ill, and useless to our society. Who's fault is it. THE VBA's and THE VHA's or is it our own DOD and politician's who want a Free Ride. It's WE THE People, WE THE VETERANS who need the help but just don't get it when asked. If it wasn't for our Vietnam Veterans and Warriors we wouldn't have gotten anything. CWO3 James K. Kaupe, Jr., USMC, (Ret. & Disabled).

   As someone who had a great involvement with the VBA's and VHA's, I have witnessed too many times the misunderstanding or lack of communicating, coordinating and cooperation from both sides to the Veterans and Their Families. The VA uses their M-21R to base their decisions not Title 38 the regulatory law or follow the statutory law of 38 USC, they don't update their e-benefits for their current status, they don't communicate with the VSO's, CVSO's, and National or State VSO's on a continued basis. And I would highly suggest that every veteran who had served during the PGW, (1990-1991) be… more

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6. Develop an actionable roadmap with funding tied to specific programs with MOEs and MOPs.

   This report is lacking in purpose, direction and clear linkage to funding intent. I would rewrite the report.
   
   Specifics: Your report lacks a detailed vision and simple road map that integrates funding by fiscal year across the FYDP, with milestones, associated projects and associated decision points.
   
   GAPs: I found no measures of performance or effectiveness tied to your programs (big red flag). What is the end state for each action and the expected outcome?
   
   After so many years of inaction I expected a clear path forward for research, evaluation and funding. Interestingly, I found that funding is still lacking. The official VA budget for FY2013 actually cuts Gulf War illnesses research two-thirds from $15 million in the FY12 budget to $4.86 million for FY13 the amount actually spent in FY12, $4.98 million. The VA staff also cut Gulf War illness research spending in FY12 by two-thirds compared to what Congress and the Secretary approved. Your report also indicates that other non-gulf war programs were funded with the so called “dedicated funding” to Gulf War Veterans.
   
   On a personal note, you know the evaluation and research process is broken when a "gulf war registered" active duty soldier is surveyed only once since 1990-91. How can the VA understand what is going on with our population? There is a lack of correlational data.
   Broken programs can be fixed with dynamic leadership and strong advocacy. It is time to get busy and to do your job as an effective staff. I like many others am still doing my job and I will be back in Afghanistan in a couple of months and then retirement. I can’t believe how ineffective we have been up to this point. We can’t even add clarity to gulf war syndrome after 20+ years. The least we can do is articulate the way forward in a simple and clear manner: Numerically ID priorities. ID associated milestones, MOPs, MOEs and expected impact indicators of success. Understand the problem first. That means invest in research that targets specific sub-populations. Clearly, some Gulf War Veterans were without a doubt exposed to Sarin and mustard gas. Know what is identifiable and conduct your research accordingly and objectively. We have missed years of data up to this point. Compare the results to other studies of chemical exposure, integrate controls and render findings.
   Thanks for asking for my opinion and we (the soldiers) do appreciate the VA's process of transparency and willingness to embrace constructive feedback.

   This report is lacking in purpose, direction and clear linkage to funding intent. I would rewrite the report.
   
   Specifics: Your report lacks a detailed vision and simple road map that integrates funding by fiscal year across the FYDP, with milestones, associated projects and associated decision points.
   
   GAPs: I found no measures of performance or effectiveness tied to your programs (big red flag). What is the end state for each action and the expected outcome?
   
   After so many years of inaction I expected a clear path forward for research, evaluation and funding. Interestingly, I found that funding is still lacking. The… more

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7. Stop denying Gulf War Illness existed years before there was a Gulf War!

   Stop denying Gulf War Illness existed years before there was a Gulf War, and start including everyone so afflicted in your studies.

   So many members of my unit were sick that I reported the situation to the Environmental Health people at Ft Bragg in the mid 1980s, only to be told they'd been "Ordered to not look into it." Calling this "Gulf War Illness" is simply a way of limiting government liability and leaves many people undiagnosed and untreated, not to mention uncompensated, simply because they inconveniently became ill somewhere other than the Middle East.

   I've been told by those managing the Gulf War Illness registries at several VA hospitals that they have many people with the same symptoms, but are not allowed to include them on the registry or in any studies because those people didn't serve in Desert Storm.

   You can't find the cause of any illness if you aren't willing to study ALL those so afflicted but limit your attentions to only one small group of people. This issue is much larger than the Gulf War, and must be addressed in its entirety in order to discover the true cause.

   Stop playing politics and start actually acting as though you're interested in health care. Start studying and treating all those with Gulf War Illness symptoms regardless of where or when they served.

   Stop denying Gulf War Illness existed years before there was a Gulf War, and start including everyone so afflicted in your studies.

   So many members of my unit were sick that I reported the situation to the Environmental Health people at Ft Bragg in the mid 1980s, only to be told they'd been "Ordered to not look into it." Calling this "Gulf War Illness" is simply a way of limiting government liability and leaves many people undiagnosed and untreated, not to mention uncompensated, simply because they inconveniently became ill somewhere other than the Middle East.

   I've been told by those… more

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8. The complete text and data of any research, study, or report should be freely available on line to us.

   There has been many taxpayer funded studies, research, ect, that are only published in one of the many scientific/ medical journals. As part of accepting taxpayer payments, all text and data should also be posted where the public can see it. Or, at a minimum, set up a site accessible through my-healthy vet, that has everything posted.
   That should apply to any study, whether funded through the VA, CDMRP, or any other taxpayer fund.

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9. My ideas are very simple,it explains what most Gulf War Vets were exposed to.As most combat arms veterans know mission first.

   My idea is simple to allow Gulf War veterans to have more resources to better understand their illness. There are many areas in and around the Country that don't have a VA medical center or many veterans don't have computers to read articles and updates on the Gulf War. Therefore the VA needs to allow the military and or local medical offices to evaluate these veterans. The information from unknown exposure will only help the VA to treat our Vets. There are 10 of hundreds that will never see or read updated information. Also health departments should play a roll. We have asked and many are still hurting and have no answers as to what may have caused these illnesses. The VA is working hard see and hear the stories of exposure during the war; however they need to do more. My tour of duty was during operation "Provide Comfort" as an Army engineer we were exposed to many health dangers from numerous Kurds that had active TB, water that we bath in was contaminated, and used bleach to make the water safe, burning of feces from latrines, diarrhea from unsanitary soldiers and foods, and symptoms that made our biological equipment alarm that was never explained, and medical personnel that were our only source of treatment many who were young and needed books to explained treatment. These are just a few. My symptoms range from migraine headaches to joint pain and feeling tired all the time, not to forget sleep. Many Vets know that VA center work to try and use words that are difficult for Veterans to understand and there always stating that we are not the CP doctors. It appears the VA is doing another paper work red shuffle to wait us out and most will drop the process and or forget to apply for treatment. In closing I just want to say how is such a great Nation is a "Super Power" without the men and women that make our "Super Power". Make the call and answer the request for treatment and hire the doctors that are not just playing the numbers.

   My idea is simple to allow Gulf War veterans to have more resources to better understand their illness. There are many areas in and around the Country that don't have a VA medical center or many veterans don't have computers to read articles and updates on the Gulf War. Therefore the VA needs to allow the military and or local medical offices to evaluate these veterans. The information from unknown exposure will only help the VA to treat our Vets. There are 10 of hundreds that will never see or read updated information. Also health departments should play a roll.… more

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10. 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 provides training letters designed to inform and instruct regional office personnel on development and adjudication of disability claims based on Southwest Asia service. 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 continued to work with the VHA and various DoD offices on an effort to develop and execute a separation health assessment with DoD, an effort that is will 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.

    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 provides training letters designed to inform and instruct regional office personnel on development and adjudication of disability claims based on Southwest Asia service. 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 continued to work… more

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11. Veteran Outreach: Improving Communications to Gulf War Veterans

    VA is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans of all eras and their eligible family members and survivors by providing them with the benefits and services they have earned. Research shows there is a lack of awareness when it comes to specific services, and Gulf War Veterans continue to require and rightfully expect timely and accurate information about VA’s efforts to support them. VA uses other means, including social media, to get information out. VHA’s OPH collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention (CDC) to obtain Internal Revenue Services’ (IRS) mailing addresses for the entire list of Operation Desert Storm and Shield deployed individuals previously provided by DoD to VA. VA’s past outreach mailings were limited to those who self-refer to the Gulf War Registry and provide addresses. Through this collaboration, VHA will now be able to expand its outreach to all those who deployed. Also, OPH has assembled the Post-Deployment Health Veterans Community Board, which includes Gulf War Veteran representation, to provide Veteran feedback on the effectiveness of outreach and educational efforts on deployment-related health topics made by OPH. This Community Board will review both printed materials and the Web site.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Veteran Outreach section of the report.

    VA is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans of all eras and their eligible family members and survivors by providing them with the benefits and services they have earned. Research shows there is a lack of awareness when it comes to specific services, and Gulf War Veterans continue to require and rightfully expect timely and accurate information about VA’s efforts to support them. VA uses other means, including social media, to get information out. VHA’s OPH collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention (CDC) to obtain Internal Revenue Services’ (IRS) mailing addresses for the entire list… more

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12. Research and Development: Encouraging Targeted Efforts

    Through the Office of Research & Development (ORD), VA funds research that will further the goal of improving the health and lives of Veterans who have GWVI, including the complex of chronic symptoms that affect Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Research and Development section of the report.

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13. Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance: Taking Advantage of Untapped Sources of Data Related to Veterans’ Health

    Ongoing scientific review is critical to understanding the environment that impacts health. There are Veterans’ health-related data available from sources other than studies conducted by VA. Having access to and understanding these data sources is important in comprehending the complex array of adverse health effects associated with deployment.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance section of the report.

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14. Partnerships: Improved Data Sharing with the Department of Defense (DoD)

    DoD and VA provide health care and benefits to the same population at different times in their lives. Environmental exposures occur during active duty whereas the potential clinical consequences can manifest later when the former Servicemember is a Veteran. For this reason it is critical that VA and DoD share clinical and exposure data.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Partnerships section of the report.

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15. Clinical Care: Leveraging Veteran-Centric Specialty Services in Primary Care

    One of the aspects of the framework that most directly impacts our Veterans everyday is the Clinical Care line of effort. Clinical health care for Gulf War Veterans is one of the most critical services VA can provide. This line of action is directly supported by Clinical Education and Training to ensure VA providers are well prepared to care for this population. Clinical care also benefits from research and development and Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance which inform and direct the best in evidence-based healthcare. The GWVI-TF has developed a prototype for a networked Gulf War Clinic which will be implemented at the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the coming year. The clinic will link subject matter experts and clinical specialists with primary care providers to optimize the care delivered to these patients. Teaching aids, referral networks, and other collaborative processes will be exercised in this effort.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Clinical Care section of the report.

    One of the aspects of the framework that most directly impacts our Veterans everyday is the Clinical Care line of effort. Clinical health care for Gulf War Veterans is one of the most critical services VA can provide. This line of action is directly supported by Clinical Education and Training to ensure VA providers are well prepared to care for this population. Clinical care also benefits from research and development and Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance which inform and direct the best in evidence-based healthcare. The GWVI-TF has developed a prototype for a networked Gulf War Clinic which will be… more

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16. Clinical Education and Training: Putting Clinical Knowledge into Practice

    The GWVI-TF Clinical Education and Training effort focused on improving the VA’s ability to put critical clinical knowledge and expertise at the point of care. Where the Clinical Care work was aimed at synchronizing specialty and primary health care, this effort was in direct support, providing necessary clinical education, training, and subject matter expertise. The Veterans health Administration (VHA) Office of Public Health creates training modules now universally available online for patients and clinicians. Additionally, VA hosts exposure seminars to enhance clinician knowledge about the health impacts of various environmental exposures and publishes other resources to help primary care and specialty providers and collaborate and network to improve Gulf War health care.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Clinical Education and Training section of the report.

    The GWVI-TF Clinical Education and Training effort focused on improving the VA’s ability to put critical clinical knowledge and expertise at the point of care. Where the Clinical Care work was aimed at synchronizing specialty and primary health care, this effort was in direct support, providing necessary clinical education, training, and subject matter expertise. The Veterans health Administration (VHA) Office of Public Health creates training modules now universally available online for patients and clinicians. Additionally, VA hosts exposure seminars to enhance clinician knowledge about the health impacts of various environmental exposures and publishes other resources to help primary care and… more

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