History of Veterans' Services
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-11-11/history-veterans-services
Taking care of veterans now and in years past: The history of services for veterans and the challenges of meeting the complex physical and psychological needs of the men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan today.
Guests
James Currie, Col. (Ret.)
military historian and former professor of the National Defense University; currently director of the Office of Federal Relations at the National Association of State Treasurers.
Martin Schram
nationally syndicated columnist for the Scripps Howard News Service and an author. His most recent book is "Vets Under Siege."
Thomas Pamperin, Lt. Col. (Ret.)
deputy undersecretary for Disability Assistance, the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Comments
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I would like to point out "Daddy's Home", a picture book that helps parents explain the invisible wounds of war (including PTSD) to their children. It can be viewed for free at: http://www.carolinanadel.com/books.html
It has gotten excellent reviews from military spouses, psychiatrists and therapists who work with military families and was approved by the Military Child Education Coalition.
Thank you-
Carolina
cnadel999@yahoo.com
www.CarolinaNadel.com
What are the provisions to satisfy claims for veterans who died from their illnesses that are now determined to be service connected? If the claims are to be paid to the spouse, what happens if the spouse is deceased? In short, what is the level of responsibility the VA is taking to "do right" by the families of veterans who suffered alongside the veteran?
I have a good friend who is a Vietnam Vet who served in the Tokin Gulf on an aircraft carrier during the last years of Vietnam. He was tormented by his superior and eventually tried to commit suicide by jumping off the carrier. When they rescued him he was put in the bridge for insubordination. None of this is in his military records (except for the sudden change in rank which is not explained). He has been trying to get disability under PTSD but has been denied again and again - most recently last week. First this issue was the whole stressor thing, now they are saying he didn't serve in a combat zone, even though he was getting combat pay. He is frustrated and depressed and is getting absolutely no help from anyone at the VA. Even his psychiatrist who said she would send a letter confirming her diagnosis of PTSD, still hasn't done so, despite several calls and personal visits. How is someone suffering from this problem supposed to fight this system?
Please don't forget AMVETs, a national veterans organization. Please address female veterans from Viet Nam era.
I'm a Disabled Veteran of the VietNam era...I'm listening to your show...when I first applied to the VA for a disability rating - the VA system demanded that I even prove I was in the military, much less exposed to Agent Orange. I'm glad that that seems to have changed...however, the VA remains quite adversarily to most Veterans, especially those whom they've rejected in the past....
I'm still fighting the VA for that Agent Orange admission. Yes, the VA admits that as a Marine in the I Corps area in '68, I was exposed, that I had symptoms of PCT (Porfura Cutena Tarda) but my blood work did not indicate exposure...so I've been denied. I take herbs to have maintained a physical balance - no more lesions, the VA wants me to stop so they can "properly" diagnose...& they refuse to. So will my turndown be looked again?
Having served on the USAF Disability Evaluation System (2006 to 2008) I can attest to the egregious handling of members cases dealing with fitness for duty.
If Americans knew how the system works they would be outraged.
Please address the concern where ex-military wives have lost their court awarded portions of retired military pay because of VA increases in VA eligibility. For example some of us women were receiving part of our exhusbands pay but when VA increased their eligibility due to agent orange, they converted the military retirement to VA pay resulting in the ex-wives total loss of their portion of the retirement benefits.
Would like very much to discuss the USAF and USA Disability Evaluation System with the authors as someone who has been on the inside as president of both Informal and Formal Physical Evaluation Boards.
robert ruiz
rruiz1949@aol.com
My Mother and Fahter Both served in the Army. My father did not survive the Vietman War, he's buried at Ft.Sill, Ok. But my mother, who served recieved damages to her Eyes while goning thru basic training. She has been fighting with the V. A. over this issue for over 15 years, Yeah 15. What can we do to help her now. She feels short changed and is very dissapointed with the V.A's promise to the veterans... Who can help use with her long, ongoing claim.....?
On of your guests recommended utilizing a county veterans service office to help submit claims. Over a year ago, as power of attorney, I submitted a claim for my mother, a WWII veterans of the Navy, through the county VA Services Office. They misplaced all of the paperwork, and never notified me of the problem. In May I again gave them all of the necessary paperwork and they again misplaced it. The claim was not actually submitted until late July or August, but according to the VA Claims Office all they received was an application; not the supporting documents. I could go on, but I would appreciate passing this bit of information on to your guests. While this claim has been dragging on and on, my mother has moved from independent living, to assisted living, to nursing home care. Her personal recourses have been used and she is on medicaid. She will be gone from us before the VA gets around to giving he help with her situation.
Acupuncturists Without Borders has a national program called the Military Stress Recovery Project...treating thousands of veterans and their family members...it has been an amazing success...volunteer acupuncturists run weekly clinics and treat in a group setting, which is also very important to help break the isolation of PTSD...there is no fee, very little paperwork, and anonymity for the treatments...we want veterans and their families to know about this service...they can go online to www.ACWB.info and click on Programs/ Military Stress Recovery Project...
Here are some testimonials:
AWB VETERANS CLINIC TESTIMONIALS
”I would like to inform the Vet around this area about the great free service that I and others are receiving at the acupuncture at riverside. I have received weekly treatments for depression of which has let me stop taking my antidepressant pills. Also have had my left index finger treated for pain with very good results.”
“It is nice to have this help from someone who really cares and performs this service. “
“This area should really be thankful for this service for the vets.”
Thank you
Mr. J. Niehaus
“I started treatment with Ellen after having my first flashback. PTSD has affected my life for forty years. The only relief has been antidepressants and counseling, which are good, but fall short of mental well-being. The flash back devastated me. But since starting treatments with Ellen the symptoms of PTSD are diminishing. I thank God for the opportunity to start acupuncture. I don’t remember having this kind of calmness.”
M. Schenk
Grants Pass, OR