I am so sorry you have had this treatment. I know the VA is overwhelmed but that is no reason to treat you like that. You need to get you an advocate. Try the local VFW to start. They often have advocates who know how to battle the VA bureaucracy. If they don't have anyone beg them for someone to contact. Also, ask the social worker (ask for a different one if you can) if they contract with any facilities that might have room. I have heard many complain about the VA and others praise them. Fortunately here in the Portland area we have one of the best. Just don't give up.
This is outrageous treatment! I hate it when those who are supposed to help make matters worse. I like your letter and think that it will help. Charlotte's idea to get the media interested is a good one, too. Here in Canada, a hospital cannot discharge a patient out onto the street. Or as lawyer friend told me re. her mother who was in a similar situation, "It is illegal for you to discharge my mother out of your hospital unless she has a bed in another facility, and there isn't one. I cannot take care of her." If you have the time and energy, please let us know how things go.
Try to relax and get hb in a routine. But be ready to be honest with him when he calls. Writing letters does not make them happy. As I said, some VA medical centers are great - others have a bad reputation. They don't want that. Since it is your only choice for medical care, stay with it, be firm but be aware you are probably making some enemies. Right now I see the social worker as the biggest culprit for the problem. They are suppose to be advocating for the veteran.
Also, contact you local VFW and if they do not have any advocates ask them to refer you to the nearest one that does. Here they will help filling out paperwork to get through red tape and other problems. They are there for the veteran.
Faye, do a google search for American Legion Posts in your area and if there are none get the number of the State office of the American Legion. My parents were very involved in Legion work and I know that each post has a service officer who can help a veteran. I am sorry you are experiencing all of these problems.....I hope you get some answers soon.
FayeBay - you said he was exposed to agent Orange. That was the first question after finding my hb had been diagnosed with Ad that the social worker asked us. Is he receiving disability from the VA for that?
Google VFW Beckley, WV. It has one listed but you may have to reach out to a larger city near you. I know it is a pain in the butt, but he deserves better treatment and so do you.
Do you think it would help if you called the Alzheimer's Association? Is it possible they could help you? Just a thought. I feel so sorry for you. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through.
FayeBay, did you contact your federal representative or Senators? I have found them to be very helpful. Call the local office and explain your situation. I found calling works better, and faster, than a letter.
if i were going to send out emails to state reps governors office etc i would make sure i COPIED via email the letters directly to VA office person in charge as well. for them to see that you have sent complaint letters out to the states officials may get the ball rolling faster in your behalf.
Faye - her is a partial post from another website for someone to contact for help. Disabled Vets was another group.
"I'm 68 yrs. old and just got my 10% disability. The local office, staffed by (ex military voulenters), assisted me in fillling out the forms for copensation.(forms can be very tricky). "Vietnam Veterans of America" also incluedes VETERAN ERA people that DIDN'T serve in combat or in vietnam. This organizationis is not linked to the VA. They are on your side!. Go to "vietnam veterans of America" and then click on local groups in your state. NOTE: Just because an office is not listed in your area Does Not mean there isn't one. "
Yes, for all of you out here who have a LO who was in Viet Nam and who was exposed to AO, check the list of diseases that are now rated by the VA. Diabetes is one of them as is ischemic heart disease...there are many more. You will need to have proof of his tours in Viet Nam and where he was.... Not everyone who was in VN was exposed to AO. I am in the process of getting my DH rated at 100%. He is 80% now paid at 100% because he cannot work ( this was give him a few years ago.) I don't trust the government so I ma going for the 100% so some ass of a beurocrat cannot turn around and decrease it because of our lousey econ.
My husband applied for disability benefits from the VA in 2004 and we used a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) service officer. At that time he had a PTSD diagnosis from the VA and had been in an area of Viet Nam that was heavily sprayed with Agent Orange. He also had bladder cancer at the time. He was not approved for disability as they couldn't prove he had been in combat and none of his problems were on the list for Agent Orange related illnesses. He can't remember any names of people he served with so there is no way to get confirmation from them. At least the VA is paying for his day care three days a week, as I couldn't afford it otherwise.
On the other hand, his best friend who served in Viet Nam at the same time as him, never saw combat and lived in a nice apartment in Saigon was given 80% disability because he has diabetes. Doesn't seem fair to me and how they give out the approvals.
My dh was approved just weeks ago for his heart condition at 60% under the new guidelines and he has already received his back pay from the date of filing which was March 2010. He served in Nam and this is part of the new guide lines for Agent Orange exposure. Any vet that served in Nam and is on the new list of conditions should apply for disability.
OK so here is my DH's story....he was on the USS Forrestal when it blew up over in Vietnam. He fought the fire for 24 hours. He wasn't exposed to AO but I've had more than one person tell us to apply for disability for PTSD. He has diabetes, high PB, high cholesterol (all controlled with medications). DO you think he will qualify for disability? I have all the paperwork, I just have to fill it out.
Elaine, it never hurts - go for the gusto and do all. You might talk with a social worker or go to the VFW who will help you fill out the paperwork. Diabetes is one of those associated with AO, as are others. They are still studying Alzheimer's and AO. Our sailors were also exposed to a lot of asbestos while on the ships too.
Thanks Charlotte, I'm going to fill out the paperwork & get going on this. We have a really nice Veteran's home 5 minutes away & if I heard correctly if he gets approved for disability then that is what they will take if/when I have to place him there (or at least it will help & I won't go bankrupt!).
They will probably take that and medicaid. I was told by the social worker here that he would apply for medicaid and that is how it is paid. Either way, you won't have to go bankrupt. I am afraid when the time comes they will take his SSDI check and medicaid which will leave me with nothing to live on. I still have 4 more years before I can take early SS which won't be much unless they base it on his SS. Time will tell.
I would like to add it is definitely worth going for it. My husband was in the Gulf War and was approved for 70% service connected disability I recently reopened to get an increase to the 100%. Anyone who served in the Gulf War should do their research on the Gulf War Illness as well as Vietnam Agent Orange...my husband did get approve for being in service during the Vietnam era as well. Once I filled all paperwork out it did take a year to get approve...that was the worst but it was worth it.
I will say if your spouse have secondary symptoms to certain illness he was already diagnose with make sure you give them that info as well it will definitely help for instance I did research on all symptoms of diagnoses he has and then went for a higher rating based on that for instance seizures are seconday symptom to thyroid and the synthroid he is on ..never knew it until I researched...also his memory issue is secondary to anemia and also myasthenia gravis...difficulty sleeping is secondary to thyroid. Just a little input to help you
I was on synthroid and the generic for years. About 3 years ago I switched to dessicated thyroid. I had read for years that the synthetic can cause heart problems among other things. I have noticed no difference, it is more expensive but glad I did. I figured since I did not have insurance and was paying for the doctor, test and drugs I would try to go natural.
FayeBay - you can only do your best. There is no failing when you do that and it sounds like you have. How far away is it from you? Can you take a drive over and visit unannounced? I checked and see it is about a 2 hr drive. Or google the old name and then the new ownership to see what reputation they have. Once in there, there is always the chance he can move closer as space becomes available. I know the nearest AD unit the VA has to me is 2 hours away.
I am reading the news on their webpage. They sponsored a team for the memory walk, are actively educating families, friends and community on Alzheimer's. If they are anywhere near as good as their webpage makes them out to be, then it should be alright.