Sorry you were born white Butch.

nitpicker---I don't understand your response--I'm not sure I want to......

Veterans should not have to go through all of this. I know some combat vets who were evaluated by VA physicians and it seems like they were given a quick look see.

Butch, first of all, Welcome Home!.

Ican understand part of your frustration in your attempts to receive compensation from the VA. First of all it is possible that your medical records are missing or lost as you say. If you served in the 60's and your records were stored in St. Louis prior to 1970(early 70's) they could have been destroyed in the fire that occured at the records center in St. Louis. I run into this situation on a regular basis with Vets from this area who served during this time period. It is not something that can not be over come. I do not understand the part that you claim the VA does not accept the findings of it's own doctors and examiners. That is a bit hard for me to swallow since I see just the opposite and have experienced just the opposite on a personal basis. There must be some other problem involved and perhaps they have not given you a full explanation that you can understand.
In dealing with Veteran organization reps it is always better to have them refer you tothe regional or state representative for often the local reps have not the experience to handle such.
I certainly hope that your situation can be effectively handled in a timely manner. Three years seems like a long time. I have seen longer. Should you apply for your SS disability as you are elibigleI am sure that you will find the time line there to be even more frustrating. It seems that the SS office does not accept evidence of the VA as proof of disability in most instances. Typical of one Gov agency not talking to another or the right hand not know what the left is doing. However keep on them and get every Congressman and representative that you know regardless of area involved. It works my friend. Until then Good luck and God Bless.

joejoe,

I figured I'd throw the race card out. Never mind that it has nothing to do with the topic at hand or why this person was mistreated by the VA. It seems to work for Skip and others so why not me?

Lex Alexander wrote this article as a backhanded slap at the Bush administration, who he hates with a passion. Seems nobody is reading any of his liberal drivel on his blog, so he had to get his licks in another way.

With each budget presented by the current administration, the amount of money designated to the VA has been lessened. This while American soldiers are being exposed to harm like none in the past.

Mr. Kirkman wonders why he is being denied VA Disability; I can tell him, NO MONEY IN THE VA BUDGET TO FUND HIM!

Shalom

Poor misinformed Darryl, again spouts only what some other misinformed individual has told him and then bows and states, "he speaks my mind". Who was it this time Darryl, Lex?

Darryl, VA spending is higher than ever and no one is being denied rights because there is no money. But then you have no first hand experience not being a veteran and know nothing of the process for establising disability with the VA. A totally different process than what one faces with the SSA.

Those who cry the budget has been cut are like the little boy who wanted a $20 increase in his $5 allowance and only got $5 . He cries my allowance has been cut. Truth is if you ain't got it yet, it can't be cut. So so much for claiming of budget cuts.

This man performed a valuable service to this country. I am not a doctor of any kind, but I was wondering why he could not work with PTSD? I have worked with several veterans, as well as with a person who survived the first and the second WTC attacks who has severe PTSD. (He works on cars, he thinks of it as therapy) I was just wondering how severe of a case would still allow you to write a well thought out letter, but would not allow you to have a job? About about a victims advocate?

As for the loopholes you have to jump through to get help, you are not alone. Most governmental systems seem to be set up like a rat maze. (hmmm, lets move this wall and see if they can make their way around it) Then there are those who are successful even if undeserving. I would like to make an example.

My neighbor, has a heart problem. He feels that he can no longer work, even after he gets his new pacemaker. The SS people denied him, he got an attorney and BOOM, viola... here you go. My stepdad, works and pays his taxes for 30 years, even after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He is given benifits at first, but then at his 6 month review, two weeks before the sugery that they thought they would never be able to do, they tell him he has to pay a 3500.00 deductible of he wants to keep his medicaid. Keep in mind, the man weighs 135 lbs and is no longer able to eat. He is just supposed to be able to pull 3500.00 out of no where. We tried to consult an attorney, but WE were told that since we had already started the process, they would not get involved. So my question, why do I see so many people on Disablility who are living the high life (shopping, having lunch, being stay at home parents) and getting a check every month, but the people who need it suffer. Where are we gong wrong?