War Stories Of A Different Type-
The VA battlefield -Winners & Losers
Buffalo's Nightmare
I firmly believe the government does not want us to get organized. That is why we have had trouble in the past and most likely in the future as well. Our VFW's,American Legions, and the rest seem to have the same stock answers as the b------s in Washington. I think they all get their marching orders from the same place!
Here is my story:
Please explain to me why I am no longer considered a Vietnam vet because my feet never touched land. I don't understand what is happening to Navy veterans from Vietnam. They are now telling me that I had to set foot on land to be "in Vietnam". I spent 6 months in the Gulf of Tonkin, and was sprayed repeatedly by seawater used to wash planes, some I'm sure flew through clouds of dioxins.
In May 2000, I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor (soft tissue liposarcoma), caused by exposure to Agent Orange! After 8-9 weeks of excruciating radiation therapy (4800 rads), the tumor was removed, along with two muscles from my left leg.
Following surgery, I received an additional 2000 rads of radiation in four treatments through tubes placed in my legs during surgery. Prior to the first of these treatments, I was told by the Dr, "We have never done this to all sides of the nerve, so you will have to tell us what's happening." Well, since the first treatment, I have lost all of the feeling in some parts of my leg, most of the normal feelings in other areas, and constant pain in what areas are left.
Not only was I left with the leg problem, but also prior to the first radiation treatments, I was asked if I had all the kids I wanted? When I asked “Why, I don’t have any yet, would this effect it?” I was told "You probably won’t, after this!” They were right! I have not been able to perform successfully since.
I have been on pain medication trying to get some relief for the last four years! It gets no better! But, it has gotten worse!
In addition, my mental state has been taking a beating. I can no longer perform as a "Wild West" entertainer, as a lover to my wife, or as a provider for my family. That really takes a toll on an old cowboy!
Now, as of July 2003, the V.A has changed its mind and claims that technically I was never "in country", a definition that I understood included those of us stationed in the Tonkin Gulf.
As a member of the radio div., most of our off duty times, when not asleep, were spent on the catwalks just below the flight deck. We were often sprayed by what we assumed to be seawater and possibly some spilled jet fuel. But the question arises, what else was washed off of aircraft or out of aircraft tanks? What was in the seawater used to hose the decks and aircraft equipment?
On more than one occasion, I saw dirt and small pieces of
debris cleaned off of returning aircraft, of all kinds. Could they have flown through an area that had just been sprayed? Could they be carrying any residue? Doesn’t the wind blow?
I have also been told by officials that pilots dumped excess Agent Orange left in the tanks, into the Tonkin Gulf, before returning to land at the bases of operation. Once again, What was in the water?
My meager but barely livable disability compensation has been severed since July 1, 2003. I have nowhere to turn! Please give my situation your capable attention. I cannot be the only one this is happening to, from the comments I hear, all naval types serving in the Tonkin Gulf are out.
After I was diagnosed with an Agent Orange caused tumor, permanently crippled by the surgery and treatment (some experimental), in constant pain even though I was taking 4 to 5 pain killers a day and 2 valiums at night, just to get 4 or 5 hours of sleep. Then after almost three years of complaining about a leg that felt like it was about to explode, I am told that it wasn’t Agent Orange caused, and that I will no longer receive compensation. Plus I must reapply for treatment at the V.A.!
Turns out I was correct! My leg was about to explode, and almost did, just before Thanksgiving of 2003. My leg became very red, swollen and soar. After two trips to the LSU, at the Carl T. Hayden Medical Center, they decided to open my leg up again. When they did, they drained almost a quart and a half of fluid out of the cavity left by the removal of the tumor and muscles in September of 2000. They left the wound open for two weeks while they changed the packing twice daily. They sewed me shut and sent me home. When the last stitches were removed on Christmas Eve, I thought I was done! Just two days later, I started spewing fluid from a small hole in my incision. This facilitated another surgery to install a hemo-vac (to draw out the fluid), which I wore for quite a while. In fact, I wore it up until the incision opened up again and caused it to lose suction. At this point, I had a gaping wound that required daily nurse home visits to unpack and repack, ever since April.
Unfortunately, I am in worse shape now than I have ever been, due to some damage brought on by a wound vac, which caused the pain to spike around the end of May, possibly from a bound up nerves and other functions. That is when they gave me enough pain medication, that I nearly committed suicide. My left leg no longer has any feeling from the knee down, I have no control of my ankle and I can no longer walk with a cane. I require a walker or wheelchair. The plastic surgeon at the VA wanted to refer me to a neuro-surgeon, but told me they didn't have one at the VA presently.
Being thoroughly disgusted with the delays and incompetency of some of the doctors at the VA, I went to an outside plastic surgeon, who performed yet another surgery on Veteran's Day 2004, to clean up the mess left by the previous surgery. At the time, he told me that the longer this problem had existed the longer it would take to find out if any of the functions have returned. I am still unable to walk, have a nurse coming every morning to pack the healing wound, and am about to lose my mind. (Dr. Gottlieb has written at least two letters to the regional council, informing them of the lousy job done in surgery and the failure to address my needs in a timely manner. For this I have filed a federal tort claim.)
As of July 1, 2003 my 100% equivalent compensation came to an end!
However my 100% disability remains! I still require heavy pain medication! I still have trouble sleeping! My depression not only remains, but also is getting overwhelming. Soon, I will have used up what little savings I have and will be totally at the mercy of the welfare system. I’m not proud of that fact! I have worked hard all my life and have attained what most only dream of. I own my home, free and clear, modest as it may be. I own two vehicles, free and clear, both at least 14 years old and I have only a few thousand dollars debt to my name. However, I will lose it all, if I cannot pay the taxes!
I am not physically able to go back to work, even though I would like to. I have always been a very independent person, who was a good provider for my wife. She now must not only provide for me, but take care me also. That in itself has taken a toll on both of us.
July 2005
My appeals case was heard before a board member from Washington, here in Phoenix in January of 2004. When I enquired about my case in January of 2005, I was told it was still in front of the board. Within 2-3 weeks I received a package from Washington, informing me that my case had been remanded back to Phoenix due to errors made by the VA. Guess they figure they can avoid the problem another year, in hopes that I will either die or kill myself! I'd have already killed someone at the VA, but I can't seem to find anyone in charge, or at least willing to take responsibility.
I have been being treated by an outside wound care specialist, paid for by the VA. However, the VA doesn't communicate with him. When he writes a RX, I have to make an appointment with my primary care physician, take up valuable time, increase the load on the Dr's, and up the expense to the taxpayers by being examined by the VA doctors, so they can rewrite the RX written by the guy they are paying to take care of me.
And to top it off, they informed my wife that she should no longer call on my behalf because she has no power of attorney. And even if she did, they would ignore her on the phone. They want to talk to me. The guy they have so screwed up on pain meds! Guess they don't want me to be able to function, so that we are on a more level playing field.
I will die before I will ever go back into the VA hospital for any surgical procedure!
Keep up the good work you are doing for us Vets.
Thanks,
Buffalo Rick Galeener
Tempte, AZ
Just reading Rick’s letter made me feel like committing suicide! If there are others out there dealing with this issue please contact Rick at:
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Navy Widow Battling VA Bureaucracy
By RICHARD LARDNER The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jun 19, 2006
Navy veteran Gene Marbeiter lost his fight against a cancerous brain tumor, but his widow continues to battle the federal bureaucracy for benefits she says his family deserves.
Marbeiter passed away April 24, nearly two years after being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme stage 4.
His remains are scheduled to be interred Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
When Marbeiter died, so too did the Dunedin resident's claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected disability benefits.
So less than a week after Marbeiter's funeral, his widow Georgeine drove to a Veterans Affairs office at the Bay Pines veterans' hospital and filled out the paperwork for dependency compensation.
"Gene did the actual military time," Georgeine Marbeiter said. "But the kids and I served, too."
Given the Marbeiters' previous experience with the VA, she's not optimistic. But she's not a quitter, either.
"They want you to give up," Georgeine Marbeiter said. "They want you to get discouraged."
The main hurdle she faces is proving the cause of her husband's death was directly related to his military service.
In 1970, just out of high school in rural Michigan, Marbeiter enlisted in the Navy. He was sent to Vietnam and served aboard the USS New Orleans, an amphibious assault ship.
Overall, Marbeiter would spend two decades in the Navy, mostly as an aviation mechanic. He retired in 1993.
'God Has Provided'
Georgeine Marbeiter contends Gene's tumor was caused by exposure to Agent Orange - an herbicide used in Vietnam to kill foliage concealing the enemy - and other chemicals he came into contact with in Navy machine shops.
However, the tumor that caused Marbeiter's death is not on the department's list of diseases and ailments presumably caused by Agent Orange.
Further, a government review of Marbeiter's service records concluded he had no contact with hazardous substances during his tours of duty.
The department ruled last year that he was not entitled to as much as $2,300 a month in disability benefits.
The Marbeiters appealed that decision. On March 30, they received a letter stating Gene's case was being expedited due to his condition.
He died less than a month later.
Gene left behind Georgeine and three grown children. Their son Kevin has been handicapped since birth.
Financially cleaned out after Gene's long illness, Georgeine initially couldn't afford to attend the memorial service at Arlington cemetery.
Contributions from an anonymous donor, however, have allowed her to make the trip by car. She leaves today.
"I was upset because I couldn't go," she said. "But God has provided."
Reunion
The Seventh Armored Division Association will reunite Sept. 7-10 in Louisville, Ky. Contact Cheryl Higley at (860) 678-1018, cmhig58@aol.com, or 292 Scott Swamp Rd., Farmington CT 06032.
The crew of the USS Centaurus (AKA-17) will reunite Sept. 28-30 in Arlington, Va. Contact David Kyser at (830) 965-5469, or George McCabe at (904) 280-3013.
It is with great sadness that we must inform our readers of the passing- 4/24/2006- of
Gene Marbeiter.
May he rest in peace.
Tonia Goertz
Summer is here, started off by Memorial Day, then Father’s Day, and Independence Day, concluding with Labor Day. This confluence of holidays is somewhat interesting because we begin the summer by remembering those who have served this nation and died because of that service. We next honor our fathers, many of whom are veterans. We celebrate Independence Day, the birth of this nation and think about the war that we fought for our freedom. Ending the summer season, we celebrate Labor Day, a day off from work that as a wife and mother I find rather appropriately labeled. Appropriate because that is the day that is used by many to mow the yard one more time, to get the last bit of shopping done so that the kids can go back to school, or spent, as in the case of my husband, watching some NASCAR race on television.
For the moment though, I want to focus on Memorial Day. For most of the estimated 25 Million living US Veterans this day, above all others, is filled with mixed feelings. Happy and sad, angry and joyous for it is the day that we “Remember.”
As I think about this holiday and of those on my personal list who are no longer with us, my mind drifts through those that have touched my life and served this nation. In doing this, I realize that for many on my list, this past year has ended their battle for benefits. I am not saying that they all received what they earned, only that it is over because they died. For the family members left behind though, the battle is ongoing.
The first people that come to mind are Freda and Lyle Babinski of McEwen, TN. Freda served in the Army for just shy of 2 years and received her discharge from duty when they diagnosed her with epilepsy. She always said, “I am just a little veteran, but a veteran none the less.”
I think of her now because she died October 31, 2005 at age 54 due to liver damage caused by Hepatitis C contracted from Lyle and complications after emergency surgery on a bleeding ulcer exacerbated by her diabetes. An ulcer undoubtedly made worse because of the stress she was under in the months leading to her death. Stress caused by the fight to keep their home, and because of the fight to get her husband his disability payments.
The fight to keep their home began in April 8, 2005 with a call from a new hardship manager because their lender, Origen Financial, even though fully aware that the Babinski’s were waiting on Lyle’s claim to make it’s way through the appeals process with the VA, had chosen not to renew the hardship payments on their loan. Adding to that stress, there had been some paperwork between the SSD office and the VA that was not properly filed and once the error was detected, Freda was given the wrong address to return the hardship paperwork. The Babinski’s were notified on April 15 that the VA would be collecting the overpayment of non service connected disability payments by taking $600 out of Lyle’s SSD check starting in May 2005 and continuing until such time as the $10,700 over payment is corrected.
In June, the Babinski’s learned when a concerned friend called to ask why they were loosing their house that Origen had gone so far as to publish in the local paper that the date set to auction the property was July 1. Origen had not contacted the Babinski’s regarding the pending sale until after Freda called to verify that the notice had been run.
Origen did eventually renegotiate the contract, but at the time of her death, Freda was still worrying herself sick over how to make the house payments as well as the insurance and tax payments while still being able to afford to eat which is critical because of health issues.
Lyle, 59, a combat veteran of both the Viet Nam and 1991 Gulf Wars is currently receiving, “About $800 per month from Social Security Disability because of the repayment reduction, and $498 is the house payment, insurance and taxes.”
His claim, started in June of 1997, is currently at the Veterans Board of Appeals in Washington, DC. He said, “All I can do is pray right now. If my claim is not approved soon, I expect to loose the house in July or early August. As it is, I am only eating once a day. I don’t have cable or internet, and I just don’t know what else to do.”
Babinski said, “I have a bunch of medical problems and can’t hardly use my right hand most days. I have tried to get help, but do not know where to go. I have been turned down everywhere I have gone. I wish Freda was here.”
I then think about Wade George, 40, of Grand Blanc, Michigan. George, a 1991 Gulf War combat veteran who served seven years in the Army died January 21, 2006 of lung cancer and three inoperable brain tumors. George received this diagnosis in stage 4, the most advanced stage of cancer. On July 8, 2005 he was given 90 days to live, but exceeding predictions, he lived 196 days from that date.
Upon receiving the diagnosis, George left the hospital, gathered family and friends, then married his two and a half year sweetheart Deanna the next morning. He returned to the hospital the afternoon he was married. Between them, the couple had five children, two that lived with them full time, and at the time of diagnosis, his daughter was visiting for the summer.
A benefit dinner was held last August to help the family defray expenses because at that time George was still paying for all of his medications even though he was unable to work due to illness and his wife was needed at home as caretaker for him and their children. George was luckier than many veterans have been; his claim received approval in September 2005, shortly before he died but well after a previous denial in 1999 based on other issues.
Deanna explained, “Wade had filed on other illnesses in 1999, and when he received this diagnosis they told us that it would take 90 days just to get the application. This was unbelievable because the doctors had just told us that Wade had maybe 90 days to live. Several people helped push the VA to approve his claim more quickly, but I don’t understand why it should take intervention like that to get a veteran what they have earned.”
Currently, Deanna said, “There are still unpaid medical bills, enough that I am looking for a loan and a new home. The condo is going to go back to the bank because I simply cannot afford it.”
In discussing what comes next for her and her family Deanna said, “Wade wanted to help all of the Gulf War vets and the vets to come, but his time was short and filled with pain which made it hard for him to do anything for his fellow service members. He once said that if he had to go to Washington to testify about his illnesses, he would. Now, that has become one of my goals. I made a promise to him that I would do what I could. It's time that veterans get the help they DESERVE without jumping through hoops!”
Deanna also explained that she is in the planning stages of trying to get a forum going that will bring together clergy, medical professionals, and ill veterans and family members with the purpose of “helping others cope with the changes and emotions of having a chronic or terminal illness. Many times before Wade died, he told me that it would have been better if he had died in combat versus finally getting his life in order and having a family only to lose it all. He told me that he just wanted to do what he used to do. I want other veterans and their families to know that they aren’t alone in these feelings, and I want to share my experience with all of this.”
Her message to other veterans, “BE STRONG! Look to the Heavens and the Lord when you feel alone. Know that you are NEVER alone! When God isn't enough, look to Wade, his strength, courage & our love. When that is not enough, look to me! I'm here to encourage you, to listen and help you in any way I can! Thank you for your sacrifice! You are the TRUE American Heroes! God bless you all and your families!”
I also think about Eugene C. Marbeiter of Dunedin, Florida who saw action in both Viet Nam and the 1991 Gulf War and died April 24, 2006 of a brain tumor that at the time of diagnosis was also in stage four.
Marbeiter, 54, was a retiree from the Navy who had served this nation for close to 21 years. As a civilian, he made use of the ministerial license that he held for more than 25 years and worked as a vocational rehab counselor for the Florida State Department of Education. He left behind a wife and three adult children, including one who has been handicapped since birth.
His wife Georgeine said, “We started his claim in 2004 and it was denied three times. The day he died, it was on the desk of the ratings officer at the Veterans Board of Appeals. Because he died, there was nothing done on the claim, we are currently waiting for the packet to come back so that they can approve my DIC and Pension.”
Georgeine explained that her husband is to be buried in Arlington Cemetery on June 22 and she hopes to visit his graveside in August with some friends. She said, “It has been a month that he has been waiting to be accepted there, and it is a little sad because the children and myself will not be able to make it for the interment. The kids offered to send me, but that is not something I can do alone.”
When asked about the claims process, the tone of voice used changes, takes on an edge much different from her usual genial tone. It tells a listener that a nerve was struck, and when pressed about it, Georgeine said, “The process robbed me of precious time with him. Each night I spent time searching for substantiation for his claim was time that I couldn’t spend with him.”
She went on to express several things that many veterans and family members have said, “They make the process so difficult that I believe that they want you to do one of three things never file, give up and quit, or die. It astounds me because I have heard from many veterans that it is standard for a claim to be denied three times before approval, and I can’t help but think that but for the grace of God the guys doing all of those denials aren’t in the same boat. They can’t be, and even if they were they wouldn’t have the same problems getting approval as the rest of us because they are on the approval boards.”
I think about these veterans and their families not because they are unique, but because there are thousands of stories just like them for each family detailed here. I “remember” them here because their stories have been passed around the world via the internet in the news, as postings to veterans groups, and memorial sites.
As I “remember” these few individuals, their family members, and all of the other veterans that I know, both living and dead, I feel torn between sadness and anger.
Sadness because these men went to war for this nation and came home to fight another battle for the benefits that military service is supposed to provide. Sadness because the cost of caring for veterans is not considered part of the cost of war, and until it is the men and women who wear the uniforms of the armed forces of the United States will watch and wait for the Veterans Administration to be funded each year as a discretionary program.
Sadness because funding the VA as a discretionary program versus funding it as part of the defense spending package or some other mandatory funding package is putting veterans and their families on the same level as subsidies for psuedorabies vaccination costs incurred by pork producers, or monies for welfare programs. While I am sure that both of these are necessary and needed programs for someone, the problem occurs when people think about funding budget items and think of discretionary programs as “entitlement programs.”
While indeed veterans are entitled to benefits when they become ill due to toxic exposures, or injured by battlefield hazards such as land mines or IED’s, veterans have EARNED these benefits. These benefits are due to them as this nation’s part of the deal made with those who would defend her from harm and the families that support that service. This is much different from the handouts given to special interest groups or set aside for the poor.
I am angry today because I believe that the richest, most powerful nation in the world can and should be able to provide for veterans and their families. I am angry because the system that is in place to provide compensation to veterans often seems intent on doing all it can to prevent them from getting that compensation; and angry because those with the power to make funding veterans benefits a mandatory budget item will not.
If, however, VA funding ever does become a mandatory line item, included in the defense spending budget or in some other way, the VA might have the ability to fulfill its mission which is, as stated on their website, "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan." These words, spoken by Abraham Lincoln during his Second Inaugural Address, currently have a hollow ring in the ears of those who have to wait months or years to receive notification that their application for compensation has been approved, and even hollower to those who wait only to receive a letter of denial.
Since the stories above are indicative of so many others just like them, I believe that this nation must do better for veterans, their wives and widows, and their children all of whom sacrifice something for the greater good in the military. That sacrifice demands a thank-you from the nation served, and that thank-you should come in the form of compensation for the injuries and illnesses that have resulted from exposure to battlefield hazards of many kinds. That thank-you should not require a veteran to fight another battle to receive what they have already earned.
This nation sends young men and women into combat healthy and strong, but often, that is not how they come home. Memorial Day is a time to “remember” and one can hope that after the pretty speeches of the day are done, the cameras are turned off, and the crowds are gone that politicians do “remember” those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their freedoms and liberties, and those serving this nation in combat today. Hope that they “remember” that caring for them and their families is part of the cost of war, and then do something to ensure that the men and women of the military, past and present, and their families receive just compensation for sacrifices already made.
The Babinski's & More
1991 was a wonderful year for my son Bill as he graduated from high school and then went on to pursue his dream of serving in the military. He went to boot camp in November and was assigned to his duty post in Michigan. During the early days of his assignment he would tell stories of initiations where newbies would have to hang on the back of boats by one arm while the boatsman sped down the lake. Stories of being ordered to work on electricity during lightening storms. All of which make parents wonder what kind of discipline, leadership or accountability there was for those officers in charge. And then the knock came on our door and three officers stood solemnly and told us of our son's death while on duty. We asked many questions but got few answers until his shipmates came back for the funeral. Bill was working in a canoe with another serviceman when an unqualified serviceman got behind the wheel of a 40 ft. boat, kidded about it being a great day for a wake, revved up the boat, lost control of the boat and ran over Bill, killing him instantly.
Our lives were changed forever on that tragic day, a part of us died that same day. All efforts on our part to make a statement through legal channels so that other families would not have to endure the same pain we have, have been blocked by Feres. Feres is a tort that blocks anyone who is killed while in the duty of his or her country from suing the government or from acquiring any kind of settlement. I understand the purpose of this tort, but I also recognize that because of this tort we have given free reign to those in positions of authority to be totally negligent without recourse. Only by overturning this tort will our military be protected. In Bill's name write your congressmen and ask that they review Feres and make the reforms that will benefit all our children currently in the military and all our grandchildren who will serve in the future.
Feres Reform in Memory of Bill
Is there Justice for Veterans?
My name is Rick Mowles. I’m a 100% permanently and totally disabled Vietnam veteran. I served in Vietnam from 1968-1970 with the 1st. Battalion, Ninth Marines and with 3rd. Reconnaissance. I was a practicing physician in Virginia for seventeen years until I retired in April 1993 on military disability. I owned and operated my own clinic with twelve employees and two other associate physicians. I was the Clinic Director. I have been 100% permanently and totally disabled since 1993.
In July 2006, I was accused of two rather serious offenses by two nurses at a VA clinic. These nurses had conspired to fabricate a story about me. I had reported one of these nurses a year before to the VA for unprofessional conduct. I guess this was retribution. One of the nurses picked up a phone in the clinic and called the VA police at Fort Harrison. They in turn called the legal department with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Denver to report the incident. They turned it over to the Federal Prosecutor’s office in Montana. I received a certified letter from the Federal prosecutor’s office approximately ten days after the incident. I was charged with two serious charges and fined $600.00 or I could waive this and ask for a Federal hearing. I waived the fine and requested a federal hearing. Meanwhile, while all this was going on, I went into this clinic several times for care and nobody said anything to me about the incident. I asked my clinical physician and he knew nothing about the incident but he made a note in my clinical records that I was not a violent person and told me not to worry about it. I called the patient advocate at Fort Harrison and received a cold conversation about the incident. I didn’t even know who made the charges. She told me not to worry that nothing would probably come of the incident.
I called every service organization that I knew and asked for help and got the same response, " We can’t get involved with criminal matters!" I wrote Senator Conrad Burns, Congressman Dennis Rehberg and Max Baucus’s office respectively and got the same formatted letter back that they didn’t get involved in criminal matters. I finally had to break an annuity and get out $2500 as a retainer for an attorney.
In October 2006, I had my regular appointment to see my physician at this clinic. Approximately one week before this appointment, I received a letter from Montana Department of Veterans Affairs. This letter basically stated that a special disciplinary committee had met and I was no longer able to go into this clinic but my care had been transferred to Fort Harrison. This was a considerable distance from where I lived. The letter also stated that I would not get any travel pay. Now this was before I had any hearing or anyone from the VA speak to me about this incident. I wasn’t even present during this hearing.
My Federal hearing was scheduled and postponed several times until finally it was scheduled for February 2007. About three days before the hearing, I happened to run into one of the clinic employees at Walmart. She asked me, "Where have you been?" I told her about the incident and she was very surprised. She was especially surprised since she was there when the incident occurred. She told me that nobody from the VA had talked to her it. She had heard that there was going to be an investigation.
The hearing was cancelled when it was decided that there was not enough evidence to substantiate the charges. I agreed to a plea bargain where the two original charges were dropped and I would plead to a lesser "no violation charge." This would not go on my record. I had to post a $250 bond for the hearing which was kept as a fine.
To this day, nobody from the VA has contacted or talked to me about this incident. I had twenty-two witnesses including several physicians and two police officers who had independently examined the case and were willing to go to court and testify about the many red flags with this entire thing. Again, the VA never contacted any of my witnesses. The only thing they had for evidence was the sworn statements (which had many contradictions) of these two nurses.
This case showed me a lot of things about the VA in Montana. I have been in 5-6 VA systems throughout the country. I have been through two VA structured combat PTSD programs. I have no criminal record and I am also licenced to carry a concealed weapon in Montana, Colorado and Virginia.
I learned that the VA is made up of two entities. There is the clinical or hospital part which serves the veteran’s health needs and there is the Administration. The clinical part of the VA health care is by far the best I have seen in any VA system. The physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers are compassionate, dedicated and most important they have empathy. The Administration is by far the worst that I have ever seen.
The clinic director could have intervened and resolved this matter without any further progress. He didn’t do this but elected to do nothing. The VA Police at Fort Harrison received a call from a nurse about an alleged incident. Instead of investigating this matter, they did nothing. The patient advocate could have acted as an intermediary in this case and probably would have helped to stop this avalanche. The Director of Clinics should have taken responsibility to question this entire circus but he did nothing. Instead a disabled veteran with PTSD was put through tremendous emotional stress for eight to nine months with a disability that is influenced by stress.
There is absolutely no doubt that the administration doesn’t care about the veteran. The VA has a long and distinguished reputation of not policing its own.
The Salem VA Medical center in Salem, Virginia, is one of the largest VA facilities in the country. In the early 1990's, 5-6 deceased patients were found not more than 50 yards from their building. Some of these veterans had been dead for over a month. The amazing thing is that nobody reported them missing. There was a huge Congressional investigation in which the Chief of Administration as well as thirty to forty other employees, including physicians and nurses, were fired. And of course, there was the Walter Reed scandal last year.
Why are veterans treated in this matter? Why should one set of human beings be treated or exposed to barbaric health care as compared to the general population? This is a disgrace to this country and to the men and women who lay down their lives to provide us with the freedoms we very much enjoy.
As a former health care provider myself I see the areas that are in severe need of improvement. I have a strong suspicion that a number of administrative employees are not veterans. There people are drawing a salary with benefits. They could care less about veterans. Another problem that I see is that there are very few employees of the VA that have any training in combat PTSD. This is a very serious issue. You can’t deal with people changed by the extremes of war the same as you would somebody who walks into a civilian clinic. You can’t yell at a combat veteran and expect to see intimidation. If you are a VA Policeman and you walk up to a combat veteran with your hand on your revolver, the combat veteran isn’t going to perceive this the same as the average criminal on the street. Most important, the patient advocate should have communication skills, compassion and most of all be trained in PTSD. I saw none of this in my dealings with the VA patient advocate. What I saw was a person that was defensive in her conversation and mannerisms, and more concerned about the VA than the veteran. It was obvious that this individual has had no training in PTSD.
We, as veterans, learned in combat that you had nobody but each other to survive. In my experience, the VA is not going to police its own. It is only after a tragedy where an outside source comes in and cleans up the mess.
I would like to see changes as a veteran and a human being. When the checks and balances of a system aren’t being employed then people get hurt. People who don’t want to do their jobs should be replaced. Supervisors, Clinical Directors and Administrative Directors who don’t do their jobs should be replaced. Every employee of the VA, including the administration, should have mandatory training in combat PTSD. This includes the VA Police. The job of patient advocate should be abolished. A counsel of veterans should replace this position as intermediaries between the administration and the veteran. The idea of having a disciplinary committee meet to take away a veteran’s clinical privileges goes back to World War II and the Gestapo tactics. There is something in this country called the constitution that was set up to protect the rights of citizens. One of the amendments is the right to due process. As I mentioned, I contacted Senator Conrad Burns, Max Baucus and Congressman Denny Rehberg. None of these people did anything. Preferably every administrative employee should be a veteran. After all, this is a federal department that supposedly is set up for the veterans.
There are politicians that say many things. There are those that make a platform of serving veterans and looking out for the veteran’s well being. If these individuals don’t do their job then they should be elected out of office.
No veteran should ever have to go through the hell that the VA put me through in 2006. It is a disgrace to know that such a fiasco could happen within an organization that is set up to help veterans. Veterans must unite, there is strength in numbers. We are not to be treated as lepers or outcasts because we risked our lives to protect what made this country great.
Love, respect and brotherhood to all veterans
Rick Mowles
MY RANT...
I was not going to say anything just yet but..........
as some you know i have been in and out of the hosptal since.last year.
so i want to tell you all a littel something about V.A.--- over 10 year's ago i had colon canser sergery done at Milwaukee V.A. at that time they [va'> made a mistake and cut me wrong,this couse me to bleed to death they had to give me 10 unit's of wole bleed [i thing we all know the our body's on hold 8 unit's of blood'>i went to ICU. that day. the next i had to go back for a 2nd. orperation just to fix up what VA f@@ked up..about 3 day's after my 2nd. orp. my wife went nown to get my watch at that time she was told that i had died after the 1st. orp.
when i was better i askd my doctor what went wrong? well all they told me then was i had an uncrotolable bleeder and as dum as i am, i belive them.o.k. hears the kicker since that day i have had notheing but pain in my area oh ya they took x-ray's over the 10 perid and alway come up with the same omy\\LD anws. they is no reason for the pain,but they kept giving all kind's of med's for pain.
then about 3 year's ago i broke my rignt wrisy [yes i'm right handed'> well i had one doctol who said it could be fused so i waited and waited 6 moyh's fanilly i got my appointment day. but again i was wrong this time they stated that they would not do anything more with my wrist,shame on me for trusting v.a. again......
well when i taken to a bamc[a pvt hosptel'> for a-fib ..after i got out i got a letter from v.a. telling me that when i go into a-fib there is no reason to go the hospt. enery time i have an aiiack of a-ffib[afetr millon's of pepol life ther whold life's and never know they have it'> bullshit............... bullsist i say when your heart is running between 50 to 210 bete's per-minet up and down like that you can't tell me you won't notic it...
now on to Dec.2007.......
late in dec.07 i had to be taken to bamc by ambalince for very bad pain in my abdomem after a ct-scan i was put in the hospy.they sujested more test so sent there paper-wark to V.A. they refused me any follow-up work.
so now we are in Jan.2008,once more i was taker to bamc for er. a few test ct scan of my abdomem.
then addmited to the hodpt' for more test.
they did a ct-scan and a mri they found why i have this abdomem pain.
4 clip's where left inside of me..no they have been remove yet and no idea when they will be....
NOW REMEMBER WHAT V.A.TOLD ME OVER 10 YEARS AGO...
well i'm hearing the same old song and dance all over again...
so i got a dav.to help me file a clame agenst v.a.in jan. i also had my doc. try to get me into madison v.a. they told us that they would not see us.so on april 8,08 we go to milwaukee v.a. to the pain center...more f**cking med's i quest...
but what is funny about all of this i got a letter the next day that becouse we file a clame in jan.that i must come to madison v.a. for a com/pen hearing.
so there you have it i hope in some small way it help's some of you to understrand me and the V.A.
the next week should be fun...
side note:
you would think after 200+ year's the goverment [v.a.'>would quit hitting on us indian's
ONE PISSED OFf INDIAN
AND I DON'T GAVE RAR A** IF MY SPELLING IS GOOD OR BAD......
AND NOW THAT WE ARE ALLOW TO BUY DRINK'S IN A BAR I THINK I GO OUT FOR A BIT
