Veterans (VA) health problems for newly returning soldiers, has anyone found reason to believe unfair treatmnt

I am a disabled Veteran... You have to remember that the news isnt going to put the veterans on TV that are happy with every thing... The media machine has only one purpose.... To sell comercial time at all costs!!! What do people thrive on..... Misery and destruction (Think gladiator!!!)

I have had nothing but impeccable care from the VA. My claim was processed in about 9-10 months , but I had health care in the meantime and they are always there to help me whenever I need it. Everyone I have dealt with is very professional and caring. I didnt leave a leg in Iraq or anything (those guys get treated wonderfully- and rightfully so)

Most of the problems occur when somone doesnt fill out the paperwork properly, which is unfortunate because all branches of the service are required to provide access to a 6 hour class where they sit there and fill the form out for you. Alot of people dont go to these classes out of laziness, and the form is very complicated. All this does is increase processing time.

Dont believe the lie either that if they miss a deadline then they can get benefits... you have 1 year after you get out to file a claim no questions asked (meaning they automatically assume your disability was service connected) after that you have to prove it came from the service (what they do is pull your medical record- plus they tell you at another getting out class you are required to take that you should make 3 copies of your medical/dental records. most dont do that either)

Hope this helped-- america does take care of their fallen soliders.... what they dont do is help veterans that can help themselves...but if the veteran is unable to fill out the form then they send a representative to do it for him!!!

It's a matter of contrast.

By comparison, the out-pouring of sympathy, empathy, money, moral and logistical support, press coverage, political action, government and private program institutions and a sense of duty toward returning veterans compared to Korea and Viet Nam is unprecedented.

Could it be better? The biggest room in the world is room for improvement. Improvements will always be made, just not overnight.

Keep your eye on the subject yes. But constant outrage over unreasonable expectations not met is not helpful.

You watch; When this war begins to wind down you will start to see all the 'chicken littles' start complaining about the bloated and wasteful veterans assistance system.

EDIT: What a lot of people don't understand is why the VA system got over-burdened early on. In past wars, you wouldn't see the amount of wounded and permanently disabled veterans we have now because they would all be dead. The technology has allowed the military to do more with less and increased the hours of direct combat for each soldier. The helicopter has enabled the troops to go into hot zones quicker and in a more concentrated way. It has also allowed for faster extraction of the wounded saving their lives where before they would be written off as KIA while they were still breathing. The improvements in personal protection equipment has kept wounds from being life threatening.

The concern now is to deal with quality of life issues for these kids when they come home.

It's all new and is still being worked out.

There is no way we could have been ready for this.

I can't believe Sam would say that people already physically disabled and mentally messed up should be on the VAs case to get the care they have a right to expect as wounded vets. That's inhuman.

When are we going to realize that the sick in mind and body do not function at full capacity, they have many issues to deal with, getting wounded in the service of our country should not make them become their own advocates at a time when they must learn to deal with significant physical problems.

We have the highest percentage of suicides coming out of this war, getting psychological help is difficult. A man here where I live in NY had half his head blown away, he couldn't get physical therapy after a certain amount of time, even though he was improving. Hillary, of all people, got it reinstated, but it shouldn't take a Senator to give our troops care, its should be automatic.

There was another story in the paper asking for donations so a legless vet could build a ramp into his home. I don't even care if the VA covers that sort of thing, it should.

They gave so much for this war and this president, that they are treated this way is about as shameful a thing as you can do.

my husband and i have many friends in the army that got diagnosed with PTSD, and even after the official diagnoses from the army doctors, they still got no help other than a counseling session which was a joke because the therapist didnt beleive he had anything wrong with him. he eventually got discharged from the army because of it and is now without a job and a way to support his family, and without anyone interested in helping him with his mental health. the VA is a joke and i will never allow my husband to go to any of their facilities, i will pay out of my pocket to use a private doctor for any of his needs after active duty.

this has been an ongoing problem because it was after the vietnam war any vet who claimed damage from chemical exposure was blackballed with the claim that agent orange did no damage to the troops but latre, much later it was found to be true it is sad that our government spends all kind of monies to repair these countries all over the world and cannot e compassionate to our vets helping the iraquis get their freedom while our vets are dying woth no comfort

i am sorry for what they did to you. i use the Fresno Ca Va hospital and i get great care. i can call the advise nurse and get my pain pills refilled without seeing the doctor. you can also go to the hospital supervisor, keep your cool though, it will get you alot further than yelling.

there really isn't an issue, you just have to learn to communicate, or talk the talk with your vet service officers and doctors. the va system doesn't volunteer information, you have to be around it, talking the talk with other folks in the system learning things as you discover.

oh, by the way i am combat service connected disabled from beirut thanks!

Vietnam vets were screwed(agent orange),Desert storm Veterns were screwed,,,,these guys/girls are screwed..................

A lot of angry Vets .....If you are sent to Iraq for a year tour and then .when you are to come home it is extended....it messes with your head.....A LOT!!!!....PTSD...........