Service Related Disabled Vets -- I have a question about VA care.

[Cholla]

I am a partially disabled vet. My knees are absolutely killing me. I just had X-rays done at the VA. They called today and claim my right knee has nothing wrong that physical therapy can't fix. (I still work so fun, fun, fun to work that in.) They said my left knee has mild arthritis. I don't believe them and have requested an MRI. They have not responded yet but I want to know if any of you have been down the road and do they have to honor my request?

[Kid Rich]

Good luck

kR

[Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646]

They do not have to honor your request OR to actually help you. They only have to look like they are helping you. And if you get angry and demand anything they can ban you from the facility and feel like they did their best. Most of the caretakers that work for VA are great, it is the administration that I despise.

 

Imis

[SHOOTIN FOX]

Did you have any medical issue with your knees that was documented prior to leaving the service? Do you receive any payment fro the VA? 

 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

Cholla,

Its my understanding that if you have been declared as 50% or higher disability for any type of "SERVICE CONNECTED"  health issue,

you are warranted VA coverage for all your health problems.

 

I could be wrong, but my book says 50% gets you 100% VA health benefits.   But, the minimum 50% rating has to be Service Connected.

 

..........Widder

 

[Cholla]

I have a service related 10% rating now and get VA care. They treat me well. I have folks telling me an X-ray won't show damage that an MRI will.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

2 minutes ago, Cholla said:

I have a service related 10% rating now and get VA care. They treat me well. I have folks telling me an X-ray won't show damage that an MRI will.

 

According to information the VA has given me, you are not eligible for VA coverage for health issues UNRELATED to your disability situation.

 

BUT..... if you can talk them into helping with any kind of care for your knees, etc......... then take what they are willing to help with.

 

If your disability rating is based on knee injury that is Service Connected, then they should be liable for ALL knee testing, surgery, etc.........

 

You should have a VA Regional Rep in your area that hopefully can give you the right information concerning your benefits and what the VA

can do, AND SHOULD DO, to help you.

 

P.S. - Thank you for your service.

 

..........Widder

 

[DocWard]

@Cholla, I sent you a PM. For all the others who may be interested, Widder is correct, 50% is the magic number for full healthcare, minus dental. Below that threshold the VA is only responsible for the service connected condition. Depending on the condition, one can seek an increase if it worsens over time. There's also the possibility of injury secondary to the original injury. Think right knee causing left knee problems, or hip and back problems. Don't expect the VA to do any of that for you, though. Or be of any assistance in telling you things have worsened. Go to a Veterans Service Office (usually at the county level) in your state to file a claim for an increase. Some states have their VSOs regionalized, which makes it more challenging for veterans to get to.

 

I can't even let myself get away from my job on vacation. Geez.

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

I am 50% rated which took me 30 years to get. I was lucky that my employer offered great health care insurance which I used instead of fighting with the VA. If you have non VA health insurance get your knees looked at that way.  Use the findings to support your case with the VA.

 

You also have a Veterans Officer hired by you County (authorized by Congress for every county in the US). Go see them for advice. Ours here in Montezuma County is great. He helped me get an upgrade which only took 2 months. 

[Dusty Boots]

You might consider contacting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to enlist their assistance in getting help.  If you are eligible for the testing and treatment, they can represent you.  I have found them to be a help in the past.

[Chuck Steak]

You are right on the MRI vs the X-ray but a lot of it depends on whether or not the problem with your knees was service related in your VA claim.  If you 10% rating is based on your knees and you feel like they are just avoiding the cost of an MRI, then I would definitely talk with the VA patient advocate in your area just like Widder recommended. 

 

Dusty Boots is also dead on - contact the DAV as well as the VFW for a good patient advocate.  The VA advocates are ok, but at the end of the day, the work for the VA - they dont work for you.  Dont be afraid of requesting a reevaluation if you think the problem was caused or worsened during your service - just make sure you get an advocate to help you with the claim.  

 

I retired after 30 years with a 100% VA disability rating and I still get jerked around periodiclly.  The VA is the VA is the VA so managing expectations and being persistent is a big thing when you start trying to wear them down.   

[Marshal Dan Troop 70448]

I know many Veterans that will not go to or use the VA around here because of how many are treated and as one said, the Doctor didn't know any English and needed an interpreter. True or not, they don't use the VA.

[PowderRiverCowboy]

2 hours ago, Chuck Steak said:

You are right on the MRI vs the X-ray but a lot of it depends on whether or not the problem with your knees was service related in your VA claim.  If you 10% rating is based on your knees and you feel like they are just avoiding the cost of an MRI, then I would definitely talk with the VA patient advocate in your area just like Widder recommended. 

 

Dusty Boots is also dead on - contact the DAV as well as the VFW for a good patient advocate.  The VA advocates are ok, but at the end of the day, the work for the VA - they dont work for you.  Dont be afraid of requesting a reevaluation if you think the problem was caused or worsened during your service - just make sure you get an advocate to help you with the claim.  

 

I retired after 30 years with a 100% VA disability rating and I still get jerked around periodiclly.  The VA is the VA is the VA so managing expectations and being persistent is a big thing when you start trying to wear them down.   

 

 

 

 

Hopefully not the PA that beat a Nam vet so bad he required 3 days in Hospital

 

Like Imus stated they can ban you, , When we got some retired female Chair Farce Zero as our new 'Director" The first thing she did was send a letter out stating any Tobacco related items to include a lighter or matches will be taken from you and You will be banned from not the hospital but the entire Fort Meade complex .

 

 The VA is not your friend . I avoid them period you can request a local provider depending on your case see above. 
 You can request alot but they dont have to do crap. Matter of Fact it just came out the Military was using unapproved Covid vaxes that were not FDA approved .This right after Army reserve and Guard dropped 60k from pay Tuesday .
  Trust no one if you dont get the answer you like you ask someone else .


Also for any Vet going into a VA and this is a big one , Those multiple people that seemed concerned about "How are you ? " "Do you Hunt ? " What do you like to do? ect give zero indication that you have fireams or shoot. If they deem you questionable  for gee you are irritated in the VA BS ect, You will receive a letter stating you are no longer considered safe to own firearms and revoke your right to own and purchase them .
 This has been found out by many New Vets , especially any PTSD or combat vet 

[Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381]

Have you had an exam with a doctor to look at your knee? You didn't say. An X-ray will show broken bones or arthritis. If an exam is suspect for a torn cruciate ligament or meniscal damage, a MRI will show that. But it takes a doctor who is familiar with knees and the manual tests to show the damage. Being military, I got a lot of experience in knees, and my MRI positives were pretty high. Ask for an orthopedic appointment if you don't have trust in your current doctor. Doctors cannot know everything, but they should know when to refer.

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

You should get the knee looked at for sure. I hurt my knee when I was in the Army (12/63 to 12/65) and was hospitalized with it then. When I got out they told me I had a service connected disability with it being rated at zero disabled. It didn't bother me for about 15 years, then I started having problems with it. Went to the VA and filed a claim. Claim denied....it was that way for about 5 years. Then I decided to get it fixed with my own doctor as I had great insurance thru my employer. Had the cartilige removed. Went back to the VA and got a 10% rating. A couple of years later it was still bothering me, back to the VA. Hearing, denial & appeal went on for about 5 more years. Finally got the DAV involved and their lawyers in Washington DC went to court and won. Back to the VA again. Finally got an VA orthapedic Dr who told me I had been getting screwed for 25 years and he was going to fix it. Eventually got a call from the VA and they offered me 40% retroactive 30 years. Got a nice check. Finally had to have a total knee and ankle replacement. VA upped it to 50% with the help of our local county veteran officer. 

 

I did join DAV on a Life Membership. Without their help, probably never got fixed.  Just remember...don't give up!

[Cholla]

2 hours ago, Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 said:

Have you had an exam with a doctor to look at your knee? You didn't say. An X-ray will show broken bones or arthritis. If an exam is suspect for a torn cruciate ligament or meniscal damage, a MRI will show that. But it takes a doctor who is familiar with knees and the manual tests to show the damage. Being military, I got a lot of experience in knees, and my MRI positives were pretty high. Ask for an orthopedic appointment if you don't have trust in your current doctor. Doctors cannot know everything, but they should know when to refer.

Yes, I had a VA look at it. He prescribed the X-ray and pain meds.

[Ranger Dan]

You really need to push for the MRI. Its the only way the doc can tell what is causing the pain and possibly fix it, rather than live on pain pills. I am 20% disabled just for my knees. Cartilage damage is common for us former Airborne Infantry types.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

I'm a disabled VET with a 60+ disability (was 100% long story).  My medical care from the VA has been nothing but exemplary since the day I retired.  Now.  If your SERVICE CONNECTED disability is less than 50%, the VA will only treat the problem your SERVICE CONNECTED disability is based on.  You can demand all you want, but the VA is only obligated to treat your SERVICE CONNECTED disability.

 

You my request a copy of your Military Medical Records, or get with your county Vet Rep (they may request your records) or the Disabled American Veterans, or Veterans Service Officer, have your records reviewed and appeal/request change to your disability rating.

 

The VA "may" treat your knees, however, you will be charged for the care, should the VA ELECT to provide service.  Beyond your SERVICE CONNECTED disability, you are entitled to nothing.  Your eligibility for care is established in long stand law.

[The Shoer 27979]

I have respectfully  disagree with all of you about the VA medical coverage.

1 was in the Army from Feb. '79 till Sept. '84 went to Germany 2 time, no combat no wars no disabilitys, no nothing and I get full coverage on medical. I have had primary Drs, been to a bunch of specialist, I have been told I have bunions, carpeltunel, neuropathy, sleep apniea, arthritis basically from the middle of the back down to my ankles, right shoulder and neck to just recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and never cost me a dime( sorry for any misspelled words). I also get all my medications mailed to me at no cost. I have also never been asked about anything related to guns or shooting and I have been to 4 different facility's one of which was persideo of San Francisco. At San Francisco when I was been fitted  for sleep apnea the Tech was a SASS shooter.

[Sedalia Dave]

 

6 hours ago, Dusty Boots said:

You might consider contacting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to enlist their assistance in getting help.  If you are eligible for the testing and treatment, they can represent you.  I have found them to be a help in the past.

 

THIS ^^^^

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

11 hours ago, Dusty Boots said:

You might consider contacting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to enlist their assistance in getting help.  If you are eligible for the testing and treatment, they can represent you.  I have found them to be a help in the past.

......or the American Legion or VFW.  Both have experts on hand (most of the time) at no cost to you.  I had a VFW /AL friend who has been a bigwig in the VA up Seattle way help me get from 50% to 70% after three or four years of trying to tackle it on my own.  It's what he did for a living.  

It will take a while, even with help, but if you don't start now you may never get it..........and it's definitely worth the effort.

 

I love my VA ladies, not a doctor in the bunch, but they can get me referrals either inside the VA or through TriCare and any one of the five or six I deal with will sit down and talk to me when I need help.