Comments for Veterans for Common Sense http://veteransforcommonsense.org Veterans for Common Sense Tue, 15 May 2012 12:27:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on US Army examines why some soldiers avoid PTSD care, strategies to keep them in treatment by Anita M http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/09/us-army-examines-why-some-soldiers-avoid-ptsd-care-strategies-to-keep-them-in-treatment/#comment-51059 Anita M Tue, 15 May 2012 12:27:01 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2044#comment-51059 My heart goes out to you, Dave. God bless you for being one of our nations WATCHDOGS, as Col. Dave Grossman says. You are absolutely right; a civilian can never sympathize with what you have endured during your service. However, an educated person can empathize and assist in recovery. Just because a man does not 'experience' the pain of childbirth does not mean he does not emotionally 'feel' for the mother. I am a 3rd year psyche student with a specific goal of working with TBI/PTSD rehabilitation. I have never been in a combat zone; but I do completely understand and empathize with those stricken with the condition; hopelessness, shame, embarrassment, hyperactive nerves, insomnia, emotionally drained, days of numbness followed by days of hostility and anger, frightfulness and courage in a simultaneous internal battle for release. Military spending cuts only exaserbate the issue, leaving thousands with added stress and instability. Please do not write off the therapists who sincerely wish to walk with you through recovery. My heart goes out to you, Dave. God bless you for being one of our nations WATCHDOGS, as Col. Dave Grossman says. You are absolutely right; a civilian can never sympathize with what you have endured during your service. However, an educated person can empathize and assist in recovery. Just because a man does not ‘experience’ the pain of childbirth does not mean he does not emotionally ‘feel’ for the mother. I am a 3rd year psyche student with a specific goal of working with TBI/PTSD rehabilitation. I have never been in a combat zone; but I do completely understand and empathize with those stricken with the condition; hopelessness, shame, embarrassment, hyperactive nerves, insomnia, emotionally drained, days of numbness followed by days of hostility and anger, frightfulness and courage in a simultaneous internal battle for release. Military spending cuts only exaserbate the issue, leaving thousands with added stress and instability. Please do not write off the therapists who sincerely wish to walk with you through recovery.

]]> Comment on THE IMPEDIMENTS STANDING IN THE WAY OF TIMELY DELIVERY OF BENEFITS by Stephanie Urankar http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/14/the-impediments-standing-in-the-way-of-timely-delivery-of-benefits/#comment-50865 Stephanie Urankar Mon, 14 May 2012 20:30:57 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2071#comment-50865 In the light of these horrific revelations...we have to fight until change is brought!!! For my Veteran husband, and for all the men and women who have died and who are in peril or who unwittingly will be, please consider signing my petition. We need to be heard. If enough of us join together and say that these outdated and oppressive rules and laws will not be tolerated, something may happen for the good. https://www.change.org/petitions/overhaul-the-va-mental-health-system-and-protect-our-troops-and-veterans In the light of these horrific revelations…we have to fight until change is brought!!! For my Veteran husband, and for all the men and women who have died and who are in peril or who unwittingly will be, please consider signing my petition. We need to be heard. If enough of us join together and say that these outdated and oppressive rules and laws will not be tolerated, something may happen for the good.

https://www.change.org/petitions/overhaul-the-va-mental-health-system-and-protect-our-troops-and-veterans

]]> Comment on US Army examines why some soldiers avoid PTSD care, strategies to keep them in treatment by Tim Zerr http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/09/us-army-examines-why-some-soldiers-avoid-ptsd-care-strategies-to-keep-them-in-treatment/#comment-50860 Tim Zerr Mon, 14 May 2012 20:24:39 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2044#comment-50860 Good comment from Dave. You may want to try the Vet Center. Although its part of the VA and they call it Readjustment Counseling Service, its staffed by mostly veterans and war zone veterans. Most of the centers can relate to your experience. They are not in a "clinic" or hospital and are just a small squad of folks that care. If that doesnt work for you good luck in the private sector. The Vet Centers also have a few contractors who are vets who will see you if there is not a Vet Center close. Good comment from Dave. You may want to try the Vet Center. Although its part of the VA and they call it Readjustment Counseling Service, its staffed by mostly veterans and war zone veterans. Most of the centers can relate to your experience. They are not in a “clinic” or hospital and are just a small squad of folks that care. If that doesnt work for you good luck in the private sector. The Vet Centers also have a few contractors who are vets who will see you if there is not a Vet Center close.

]]> Comment on US Army examines why some soldiers avoid PTSD care, strategies to keep them in treatment by Dave http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/09/us-army-examines-why-some-soldiers-avoid-ptsd-care-strategies-to-keep-them-in-treatment/#comment-50848 Dave Mon, 14 May 2012 18:16:44 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2044#comment-50848 I can tell you why they don't complete it. They have psychiatrists that haven't a clue about PTSD from a combat zone. Unless they have been there and have seen what we did, then they just can't relate. I am also sure that many of the Soldiers like me have been diagnosed with "Severe Depression with Mood Disorder" instead of PTSD so they don't have to give them 50% disability. It just costs too much, so the real number of Soldiers is a lot higher if the VA would give the correct diagnosis. It is unfortunate that the VA chooses to classify Soldiers improperly. I am also a Desert Storm Vet and have unresolved issues from that little skirmish and without that being addressed 18 years later get sent to Afghanistan and they wonder why PTSD is a problem. It wasn't addressed properly for Desert Storm Soldiers and are only doing it now because they have to since violent acts have been committed and more and more Soldiers are trapped in psychological hell, but unless the underlying conditions are addressed and the proper diagnosis given, nothing will change again. The Army also treated Reservists poorly which didn't much help and when they got off of active duty, they couldn't get in to see a VA mental health professional. If the Army and the VA actually read and reviewed a Soldiers medical records, they would find problems that still haven't been addressed, especially those with multiple deployments. It is a shame that the Army and the VA won't do the right thing because of the $$$. That's what it was and still is. Just like they didn't give us the right disability ratings when we were on active duty and just kicked many out and told them to go to the VA, which when I got off active duty, the VA was only seeing 50% or more Disabled Veterans and since the Army would give more than 20%, a lot of the Soldiers never got seen and didn't want to wait at some military installation so far from home, they wanted to go home and see their families and hope they had jobs left. Not being seen at the VA after getting off active duty, and the fact that many lost their jobs, I think that it significantly added to the number of homeless Veterans. Sad, but unfortunately true. Same thing is happening with the effects of burn pits on the respiratory health of Veterans, but will not be addressed for as many years as it to to confirm there is a Gulf War Syndrome. It is a shame that it is our Soldiers and Veterans that continually fight for our Country, but get screwed out of benefits over and over again by Congress. I can tell you why they don’t complete it. They have psychiatrists that haven’t a clue about PTSD from a combat zone. Unless they have been there and have seen what we did, then they just can’t relate. I am also sure that many of the Soldiers like me have been diagnosed with “Severe Depression with Mood Disorder” instead of PTSD so they don’t have to give them 50% disability. It just costs too much, so the real number of Soldiers is a lot higher if the VA would give the correct diagnosis. It is unfortunate that the VA chooses to classify Soldiers improperly. I am also a Desert Storm Vet and have unresolved issues from that little skirmish and without that being addressed 18 years later get sent to Afghanistan and they wonder why PTSD is a problem. It wasn’t addressed properly for Desert Storm Soldiers and are only doing it now because they have to since violent acts have been committed and more and more Soldiers are trapped in psychological hell, but unless the underlying conditions are addressed and the proper diagnosis given, nothing will change again. The Army also treated Reservists poorly which didn’t much help and when they got off of active duty, they couldn’t get in to see a VA mental health professional. If the Army and the VA actually read and reviewed a Soldiers medical records, they would find problems that still haven’t been addressed, especially those with multiple deployments. It is a shame that the Army and the VA won’t do the right thing because of the $$$. That’s what it was and still is. Just like they didn’t give us the right disability ratings when we were on active duty and just kicked many out and told them to go to the VA, which when I got off active duty, the VA was only seeing 50% or more Disabled Veterans and since the Army would give more than 20%, a lot of the Soldiers never got seen and didn’t want to wait at some military installation so far from home, they wanted to go home and see their families and hope they had jobs left. Not being seen at the VA after getting off active duty, and the fact that many lost their jobs, I think that it significantly added to the number of homeless Veterans. Sad, but unfortunately true. Same thing is happening with the effects of burn pits on the respiratory health of Veterans, but will not be addressed for as many years as it to to confirm there is a Gulf War Syndrome. It is a shame that it is our Soldiers and Veterans that continually fight for our Country, but get screwed out of benefits over and over again by Congress.

]]> Comment on Court Rejects Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans’ Demand for Better VA Care by Sherril Nell Wells http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/09/court-rejects-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-demand-for-better-va-care/#comment-49859 Sherril Nell Wells Fri, 11 May 2012 01:35:52 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2050#comment-49859 None of the judges who voted to reverse the prior decision served a day in the military, although each one of was age during Vietnam. The author of the opinion, Judge Bybee, wrote a legal opinion authorizing torture, which will be waived as authority by every government or terrorist organization torturing our military people. The two judges who found that our military people do have the ability to fundamental rights to basic care were veterans. As time goes by, it becomes more and more clear to me that a qualification for public office in the minds of those who love this country must be prior military service. None of the judges who voted to reverse the prior decision served a day in the military, although each one of was age during Vietnam. The author of the opinion, Judge Bybee, wrote a legal opinion authorizing torture, which will be waived as authority by every government or terrorist organization torturing our military people.
The two judges who found that our military people do have the ability to fundamental rights to basic care were veterans.
As time goes by, it becomes more and more clear to me that a qualification for public office in the minds of those who love this country must be prior military service.

]]> Comment on Shinseki: VA may need more mental health workers by Corrie http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/09/shinseki-va-may-need-more-mental-health-workers/#comment-49553 Corrie Wed, 09 May 2012 22:11:45 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2048#comment-49553 I am one of those countless thousands of veterans who waited far too long for treatment of serious problems with PTSD, depression and anxiety. For many years, and from experience, I instinctively mistrusted the VA's impersonal and dismissive inattention to a decade of related physical symptoms. I was consistently labeled a hypochondriac and sent patronizingly on my way. After years of poor treatment, I begged for psychiatric assistance. I recall screaming at an administrator who casually told me that I could meet with a doctor in about six weeks. Six weeks from now, when struggling with PTSD, is imaginary. That far off date doesn't exist when your brain has left you in excruciating pain. I begged them to see me sooner, and told them that frankly, I feared for my life...at my own hands. I had to threaten to kill myself to be seen, you see. Can you imagine being pushed in such a way? The pain of PTSD is unspeakable. To suggest to anyone who struggles with it that they have to wait is unimaginably torturous. Help veterans now. It's already too late for too many. PTSD becomes an insidious and entrenched disability that is difficult/impossible to escape. With treatment and care and patience, the symptoms dissipate but can easily rebound with little warning. It takes immense self-care and vigilance to ward off future bouts with the painful symptoms of anxiety, vigilance and disassociation. It may require a life time of opportunities to at least check in with a mental health care practitioner in order to be as healthy as one can be while living with PTSD. I hope that what is being planned will be a true and positive step towards real help. Too often, these gestures are lost in the bureaucratic money pits that so many government agencies have become. I am one of those countless thousands of veterans who waited far too long for treatment of serious problems with PTSD, depression and anxiety. For many years, and from experience, I instinctively mistrusted the VA’s impersonal and dismissive inattention to a decade of related physical symptoms. I was consistently labeled a hypochondriac and sent patronizingly on my way.
After years of poor treatment, I begged for psychiatric assistance. I recall screaming at an administrator who casually told me that I could meet with a doctor in about six weeks. Six weeks from now, when struggling with PTSD, is imaginary. That far off date doesn’t exist when your brain has left you in excruciating pain. I begged them to see me sooner, and told them that frankly, I feared for my life…at my own hands. I had to threaten to kill myself to be seen, you see. Can you imagine being pushed in such a way?
The pain of PTSD is unspeakable. To suggest to anyone who struggles with it that they have to wait is unimaginably torturous.
Help veterans now.
It’s already too late for too many. PTSD becomes an insidious and entrenched disability that is difficult/impossible to escape. With treatment and care and patience, the symptoms dissipate but can easily rebound with little warning. It takes immense self-care and vigilance to ward off future bouts with the painful symptoms of anxiety, vigilance and disassociation. It may require a life time of opportunities to at least check in with a mental health care practitioner in order to be as healthy as one can be while living with PTSD. I hope that what is being planned will be a true and positive step towards real help. Too often, these gestures are lost in the bureaucratic money pits that so many government agencies have become.

]]> Comment on Army Will Reshape Training, With Lessons From Special Forces by Jon Potter http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/03/army-will-reshape-training-with-lessons-from-special-forces/#comment-49023 Jon Potter Mon, 07 May 2012 20:00:07 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2017#comment-49023 Why are GENS with zero combat experience as company CO's making our military look like a mech Infantry Army ? Why are the so called leaders sending men down roads/MSR's? I say fire this Gen and his likes. Get some LTC's who have a CIB and get back to being INFANTRY. Why are GENS with zero combat experience as company CO’s making our military look like a mech Infantry Army ? Why are the so called leaders sending men down roads/MSR’s? I say fire this Gen and his likes. Get some LTC’s who have a CIB and get back to being INFANTRY.

]]> Comment on New VA hires to include marriage therapists, professional counselors by Jim Hannington http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/03/new-va-hires-to-include-marriage-therapists-professional-counselors/#comment-47963 Jim Hannington Thu, 03 May 2012 18:24:46 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2015#comment-47963 These jobs were promised over 3 years ago ! Why the delay ? In the meantime, TBI and PTSD vets are on average awaiting 4 month delays in obtaining evaluations after severance from the military. This adds to the disability backlogs. Aside from marriage and family counselors which is a marvelous consideration, what about peer specialists and mentors ? These jobs were promised over 3 years ago ! Why the delay ? In the meantime, TBI and PTSD vets are on average awaiting 4 month delays in obtaining evaluations after severance from the military. This adds to the disability backlogs. Aside from marriage and family counselors which is a marvelous consideration, what about peer specialists and mentors ?

]]> Comment on Military families and mental health: Understanding the issues and available resources by David Bean http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/05/02/military-families-and-mental-health-understanding-the-issues-and-available-resources/#comment-47838 David Bean Thu, 03 May 2012 04:25:35 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=2013#comment-47838 I sent this to the VA: Dear Mr. Steven Warren: Please get humans to answer the phone! Trying to reach help at the VA I was shunted to Cus Help. Or is it Cuss Help. or cust help.... a business. It is fine to have a business as an option. But they have created an insurmountable maze. Please get humans to answer the phone! If one is suicidal, I sure hope one's clerical aptitude is greater than mine... or it SOL. Hey, I am a veteran and I am fine. My friend Jim (USN) though, paid $150,000 on his house over eleven years and as a carpenter in a depression was all day working or looking for work to support his wife and two kids. He is upright, proud, clean, anti-drug and a very modest drinker. He live to work and he can’t find any. His wife was home praying and gradually going crazy as she kept fielding the collection calls from India in dialects she could not understand. Finally one day she broke a pulled Jim’s shotgun on him. He is a big guy, 6’5” and of steady nerve. He talked her down and then called the cops. Man, was that a mistake. They put her in the clink for two weeks and then threatened Jim that his wife would have a felony conviction. He had to do backflips to save the future for the mother of his children that just pulled a gun on him. They sought a no contact order, so Jim had to sleep on his sister’s floor over in Oregon, because his wife pulled a gun on him. Oh, and his tools were in the house with the crazy wife, where he was forbidden to go. He is a hell of a good carpenter, and a good father too, his daughter is valedictorian and varsity sports, yet his clerical aptitude is worse than mine , and I am a lost puppy in this rats nest of which is where for what when by who which is actually YOUR JOB. It confuses me, and I am not as close to the edge as Jim. One thing I know. Jim will never call the “special” number. He if far too proud. Jim is not the only proud veteran who would not call a mental health line. Pride is instilled in the military. Please get humans to answer the phone! 1,2,3,4 Wawff? "Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.” "Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.” "Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.” How many times do you need a computer to say your call is important before you get the message? The whole VA phone system ought to be peopled by human beings. I do not care how many counselors of 1,600, that you hired. If they are behind this wall of confusion, a maze that no worried father or wild eyed veteran will find. Then that would be another $150 million poorly spent. About a day and a half of war spending ........ wasted. I repeat: Please get humans to answer the phone! Department Name(s) Toll Free Number(s) VA Benefits: Burial Death Pension Dependency Indemnity Compensation Direct Deposit Directions to VA Benefits Regional Offices Disability Compensation Disability Pension Education Home Loan Guaranty Medical Care Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 1-800-827-1000 Beneficiaries in receipt of Pension Benefits 1-877-294-6380 Debt Management Center (Collection of Non-Medical Debts) 1-800-827-0648 Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV) Foreign Medical Program (FMP) Spina Bifida Health Care Program 1-877-345-8179 (or) 1-888-820-1756 Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) CHAMPVA In-House Treatment Initiative (CITI) 1-800-733-8387 Education (GI Bill) 1-888-442-4551 Health Care Benefits 1-877-222-8387 Income Verification and Means Testing 1-800-929-8387 Life Insurance: Service members and/or Veterans Group Life Insurance Program All other VA Life Insurance Programs 1-800-419-1473 1-800-669-8477 Mammography Helpline 1-888-492-7844 Meds by Mail 1-888-385-0235 (or) 1-866-229-7389 Special Issues - Gulf War/Agent Orange/Project Shad/Mustard Agents and Lewisite/Ionizing Radiation 1-800-749-8387 Status of Headstones and Markers 1-800-697-6947 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833 For health care services, contact your nearest VA medical facility. To locate all VA facilities, click on Find a VA Facility. If you were going nuts, and wanted to kill yourself..... would you be there yet? Please get humans to answer the phone. I sent this to the VA:
Dear Mr. Steven Warren:

Please get humans to answer the phone!

Trying to reach help at the VA I was shunted to Cus Help. Or is it Cuss Help. or cust help….
a business. It is fine to have a business as an option. But they have created an insurmountable maze.

Please get humans to answer the phone!

If one is suicidal, I sure hope one’s clerical aptitude is greater than mine… or it SOL.

Hey, I am a veteran and I am fine. My friend Jim (USN) though, paid $150,000 on his house over eleven years
and as a carpenter in a depression was all day working or looking for work to support his wife and two kids. He is upright, proud, clean, anti-drug and a very modest drinker. He live to work and he can’t find any. His wife was home praying and gradually going crazy as she kept fielding the collection calls from India in dialects she could not understand. Finally one day she broke a pulled Jim’s shotgun on him. He is a big guy, 6’5” and of steady nerve. He talked her down and then called the cops. Man, was that a mistake.
They put her in the clink for two weeks and then threatened Jim that his wife would have a felony conviction. He had to do backflips to save the future for the mother of his children that just pulled a gun on him. They sought a no contact order, so Jim had to sleep on his sister’s floor over in Oregon, because his wife pulled a gun on him. Oh, and his tools were in the house with the crazy wife, where he was forbidden to go.

He is a hell of a good carpenter, and a good father too, his daughter is valedictorian and varsity sports, yet his clerical aptitude is worse than mine , and I am a lost puppy in this rats nest of which is where for what when by who which is actually YOUR JOB. It confuses me, and I am not as close to the edge as Jim.

One thing I know. Jim will never call the “special” number. He if far too proud.
Jim is not the only proud veteran who would not call a mental health line. Pride is instilled in the military.
Please get humans to answer the phone!

1,2,3,4 Wawff?

“Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.”
“Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.”
“Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.”

How many times do you need a computer to say your call is important before you get the message? The whole VA phone system ought to be peopled by human beings.

I do not care how many counselors of 1,600, that you hired. If they are behind this wall of confusion, a maze that no worried father or wild eyed veteran will find. Then that would be another $150 million poorly spent.
About a day and a half of war spending …….. wasted.

I repeat: Please get humans to answer the phone!

Department Name(s) Toll Free Number(s)
VA Benefits:
Burial
Death Pension
Dependency Indemnity Compensation
Direct Deposit
Directions to VA Benefits Regional Offices
Disability Compensation
Disability Pension
Education
Home Loan Guaranty
Medical Care
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
1-800-827-1000
Beneficiaries in receipt of Pension Benefits 1-877-294-6380
Debt Management Center (Collection of Non-Medical Debts) 1-800-827-0648
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)
Foreign Medical Program (FMP)
Spina Bifida Health Care Program
1-877-345-8179 (or)
1-888-820-1756
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)
CHAMPVA In-House Treatment Initiative (CITI)
1-800-733-8387
Education (GI Bill) 1-888-442-4551
Health Care Benefits 1-877-222-8387
Income Verification and Means Testing 1-800-929-8387
Life Insurance:
Service members and/or Veterans Group Life Insurance Program
All other VA Life Insurance Programs
1-800-419-1473
1-800-669-8477
Mammography Helpline 1-888-492-7844
Meds by Mail 1-888-385-0235 (or)
1-866-229-7389
Special Issues – Gulf War/Agent Orange/Project Shad/Mustard Agents and
Lewisite/Ionizing Radiation 1-800-749-8387
Status of Headstones and Markers 1-800-697-6947
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833
For health care services, contact your nearest VA medical facility. To locate all VA facilities, click on Find a VA Facility.

If you were going nuts, and wanted to kill yourself….. would you be there yet?

Please get humans to answer the phone.

]]> Comment on Pressure to reduce VA disability claims may cause more delays, advocates warn by Comfort http://veteransforcommonsense.org/2012/04/20/pressure-to-reduce-va-disability-claims-may-cause-more-delays-advocates-warn/#comment-47440 Comfort Tue, 01 May 2012 17:14:19 +0000 http://veteransforcommonsense.org/?p=1958#comment-47440 I completely agree with you Davis. The problem like you said is the system that was instituted to deny claims and then send more to die for wars that their children will never see. They should bring back the DRAFT for all to serve instead of the less fortunate brave ones like us. I just can not stand this crap anymore. The system is evil period. I completely agree with you Davis. The problem like you said is the system that was instituted to deny claims and then send more to die for wars that their children will never see. They should bring back the DRAFT for all to serve instead of the less fortunate brave ones like us. I just can not stand this crap anymore. The system is evil period.

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