Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Vanity - Vietnam Vet visiting my local Vet Out patient first time.
Free Republic | 5-14-2014 | Red_devil 232

Posted on 05/27/2014 3:31:17 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-76 last
To: Rik0Shay

absolutely not. Wounded combat vets couldn’t exactly PLAN could they?
You realize that until Clinton, for well over 100 years the VA was designed primarily to help those wounded in combat
and was until Clinton if you weren’t a wounded combat vet or service related injury vet or retired vet you couldnot get service

Clinton opened it up to anyone who was ever in the military period without increasing their budget.
To your point retired vets are like people who paid into SS for 20 or more years
and combat vets paid with going in harm’s way
Do you think someone who paid into SS for 3-4 years should get life long payments?

I respect the Posters service during the VN era and I am sure he respects those who were in country.
He has the luxury of getting medical care from his wife and Medicare 9 which BTW is analogus to SS)

If you have ever been to a VA you would understand the need to free up time for a wounded vet or someone who does not have the options of the poster
and the overcrowding is only going to get worse


61 posted on 05/28/2014 10:22:43 AM PDT by RWGinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: RWGinger; All
Lets get one thing straight, I don't know why I used the word era in my post. I am a VN VET, USMC VMFA 232 Red Devils, F-4J Phantoms. The only reason I am going to the VA is my wife insisted I apply for my benefits. It took six to seven months to get this first appointment. We do not have a regular Family Doctor and my thought is that maybe we can get a reference to a local Private Doctor or Doctors, where we can use our Private insurance. This is just an initial visit and not an attempt to misuse or game the Va's services.
62 posted on 05/28/2014 11:30:05 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

I thanked you for your service several times.

and I think YOU understand my point about you having better options than most

As far as getting a recommendation I know your wife’s
insurance has a list of docs. Have you looked there/
OR if you get a Med sup ( medicare supplement plan) it would also have a list of Docs
Both will be quicker and easier than trying to go through the VA

Frankly I am surprised your wife is insisting on this when you have the other options
hasn’t she been reading about the problems?
believe me they are real.
The vast majority o factual people at the VA care so much but there are too many people and too few resources

Why wouldn’t you look at a list of Docs on your wife’s insurance if that is the only reason you are going to the VA? why wait so many months when you can use her insurance and see someone sooner?

thank you for your service


63 posted on 05/28/2014 11:41:08 AM PDT by RWGinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: RWGinger; Enterprise; Red_Devil 232

You realize that until Clinton, for well over 100 years the VA was designed primarily to help those wounded in combat
and was until Clinton if you weren’t a wounded combat vet or service related injury vet or retired vet you couldnot get service

Clinton opened it up to anyone who was ever in the military period without increasing their budget
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
True.
ALSO. One of W’s first acts was to rescind the all inclusive VA to all Vets.
However, those that had signed up under Clinton were allowed to keep their status.
I kept ‘putting if off’ even though I had service related tinnitus.
But from my discharge through Clinton, I felt I could ‘live’ with the tinnitus and leave the care to those that needed it.
There comes a time when one can no longer ‘white out’ the ringing in ones ears and I signed up for VA just before CLinton left office.

The only time I used VA is for a Cataract Op I had in 2007. I only had a slight copay and don’t know if that was because of my age ( I was 68 at the time), with no Medical History or record, the last ‘serious’ dealings I had in the Medical Community was a Hernia Operation in 1959 @ USNH Yokosuka Japan...
I had virtually 50 years between ‘Medical Needs’ and really ‘resent’ the people who show up at the Emergency Room for sniffles or a sprain.....

When BO came into office, one of the first things they did was restore FULL VA PRIVILEGES to all Vets.

I had contended that with both of them it had/has something to do with the HillaryScare/oBamaScare programs.

As to Vietnam Era Vet, I first heard the term coined by people that were in and NOT in country - so as not to take anything away from the Combat Types - NOT to be meant as an insult, but like anything else, a well meaning term gets hijacked and thrown back into peoples faces that were trying to do good.

I have VSM w/star and got out in 1964.


64 posted on 05/28/2014 12:10:32 PM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98)"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until they speak.".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: RWGinger

You think you have all the answers. My father was a career Marine and when I was a young boy he was stationed at Camp Lejune, NC. Then when I was a teen he was stationed there again, I spent time there after Paris Island. There are/were problems with water contamination there that may affect me and my health. The VA knows all about this. A local Doctor may not!

Many Marines their families and loyal civilian employees have been affected by the contamination in various ways including, but not limited to: liver cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, non Hodgkins lymphoma, liver disease, miscarriages, birth defects (cleft palate, heart defects, Choanal atresia, neural tube defects, low birth weight, and small for gestational age),etc. Unfortunately, many of these families still have not been notified by the USMC of the danger from their exposure. In 1987 Camp Lejeune was recommended for listing as a Superfund site on the National Priorities List (NPL) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Camp Lejeune was officially listed as a Superfund site in 1989.


65 posted on 05/28/2014 12:15:43 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

I never thought I had all the answers
BUT based on what you have told us you for 2 days, for what you want, which as YOU said was a private practice primary doc, logically you should look at the list of Docs from your wife’s insurance
or a list Medicare can provide you
It makes NO sense for you to wait months to ask a VA doc for a private practice Doc
If that is what you wanted you could have had a list in the time you have spent here
and based on what you said it makes NO sense for your wife to insist you see a VA doc to get a private doc when she has access to a list of names from her insurance

So now you are changing your story again
Really?
If you are so concerned about things that happened when you were a child why have you been saying all along you only want a private Doc
and if you are so concerned about something that happened over 50 years ago why are you just now going to see a VA doc

Again thank you for your service but your story changes too much for me to care
Good Luck


66 posted on 05/28/2014 3:20:29 PM PDT by RWGinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: oh8eleven

I didn’t serve during war time, as it were, (Grenada, Beruit, et al) but yeah, I’m gonna rib the “feck” outta you. You have no feckin’ clue as to what a scout/observer is....here is a feckin’ clue...it ain’t in the rear with the gear...it ain’t with FDC...it’s the snake eating, hitchhiking sorry SOB saddled with 2 L/Cpl’s, a PFC, 2 pairs of binoculars, 2 PRC-77s, usually a Cpl scout/sniper, with L/Cpl spotter in tow, ALICE packs full of C-Rats, prick batteries, and a poncho liner to catch a nap. I have no idea of what makes you think an 0861 is FDC. I’m the bastard that calls FDC, and prays to God that YOU bastards on the line understand the words “DANGER CLOSE”. Are ya followin’ me?

That said, I hold my ‘Nam Vets in high esteem...they taught me my trade, and I personally thank YOU!

Semper Fi, Brother!


67 posted on 05/28/2014 3:31:42 PM PDT by SgtBob (Freedom is not for the faint of heart. Semper Fi!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: RWGinger

“and if you are so concerned about something that happened over 50 years ago why are you just now going to see a VA doc”

Because this problem at Lejeune was not brought to my attention until now! And if you think a private primary care Doctor where I am would naturally know about the Camp Lejeune problem you are a delusional fool

Hey, you may not understand! But I am still a VN vet and just trying to see if I can or get help if I need it! I don’t expect to get any. What is your problem with me seeing the VA doctors to see if they can help if I need it?


68 posted on 05/28/2014 3:39:39 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

Ok this is funny
from you
‘And if you think a private primary care Doctor where I am would naturally know about the Camp Lejeune problem you are a delusional fool”

Read your own posts
You are the one who said you ONLY wanted to go to the VA to get the name of a private primary Doc.

Read your ever changing posts and look in the mirror


69 posted on 05/28/2014 3:50:03 PM PDT by RWGinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: RWGinger

You don’t understand do you! Tell me, what might occur, if I get some info from the VA that explains the problems Marines and others have experienced after being at Lejeune and take it to a local Doctor. He/She might be more informed of what to look for, No? The only reason my posts have changed is to give more info.

Are you a Vet?


70 posted on 05/28/2014 4:18:41 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: RWGinger

I have been to the VA. I am a service connected disabled vet who was boots on the ground VN. I understand the problems with VA more that most. I simple think that to forgo the use of a benefit because you are using someone Else’s space is wrong just increase the space. If the law changes then so be it. But right now if eligible use it.


71 posted on 05/28/2014 7:20:23 PM PDT by Rik0Shay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: SgtBob
I didn’t serve during war time
Then STFU.
72 posted on 05/29/2014 5:35:47 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Rik0Shay

I understand that.In your case you are exactly who should get VA care, lots of it and no waiting. You are correct of course it is the law.

In this poster’s case his first story was just to go to the VA to get names of private docs he could go to even though his wife’s insurance could have provided them in 5 mins.
And based on everything that is coming out he should get quicker more responsive care on the outside.


73 posted on 05/29/2014 5:42:00 AM PDT by RWGinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: dglang

Sounds like you are getting screwed. I had a much better experience in Seattle. Have you tried going to a Vet Center? They helped me a lot.


74 posted on 05/29/2014 8:04:06 AM PDT by Chuckster (The longer I live the less I care about what you think.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: All

Just an an up date on my initial visit to my local Veterans Outpatient clinic. I arrived about 10:10 for my 10:30 appointment. Signed in and was seen by a RN. She took BP readings and asked a lot of questions (Just a get to know me type of interview). Told her about my hip problem and dental problem. And my past medical history. They also took about 6 small vials of blood for testing. She then gave me a filled in form to take to the hospital across the street so I could get X-Rays of my hips done. After being admitted to the hospital signing some forms and such I had my X-rays taken and I was out in about 30 min. The X-rays will be delivered to the VA clinic this afternoon. I have an appointment to return to the VA Outpatient next week. I was home by 12:30.

There were 4 patients in the VA Clinic waiting room when I got there and none when I left. I was home by 12:30. I needed no other paper work to prove I was a Vet. Smooth uncomplicated visit. Nice experience for a trip to be seen by the VA.


75 posted on 05/29/2014 1:42:57 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: oh8eleven

Well, ain’t we a lil’ thin skinned, girly. A little good natured ribbing, and you show yer ass....guess what, Skippy, I ain’t S’ingTFU...you denigrate your service with your attitude. Hell I give you a description of my Corps life, thank you for your service, and the best you can do is post, STFU? Really? Here’s something fer yer pipe, lady....my teams called every bastard behind the muzzle brake, an REMF....NOW SMOKE IT, SISTER,


76 posted on 05/29/2014 3:16:25 PM PDT by SgtBob (Freedom is not for the faint of heart. Semper Fi!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-76 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson