Posted on 07/23/2007 12:07:48 PM PDT by BGHater
Frustrated by delays in health care, a coalition of injured Iraq war veterans is accusing VA Secretary Jim Nicholson of breaking the law by denying them disability pay and mental health treatment.
Suing on behalf of hundreds of thousands of veterans, it charges that the VA has failed warriors on several fronts — from providing prompt disability benefits, to adding staff to reduce wait times for medical care to boosting services for post-traumatic stress disorder.
VA spokesman Matt Smith said Monday he could not comment on a pending lawsuit. But he said the agency is committed to meeting the special needs of Iraq war veterans.
The lawsuit comes amid intense political and public scrutiny of the VA and Pentagon following reports of shoddy outpatient care of injured soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and elsewhere.
It asks that a federal court order the VA to make immediate improvements that would speed disability payments, ensure fairness in awards and provide more complete access to mental health care.
"The performance of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has contributed substantially to our sense of national shame," the opinion from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals read.
More recently, following high-profile suicide incidents in which families of veterans say the VA did not provide adequate care, Nicholson pledged to add mental health services and hire more suicide-prevention coordinators.
Yet, the lawsuit says, Nicholson and other officials still insisted on a budget in 2005 that fell $1 billion short, and they made "a mockery of the rule of law" by awarding senior officials $3.8 million in bonuses despite their role in the budget foul-up.
"While steps can and will be taken in the political arena, responsibility for action lies with the agency itself," said Melissa W. Kasnitz, managing attorney for Disability Rights Advocates, in a telephone interview. Her group is teaming up with a major law firm, Morrison & Foerster, to represent the veterans.
The lawsuit cites violations of the Constitution and federal law, which mandates at least two years of health care to injured veterans.
The veterans groups involved in the lawsuit are Veterans for Common Sense in Washington, D.C., which claims 11,500 members, and Veterans United for Truth, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., with 500 members.
Thanks for the pings. God bless you and yours. :)
BTTT
From the comments on this thread I see a lot of inconsistency on how those requiring help are treated.
So, this is how the VA was when Clinton left, after using it as an affirmative action vehicle for 8 years. I do think it is better now.
you’r welcome and Thanks! God bless you both!
To be perfectly honest I am glad to see Nicholson resign.
I attended The American Legion National Convention in Salt Lake City UT. last year and I listend to him speak, he went on about “how The VA health care system is the best health care in the world according to Time Magazine” he just rambled on about how great everything was, and how it was all because of him, rathering than addressing some of the major issues.
he lost my respect after that speach.
The doctors at the VA are some of the best in the country. They were responsible for saving my Dad’s life.
I have had two surgeries at the one in West Los Angeles years ago, and am supposed to have another. It is the logistics of handling the number of vets that seems to be the problem. I have been bumped once by my count, two by theirs. Then on Tuesday I reported once again for the surgery only to find out that I wasn’t scheduled. The story changed several times from, “No. You are scheduled on Friday.”, to “You are tenatively scheduled on Friday.”, to “No. You aren’t on Friday. We’ll call when we have an opening.” There was a fellow that had driven over two hours, only to be told he wasn’t scheduled since he failed his pre-op. They claimed that he had been called, but his wife was adamant that they hadn’t. Then there was the guy that they took to OR and was turned away because he had a fever. They knew that before they took him upstairs.
I usually do too, but their logistics are the problem, not the medical care.
I’m a Cold War vet with a long history of leg problems. After I left active duty I entered the Guard. Why they let me in I don’t know. I received a Medical Discharge, yet I’m not considered “service connected”. Go figure.
The contract we signed said that after 6 months, when we became veterans, that we would receive full medical and pharmacy, plus limited vision with dental in emergency. This was supposed to be for life. Then some congress decided to change the rules. I have to fight for what I was promised.
“From the comments on this thread I see a lot of inconsistency on how those requiring help are treated.”
The inconsistency is easily attributed to the variance of quality of treatment from hospital to hospital. However, if we look at the big picture, I think it is the logistical problems rather than care. Plus, we as military people love three things: coffee, cigarettes, and complaining.
“Warrior families should be taking a VERY hard look at the Government - BEFORE they allow their sons or daughters to enlist in TODAY’s military...”
You weaken our security and discourage young people from great opportunities because of the actions of the Left? If we did that we would be aiding and abetting their agenda. I for one encourage those so inclined towards military service to pursue it.
I'd forgotten that was how you know the troops are still alive. Guess cold beer is a little fuerther down the list
What service organization is representing you?
How long were you in the Guards? I can see how that service might be tripping you up.
“I’d forgotten that was how you know the troops are still alive. Guess cold beer is a little fuerther down the list”
LOL!! And indeed, the beer (cold or otherwise) is farther down the list.
“What service organization is representing you?
How long were you in the Guards? I can see how that service might be tripping you up.”
I don’t have a service organization right now. I’ve given up on the AmVet guy since he hasn’t done anything, which I chock up to family problems. I was active duty Army for 7 years in which there are numerous instances of leg problems. Then approximately 1 year in the Guard.
I pursued disability before and the board decided it was a pre-existing condition, to which I pointed out that had it been pre-existing they would have disqualified me from serving. I’m going to try another tactic. If that doesn’t work, you might see me on the media.
The DAV is very good at helping vets with disability claims. Since you were given a medical discharge I think the DAV be able to help you.
How long ago did you file your claim and how long did it take for the VA to deny it.
I’ll check into it. The original claim was filed years ago. I can’t remember whether it was in the eighties or nineties. It didn’t take them that long to deny it. But I’m not sure if I introduced the medical discharge or not. The care from active duty should have been enough. I was so naive.
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