With all the focus on Vets for the first time since the War of Northern Aggression (1861-65), we are starting to see a grateful America shower us with some of its accolades. This is heartwarming for Vietnam Veterans who, due to prior commitments, almost to a man missed their “Welcome home” ticker tape parades. A word to Veterans supporters. The phrase “Welcome home” grates on the ears of many Vietnam Vets. You may just hear the rejoinder “Really? Where the hell were you when I arrived back at San Francisco in 1972?” We forgive those who weren’t born yet but people need to understand that there is still a bit of animosity associated with that one.
On the brighter side, we have two pieces of good news. Member Randy of the mile-high club in Colorado (this has nothing to do with pot) decided he was a bit “miffed” about the summary courts martial on his ILP request and rightfully so. He got nowhere with it. In perspective, he filed his Form 21-1900 and got the standard dog and pony show. Then they decided there was absolutely nothing they could do for him. Nary a high-shelf can grabber or a grab bar for the shower. Seems ol’ Randy was flush and set for life in the lap of luxury. Apparently, Vets realize that when they hit the 100% lottery they are flush. $3 k ± a month plus SSD? Dude, you are rich. Ignore the fact that you are still an eighth of an inch above the poverty level and your shelf life sticker is screaming “done”. So Randy took electronic pen in hand and dropped a bottle into the IRIS ocean. More importantly, he dropped another in the Potomac River and it washed up in front of-ta-daaaa!- the Casa Blanca at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Randy reports instant success. It seems his “new” Vocational Rehabilitation Officer has decided to revisit their previous assessment and have a new pow wow. He will be having a tête à tête (beer summit?) at the end of the month and we’ll all be praying for his success on the Tempur pedic bed request. Nothing like a little Congressional/Presidential Interest on ILP.
Our second story is pure gold. Another of our fellow Veterans, Ralph (not his real name) came over from Hadit.com and asked for advice on back issues. He writes to say he was forced to catch up with Dr. Craig Bash between flights at the airport in Washington, D.C. Seems the VA wants to renege on his old ratings and zero him out. As an aside, I wish to express that I am shocked. Shocked-do you hear me? In addition, they’re trying to move him from DC 5003 to 5002 in spite of diagnosed osteoarthritis. Apparently, he is one of that extremely small minority who visited the Our Lady Of Lourdes Shrine and received the miracle of remission of his arthritis. Oddly, he disremembers traveling to Spain. Ralph even denies he possesses a passport. Immaculate Conception we are familiar with. Faith healing? I’m iffy on that but Immaculate Transportation? You can almost hear Jed Clampett saying “Yewwwwwwwww-doggies!”
In spite of this lack of proof of travel, VA still opted to reduce and switch. He was able to connect with the eminent nexus letter writer for a personal examination to quash the objections of VA that an examination of this sort could not be accomplished long distance via Skype or by records review. Here’s the kicker. Dr. Bash was en route to another city and agreed to see Ralph at the airport. Ralph flew in and they connected there. Starbucks, with a minimum of fuss, permitted them to pull two tables together in their airport outlet and allow Dr. Bash to do an exam on his back. I can imagine the nexus letter. ” The examination was conducted in my Washington, D.C. offices on June 29th. The findings were…” Is that a kick in the butt or what? I suggest you all visit Starbucks’ Facepage and thank them profusely for their gracious treatment of Veterans and for accommodating Dr. Bash and Ralphie. Only in America, nodsters. Only in America.
Veterans Administration’s 0%
Shrine to Remission and Healing
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
Here is a good one I just “heard” from “Randy”. Because of that exam at the Washington D.C. airport Randy was approved for SSDI!!!! Yep you heard it here. Dr. Craig Bash’s exam proved to hold more weight than any examiner SSDI could bring to the table. It appears the VA on both the medical and benefits side have “under-rated” Randy in their diagnosing. Wow the VA medical is suppose to be so great that they have under diagnosed a person who has radiculopathy in his arms and legs that they say his issues are “mild”. All the medical journals Randy have purchased read that when a persons with OA has radiculopathy then the diagnosing degree is SEVERE!!!! All the MDs with the VA appear to have missed this in college or something but a SSDI Judge decided that a person with DDD and OA (also known as DJD) that has radiculopathy means the diagnosing is SEVERE. Lets see Dr. Craig Bash who has diagnosed “Randy” with all these issues but it has taken the VA a few years to get it right and they purposely under diagnosed “Randy”…WOW all these people who say the VA medical is great are hogwash. But the good side to the story is that SSDI approved “Randy” with only what “Randy” is serviced connected with at the VA!!! Hmmm I smell a veteran win coming soon with “Randy’s” appeals for IU that was denied even after Dr. Craig Bash stated in TWO of his reports that this veteran is too disabled to work. “Randy” says that he feels he has the VA balls in his hands and he is about to squeeze them!!!!
Ralph’s fortuitous meet-up exam at the airport! Way to go!
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A personal aside: This week my DH had his 2nd hearing C & P exam in a month. Well they called this morning to schedule a third hearing C & P exam! My DH said to me, “This is harassment!” And I said, “This is not uncommon!” and so he will trudge on knowing that he’s not alone.
I want one ‘o dem t-shirts . . .
I just felt it was time, once again, to let the VA know that I know and since it was all written up at 3:00 am and I could care less if some polish was removed from their toes being stepped upon. The new inquisitor will find that I know of what I speak upon her arrival. This is the first time in two years that I have had someone want to visit little ole me and I am looking forward to it.
Make sure you have the lovely VAOPGCPREC holdings (34-97 & 6-2001) handy when she shows up. Also point out a Tempur pedic is a grant generally associated with ILP and not HISA or another VA alphabet program. She will be unable to defend the VA’s denial on this. They love that fallback position of “make you independent in your everyday living” bull jive. Stay on subject. Throw her off and say ” Oh yeah. What about the greenhouse and a computer?” $100 says she wants a tour to find a place to mount some grab bars this time. They are very predictable. How about a lifetime supply of Depends undergarments and a cordless phone (Help! I’ve fallen down and I can’t get up!) ?
Randy and Nod, help me read between the lines here. The fact that you got in a little trouble in service many many moons ago was referenced in your ILP request for a therapy mattress? That is terrible.
Also, I love that you wrote to your elected representatives–since we all pay for their perks, pensions, salaries, vacations, and glory, they should do some work for individuals.