Mr. Graham,

Is it possible that I can call you this morning to discuss?

 David Boyd, Acting Assistant Director  Seattle Regional Office

——————

1105 Hrs : After arguing for ten minutes to no avail on several items, I indicated we could settle it back at the CAVC and hung up on him.

1231 Hrs: Incoming new email proposal including most all of what I sought except for a workable portapotty that didn’t require ‘bag and tag’ capabilities. I had no desire to “scoop the poop” and haul it off-site for disposal. I had previously suggested the eco-friendly incinerator for $3,950.00 or a nice composting model for $1795.00 (installation not included) and was laughed right out of the future greenhouse. Again, I demurred and told him to sharpen the pencil.

1335 Hrs: Composting toilet approved. He was hot to trot on an immediate verbal concurrence. Sensing a cave in at any moment, I then decided to throw sand in the gears. But sir,  what of my request for a Lexis Nexis Veterans Benefits Manual (VBM) with CD for two years. I put in for it in April and have heard nothing but “It has nothing to do with a greenhouse ILP.” Do tell. Is the VBM included as part of our “bargain”? No dice.

1505 Hrs: VBM is included for two years. Whereupon I decided to go out on the little branches to see how much they would support me. I said the deal was good but absent any propane to heat the greenhouse, the offer was null and void. I also wanted nutrients and a teacher to instruct me in the mysteries of hydroponics and the care and feeding of my new greenhouse. It was carefully explained to me that this was forbidden as a matter of policy in M28 R. It took me almost a minute to explain the concept of VA law that says the rules and regulation in effect at the filing of the claim are for application unless a newer more generous interpretation is promulgated in the interim before a successful appeal. My ILP claim for a greenhouse in 2011 preceded the March 31st, 2014 issuance of the M28 R ergo propane and nutrients were for application. Mr. Poohbah politely said in a cracked voice that, were it in his power to do so, he’d buy two years worth but it was never going to happen. Hasta la vista baby. See you in Court.

1622 Hrs. Highest and best offer arrived with eight minutes to doomsday. Roger on 90 days of propane and 90 days of nutrients and a hydromeister for learning the care and feeding of the greenhouse. All systems go.

My parting comments were brief. I pointed out: “Excellent. Now see how easy this was and how we accomplished more in less than eight hours than we have in the last year? I asked if he felt this was rather painless and productive. He pretended not to hear. I explained that with my new VA Agent status, we would be doing a lot of ILP business in the future and how I hoped this had been an instructive learning experience that would aid us both greatly because I was not going to dry up and compost like the poop in my future waterless closet. I do wish we had used Skype because I’m sure a shudder must have riven his body from stem to stern.

1655 Hrs: (Overtime) Incoming.

• October 14, 2016

  Mr. Graham,

  Based on our telephonic discussion with Seattle VR&E, BVA Orders and consideration of your SC/NSC functional limitations as it relates to your impact on your ability to perform avocational gardening pursuits, we are proposing I.L. Services that would include the following items to increase your ability to perform activities of daily living and to live and function independently in your home and community:

  The following are I.L. services that VR&E will provide:

  •20’ x 28’ x 12’ Heated Greenhouse with Louvers and Temperature control system. To include ADA height tables, ADA access- 2 ea. doors, ADA aisle way access, lights and growing lights as necessary, thicker UV-resistant poly-carbonate material to block damaging sun exposure.

  • Hydroponics system

  • Orientation training on Hydroponic system, short term.

  • Concrete slab for inside greenhouse, 20’ x 28’

  • Rubber mats to cover concrete for falls in greenhouse.

  • Port-a-potty – as reasonable and realistic composting model with 120VAC ventilator fan to outdoors and urine diversion to same.

   Concrete access from front greenhouse to existing walkway

  • Start-up Supply of Chemicals for Hydroponic system, (90-day supply)

   Start-up Supply of Propane (90 Day Supply)

  •  4 Water bibs -one on each wall

  • Electrical outlets 110V/240V as necessary by contractor

   2 Yr. Subscription to Nexus Lexus [sic]

  Justification for I.L. services:

  I.L. services would allow you to pursue your greenhouse avocational activities that you are currently limited in performing. A greenhouse 20’ x 28’x 12” would allow you exponentially produce crops year round. You currently have limited access to current greenhouse egress, and W/C access. Due to your sun sensitivity, VR&E will provide thicker UV Poly-carbonate material. Also due to your lifting limitations, VR&E will provide a Hydroponic system. A Licensed contractor will oversee all work to determine Code requirements provided by GSA.

• The following incidentals will be provided by Mr. Graham:

  • Reoccurring Payment for Propane bills after 90 Day Supply

   Reoccurring Insurance Expenses

  • Reoccurring Electrical Expenses

   Reoccurring Water Expenses

   Seeds

  Justification:

  Based upon M28R. Pt IV, Sec. C, Ch 9.05, (b) (6). The individual must have the ability and resources to sustain the activity or pursue after the period of rehabilitation services are completed”. The Veteran must be able to incur the cost of sustaining services or it is not reasonably feasible in achieving his I.L. goal.

  Kris Hollaway, Counseling Psychologist

  I guess I plum forgot to tell them I have a well and no water bill. Come to think of it, I do believe I disremembered that the Insurance agent said with the number of outbuildings and barns etc. already on the property that there would be no appreciable increase in my insurance coverage. As for the electricity, well, you always have to be willing to compromise. I call that ‘reaching out to VA’. And as for seeds, I wonder if they realize you get about a gazillion more seeds than you have acreage to plant them on for a buck eighty nine?

  I do hope my five and one half year Odyssey to attain this ILP will benefit all of you. Each and every facet is easily transferable to your circumstances. As I demonstrated by my continuing demands being met Friday after being told repeatedly the regulations forbid it, each and every one of you can ask for the very same thing or let your imagination run wild. Run, Forest. Run!

  Statutes and regulations-especially vague ones that offer no guidance or clarity- are meant to be challenged. With no leg to stand on and no support from said regulations, VA can only grant your wishes and cry in their beer afterwards.

  Speaking of beer, I was thinking about asking for a beer refer in the greenhouse. Bruce Almighty, our greenhousemeister, tells me hydroponics, like politicking, is thirsty work. I’ll hit the Poohbah with that next week when I ask for the Bluetooth™ connection to access the hydroponic computers while I’m in San Antonio for the NOVA conference next spring.  Maybe some Video surveillance cameras to watch stuff grow.

  I’ll keep you posted on construction. News and film every evening at six during high season.

  Hot damn. Hot damn. Hot damn. This is more fun than calling in nape on a TIC.