ALPHABETS4VETS CEO SALARIES IN JEOPARDY

Posted on October 15, 2013 by asknod

imagesJoining together in consternation at the continuing impasse between Congress and the White House over the budget debacle, Disabled American Veterans’ executive director held a press conference at the Washington, DC  World War II memorial (where else) to bemoan the financial state of affairs facing 33 of our Veterans Service Organizations. 

Garry Owen, the DAV spokesman, pointed out that the shutdown has caused extreme financial stress for the major VSOs’ Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and the hierarchy of the organizations. “We depend on the government to fund us regardless of what we tell Veterans. Those Power of Attorney documents (VA Form 21-22) are a vast source of our operating capital.  We’re effectively fenced out of that income as long as Regional Offices are affected by the shutdown. If something doesn’t happen soon, our upper management will be forced to lay off rank and file service representatives. Dues from the organization will always cover the salaries of the upper echelons and our lobbyists but the little guys are gonna get creamed. Screwing up Veterans claims will have to be put on the back burner. I can’t speak for the other Service organizations but this may cut into our plans for DAV’s  barbecue Luau  and conference in Maui this summer. I don’t think Congress is thinking this through. Many of them have been invited and absent the funds, we can’t put it on.”

Other VSOs voiced the same concerns. Cal Worthington, the CEO of the Air Force Airmen’s Association (AFAA) stepped up to the microphone next and bemoaned the fact that they only have enough money to keep their corporate jet airborne for another three days. After that, they’ll be forced to ground it and  seek other forms of first class public transportation. Said Worthington ” Americans don’t realize how many of us are bellying up to the trough for funds to help Veterans. We provide an important service to Veterans by mailing in their Power of Attorney and making sure it gets to the VA. After that, them Veterans is pretty much on their own but it is the critical, early filing of that document that sets the timeline for when we get paid. It’s a vicious cycle. No POAs means no money for us. We simply can’t operate that way. We’re stakeholders in the Veterans movement and it involves a lot of talking. That’s thirsty work and requires some lubrication of the vocal chords. Liquor in Washington DC isn’t cheap so it behooves Congress to get off their duffs and renew our income stream.”

Most VSO spokesmen concur that a protracted shutdown would result in irrevocable damage to their good names. When queried on how that might be, a spokesman identified as “Steve”  for the  Veterans of No Wars (VNW) exclaimed “Don’t you guys get it? If Vets realize they can do it without us, we’ll become an anachronism! Pro se Vets are a danger to us as well as themselves. Our continued existence hinges on their stupidity. They think we actually do something. Say… you’re not going to print this, are you? This is strictly off the record, get it?”

In order to keep a close eye on developments, we’ve dispatched asknod correspondents to DC to hang out at the WWII and Viet Nam memorials daily since that seems to be where the action is. Since advocating for Vets in DC is trés expensive, small contributions not to exceed $100,000 in small unmarked bills in standard white envelopes will be accepted. Our pulchritudinous correspondents can be identified by their large purses and lapel pin with the Asknod WWVD logo (What Would A Veteran Do). See below.

We thank you in advance for your generous contributions.

Lord knows in this litigious era of lawsuits, it behooves us here at asknod to point out this is pure, unadulterated sarcastic humor. Thus, the urge to sue me á la Wounded Wallet Krewe has been extinguished before the depositions are even taken.  There were no VSO spokesmen named Gary Owen or Cal Worthington. Cal was a notable car salesman first in SoCal and then in Seattle. Gary Owen, or more properly garyowen, is a groundpounder thing.  Rest in peace, Cal and Gary. Steve? Well, he may or may not be a fig newton of the imagination given what is humorously attributed to him.

Posted in Humor, VSOs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Many claimants using Disabled American Veterans (DAV) must go to off-site relocations

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Laura

kick

ouch

So much for free rent and utilities!  During the shutdown, DAV officers in many parts of the country have been kicked out of their (VARO) offices. How embarrassing!  Here is the link to the alternative addresses in the states.

 

 

https://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/NSOTemporaryOffices.pdf

The DAV explains why this happened in a post on 10/09/13.  Other guidance for their clients:

Walk-ins will not be permitted and phones will not be answered by the VA at regional offices until further notice, the VA announced Monday, but most toll-free numbers where veterans can get help with benefits remain open. One exception is the GI Bill call center, which is closed and won’t reopen until the VA receives funding.

Walk_away : Attractive Business Man In Pin Striped Suit &, Hat. Full body shot walking with briefcase away from camera. Stock Photo 

Is this a first? 

Posted in VSOs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

VAMC–PLEASE SHRED THOSE FILES, SIR

Posted on October 14, 2013 by asknod

imageThis says it all. If it doesn’t, the mere fact that they never punish anyone for stupidity or misfeasance/malfeasance should be the dead giveaway:

On May 22, a privacy officer in El Paso reported receiving a call “from a very irate owner of a local towing company,” who received by fax 14 pages of medical records for six veterans, with Social Security numbers, home addresses, birth dates and diagnoses.

Such faxes “had been going on for a while,” but when he called before, someone at the VA advised him to “shred and throw away any other documents he had received,” according to the report.

“This is wrong,” he told the privacy officer.

VA officials, who declined to comment, decided to retrain all El Paso employees on faxing documents — their fourth such special session in three years.

This isn’t the shallow end of the gene pool they employ. It’s the alkali dry lake bed of the gene pool they are trying to infuse intelligence into. It simply cannot be accomplished-even after four applications of retraining.

Posted in VA Health Care | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DRUGGED VETS ARE HAPPY VETS

Posted on October 14, 2013 by asknod

42214_thumb[1]Member Dennis (Pop Smoke) sends us this vignette on the VA. It comes as no surprise that VHA and their medical arm, VAMCs, tend to shovel opioids down our throats in an effort to pacify, drug and otherwise keep us sated so we do not complain. Drugged Vets are Happy Vets ought to be their catchphrase. All this is about to change.

Speaking from a personal standpoint, for years I have been prescribed pain relievers for my back. Upon entering the VA system, they simply added it to my list and continued to prescribe it to me. It came in the mail unsolicited.  After exiting the hospital for my one year, all-expenses paid vacation by VA, they continued to blindly mail me copious quantities.

After three years this ceased suddenly and I was required to come in and be examined in September. There, to the horror of the nurses, it was noted that I had been on these for five, long years with little or no supervision. As an aside, I must describe the 1000 yard stare I got from Dr. Rose Sessoms,  my latest Personal Care Physician (PCP). Without casting racial aspersions, Rose is a mid-sixties, African American who does not wear a wedding ring. Her sudden appearance at the VA this late in life as a general practitioner speaks volumes and engenders untold new questions about her recent change in employment. When I went in for the scheduled appointment, the good doctor asked me why I was there. In a good-humored rejoinder, I rhetorically bounced it back and said ” I don’t know. T’was you who summoned me.” Levity with a doctor is to be avoided, apparently. At the VA, it is ill-advised.  This forced her to actually look in the computer to determine why I was there. She sucked her lips in and said “Oh, dear. You’ve been on pain meds for aeons!” Nothing escapes the steel trap minds of these astute doctors. Nothing.

I was immediately put on the Group W bench, issued a Blood pressure machine and told to be prepared for “change”. In the next week, I was assigned to a Pain Conference 90 miles away for an initial intake and three Kumbaya group encounters (in succeeding weeks) with others similarly situated- in December. We were going to explore new techniques to conquer pain as if simply forbidding it to inhabit my body would solve the problem. I’m envisioning acupuncture and Yoga. Maybe healing crystal stones with a side of   Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Nam-E-O-Oringay-Keo chants.

I called up the pain conference coordinator and explained my particular circumstances. “Rhan” signaled that this wasn’t what his Hugs for Vets group was designed to do. It was for FNGs-newbies, if you will. Newer Iraq and Afghanistani Vets with recent, chronic pain issues was his venue. He also asked if five years on some heavy duty drugs had not led to some “addiction issues”. Steel traps indeed, and he isn’t even a doctor.

So what do my wondering eyes behold than an official policy position coming out concerning this. After a brief teté a teté with Dr. Sessoms and my patient advocate, I pulled out the “I’m not an idiot. I advocate for Vets. I’m fully aware of my VHA rights concerning my health decisions”.  Next, she announced via secure messaging to me that from a longitudinal review of my records I was double-dipping- i.e getting prescription drugs via civilian doctors in addition to my VA prescriptions. Nothing could be further from the truth. VA has given me wheelbarrows full of pain meds. I sure didn’t need to go doctor shopping the way they were shoveling them out the door. Besides, VA’s pills are free. Why pay?

Member Mark, who, shall we say is conspiracy oriented, very wisely pointed out something I had overlooked. This is all the ammo they need to declare you an addict, uncooperative and in need of fiduciary supervision. Addicts don’t think clearly and make bad decisions. Besides, they’re belligerent and liable to harm small, fuzzy animals-with guns. Reluctantly, I quickly assured my patient advocate that all was fine in Mudville and I wished to close out my complaint. Happy, happy, happy.

I went on MyhealtheVet a week later and looked at the good doctor’s assessment of our “disagreement”. As the process is decidedly one-sided, it was recorded that I was a raging junkie and demanding even heavier hardcore drugs. The double-dipping allegation was prominent as well. Here is what was missing from the HealtheVet records. The head pain poohbah of the Seattle VHA, who incidentally is not even a doctor or exalted PA-C, has decided, in concert with Dr. Sessoms, to begin weaning me off all narcotic drugs and starting over with a bare bones assessment sans my drug delirium. None of this is of record or visible unless you obtain your VISTA records from the Release of Information portal. I guess they think we are incapable of doing a little sleuthing on our own. I was of the understanding that MyhealtheVet was all-inclusive records wise. What use would it be to you if only part of your records were associated with your file?

Being of above average intelligence and only too aware of VA’s proclivities, I have opted out of the VA’s pain management system. I haven’t been addicted to anything since shortly after escaping their clutches in May of 2010. I can tell you it was more difficult that giving up red meat but not as hard as quitting cigarettes. When the pain did become unbearable, I could always fall back on their pills. Henceforth, I will rely on Obama and Medicare for these needs. I doubt Social Security will appoint a fiduciary and I can’t wait for the next missive from my PCP inquiring as to how it is I have not requested a refill to quench the thirst of my addiction.

This is going to become humorous. VA is all about control. They thrive on dictating the terms of your care. Normal doctors are inquisitive and attempt to work with you. VA informs you of the parameters of the vertical and the horizontal. If you agree to submit, you’re in. Any deviation from the “program” is grounds for abrogating the agreement. How they will deal with me when I refuse to answer their medical queries and play by their acupuncture rules is going to be an interesting dance.

We all know how frustrating it is when we send in a request for a c-file and VA ignores us for a year or two. Imagine asking a Vet to report for a medical assessment of his/her addiction with the threat of cutting them off from their precious supply and s/he refuses to respond? How aggravating. With no fulcrum, they lack any lever to enforce compliance. It appears the shoe is on the other foot and is an uncomfortable fit-or will be soon when I fail to report for my group therapy in December.

On the other hand, this just may be part and parcel of the new drug program at the VAMCs. Insult the Vets. Lie about their habits. Cut them off and see how the chips fall with the new Obamacare model. It could be that this will shift healthcare in a different direction. It’s not inconceivable that it is nothing more than a blatant attempt to shift 100% disabled Vets (read deadwood) out of VA care and into Medicaid/Medicare. I, for one, won’t be crushed at that outcome. Remember, they tried four times to kill me with little success. I’m lucky that I do have Medicare as a fallback position. And now for the kicker. The food’s better and the nurses are far more polite in civilian hospitals. You don’t have to wait four months for a MRI or beg for medications. If you have an emergent situation, you don’t have to call and get permission/assurances that VA will pay the meat wagon bill or any incidentals at an emergency room. And lastly, they don’t go behind your back and stealthily plot to sabotage your treatment. Put your cursor on the picture below and click for magnification.

2013-10-14 120832

Posted in VA Health Care | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

VA Sec. Erik Shinseki impresses

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Laura

Here on ASKNOD, we’ve taken a look at some of the wasteful spending by the VA under Secretary Shinseki’s leadership and denounced that waste. He’s regularly chewed out by the Veterans’ committees in the House and Senate for waste. However, right now, it’s time for some praise; Sec. Shinseki may be the best friend veterans have representing them on Capital Hill.

His sincere testimony before the House Committee on 10/9/13 on the gravity of this situation was compelling. Even child victims of AO will not get benefits. Millions will see their resources reduced to zero.  Chairman Miller is not reacting to this catastrophe the way a normal person would–with empathy and alarm.  In fact, Miller tries to lay some blame on the Secretary for not preparing for the shutdown, a shutdown Sec. Erik didn’t know was going to occur!

Here’s some dialogue about two hours into the hearing.  (I’ve transcribed this from the video as best I can):

Chairman Miller (cool as a cucumber):  We knew the possibility of this some time ago.  I don’t believe anyone in this room wanted to be where we are today.  Do you believe the same thing Mr. Secretary?

Sec. Shinseki (incredulous): “Ah, you know, from my background you look at all the options. This is not one I believed would happen.  I just didn’t think (authentic pained expression) the august members of this committee or the Congress would allow this to happen….So Mr. Chairman, you knew the shutdown was going to happen. It wasn’t shared with me.”

Then Chairman Miller goes on to insult him but Shinseki defends himself, the VA, and veterans well.  Also memorable was Congresswoman Brown of Florida. She’s a firecracker, the member showing real passion in this otherwise too polite hearing. I enjoyed her plain talk.  She’s a true ally.  If you have time to listen, there is a lot to learn about the National Cemetery Administration, IT, the budget, and more.  The VSO (ex. Paralyzed Vets)  statements can be accessed here. 

(Note: these opinions are my own.)

alt

Posted in Guest authors, VA BACKLOG, vA news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

C-Span link to Sec. Shinseki’s testimony

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Laura

1shinsekiThanks to  reader Steve W. who shared this information.  I haven’t watched it yet to comment. The blurb says

In his opening statement, Sec. Shinseki told the committee that he would be unable to issue benefits checks on November 1, if the government has not reopened by that time. He noted that many of his furloughed employees are Veterans, so not only are they not receiving a paycheck, but now their disability benefits may be in jeopardy.

 C-Span Link

The committee will be playing to the cameras and veteran voters.  But their actions with regard to the shutdown in the next few days will speak louder than words.  Which ones are allies?  Which ones are enemies?

_________________________________

Update:  I’ve watched for 1 hour.  Eric has made it clear that 5.18 million beneficiaries will NOT get their checks on 11/1/13 if this shutdown continues into late October because of the “burn rate” in the account that pays them.  This includes ALL compensation payments including 100% disabled veterans, survivors, children, pensioners, educational benefits, rehabilitation benefits.  He said that a large portion of beneficiaries are “lower-waged” and “in need of our help.”  Chairman Jeff Miller (FL-01) made an extremely insulting question/remark about veterans whose claims include “shaving bumps, or sleep apnea and hemorrhoids”–at around 1:02:00.   Sec. Shinseki didn’t take the bait.  He’s actually doing a pretty good job explaining the situation.  The VHA portion of the VA budget (80%) received advanced funding in October 1 so the medical services will continue.

Posted in Guest authors, VA BACKLOG, vA news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Will Veterans’ benefits be delayed in November?

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Laura

downloadIf the debt ceiling isn’t raised, and the shutdown ended, this IS a likely possibility according to Sec. Lew testifying before the Senate Finance Committee today.  The story is reported by Fox news and other outlets.  

VA Secretary Shinseki also testified before the House Veterans Committee.  According to Huffington Report (with brief video), he told them that

“about 3.8 million veterans will not receive disability compensation next month if the partial government shutdown continues into late October,  Some 315,000 veterans and 202,000 surviving spouses and dependents will see pension payments stopped.”

About half of the Veterans Committee voted for the shutdown, as I reported in a different angry and controversial post.  I don’t know if Sec. Shinseki was able to sway the shut-it-down crowd.

Sec. Lew also warned about Social Security. Yes, the so-called inviolate program.  When this fiasco started, the pundits said that Social Security checks were not delayed during  the last shutdown 17 years ago.  Well, that was then, this is now! Surprise, surprise.  Social Security checks may also be delayed.  And active military pay and Medicare payments to providers.

The VA HUD has just released some vouchers for homeless vets.  But HUD is basically shut down (only a few hundred working–they’re getting a paid time off). I guess it’s the cardboard condos for another winter.  Death benefits?  Who knows?

hook

tick tock, tick tock to
Oct. 17

Oh, wait…the Vermont VARO might issue vets there a tent if they have any extras to go around!     

Some in Congress think this is all very exciting.   Masters of D.C., so right in their convictions.  They are able to assert their power over people–Elderly people who built this country.  All ages who protected this country.  I have never heard so much malarkey–from both sides–coming out of Washington as in the last 10 days.  I am sure, that going forward, the House Veterans Affairs Committee votes need to be scrutinized.

Note:  The opinions are my own and should not be construed to represent the publisher of ASKNOD.

 

Posted in Guest authors, VA BACKLOG | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

JETGUNS BUSTED IN 1985

Posted on October 10, 2013 by asknod

downloadI find it interesting that VA has used the argument repeatedly that jetguns have never been implicated as a cross contaminator of diseases. The biometric has always been that HBV was shown to be transmitted at a weight loss clinic once but that HCV is not as “hardy” a virus.  With this analysis which isn’t a study or proof of any kind, the probability of a jetgun being the culprit in any HCV epidemic via military shot lines has always been in the category of “plausible”. This is the typical VA way of saying absence of evidence is negative evidence. 

Well, now. Hello, Dolly. Take a read here on what they knew and when they knew it. Where has this been hiding all these years? While the study does not encompass HCV, it perfectly illustrates that a virus can be transmitted quite easily from one mouse to another. Not only one but 16 out of 49 mice. That is what we call “statistically significant”. As in more than a flash in the pan. As in 32.6% of 49  mice inoculated with a jetgun managed to come down with  the same exact, identical disease.

The answer to your inevitable question is yes. It is useful in proving a jetgun claim because it directly shows that cross contamination occurs-something the VA has for decades insisted there is no medical study or evidence to rebut. This study was done in 1985 and the DoD did not withdraw these guns from service until 1998. Add this to the evidence pile. It is not an internet article but a documented case study on the efficacy of jetgun usage and a given date when it was shown to be unsanitary.

jgun

Posted in HCV Risks (documented), Jetgun Claims evidence | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

NEW HIGH-PROTEIN BREAD FOR TROOPS

Posted on October 9, 2013 by asknod

downloadWonder Bread has won the contract with the Federal Government to provide fresh, highly enriched protein bread for our troops in Afghanistan. Starting in early September, in an effort to comply with Sequestration goals, hot meals were reduced from three to twice daily. However, with the government shutdown and the annoying habit of protein-starved soldiers keeling over at the most inopportune times in combat, a new contract was let for a man-portable source of ‘to-go’ food high in protein. Wonder Bread promptly stepped into the breach with their new PRObread®. Guaranteed analysis confirms their contention that the protein content seems to be consistent but some have noticed uneven distribution within the loaf. Quality control technicians say they have identified the problem and newer production will incorporate the changes.

We were able to sneak on to Joint Base Lewis McChord and photographed a loaf of this amazing new product (below) being loaded on to C-17s for departure to Kandahar. To everyone’s amazement, Wonder was able to bring this new product to market rapidly with only minimal Research and Development costs and at many dollars per loaf cheaper than their nearest competitor. No word on what the troops think about it yet. We’ll keep you informed.

image014

Troops have nicknamed
this ‘rat rations’.

Posted in Food for the soul, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM

Posted on October 9, 2013 by asknod

downloadSeems like it’s time to take the protein pill again and strap on the brain bucket. When we become Veterans, it is to be assumed we have finished our commitment to preserving America’s freedom. We then pass that torch on to the next generation. What, then, do you make of it when your own Commander-in Chief decides to fence you out of the very testimonials to your bravery, sacrifice and courage? All the memorials on the mall in D.C., for the most part, are the product of  private donations. The Federal government merely supervised the construction of these edifices-no more. They are self sustaining and need little more than passive supervision. They are certainly not an amusement park or attractive nuisance requiring constant maintenance and attention. Being works of art in their own right, rarely do they suffer from vandalism or graffiti. How, then, should we view the rationale for this disenfranchisement? Or, viewed in another light, what does this say about Veterans and how should we respond as a group?

download (1)Of more concern, how is it that an altruistic group can usurp the mall for a gathering (especially authorized on short notice by the same Commander-in-Chief), composed of illegal aliens advocating for changes in the Immigration law? Yesterday, Representative Nancy “Paxil” Pelosi addressed these august, undocumented visitors to the United States and cheered them on to greater accomplishments. Sadly, she had no time to scoot over to any of the numerous Veterans memorials that dot the adjacent landscape and pay her respects to some of my Veteran friends.

I guess the one thing that sticks in my craw the most is that none of these memorials ever needed a fence to control after hours visitors nor were they “shut down” to visitor traffic during the last government financial problems seventeen years ago. The dichotomy of all this is disconcerting. Whereas former President Clinton was once heard to say “I feel your pain” (speaking of America’s malaise in general), it seems our pres(id)ent inhabitant of the White House is saying ” Let them eat cake”.

This is counterproductive and does nothing to endear our first genuine black President to his adoring Veteran public. Fencing us out of what are rightfully and legitimately our touchstones is pointless. It is designed to cause discomfort and inconvenience and little more. It has no correlation to the present reality. Most Veterans who served in WW2 are unlikely to come to DC from Missouri on an Honor Flight to throw blood on their Memorial. Even more absurd is the idea that one 90 year old lone wolf might attempt it during a shutdown of government. That, my fellow Veterans, is the standard we are being made to suffer for. The phrase “Idiot’s delight” rings in my ears along with my service-connected tinnitus.

I won’t go into this any deeper and question the logic of inflicting an imaginary scenario of rampant public (or Veteran) civil disobedience on DC but one must admit depriving Veterans in this ill-contrived fashion  can only be perceived as throwing down the gauntlet. The civil backlash appears to be brewing and fomented by nothing more than the aforementioned disenfranchisement.

BWBSDbQIQAACu-S.jpg_large-620x465Four tour and Combat medic (and member) Bruce McCartney (Georgia’s Tip of the Spear) is, even now as we speak, helping to organize a million Vietnam Vet assault on the Capitol this weekend to add an exclamation point to the “Rolling Thunder” crew from September 11th. Combined with the threat of 18-wheelers clogging the 495 beltway in search of defenseless (read gutless) congressmen, this should prove to be an interesting week, newswise, for the mumbling media.

The Million Vet March on the Memorials will be held Sunday, Oct. 13, at 9 a.m. Eastern Veterans Time (EVT) at the World War II memorial on the National Mall, the location where rangers under orders from the White House tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent vets from visiting in recent days.

I wish I could say that I hope to see you and Nancy there but travel from Seattle to DC on such short notice is beyond even my means. As for Rep. Pelosi, short term travel arrangements from California aboard her private, government-supplied  jet were simply unavailing but she shares our cake pain.

They're Veterans. Who cares?

They’re Veterans.
Who cares?

Posted in All about Veterans | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments