If you think university procedures are frustrating, try dealing with the VA.
Some examples:
They tell you that there is no record indicating that you were in Vietnam,
when your DD214 discharge papers list medals earned by serving in Vietnam.
They claim they can't find your records but quote those records when they
turn you down for a disability.
The widow of a deceased vet who had a disability is entitled to his
disability. The VA denies the claim saying your husband didn't have a
disability although he had been getting monthly checks for years.
The vet gets free meds. Your shrink has to prescribe the med every time you
are getting low on pills. If your shrink isn't in that day (say friday), you
have to wait until monday to get a renewal even if your med is a serious
pain killer like Vicodin or Oxycontin. The VA often orders the largest size
pill they can (because it is cheaper), and tell you to cut them half or
smaller sizes.
The VA awards you a 50% disability even though you deserve a 70% rating
based on their own criteria. You report this and wait months for them to say
OK.
Disability pensions can range from 0 to 100% for vets with the same
application.
You put in a claim for a disability and take 4 shots a month to keep the
symptoms in remission. They insist on having their doctor examine you. Even
though you tell him that you take shots to keep the illness in remission,
the VA turns you down saying that the doctor could find no evidence to
support your claim.
The VA calls you and tells you that you missed an appointment yesterday and
they will let you know when another appointment can be scheduled, usually
several weeks later. The next day, you get a letter from the VA telling you
of the appointment that you were scheduled for, i.e., days after you missed
it.
The prime directive of the VA is to make sure that you are not dangerous to
yourself or others. Other psychiatric problems are handled at a much slower
rate.
Any knowlegable vet will tell you that you never deal directly with the VA.
You give power of attorney to the VVA, DAV, or the purple heart agencies who
represent you for free.
If I had the time I would tell about the loads of fun you will have dealing
with Social Security. They turn down 70% of all first time applications for
a disability pension. Most people get it on appeal but that can take years.
Their forms ask questions like "Are you right or left handed"
I remember my first SS card said on the back, IN THE EVENT OF YOUR DEATH,
NOTIFY THE NEAREST SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. (caps theirs).
\
The motor vehicle manual says that you will lose your drivers licence if you
are convicted of treason!
Richard Pisacreta, Ph.D.
parolled Psychology professor
Feris State University
Dept. of Social Sciences
_________________________________________________________________
Rates near 39yr lows! $430K Loan for $1,399/mo - Paying Too Much? Calculate
new payment
http://www.lowermybills.com/lre/index.jsp?sourceid=lmb-9632-18226&moid=7581
---
To make changes to your subscription go to:
http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
