Suicidal Veterans Have Resources to Turn To

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Have a question. I reside in Memphis, TN. I sent my application for IU to the TN RO. I was told in a letter from Winston-Salem to deal with their Regional Office. Am I dealing with the Winston-Salem RO due to being a 20 year vet already with a SC rating of 70% for Sarcoidosis? Can someone please help me.

Corwin Lester of TN 8:13PM February 09, 2010

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Rfhmuixp of WV 1:16AM July 14, 2009

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Ygsleofy of GA 1:05AM July 14, 2009

I'm a Iraq war veteran. During my time in Iraq I contracted TB, P.T.S.D and hearing loss. with 0% disability for any of them. I don't feel cheated by the VA however what is offensive was the "sucks for you" attitude towards me when I was trying to find out what to do about these problems. Recently I have separated from the military to start my schooling. I am waiting until August to start when the new GI bill kicks in. I think that a big problem facing Veterans is the problem finding work when they leave the service due to the economy, as I'm sure every one is feeling. Many of my friends have been having the same problem as well. I believe that this time sitting around with nothing to do is a huge and unhealthy change from the active life style that we so recently lived. Already being prone to depression and suicide, the transition to a "normal life" for veterans can be especially dangerous and I believe that it should be looked at more in depth.

Matt of UT 7:07PM January 06, 2009

My treatment by the Veterans Affairs was much better before they combined Home Health Care, Couldn`t get nothing done while/with "clinton", and now w/home care Moral, enough Staff, Education of medical Documentation for Personel, Citizens awareness,steps Non Governmental "HOSPITALS" to take THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT SERVICES BETWEEN THEM AND THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION NOT A ''MENTAL HYGENE PATIENT'' would be of a lot less unneeded ''STRESS'' As a ''100% TOTAL-PERMENT DISABLED PTSD PATIENT'' this game is no fun. I was on 72 medications a day one time, I didn`t die in combat, I aint gonna die of overmedication! This is a "Serious Hidden Wound" America needs to ADDRESS! FOR the Respect of Veterans.

Robert F. Gilliam of TN 12:27AM April 24, 2008

A veteran with service connected disability rating of 50% or more does not have to enroll or register to receive treatment for his/her service connected disability at any VA Medical Center in the United States; but the San Diego VAMC forces vets with service disabled injuries to re-enroll and re-register routinely. These re-enrollment/registration procedures include MEANS TESTING forms. These are policies in direct contradiction of regulations stated on the first page of the Department of Veterans Affairs handbook on Federal Benefits for Veterans, 2008 Edition. Moreever when errors appear in documents concerning matters related to a vet's rating status date or other important matters, there is no way to get the errors corrected. Calls to VA numbers go to call centers whic h may as well be on the moon. These centers are staffed with people whose only expertise seems to be in giving callers the brush-off. What on earth is happening to the VA?

Michael McKeown of CA 10:22PM April 23, 2008

I am a "TOTAL-PERMENT 100% DISABLED P.T.S.D. VIETNAM VETERAN" and I called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for which I "VIABILITY" have that right!! and I could not get no such of a concern, nor any referance to which direction from the person I may obtain assistance to my present problems with the Veterans Admimstration! I`m mad as H***!! I know not to call them for "HELP" cause it is typical V.A. beaucratical Bull!!!! A " P.T.S.D. TOTAL-PERMENT DISABLED VETERAN" is suppose to be taken care of unequivently, Should somthing unfortuante happen such as a vechile accident like I was involved in, They are suppose to "Stableize", and under conditions that the VA hospital has no room, nor due to circumstances tell you to do your follow up there at that Hospital for like my wife was told to do with me! Now "ERLANGER HOSPITAL, CHATTANOOGA,, TEN," works consistently with the V.A. Chattanooga "Clinic" Know the "STANDARDS, and AVENUES TO WORK WITH V.A. PATIENTS"!!! Instead "ERLANGERS INEPNESS" allowed them to just pass it off onto the "PATIENT" and send it to "COLLECTIONS" for which they have slapped me in the face as it seems to be the "STANDARD"! I feel discraced, disrespected and words I can`t even think of. For them to just throw the veterans problem at them thru "COLLECTION AGENCYS" for which naturally burned my bridges to "CREDIT" and at age 61 that doesn`t allow me time to ever get it worked out and the "BLACK MARK" now against me with "CREDIT BEAUREA"!! seems to be an ongoing battle of the "ISSUE TO LET A MENTAL HYGENE PATIENT DO THEIR LEGWORK"!! Heck I didn`t ask for "P.T.S.D." and I don`t need this added "STRESS" added into my life! and "HOT-LINES ARE GONNA HELP?" I am a PRISONER of my own home. I am proud of my 1125 days of Spec.Ops, I served my country also voleentary and "HONORABLY" and would "PROUDLY" do it again! I surely don`t wish to have to go through all the long delays, sweat, and "TEARS" that I have already been through, Let alone the consistent fight to recieve what you are supposed to be recieving! ''WHY?" Is this the way to treat our "SOLDIERS?" of yesterday, today, and future? Get it together! We soldiers of this "HIDDEN WOUND" need proper asssistance not a bashing everytime! Respects to all of our "Soldiers". mtrcycleboB.1965-1968

Robert F. Gilliam of TN 10:04PM April 23, 2008

Dear Mr. Harvey
Claim Nr. 24 186 180-Vietnam Combat Veteran.
The evidence of record provides you are service connected for hepatitis C&B, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling; carcinoma of the larynx, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling; major depression with anxiety and dysthymic disorder associated with prostate cancer, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, prostate cancer, currently evaluated as 20 disabling; bilateral hearing loss, currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling; and erectile dysfunction, currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling; which when combined, meets the scheduler requirements for entitlement to individual unemployability.
Although you meet the scheduler requirement for entitlement to individual unemployability, there is no evidence which shows you are unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment as a result of your service (war zone exposure to agent orange) connected disabilities, therefore, individual unemployability is denied.
Respectfully yours,
William M. Harvey 66 ½ years of age.
Retired Vietnam Veteran
Special forces/Special Operations
PO BOX 218-542-Nashville TN 37221

William M. Harvey of TN 8:50PM April 23, 2008

Same o same o, after WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and now this. This country is long on flag waving, but parsimonious when it comes to those who do the dirty work...

Q.A.K of CA 8:29PM April 23, 2008