Attn: all our vet friends here

[Lulu54]

I sent this to the two vets I know here, but we might have more or you might even be married to a vet ... here is a news story that every Vet who uses that medical system needs to know..................


"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has admitted that it erroneously sent letters to at least 1,200 veterans informing them that they have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gerhig’s disease). "



The whole story is at
http://www.vetsfirst.org/a-cruel-false-alarm-va-wrongly-tells-veterans-that-they-have-a-fatal-illness

Spread the word to all the vets you know

be well,
Lulu

[Lulu54]

I can't begin to even guess how they could have made such a mistake... it really gives an example of how messed up the VA Medical system truly is....

keep spreading the word that this needs to be changed.

Lulu

[HVAC]

I agree with you. The Vets should get the best medical care of anyone in this country.

My grandfather was in WWI. My Dad's at Arlington up on Chaplain's Hill with my mother. He did 33 years WW II through Vietnam. The Chief of Chaplain's did his funeral with the full deal. If you have never seen a full Arlington Funeral you should. My Brother did 25 in the Coast Guard. My husband was in the Navy over in the Red Sea during the first Gulf War. My husband's father was in the army.

I can't imagine how much pain getting a letter saying you have ALS could cause.

Alex

[ShadowsSister]

When I think about all you have each given to our country and than to be so Mistreated is unforgivable. I have written Letters for years in support of the GI Bills being fought over in DC. and I will continue to do so. I am Praying that all of you start receiving all the help you need Medically and in every other way.

Know that Your country is so Proud of you and it will make things right, Hang in there this is one fight where we have your backs.

Much respect and many Prayers said daily for each of you.

PS:  My Papa retired from the Navy after 30 years, every thing that is good about me, came from Him, he passed away Aug.1978 and it still feels like yesterday. By honoring you I feel I am honoring him in some way.

May God watch over all of you and keep you safe

[Ufrustrated2]

many thanks LuLu for this and keeping us in the loop on such matters. more can be viewed at this link for those with interest/concerns:

      http://www.vawatchdog.org/#FLASH


[mild vent time]

along that same thread, this year, i had a MRI on a part of my spine for a mil injury issue not related to my demyelinating disease. a month after that, i had my follow up to go over it and such. the doctor didn't say much about it until i pressed it a bit and he mumbled something that my hearing aids didn't understand.  this week, i looked at my records, as i periodically do, and guess what this doctor wrote in his notes for that visit and that MRI... he stated there was no , no , etc. yet the MRI explicitly stated i had , had , and those things are quite important regarding treatment and disability. nor did he list the MRI summary in the pertinent section.  

i wrote in today to have them fix that oversight and correct my records. we'll see if they/he does that.

nor do they list any of the MRIs that specifically state the demyelinating disease and where the lesions are located. they list only the one MRI for that, the 0.7t one that mentioned possible ischemic something vs demyelinating disease.

you all be the judge of all that but i'm sure you know what i and other vets think of such record keeping.

if you go to the VA or your spouse does, periodically and consistently go the records division and check to see that your records are what they are supposed to be, and get copies. on the VA computer system, you can't imagine how "deep" some reports/documents are buried.  so then, it is very easy for a doctor to say "that isn't in your records", "i can't seem to find such a statement", etc.

LuLu, looks like i wrote way more than I like too but this particular subject is one that can really set me off. I'm just one lil ol vet with this type of on going story, there are thousands this happens to.

[Karen99]

What?  Good grief!

Thanks for the heads up for our vets, LuLu.