Hi! my name is Tina and my husband was in the army til he got hurt and got out on medical.He is in need of help and the VA is not helping him saying there is nothing wrong with him.So I saw this here forum for military families and thought I would post here and see if anyone knew of anywhere togo for help.We live in Grand Rapids,Mi.He lost a job a year ago and has not been able to work since.Please if anyone can help us out please PM me I would really appreciate it.

If he was medically discharged, his DD214 (pretty much the offical form that states how long he was in, when he got out & how he got out) should state that or else he should have a form that states he was medically discharged.

VA has to help him if he is going to the VA for what he was discharged for.

When he was discharged, he "should" of been told what VA benefits he would be receiving & what he was eligible for. That is standard clearing procedures for active duty, NG & Reserves.

He does go to our local Va here but since they have found nothing wrong on all the tests they have done on him .The thing that really pisses me off is for there to be nothing worng with him then why when he went to Battle Creek Va they gave him a backbrace and a cane.And they give him all kind of drugs to take for pain but nothing helps.Vicadin is one it is the only thing that does help but he hates having to take it all the time.His issue is back related and he has shooting pain going down both legs.There we're 2 people at the Va here in Grand Rapids,mi. that told him and showed him what is wrong but it does not show up on testes when they do them.He went through physical therapy and it made it worse.He had a civilian doctor tell him if nothing is done soon he will be paralized.Well enough complaining for now.just had to get this off my chest.he does get 20% and has been for years but now nothing as far as getting upped or anything.He got a denial a couple months ago on an appeal we put in to be upped saying he will not get nothing more so we put in a disagreement on it should hopefully hear something soon.

Go back and keep going back. Take the civilian dr records with you. Have they done cat scans and MRIs??

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Yep done all the tests even done the one where they stick the needles in you.I told him they need to do an ultra sound of the area I bet it will show up then.As for the civilian doctor they will not give us copies of the tests unless we pay $75.00 for it and that we can't come up with.

My DH is in the Guard now (about to be medically discharged though) and has recently been going through tests himself. He was hurt back in '79 while he was in the Navy, but they wouldn't give him a Service Connection. (Long story...) He HAS been able to work through the pain all these years (except lately) so now he's trying to prove that the condition that started way back then is related to his current problems and lack of Military medical attention that was due him all this time.

He is also prepared for the inevitable red tape associated with this type of thing, and knows he's going to have to keep going back and appealing their denials. I suggest you do the same, and DON'T GIVE UP!!

As for the civilian Dr.'s records...I thought that BY LAW they have to give you copies. If that gets you no where, try having a military Dr. request his records. Go to his office and sign a release form.

Good luck to you both. I hope your DH gets the care he earned and deserves.

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Well I am glad to hear that my husband is not the only one getting this kind of treatment from these service people.When my husband first got out a got a 0% he then appealed it and then got 10% but he has in writting that he should have gotten 30% .The thing that really pisses me off about the VA is he has proof of everything and they deny him.The x-ray we got from a civilian doctor shows his problem .I guess most doctors take x-rays with you laying down this doctor took his standing and got everything.He was also told that if it was not taking care of soon he would be paralized .That is the part that scares me the most with these people.I emailed a company the other day and just got a call back yesterday I got a call from somebody wanting pledges for the veterans and I told them I would not help because my husband is one and he is not getting the help he needs and they gave me a number of a place to call only it is for paralized veterans and that my husband is not yet .But apparently they have some way to help me out.We will be getting a call back today from the guy that called yesterday will let you all know what happens when the guy calls back.Tina

My only advice is to keep on them. We've been going through a ton of junk trying to get my dh everything he needs. He was medically discharged last year. Even though they can show his injuries were service related and did surgery to attempt to repair the damage, in turn making it worse, they aren't willing to step up now. Dh is so tired of it he wants to give up but you've got to keep fighting.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you will hear some postive news soon.

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Yep we are keeping at it.Hubby is wanting to give up I told him no don't give up.They told my husband surgery will not help him it will make him worse probably even be in a wheelchair.Thanks we sure do need all the prayers we can get because it is so hard living right now.Between my son's SSI and hubby's 225.00 he gets it pays the rent and at least we get food stamps that helps out too.I can't work nobody will hire me because i have not worked since I had my daughter in 2000 and I keep getting turned down because of it.And also not driving because of a history of elipesy.I work at my church which happens to be across the street from where we live and work at the DAV being a bingo number caller and make $20.00 doing that so it helps with doing my church job and getting $20.00 there for 2hours work of childcare.I am thinking of looking into a job place here and getting help and possibly taking some classes through them to get a job.Will keep everyone up to date on what happens .Tina

Ask to speak to Patient Advocate- that is whatt they are supposed to be there for.

Is it an option to travel to Battle Creek?

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