Comments for VetsFirst

Comment on Veterans Retraining Assistance Program by Wilfred G. Mingo

Wilfred G. Mingo — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:23:31 +0000

I would like to recieve any kind of infomation concerning this act as of Dec. 2011

Comment on Is My Rating Protected? by David L. Houppert, Esq., National Service Director

David L. Houppert, Esq., National Service Director — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:45:49 +0000

Mr. Pawlicki,

I would suggest you take a look at the following:

10 year
38 USC 1159
38 CFR 3.957

20 year
38 USC 110
38 CFR 3.951

Comment on Is My Rating Protected? by scott pawlicki

scott pawlicki — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:36:04 +0000

with regards to the 10 and 20 year protection periods what regulation is this based on and where can i find it

thank you

Comment on An Eye Opening Experience at the Buffalo VAMC by Stephen Fricano, NSO

Stephen Fricano, NSO — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:07:39 +0000

Hi Mike,

I’m sorry to hear about the inferior quality of care that you received at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. Unfortunately, not all VAMCs are created equal, and we still get occasional reports of substandard care from different facilities. I’m happy to hear, though, that things were much different at Durham VAMC, and that the attention and treatment you have received there has met and exceeded your expectations. Best of luck, sir, with your continuing treatment. If you happen to have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!

Respectfully,

Stephen J Fricano
National Service Officer
VetsFirst, an program of United Spinal Association

Comment on Raising Awareness in Memory of Dad by Ziggi

Ziggi — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:49:56 +0000

Thanks for sharing this story. It really pours out a large dose of reality and makes one wonder how many people and families out there are floundering during times of crisis. It would be wonderful if laws could be passed with an element of compassion built into the benefit and the service delivery system. Maybe someday.

Comment on Raising Awareness in Memory of Dad by Joe Isaacs

Joe Isaacs — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:20:20 +0000

Wonderfully done! I’m proud to know Jonathan and Heather and grateful they were willing to tell their and James’ story. Sadly, it is so typical of the challenges loved one’s face when dealing with the needs of their parents in our various health systems, whether it be the VA, Medicare or Medicaid. The latter two were my wife and my nemeses when her mom who lived on a fixed income was ill, hospitalized several times, eventually moved into nursing home which spent down her income and then into hospice care before she died two years ago. It’s amazing how ill-prepared one is to deal with these things and how the bills keep coming well after their deaths. We read brochures and books on the how-to’s of the entitlement programs but it was still a maze with often contradictory messages. At the policy level, I was very familiar with Medicaid and Medicare issues, but in the real life trenches of navigating the programs, I felt as helpless as anyone else.

It saddens me particularly to see how these challenges persist even in a closed system like the VA, which is often being responsive to the needs of former members of the armed services who contracted their illnesses because of their military service. And yet there is only limited guidance on how to make the most of what the system has to offer. In my view Mr. Ansley was far too young to have had to go through what he suffered and our nation owes him a debt far greater than he received.

Where are the ombudspersons in these programs to assist families so that the programs can be utilized as intended and do not present themselves as compassionless bureaucracies?

Comment on Praying at the 9/11 Memorial by Tom

Tom — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:11:10 +0000

I visited Ground Zero a week after that cloudless September day that changed all of our lives forever. It was very emotional to see all the friends and families of victims watching the tired, but spirited crews working on the pile still holding onto hope that their loved ones would be pulled out alive. I haven’t been back since. I had a friend who worked in the Towers that day. I thought he had perished, but he missed his train and arrived late to work. He saw the carnage above and got right back on the train and headed home to Long Island to his family. There are many stories like that. It’s amazing how many people I’ve met that have been directly affected by the events that day, and how many still suffer not only with their loss, but medical complications that are cutting strong,young lives short. So many sacrifices have been made, it can overhwelm your heart, especially when the anniversaries come and go. I will never forget! I think it’s time to return and pay my respect.

Comment on VA Contract Nursing Homes and State Veterans’ Homes by Nursing Agency Business

Nursing Agency Business — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:02:41 +0000

G’Day! Vetsfirst,
Interesting Thoughts, Enrolling a cherished a person or a loved ones member in a nursing place is a difficult final decision to make. You demand to be assured that your cherished 1 is safe and well taken cared off in that nursing house. The everyday life of your friends and family- mother, father or any relatives member, is dependent on this judgement. Generally the position when a nursing dwelling is essential arrives unexpectedly. There is very little time to get ready for this have a need for. In deciding on a nursing house, you ought to be absolutely sure of your expectations for your loved one’s new family home.
Cheerio

Comment on Accessible Taxis and Disabled Veterans by Steven Schneir

Steven Schneir — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:22:26 +0000

Please join America’s newest automobile company The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) online, for the MV-1 media launch event on Wednesday, September 21st. The launch event will celebrate the first production wheelchair accessible vehicle, the MV-1, as it rolls off the line at the AM General assembly facility in Mishawaka, Ind., and presented to Mark Buoniconti, the President of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
The live video webcast will start at 1 p.m. EDT. Please go to http://www.vpgmedialive.com to bookmark the website.
Best Regards,
Steven
Steven A. Schneir
General Manager
MV-1 of Greater NYC, Long Island & Connecticut
an affiliate of Manhattan Motorcars
270 Eleventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001
direct) 917.208.1451 / email) ss@manhattanmotorcars.com
phone) 212.594.6200, x305 / fax) 212.594.4430
http://www.manhattanmotorcars.com / http://www.VPGautos.com

Comment on An Eye Opening Experience at the Buffalo VAMC by Mike Van Fossen

Mike Van Fossen — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:06:23 +0000

Nice article a real moral booster. I have had care during the last year at 2 VA Medical Centers. I am a VietNam veteran that has stage lV colon cancer and other less serious health concerns. My first stay at a VA Hosp. was for three days at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. All of the fears about “substandard” care that I had anticipated actually came true. I had a very bad experience and found most of the medical providers there to be extreemely incompetent. One critical ommission on their part could have put me in a very bad situation. On the other hand, I have been treated for my colon cancer and a heart attack at the Durham VA Medical Center and that treatment has been everything I could want. The doctors and nurses (many who have been trained and remain on the staff of Duke University) are fantastic! These two examples are the extreems of course but I believe this difference is real throughout the entire VA System.