Comments for VetsFirst http://www.vetsfirst.org Vetsfirst Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:48:02 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on TSA Creates Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions by Marlee http://www.vetsfirst.org/tsa-creates-helpline-for-travelers-with-disabilities-and-medical-conditions/comment-page-1/#comment-30838 Marlee Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:48:02 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=1044#comment-30838 I can't believe I've been going for years woituht knowing that. I can’t believe I’ve been going for years woituht knowing that.

]]> Comment on Veterans Retraining Assistance Program by Wilfred G. Mingo http://www.vetsfirst.org/veterans-retraining-assistance-program/comment-page-1/#comment-29348 Wilfred G. Mingo Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:23:31 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=1019#comment-29348 I would like to recieve any kind of infomation concerning this act as of Dec. 2011 I would like to recieve any kind of infomation concerning this act as of Dec. 2011

]]> Comment on Offensive Remarks Won’t Make Transportation Accessible by bwr2310 http://www.vetsfirst.org/offensive-remarks-wont-make-transportation-accessible/comment-page-1/#comment-22687 bwr2310 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:23:52 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=783#comment-22687 get rid of bloomberg. he could care less about the disabled. fire him or vote him out of office. he is just like leader obama could care less about the people of new york get rid of bloomberg. he could care less about the disabled. fire him or vote him out of office. he is just like leader obama could care less about the people of new york

]]> Comment on Is My Rating Protected? by David L. Houppert, Esq., National Service Director http://www.vetsfirst.org/is-my-rating-protected/comment-page-1/#comment-21865 David L. Houppert, Esq., National Service Director Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:45:49 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=752#comment-21865 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 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 http://www.vetsfirst.org/is-my-rating-protected/comment-page-1/#comment-21555 scott pawlicki Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:36:04 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=752#comment-21555 with regards to the 10 and 20 year protection periods what regulation is this based on and where can i find it thank you 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 http://www.vetsfirst.org/an-eye-opening-experience-at-the-buffalo-vamc/comment-page-1/#comment-20449 Stephen Fricano, NSO Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:07:39 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=715#comment-20449 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 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 How to Expedite VA Claims that Can’t Wait by Glenn Cambria http://www.vetsfirst.org/how-to-expedite-va-claims-that-cant-wait/comment-page-1/#comment-20366 Glenn Cambria Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:20:02 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=746#comment-20366 Where's the link for a Hardship claim? Where’s the link for a Hardship claim?

]]> Comment on Raising Awareness in Memory of Dad by Ziggi http://www.vetsfirst.org/raising-awareness-in-memory-of-dad/comment-page-1/#comment-19752 Ziggi Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:49:56 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=729#comment-19752 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. 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 http://www.vetsfirst.org/raising-awareness-in-memory-of-dad/comment-page-1/#comment-19739 Joe Isaacs Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:20:20 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=729#comment-19739 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? 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 http://www.vetsfirst.org/praying-at-the-911-memorial/comment-page-1/#comment-19728 Tom Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:11:10 +0000 http://www.vetsfirst.org/?p=738#comment-19728 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. 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.

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