DND/VA HELP PLEASE!

[Rifleman62]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100116/minister_thompson_100116/20100116?hub=QPeriod

The Canadian Press

Date: Saturday Jan. 16, 2010 10:42 AM ET

ST. STEPHEN, N.B. — A federal cabinet minister is leaving politics.

The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed that Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson has resigned from cabinet.

The New Brunswick MP told the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal in an interview that he won't run in the next federal election but will represent his southwest New Brunswick riding until the vote is called.

There were reports last week that Prime Minister Stephen Harper would shuffle his cabinet.

It was not expected that any of his front-line ministers would be affected.

The 62-year-old Thompson told the Telegraph that he has achieved a great deal, he's tired and he doesn't want to overstay his welcome. Thompson has represented his New Brunswick constituency since 1988.

I am sure he is talking about being a MP, not as the Minister of Veterans Affairs.

 

[mikeninercharlie]

When you attend the PK Memorial events, ask the reps from the various veterans organizations why the majority of them sold current service members down the river with their support of the New Veterans Charter...  I choose to remember my fallen brothers (UNEF 2, UNFICYP, UNPROFOR) in my own way, and not alongside those who were complicit in creation of woefully inadequate NVC. Those who are responsible for this travesty should hang their heads in shame.   

 

[Kat Stevens]

When you attend the PK Memorial events, ask the reps from the various veterans organizations why the majority of them sold current service members down the river with their support of the New Veterans Charter...  I choose to remember my fallen brothers (UNEF 2, UNFICYP, UNPROFOR) in my own way, and not alongside those who were complicit in creation of woefully inadequate NVC. Those who are responsible for this travesty should hang their heads in shame. 

Quit beating around the bush and tell how you really feel, Mike.

 

[mikeninercharlie]

OK, no more beating around the bush...

The question should be, why did the leadership of the various veterans organizations sell current service members down the river with their support of the New Veterans Charter?
Was it the generous honoraria, was it being wined and dined in Ottawa or, was it the rounds of golf in PEI that caused you to lose perspective. 
Those of you who are responsible for this travesty should hang your heads in shame.
Scrap the NVC and create a program that shows some respect for our injured brothers and sisters by allowing them to maintain their dignity as they, and their families, struggle with consequences of their injuries for the remainder of their lives!

 

[Greymatters]

Was it the generous honoraria, was it being wined and dined in Ottawa or, was it the rounds of golf in PEI that caused you to lose perspective. 

Well, one can only speculate as to what they were thinking or their motivation.  It may be too convoluted for we of the lower levels of peonhood...

 

[dogger1936]

Whom in the veterans organisations were instrumental on this new veterans charter. I would LOVE to talk with them. Not to mention use them in future emails/ letters to politicians which wont be replied to. They sold tomorrows/ todays veterans out. Maybe some scar pic's can be attached to ammounts paid out due to their decisions. maybe a little visual of what they have done to many soldiers lifes will strike home.

 

[Sabre1967]

As I read these posts my eyes started to well up. I cannot believe some of the things I am reading. How is it that our government and has allowed this to come to such a monumental dissapointment. When I served in the mlitary I believed I was giving of myself 110%. I took pride in my job and the manner in which it was done by myself and my crew, Squadron, Regiment etc. When a task was at hand I carried it out to the best of my ability. Sometimes going above and beyond to complete the task, pushing my body beyond sleep, pain etc. Thats what being a soldier and duty was about; I thought! Now VA tells me all that was just my stupid belief. None of that matters anymore when after 24 years service you live in pain and your 43 year old body is that of a 80 year old. I myself was denied once again for disabilty. The beaucratic &%#@ in Ottawa feel that the constant pain and degenerative discs in my back and neck are merely from normal aging. Has nothing to do with the fact that I spent hours in cramped conditions (Tanks, APC's etc) on manouvers cross country etc.
I have come to the conclusion: Disablity isn't paid to make us go away.........It's paid so that they can !
I read about "Accumulative Joint Trauma" on the VAC website. Has anyone successfully received disability from claiming it? How did you go about it?
Please....Any help would be greatly appreciated........advice etc. More than anything all I want is to get on with my life and just maybe, perhaps have some assistance with managing this pain and discomfort for the rest of my life.
This constant fight for benefits that our Veterans have to endure needs to stop...

 

[Nemo888]

Try light swimming for about a year Sabre. My surgeon made me do it and I thought he was insane for the first 8 months.

 

[Sabre1967]

I feel your frustration brother. I'm undergoing much of the same fight here. Go have a look at "Cummulative Joint Trauma" on the VAC website. It might give you another avenue to approach. Good luck...

According to the Legion Rep I am in for a long fight that the outcome is iffy at best.  Because I did not run to the MIR everytime I had an ache or pain there is very little proof that 21 years of jumping and 25 years of rucksack marches and some silily PT at times caused my O.A. and bad back.

Basically what I got out of this is that I should have spent my career crying in the MIR then Veterans Affairs would help me, but because I did my job and never complained I guess they don't give a flying **** and I am going to be left to my own means

 

[Sabre1967]

Sorry for the rant !

 

[Wookilar]

I don't even know what to say about this..... I am a firm believer in the federal system as we currently know it, but in order for the system to work effectively we have to trust large parts of the system to the beaurocrats involved.....

With the intentional PERSEC leaks and now this, my faith in the senior beaurocrats at VAC is very quickly fading.....

Wook

 

[mike63]

Same boat here.  I once sat in a 'hearing board' for about 15 minutes trying to explain about my leg injuries, I had 2 operations on my lower legs, injuried during pre-deployment trg to go over to Kabal in '05, and not understanding what these 2 civilian lawyers didn't get.  They kept on telling me that I didn't have to the operations, that was my choice, I could have stopped the trg or just simply got out!  I was medically released in '08 due to one of these operations not working out so good causing permanent nerve damage to one of my legs.

It was at that point that I shot out of my chair, pulled up my pant legs and showed them the 4, 10 inch long scars on both my legs.  I asked each one what Regt or unit they served with, both said that they never served in the military, that's when I told them 'then shut the f**k-up you flat-faced civie pukes, you haven't got a freaking clue what we go through, nor are you in any position to tell me what I should have done!"  Well that didn't go over very well with them and the board was adjourned on the spot and I was asked /escorted out the door by the 60+ year old Commissionaire, who by the way later told me that was the funniest thing he had ever heard someone say to those 2 lawyers.  He said that it wasn't going to help my case, which it didn't, I had to appeal there decision all the way to Charlottetown and get the help from a Legion Lawyer to win but I finally won...4 years later.

Each time you sit at one of those boards you leave with the feeling that you had to 'beg' for a positive decision just to get $150 out of them, I always felt belittled and embarrassed at the whole 'show'.
I am thankful that all my claims come in a monthly payment.  I do not agree with the new charter and this 'lump sum payout',  that's just another slap in the face to our soldiers and their families. Simply unacceptable!

Sorry for this long 'rant' but, every time someone asks me about my VA pension and the VA in general, I just get so pissed off, only 4 Bacardi white rum and coke will calm me down, which isn't so bad now that I think of it!

 

[dogger1936]

Thanks all. I've been reading this with interest. needless to say I am ready for a fight. I'm hoping mine will go smoothly and i'll have nothing to complain about.

I personally wasnt going to put in for a pension but was basically forced to d oso by my DR's. basically if I didnt get a claim going I wouldnt be covered by bluecross for my injuries. I've broken my back and dislocated my shoulder about 10 years ago and I still havent claimed that at all...as It's not affecting my life.

Right now I submitted all CF 98's and filled out all paperwork about 4 months ago. never heard much and was about to call. Got a phone call from a very friendly lady at VAC who wanted to get some dates that were a bit vague and confirm I was indeed male...as for some weird reason one accident referrs to me as female throughout.....anywho aside from the jokes that just set me up for... ;D


I didnt know the dates offhand and told her to call me back in 20 minutes as I consulted my UER. About a week after that I called to check up and was told it was sent off to Charlottetown PEI. Two days ago I got a letter saying a decision was going to be made within 23 weeks.


I really hope I don't end up having to appeal. Army soldier snr nco or not I will go to the media....it appears that is the only way to solve problems in the military/VAC today.... to think I hated the media a mere 2 years ago!

 

[mike63]

Well buddy, I hope things do go well for you.  The one comment that always never did sit well with me was, "they always deny your first request..."  Why do they do that?  There is no reason why that should happen.  If you have all the proper paperwork (CF98s, witness statements etc...) there is no reason why a decision can't be made the first time around.  And if they don't, like all soldiers are prepared for, go in with both barrels blazing...you don't have anything to lose!

 

[heavy reader]

Hey folks.

I've got some experience as an advocate with VAC.  If you are truly stuck, drop me a private message with your phone number and I'll see if I can be of assistance.  Looking to put my skills into action for anyone who serves.

I'm in Halifax.

Ubique!

 

[Greymatters]

I've got some experience as an advocate with VAC. 

Some examples of common mistakes military members make when submitting their applications would probably be appreciated...

 

[dogger1936]

Some examples of common mistakes military members make when submitting their applications would probably be appreciated...

I found the lady at VAC done all the paperwork for me. She even called me to remind me to bring in all my cf98's. Basically I had to sign twice and that was the extent of my work. I'm guessing you had a differnt experience?

 

[Greymatters]

Better than some, but not as bad as experienced by others; I just think that an insider would be able to shed some light on why so many members have difficulties with their claims...

 

[Wookilar]

I just received my notice of date for my Review Board. I haven't talked to the lawyer yet.

Anyone have any advice on how I should approach it? Other than not reaching across the table and throttling one of them?

Wook

 

[the 48th regulator]

I just received my notice of date for my Review Board. I haven't talked to the lawyer yet.

Anyone have any advice on how I should approach it? Other than not reaching across the table and throttling one of them?

Wook

Organize all the fact you have, so you can present them to the tribunal in favourable manner.  Include any new medical documentation, that will support your review.

You can also bring witnesses to speak, including family members.

dileas

tess