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Oct-06-2007 12:59TweetFollow @OregonNews Veterans Administration System: How bad can it get?Dr. Phillip Leveque Salem-News.comPhillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Toxicologist and Pharmacologist.
(MOLALLA, Ore.) - As a very lucky World War II Combat Infantry Veteran medically treated by the V.A. System, I don’t know if I should be completely flummoxed or simply, completely enraged about what is happening to my current brothers, and sisters, in arms. Every day I read something which indicates that the situation in the V.A. is getting worse. But nobody in the swivel chair, “wafflebutt” system has the courage, aptitude or intellect to do anything progressive about it. I was a patient in the Portland, Oregon V.A. Hospital and an outpatient for about nine months. I also have been a physician taking medical care of hundreds of veteran of World War I, II and several subsequent wars. I was not only appalled by my own treatment (they told my mother three times I probably wouldn’t survive, but I fooled them) but I never took care of hundreds of veterans who had anything positive to say about their own treatment. THIS IS A CRIME against veterans who were willing (but not enthusiastic) about giving their lives for those same people working in the Vets Hospitals. The latest allegation of criminality is in the Oregonian newspaper from September 30th, under the headline V.A. AID Leaves Behind Many Injured. So far 185 thousand troops have started to seek medical help from both physical injuries as well as psychological (READ PTSD) damaged veterans. This is but the tip of a cruel iceberg and the V.A. and Congressional “wafflebutts” cannot or don’t want to comprehend what they have done to a generation of heroes and their families. I recommend watching Ken Burns TV series The War, for anyone who thinks he can tolerate the “blood & guts” visuals of any modern war. The V.A. magnanimously guaranteed 2 years of free medical care for any veteran with a service connected condition. Most doctors cannot, or will not under V.A. orders, diagnose PTSD which will last much longer and be more disabling than an amputation, although they usually go together. The V.A. estimates 700,000 veterans will seek care from this fractured and corrupt system. Most of them will be disappointed and disgusted with their care from V.A. personnel, who have no concept what-so-ever about providing adequate care. Outgoing V.A. Chief Jim Nicholson recently said “veterans will invariably tell you they are getting good care from the V.A.” What I’d like to know is who in the hell is he “talking” to?, those with a headache. Even the newspapers report that V.A. care is a colossal failure according to a special Congressional Investigating Committee. Please, can we have some positive action? ******************************************************* More information on the history of Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of Phil Leveque about his experiences in WWII. Order the book by mail by following this link: salem-news.com/pages/Dogface_soldier. If you are a World War Two history fan, you don't want to miss it. Watch for Dr. Phil Leveque's video question and answer segments about medical marijuana with Bonnie King. Other articles and video segments about medical marijuana on Salem-News.com:
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Anonymous October 19, 2007 1:57 pm (Pacific time)
I am an OIF 1 Veteran from the USMC and I just wanted to say that aside from shell out money and prescription drugs like paxil and prozac..the VA has done nothing to help me get my life back together. I just found out today that I am not even going to recieve tuition-free college for recieveing my combat action and purple heart. I had my hand amputated and to this day the only thing that has ever been offered or show to be of help to me is MONEY... i dont want MONEY.. i want mental stability without drugs, I want free school as promised, I want to bring my fellow brothers HOME to HELP them, not just FEED THEM MONEY AND MEDS..
Skipper Osborne October 8, 2007 12:38 am (Pacific time)
I am a 100% disabled Vietnam Era Veteran. The care at the Portland VA hospital most of the time is negligent. I got out of the service in 1970, and after fighting the Veterans Administration for "35 years" I finally received a higher disability rating for my knees. By the way the VA did not give me my disability just because I was fighting them (I made about three or four trips to Washington, DC) I wrote a letter to then President Bill Clinton, and sent the President some of my medical records - Guess what folks - my disability increased. Most of the Drs.at the VA do not give a damn about Vets and in helping them get their disability. They are more concerned with getting their pay checks, then to help Vets get their disability pay chechs that they so rightly deserve. We can spend Billions of $'s on a bloody war for "oil," but yet and still tell our young women and men to go to hell when it is time to take care of their medical needs, and give them the $'s that they so rightly deserve. I agree with Denise Soles, more Vets need to honestly speak out for the negligent care that they are getting.
Denise Soles October 6, 2007 5:56 pm (Pacific time)
As a widow of a Vietnam Era Veteran, who died as a result of the treatment he received at a VA hospital in VA, I wish more Veterans would speak out honestly about the type of care they receive. This VA openly admitted that for 2 yrs they did not believe my husband was sick, that it was all in his head, his weight going from 221 lbs to a mere 70 lbs, and screaming in pain for 2 yrs. I wrote and still write to Senators, Congressman and even the Veterans Committee, and not one has bothered to even acknowledge me, other than to write and say they got my letter. THIS type of treatment has not just started, it has been going on and will continue to go on, as everyone in our government wants to bury how our Veterans are treated. I wish only once, they would have to go to the VA for their healthcare, and then, and only then, would things change within this system. Let them or one of their family members have to be treated by VA hospitals, but, then again, we know this will never happen. Until more speak out on this type of care, nothing will change, as the American people truly are not aware of how Veterans, and their families are treated. God Bless our Veterans
Neal Feldman October 6, 2007 1:20 pm (Pacific time)
And people wonder why the US military is routinely unable to meet recruitment goals. With the treatment veterans get is it any surprise? I'm kinda wondering when the Blackwater (and other) mercenaries will start coming in for 'veterans' benefits. Ah well...
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