I started using Twitter this past week and much to my suprise it is a great way to connect and find information based on subject matter and interests. I admit that I sterotypically thought of it as friends and celebs tweeting their every move and trip to the toilet. Alas, I am pleasantly surprised.
One of the things I have been concerned with for quite some time is the VA Backlog or as I now know it #VABacklog. It is appaling and horiffic to think that there is such a mound of claims that the VA can't process them fast enough. I've seen the frustration from my own combat wounded spouse becuase of his inability to work, our financial strain, his deteriorating health, inability to be left alone independently, and the VA's unrelenting process of hurring up to wait a bit longer.
I first wrote about my thoughts on the VA backlog in relation to the rise in veteran suicides in January. You can find my post
here. Today, I feel like we are one of that 600,000+ in the backlog. Sure, everyone has their stories and it is horrible that vets get the back burner when it comes to much
deserved compensation.
While we've waited the better parts of the last 6 years waiting on claims, I do not understand why we've had to wait 7 months on a few papers (sent in by our congressman on our behalf) to be mailed somewhere to an office to be scanned into the Veteran's Benefits Managment System (VBMS) so that the VA can say they have now have a "web-based, electronic claims processing solution complemented by improved business processes. Once the claim is scanned we will proceed with the claim processing." By the time they mailed the five or six pages, took seven months to get them scanned, send correspondence appologizing back to us and the congressman, I have a hard time understanding why they can't just look at the papers and see that we need action. Seven months to put a hardship request and caregiver documentation into his file to be reviewed later. Pitiful.
For almost two years I have been paid from the VA as a full time, Tier 3, caregiver for my husband. Back in early Fall of 2011 his neurologist filled out paperwork for Aid and Attendence noting that John needed "Constant Supervision." In December of 2013, we finally got notice that they denied this claim becuase they felt John needed no assistance. In my opinion, this claim was one of many we've had denied when I believe the VA just wants to move some numbers and reduce that backlog. Documents upon documents show that John needs and deserves Aid and Attendence, yet the VA denied it without really looking at the evidence so they could reduce that backlog of claims. John's claim was processed. "Denied." For me, it is unacceptable. For John, he doesn't have the patience, memory, or stamina to fight this battle.
I feel so bad for the vets who don't have someone to fight this battle for them. I guess this week I will once again step up my efforts to reach out to other organizations that John is a member of and those groups that have told me they would try to help us. It is tiring. Even when the Congressman's office has petitioned the VA to expedite our claim due to hardship and "clear and unmistakable error for the rating of individual unemployability, aid and attendence, and traumatic brian injury."
Veterans are ending their lives daily with suicide and others are dying from their illneses and injuries. Today, John's life didn't end but he suffered with living. He cried becuase he couldn't move his legs or walk to the bathroom. He couldn't put on his own socks or move his own covers. Today was a day worse than some others. He couldn't get to the bathroom without his wheelchair and assistance. His chair doesn't even fit through our doorways but the VA denied that housing adaptation grant too becuase John has a brain injury and seizures. Since he hasn't lost a limb or eyesight, they say we are out of luck and have to struggle.
The VA is not responding effectively and timely enough. We, the backlog, are at war with a mound of paper and a system that is not effective enough. It has almost squashed us to death. We've got to win this war. My husband and the rest of the backloged vets deserve better. Fight for them.
On the
Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's Facebook Page they posted this informaional photo to give you an suggestion of how to petition your congressman:
We seem to average about three Walt Disney World trips each year for the last three years. We try to do something unique each time we go. With two boys, we have not experienced the Bippidy Boppity Boutique or princess character meals. (Even though I still would love to dine at Cinderella's Castle!) Since the princess craze doesn't work for us, we search out other fun things to do with boys. The Pirate Adventure Cruises are for kids only and are one of these great choices. These cruises sail from one of several Disney resorts and are available for potty trained children ages 4-12. Each of the four locations that offer the Pirate Adventure Cruises have a slightly different theme. These adventures set sail from 8:30-11:30 each day from one of the locations and include a hunt for treasure and a story told by the crew. They even give the kids a snack while away. You can find the details on Disney's website here.
When we stayed at Port Orleans in 2011, our youngest was too small to join brother on the Bayou Pirate Adventure that sailed from the Fishin' Hole on Ol' Man Island down the Sassagoula River. But the oldest wasn't keen on leaving mom and dad's side either so we waited until October 2012 and booked the Pirate Adventure Cruise. This cruise leaves from the Grand Floridian. On this adventure, our kids sailed around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon and were treated
to a reading of "The Legend of Gasparilla"—a real Florida pirate. These excursions can fill up in advance so call Disney or your travel agent to book in advance. 
This really turned out to be a great adventure for all of us. While the kids were off for a couple hours, John and I went to the Grand Floridian Cafe (where we had advance dining reservations). We enjoyed some grown up food: Citrus Pancakes with roasted pecans and dried cranberries served with orange butter and Smoked Salmon
with tomatoes, onions, capers (I had these left off), cream cheese, and toasted bagel.
The kids came back in as we were pulling into the dock and showed us all their pirate treasure (a small chest and bag filled with pirate loot like rings, bracelets, eye patches, pencil toppers, etc.) and we headed back to our Pirate Room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Our little one fell asleep on the way back and rested well in his pirate ship bed. Our boys really loved the pirate themed room but know that we found the beds a bit more uncomfortable than most Disney Resort bedding. The room was smaller too but Disney still paid close attention to every detail as always with keg-like bedside tables, plank flooring, and pirate curtains.
While we filled up on snacks, Captain Hook and Smee posed for photos and signed the boys 9" Vinylmations. We were led to the boat by Hook and our cast member on board entertained us with trivia games (for the kids) and prizes while we got our own view of the water pageant before moving along to get into position to watch Wishes. Of course we had to sing "Yo Ho" and discovered we didn't really know the words! I think The Pirates and Pals Cruise is now our favorite way to experience the fireworks. It was spectacular with the music piped in over the boats speakers. 
While we've waited the better parts of the last 6 years waiting on claims, I do not understand why we've had to wait 7 months on a few papers (sent in by our congressman on our behalf) to be mailed somewhere to an office to be scanned into the Veteran's Benefits Managment System (VBMS) so that the VA can say they have now have a "web-based, electronic claims processing solution complemented by improved business processes. Once the claim is scanned we will proceed with the claim processing." By the time they mailed the five or six pages, took seven months to get them scanned, send correspondence appologizing back to us and the congressman, I have a hard time understanding why they can't just look at the papers and see that we need action. Seven months to put a hardship request and caregiver documentation into his file to be reviewed later. Pitiful. 
