The "Army Emergency Relief" fund is yet another indication of this nation's tendency to say one thing and do another when it comes to our veterans.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090222/ap_on_re_us/army_s_stingy_charity_1

In the words of Strother Martin in "Cool Hand Luke," this country had better get it's head "right!" 

The false patriotism the Bush administration portrayed while allowing the shameful abuses and neglect at Walter Reed and other actions which turned a blind eye to our vets, was and continues to be disgusting.

My PTSD research has exposed a pattern of this mistreatment of veterans applying for compensation.  It seems the Department of Veterans Affairs is operating with the modus operandi of a "for profit" insurance company:  deny, deny, deny until the veteran either gives up or dies.  Problem solved.

I spoke with one who was diagnosed with PTSD and after nearly a year the verdict on his application for veteran benefits:  DENIED!  It was determined that his PTSD was NOT service connected.  It seems he had some family issues before he served in Vietnam and was involved in combat operations for 13 months including standing next to a buddy who was dismembered by a mortar round and other events which might make the average citizen withdraw into the darkness of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The attitude of the folks who make the determinations about PTSD diagnosis for veterans may need to be adjusted.  Otherwise these vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are destined to suffer the same fate as many of us who served in Vietnam:  Suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, family abuse issues, etc., etc.

I've had diabetes for over 7 years.  For the first 5 years I just assumed that it was caused by my being overweight.  Then I was told by another veteran that Agent Orange had caused many of my fellow Vietnam veterans to develop the disease.  Nobody in my family had ever had diabetes.  I had always been otherwise healthy.  After thinking about it, I sought benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and after nearly a year it was determined that my diabetes WAS caused by my exposure to Agent Orange and I was granted 20% disability for that illness. 

At least that small compensation might pay for the medication needed to control my diabetes was my immediate thought.  Control became more and more difficult as time passed and medications were increased.  My doctor finally found a drug which, in combination with two others, corrected my blood sugar to normal limits.  It is called Januvia.  The catch is:  my copay is $50 when I fill the prescription.  The usual copay for medication is $10 so my question would be:  how much does this "miracle" drug cost without insurance?

I went to the local VA hospital where my diabetes medication is covered by my disability.  Guess what?  Januvia ISN'T one of the medications they stock!  The VA doctor told me that it was TOO EXPENSIVE for the VA to provide!  Anyone else surprised by this?

So, here are my choices:  Take the medications the VA DOES have in stock and maintain my blood sugar around 300, pay for the Januvia outside the VA and keep it around 100...  Hmmmm, live or die?  What should I do? 

This is minor compared to what other vets are experiencing.  The average to get compensation for any service connected disability is ONE YEAR from application to decision.  ONE YEAR!  And with the numbers of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who are going to be experiencing PTSD symptoms and in desperate need of help, it will probably take longer from this point until the Department of Veterans Affairs can make decisions because of sheer volume.

I was happy to hear about Obama's appointment of Army Gen. Eric Shinseki to head the department.  I was also pleased to hear about Tammy Duckworth being chosen to participate in helping General Shinseki.  She has done a GREAT job here in Illinois while heading our state's Veterans Affairs department.

I do have hope that things will change for the better during Obama's administration.  But it's going to be a long haul to restructure the system's treatment of our veterans.  REAL patriotism should push those in charge to alter the course of treatment of our vets.  "We The People" need to stay on this issue and push our officials in Washington to make much needed changes.

Suicides are at all time highs among active AND former military personnel.  Those who follow my PTSD related blogs know how I feel about the Bush administration's neglect and outright disdain for those who have served while putting on their "False Patriotism" faces for the right wing.

We MUST let our representatives know that the past treatment of our veterans is unacceptable.

Let's make certain that the "CHANGE" we were promised during the presidential campaign really happens.  Call or write your Congress person.  Get involved in this issue.  Only YOU can guarantee the "CHANGE" our country needs.