Veterans for Change Takes Action to Change Deny, Deny, Deny Until They Die

GARDEN GROVE, CA –  The mission for Veterans for Change is to improve the service and needs of our Veterans, and the services of the Veterans Administration and Veterans Affairs. The primary purpose for this group is to educate legislators, Veterans and the public about the needs of our Veterans.

Many people are unaware of how long the process is to establish research and approve Veterans Benefits. Veterans for Change serve as an advocate helping veterans by encouraging them to stand tall and voice their conditions and rights as Veterans. To those who are not aware, Veterans must file for benefits, only to be told it could take years to get the benefits the Veterans deserve. After filing, the process of receiving benefits is a long, strenuous, emotional war. Many Veterans give up in defeat, never to earn, or deserve, what was promised them during their Tours of Duty.

Jim Davis founded the non-profit group. Serving as the advocate, he, along with the growing list of members of Veterans for Change, would like to express the following needs that need to be expressed, published, and shared with our Government, the news media, and the Veterans. 

1.      Veterans for Change would like to request that Congress take swift and prompt action to remove all time limits and constraints from filing for claims for illnesses caused by chemical exposure, to include usage and exposure to both foreign soil and United States soil. More specifically, Agent Orange (AO) and other Rainbow Herbicides containing Dioxins.

2.      Veterans for Change demands prompt action in drafting, introducing, and making certain legislation passes to make all primary residences for Veterans are free from property tax, without limitation to longevity of military service.

3.      Veterans for Change requests prompt action to investigate and establish legislation that will cover all Veterans exposed to Hepatitis A, B, or C and HIV via inoculations given by using the Military Munji Gun and multi injection units. Many Veterans who have acquired Hepatitis or HIV are denied coverage for too many reasons – None of which are valid, and there are countless Veterans who are not aware of where, or how, they were exposed.

4.      Veterans for Change demands that Congress open its eyes, and listen to the request of the Veterans. Congress should take a more serious, pro-active role in the VAOIG [Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General] investigation on ‘Claims Date Changing’. Claims Date Changing is a WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM among all VARO’s – not just in the State of New York. Dates are repeatedly changed to meet report deadlines, thus making the VARO look better and more efficient at processing claims, when the true fact is ‘Claims Date Changing’ is a tremendous, widespread problem, severely impacting ALL Veterans.

Throughout the organization of Veterans for Change we have discovered our Veterans have received “canned replies” which state “I want to express my appreciation for Veterans who have answered the call of duty.” Expressing canned appreciation is one thing and it is appreciated; however, expressing appreciation does not address any of the issues and/or acts only as a PR campaign to cover the actions and response time for such correspondence. Canned replies do not address the issues, and/or the problems in filing the claims, appeals, the receiving of timely replies and awards.

Many of the Veterans affiliated with Veterans for Change have been told their files are “in Washington, under review,” and other perhaps ‘rehearsed voice responses’ when they contact the VA via phone. Each time, a different person responds to the Veteran’s claim, only to be told ‘you are still in the review status.’ Some of these Veterans have reported these responses since March 2008.

While Washington funds billions of dollars for Wall Street, Financial Institutions, the Automotive Industry, hundreds of other social programs and bridges to nowhere, the VA is ignoring the much needed Veterans programs. Repeatedly, our members of Congress fail to make under established programs whole. Again, Congress fails to honor the promises made. Again, Congress fails to fix the never ending bureaucracy that treats Veterans as ‘second class citizens,’ or criminals.

Does Congress not have a moral, ethical, and Patriotic obligation to provide benefits and care, regardless of the costs involved? Could it be that Congress is sharing the VA’s unwritten and non-verbal attitude and secretive policy of “Deny, Deny, and Deny – until they die?”

To the deserving Veterans who met the call of duty it is so obvious that the actions and policies of the VA make a profound statement that it would have been far better had our men and women not served or died at war than to suffer the denials, shenanigans, and malicious schemes, or mind games, excluding the mistreatment provided by our Government.

If the time of change has arrived with a new President and a new Government, the question is a simple one – Do you agree or disagree?

“We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America, a commitment that begins with enlistment and must never end.” President Barack H. Obama

If you agree with the beliefs of our President, the time is now to voice your concerns, and take action to get Congress to wake up and recognize our Veterans need and deserve what was promised, not a canned reply, or the actions of “Deny, deny, deny until they die.”

For additional info on Veterans-For-Change: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VETERANS-FOR-CHANGE