VA Trust Building

by David McNease

Secretary McDonald says his first priority is trust building. How does he intend on building veterans trust? He opens a “Whistle Blower Hotline,” and it backfires alienating both employees and veterans. Trust building take what they refer to here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as “SISU.” Guts! It takes guts to build veterans trust. One has to be able to let the veterans open all the closets that have been shut by red tape. There is no way veterans can proof something unless it is in their medical records and the veteran has their own copy. Executive Order 13526, it is nearly impossible for a veteran to obtain any information once they leave the government service.

Demonstrate positive changes. Trust veterans first. Why would we lie? Admit all claims going back as far as any veteran, spouse or family member can claim. The time and hassles people have already been through can not be fully compensated with money, ever. Answer the tough questions.

Why do we have to pay $104.90 each month for MEDICARE? I am disabled and using VA not Social Security medical facilities. Why not admit all exposures? It is known that veterans have been exposed to almost every known and unknown chemical and biological agent. Statistically our veterans are or have been deployed to every hot spot or conflict for the last hundred years. Why not admit Gulf War Illness and other known illnesses? Why can’t we at least start by giving medical care to any veteran? I know GIVE is a big word. We give free medical care to refugees around the world. In fact, we send military medical units overseas just to provide that free medical care.

Open the can of worms! The VA should give medical care to any veteran. Take care of the veterans first. Be more lenient on veterans claims. Not as much “Burden of Proof.” Most veterans are not lawyers and understand the VA red tape. If a veteran has the least bit paperwork, or physical/psychological symptoms the VA should just pay the claim and assume medical responsibility. It initially would seem the VA would have to pay out more claims. In fact, most veterans do not even use the VA. Many only use the VA for medications and shots. The hassles, wait times, attitudes of VA employees keep most veteran away.

Send Secretary McDonald a message. He does not have our trust. I want positive changes in the VA. Positive changes in the VA can occur if we rally together, speak out, share our thoughts and writings so others can understand they are not alone. Maybe we can stem one more suicide. Giving hope to a veteran who feels hopeless and helpless may be all they need. I take the privilege to write for other veterans that write me. I understand the silent veterans whom put up with poor medical care, poor treatment and dishonorable conditions.