A change in the medical treatment received by us veterans.

[chknltl]

I have been going to the American Lake veterans hospital for my yearly physicals for years. Last month's scheduled exam included, (for the first time), a detailed questioning by a nurse. The questions were oriented around my mental health. When I asked about this change, I was informed that there is a push on by the V. A. to find and treat vets suffering from the effects of PTSD. The questions revealed issues I have carried with me from childhood. I was even offered treatment for this if I wanted it.

What I can conclude from this is that the V. A. is finally getting around to taking PTSD more seriously. Is it too little too late? Obviously! We know that our troops are being pushed to and through the limit. It is no stretch of the imagination to believe that there are walking timebombs currently among us. I could rant on further about what I think needs to be done but I wanted my report here to be about the changes I have personally seen. In my opinion, its a start.

[Skittles]

1. K&R

[whathehell]

2. Correct...Better late than never. n/t

[denbot]

3. I went through that questioneer about 3 months ago.

I use the West Los Angeles V.A. medical center. The change has taken to long, but at least it is here.

[HeiressofBickworth]

4. To our dear Vets:

Beware of the trap. If you suffer from PTSD due to your military service and these questions unearth issues from your childhood, it is my guess the childhood issues will be used as a basis for denial of any medical assistance.

JBLM in Washington has issued thousands of denials of PTSD assistance just recently. Some Vets are going through the VA in DC and getting them reversed, but the denials just keep coming. The costs of services to PTSD Vets is mounting due to the continuing hostilities in which the US is involved. The military is looking for ways to reduce costs. One way is to assign your problems to childhood issues rather than your military experience.

So, beware of any detailed questioning about your personal history outside of the military.

JMHO

[denbot]

5. You still recieve medical treatments even if they are not service related.

V.A. disabiliy benefits are a different story.

[HeiressofBickworth]

6. Thank you for the clarification.

I understand the difference. I'm concerned that the asking of these questions is setting up a situation where either medical and/or disability can be denied. I'm suspicious when questions about childhood appear out of nowhere by the military.

[chknltl]

8. I recommend HeiressofBickworth's post strongly.

HeiressofBickworth, Thank you for this information, I was unaware of any of this. In my particular case, the PTSD from my childhood was absolutely military related, both the interviewing nurse and my doctor agree to that. That said, I do not feel it has affected me too adversely. Fwiw, I am normally a bit skeptical about most things related to our military but I do feel that the staff at the VA Medical Center in Lakewood has my health care high on its agenda.

I DO have a strong complaint about how I am getting stuck for an Emergency Room visit from nearby St. Claire hospital. American Lake doesn't have emergency services, we are told to go to the nearest ER room if we need emergency medical services.* After the fact, if it is determined that the emergency was not life threatening then we get stuck with the bill.

(*just to be clear, the VA hospital does not turn away emergencies, they ask that we first seek aid from the ER room nearest to where the emergency occurred.)

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Yes it's a policy change

And part of a national policy on suicide prevention, not just vets. The VA is the one who has implemented best so far.