The VA and me

This marks the first time I have ever started a discussion in my time here so here goes.

I am a disabled veteran that was injured in the line of duty overseas. I leave the discussion of my accident as I had a bad day, in addition to my injuries two fellow sailors lost their lives.

I have been out of the service wrapped in my DD214 blanket since 1997 and used the VA as my primary care for most of that time. The time I didn't use the VA from 2007-2010 I had Blue Cross as my ex-wife worked for them and made a pre existing injury exemption for me. I have had four left knee reconstruction surgeries and three back surgeries to date. Since I was medically discharged for my left leg I had had back pain. In 2006 my VA doctor said I needed lumbar fusion surgery but I was being put on the wait list due to the fact they only had one doctor to perform it. Early 2007 my ex got a job with Blue Cross and I was put on her policy by December 2007 I had the surgery but was not afforded service connection because the VA didn't do it. In the summer of 2008 I was being lifted out of a MRI and something popped followed by very sharp pain, my hardware broke. I was given another surgery in my lumbar section in two weeks paid for in full by Blue Cross. My total deductible paid was 100.00 for both surgeries. In 2010 my ACL tore again and was unable to be repaired again Blue Cross and surgery and 100.00. My wife and I separated during that surgery and divorced in 2011. I was back with the VA upon checking in I found I was still on the waiting list for surgery. Things were ok and I was seeing my Dr every six months or so then last year it hit. Boom no feeling from the waist down I was sent to the VA hospital for many tests while in the ER the Chief of Staff was making rounds he was new only there for a year or so and he and I talked while I was on morphine and vocal. I told him of the treatment I had with Blue Cross and compared it to what I was receiving from the VA. He then gave me the option of using my previous neurosurgeon for this incident because of a program called VA Choice. In a few months I was scheduled for surgery seems in 1996 my injury included a fractured vertebrae at T6 that was missed and a bone fragment was halfway through my spinal cord. Working together my excellent VA Dr and my well known Neurosurgeon have me up and walking and having a semi normal life except I will never work again.

I tell this to say yes there are problems with the VA it is underfunded is a big one but the people there do care and want to help. I also point out to others that I would still be on the wait list if President Obama had not created the Choice Program. Our Commander in Chief is the reason I can walk today.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day and I just wanted to say thank you President Obama for being there for me.