gdp's Comments

http://www.theveteransvoice.com/ : What-Next--9th-Circuit-Cout-of-Appeals-Decision

Thu, 12 May 2011 15:53:53 +0000

Leo, this is superb coverage and analysis. Randy

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:36:44 +0000

Because I am in to this stuff at the moment, I checked to see if your organization is legit. AND it is a 501(c)19 organization certified by the IRS to have tax exempt status. Good for you. See how easy this is when it is the truth? Good luck with your work! Randy

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:29:43 +0000

I'm not a Marine...but I think that it is "Semper Fi"...not to be confused with "by a box of nails just kitting"...whatever that means.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:51:55 +0000

Thank you for the courage to make this statement. It's a shame that veterans, and others, face bigotry and bias. I hope that you don't also face this with the VA. You may wish to comment on the Straight Talk for Veterans site. Wendi Goodman moderates there and you will find her to be an amazing supporter of you and your experiences. Those of use with good hearts want all veterans to be supported in all ways.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:48:59 +0000

I am glad that you wrote about this. It's unclear to me as to why you believe you were excluded from the Native American ceremonies, but all veterans should be treated the same...with honor and respect. From my own experiences with PTSD, a lack of community support exacerbates the affects of the disorder. Many of us do not have community support; Native Americans may have it with tribal support before and after combat experiences. I, too, hope that one day soon that we all be treated the same.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:02:10 +0000

I agree. Anyone who makes the decision to serve our country deserves our respect and should be honored for so doing. Of the Vietnam veterans I know, they all (this includes me) don't wish combat for anyone. If one has not been in the position of being threatened with death or having to kill others...it's a good thing...and there is no dishonor.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:19:33 +0000

I share this sentiment. I watched this vet being interviewed by Fox...he was sort' kinda' incoherent I thought. And it was a moot point anyway as the government did not shut down. I did feel that the veteran was disrespectful and that the congressman was stonewalling and wanted to move on. There are ways to present ones views...and maybe this wasn't the best way. The point that the vet was attempting to make...active duty servicemen/women not receiving paychecks in the event of a shutdown, did show concern.

http://www.theveteransvoice.com/ : Living-with-PTSD

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:06:48 +0000

Thank you for writing. And giving up isn't an option...and I am glad that you keep fighting!

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 6 Apr 2011 11:23:50 +0000

It is terrific that this veteran has been able to save. I disagree that veterans, and others, who depend on Social Security or VA disability benefits are slaves to the government. Veterans have a wide range of needs...some hover over the home or homeless line each month. Some do not have family or friends that can help in a crisis and some live far from other support services. It seems to me that when we honor and respect our veterans, we also honor and respect their individual situations and try hard not to make assumptions that suggest all have the same needs or financial strength.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Mon, 4 Apr 2011 11:15:56 +0000

The two articles regarding MST of both women and men cause feelings of disgust to rise up in my throat. We have set high standards for our military leaders and I'm sure most try hard to live up to those expectations. However, some leaders are displaying sociopathic-like behavior and should be removed for their failures. The military seems to have such a hard time holding leaders accountable for their actions...or in this case, their inaction. Suffering MST is bad enough...to then be invalidated by the chain of command is disgraceful and a second personal violation.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : KURT PRIESSMAN WRITES: MORE VA ATTEMPTS TO DELAY AND DENY -- While records should be released, it ap

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 09:08:25 +0000

The best way to obtain C & P exam reports in under the Freedom of Information Act. The VA's site has instructions on how to make this request. For C & P reports the request must go the RO handling the claim. The law requires requested material to be sent within 20 days...which the best I can tell never happens. If this fails your Congressman can push it along.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : VETERANS Q and A with JIM STRICKLAND - VOLUME 38 for 2010 -- Veterans\' Advocate Jim Strickland answ

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 10:32:10 +0000

Wow a guy who has spent 40 years helping others with web sites! He is amazing since 40 years ago the internet didn't exist; PC's hadn't been "invented" and weren't available and the internet was but a gleam, maybe, in someone's eye. 40 years ago I was in Vietnam...if only I had known I could have emailed my wife. Go figure.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : OP-ED: WHAT VETERANS NEED FROM THE PRESIDENT -- Commentary from Paul Rieckhoff, executive director o

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:29:12 +0000

Rieckhoff writes a well-reasoned and thoughtful editorial of the woes of veterans attempting to access the VA for assistance. I know the story as a Vietnam vet...but my heart breaks as our "new" veterans...all volunteers...struggle and suffer and frustrate...even to have a call answered. Is there no justice?

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : OBAMA\'S STATE OF UNION ADDRESS LEAVES VETERANS IN LIMBO -- Veterans\' spending not included in list

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:52:05 +0000

EVERY news report states that DOD, Homeland Security and VA are excluded. Why don't you report that instead of furthering our fears and paranoia? This site is always so one sided, without balanced reporting. If you can prove the VA is included in the budget freeze, than provide the evidence.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : OBAMA\'S STATE OF UNION ADDRESS LEAVES VETERANS IN LIMBO -- Veterans\' spending not included in list

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:34:21 +0000

Many news organizations have reported that the VA is exempt. Here is one http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/us/politics/26b...

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : FAMILIES WANT CONDOLENCE LETTERS TO GO TO ALL -- Many feel that all military deaths, including suici

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:05:43 +0000

Families of anyone who dies while in a combat zone, regardless of reason, should receive letters of condololence fom the White House. If in harms way, we owe them and their famililies.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : VA QUIETLY SHUFFLES TOP SPOTS AT VETERANS\' BENEFITS ADMIN. -- Michael Walcoff moves up to acting he

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 06:29:40 +0000

What possible incentive would General Shenseki have to continue to support issues within the VBA? He served our country honorably, was pushed aside because he spoke what he believed to be true in front of Congress and has a war wound. The ink isn't even dry on the announcement...can't we give these guys a chance? The VBA can't get any worse (I hope). 60 Minutes takes an interview and selects a few seconds for publication...we don't know what else was said, good or bad. Sometimes, people who have been with an organization for a long time, but haven't been in a position of influence, really know what is wrong and what has to be fixed. I pray that Shenseki has a good eye on the real issues and will make some progress with fixing what we all are so frustrated about.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : VA\'S RESPONSE TO 60 MINUTES SEGMENT ON CLAIMS, SORT OF -- "Secretary Shinseki believes no Veteran s

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 13:14:17 +0000

Jim, I understand your defensiveness. As I "said" to Larry, I wasn't referring to your good work. Just read the postings to understand what I meant...and I know...I don't have to read them. Actually I have read your guide and followed every piece of advice I could find to assist me. I have followed your advice to take personal responsibility and to not rely on a VSO. My appeal file is now over 6" thick (saw it at a C&P exam) and in its 45th month.. You also recommend patience and to let a appeal work its way through the system. I try to have patience. Either you or Larry have said "never call the National Call Center"...who does one call? My RO will not accept calls and once I tried to actuallt talk to someone in person and was refused (NY RO). My Congressman has done nothing; hasn't even responded to my request of 2 months ago (regarding a different appeal that has been lost twice by the RO). Yes I keep copies of everything; yes I always send certified, return receipt. I am sorry that I caused this reaction from you and Larry. In the future I will be more cautious the wording about my postings,

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : VA\'S RESPONSE TO 60 MINUTES SEGMENT ON CLAIMS, SORT OF -- "Secretary Shinseki believes no Veteran s

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 12:35:53 +0000

Thanks for your reply Larry. I wasn't refering to the content of YOUR reports...I visit this site every day and will continue to do so. I understand the venting and frustration stated by readers...I have them as well. These days I am more interested in what I CAN DO...as long as I feel simply the victim, nothing good will happen. Regarding Shinseki, I have to believe that he is sincere, that he has a HUGE job, that he entered an organization suffering from years of inertia and I wish him well. He did not create these problems...I pray he can solve some of them. All the best.

VA Watchdog dot Org -- Home Page - Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to! : VA\'S RESPONSE TO 60 MINUTES SEGMENT ON CLAIMS, SORT OF -- "Secretary Shinseki believes no Veteran s

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 04:06:29 +0000

Sure, "no new news". Frankly I am geting tired of VA slamming. We need help with this awful claims process. It is what it is. I can sit here and whine about the time it is taking for my appeal (which I often do) but it doesn't change my situation other than my becoming more depressed. It would be more helpful to read suggestions of what we CAN do; the issues with the VBA are clear, well known, in existence for years. Each day on this site I read all of the worst, which makes me feel more hopeless. Doesn't the VA do anything right? Feeling like a victim isn't especially useful. I think it would be useful if, accompanying each article, would be commentary about what to do...rather than just be angry or frustrated. Even Stricland's comments are "just suck it up". I got that. How 'bout some constructive ideas; how 'bout reporting successes; how 'bout some balance? I can learn from successes too; I cannot learn much from failures.