EDITOR'S NOTE — In reporting this story, The Associated Press used mental-health records provided by Grover Chapman's family, records obtained from the military with the family's permission and ships' logs from World War II. The AP also conducted dozens of interviews over several months with Chapman's family, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Greenville County Coroner's Office and other authorities.
1. Comment by NightHawk P. (NightHawk)— November 29,2009 @ 1:40AM
Ratings:-9+28
Don't blame the VA. They have rules, regulations and guidelines they have to follow under Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief. You can find it here: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=65027985a35c6134f6e25312a5838831&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38tab_02.tpl
So who do you blame? Try the ones that make the rules. That feel they can't have PTSD unless they have a IDer like a PH, CIB, BS or other Metal or Award. Haven't been in Country long enough or in the right place. Some feel that they are not even real Soldiers because of MOS/Job Skills. Some because it would cost to much in the budget.
3. Comment by Jean V. (Fur mom)— November 29,2009 @ 5:15AM
Ratings:-4+37
We give away billions to other countries for all kinds of relief. Why can't we keep some of it here to help our veterans who have earned the right to health benefits and treatment.
4. Comment by NightHawk P. (NightHawk)— November 29,2009 @ 5:45AM
Ratings:-4+24
Most of the new VA budget goes to transfering records and cemeteries. Then to research. Little will go to the Veterans, and the needed programs compared to them. As of last July Pres. Obama has opened VA to larger numbers of non-service connected Veterans. Not just homeless or making under an amount. It was open to them before under Group 8. His opening it up like this floods the VA, and makes it harder on Service Connected. There are over 250,000 claims waiting to be approved, and over 80,000 waiting on their GI Bill to be paid so they can start school again. More than 57,000 widows and orphens still have their payments offset.
5. Comment by Ignacio J. (scrofula)— November 29,2009 @ 7:12AM
Ratings:-10+21
Those of you who cite the VA system as a model for what we should all go to for healthcare need to take heed of how little treatment this poor man was able to get at the VA.
7. Comment by Sammy B. (oldone)— November 29,2009 @ 7:29AM
Ratings:-12+14
#4.sounds as if BO is AGAIN interfering with helping our service connected veterans by not realizing the ramifications of his actions. This comes from somebody who is extremely inexperienced and has no clue what really goes on in the US. And,yes..with him at the helm it also appears that we the public can not expect anything better with this Health Care "Reform".!
9. Comment by sandra f. (azrabbit)— November 29,2009 @ 7:39AM
Ratings:-6+22
This man's name is Legion.
My dad is a combat veteran of WWII, and was called back up to train recruits for Korea. When he decided to see the VA about his service-related hearing loss, they told him to take a hike because they couldn't find his records.
Funny, he could still find his uniform.
This is one of the many reasons I support Rep. Dr. RON PAUL. He is aware that the promises we have made to our vets are among the FEW federal expenditures which actually have a Constitutional basis. Our leaders pour money into each other's pockets and buy and sell anyone who can make them a dime, but out sacred oath to our vets is trampled daily. What does this say about the people leading our country?
10. Comment by Rich K. (Richk)— November 29,2009 @ 8:04AM
Ratings:-6+18
I am a Vietnam Purple Heart Vet. The VA has provided excellant care for me. As with any government run system, there will always be oversights. Unfortunately, with so many in the military now and so many injured servicemen returning, the system has become heavily taxed. It is time for congress and this "so called leader" to step up and funnel funds to the VA to take care of those who paid the price for all you pencil neckers out there that sit back and whine. Pull a few billion out of Africa funding, make the wealthy Iraqis pay their tab, stop the stupid billion dollard stimulus programs that don't work. Obama and his congress is too busy trying to push his public health care (Government Control)that they've lost focus on an important medical entity that needs expanding. Whoever says Obama (and Giffords) care for the vets must still believe all their campagin rhetoric and lies. They're still trying to build votes and keep their jobs.
12. Comment by Cliff D. (Mud High Rise)— November 29,2009 @ 8:46AM
Ratings:-15+10
$300 MILLION of American taxpayer money spent on aides in Vietnam, a nation that tortured, abused and murdered our troops and probably held some American POWs until they died in prisoner of war camps.
13. Comment by Bree H. (Bree H)— November 29,2009 @ 8:49AM
Ratings:-5+10
A sad, sad story, and unfortunately, it won't be the last.
I wish that our Presidents would think about these kinds of cases when they rush imprudently into war. There were all kinds of reasons not to go into Iraq, but the risk of Iraq vets suffering the same fate as this fellow is one of them.
14. Comment by Bill B. (4485)— November 29,2009 @ 9:07AM
Ratings:-6+16
I use the VA, they send my meds by mail, I've seen 6 different nurses, all of whom were about to quit, retire, so that I've never seen the same one twice, I've seen one doctor, in maybe the last 15 years at the VA, I'll have my second appt. Jan 22 - 2010 if things go well.. taht appt. made about a week ago, next available. so its about 90 days out to see a physican. Thank God I have friends who are physicans that I've asked for help when I've been sick, that have prescribed for me.. waiting in the VA I would have been dead. This is the model for the coming medical system. Its a joke at best.. but hey we all get old and die.. that's the alternative. See ya at the clinic gents.. I'll bring a paper for us to read..
15. Comment by Bill B. (4485)— November 29,2009 @ 9:09AM
Ratings:-7+10
BTW - when I'm sick enough to be near death, you go there, get in line and become the next live teaching tool for the interns and residents.. its better than no medicine till you get to the point you need your .38
17. Comment by H W. (P Cairn)— November 29,2009 @ 10:23AM
Ratings:-10+8
#16:
Glad to hear you won’t get worked up. I hope you feel the same when boCare gets to you or one of your loved ones like it did to this 89 year old (probably WW2) veteran.
19. Comment by Richard O. (taicho1)— November 29,2009 @ 10:51AM
Ratings:-2+11
Remember that this veteran was refused by the VA. That is the claims section. It is different than the medical.
The Hospitals used to service only service connected. But since 1998 have serviced retirees as well as veterans who make less than a certain amount.
Serice connected left the service due to their injuries. Retirees obviously were not as injured or they wouldn't have been able to remain in the service untill retirement.
PTSD only became recognised by the VA in 1980. World war 2 and Korean vets were shell shocked.
PTSD is awarded to women for their claims of rape as well as to men.
21. Comment by Doug S. (6125)— November 29,2009 @ 7:32PM
Ratings:-2+2
Is anyone really surprised? This is the US government, and the VA. They pay vets lip service. I've dealt with claims people at the VA in Washington, DC. It doesn't get much worse.
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Vet's longest battle — with VA — eventually killed him
EDITOR'S NOTE — In reporting this story, The Associated Press used mental-health records provided by Grover Chapman's family, records obtained from the military with the family's permission and ships' logs from World War II. The AP also conducted dozens of interviews over several months with Chapman's family, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Greenville County Coroner's Office and other authorities.Don't blame the VA. They have rules, regulations and guidelines they have to follow under Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief. You can find it here: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=65027985a35c6134f6e25312a5838831&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38tab_02.tpl
So who do you blame? Try the ones that make the rules. That feel they can't have PTSD unless they have a IDer like a PH, CIB, BS or other Metal or Award. Haven't been in Country long enough or in the right place. Some feel that they are not even real Soldiers because of MOS/Job Skills. Some because it would cost to much in the budget.
Report this comment
What a sad story.
Report this comment
We give away billions to other countries for all kinds of relief. Why can't we keep some of it here to help our veterans who have earned the right to health benefits and treatment.
Report this comment
Most of the new VA budget goes to transfering records and cemeteries. Then to research. Little will go to the Veterans, and the needed programs compared to them. As of last July Pres. Obama has opened VA to larger numbers of non-service connected Veterans. Not just homeless or making under an amount. It was open to them before under Group 8. His opening it up like this floods the VA, and makes it harder on Service Connected. There are over 250,000 claims waiting to be approved, and over 80,000 waiting on their GI Bill to be paid so they can start school again. More than 57,000 widows and orphens still have their payments offset.
Report this comment
Those of you who cite the VA system as a model for what we should all go to for healthcare need to take heed of how little treatment this poor man was able to get at the VA.
Report this comment
This is all Shrub's doing and President Obama is making it right because President Obama love veterans!
Report this comment
#4.sounds as if BO is AGAIN interfering with helping our service connected veterans by not realizing the ramifications of his actions. This comes from somebody who is extremely inexperienced and has no clue what really goes on in the US. And,yes..with him at the helm it also appears that we the public can not expect anything better with this Health Care "Reform".!
Report this comment
I see MaryJane has re-registered under a new name (#6).
Report this comment
This man's name is Legion.
My dad is a combat veteran of WWII, and was called back up to train recruits for Korea. When he decided to see the VA about his service-related hearing loss, they told him to take a hike because they couldn't find his records.
Funny, he could still find his uniform.
This is one of the many reasons I support Rep. Dr. RON PAUL. He is aware that the promises we have made to our vets are among the FEW federal expenditures which actually have a Constitutional basis. Our leaders pour money into each other's pockets and buy and sell anyone who can make them a dime, but out sacred oath to our vets is trampled daily. What does this say about the people leading our country?
Report this comment
I am a Vietnam Purple Heart Vet. The VA has provided excellant care for me. As with any government run system, there will always be oversights. Unfortunately, with so many in the military now and so many injured servicemen returning, the system has become heavily taxed. It is time for congress and this "so called leader" to step up and funnel funds to the VA to take care of those who paid the price for all you pencil neckers out there that sit back and whine. Pull a few billion out of Africa funding, make the wealthy Iraqis pay their tab, stop the stupid billion dollard stimulus programs that don't work. Obama and his congress is too busy trying to push his public health care (Government Control)that they've lost focus on an important medical entity that needs expanding. Whoever says Obama (and Giffords) care for the vets must still believe all their campagin rhetoric and lies. They're still trying to build votes and keep their jobs.
Report this comment
Another reason why I DO NOT respect our government and the politicians that DICTATE how we live our lives.
Like unwanted trash they should be thrown out.
They s*&#.
Report this comment
$300 MILLION of American taxpayer money spent on aides in Vietnam, a nation that tortured, abused and murdered our troops and probably held some American POWs until they died in prisoner of war camps.
My government SUCKS.
Report this comment
A sad, sad story, and unfortunately, it won't be the last.
I wish that our Presidents would think about these kinds of cases when they rush imprudently into war. There were all kinds of reasons not to go into Iraq, but the risk of Iraq vets suffering the same fate as this fellow is one of them.
Report this comment
I use the VA, they send my meds by mail, I've seen 6 different nurses, all of whom were about to quit, retire, so that I've never seen the same one twice, I've seen one doctor, in maybe the last 15 years at the VA, I'll have my second appt. Jan 22 - 2010 if things go well.. taht appt. made about a week ago, next available. so its about 90 days out to see a physican. Thank God I have friends who are physicans that I've asked for help when I've been sick, that have prescribed for me.. waiting in the VA I would have been dead. This is the model for the coming medical system. Its a joke at best.. but hey we all get old and die.. that's the alternative. See ya at the clinic gents.. I'll bring a paper for us to read..
Report this comment
BTW - when I'm sick enough to be near death, you go there, get in line and become the next live teaching tool for the interns and residents.. its better than no medicine till you get to the point you need your .38
Report this comment
The VA provides wonderful low-cost or free care to millions of veterans. Is it perfect? Obviously not.
I just can't get too worked up over every case that isn't perfect.
Report this comment
#16:
Glad to hear you won’t get worked up. I hope you feel the same when boCare gets to you or one of your loved ones like it did to this 89 year old (probably WW2) veteran.
Report this comment
Rest in peace, old soldier..
Report this comment
Remember that this veteran was refused by the VA. That is the claims section. It is different than the medical.
The Hospitals used to service only service connected. But since 1998 have serviced retirees as well as veterans who make less than a certain amount.
Serice connected left the service due to their injuries. Retirees obviously were not as injured or they wouldn't have been able to remain in the service untill retirement.
PTSD only became recognised by the VA in 1980. World war 2 and Korean vets were shell shocked.
PTSD is awarded to women for their claims of rape as well as to men.
Report this comment
#3 Heh, fur mom.
Report this comment
Is anyone really surprised? This is the US government, and the VA. They pay vets lip service. I've dealt with claims people at the VA in Washington, DC. It doesn't get much worse.
Report this comment