Editor, The Commercial:
I read Rick Fahr’s commentary about the VA system and I could not agree more. I filed a claim with the VA in 1995 after a physical therapist broke my back. Later, a doctor turned up the treadmill and dislocated my hip. The claim kept getting denied. I found out later why. The VA had changed my claim for medical malpractice to when I was in the service during the Vietnam War instead of 1995 and had prevented me from obtaining presentation from my service organization to help me get my claim on the right track.
After 15 years of getting constantly denied, I asked my Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter to help me get the matter figured out. I was referred to the state counsel who went to the regional office to find out why my service organization was changed after I filed the claim. The regional office told him that I had walked into the office and filed another form to have the American Legion to represent me, which was a lie. Sen. Pryor’s office is looking into the mater, but he has just been able to get the VA to agree to let my claim go as a medical malpractice from 1995 treatment.
I cannot fault the rep for not being able to get the VA to play by the laws of our country; I have been since 1995 trying myself. Meanwhile, I have lost everything that I saved for retirement, all real estate, my home and much more, not to leave out my failing health.
Sam Braswell
Pine Bluff