Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/14/2004

Dear Sgt Shaft
I have been experiencing a great deal of difficulty receiving military health (tricare prime) and VA medical care. I retired from the U.S. Air Force after 22 plus years service.

I have been very ill for the past 12 years or so due to complications of diabetes mellitus that developed while on active duty. Most recently 2003) this resulted in amputation of both legs below the knee. Through convoluted tricare referral systems I received initial training legs and physical therapy to begin learning how to walk with them.

I had progressed and healed sufficiently to start the process of building my new permanent legs. Upon requesting the re-referral process, I was advised that I was no longer eligible for tricare benefits because I had declined Medicare part B when I qualified for Social Security Disability. I declined because tricare advised that I was not 65 and therefore not eligible for tricare for life and that when I was 65 I would be eligible for that option.

Now, tricare informs me that because I declined part B, I am no longer eligible for tricare. I was told this provision was part of legislation signed in 1993.They advised me to contact Medicare and re-enroll in part B. Meanwhile, tricare is denying outstanding claims.

I contacted Medicare and was advised that new legislation was signed in late 2003 that would allow people like me (I am not alone) to re-enroll without fines and penalties. The bad news is that they (Medicare) have not developed the procedures or process to implement the new law and know when it will be done. (they said they would contact me)

So I tried to go "VA". I was rated 100% service connected effective Aug 2003. I presented my self to the Hampton VA Center May 25, 2004. They advised I was in there data system as a priority 1 service connected veteran and am eligible for all services. The bad news is that they are "re-doing" there primary physician structure and the best they could do for me is put my name on a waiting list. They told me that I would be contacted by mail and it could take some time. Several months they said.

So here I sit (in my wheel chair which is about to be repossessed} with my stumps hanging down, wondering what to do next. I need help with this but don't know where to turn. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Dick H.
Hampton, VA

Dear Dick,
I have contacted the top Doc at the VA Headshead and by now you should have heard from the Hampton VA Medical Center. I have also shared your plight with the appropriate Congressional Committees and hopefully they will correct this bureaucratic snafu. .

Shaft Notes
The Sarge is looking forward to joining the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF), Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and their guests at the 19th annual congressional awards reception tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building. The annual event, held in conjunction with the Foundation's Flag Day observance, honors Senators, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the media, and volunteers.

The recipients of the 2004 George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award for Meritorious Service are Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC). The award is named in honor of the late "Buck" Gillispie, a blinded World War II veteran who devoted more than 40 years of service toward efforts to aid in rehabilitation of visually impaired veterans.

The Carlton Sherwood Media Award, named in honor of the Pulitzer and Peabody Award-winning journalist and highly decorated USMC Vietnam veteran, will be presented to George L. Skypeck, military poet and artist, and Allison Seymour, co-anchor, WTTG, Fox Morning News. This year's recipients of the George Alexander Memorial Award for Volunteer Service are John F. Ciac, Coordinator, Visual Impairment Service Team, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. and Donald Thorson. Thorson, Foundation. The BAVF's Corporate Award will be presented to MCVET, Message of Hope Choir.

The George Alexander Volunteer Service Award was created in memorial of a friend of American veterans who was quite simply known as "Mr. Volunteer."

Rarely in the limelight. Always there in the trenches. Never asking for credit, even when it was so truly warranted. Almost embarrassed when the richly deserved credit was given. No project was too small. No task was too unimportant that he would not put forth his total commitment and boundless energy.

For George Alexander, the miles have been traveled, the promises kept. May he sleep well, knowing that others, in his name, will continue to strive to match his standards of caring and dedication.

A Joint Armed Forces Color Guard will set the stage for the awards ceremony and the Marine Corps' Brass Quintet will entertain guests with a medley of patriotic music. For more information contact the BAVF at 202 462 4430.

Kudos to Pitney Bowes for launching their "Memorial Day Letter Writing Campaign" that is helped children in schools in several cities around the country write letters to U.S. Marines who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This program is in conjunction with their ongoing "Powering Literacy" program,

As part of the program, children in the fifth through eighth grades at participating schools experienced the opportunity to learn about the Marine Corps and Memorial Day from Marine representatives and gain valuable letter-writing skills. Pitney Bowes also provided the writing materials to create personalized letters and metered the mail for delivery.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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