This is more of a personal blog, but also a reflection on the political climate. Politicians tell us they care about veterans but spend more than 50% of the national budget on the military without consideration for increasing the Veterans Administration budget to account for the increase in the number of disabled veterans.
22 Veterans a day commit suicide
65% of all bankruptcies in the US are because of medical expenses.
Before 2009 the VA used the emergent standard for a vet to go to the ER. Meaning it had to be life-threatening in the eyes of a physician in order for expenses to be covered.
Beginning in 2009 the VA started using the prudent layperson standard. Meaning if a prudent layperson would go to the ER a vet should go and it should be covered.
Now in 2013, I hurt my back. The pain was so bad I was vomiting and couldn’t move or drive. My wife drove me to the ER. Now using the prudent layperson standard you would think the VA would cover it. No, my claim was denied because there was a VA 60 miles away I could have gone to.
Now, I appealed the claim and stated they misapplied the prudent layperson standard. Again I was denied and they cited a memorandum they used. They then denied me a copy of the memorandum. I had to file a freedom of information request to Washington DC to get a copy. The memo stated that the prudent standard was to be applied.
After a second appeal, was denied, I was finally able to get my case before a law judge with the Veterans Board of Appeals. This took five years. I did not get to the VBA until 2018.
Today, four years later, the VBA finally decided in my favor. A total of nine years for one ER bill to get paid under the law that said it should have been paid in the first place.
Now you understand why veterans give up, the VA denies until you stop. Maybe the hospital files against you and you have to declare bankruptcy. The simple fact is that nine years is too long for one bill and vets go through this every day for disability claims and hospital bills.
Now you know why 22 veterans a day commit suicide.
Spiritual Meditation 3
And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. -Ezekiel 22:30
In ancient times cities were surrounded by walls if a breach in the walls was created by an enemy the only way to fend off the invaders was to literally stand in the breach and fight off the enemy.
God himself sought for someone to stand in the breach against the enemy. He found none. The two saddest words in the English language are “No Hope”. Stand in the breach people, don’t let God ever again say, “I found none.”
Ron Writes N More 