DAV Magazine — September/October 2017
LETTERS
Unsung heroes
Kudos to DAV for your effort to fight for equal benefits for caregivers of veterans of all eras. As the caregiver of a Vietnam veteran who was paralyzed as a result of a combat injury, I applauded when caregiver benefits were awarded to post-9/11 veterans. We thought it would open the door for those of us who have dedicated our lives to our veterans injured in previous wars. It’s been a long fight, but we’re finally making some progress. We ultimately save taxpayers money, because if “unsung heroes” weren’t there to ensure our veterans’ quality of life, they would be institutionalized at great expense to the government. Donna Barton, Tualitan, Ore.
Veteran of the Year
As someone who benefited from Dr. Kenneth Lee’s participation in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and his adaptive program in Wisconsin, I was thrilled to see he had been named DAV’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. He is a great example to all of us of someone overcoming adversity and remaining dedicated to a cause. Kyle Kienitz, Neenah, Wis.
Benefits for bad conduct discharges
I just received the May/June DAV Magazine and read the article on giving veterans benefits to veterans without an honorable discharge. If I, or we, see another attempt to give benefits to bad conduct and dishonorably discharged veterans, you can remove my name from your roles. Antoine Roy, Jaffrey, N.H.
Editor’s note: On Page 31 of the May/June issue, we discussed VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin’s directive to authorize benefits— specifically mental health care treatment—to veterans with other than honorable discharges, not veterans with bad conduct or dishonorable discharges. These OTH veterans would have access to emergency mental health benefits for 90 days while staff determine if their conditions are service-connected. This is a critical step in the prevention of veteran suicide, especially as we know that 70 percent of the veterans who take their own lives are not receiving treatment through the VA. This measure aligns with Resolution No. 226 passed by DAV membership at the 2016 DAV National Convention in Atlanta.
VA Choice Program
I was told I had to have outpatient surgery and was referred to an outside doctor by the Choice Program. The day of surgery, I gave the card and the letter provided by the VA, and the hospital said I would be covered. Months later I began receiving bills from the other doctors, many of which had to go to collections. The VA and private doctors need to come to an agreement on the necessity that the veteran be covered. Donald M. Del Gavio, New Freedom, Pa.
Smoking
Steve Blythe asked why smokingrelated health problems are not compensable [Letters, May/June 2017]. The military did not force this on them. How many nonsmokers received the cigarettes in C-rations yet never developed the habit? I’m sorry for your ills, but why should already tight resources be spent for something that was selfinflicted? Bob Slentz, Texas
Vet Tix
It was great to read your article on how Vet Tix supports us veterans and active-duty members [“DAV and Vet Tix team up to deliver event tickets to veterans,” May/June 2017]. In the nearly three years since I learned of Vet Tix, I have gone to over three dozen events—Arizona State games, Diamondbacks games, concerts, comedy shows, plays and NASCAR. I encourage all veterans and active-duty service members to look into joining. Michael V. King, Gilbert, Ariz.
Facebook
Regarding VA employee removals
The culture of the VA is what needs to change. Veterans need to be put first, and that is that. Lisa Dorris-Gudmundson
I am a Vietnam-era vet. The VA has helped me and has been very professional. I am not saying all vets got the treatment I did, but I must say they are good to me. John Josten
It is a start, but it has a long way to go. The VA has to make sure that the people who replace those fired are qualified and veteranfriendly. Hanson Alvin Clarence
Firing people is not the answer— better pay, modern facilities and modern equipment is the answer. Firing people only compounds the situation. Mike Mattli
WRITE TO US We welcome letters from our readers. Please mail them to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or submit them via email to feedback@dav.org. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. Letters used are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Messages involving individual claims are referred to the DAV Service Department.
Kudos to DAV for your effort to fight for equal benefits for caregivers of veterans of all eras. As the caregiver of a Vietnam veteran who was paralyzed as a result of a combat injury, I applauded when caregiver benefits were awarded to post-9/11 veterans. We thought it would open the door for those of us who have dedicated our lives to our veterans injured in previous wars. It’s been a long fight, but we’re finally making some progress. We ultimately save taxpayers money, because if “unsung heroes” weren’t there to ensure our veterans’ quality of life, they would be institutionalized at great expense to the government. Donna Barton, Tualitan, Ore.
Veteran of the Year
As someone who benefited from Dr. Kenneth Lee’s participation in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and his adaptive program in Wisconsin, I was thrilled to see he had been named DAV’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. He is a great example to all of us of someone overcoming adversity and remaining dedicated to a cause. Kyle Kienitz, Neenah, Wis.
Benefits for bad conduct discharges
I just received the May/June DAV Magazine and read the article on giving veterans benefits to veterans without an honorable discharge. If I, or we, see another attempt to give benefits to bad conduct and dishonorably discharged veterans, you can remove my name from your roles. Antoine Roy, Jaffrey, N.H.
Editor’s note: On Page 31 of the May/June issue, we discussed VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin’s directive to authorize benefits— specifically mental health care treatment—to veterans with other than honorable discharges, not veterans with bad conduct or dishonorable discharges. These OTH veterans would have access to emergency mental health benefits for 90 days while staff determine if their conditions are service-connected. This is a critical step in the prevention of veteran suicide, especially as we know that 70 percent of the veterans who take their own lives are not receiving treatment through the VA. This measure aligns with Resolution No. 226 passed by DAV membership at the 2016 DAV National Convention in Atlanta.
VA Choice Program
I was told I had to have outpatient surgery and was referred to an outside doctor by the Choice Program. The day of surgery, I gave the card and the letter provided by the VA, and the hospital said I would be covered. Months later I began receiving bills from the other doctors, many of which had to go to collections. The VA and private doctors need to come to an agreement on the necessity that the veteran be covered. Donald M. Del Gavio, New Freedom, Pa.
Smoking
Steve Blythe asked why smokingrelated health problems are not compensable [Letters, May/June 2017]. The military did not force this on them. How many nonsmokers received the cigarettes in C-rations yet never developed the habit? I’m sorry for your ills, but why should already tight resources be spent for something that was selfinflicted? Bob Slentz, Texas
Vet Tix
It was great to read your article on how Vet Tix supports us veterans and active-duty members [“DAV and Vet Tix team up to deliver event tickets to veterans,” May/June 2017]. In the nearly three years since I learned of Vet Tix, I have gone to over three dozen events—Arizona State games, Diamondbacks games, concerts, comedy shows, plays and NASCAR. I encourage all veterans and active-duty service members to look into joining. Michael V. King, Gilbert, Ariz.
Regarding VA employee removals
The culture of the VA is what needs to change. Veterans need to be put first, and that is that. Lisa Dorris-Gudmundson
I am a Vietnam-era vet. The VA has helped me and has been very professional. I am not saying all vets got the treatment I did, but I must say they are good to me. John Josten
It is a start, but it has a long way to go. The VA has to make sure that the people who replace those fired are qualified and veteranfriendly. Hanson Alvin Clarence
Firing people is not the answer— better pay, modern facilities and modern equipment is the answer. Firing people only compounds the situation. Mike Mattli
WRITE TO US We welcome letters from our readers. Please mail them to DAV Magazine, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, or submit them via email to feedback@dav.org. We regret we are unable to acknowledge every letter due to the volume received. We also welcome feedback on our Facebook (facebook.com/DAV) and Twitter (twitter.com/davhq) pages. Letters used are subject to editing for clarity, style, accuracy, space and propriety. Messages involving individual claims are referred to the DAV Service Department.
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