by Gary Kennedy

I mentioned in last week’s issue veterans concern with availability of direct contact with their physician’s service desk. You have to go through a call center, which is located in someone’s home and give your information, some of which you prefer not to, in order to get through to your doctor. The response can take days. I am sure this will die a natural death but Covid has caused a lot of misery in more ways than one. This in my opinion is not very professional and is also a disservice to our veterans. Some do not handle this very well and become angry with the party on the other end. This can end up very badly for the veteran as the call center employee will just hang up. I personally have checked this procedure out and have experienced the veteran’s problems.

The last time I made one of these calls myself the young lady on the other end was very nice but obviously hadn’t been trained very well in how to handle various situations, especially in the area of urgency and even location. I ended directing her as to what would be the pathway. She admitted she was new at her job. Also there was a baby crying and a dog barking in the background. I said to her, “I bet it can be difficult working from home?” She responded, “You got that right.”

I know several work at home employees both at VA as well as at the state level. My opinion is the same as locked doors, they had their day and now it is time to open up and get back to work in a professional manner. Veterans deserve far better than what they are receiving.

Vets are still very angry about their loss of the gym and swimming pool. VA claims the pool is broken in some way and yet they have rented out the “veterans gym”. They don’t have the right to do that but they are still getting away with it. We are writing letters to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and getting nowhere. We are close to a political year so we will see if things will change. In the mean time it’s up to we vets to keep the pressure on and try to change this administration to a more veteran friendly and professional one.

It is popular opinion that veterans should be considered for some positions available at all V.A. service centers. They have experience and know how to deal with other veterans. Of course, there are many positions that require the best candidate irrespective of whether or not they were in the military. Another thing that I am familiar with is there are so many foreigners that have served in our military that have filed paperwork and paid the hundreds of dollars to begin the process yet they have been waiting in their countries for months and even years to get here. Also, there are those who have arrived here legally and have been refused employment even though they may be highly qualified. Why you say? The reason is they are not citizens as of yet, even though they very much desire to be so. The hypocrisy is very evident when you see Middle East professionals being employed without this requirement. This occurs when our government deems their MOS necessary or critical. State level positions allow you to be employed if you have obtained a Green Card. Also, our vets are certainly not stupid; they always mention those allowed to cross into this country via our southern border. We have added this argument in our correspondence with Washington D.C.

I mentioned in previous articles that I would touch on some of the benefits disabled veterans might not be aware of. I will, as brief as I can explain one here as it is very important and I receive many calls and comments at meetings pertaining to the need that many aren’t aware exists. The one I will discuss in this article is “Caregiver” availability and requirements. Remember first, there is always an exception to some rules which we can discuss later.

Post all events brought about the New and Enhanced VA Benefits Program the Caregiver and Veteran Omnibus Health Services Act was established under President Barrack Obama in May 2010. It’s been 13 years and they are still trying to get it straight. However, even with it’s down sides it still offers many great benefits to families of need. (1)The veteran needs to be 70 percent or more disabled, (2) The veteran must need in-person personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to inability to perform an activity of daily living or need supervision, protection or instruction and (3) Personal care services will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or through another person.

The basic eligibility criteria is, (1) a family caregiver must be at least 18 years old (2) be either the vets spouse, son, daughter, parent, step family or extended family member, someone who lives with the veteran, (3) be able to complete caregiver education and training, or the veteran isn’t able to perform activities of daily living, needs help each time to complete one of the following tasks: Dressing or Undressing, Bathing, Grooming, Adjusting Prosthetic/orthopedic appliances, toileting, feeding problems, mobility, etc.

There are two levels of stipend. The first depending on geography is 52.5 percent of the monthly stipend rate. (Maine this year is approximately $1,600, and second level is approximately $2,800 based on 100 percent, also for Maine. This is tax free and paid monthly by direct deposit. You will need to download or go to your local VA and get a form 10-10CG. You can bring the form to VA for processing or mail it to: Family Caregivers, Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647.

My advice would be to speak to an advocate so that your filing would be correct and affective. It you make mistakes it’s easy to appeal. However, try to avoid mistakes by speaking to one of us. We are always happy to assist you. VA is 623-8411, press “0”, when you get the recording and ask a live person to transfer you to VBA. I can be reached at 207-458-2832.

In my next issue I will try to give all of you more in depth filings. Take care, God Bless and have a happy and safe weekend.

by Gary Kennedy

Well since we have returned from our humanitarian trip to S.E. Asia much has happened surrounding the Veterans Administration and veterans.

Where does one go when they are told by the VA that they don’t qualify for VA programs as they make too much money? Well, I have represented several such veterans over time. All but one are 100 percent service connected or will soon be. Unfortunately, in many cases the V.A. has been very remiss in the training they have given their employees; both on the medical and administrative sides. I have found that some doctors don’t even know how to properly initiate medical records with proper follow through. This can not only be detrimental to the veteran’s ability to approach the system but also can be misleading when a veteran asks for help.

I personally have found some doctors/medical professionals who are arrogant and have no idea how to diffuse the anxiety of a disabled veteran. Some act as if they are speaking with a street urchin. Some of the pain and suffering a veteran goes through is inside. Even though often time the veteran may become argumentative one needs to be trained on the why of it and find a way to get on even ground with the veteran. He or she is, after all, a patient and is there because of a problem. Many of the medical staff have never served in the military and really don’t understand why a patient can be so irate. Most of them are use to dealing with civilian patients and or varied reasons have decided to work where they don’t have to worry about medical malpractice. This, however, is a two way street. You leave one world of service for another. Unfortunately, the VA system is not giving an adequate transitional training. Recently we have lost some fantastic doctors, some of many years of service and some of only a few weeks, why? One story I heard was the ethical environment. I wonder if it is true, doctors are trained to watch out for seekers?

I mentioned early on that I have represented veterans who have been refused care at the V.A. because they made too much money. That is absolutely true. The last person that I encountered with this reason was met by my wife in the emergency room at the V.A. Togus. He is an old man in his 80s and was only at the V.A. to help a son who was also a veteran and very sick. He was friendly, talkative fellow. While waiting for his son he struck up a conversation with my wife who was delivering some reading material for veterans and their accompaniment.

This fellow told a very riveting story regarding his son’s condition and his own refusal of medical help some 50 years prior. My wife being knowledgeable regarding the V.A. to a minor degree felt very sad for this elderly veteran and told him he should speak with her husband. I met him and talked with him for a while. Eventually, I began to take notes and asked if he wanted to pursue this matter? He said he thought it was too late for him but I, of course, felt otherwise. I received his power of attorney and did a 21-526EZ. His history gave me 14 possibilities and so I filed. In less than one year this veteran was at 90 percent, assuredly 100 percent in the near future. All these years have gone by and this veteran believed he was not eligible for medical aid. He was seriously injured in the military.

Long story short, always get a second opinion and never go it alone. There are some great resources out there and some are veteran advocates with good training. V.B.A. is supposed to go by the letter of the law but at the same time in 38 CFR and 38USCS it states that VBA is there to assist you not only with educational and financial situations but to aid you with sound trained advice regarding claim initiation. The U.S. government realizes we are not all rocket scientists and some of us need help and good sound advice. There are other service organizations such as DAV, American Legion, VFW and Maine State Veterans Services and more. However, you have the right to go directly to the man, so to speak, Veterans Benefits Administration. They are well trained and they are there to help you. At Togus they are located on the second floor of building 248. The phone number is 207-621-6938. They have walk in service but it is appreciated if you call first and make an appointment.

V.A. is open now so you may feel free to enter either through building 200 or building 205, which is where primary care is located. The direct door to VBA has yet to be opened. Administration controls those difficulties if you are in a chair. All doors should be open now that covid has been lifted. If you have a problem call 623-8411, press “0” when you hear the recording and a live person will answer. Ask to be connected to the Director Office for explanations. You also have a right to do that.

This has been lengthy so I will have to end it here and get back with you next week. I will be meeting with some of you after the Juneteenth event and we can continue our discussion on the other issues that plague us all. Please ask for help if you need it. There are some of us out there who will hear and answer your call. You are never in this alone. If you have a problem or in any way feel that something is wrong reach out to one of us. We see each other every week and we truly care. God Bless and stay safe.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

by Gary Kennedy

Well here we are again. It has been a nice summer and a beautiful September. We have a lot of rain but we have need of every drop of it.

Some information has come out on the veteran side of things. As you all know some of us belong to groups and some of us just receive information via media, correspondence and just word of mouth. One interesting but troubling piece of information that I received this week was veteran suicide rates. It was stated that there are between 17-50 veteran deaths due to possible suicide daily. It was explained that the variation in numbers was due to the fact 17 deaths daily were definitely suicide but the other 33 were by drug overdoses which weren’t clearly suicide but were most likely.

By VA standards of measure that is more than likely or beyond a reasonable doubt. It breaks my heart to see this happening to our vets; especially when there are many avenues available out there for help. I believe we aren’t doing our job of outreach. Veterans can be very lonely and weary individuals. Some will reach out to us, and for others we just need to be ever vigilant and watch for signs. Often veterans will not reach out for help. We need to be always on the lookout for tell tale signs which indicate that a person might be considering to harm themselves.

Most of us don’t understand what goes through the mind of a person which causes such devastating feelings of hopelessness. This can be so all consuming, overwhelming, that even the fear of our Creator doesn’t come into the problem. We need to be ever vigilant regarding the veterans in our lives whether they are family or friends. If you suspect a person might want to harm themselves you need to become involved. If you can be of personal help, give it. If you can’t do that then you must contact someone who can. A life can depend on it and all life is precious in the eyes of our Creator. Also, the one thing that most of us don’t think about is the wife, husband and/or children. Where will this loss take them? Sometimes the family is the last to know. However, the impact could be devastating. We are all part of the problem as well as the solution.

If you don’t have the number for a suicide watch line, get one and put it on your fridge, or in your phone. Most of these sad situations can be avoided with a little help. I speak for and about veterans but this could be anyone in a deep and lonely place. Some of us watch veterans at this time as the world is in a sad and dangerous place. Many veterans have fought for their country and are now having feelings of remorse. They don’t understand how we could possibly be heading in the wrong direction. They carry the burdens of a never ending conflict.

The mind can play strange games on one’s self. If you don’t know where to turn call the VA at 623-8411 and press “0” to get to a live person to guide you to the correct place, or you can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press #1. Our doctors use to send us to the gym and pool which was built more than 75 years ago for this, as part of physical therapy. If you would like to read about the VA’s history you can find most of this at the Winthrop library where a good deal of the old information is stored/archived. Currently, the gym and pool are being rented out to VA employees. I believe they are charged $45 for this use. Some of us are working on getting these places back. Give a token of your support by getting involved.

The VA priority pathway has seemed to have changed from the welfare of disabled veterans and their care to that of employee retention, through perks. The canteen is still open and some veterans do meet there weekly. Some of us are working on more veterans well being programs and places. Vets always feel better when they are together. A sign of V.A.’s genuine concern would be to give veterans a place to meet so as to become part of the solution through fellowship. Priorities need to be examined. Your word needs to be shared.

If you have any thoughts, ideas or opinions, please share them with me and we will see what can be done. Your word carries a lot of weight. It is said, “God helps those who help themselves”. Brothers and sisters let’s be part of the solution and not the problem. Stay safe and God bless you and yours.

by Gary Kennedy

These past couple of years have been very problematic, depressing and a terrible weight on the shoulders of the American people. I personally have had a difficult time of it, but even more so for our veterans. My phone rings every day and most of the time it’s not for pleasant reasons. It’s usually because a veteran is in trouble.

I have given almost a half century trying to help veterans find peace either medically or emotionally. It hasn’t been easy but those who have given so much are worth every minute I can give.

The Veterans Administration has now been placed on time limits with vets. If you are allowed 20 minutes, then you have stolen five. The advent of the time limit with veteran interviews has service organizations doing the same thing. Walk through the corridor where all the service organizations are located and you will find five in a row have their doors closed, that’s all of them. Those hallways were busy with veterans and employees just two years ago. Strange but if you continue on you will find the store is open, the cafeteria is open and even the satellite Starbucks is open.

If you continue on you will see the door leading to the gym and swimming pool. Veteran access is denied even though they were built to service the veteran both for severely disabled veteran’s recreation and also for the much needed physical therapy that many vets including myself need to heal our bodies. Even though some of us were given letters from our V.A. doctors requesting the use of the gym and pool for medical reasons, we are denied. I hear this complaint often. One excuse is no life guard. Well, of course, to have a life guard you need to do some research and be willing to pay for that service. If MacDonald can pay $15-17 per hour why can’t VA? One of the problems is the administration is for the most part not veterans, are not in pain and don’t realize what their jobs entail. The pool and gym are isolated from administration and the medical theatre.

Recently, I saw a couple of guys going through the corridor that connects all building with gym bags over their shoulders. I followed in my wheelchair and they went to the gym. I later asked another about that access and he told me that administration was renting out the gym to employees for, I believe, $45. Two years we vets have been waiting to get back in the pool and gym, some of us with spinal injuries and this is what they do to us. How can I any longer look a vet in the eyes, allowing what I know, and say its Covid?

The V.A. campus is in turmoil and is a mess. Two years ago construction was to begin on the new building, “Community Living”. All the equipment and trailers full of supplies were delivered and dropped off on the lawn, what a mess. To look busy a small amount of tarring was done, staging put up but a minimal amount of work has been performed. I was told that the money wasn’t here. Four great construction months have gone by with almost nothing being built. Veterans and employees aren’t stupid. Don’t assume we are.

A couple of years ago we had great support from Washington, but now, nothing. Vets are being farmed out, bills aren’t being paid and veteran services have fallen by the wayside. The powers that be have let us down. They are too busy practicing judicial formats which they have no business doing. The vets are saying our country is falling apart and we who have seen the worse now fear even worse. These are feelings generated by vets regarding what they see and feel.

They are hurting and the enemy is at our back door. Vets know and feel these things. Some veterans are even being forced to pay bills which according to Optum they were not supposed to accrue. In my next column I will explain how and how much these bills we accrue from outside vendors are paid. Then you will understand what is happening and why.

Be patient my friends and fellow veterans, help is on the way. Stay safe and God Bless.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

by Gary Kennedy

I met a veteran the other day in a wheelchair and just began a conversation with him. It seems he and his wife are both veterans. I being in a chair myself began talking about some of the difficulties involved. He concurred and explained he had an old house and it was difficult to get around and do things. I told him I have the same problems but applied for V.A. grants which are supposed to help with those problems. To my surprise and amazement he wasn’t aware of these programs.

I was thrilled to be able to help him and his significant other with just some information and advice. There are several grants out there to help make improvements such as bathroom renovation and accessibility for the wheelchairs etc. also there are grants for remodeling your home if it’s not safe or navigable. There are also grants which could build you a small home. (S.A.H Grant) Specially Adapted Home can mean remodel an existing home or even build a home on land you already own. Currently the S.A.H Grant is $101,754. A local agent is Kevin Nash. He can be reached at KEVIN.NASH@VA.GOV. However, he lives in Vermont and does it all by phone.

Although this sounds like a wonderful thing that is being given to the veterans it doesn’t come without its problems. Two by fours are closing in at $9 per 8 per foot and two by six are nearing $19. In any case most well known contractors won’t work with less than one-third down, which is only fair in my opinion. You can’t honestly expect professionals to supply materials and labor without some help from the customer. That is a normal amount required if you are having a home built without V.A. assistance. The VA Grant doesn’t give that. This grant is only given once, so its use must be monitored and protected.

One other grant should be mentioned is the “CAREGIVER GRANT” which is available in levels. The first level is loss of use of legs or an arm and a leg, or just not being able to do certain things on your own. An example would be you need help washing, bathing, dressing, tying your shoes, cooking, feeding, medication delivery and safety. I believe the current stipend that is given is approximately $1,681. This can be paid to your wife or significant other. It is a tax free amount for delivering care.

The second level is for one who is wheelchair bound and unable to do other necessary functions of everyday living. I believe the stipend for this level is around $2,600. There are more situations which you should or could apply for. Contact Ms.Tammy Holman at tammy.holman@va.gov at the Veterans Administration at Togus. Her telephone number is 207-623-8411 extn. 5906 or 7987. She can send you a flyer with all the qualifications.

All except the (S.A.H. Grant) are easy to apply for and obtain. If you qualify for the S.A.H. Grant you should have no problem with the remodel or constructions if you are prepared to contribute one third of the needed money. The way I understand it is this upfront money will be refunded to you along the way. If you don’t have it, I haven’t been able to find an option. However, I will check with the Secretary of V.A. for an answer for you. Also if you do receive a loan at the bank, how and when do you get your money back. Make sure you receive an answer. These people are still working at home and refuse to come to you. I have tried. Perhaps with help from my group we can get answers or possible changes.

I probably should mention the Adaptive Equipment Grant which allows the veteran to apply for addendums to his/her vehicle to aid in his being able to transfer into his vehicle which may have been given by the VA. I was given a vehicle and told I could receive a wheelchair lift and other accessories. I called the administrator of the adaption equipment, Evangeline Boyle, who is located at Boston VA Healthcare system, 940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301, telephone number, 508-583-4500. And she told me I would have to drive to Boston for a driving test. I had to forgo this free needed equipment as I don’t drive to Boston because of the distance and the other problems with that long a drive, in that congested area.

The VA gave me a grant for a remodel or new house as well as money for a new vehicle yet they wouldn’t send someone to our VA facility to do what is needed in my case and the case of others. Also, why would I have to take a driver test for a wheelchair lift? I will not allow veterans to be abused not even myself. This process/procedure is not acceptable. I will address this when I contact the National Director. Military abuse has become Elder Abuse.

So all this information being given should lead you to placing the appropriate phone call or email. I know for many of you the initial down payment can be a very big problem. I have been waiting for two years to receive what they say I qualify for. If you qualify, why is it so difficult to receive? That would be a good question unless the government really doesn’t want you to seek this sort of relief. Frank Siller who leads the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of his brother’s death, Stephen, during 9-11, gives his money from the heart. You don’t need to contribute if you’re the recipient. The vets he serves don’t have to pay upfront money also. The difference is there is no politics involved.

I hope I have been of some help. God bless America and also to those in the Ukraine that are having a taste of hell. Some of our great veterans are on their way there now to help. I wish I were one. May God bless and keep them safe. My email is garyek55@gmail.com.