Picture taken May 14, 2018 at Si Como No Inn @ Beverly Beach, Florida

The VA Runaround, Year 48 OR How the mention of a US Senators’ name can open doors in seconds!

Having struggled verbally with VA therapist Lisa Linhardt, we started to communicate in early 2018. Ms. Linhardt had complained about my talking to her as an equal. Forgive me for, “Getting Uppity”. Having realized my place in the scheme of our relationship, I had thought we had ‘connected’. Just before my next appointment, the VA notified me that Ms. Linhardt had suddenly quit, and that I would be required to travel an additional 30+ miles (one way) to the VA facility in Columbia, Mo. Previously, my appointments were in Mexico, Mo., a one way distance of 68 miles. From then on, I was told, my appointments would be with Dr. Daniel in Columbia, Mo. I met with Dr. Daniel a few times, and noticed that the VA was only reimbursing me for travel to Mexico, Mo., this resulted in my losing $28 in travel pay each time I had an appointment. Upset by this developement, I complained to the VA travel pay office. They informed me that they could only pay me for travel to Mexico, because the VA had a therapist in Mexico. Dr. Daniel, when informed of this stated she would ‘straighten this out’. That never happened! Dr. Daniel also had decided that I would have to come to the Columbia VA for weekly visits. Well isn’t that great! 200 miles a week (round trip) in travel and travel pay for 136 miles. On my next visit, I explained that I could not afford a 200 mile a week trip with short pay. I really think that was the idea. Stop bothering the VA! At this point, I told Dr. Daniel that I was in the process of filing a compaint with U.S. Senator Clair McCaskill. Dr. Daniel picked up the phone, and within seconds, I was informed of a brand new program the VA had just started that would allow me to see a PTSD provider in my area. IT’S A MIRACLE!!!! I now travel a total of 2 miles roundtrip! Not 200! Of course, I never did receive the travel pay the VA cheated me on!