VA not paying for surgery
 

Looking for some knowledge.

Bare with me here while I explain, one of my Marines I treated was severely wounded April 20th 2004. Against incredible odds he survived, not only did he survive he is walking, married with a child all of which the doctors said wouldn't happen. Anyway to the matter at hand, He is 100% Service Connected for his wounds. He has had 32 surgeries to date, most of them to reconstruct his lower limbs. However his right leg below the knee is not completely functional. After many visit to Camp Lejeune and Walter Reed to visit with amputees he has decided that for a better quality of life to have his leg amputated below the right knee and then have a prosthetic limb. He has found Dr.’s at Duke University to perform the surgery. All of this so he can get back into running, biking, rock climbing ect.... The VA however is saying this is elective surgery and will not cover the cost and he will have to pay for any follow-up therapy which we all know will be a lot and any prosthetics. Anyone know away around this? I think it’s a crying shame that he should have to pay a penny.
Thank You in Advance for any advice.
DOC C

Easiest way is to check the Washington Post from the last few days and see which reporter is most military friendly. Then offer that person a human interest story. Be sure too have the name handy of the big boss of he VA unit which disapproved the funding of the surgery. If you can get TV coverage all the better.

Option 2. He should visit his senator and see if he will make a call. Be sure to have the head of the VA's name and number handy for the Senator. Each congressman and senator has a guy in charge of "constituent services".

The way I see the situation is that the VA could if they would. So what you need to do is convince the supervisor that their annual performance bonus depends upon not looking or acting too stupid on this issue.

Senate/congressional route is probably faster. (Amputating a limb certainly isn't "elective.") He deserves the best. Keep us posted.

PM sent.

Agree with Bob's option 2. In leaning, a strong medical indication for the surgery from the operating surgeon would add some power. Words such as," procedure essential for a return to a full and productive life" or such would, add to the plea/petition.

This story has a familiar ring to it. I seem to recall a thread from troop wrestling with the decision of elective amputation, pretty much for the same reason. Don't recall if it was a Marine or not. Time for a thread search to see if I can find a match.

Best of luck to your Marine!!

RF 1

ps: Found the thread, not the same .
r

Thank You
 

Appreciate all the input, PM's and suggestions, Some of your recommendations are already in the works and will defenitly look into other routes you all mentioned. I wil keep you posted, Again Thank You

Duke University Medical Center is directly across the street from the Durham VA Medical Center.

Has he enquired if the VA could credential the physician and have the surgery and recovery performed at the VA?

Just a thought.

TR

Will look into that and other issues, I will be going down to visit him later this month. I'm taking plenty of notes from everyone here and will be asking alot of questions hopefully make some headway. Thanks Again