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Sunday, October 12, 2014

Double Good News From The VA

After a three year struggle with the Veterans Administration (VA) over disability issues and compensation, everything has finally been resolved correctly and to my satisfaction.  As to why it took so long, I have no idea, but I’m glad it’s over.

I’ve been questioned as to why I choose to use the VA for medical appointments over the Tricare military health care I’m eligible for.  I have had great success using Tricare and when I’m on the road traveling, if the need arises, I can use it at any medical facility that accepts it, and there are plenty.  I do have a 20% co-pay and an annual $300 family deductible.

With the VA, my medical is 100% covered, so when we are in the South Carolina area, it is my first choice.  Why pay the 20% if I don’t have to?  I have been very pleased with the medical treatment I’ve received from the VA, it was the administrative side that was bogging down my disability claim and causing all the delays and aggravation.

So this week I had my annual physical at the VA and they have pronounced me fully alive and good to go for another year.  A second dose of good news.  :c)

I have one more appointment in November for an eye exam, I may be having another cataract issue in my other eye, so I want that checked out.  Hopefully, it may just be a simple need for a stronger prescription in my glasses.  I want everything taken care of before we start our travels after New Years.

And what a start it will be, we are booked to head out on a Disney cruise, our first cruise ever.  We’ve been wanting to take a cruise for years, so we decided this was the time, we’ll be taking a seven day eastern Caribbean sailing to St. Maarten and Puerto Rico (one of my old stomping grounds during my Coast Guard career).

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We’ve got some new workamping adventures coming up at J. Strom Thurmond COE, things we’ve never done before and a chance to use some of my old Coast Guard skills, so stay tuned.

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

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19 comments:

  1. I hope you can sleep at night knowing that I was the CO in Rotterdam that over saw the Disney ships construction:))

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    1. Egads! I just knew I should have book on Norwegian Cruise Line... :cP

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    2. Sorry Paul, but I consulted for them after I retired:))

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  2. WOO HOO, WOO HOO, WOO HOO... that sounds like a triple bagger of good news!!! VA issues resolved, Good Health report and a Disney Cruise... sometimes it just doesn't get any better:o))

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  3. Good for you Paul. It's about time that the VA admin. part has been resolved.
    I bet you two will have a great time on your first cruise!

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  4. Will you arresting nasty criminals that are overstepping the pin boundaries?? ;)

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  5. FINALLY! I know how relieved you must be to have this all settled. Looks like a very exciting start to your travels. Can't wait to hear about the Disney cruise. Wish I could cruise into Fort Wilderness. I don't know how you get those reservations.

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  6. Congrats on finally getting your disability claim resolved and in the good health report! Hope the eye thing is just needing new glasses.
    Have fun on the Disney cruise!

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  7. Read often... don't comment much... but am so happy that your problems with the VA are resolved. Sounds like a lot of good new in this post!

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  8. Good news posts are so welcome. Great one. All the way around.

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  9. What great news all around! I'll be interested in hearing how your cruise goes, seeing it will be your first one.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  10. Enjoy your first pleasure cruise ... and a Disney one at that. We did one of the short Bahamas cruises years ago before Disney expanded its itineraries ... loved all the characters as much as the kids did.

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  11. Congratulations on winning the good fight. It pays to be persistent. Will you be taking any grandchildren on your cruise? Or are you just really big Disney fans. Personally, I want a grandchild I can take to Legoland. I'd love to see that.

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  12. Glad to know the VA pronounced you alive, this blog would be a mystery if you weren't.

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  13. How great to have all that behind you now! It will be a great celebratory cruise, too. I wonder if certain grand treasures get to come :)

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  14. Awesome news and hope the eyes prove to be good news too.
    We have been on a few cruises and really enjoy them, have fun.

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  15. Excellent News- Sounds like a good cruise. There is a fun bar and grill at the end of the airport runway in St. Maarten.

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  16. It's always a good thing when doctors tell you that you are "fully alive". Congrats!

    Your first cruise sounds a little "Mickey Mouse" to me!

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