under employed and unemployable

ONEWALK · 09-02-2009, 12:50

Many military women did not understand the impact of military sexual assault on their lives.I had all these things going on and I acted out but mostly I internalized the sexual harrassment and assault.When I reached out on this I got inappropriate responses in ignorance internalized it all.So with a lack of knowledge on what I was suffering. I internalized the pain of my MST.I did not learn until 2000 there was help and VA had taken responsiblity by providing services for women.OOps males also are targets of sexual assault.I do not ever want to discredit their pain.I am a snior now and health issues have me unemployable.I have no benifits-no income and that pushes me through the cracks for housing.I have drifted and lanquished in VA programs not really geared for women.Also were women who run the programs can scrutinize women more unfairly.Recently my menopause symptoms caused me to wear a tank top( on a hot day) to a VA program.I simply for got we cannot wear short sleeves.A male participant in the program arrived much ealier than I. He wore a cut out TEE showing flesh.It was short sleeved and exposed his side back and chest.The staff are basically nice people.However they paid no attention to this male participant violating the dress code.When I arrived i was told to finish the work I began and leave for the day.Well I was okay with that but I took a picture of the veterans male flesh exposed to bring home their gender bias in some veteran programs.Two different supervisors came and told the male veteran he had to leave also.These kinds of gender bias perceptions in the VA -veteran programs is typical.Usally no one calls them on it.The ratio of women veterans to male veterans are always low.Any hoo just to let others know even as veterans some of the gender bias persist in services and programs.This can deterr women veterans or just cause them to not want to participate.It can be as disabling as MST and its affects.

LadyVet · 09-03-2009, 11:45

At the Montopolis VA Clinic in Austin, TX, a guard sits just inside the clinic door. Men are asked; "Do you have any weapons with you, today?" The men's answers are simply believed and they are granted entrance. Women are asked, then they are required to submit their purses for search. Men have walked right past the guard with "Leatherman" tools hanging from their belts while being unchallenged. Women are lectured about nail files and clippers in their purses. Given a choice, I would rather someone came at me with clippers and files than Leatherman tools which make a much more formidable weapon.

Men are not required to empty their pockets. I saw one man walk in with a very large backpack slung over one soldier... yep, you got it... the back pack went unchallenged and unsearched!

The inequality of how men and women are treated continues to grow. Maybe in another hundred years the VA will begin seeing all their patients regardless of gender as VETERANS!!!

mom6 · 09-08-2009, 11:41

I went to the VA for x-ray on my shoulder and was told that the medical facility in Portland, Oregon could not do the needed x-rays because they did not know how to on a women. When I asked why it was because I had breasts. The issue I had with that was the guy that they took just before me for shoulder x-rays had bigger breasts then I did, they were able to take his x-rays, I had to go to OHSU to get my films done. Sounds funny to me.

LadyVet · 09-09-2009, 10:09

When you go into OHSU for your x-rays, ask the technologist if there is any difference in filming a woman for that series or an overweight man for the same series. If they say no, take it up with your patient administrator at the clinic where you were seen.

Write down the x-ray tech's name so you can use their name when reporting the discrepancy should there be one.

mom6 · 09-27-2009, 13:29

When I went to OHSU I did ask if there was a difference in how they were done. There was no reason that the VA could not take the x-rays.

LadyVet · 09-29-2009, 02:18

VA strikes again. How are you doing now?

Ace Jack · 10-05-2009, 08:17

LOL, Well I am unemployable underemployed I depend on what the VA gives me and Now they take less than half away with out notice. I am pretty shitty, Right now. Oh yeah I called the sucide Hot line and Ilove the question do you have any weapons in your home I said Hell yeah. I got no ammo though my dad took it from me because he knows that once and a blue moon I get so upset becasue the government has screwed me over once again.. Yikes life with out a steady dependable pay check really sucks. Times like these I wish I was married. Oh yeah that would be an extra money WAit they would just find another reason to take that away. Can I just sa F^^##@ it all adn go to work and let the state take 55% of that pay check to for child support . Hell no it would not be worth it. Stuck yet once again.

LadyVet · 10-05-2009, 23:59

Are you completely unemployed now? If so, you might try going to your Veterans Service Officer and get her or him to put you in for 100% due to unemployability. I am currently rated at 80% but 100% due to unemployability. The pay is the same ad 100% rating. If you remain at 100% due to unemployability for 20 years, they eventually give you your permanent and total 100% rating that can never be overturned.

Start going to VA appointments to get treatment for your ailments. If you are uncomfortable with your doctor or they don't seem to be documenting your VA medical records in effective means, ask for a new doctor. Get and keep copies of med recs of every visit at the time of the appointment. By doing this you will avoid records getting "lost" in the system. Take copies of all your med recs to your service officer. Retain a copy for your own records. Get a file drawer or cabinet and keep your records in chronological order.

As the VA responds to your application for unemployability review, reread your records and find the pages that speak to their queries. Take copies of those portions that directly apply to your service officer along with a copy of the VA queries. And repeat as necessary. That is how I got my rating. Maybe it will help you get yours. I certainly hope so!

Let me know if I can help.

mom6 · 10-31-2009, 21:02

I hear you about the VA getting shit mixed up, lost or just not put into the system. Keep copies of all the records that you can get your hands on, never send the orginals, and make sure that you call and find out what is on the system about you. They have lost my kids, made them twins or not a live any longer. Lots of fun. Sorry to say, you have to keep poking and buggy these people about the facts that they are using. I strongly beleive that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". Keep poking them and make yourself known, not in a snotty way but just keep asking questions and poking at them. Good luck to you, let us know what is going on with you. We care about what happens to you.

Ace Jack · 11-28-2009, 07:54

Yeppers I am rated the same 80 % disabled and 100% IU with allready a permente and total they can not fix what was screwed up . I get so bored though at home it is not even funny.