Health Law

September 25, 2015

No Choice With VA’s Veterans Choice Program

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

My ride to the VARO is here!

A little over a year ago, on August 7, 2014, the “Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014,” P.L. 113-146, was signed into law. The so-called “Choice Act” was intended to improve Veterans’ access to medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

An important part of the Choice Act was allowing Veterans to use private physicians if they were unable to schedule an appointment at a VA medical facility within specified wait-time limits, or lived more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility, or met other eligibility criteria for using a non-VA physician.

More than a year from enactment, has the Choice Act helped Veterans? No, not really. Why? Because VA’s rules still create obstacles to letting Veterans use non-VA medical services. Continue reading

September 18, 2015

Don’t Get Left Behind! Changing Rules May Change Your VA Benefits

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the middle of changing its Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the VASRD. If you’ve ever looked at the VASRD and been confused, you’re in good company. Unfortunately, the VASRD doesn’t function like a menu, so it can be quite misleading. Also, the current VASRD doesn’t account for impact of service-connected disability on your overall life. Right now, VA only assesses disabilities based on perceived impact to your income.

You can readily understand that the inability to walk affects all aspects of your life and well-being, even if you are able to sit at a computer for hours for work. Knowing how the current VASRD operates and how any changes may impact your claim for benefits is crucial. You definitely don’t want to leave a higher rating on the table if the new standards will actually take into account the full impact of your disabilities, such as the fact that you can work but you can’t walk. Continue reading

September 15, 2015

Veterans, Spouses, and Domestic Partners: What You Don’t Know About Presumptive Diseases Can Kill Your Benefits

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

What you don’t know about VA benefits could cost you

Many people assume new illnesses, aches, and pains are “normal.” Just part of aging. Or simply bad luck. Or even genetics. Veterans – don’t be lulled into passive acceptance of so-called common wisdom. Diet and exercise can only get you so far with the many health problems – some tremendously serious – which may be the result of your military service. In addition, some health issues, such as birth defects, may be results of your military service that affect not only you but your entire family. Continue reading

March 13, 2015

Is there a cure for Hepatitis C?

by Bob Goss

Many veteran’s suffer from Hepatitis C. A horrible disease with no cure, until maybe now.

A few weeks ago I met and discussed Hepatitis C with a Bristol drug representative who discussed how the new Hep C medicines were actually curing people with Hep C.

The following article discusses some of what the represenative stated http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/29/hepatitis-c-treatment/5029179/

March 6, 2015

179 Years ago Today, the Alamo and all of the Defenders Fell

by Bob Goss

Today, the Alamo fell to the Mexican Army under the command of General Santa Ana.

After holding off a far numerically superior army for 13 days the final assault began shortly after midnight. Using darkness and a calm the Mexican army crept close to the Alamo, and at approximately 0530 began the final assault. By 0630 all the Texican forces, defenders of liberty were dead.

The Texas defenders and Army, however, won the war 6 weeks later as Gen. Sam Houston defeated Gen. Santa Ana and his army at San Jacinto, TX.

November 3, 2014

Veterans Day 2014 Concert

by Bob Goss

ALL:

The Morton Ranch High School Choir (Katy) will be presenting a:

Veteran’s Day Concert on

May 24, 2014

VA Health Care system to allow veterans to go to private providers

by Bob Goss

On Saturday, May 24th, 2014, Sec. Shinseki announced the besieged VA Health Care system is making changes to allow some veterans to obtain treatment at private facilities.

This link is to an article published on Saturday, May 24th, 2014,

http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Veteran-Affairs-OK-more-private-care-for-veterans-260546891.html.

June 6, 2013

Remember June 6, 1944, D-Day

by Bob Goss

Today is the 69th anniversary of the invasion of France to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

This week I mentioned D-Day was Thursday. One of our young secretaries stated she did not know about D-Day.

D-Day for WW II was on June 6, 1944. D-Day is the day the Allies launched the largest military operation, at the time, to free France and all of Europe from the Nazi occupation. This week the U.S. Senate lost their last World War II (WW II) veteran, Sen. Lautenberg. He served in the Army Signal Corps from 1942-46. After separating from the Army Sen. Lautenberg used the GI Bill to earn an economics degree and eventually serve New Jersey as a U.S. Senator.

March 25, 2013

Military Retiree’s are Veterans Too – – Contact Congress and OPPOSE TRICARE fee increases

by Bob Goss

For those of you who have served, you know this Fact – – Military Retirees are Veterans. But it seems with Sequestration upon the United States, the Department of Defense at the urging of the White House has a solution – – have Military Retirees pay MORE IN TRICARE FEES.

Why raise TRICARE fees because of my favorite White House word “fairness.” The whole idea pushed for Obamacare was fairness for those without health care. But the WH states Military Retiree’s Health Care costs are not fair compared to the public.

But is it fair to give free health care to those who do nothing? And then conversely argue it is fair to force Veterans who are Military Retirees (remember Military Retirees include veterans who were medically retired due to Injuries) to pay ever increasing TRICARE fees. TRICARE raised all fees in 2012. No – – The proposal to keep raising TRICARE fees on the back of veterans is not fair.

May 28, 2012

Thank you to All the Active Duty, Veterans, and their Families!

by Bob Goss

Memorial Day, is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. When you wake in the morning, say a quick prayer for those who have given their lives so that you might be allow to pray.

Thank you to all the veterans, active duty, their families who also serve and fear for their loved one. I can attest, the kids and family are also serving and deserve to be thanked for their sacrifices. https://www.attorneyforveterans.com/lawyer-attorney-1325495.html

To Cynthia, Hans, Victoria, and Christopher, thank you – – I love you and THANK YOU for all you gave to me and this country through your sacrifices.