Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Toxicologist and Pharmacologist.
(MOLALLA, Ore.) - As a very lucky World War II Combat Infantry Veteran medically treated by the V.A. System, I don’t know if I should be completely flummoxed or simply, completely enraged about what is happening to my current brothers, and sisters, in arms.
Every day I read something which indicates that the situation in the V.A. is getting worse. But nobody in the swivel chair, “wafflebutt” system has the courage, aptitude or intellect to do anything progressive about it.
I was a patient in the Portland, Oregon V.A. Hospital and an outpatient for about nine months. I also have been a physician taking medical care of hundreds of veteran of World War I, II and several subsequent wars. I was not only appalled by my own treatment (they told my mother three times I probably wouldn’t survive, but I fooled them) but I never took care of hundreds of veterans who had anything positive to say about their own treatment. THIS IS A CRIME against veterans who were willing (but not enthusiastic) about giving their lives for those same people working in the Vets Hospitals.
The latest allegation of criminality is in the Oregonian newspaper from September 30th, under the headline V.A. AID Leaves Behind Many Injured. So far 185 thousand troops have started to seek medical help from both physical injuries as well as psychological (READ PTSD) damaged veterans. This is but the tip of a cruel iceberg and the V.A. and Congressional “wafflebutts” cannot or don’t want to comprehend what they have done to a generation of heroes and their families.
I recommend watching Ken Burns TV series The War, for anyone who thinks he can tolerate the “blood & guts” visuals of any modern war.
The V.A. magnanimously guaranteed 2 years of free medical care for any veteran with a service connected condition. Most doctors cannot, or will not under V.A. orders, diagnose PTSD which will last much longer and be more disabling than an amputation, although they usually go together.
The V.A. estimates 700,000 veterans will seek care from this fractured and corrupt system. Most of them will be disappointed and disgusted with their care from V.A. personnel, who have no concept what-so-ever about providing adequate care.
Outgoing V.A. Chief Jim Nicholson recently said “veterans will invariably tell you they are getting good care from the V.A.” What I’d like to know is who in the hell is he “talking” to?, those with a headache. Even the newspapers report that V.A. care is a colossal failure according to a special Congressional Investigating Committee.
Please, can we have some positive action?
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You can email your questions to the doctor: newsroom@salem-news.com
More information on the history of Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of Phil Leveque about his experiences in WWII. Order the book by mail by following this link: salem-news.com/pages/Dogface_soldier.
If you are a World War Two history fan, you don't want to miss it.
Watch for Dr. Phil Leveque's video question and answer segments about medical marijuana with Bonnie King.
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Veterans Administration System: How bad can it get?Salem-News.com