Question:
I went to the VA for an evaluation on some bad varicose veins I developed while in the military. I had some of them removed by surgery while in the military and since then many more have appeared that cause me pain. I went in for an evaluation and this I estimate, 26 year old doctor asked me why I thought this condition was service connected and made me feel I was wasting the VA's time. I just thought the nerve of this guy that has probably been pampered since day one. I wonder if he had ever been on his feet for 36 hrs straight during a mobility operation or ever put his ass on the line for anything. I would like to hear from fellow vets there opinion on this.

Answer: You probably won't like this answer because it appears you don't like hearing some things you don't agree with. However, since you asked... here goes: 1. Doctors must ask all kinds of questions about medical history. Some questions need to be asked to assist the doctor in evaluating a patient's psychological condition resulting from a complained ailment. Evaluting psychology is necessary to determine the correct pain relieving medication to be prescribed. 2. Doctors do work more than 36 hours, particularly during their internship where they are treated lower than basic training 'maggots'. During internship they have no choice of work hours and can be ordered to do anything. 3. Unlike other professionals, doctors are required to submit for military service whenever called upon. They cannot request/assert the same deferments as others. 4. Vericose veins is not a typical military caused ailment. Reportedly, it is due to fatty deposits or conditions in the skin forcing capilaries to seek less incumbered routing... usually upward to subepidermal. This doctor may have thought that his time could have been better spent on a veteran who still suffered from painful combat wounds. 5. For several years the VA has been under strong pressure to reduce what it considers to be needless patient care that a vet can obtain from a personal physician. The only way to make the VA more willing to treat all vets for any ailment, anytime, is to organize and support/encourage Congress to provide more VA funding. You and other vets must ask yourselves, "What have I done lately to get the VA more funding?" 6. You may think twice about criticizing a doctor who is doing his job. This same doctor may end up saving a veterans life... or if inducted into the military during wartime, he may save your son's or grandson's life. 7. Not all doctors are "pampered". The majority of doctors in the United States must rely on loans, particularly from the govt, to get through med school. Because their studies are so intensive they cannot work... therefore they go through their young years without the toys and good times shared by people their age. Doctors have paid their dues. Just because one has tried to get to the root of your medical condition... and has obviously upset you by questioning your believed military-related medical problem, does not make him an ogre. 8. The military removed your veins because the military is required to care for its soldiers. However, just because you were first treated for a possibly genetic-caused problem in the military does not mean that problem occured due to military service. Of course, you can always go to a private physician... but since you will be paying a private doctor he probably won't say anything that might hurt your sensitive feelings. He'll give you a pill... or he will suggest costly surgery to remove the veins. However, if you wish the government/taxpayers to pay for your medical treatment you will have to endure a few questions you don't like being asked. Those questions are your cost... you can't get cheaper medical care than that!