Comments on: Some Advice from Arizona Veterans Hall of Famer/ Larry Brown

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:00:13 +0000

I am a retired private investigator. Leave your phone number on my message line, and I will see what I can do; 520-540-7000. Why is he not using his VA Long Term Care benefits? What facility is he in? Is this the same family as Dan Reidy; retired attorney? Are the McCall’s in that clan?

By: Rebecca Reidy

Rebecca Reidy — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:45:39 +0000

I have an 86 yr old father-in-law whose health and welfare are overseen by his oldest son, his daughter, and his ex-wife. Recently I went to Tucson to visit him and when I found the deplorable state he is living in I contacted his ‘family’ to report it. I was told basically to mind my own business.
This man is a Veteran of WWII, and Vietnam. He has served his country for over 30 years. He has worked and supplied his family with education and stability in their lives. He has income and savings that he made sure would be available so his “family would not have to be burdened with his care”.
I have known Lt. Col. [ret] Roland James Reidy for over 20 yrs and I have PERSONALLY seen his dedicatication to his family throughout those years.
What I saw when I went to visit him was an old man who had not been bathed or had a shave in several[??} days. His fingernails were overgrown and had feces underneath. {he has Diabetes} He was eating from a bowl that I would not feed my dog from. His home [paid in full ] was filthy.
When I contacted the family I was told not to make his ‘caregiver’ angry.[I use the word caregiver losely] They are more concerned with keeping the “less costly” caregiver than they are the care of their parent.
I have no legal right to intervene in his behalf except to contact Adult Protective Services in Tucson[which I did] I have placed several calls to the Veterans Assoc. in his behalf. I have researched in home care givers and the price is high HOWEVER, as I have said to my in-laws there are assets that he worked and paid for that can be liguidated and put toward his care. My husband and I are more than willing to let go of anything we will inherit[yes his Will has been read and he’s not gone yet and everybody is taken care of EXCEPT him]
This man is so much more than a Veteran. He deserves to live in his CLEAN home [that he paid for] He deserves to be taken for a walk in his wheel chair[He used to walk 2 miles a day until he became ill] not left in front of a T V screen that he can’t even see for hours at a time. He Needs his body clean and his simple everyday needs cared for, by a caregiver that has been trained and certified -not just someone that doesn’t cost as much.
I don’t know if you can help with this I am contacting as many and as much as I can. I have been told by my brother-in-law that he will “bury me” legally if I try to take any legal steps; and he has the finances to do just that. {You’de think those finances would best be used toward the care of his Father, instead of fighting me [just a thought] }

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:44:43 +0000

Thanks Louis. I am a veterans service officer with the Marine Corps League in Marana. If you need help with anything just let me know.
Title 38 of the CFR mandates that the VA is to “help” the veteran in their research. Yet we all know there is no staff to do so. So folks like you need to help fill in the gaps. Gracie!

By: Louis Leib

Louis Leib — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:19:29 +0000

Thank you for bring this important information on Veterans Benefits out. I have spent over 30 years trying to understand and get the benefits due any Veteran injured in service. I try to share that information with every Vet I meet and not one has told me to mind my own business.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a mandate to provide our Nations Veterans with both medical care and compensation for those injured while in in the military. My medical care at the Tucson VA has been very good. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the Regional Office in Phoenix and for the overall attitude of those responsible for providing the benefits mandated by Congress. This portion of the system is broken and does not help veterans receive all of the benefits to which they are entitled. If a veteran doesn’t file a claim for a specific benefit due the VA will not consider it even if obvious when they examine the veteran or his record.
The huge backlog processing claims and appeals shows their concern is not providing for a veterans needs, but to prevent fraud. While this is important when fraud is not an issue why not provide all the benefits for which a veteran qualifies. Keep up the good fight brother and again thank you.