Negligence

What AI thinks about VA Community Care

by

The VA Community Care Program (VCCP) is an essential initiative designed to provide veterans with broader access to healthcare services when VA facilities cannot meet their needs. In theory, it should help alleviate long wait times, increase access to specialized care, and bring healthcare closer to veterans in rural or underserved areas. However, it’s clear … Read more

Ensuring Accountability and Quality in VA Community Care

by

The Role of Second Opinions and 3D Models A recent GAO report to Congress highlighted a troubling issue within the VA Community Care Program (VCCP): the presence of low-quality providers within the system. Veterans’ experiences echo this concern, pointing to lapses in care quality and accountability that often leave them vulnerable to poor outcomes. For … Read more

Navigating a VA 1151 Claim: A Veteran’s Battle for Accountability

by

Filing a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is often described as a test of endurance, patience, and persistence. Designed to compensate veterans for disabilities caused by VA negligence, delayed care, or substandard treatment, these claims carry a weighty burden of proof that can make the process feel … Read more

Resources to Navigate VA Community Care

by

Navigating the VA Community Care Program (VCCP) [or any spine surgery] can feel like a nightmare for many, as systemic issues like fragmented records, low-quality providers, and the “Deny and Defend” culture leave people vulnerable to poor care and unresolved mistakes. While the challenges are real, there are resources to help take control of the … Read more

A Thousand Days of Agony

by

A Thousand Days of Agony: My Journey Through Pain, Loss, and Resilience This excerpt details a veteran’s harrowing experience with medical negligence, focusing on a botched spinal fusion surgery and the subsequent inadequate care received from the Veterans Affairs (VA). The author recounts the initial surgical error, the prolonged delay in addressing complications, and the resulting severe physical … Read more

The story behind the 3D Model of My Spine

by

I never imagined a routine spine surgery would become the catalyst for years of suffering and a fight for medical justice. In August 2021, I trusted my surgeon and the VA healthcare system to fix a relatively straightforward spinal problem. Instead, I woke up to what would become a nightmare – though I wouldn’t understand … Read more

Audio Interview with a VA Spine Patient

by

This interview details a veteran’s complex medical history, focusing on a series of back surgeries and their complications. Multiple medical records document the surgeries, their failures, resulting disabilities, and the ongoing struggle to receive appropriate VA disability compensation. The discussion includes various medical reports, imaging results, and communication with VA staff regarding the veteran’s care and claim. The veteran’s account highlights alleged negligence by the VA and the need for corrective surgeries. Finally, there are forms related to filing a claim for compensation, demonstrating the bureaucratic process involved.

Read Comprehensive Guide for Spinal Surgery

Reference

Deny and Defend: Systemic Failures in VA Healthcare

by

The “Deny and Defend” approach in healthcare refers to a traditional strategy where medical institutions deny responsibility for errors, adopt a defensive legal posture, and avoid transparency in communicating with patients and families. While increasingly criticized in modern healthcare for its detrimental effects, this approach continues to harm veterans in the VA healthcare system and … Read more

Update on my VA SF95 Claim

by

My Federal Tort Claim (SF95) My Federal Tort Claim filed against the Dallas VA Medical Center for medical negligence. The claim centers on the VA’s two-year delay in addressing documented loose pedicle screws following spinal surgery, which ultimately resulted in permanent spinal ankylosis. Stuart argues that the VA’s failure to act on their own imaging … Read more

VA 38 USC 1151 Claim

by

This VA 1151 disability claim filed by veteran Michael Stuart for ankylosis of the spine, a condition resulting from a series of events stemming from a car accident. The claim centers on alleging VA negligence following a failed spinal fusion surgery performed within the VA system, which necessitated corrective surgery resulting in the claimant’s current disability. Crucially, … Read more