VA

State Medical Boards Fail to Protect Patients: HBO John Oliver

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John Oliver on HBO recently delved into the problematic nature of state medical boards and their frequent inability to safeguard patients from incompetent physicians. He highlighted several disturbing trends: One case involved a doctor in Texas performing surgery on the incorrect part of a patient’s spine. This incident directly relates to my experiences with Dr. … Read more

UTSW Failed to Diagnose Pedicle Screw Lucency

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Dr Patel, UT Southwestern failure to diagnose and treat spine issues after radilogy found loose pedicle screws The UTSW consultation highlights a series of systemic failures in the care of a patient with a history of lumbar surgeries. There were communication breakdowns between the VA and outside providers, a conflict of interest in referring the … Read more

Michael Stuart Civil Case Summary

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Medical Opinion Summary Joseph David, D.O., a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist in New Jersey, provides a medical opinion on Michael Stuart, a veteran who served in the US Air Force from 1981 to 1987. Dr. David reviewed extensive medical records, including CT and MRI scans, surgery notes, and statements from Stuart’s family. Stuart … Read more

Retired Colonel US Air Force Witness Statement

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This letter from a retired US Air Force Colonel strongly supports Michael’s disability claim (38 USC 1151) filed with the VA. He describes witnessing Michael’s debilitating decline following surgery in 2021, highlighting the stark contrast between Michael’s pre- and post-operative states and expressing deep concern over the VA’s inadequate response. The letter emphasizes the family’s disappointment with … Read more

Heroic Baylor Medical Center Operative Report

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Baylor Medical Center Operative Report  This operative note is a report of the surgery performed on Michael Stuart by Dr. Ioannis Alexander Avramis on January 4, 2024, at Baylor Scott and White University Medical Center in Dallas Texas. Here’s an explanation of the key components and medical terms: Lumbar Kyphoscoliosis, L1-L3 Nonunion, and Loose Instrumentation, … Read more

Bureaucracy at the VA is mission impossible

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The ginormous scale and bureaucracy of the VA system can make enacting change feel like an impossible mission. The layers of administration, the culture of inertia, and the sheer number of stakeholders involved can discourage even the most determined advocates. But history has shown that change, even within massive systems, often starts small—with individuals raising … Read more

My medical malpractice case unjustly dismissed on technicality

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The profound agony of witnessing so-called medical professionals, whom we once entrusted with our health, evade accountability for their actions is indescribable. These individuals, who operate under the guise of caregivers, leave behind a trail of destruction—harming not just our physical and mental well-being, but also inflicting severe financial strains and eroding our faith in … Read more

Deny and Defend in VA Community Care

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The “deny and defend” response occurs when healthcare institutions prioritize protecting themselves over acknowledging and correcting medical errors. Rather than taking a transparent, patient-centered approach to addressing mistakes, institutions deploy a strategy of institutional self-protection that often compounds the original injury. Here’s how it typically unfolds: Initial Response: When complications arise, the healthcare system’s first … Read more