Help one of our servicemen

 

As of February 2nd Bill has been assigned a VA Service Provider. The Service Provider has followed through on getting him a year prescription for albuterol along with another inhaler prescription. They have referred him to have x-rays done on his neck, back, & leg ... however, that appointment has yet to be scheduled. His initial diagnosis or "guess" is they think he is having sciatica nerve issues, which could be serious or non depending on whether it's a bone spur or crushed disc. Bill is still unable to walk very far without being in much pain and is also is still having breathing issues even with the inhalers. They have also given him a years pain killer prescription. The inhalers do provide temporary relief as long as he doesn't exert himself very much. The medical side is in progress but we don't know how long this will take. The Desert Storm Illness claim, which will be a raise of his disability from 20 to an estimated 50% is pending. Bill is 100% sure that this will be approved but it will most likely take through June. Once this comes through it will cover his monthly expenses and he will no longer need help. If he is unable to complete this process now the last 3 months will have been a waste and he will have to start the process all over again down the road if feasible, so he is trying to stick it out and keep his phone turned on and his storage units paid. His bare minimum income needed is approximately $700 per month. The VA has assured him that he will receive a higher rating in his disability on his PTSD but this won't be until after the Desert Storm Illness rating has gone through. In the long run he will be able to pay everyone back that has helped him. Bill has always been good for his word. He did qualify for food stamps in February but he is not receiving any monetary help from the state nor the VA. He does not qualify for Unemployment because he was self employed as a lease owner and there were complications with not having a permanent address with him living over the road, these complications along with COVID-19 is making the process not very efficient. He wants to abandon the whole process and go over the road again -- that's the fighter in him -- but the reality is he's in no condition to do so.