2 men put bad experiences behind them; 1 has not

One Vietnam vet said his frustration with the VA was partly his fault.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Editors note: Three Youngstown-area military veterans talk about their less-than-satisfactory experiences with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical system. They contacted The Vindicator after a story was published saying the VA medical system in general needs to be overhauled, but that treatment and services in Northeast Ohio are good. The VA is responsible for medical care for veterans, including those injured in Iraq once they are discharged from the military medical care system. Both the military and the VA have been criticized at congressional hearings for the level of care they provide for sick and wounded military personnel and veterans.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tony Feldes, 72, a retired career Marine who served three tours in Vietnam, woke up one morning about three years ago with his arm behind his back in sort of a hammer-lock position.
Feldes, of Austintown, said he went to the Veterans Affairs Youngstown Outpatient Clinic, where he had volunteered by pouring coffee for patients since the facility opened, to find out what was wrong.
He says, instead, he "got the runaround."
"They took an X-ray, said I had a torn rotator cuff, gave me a shot of cortisone and told me to come back in six months," Feldes said.
When he returned to the VA six months later, the problem with his arm was as bad as ever. Feldes said he was told that his appointment was not in the system, causing "me and the doctor and the nurse to have words."
Feldes said the problem with his shoulder turned out to be a rare type of bone cancer, which was diagnosed in January this year after his family doctor sent him for a bone density scan and the technician raised the possibility of cancer. Feldes said he was sent to a specialist at Akron General Hospital, and a biopsy led to the diagnosis. He is now going to the Cleveland Clinic for treatment.
"My real problem with the VA is that [I think] there should have been more testing when my shoulder didn't improve. I think they discounted my complaint because I was a pain in thea--," Feldes said.
"A lot of time, they [VA doctors and nurses] talk over my head, and when I ask them to explain, they get defensive," Feldes said.
Despite his complaints, Feldes said he recently changed his mind about not using the VA and has turned to the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission for help in filling out an application for care.
Response
Chuck Bonacci, spokesman for the Cleveland VA Medical Center, said veterans who have concerns that relate directly to their care at the VA can contact the patient advocate or the administrator at their local clinic for help.
Bonacci said the VA nationally is adding more patient advocates specific to the needs of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veterans. Two of the advocates will be coming to the Cleveland network "to ensure we are able to provide the highest quality of care and are in tune with the veterans' needs."
Additionally, VA officials said that several recent surveys indicating patient satisfaction at the VA is very high.
However, like Feldes, Alan Peplow, 60, of Youngstown said he gave up in frustration trying to get treatment through the VA.
But now he admits the problem might have been as much his fault as the VA's.
"For years, I thought the VA was just for people who were completely disabled. I could have been helped. I didn't know I was entitled to VA benefits," Peplow said.
Peplow was wounded at Khe Sanh, Quang Tri province, in 1967 while serving with "F" Co., 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Shrapnel pierced through his right thumb and hit his forehead.
Peplow said the VA refused to recognize his Purple Heart, something he said he does not understand because it is part of his military record. Veterans with Purple Hearts, a decoration received for being wounded, entitles veterans to go to the top of the VA priority list for treatment, he said.
Again, Peplow said he let his frustration and impatience get in the way of potential treatment. Also, he said he didn't want to take off work for treatment through the week. "I couldn't take a chance on losing my job," he said.
But now Peplow is retired and getting help from the VA.
"I appreciate what the VA is doing for me. ... I can't blame them for everything, because I up and quit going," he said.
"I want to stress that I am getting better help from the VA than before. ... I'm also going to post-traumatic stress disorder sessions. I found out wounds don't have to be noticeable to be real."
Peplow credits Michael Psznick, office manager, director and service officer for the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, for getting him reconnected with the VA.
No respect
Time, however, has not mellowed the bad feelings toward the VA of Marine Corps veteran Dan O'Connell, 66, of Youngstown, who served from 1955 to 1961.
O'Connell was a volunteer at the Youngstown VA clinic but quit 10 years ago and said he has not been back.
Vietnam veterans, the VA's largest patient group, got no respect when they came home from the war, and now they are not getting respect from the VA, O'Connell said. So they either "go off" or leave, and don't get the services to which they are entitled, he added.
"We need the VA. But it needs to be investigated and overhauled and better funded," he said.
Feldes, who received care at the VA's Wade Park Hospital in Cleveland after a heart attack in 1988, said all he wants is for all veterans to be treated fairly and equally and with respect, whether they served in Iraq or World War II.
alcorn@vindy.com