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Visiting The VA Clinic

Visiting The VA Clinic

         I know we've all done things in our lives that seem silly now that we're older.  I think I read the pack in that regard.  This is what I didn't do, 32 years ago.  I did not visit the local VA Office in Bremerton Washington to get myself registered.  Is that the correct term, registering with the VA?  Either way, I didn't register. My reasoning?  Well, I didn't look beyond the end of my nose because I said (to myself), "I'm healthy, there's nothing wrong with me, so why should I register?"  Y'see, the Navy did not provide any guidance or recommendations when I retired, or if they did, I ignored them.  Shame on me!  So today, I visited the local VA Office.  I'm not encouraged by that visit.

         My health issues are various and many.  The problem is, providing proof that any health issue I have is Service Related.  About the only thing that may be proven to be service related is this Multiple Myeloma.  I read (Somewhere on the Internet, so it must be true, right?) that exposure to Radiation (My lifetime dose is a bit more than 2 REM) can cause this type of Cancer.  The rest of my ailments?  Good luck.  Even my hearing loss may be hard to prove.

         My advice to any Veteran, is to register with the VA  ASAP after retirement or discharge.  This way every single ailment, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can be documented.  Good luck and God Speed to you all.