Question:

Hello Jim and thank you for this mailbag. My husband is a Vietnam Veteran and I am approved in the Caregiver Program as of October 1, 2020. They have me listed as Level 1 caregiver, however, I do ALL his ADL's as he cannot walk or do anything except go to the bathroom. (Even then I have to help him clean up. Sorry to have to say that) I appealed to the Dallas Caregivers to be Level 2 because I do it all. I have sent two appeals and they say NO on level 2. I sent them documentation from all the doctors. The Caregivers person has not been here to our house and they have not sent a nurse practitioner to examine him. This has been during the pandemic. I read that they should do this. I just received the second denial letter on July 12, 2021 I have called the three Caregiver people for me. No one answers and no one has returned my call. Who can I do another appeal to? My husband has Parkinsons, AFib, and CHF, and he has a broken right tibia which the orthopedic dr. will not operate on due to my husbands age and previous knee replacement in that leg. Should I contact my Congressman or am I allowed to appeal again? The caregiver letter states this is my "final appeal" Second one. Help. please.

Jim's Reply:

Yes...you should contact your Congressional Representatives. You'll first have to determine who you wish to help. Your choices are your Congressperson or either of your two Senators. You should choose only one. Whoever you like or who you voted for is fine.
 

When you make contact with their office ask to speak with the veterans representative...every Congressional Representative will have a designated person to manage Congressional inquiries. A Congressional inquiry can't always change the course of things but it doesn't hurt to try.
 

Your situation is particularly annoying to me. You and your veteran shouldn't be treated like this. I'm Vietnam era and your husband is my brother...he will not be left behind.
 

Get busy, we'll talk soon.