public interest

It seems the WASHINGTON POST is expanding beyond the WRAMC trouble.  So this isn't exactly a "hotline" but it will attract attention.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/walter-reed/index.html

Tipline: Share your experience with the military or VA health care systems with Post reporters: (202) 334-4880 or militarycare@washpost.com

Through Your Lens: Send us your photos and videos chronicling experiences you or a family member have had in the military and VA health care systems: walterreed@washingtonpost.com

They stick some in the corners
Still others in the hall
And they're lying in there
They're dying in there
Don't you care at all?
— William Fick

• • Fighting Walter Reed After Fighting the War, April 8, 2007
• • Delayed Benefits Frustrate Veterans, April 8, 2007
• • Q&A Transcript: VA Disability Benefits, April 9, 2007

more hotlines

Other numbers troops and family members can call with concerns about military medicine issues:

1-800 497 6261  Deployment Health Support Directory

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If a troop feels they have been retaliated against, DoD wants to hear about it: [FULL PAGE LINK]

Defense Hotline Reprisal Complaints: WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION INFORMATION

You may also call the Defense Hotline at (800) 424-9098 to discuss your case with an investigator if you have additional questions or concerns. Persons who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact us through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 (additional information regarding the Federal Relay Service may be obtained through it's website www.gsa.gov/frs).

Complaints should be submitted via mail or fax transmission. Our address is: DEFENSE HOTLINE, THE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON DC 20301-1900. Our commercial fax number is (703) 604-8567. Our DSN prefix is 664.
[FULL PAGE LINK]

trust

Who can an injured soldier trust these days?  Well, for starters, themself - but there are other organizations to help.
But how do I check out these organizations and hotlines?
Call a hotline anonymously and check out their procedures, find out who they report to, where they're located.
There are some hotlines set-up as scams - little spy networks, but I trust that there are good hotlines available for soldiers, too.
1-800-984-8523 seems to be a good one for soldiers/families to call - I'm not going to pretend to know what good any hotline will or won't do for any particular situation, but troops' medical care is a hot topic now and we should keep it that way until some good changes come about.

transition points

Not every Military Base has a VA transition center. Campbell has one -
there are VA counselors on site, a DAV rep, and a VFW rep. Having these
resources is a big help, not only to MEB troops but also for anyone else
leaving the service. VA claims are settled faster, and having claim
specialists helps troops prepare VA claims more accurately and completely.
Places like Benning and Riley don't have this convenience available -
but the help is available on-line and even over the phone.

The Walter Reed "Tiger Team" is visiting every medical facility but I
don't know how much impact a two-day guided tour will have on the MEB
process for troops going through the transition.

show me the money

Below is a link to a page that helps calculate disability pay from the
Army and VA, and how those payments relate to one-another.
I have only included the severance pays from the Army - it is the most
common form of Army Medical Separation Compensation. About 90% of all
medical separations are severance based (0% - 20%). Retirement is
effective from 30% and higher. Retirement warrants an entirely separate
calculation process.

Hotline

The Army has put up a hotline for soldiers and family members to call with concerns about the MEB/PEB process.
The number is 1-800-984-8523
Overseas DSN: 312-328-0002
Stateside DSN: 328-0002

email: wsfsupport@conus.army.mil

Link to [Flyer]

Flyer Text:
The purpose of the hotline is two-fold:
    -To offer wounded, injured, or ill Soldiers and their family members a way to share concerns on the quality of patient care.
    - To provide senioer Army leaders with visibility on medically-related issues so they can properly allocate resources to better serve Soldiers and families.

The hotline is an avenue to gather information about medical care as well as suggest ways we can improve our medical support systems.

The hotline has not been established to circumvent the chain of command, but rather to give Soldiers and family members an additional means to resolve medical-related issues.  Any type of retribution directed towards those who use the hotline will not be tolerated.

-End flyer text

I wonder how flooded this phone line has been.
I'll be calling soon . . .