Did you know that the mileage reimbursement had increased from 0.11 a mile to 0.285 a mile for us who have to drive several miles to get to a V.A. hospital or to the V.A. specialist doctors.  It was great hearing and reading about this change because we have had to cancel appointment for my husband due to the cost of gas and not being able to afford the trip which is about 200 miles one way.  What a shock it was to receive a payment on the first trip since it went into effect to find out that the V.A. has also raised the amount of take out pay for paperwork and handling fees 150%.  It use to be that they would take out $6 for round trip and now they take out $15 for a round trip.  This still does not give us enough to pay for the gas that is needed to do a 400 mile round trip.  What are we to do?  They will not have the specialists come to the closest V.A. clinics because you know that the government mileage is 0.445 and I am almost sure they have to pay for their time too.  Now the specialist are stationed in a certain hospital and we have to travel to them no matter the cost of gas and the spouses time off from work.  I know that others have worse problems and we are blessed to have Bob Woodruff working to get better care for the TBI soldiers.  I watch things that happen with the young men and women coming home with injuries and they are just beginning the fight with the V.A. at home for care.  I have been doing it for my husband for several years and have not learned all the ropes that need to be jumped.  There should be someone that would be willing to give information to the families but some times you just have to stumble over the right rock or person to get what you are looking for.

Blessing to you and all your families