Kyjuan,

I currently am a patient at the Spokane VA Medical center. With the current change of VA policy dealing with MMJ, as long as you live in a state that has MMJ laws on the books then the VA will not place punitive actions. Those actions would normally been seen as a pain medication reduction.

I am currently rated at 60% and am a MMJ cardholder. The VA staff at all levels have been very supportive. I have a number of doctors and they all state they would rather have me smoking than doing all the drugs they are loading me up with.

With that said, none of them could write me the recommendation, as it is a federal. So I was forced to go to a doc in the box. The VA can and does keep records of over the counter medicine, alcohol and drugs....if you tell them. I have seen my medical records which cleary show the doctors notes which state that I use MMJ and have seen a difference in the amount of VA medicine they prescribe. With that said, I should also clarify that I take NO pain medications, so there may be less of a concern with drug interactions.

I hope you are able to find a doctor who is able to help. But seriously, why pay for another doctor to see you, when the VA can easily document disabilities, then pay the small amount to see a doc in a box. But again, as the VA is the only health care I have, I would have to cover any other doctor visits from my own pocket.

I hope that you have filed a NOD for your 100% that was denied. Also if you have 70% with multiple ratings and at least one disability at 40% then you should also apply for Individual Unemployability. The process is long and difficult, as most things wrapped up in the government.

Best of luck,
Charles D.