I was referred to Dr. Brahms office by the Veterans Administration through community care which is part of the Mission Act. I had gone to the VA emergency room who referred me to podiatry, however, the next appointment available at the VA was months out, so I opted for a local doctor.
I went to my appointment and the diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis which is what the VA determined in the ER, was confirmed by Dr. Brahm. He explained what it was, the mechanics of it and all of that which I most certainly appreciated. He asked if I was diabetic and did some simple test for neuropathy and pulse in my foot. Not sure why as I was there for the Plantar issue and for diabetic foot care.
He went on to tell me that I needed shoes or inserts that would raise my heal to about 5/8" to 3/4" higher than the rest of my foot which would reduce the stress on my heel which is where the severe pain is. I ask if he prescribe these for me and he told me that he could not, that the VA would have to do that or that I could buy my own over the counter shoes made for this condition (I looked it up, well over $100 for these if of any good quality). He told me to do some foot exercising to help take care of the tendons in my foot. He did not provide any suggestions to the type of exercises, no hand outs showing what to do or anything. Also of note, I was never asked by him or his staff, nor was there any place on my initial questionnaire, that asked me about any medications I currently take nor were my vital signs taken at any point. So I left.
Because he said they could not prescribe the proper things for my foot, I reached out to the VA Podiatry department who said I should contact VA Community Care, which I immediately did. I gave the entire story to the person from the VA who determined that something was wrong, so she initiated a 3 way call between herself, me and the doctor's office. She asked the person who answered the phone, who I believe was the office manager if she had sent in the proper forms provided by the VA which would state what the doctor had told m about my need for shoes or other items. The office manager said no and went on to use this opportunity to say that she felt that if she sent it in the VA would do nothing because she has had experiences in the past where she tried to reach out to the VA and the VA did not respond. This has NOTHING to do with my circumstance. She was told byu the VA agent that the proper form should have been submitted. At this point, the doctor himself, Dr. Brahm, came on the line and told the VA rep that he could not prescribe the proper items he suggested because the VA would not approve because it was his understanding that the VA only paid for shoes for diabetics and because his simple tests did not show a problem related to diabetes. He made the decision on the VA's behalf which is NOT his job! His job in this case would have been to complete and forward the aforementioned form to the VA so that the VA can make a decision as to whether or not they would pay for these shoes or whatever was determined that I needed. During the course of the VA explaining to him the correct procedure, the doctor said something along the line that he was tired of this call or did not need this or whatever and just hung up the phone, in the middle of the conversation.
SO, my advice, especially if you are a veteran using Community Care through the VA and Triwest, is to avoid this doctor like the plague. He appears to be set in his ways and apparently does not understand the intricacies of dealing with veterans and the Veteran's Administration.
Please note that I have shared this experience with the VA Community Care Department, the VA Podiatry Department at Loma Linda, The Patient Advocacy Department at the VA and Triwest and will continue to do so with any all that may be concerned.
In closing, I am 100% Service Connected Permanent and Total Disabled. I have to disabilities that are rated at 100%, one of them being Chromic PTSD. Because of this experience, I have been affected. This whole thing and how the doctor reacted to the three way phone call has created more feelings of anxiety and depression and a big concern for other patients, especially veterans who may have to endure the same read more
