Infantryman vet left without use of arm after botched VA surgery

The Marine veteran was waiting on the VA to give him the green light for surgery, not just one or two years… but five years and 1 month.

SSgt James Hollon was hurt on active-duty and EAS’d in 2012. He was put on a waitlist by the VA and finally received the surgery date of January 2017.

The Marine vet was excited at the prospects of healing and returning to life as he knew it before he was injured. Instead, he woke up and discovered he couldn’t use his dominant arm.

What was supposed to be an 8-week leave of absence from work, turned into 6 months of chaos and confusion working within the VA system towards recovery.

In order to get the help Hollon needed, his family had to leave their home to move into a VA communal facility. Further complicating matters, the family had an estate sale to come up with the funds so he could continue the treatments he needed to recover.

Now this family is at another crossroads. They’re reaching the 6-month limit the VA offers to patients and they’re quickly approaching that deadline. The family is holding a GoFundMe fundraiser in order to raise the funds so that Hollon can continue receiving care before separating.

“His military record was exemplary, and I can say he’s one of the best leaders I’ve had the honor of working with. He exemplifies the Warrior ethos,” says Ballenger who served with Hollon in Iraq. 

“Unfortunately his battles aren’t over. They’ve just changed now, to dealing with our infamous VA system.
Bottom line, his family needs to catch a break. His struggles have been exceptionally hard on him and his family. People like Jim have put their life on the line so many times for all of us. He shouldn’t have to fight to get legitimate medical care, and his family shouldn’t financially suffer while wading through government bureaucracy,” he continued.

SSgt James Hollon served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 2000 to 2012 as an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines and 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines conducting multiple combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. SSgt Hollon also served as a Senior Drill Instructor with Delta Co. at MCRD San Diego.

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