Veterans, we are conducting a nationwide poll to see if you guys think the VA is doing a good job caring for vets. Please submit your answer below, thanks for voicing your opinion!
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I think the care that I care recieve is adequate but the VA isn’t in step with cutting edge care that is available elsewhere. I have asked for cutting edge tests from other medical centers in the area only to have the VA provide a blank stares that says “what the hell are you talking about.” This is from a supposed “teaching hospital” that are associated with the state. The other issue I have is that they won’t always keep information private as it pertains to my needs.
It’s difficult not to bed critical. Many things have improved but the bitter taste of fighting the VA for 12 years to finally get 100% P&T is difficult to let go of. That’s a combined rating so it was many fights, each time I submitted and had to resubmit a claim. The actual healthcare, at best, is spotty, hit or miss.. Surgery on my left shoulder went well with full recovesry. Surgery on my right shoulder made the problem worse and still struggling to recover, even after therapy. Surgery on my right hip was botched. They admitted it but said said, “oh well. you win some, you lose some. Besides, you’re getting old. That seems to be the reason my PCP gives me for about anything I go in for these days, but I have been hearing that since I was 40… I’m 65.. When it’s all said and done, I’m thankful for having the VA. I don’t know how I would survive without them…
I have been trying to see my PCP, for over a year. They give me an appointment, only to have it canceled a month later. I have also requested to change to my previous PCP, every request is denied. This is in the EL PASO V.A.
Continue to do excellent service!! You are fantastic people. Thank God for the VA!!
I have been going to my Asthma and Allergy doctor which the VA referred me to. My outside doctor sent a request twice to my primary doctor in the white team for lab work to be done. I’m upset because it’s been two weeks, and nothing is happening. I called and let messages. I’m going to bring the request in person next. A waste of gas.
Separate-one of many serving honorably in Europe when President Johnson had us declared surplus so we could be shipped to Vietnam as surplus non war and told on vacation when wounded! Tfg did same and their records corrected but us? Honor before we die?
It is to hard to get coerage for issues that arrive after discharge
Why do Vets when they get hurt in the Army during Vietnam War get compensated from the day of injured not the day you fill? your claim ????????????
Very good question. However, I fought with the VA for 25 years and filed at least 7 times to get my disability compensation from my wounds in Vietnam Nam. And just 2 years ago they finally rated me 100% totally and permanently disabled. They did not pay me back to the date of my first filing.
Very good question. However, I fought with the VA for 25 years and filed at least 7 times to get my disability compensation from my wounds in Vietnam Nam. And just 2 years ago they finally rated me 100% totally and permanently disabled. They did not pay me back to the date of my first filing.
You get comp.,from the day you apply for it. If it takes say 5 years to get it it’s all retroactive to the day you applied. Good luck
So a person is to starve and lose everything waiting 5+ years for benefits due from the VA after my husband died due to agent orange effects.
The trouble with the VA is that it cannot attach good medical doctors because it doesn’t
pay them enough.
Just check out the VA in Lubbock, Texas.
They are having trouble hiring personnel.
The politicians only care about enriching themselves.
If they would only go to pickup the remains of the bodies soldiers after a firefight maybe
they would realize the sacrifice we make for their safety and the whole country.
1
Amen
One thing the VA has to do to what we call (PRIORITY). I noticed when you call and have a somewhat urgent matter, the people at the desks stick to a format designed to help all that come in to a VA center. But there are times when priority is a must and a lot of times they stick to a program of getting Vets in regardless of there condition. This needs to be changed. For example: I have blood in my urine and felt this was an urgent matter. Well at the desk they just want by a set program and instead of putting up on the list to see a doctor, they told me I can see my doctor in April. I said April, I could be dead by than. They really need to scene the call and determine the Veterans condition. Not a schedule by appointment. The Veteran is priority, not the time schedule.
I just experienced the same situation with veteran husband. I called the VA in February 2023 when he wasn’t able to hold food down and also is experiencing depression. No interest in doing much of anything. I brought him to the VA for more blood work-up and they never called me back to go over the results and made an appointment for him in April, 2023. He has experienced a host of medical issues since the Gulf War and I can’t get much in the way of caregiver support. A lot of so-called support groups but not very effective. His care limits my financial earning as well and supposedly there is compensation out there for caregivers?? I have not been able to find it??
I’ve been going back and forth to the VA hospital in New Orleans and I cannot get compensation for the pack at which I was apart of the ground war in desert Storm and having to have surgery for this Sinus. I also suffer from severe case of sleep apnea and it makes me can’t breathe at night on the CPAP machine it’s really not fair what the VA is doing me here in Louisiana I’m beginning to think it’s personal.
My husband was in Dessert Storm as well and has had may medical issues since. I have tried to get help from the VA as a caregiver for my husband and put together tons of documentation from doctors outside of the VA who diagnosed Gulf War related illnesses but, VA will not validate or accept documentation. They seek a narrative report which has been very difficult if not impossible to get to date. As a caregiver for my husband I cannot work much outside of the home. My husband now 81 needs a lot of monitoring and VA doctors seem to want to contribute his issues to his age and not to his service. Very frustrating for caregivers who now experience financial hardships
I get good medical care when I can get an appointment. Last year I was able to get an appointment without wainting for two months, but since it seems that we are back to normal and I am in pain and have to wain for two months before I can get an appointment.
Can anyone help with information on deceased spousal benifits? I am a veteran and the spouce of a decease veteran and I have turened in my documents twice and they have not been approved for benifits.
I will admit there is good with the bad, but as a patient if I feel something is wrong with me and my gut is telling me something is wrong with me and I ask very kindly for a certain test I feel like dead face looking at me and saying no is not fair in the slightest. Which is exactly what the OB doctors do in the VA facilities. I am still super pissed that all my pain and nagging feeling of not feeling well is “normal” and dont worry about it. I also work in the medical field and I would not treat my patients the way that this OB did, I am still pretty PO’d about it to be honest.
I switched from the DC area VA to the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, VA, a teaching hospital that works with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The hospital is great, with forward-thinking doctors and staff. I live in Fredericksburg, where there are currently two community outreach clinics and a new clinic being built that looks to be the size of a hospital.
The only issue I have is the time lag between the time my doctor requests community care, for instance, local physical therapy, and the time it is finally scheduled. It could be a two-month delay.
I can only speak for my self, the Asheville VA does a great job taking care of me. I have several issues and there on top of all of them. They even call and check on me from time in between appointments. I am very appreciative of the care i receive. .
I agree 100% with you I have had great care with the Ashville hospital when I needed care of specialist or any type of surgery. They are friendly and caring.
The Miami VA offers great support for its Veterans! The higher level of the VA leaves alot to be desired, they take the word of individuals that out and out LIE to protect themselves, which puts the veteran in a terriable position to obtain services and benefits. The process of approval for the Caretaker program is very outdated and should take the WHOLE PERSON into account for approval. PTSD is not an illness that does not show but many of our heros suffer from this and sometime end their lives because of a one-sided system. STOP killing our veterans with irrational decesions!
The Butler, PA. Medical Center has been great. Appointments are convenient, doctors are attentive, prescriptions are filled promptly, bloodwork is completed with little waiting. I have no reason to complain. All of the VA facilities should use this facility as an example.
I’ve been with the VA for 24 years, they started out with great medical care for myself and the other Veterans I spoke with. But as soon as they lumped every Veteran into one category, the care for myself and our Veterans have gone into the toilet. The VA and those Leaders in charge of the Veteran medical centers, are more concerned about getting their incentive bonuses, that they don’t care about the care the Veterans are receiving. They succeeded in running out every Doctor that truly cared about proving the best care to their Veterans, even if it meant that prescribing a narcotic if that is what was needed to help with their quality of life. All we have now, are Doctors that are dictated from above how they will treat their Veterans and those DICTATORS, have not treated a patient in year’s.
I totally agree with you ɓrother..I have PTSD and I have to see a civilian therapist and he is outstanding for taking care of me. I am happy with my therapist, than the VA.
I. Can Agree With You Sir,,, I Suffer From PTSD And Major Depression! The VA. I’m. Associated With On Claremont Way in Decatur Ga!! You Guys Have And Still Are Giving Me Care That I. Need!!! I Owe My Living To The VA Staff And Facilities !!
Cpl fuller mj. Usmc Purple Heart vet the va is doing a shitty job my wife lost her care giver stuff in 2021 I have tried getting back I’m 100/ tbi ptsd neck back leggs pin plates in Bethesda 1.5 years. They expanded program and drop some vets that rate it. It’s been a year and half I am supposed to get back pay but no one has contacted me about it there bullshitting my family I guess I need to accidentally burn down house to get help and sue them it has cause so much marriage problems and my mother has been here there is no help I went to va they don’t no shit they have 10 years of documentation computer when they did at home assessment s it anyone knows how to help me please email me at [email protected] I have wrote Congress military and president nothing has been started my income was based on the income now I’m screwed literal they tring to take away pain meds every Iv been on 20 years and been fine I guess it stand by to die you don’t wake up one morning and be fine . If that were the case give me a gun send me back to combat paper work war no one cares semper I
I agree with you 100 0/0
In regards to this survey about the VA they are the worst’s care giver. My husband is the VET. I’ thank God that I’m not. It’s a crime shame how theses VETS have to suffer when they come back to the real world after being programmed to do what they never thought of doing in life. When they leave home with a sound mind and everything is working properly then they come back with a robot mind plus a disabled or a piece of a body. Then they can’t even get the proper care, the funds they need to help them and their family to live off and then all the paperwork that shows what problems they was facing while in service and having after getting out. That’s treating them as if they were an animal who knows how to defend for themselves. This why my uncle back in the day whose was a WW2 VET told my husband “DAMN THE VA”. We see why he said what he did. Cause the VA isn’t worst a DAMN. They can’t even give these VETS what they know they should be given for their service.
You have a good point. The people I have to interact with seem nice until you need to address a problem or concern. I’m very fortunate to have a good audiology department in one of the smaller clinics. The main hospital is the pits.
I’m referring to the Philadelphia VA Hospital in Pennsylvania.
Kudos to the Horsham VA Clinic.
Lataisha S.JONES my husband was a vet, he passes in 2018, and send then, they don’t provide any assistance for the vet’s wife they leave us with bills and when you fall into debt. They don’t have a program to help it’s all about a bank but if you are already in debt banks aren’t going to help you and they are so slow with updating you on eligibility?
I’m a spouse of a Veteran and I’m seeing the hassle, wait time and mistreatment of my husband. He”s not able to walk or stand because of a stroke, heart attack and blood clots. Been waiting for almost seves months to get aid and attendance and an grant allowance for an wheelchair accessary van. I need help immediately.
Try contacting your local American Legion Post. If they can’t help you direct, they can certainly steer you in the right direction..
Thanks to your husband for his brave & courageous service.
I agree completely! I had surgery over a year ago ,and I still have the osteomyelitis they put in during my surgery. And, this is supposed to be good medical care.
Between Outsourcing and Video appointments when are the battery operated robots coming to take care of the Veterans?
I am very satisfied with the care I receive at the San Diego VA. They are outstanding. I am a Vietnam Veteran, and they have showed me some respect. My provider is excellent and cares 100% for his patients. SanDiego VA is the best!
I get treated very good
YES! Where I have issues is so many benefits available but weak follow up on how.
God bless the VA
I’m from NW Michigan, Traverse City to be exact, Moved here from NE Ohio 7 years ago, and have not had the sort of problems I’ve heard about in other parts of the country. The entire staff at both places (Ohio & Michigan) have been outstanding. Just been assigned a new provider, and met with her for the first time today. She spent 1 1/2 hours with me and really took her time to make sure I was getting the best care possible. I really like this young lady, and I think we will work well together. And that’s going to be to my benefit for sure.
i’ve been suffering from TBI for years. from ranger training, playing football and combat football. 14 severe concussions, so bad i couldn’t tell you what day it was. the va has done nothing for me at all. except tell me it’s totally irrelevant. it’s nothing more than deny Deny DENY. THEY COULD CARE LESS.
Why are there are so many vet outfits that collect donations to care for all these vets??? All will need care for the rest of their lives? Somewhere the government has let these guys down???
VA is like all government agencies. None of them work.
You got that right… They moved my clinic a few miles from where it used to be and it hadn’t been the same since. I finally got to see a Dr. Instead of a phone appt. After over a year. The new clinic has about 8 people working there and that’s more then the vets I’ve seen there. They also have about 12 exam rooms but NO Doctors! SAD…
Yes I am pleased with the service that I received.
The VA in Central Texas has been doing a good job by me. I get all my meds from VA, and because I live so far from VA facilities I was included in the CHOICE program that allowed me to see outside doctors and clinics. The administrating entity was TRIWEST and they were great! If I wanted to see a doctor I would call TRIWEST (they always promptly answered the phone) would inquire if the doctor I wanted to see was on the list of in-network doctors, and if the doctor was I would make the appointment myself and the doc would bill TRIWEST. It worked like a dream. It was too good to be true. The VA messed with it (ever hear if it works don’t mess with it?). Now all referrals have to go through VA, and that in itself is a time wasting monkey wrench. It take forever to get a referral from a VA specialty doctor, then forever to get it to Community “Care” (sarcasm intended with the quotes). Community “care” takes about an hour to answer the phone, and many times they ping-pong you back to the VA. Now I understand the Biden administration appointed head of VA (that in itself is a disaster) has decided to tweak the VA budget and the way he intends to do it is to phase back veterans ability to see outside doctors and route them back to the VA facilities no matter how distant they live. Typical stupid liberal response: tax more, provide less, and with maximum pain for those involved. He in effect is creating a gigantic logjam for veterans, and forcing people like me that live hundreds of miles from the nearest VA facility to travel great distances well or sick. The writing is on the wall – until we get people in charge who really care about veterans, things are going to get very bad very soon. Voting has consequences, brothers and sisters. You get my drift?
Well said an you are exactly right..
Dc ham
Can’t agree with you more
I am a 60%’ Service Connected Disabled Veteran, who lives over 2 hours from the nearest VA Hospital; I am very frustrated with the medical care provided by VA, but I know that it is. not due to President Biden.
I really mis spelled a lot . On my last comment. I meant to say I’am all most at 100% on disability, I have one more apple I’am fighting on , so no the VA has been doing wrong and when I order my medication it takes the VA more them a month to send them out to me and some times much longer. Thank God I never ended my Kaiser
I’am Viet Nam vet, I have been fighting the VA since 2004, I have agent Orange and I have had to fight for everything I have from, I first have to prove I was in the service cause the VA did not honor my DD214 order discharge paper work It took me 3 years to prove I was there and since then I’ve been fight ing them and I still am I’am also at 100% on disability But I have 1 apple still. But I will not give up.
I am a Vietnam Vet – I have many of the symptoms of Agent Orange but I cannot get them to provide me the benefits/compensation because my ships do not show up in their “zone”.
I am very happy with the care they provide me, but just cannot understand when my VA Physicians tell me and report my illnesses are caused by exposure to Agent Orange the VA will not accept that.
I will continue to work on my claims, but it has been 51 years since I left Vietnam and I am still waiting….
I really appreciate the Doctors and Staff at the VAMC in Durham NC for all they do, just not happy with the folks in DC dealing with my claims.
They have been terrific as far as I’m concerned!
On 1Sep2022, called to get an appt. Got one for 29 Nov. They called and said the 29 Nov appt was canceled. They rescheduled it for 4 Jan 2023. I wonder if they will call and reschedule the 4 Jan appt for March 2023?
The best way to take care of us veterans is to upon discharge give us authizason to use our VA card to go to any medical facilty to get the medical help we need at no charge to the vet. They would bill the VA administration for the service provided..
I am pleased with the VA. I
have a doctor that cares. I have used the VA for 20 years
and it much better now than in the past.
I have a similar story. My KansasCity facilities and my Alabama facilities have been super in care and follow up!
That service exists, it’s called community care or care in the community. Contact your closet VA Hospital for info.
As long as I use Community Care for outside treatment and surgeries I get great care. VA surgeons at Loma Linda misdiagnosed and ignored MRI results cost me 3 surgeries in 2022 and forced retirement.
Great comment, and I am sure most VETS would agree with this. Fortunately I use the VA facility for my annual check-up. Occasionally I go the Ann Arbor Va for minor things. Last year I was attacked by many yellow-jackets and developed a permanent allergy. VA provides me with the, very expensive,Epi pens. Great savings for me and my family.. Our VA take very good care of our Vets when they approach them with respect.
Dear Willis, As a 34 yr. retired vet and a 20+ year retired VA nurse, I can tell you that your comment strikes extreme fear into the “mananagement” and executive levels of the VA, just as it would in any other Cabinet level beaurocracy in the Federal Government. Instead, require EVERY employee, consultant, manager, advisor and oversight politician to be a combat veteran and only then will things change. Right now only about 25% of them (mostly low level hourly employees) have ever served a day.
I agreed 100%
Same story here. The Doctor is foreign and conveniently takes off about three months a year. to return to home country. We only have a clinic, albeit a nice one. But Just one Doctor for an area of probably over a million vets. That in itself is a joke.
I have connected service for my earing lost, have applied for disability several times was denied. Was told my lost was a zero rating. How can it be at a zero rating when I have earing aids for both ears. Also was diagnosed with sleep Alpea in 2013 was told I stop breathing 1oo times that night use the machine nightly. Provided documentation for disability have been denied several time. Can’t get a dental appointment at the VA because I’m only at,80%, tired to get an ENT appointment was given the run around. So I go to civilian doctors.
Have your Veterans Service Officer submit your appeal for the hearing loss, and also submit your claim for Un-Employability. You will be paid at the 100% level until you are rated Permanent and Total 100%. Use your Service Officer, DO NOT TRY TO REPRESENT YOURSELF!!
From my point of view the VA medical team is doing a great job!
The approval process for disability claims needs an overhaul. When claims set in a reviewers office for a year or more just waiting for the finial approval is ridiculous
I agree 100%
The math they use for percentages is crazy. I have damage to every joint in my body that adds up to 100% per their report. Including ringing in my head. Still only gave me 60%.
I would like to thank the VA for their help and provided me ok assistance i also would also would thank them for
1 providing with cheap shoes, glasses, Doctors who are buts,staff who are racist, evaluation staff who call you a lier, for making my friend wait eight months needing a hip replacement and now telling him he may have to wait till April of next year,for fighting out souring when it is best for both the Veteran and the VA. Lest I digress it’s a hard job and I thank you for your Service to the Veterans
The mental health clinic at the VA in Hampton, Virginia needs serious scrutiny. I made multiple attempts to obtain mental health care from these offices, and after my fourth message with the clinic, I was offered no help and given nothing but excuses for why they had not returned my messages.
I told the head of the department that I was contemplating suicide and was told that I would have to come back the next day, this was at 1300 hrs.
I made several more attempts to be seen but never had my messages returned.
I agree. The clinics and their teams at Loma Linda VA are excellent. Some surgeons don’t care and recommend band aid procedures.
This is just what I’ve experienced lately, I wear glasses and before I just went to my eye Dr and he would order them, so they would come directly from him, now the Dr sends in the prescription and the VA sends me the glasses straight to my home, here’s the problem, I don’t know where these glasses come from, but they are the cheapest glasses I’ve ever owned. I have had better quality store bought reading glasses than these, the lenses fall out, I have a hard time seeing with them. I called my congressman and after a few weeks someone from the VA called me and all they had was excuses, I told them these are very cheaply made. All I want is decent glasses, not top of the line, just decent. It’s sad when I can’t get that, but we can send billions of dollars to the Ukraine. I want people to stop thanking me for my service, I want decent glasses. BTW the glasses weren’t free, I still had to pay out of pocket, so I’m not even asking for free glasses, just a little help.
Hardly. The VA can and should improve services in most areas. You obviously have ver little going on.
I think the small VA Clinics (rural areas) are getting very good reviews. Metro areas maybe not so much. I agree with the fact if you have a lot of issues the chances are increased of a FUBAR. This may also be true of very large hospitals. I guess I have been lucky as a 71 yr old vet who is very happy for the VA care I receive.
I have been trying to be compensated for being in Vietnam during the agent orange 🍊 spraying to which I should be like all the other veterans set at 💯 percent. But they refused to put me at 💯 percent and pay me like they did to hundreds of thousands of soldiers. My vietnamese wife has passed away from many different cancers due to agent orange and my first born child is disabled. I know and VA people know everything that has happened to me and my family is due to agent orange. I am going to seek legal help and sue the veterans administration for 15 million dollars.
I agree with my fellow Veterans with how the VA treats you on service connected disabilities. I recently submitted a claim for reevaluation of my service connected issues for increased compensation because things have gotten progressively worse since retiring. I was very surprised at the results of my reevaluation results. They did not increase a single service-connected issue and in-fact decreased one of them from 10% down to 0%. I didn’t think they could decrease it once I had it originally evaluated at 10%. I have to admit, I was very surprised that they could actually go back and take money away from a Veteran.
In addition, they failed to reevaluate a service connected issue I have with gastro-esophageal reflux disease that eventually eroded my esophagus leading to two hiatal hernia repairs and later to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus (a pre-stage condition to esophageal cancer), And it that wasn’t enough, my GI doctor has connected it to my sleep apnea condition if the fact that the constant burning keeps me up at night and affects sleep patterns. In addition, my knees, which are also service connected, are now so bad that I either have to keep getting weekly/biweekly injections or get them replaced.
I wasn’t even going to go back for re-evaluation until a fellow shipmate of mine convinced me. I had heard that the VA would take care of us and that the agency was a lot better from previous times — but now I am not convinced. It almost feels that the decision to NOT increase my compensation was already made before me even getting reevaluated. I agree with one of the above comments in that “the VA preaches how good their treating you except when it is time to compensate you for your condition”.
I plan to keep pursuing my goal of increasing my compensation level even though sometimes it seems like a lost cause.
I was appointed by the Pentagon DOD to the American Embassies Defense Attache with Col John Kizirian INF USAF CIA performing reconnaissance on Russian Diplomats aiming nuclear missiles at American interests abroad. However, we were bombed by terrorists causing me 100% disability P&T. The Navy concealed my records for 20 years due to the sensitivity of our operation. As a result, I didn’t exist nor was I in the VA system. So I had no Healthcare nor disability pay for 20 years! Now, they refuse to retroactively reimburse me for the 20 years my records were concealed. This is horrible and doesn’t exhibit the honor, patriotism and sacrifices the Navy taught us from the beginning.
Dr. Kim L Hobson, Behavioral Psychotherapist RET
Pentagon Appointed to American Embassies Defense Attache as an Intelligence Officer
110 Somerset Drive Garland Texas 75040
VA is doing the best it can. I have been taken care of with little or no issues at times. I just would like for the VA to outsource more doctors when it comes to Dental issues. They do not have enough staff when it comes to this issue. I should not have to wait more than 30 days for appointments.
Exactly- dental needs to be outsourced in a more timely manner
THE VA ARE BEING TO SEE THAT WE NEED MOST HELP FROM THEM. STILL MORE HELP IN NEEDED. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SHOW US THAT YOU ARE OUR FRIENDS. WE NEED YOUR HELP.
I agree and totally believe that the VA is not seeing and or hearing the Veterans concerns. Dental is a big concern for me as well.
U r so right. How can they say. Health wise I’m ok but. If every tooth in ur mouth is connected to different parts to ur boby. And if u need work in ur mouth they refuse to help u. Whether u did 20 or more or less. Still they won’t do SHIT… Really, who’s B.S. WHO. MY grandson wanted to join the military & I told him he’ll no. Use me & my wife as example of being both VETERANS & still going through B.S. Really?? Dam shame. @ times. Y even bother in serving.
No they are doing a terrible job. My disabilities should be rated at Total and Permanent but they are not, and so they dropped me from 100% to 90%. I have diabetes, and the complications from it do not go away they get progressively worse, so how in the heck are they doing great, by not understanding that I should be total and permanent at 100% with no changes to my rating.
I have from other vets that when you try to increase your rating they automatically see if they can find any way to decrease your disability rating. It happen to me. I went from 50% to30% until I got another evaluation from a civilian doctor at my expense.
I’m still waiting on anything since 2012. I just had my C&P.
Please pray I get something. I’ll settle for 30% to get paid for mileage and meds.
They are doing a great job meeting my needs.
No I can’t get no medicine I can’t get my medication worked on I can’t get the car to ride with us I can’t walk you people aren’t doing shit for the veterans I wish somebody would contact I’ve been calling the senators congressmen filing malpractice suits talking to Washington and you people and so disgraceful your design of the veterans in the United States
I recently had a knee replacement at the VA in Northport, NY. No complaints. I also have Afib and they would not let me go home until they addressed the issue.
The healthcare from the provider side is very good. However, if you have a service-connected injury, which you should have compensation for, they treat you like you are a piece of garbage. The VA preaches how good their treating you except when it is time to compensate you for your condition. The VA would rather spend $50 thousand dollars on their private lawyer to fight giving you a 10 percent disability rating of $144/month. The VA makes you feel cheap and petty for asking and makes you go through hoops to get their pocket change. A truly horrible organization when it comes to cash disability ratings.
PRAISE GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKES COMMENTS. I AM A 74 HYEAR OLD VIETNAM VETERAN WITH DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH NEUROPATHY. .MY OVERLOADED PRIMARY DOCTOR IS VERY GOOD IN LISTENING TO MY HEALTH ISSUES. SHE PRESCRIBES THE BEST MEDICINES ALLOWED BY TH E VA. HOWEVER, NOTHING WORKS TO STOP THE NERVE PROBLEMS. BOTH HANDS GO NUMB EVERY NIGHT, AND I LIE AWAKE IN PAIN. AS I’M TYPING, MY FINGERS ARE TINGLING. THE VA REFUSES TO RATE ME 100% DISABLED,, I GUESS, BECAUSE I AM UPRIGHT. WHY SO MANY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SUPPORT WAR EFFORTS, ANYWHERE, AND SO LITTLE GIVEN TO VETERANS WITH PREVIOUS WAR-TORN DISABILITIES??WORDS, “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE,” REALLY??
The problem i had was with my kidney it was damaged when doctors did not pay attention to my labs. So I went outside the VA for them to treat my aaa and it was discovered that I had a blockage going into my right kidney but when my claim was denied they said it was I got it from my father after I served in the usaf for 20 years with no problem
I used to receive great health care from the Temple V.A. Hospital. Then The Coronavirus hit and it seems like the VA administration used COVID-19 as an excuse not to give Veterans great health care. Before COVID-19 you walk into an office and they couldn’t help you enough, now you walk into an office and you could be standing there twenty minutes before you even get recognized. I’m sorry but when I’m sent down to Community Care I walk into an office and it’s hello sir ma’am can I help you within seconds? Why is that?
Because they would rather see you become homeless or die that way they don’t have to do anything. I know I’ve been fighting with a heart condition for over 2 years with these idiots. And I broke back while I was in service.
I do not believe the VA should be painted with a broad brush. Some services are good while others are not so good. For example, our dental, in my opinion, is excellent although the wait times can be extensive. She is overloaded. If this particular dentist and her assistant were on the outside I would have no issues with using them. My primary care is the best but again overloaded with patients. Our MH, after working with the administration, got us back on our schedule for for group therapy. Scheduling can be a major problem as is the waiting times. If you go into our outpatient clinic there is more staff than patients. Why? They cannot get help because the pay stinks. They need more help, less red tape and faster response times. Plus an internet connection that works and you do not have to go crazy.
You’ll get no argument from me about scheduling and waiting challenges, but once we get through the door the VA puts it all on the line for us. I feel blessed to be part of the VA Health Care System, even though I sometimes feel pain when my fellow brothers and sisters can’t get immediate attention if they need it. So, what can we do to help streamline access and speed up delivery? The reality is that we need more medical staff with a budget that reflects that need. I can think of two sources without provoking a radical impact on Congressional budgetary constraints.
I think the Doctors at the VA are doing the very best job they can do with the boundaries the government puts on them. I think the government has their priorities messed up when they advertise that they will do sex change surgeries and abortions but they make a veteran fight to get just the daily medication they take. . It crazy sometimes. But for the most part I feel I am well taken care of.
I agree
I have never had better health care
No because I was stationed in DaNang, the heart of the agent orange spraying. They are treating me for a lot of symptoms caused by agent orange and refused to compensate me for agent orange and put me at 💯 percent disability. My vietnamese wife who lived there and has since died from several different cancers but yet I am lucky to be alive I guess. But thousands of other soldiers got 💯 percent and back payment for agent orange. Me they just tossed aside.
My husband served in Army. While in explained about anxiety & PTSD system. They told him he was fine for discharge & not military problem. Systems go worse as time went on. Destroyed our family, he was in & out mental home. Believed he was around undercover, all sorts crazy things. No one would help. Regular places tried but didn’t understand military ways. The VA in Indy said he wasn’t going get disability through military & my husband would not stay. He got regular disability, But that didn’t medical help him. When he passed I got no help from military. All those years I didn’t work to help him. Being held by gun point because he thought I was the enemy . It was unreal experience.. I would never gone through this if the military had taken actio & helped my poor husband.
God Bless you Colleen!!!
Thank you for loving him and taking care of him!!! Being in a Combat Zone or the Military itself with the unknown location can be a stress unto itself. And then Flashbacks from that experience can happen when Veterans return home… You are correct in that many medical facilities do not dig deep enougth into Military backgrounds and experiecnes, in my opinion. We have to push the politicians to make it better!
Don Allen U>S. Army 1970-1972, Vientianne, Laos Southeast Asia
Wow I as a fellow Veteran am blown away. You understand as a Wife of a Vet.. Best I can suggest is Pray for Him an You too. I will too.
When I finally got home with an Honorable Discharge! I went to the closest VA HOSPITAL to see about getting some help for my PTSD THEY TURNED ME AWAY BY SAYING THAT THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITAL IN MY HOME TOWN BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE VA HOSPITAL THE IHS HOSPITAL GAVE JUST AS GOOD CARE AS THEY DID!!! That was in 1990 and to this day I can get no help from the VA HOSPITAL and the disability board will not except the diagnosis from the IHS HOSPITAL concerning my PTSD AND EXTREME ANXIETY AND EXTREME DEPRESSION!
And my bi-polar and other health problems!
Where it not for the VA medical and mental assistance I would be without care.
My brother lies at home in Florida under VA hospice care with 4th stage cancer, a broken arm(5 or 6 weeks ago) untreated. He has not received bond marrow transplant which was recommended.
I find Doctors and Nurses at the Northampton MA VA to be giving and caring toward us veterans. I observe the veterans on the other hand are not so caring and appreciative. However, what really stresses me out is I find the Pharmacy to be poorly managed and uncaring. Their management practices do not recognize how critical these medications are to us. If you rely on the mail to receive medication, better stay on top of things yourself, because the pharmacy will not even inform the prescriber/vet when they have dispensed the last refill.?!
I came from the Phoenix VA system. This was where over 50 Veterans died, because of double booking, to make management look “good”.
I thought that this was the worst in the system – I was wrong.
The Oxnard VA Clinic was the worst.
The “care” was contracted out and the bottom line was profit – not Veterans care.
I am rated as 100% disabled, but have not ever been assigned a Caregiver, or, until recently a physical therapist.
I was never able to have a safety evaluation done on my home, which is dangerous. I cannot take a bath or shower, or make my bed.
I fall almost weekly and last week, broke bones in my foot.
I keep trying to make an appointment with my new primary care physician, but, I don’t even know who it is!
The scheduler never gets back to me and if I go in person, I only get to talk to the nurse and nothing happens.
I’m pleading with them to get referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon for back surgery, but after one year, NOTHING!
I live by myself, with no Family or friends and I am a prisoner in my home.
I now have numbness from my knees down and I DON’T know what is next!
I also suffer from PTSD & Bi-Polar Syndrome, which they also neglected.
I need help, so I can get better!
I go the the Dayton, Ohio VA and can say they have always taken great care from the people in the heart Dept.
VA Doctors are leaving due to overloaded panels and not enough time to provide true care.
As a veteran, I feel rushed during my visit especially when my doc is running late.
my visit is cut short often due to short staffing.
we are asked to appear 30 minutes ahead and find ourselves being seen more than 15- 20 minutes after the scheduled appt time.
Rescheduling appointments cause prolonged wait for care…
Employee workload prevents continuous care and good customer service.
Yes yes yes
I agree, it’s a meat house, so many per hour. The care sucks!!!
I Totally agree with you they are overloaded the the doctors are leaving they are replacing them with unskilled unscaled unexperienced rent nurses nurse practitioners respect to shiners and P a’s I I’ve waited up to 2 hours consistently for a scheduled appointment to see the doctor As some other people have said it is a meat grinder and as a 100 100% disabled veteran They have so far done nothing for me but cause more problems It definitely needs some help
Trust is a hard thing to come by these days, the only thing I can trust about the VA is they will pump my wife full of crap that just makes her numb and now she just has to have it so she waits at the mailbox for it. Docters are so vague she’s not even sure what’s wrong with her anymore. We live in a world of try something to you find the right one and she seems to be the ginny pig for that. Apparently, she has every ailment known to man but none of which are fixable so just pump her full of drugs. There’s a reason they call them practicing physicians, Practice, practice, practice,
I’m in extreme pain and I quit my Vicodin because the hole in the wall clinic I had to go to, cancelled my Vicodin so wait at the mailbox for her. I’m a Sr. Level Medic and I’m rolled up in the bed because after no doc for 8 mths. I had to Go downtown 😩
It’s because doctors are nothing more than political actors. As long as they look good to their peers and on paper they’re good to go. Who cares about Veterans. Sarcasm.
It took the VA 1yr to see that I broke my C-1-C2. Had to go thru a ex ray and it took them 3 months to come back and do a ex ray and a cat scan then took them 4 months to call me back and do a mri and then they called me back and said we have to do surgery as u have fractured ur neck. Then told me that I was lucky to be standing or even talking
Sir , I know how you feel I have spots on my lungs and lesions on my brain from the gulf War, first , they tell me the spots on my lungs have not progress and that the lesions on my brain is coming from old age , now , I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 45 , a cancer that don’t even run in my family and then two years later I’m diagnosed with colon cancer and they remove that and now every time I have an appointment with my primary care provider she is always out sick or what the fuck ever . And yeah I’m in Georgia, Charlie Norwood veteran affairs hospital so, I know I’m dying soon so please use my statement now which will probably be my last statement, but brother use it as evidence because I have no one to fight for me , all you need is for your lawyer to get my medical records. Good luck , because I’m not lucky.
Left Temporal Lobectomy 1999 I totally understand your grief, side effects can kill you. God Bless and throw in a good word with Big Guy.. Neurology is not one of the VA in Tucson, AZ Top 10.
When I became eligible for my VA, I went to the VA hospital. I was able to use it for 1 year and was told I couldn’t use it anymore. They told me I had to go to the base hospital. That was ok for a short period of time and then it’s now I have to use doctors off base. Little to no help from tricare. I put 22 years in the AF. I should be able to use the VA facilities.
The VA is for disabled veterans. Simply being a vet doesn’t qualify you for VA healthcare.
no…its not just for disabled vets. all vets can use it. they do require partial payment and insurance if your not disabled.
The VA is not only for Verterans but also Verterans family that has taken care of the Veteran without even thinking twice about not only do some vets get drop in system for care but after that veteran has pass away. They offer no help to spouse it’s been 4years since my husband passed away and it was my honor to take care of him totally for seven still fighting VA they got to do better
There for a while, I couldn’t get anything done, now all of a sudden, I have a new doctor, who gets things done.the way, the va should be.thank you
I BELIEVE THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB…….I HAVE EXCELLENT DOCTORS………I HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS INCLUDING CANCER TWICE AND HAVE GOTTEN TOP NOTCH CARE…..MY PRIMARY HAS BEEN WONDERFUL…….
Trying to get VA and community care together is not easy especially when surgery is involved,otherwise I’ve had no terrible issues.
I agree, mostly a break down between VA and community care info transfers. I love both, authorizations for community care only good 6 months then need a new one, I’ll be seeing same cardiologist rest of my life. Go to appt, reschedule is 6 months later, I have to get new authorization, it should be a year authorization. Thx
For me here in Springfield Missouri is doing an outstanding job, the phone system is absolutely a joke when I want to talk to my primary care doctor or just their receptionist it takes forever to get a hold of them. Have a real person answer the phone. The only issue I’ve ever had is I need some new diabetic shoes and I’ve been getting them for last three or four years now they’re telling me there’s a change in protocol I have to wait another month before I can see my podiatrist other than that they’re doing well they still need more money
VA is touting calls to main hospital, you can’t call direct anymore. It’s horrible.
Keep up the good work!
As far as medical for me is excellent , on the other side there phone system is terrible , and trying to get medical records and appointments.
I am a 100% service-connected veteran and I can only speak for myself. Since 1995 I have been on VA disability. Without the VA disability and Social Security disability, I would have ended up on SSI and Medicaid. Everything I have needed has been supplied to me and my wife from my entire healthcare and my wife’s CHAMPVA. The problems with VA healthcare are not caused by the VA but by Congress. If Congress would give the VA the money it needs, the VA Healthcare system would be able to help all the veterans who are in need of a good healthcare system. My clinic is very small. I have a primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, and blood work. Because all other VA doctors I need and all veterans at this clinic need are at another clinic 65 miles away. That means the VA has to foot the bill for my non-VA neurologist, dermatologist, podiatrist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, optometrist, audiologist, dentist, and speech therapist.
Trump gave them 55 billion dollars.
They took our travel privileges that saved congress 55million dollars, shortly thereafter congress voted them selves a 52 million dollar pay raise. This was early 2000’s
Where did you get that from
The problem with the VA is not congress the problem is the people that work for the VA
Not so. They are GREAT
I think they doing average job. It hard deal with primary Doctor.. They act like work for there self. Can’t get appointment. It take for ever going out appointment. It got worst now. No return call. So keep calling til get someone . Then they put one month off. You end up going to VA emergency room. You get some help. So live with it and be thankful that way the way treat.
Hello..
You got that right..it is the workers.
I am a disabled vet & I work for the VA.
I was almost traumatized 🙄 when i became a VA employee.
I could not believe how the folks that served in the military just as I did. (I served 26 1/2 yrs in the Air Force) & I just couldn’t believe the folks I now work with once protected the United States and have such poor work ethics!! So unbelievable!!
But it’s the leadership in the VA at the local level that make things so terrible!!!
They need to do better with our benefits claim been waiting over ten years or more
it all depends on where you live. va Pittsburgh is outstanding
i have not had a real doctor for seven years, since I am assigned
to a Nurse that doesn’t think like a doctor and when she does the HEAD Nurse blocks her down by saying no, we don’t allow
that. The Head Nurse ignored the Choice program all together! Thus, I’m stuck in the cease of a makeup the rules
daily by the HEAD NURSE who does not think like a DOCTOR
e.g., First do no HARM!
‘
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No. My husband had prostate cancer. They told him not to worry they will get to it soon enough. Well, it took them a year to get back to them when my husband was in distress. Now he has a cataract, and again he has to wait. 6 months. He asked if he could go to an eye Dr. & get it taken care of. They said no. We thought if it was longer than 30 days we could. It has been painful & he can hardly see with it. This is at the VA in St. Pete.
I am a Veit-Nam Veteran who servived Horonably and when I was discharged No matter what was wrong with me after a few years after I got older it seems as thought the service was getting even worst, at the being I would try to just get help for a cold and had to wait for two or three hours to even be seen and that was in the early 70’s, but after that it keeped getting worst, then after injures from my service stared to get even worst over time, I had to see two surgen about two diferent problem both of them said that was nothing wrong with me, one of those Drs at that time told when I had a musle sepperation in my stomach area that all I had to do was to work on it to make it better or stronger, I was my early 50’s then without any streth problem because at that time I was spitting wood to heat my home, the other Dr. said to me with a student ready to become a Dr. also seen the pictures of a hernea and when they both came back to tell me the out come I was that there was nothing wrong again when he told me this that young Dr. who was there to learn I could from the corner of my eyes when her jaw trop to her knees in disbeleave about how she knew he was lying, even way before all of that, I have always had Veteran’s interest and to help as many as I could to get them the best info that I could so that could submit a good clam for benefit them and their families. If this statement can help in any way becaesu the V.A. when they do get monyes from the The GOV. for emprovement to there systems they use it only to make the improvement to the building only not for the way they sould to help the Veterans they are to help with great Respect All Of Us Deserve, thank you for this oppertunity to let voice my oppinion.
The VA has been around since the 1930s, yet it seems as if it just opened up as a street vendor. It is useless and harmful to all veterans, wartime or otherwise.
Move all forms of treatment to civilian medical and mental health facilities.
At this time, the VA only provides two items: 1) payroll for VA employees, 2) retirement for VA employees. NOT ITS ORIGINAL OPERATING PROCEDURES.
Stop the nonsense or eliminate the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I’m afraid this is true! A very sad statement on VA awful health care. My Husband was a physician.in military! It has taken us 5.5 years and we are still struggling . My hisband died last Sept. three days later , we get a call clearing him for 15 hrs a week for home care! What a joke!’
Served in military 68-70 cannot get benefits unless have a disability
Thank you for your two years of service but except serving in congress what job gives you benefits for two years? If you have any disability claim that occurred file a claim.
I’ve had both knees replaced and they won’t rate me been waiting 5 years now. Alway tell me. I’ve got to wait I believe there waiting till I die
I think what many of the responses fail to do is pay attention to the question. It’s not just the VA Medical Centers, the question was “Is the VA Doing a Good Job Taking Care of Vets?” Look at the whole VA system before responding.
Our benefits have been cut away by politicians to the point that you can write them out on a piece of paper. The MEDICAL treatment I receive is pretty standard with civilian counterparts. The MENTAL HEALTH treatment I receive, sorry, WAS receiving, can only be described as barbaric. The VA Home Loan is awesome. My biggest complaint is filing a claim. It’s a wall of red tape and like the movie The Rain Maker “deny all claims”. No wonder the rates for drug abuse, alcoholism, divorce and suicide are so much higher among vets than civilians. Because I was 4 years sober, can hold a job (barely), I’m NOT suicidal, Due to the PTSD Demon, I was forced to leave one job because of the stressors and take a job making half what I was making, the VA denied my claim.
It seems like Deny All Claims should be their motto. Deny all claims until the vet gives up, commits suicide or dies.
Dental would be nice
Yes it would, don’t know why we don’t have dental
yes that would be nice
Dental kicks in when 100%. Permanent and total disability rating
That’s a solid summary of our experience as well. Home loan benefit is outstanding, but medical and psychiatric care is awful. Especially when the Veteran has Gulf War Illness. It doesn’t show up on a blood test, so this group of Veterans are discounted and not believed. It is shameful
For Gulf War Syndrome apply when denied get a GOOD law firm. I have been denied several times. Thanks to the firm of CCK out of RI I have eighty percent and expect one hundred soon. Do not let the VA screw you. Look up the symptoms. If you went to the desert you may have a case.
the va starts out great but will drop u in a minute i had a 100 5 dis for prostate cancer from ageat orange when i went for 42 treatments of radstion they said i was getting better so they took 1200 a month away from me everyone nows cancer never goes away
I liked your comment it was no different in the 90″s the VA will try to wear you down.
it took tenacity to survive the denials but after 7 years I was service connected at 30& then I was in the VA hospital in Tuskegee Alabama when another patient provoked me I beat the Hell out of him in the dayroom of 69/1 after I was discharged diidn’t hear anything for 6 months I got a letter from the VA SAYING MY SERVICE -CONNECTION was changed from 30% to 100% T&P For PTSD
If you have a medical problem many cannot go to the VA. If you can go then you will get first class treatment with your medical problems. If you stomped your toe then they do not have the time for you, which it should be. That is what I like about the VA. Friends over the years who have, and had medical issues have gotten 100%, plus from the VA staff caring for them.
I agree with the idea that you cant get imidate care but they will send to urgent care if you are service connected.
The urgent care they sent me to refused to see me citing payment problems with the VA.
The VA system is far too decentralized. One department at one center can be great and the same department at another center terrible. The centers are far too inconsistent. Yes, there is justification for some differences but the VA has taken decentralization to an extreme in which it appears nobody can say for certain what is going on.
The Veteran Affairs have a problem with retaining Good Doctors. The doctor we recently had was awesome. I’m having issues with them now receiving my prescriptions medicine. My personal opinion is that they need to offer my money to recruit better and professional people. I don’t understand why some people think that Biden is responsible for the VA situations, it been like that for a while now. I retired from the US. Navy 2001 and I have been connected with the VA since then.
Many of the doctors had recent completed their medical degree. Their school have them up to date to handled many issues. Older Doctors do not keep up with new treatments which could be a concern.
Absolutely, 110 percent correct, Carson. The VA has made the decision to attach itself to teaching hospitals, which are current on all medical science. I believe veterans who are treated in those facilities receive first-class care. I couldn’t be more happy with the VA, for surgeries, treatment of medical issues, and routine maintenance preventive care.
The dentist they had me go to did not know what she was doing. I sat for 6 hours in a cold room with her messing up over and over again. Even the dental tech had to help her. They ultimately sent me to an outside dentist to get the job done and then, after that one failed and got into a fight with the dental clinic at Bay Pines I was sent further down the road to another dentist. I have no idea how the dental work will last.
When my late husband FINALLY got an appt with VA, due to heart/stroke issues related to agent orange, he was seen by a newly certified Ob-Gyn young female doctor, who did exams for VA, in her spare time. No background in male geriatrics , stroke/heart or paralysis. She was a women’s doctor and my husband did not need a pap smear he needed care for a military service medical problem. She almost killed him by requiring he drag his paralyzed body across the floor to prove he could move. By the time he went 15ft on highly waxed floor, his blood pressure was 275/175 and he could hardly move. She said he was fine, and said he did not need anything. So, do not tell me they hire the best….this exam was almost fatal and completely degrading to a vet who deserved better. Shame on VA!
The VA is not consistent when seeing some doctors every time you go you don’t see the same doctor. I have been diagnosed with PTSD sleep disorder hearing loss but the VA still denied my claims for years.
WOW, I’M SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO HIM. As far as Agent Orange goes the VA & our Government wishes that we would all just die. Problem would then be solved.
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Hi good question from what I see at the medical center that takes care of me could not be better they have gone way over and above to give me the very best that I would ever want.in medical care what more could you want.
They have hidden my late husband’s military records for decades. He was USNavy VietNam, died of ischemic heart disease as a result of agent orange, for which he spent over 1 yr in Naval hospitals before being discharged without being told of diagnosis or benefits. We physically paid for ALL his care, including 6 bypass surgery for which he had no insurance. Records have been requested, and the VA has never responded. He got No benefits…and he enlisted to go to Nam! He was not drafted.
Hello Elizabeth, the VA is a CF
It takes too long to have major test and exams done through VA. Also I have been misdiagnosed several times. This forced to seek civilian doctors, rather than to use the VA hospital that is 3 city blocks from my home.
The VA needs to decide status FOR the vetrans…right now most are spring loaded to “no”….and they need to make decisions speedily…as it seems they wait hoping the veteran dies before they decide for him.
If a veteran comes to the VA for help, the VA needs to be more in favor of the veteran.
I agree. Just moved my general care to VA . Due to becoming disabled. Loss of private insurance. Been on blood thinners for over four years. They do not want to write a script for me. Would let me go without.
The V.A. is doing an OK job. The job the V.A. did when Donald Trump was president was noticeably much better. That was easy for him because prior to him, Obama was doing a terrible job. I feel the quality of service will be dropping off once Biden realizes how much it costs to service those that put their lives on the line for America. He’d rather be giving that to Illegal Aliens and homeless folks. As of now I give the V.A. a good rating.
what? i’ve been in the va system for almost 30 yrs and (presidency aside) in the last 10 yrs or so, there has been minor progress in helping veterans get their needs met. And heaven forbid you catch Covid because they will refuse you the necessary essentials of getting through that (like treatment for one) and don’t think you can count on the patient advocate because he works for them not you! i lost a lot of money because i was told to stay home and “drink plenty of water!” They do the bare minimum at best, and that has nothing to do with who’s in office. I love how people like to blame everything on politics when the truth is they just hire crappy, lazy people who just want an easy paycheck.
Steve, You can not blame the President for how the VA is being run or how well the VA is being run. I have been to the VA several times in the last 28 years in Denver, (Aurora) Colorado. I have always had good service. I have been taken to the Emergency Room twice in 2018 with Pancreatitis and was taken care of very well. I had to stay in the hospital for a few days. The staff, the nurses and doctors would be checking on me several times to make sure I was doing well. There was only one thing that I did not like while I was in there and that was the alarm they put on the bed if you get out of bed or fall out. Anyway, my point is that I have very good care at the VA. Also, the delay in getting in for your appointment, i.e. your appointment is at 1:30pm but you do not get in for your appointment until 2:10pm and you checked in at 1:00pm. But to be honest with you that happens in the civilian world as well. However, I have noticed they have been getting a bit better lately.
I agree . . . I’m also sure the stipends, lavishly doled out, to every illegal includes a “Cost Of Living”, (NOT given to Disabled Veterans and Social Security recipients), increase, along with a little brochure with Biden’s picture on the front, threatening to cut them off and deport them, with no money, if the don’t vote for democrats! Sound far fetched? Remember folks, these are people who worship the ground dead babies are buried in . . . !
Trump is going to jail. He doesn’t care. Don’t fool yourself.
Troll
Thats bull they have had Trump on trial since he ran 4 president and haven’t proved a thing! Who else even u could go thru 7 years of scrutiny and come out smelling like a rose!!
Your Political COLORS are showing!!! Been retired since 1993 and the VA remains the same and definitely no useful changes with tRump in the WH! Bottom line, VA Health Care has never been in the top five (5) regardless of political affiliation. The Veterans must support, encourage and vote for those who ultimately see the value in our Ex-Servicemen/women, aka, American Vets! In closing, its not about affiliation unless its strictly Military Veteran Associations!
What an asinine statement !!
What an asinine statement!
I think it depends on the state you live in. I’m in HI and the VA here has been great. My Dad, however was in Houston, TX. His PCM was great, but the specialists he saw and the emergency room is severely lacking.
My Dad had surgery through the VA and although the surgery was a success, he was given an infection through the catheter that was inserted. His treatment for the infection was concluded without collecting labs to see if he still had an infection. He was taken to an urgent care clinic the day after the VA treatment was considered complete to find that he was septic and has very near death, but the clinic was able to treat him and identify the bacteria, which the VA failed to do. The infection led to other complications over the next year and we lost my father due to the complications. So no, I don’t think the VA is doing all they can in every state.
This story, unfortunately, is an example of most of the VA medical facilities.
Sorry to learn of your father’s passing.
The Va is doing a good job, there are always some employees that shouldn’t be but for the most part they are ok.
The Albuquerque VA is better than some of the other ones. Once you get started with them they take care of you. If you have a doctor or nurse that you don’t get along with. CHANGE them. Your health is important so don’t accept surliness from anyone.
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I’ve been with the VA sense 1970 went thru Windsheild of a car with a Army Sargent driving me back to My ship, instead of going to hospital went on westpack deployment with bloody head.Now when the va started my treatment it was a real trip. Back than and even today as A 100 percent Disabled Veteran YOU HAVE TO GO THRU DOCTorS UNTIL YOU GET ONE THAT YOU GET A LONG WITH AND WILL BE HONEST AND UPFRONT with Your situation. To whoever reads this The vA DOCTORS ONLY HAVE 19 TO 25 MINUTES MAX WITH YOU!!!!!So when with them make the Best effort for Your case, You do that and Youll see Your treatment will be like Your a real patient and Your VA Doctor will do his or her best to keep You healthy and living life as best can be. NOW NOT ALL VA DOCTORS GIVE A SHIT. So in my case I’ve requested many new doctors because the Bad Doctors who definitely hated me and this includes Nurses to from Minneapols to the West Coast my current and last residence is..To All Disabled and Veterans who use the VA system which You’ve Earned the right to use, Just speak up when Your in with a Bad Nurse or Doctir and even with changing Youll get the best VA care and Please RAT ON ALL THOSE PROFESSIONALS who are in the VA system and definitely dont like us as Veterans. Call Your local Senator and report also to the DAV system. The VA was formed for US to get the BEST care and 98 percent Do care for us. Its not a perfect system but its the best in the world. Remember it’s not welfare, and apparently some of the VA staff is Jealous as those staffers don’t have the coverage we Earned from putting on The Uniform..Dont be Angry when they blow You off but instead request New Doctor and at the same time report them to Your Senators and Hospital personnelas that way the next Vet coming in doesn’t explode from NON CARING HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS.
Everett L Williams
Fireman
A 100 percent Disable Navy Veteran..
I am a veteran during the Vietnam war. After serving for two years I was honorably discharged due to pregnancy. I was very young straight out of high school and I wish I was informed of my insurance and my right To reach John at a later date. I didn’t get any feedback during this period. A few years later divorce and rejoin the Army National Guard. Very healthy so I continue to use VA clinics and Urgent care facilities. Had no negative experience until I got coved. I reported it ASAP and did not received any oral
Medication as stated. I think VA is doing a great job however there
Is muc work to be done. Appreciate your honesty and I will continue to report any negatives regardless who the Dr. is.
Well said.
I cannot fathom how there can be 37% that say the VA is doing Great, The VA is pathetic and is just a perfect example of what the Biden Administration has done with gasoline, oil, the pipeline, the BORDER invasion, the entire absurd conduct. The Veterans Administration should be DISSOLVED, the Veterans should be given a ID card that indicates the level of disability they have and as such the associated, level of medical care that they will have available to them, that includes all facets of care, this card would permit the Veterans to go ANYWHERE in the COMMUNITY for medical care services and the invoicing would be handled by the VA Services section to pay the bills and minorly administer their health care. This would completely remove ALL THE BS a veteran experiences with the VA , this would drastically improve the Veterans Health care, greatly reduce the costs involved and force these incompetent VA employees to actually get a JOB!
Go into the outside health care if you thing VA is bad. Your community health care is worse
The va must update and upgrade their treatments in all areas to at least be as good as medicare
Many of our treatments are ftom the 1950’s this has to be fixed
Biden has nothing to do with the current status of the VA. As long as Veterans do not complain nothing will be done
.There are some good VA hospitals and.doxtors around. Not all VA hospitals follow the same VA guide lines or rules
I speak from.experience after been treated at 3 VA facilities with great care I am now faced with the 4th facility here in Amarillo Texas who does not care about the veterans needs as do Denver Colorado Dallas Texas and San Juan Puerto Rico
They really cater to the.veterans with their needs
Well said…agree
I agree it totally depends on the facility… the VA in Vermont is exceptional in Primary Care, Pharmacy.”, surgical and Woman’s Care… we moved to Florida and I complained about the Malcolm Randall VA in Gainesville, but only in reference to Primary Care. Optometry, Dental, Surgical and their ER and inpatient care is amazingly focused, concerned, professional and caring. But the Woman’s Clinic and Primary Care are lacking Professionals that want to stay and who are committed to the Veterans. They’re overworked and overwrought with the sheer number of patients assigned.
I finally had a good one but she left. She had 700 veterans on her caseload and the VA wants every detail documented… she left because she’d be there until 2 an finishing notes
Besides Amarillo, Texas, DO NOT GO TO THE VA AT GRAND JUNCTION, CO. The personnel there are not that good either.
Very true!
My healthcare is great.
The problem is the VA in Janesville Wi. is “working from home”
That is why it takes years to get a disability rating (13 months and waiting)
Sorry to hear about your experience dear. I am in Atlanta area and I refuse to drive to the original V-8 therefore I attend the clinics in surrounding area where I live is much closer and I am a senior at 77, female. I get the upmost respect . I prefer to be seen by a physician and not a nurse practitioner. I am complaining because of being seen by nurse practitioner. And the timing of follow up phone calls are not being answered timely.
I waited 2 years so you are lucky is you get it soon and I hope you do.
at least community care provides some level of medical care if you can get the VA to provide a referral. The sanction our FT Harrison VA provides is terrible cannot get a primary have not had one for four years, they prescribe medication then you cannot get them to fill the prescription, they have terrible botched surgery, their staff violates numerous Federal Laws and not will touch them, the DOF, the OIG, the IG, the Secretary of the Va, the Director, the Unions, the Office of Ethics, the Senators, the Congressman, the FBI etc so where do you feel the VA is so great tell me, I am 100% Permanent and Totally Disabled after 37 years of service in six theaters, so tell where you are coming from.
JCB, I am really sorry to hear about your experience with VA. Experiences such as yours really be checked into and it definitely will give the individual a negative report of VA. It’s not that bad in Atlanta Georgia. Continue to complain and I understand after you have went as high as you can and still get no results the next step is to pray about it. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. I would definitely praying that the Lord make a change for you and your environment and get some of those leaders out of office And put the rights ones in place to make a difference. Don’t give up
Doris,
Are you kidding me? If us Veterans can not get the proper healthcare after going through the chain the next step you say is to pray? That is the worst advice that I have ever heard.
JC B — I agree with you! I was lucky enough to make it home in one piece (if you can call it that) after serving in one theater..(IRAQ). But even though I made it home with all my body parts. But I came home with unbearable back pain after having to exit quickly off the back of a 5-ton truck with a full battle rattle during an unauthorized stop indicating a possible ambush during a 160-vehicle convoy from Kuwait to Baghdad, IRAQ. I also developed Cronic fatigue syndrome from being the NCOIC of the burn pits at Baghdad International Airport.
What I’m getting at is that upon returning home I was being treated at the Northport VA. I had no problems there. I was lucky to get a good doctor and they continued the treatment I received at the Walter Reed VA. My treatment included opioid pain medication. It was working and I had some quality of life. My nightmare began when I moved from N.Y. to PA.
To make a long story short. The Wilkes-Barre VA in PA is a disgrace. I had a Doctor who, I truly believed, disliked Veterans. He once told me “You combat Veterans think you can come here and get anything you want” That was only one, of many comments showing his dislike of Veterans. One time I told him I filmed one of our meetings and that I was going to post it on facebook..
You will not believe this but a week later I arrived there for an appointment with a mental health Doctor and two plainclothes VA detectives approached me and asked me my name. Then in front of my wife escorted me to a room and processed to interrogate and threaten me with jail time all because I told that Doctor I filmed him treating me like a dog.
Wow! I can’t believe I just typed this. I’m not one for writing long letters.
The bottom line. For 12 years I was treated with pain medication. Then they abruptly took them away. Even though they worked for me. Now for the past two years, I have had to find ways to purchase them on the street.
I am not a drug addict. I am a 100% service-connected disabled Veteran who served my country with pride and was promised quality healthcare when I returned from my deployment. Only to be lied to.
I do not know how much longer I can take living in pain. The war is not over for me.
Yes I’m A Vietnam veteran.I was drafted done my time. I see where we could go to the commissary.Iwent & was told I didn’t qualify because I wasn’t disabled,retired active
Very true!
Love it, well said, I agree, waiting since Nov 2021 to gwt a tooth fixed . Cliff MccConnell, Frankfort,Michigan
It has nothing to do with Biden. My husband is an 100 disabled vet from the Vietnam error. Since the pandemic and over the last 6 years the services have declined rapidly. They are under funded and poorly staffed
Thats due to ur presudent, Biden!! He appropriatee the money the VAgets!!
I’m with you John B.
I have been fighting them for more then five years and have a case that has been waiting for a hearing
been pending for the last two years. this is from 1962
You are so wrong it’s beyond belief. As a 100 percent disabled vet I disagree completely with you. My care has been excellent..
Biden has nothing to do with the current status of the VA. As long as Veterans do not complain nothing will be done
.There are some good VA hospitals and.doxtors around. Not all VA hospitals follow the same VA guide lines or rules
I speak from.experience after been treated at 3 VA facilities with great care I am now faced with the 4th facility here in Amarillo Texas who does not care about the veterans needs as do Denver Colorado Dallas Texas and San Juan Puerto Rico
They really cater to the.veterans with their needs
From a heakth care purspective, Hunter Home Medical Cebter does a great job, but I submitted a claim for benefits under the Blue Water Act over 39 months ago. From talking with other Navy Vets they are experiencing longer delays – one over 7-years.. VA claims covid is the blame as their staff member are working from home with limited connectibillty to required systems. Just think what would have happened if we Vets had insisted on working from home instead of serving on active duty. Covid is not to blame, it is the lack of efficiency and mismanagement that is causing the delays,
Accommodating Illegal Immigrants and pissin on Vets says it all!!!
Biden take home pay is $400,000/year….never served…accept to destroy America…that we fought for….
Charles, Well said! I agree
Charles! Another examine statement.
I had a medical condition that the VA did not have the capacity to treat so they authorized treatment outside the VA. I hope I never need to go that route again. VA healthcare is the best.
Leave the VA and use Medicare, which is a lot better care. A lot of veterans have Medicare, and private insurance from pensions plus the VA. They complain like babies if they don’’y get every nickel from the VA. because most of them were stationed in a safe stateside base and saw no warfare or violence while they stayed in a fancy base and droves truck or something. You spent a lot of time in the NCO club or the bass movies. And these are about 80 percent of the veteran complainers.You have everything. Some Americans get very little in medical help from anyone. You get help when buying a home and medical and all the political parties suck up to you. The rest of America gets jack shit. I served doing Vietnam and was discharged with metals. Happy to serve and I am a big boy and can manage just fine. I don’t have suck every little benefit or dollar to survive. The real true veterans are the ones that never came and were killed. All they get is a little flag on their grave every year on July 4th while these so called VETS blow up fireworks and drink beer. So stop complaining and donate to the VA to help the families of our fallen vets and grow up. American Vets are spoiled. Maybe you should never have gone in the first place. God bless America!
I agree with almost all remarks. My son’s problem is ,from the doctors at VA, and I quote. VA cannot say you can’t work or tell another department this has to be done or even to tell anyone that the solider should be retired. I was with my son when the doctor told him this. My son had nerve damage from a bad fall from a tree. The VA refers him to outside doctors which does the surgery. He lives with me because he can’t draw any money to support himself. He has been trying to get help so he can get social security. None of his doctors will do anything in this process to help him get on social security. What is worse, doctors are scared of getting fired if they give him a prescription for pain.
The only advice he has been given is to get an outside m.d. he can’t work so the medical cost holds him back. Well, our household is up the creek without a paddle.
I always thought doctors at VA were great. My eyes were opened in my son’s journey when after 5 years, he still has not received any help to get social security. Or disability. I have seen the doctors pay close attention to help him in ER so I saw heroes in their work when he had a ruptured appendix.
Carolyn
Well said and also true! Its all about illegal aliens, and vets can die and go to hell as far as this administration cares!!
I’m a 70/72 Vietnam vet who has type2 diabetes, migraines from ptsd, atrial fib and three stents all related in one way or another to agent orange. It took me 40 years to find out I was eligible for healthcare and disability. I go to Milwaukee va hospital and union grove clinic. I rate my care as excellent at those two facilities. Hard to understand why care in my area is so much better than others. The veterans service officer in my county is helping me work my way up the % chain. At 90% now and soon 100%; better late than never. Any vet whose dd214 shows combat infantry is eligible for a ptsd rating when proper forms are filled out and screening appointments are kept. Sad that many vets don’t know what they are eligible for. Recommend all vets to see their. County veterans service officer to get started on the claims available
The question needs to state is the employee or representative of the VA during the right gob, this is the main complaint of people. The VA has all you need with all supplies, any and all types of facilities for treatments and medications, whatever your needs, the VA has it inplace, mostly the problems starts with most of the doctors as primary care providers, it seem that they have too many patients to care after, their response are so slow, for what your request or treatment requsted appointments take months to schedule. also compensation increase shouldn’t take years to make decisions,
which is causing the VA having to pay out extra money because the response takes too long, again making the VA name seems bad. This is why the blame seems at the fault of the VA, Stop blaming the VA and blame the staff by their position. The VA need to look at the team members and start at the top of the staff and evaluate the team players. The VA reputation needs to be restored.
have a toothache for about 6 month, but va dont have a dentist in hattiesburg ,that can take care of my teeth. i have been 100% for many years but va dont have a dentist WOW but we had them in viet nam
Get in touch with community care,/ patient advocate. I have had good response to my requests. Am seeing an out of network dentist & Cardiologist. 🇺🇸😎
You should be able to get community care!
First off I’d like to know why they cut you off on your visitations to the VA . Also would like to know why I can’t get a copy of my military medical records , I was told I’d have to be dead in order to get a copy. I also beleave that everyone who served in Nam and was spread a number of times should be given 100 percent instead of you having to take medical test after medical test and made to fill paper work over and over.
Biden says Illegals come first…….fuc you!!
Let trump pay, he is a phony and he belongs in prison. You probably have Medicare and private insurance get out of the Va and spend some money some like the rest of us. Remember what trump said about Veterans: you are suckers like McCain was.
I NEED HELP TODAY 6-8-2022 social worker or at least a REAL LIVE PERSON who can tell me about benefits for my husband, a Veteran who has Alzheimer’s and is stuck in the hospital because he needs
information about his VA benefits.
Hi Bryan Martin,
I’m a vet and so was my dad (WWII, Korea, and Nam). In order to get faster service from the VA, I paid money to Patriot Angels to receive money for my mother (spouse of a veteran) for dementia support at a care facility. They gathered some data from me regarding dad’s service and her income, they calculated the amount per month she would receive and she (I) started getting a check about 90 days later to pay for part of her care. I hope that helps.
till 1914 I went to several Va facilitys and was pleased. now the VA has doctors and NPs that ackt like it is to much trouble and do not want to work. sence 14 I have had one really good Doctor he was the director. the new director called one time and seamed to be interested in my problems. Igo to the Bend,Or clinic.The doctor I have now is an expert on where a person should live.We live out of the way. We have air life and amulance service we pay for.WE can get to the hospital just as fast as people who live in parts of Bend. This has been proved 3 times by me. the Primary care person I have now.is more interested in where i live and sending me to another place for care It has got worse sence covid the doctors would rather talk onthe phone instead of seeing a person They got spoiled now they do not seam to care. They do not do what they say and do not send test results to you.
I call the va 108 min.from caller #9 to caller #1 then thank you for calling you are caller #9 F you I,am done
Biden says Illegals come first….fuc you!!!
For all we did this how we get treated. So sad.
3A has treating me like a criminal my legal blindness was taken away from me stating that I am not legally blind went to the hospital and John Hopkins had to get surgery for my legal blindness could not get treated in the state of North Carolina what stating that I’m not legally blind once I got to John Hopkins they stated that I needed a surgery right away because of my legal blindness they have taken my 100% pay away and I’m not getting 100% pay stating a frozenly got disability please help me my ultimate goal is to see the president over the vice president for this long ordeal and a traumatic situation that I encourage during this time this is not a joke or play or just a simple complaint this is a overall this Justice done by leaders of the hospital
Kicking Vets out of VA continued mental healthcare into limited referral-dependant community care is unconscionable, unethical, and unforgivable. We as Veterans should riot against VA leadership. They are completely out of touch.
You mean peacefully protest like blm and antifa
You mean peacefully protest like bob larry matters and anti fairy able
I am currently in a hokmeless facility that is privately contracted through tghe VA. This place is a joke. Filthy, tghe staff are somer of thr laziest people I have seen. Place is full of dope dealers who are using this place as a safe haven for their activities, gang stalking by the community of the VA and this contractor to get vets in here. realestate investment ownership here and up on the VA, the apartments that should be available to the veterans on the VA are being occupied by civilians, the apartments are also full of dope dealers as well. apartments that are left open are being squated by drug addicts, thyese apartments taht should be available to house homeless vets are not available to us when we need them, we are made to go through the homeless programs who are gwtting paid 3500.00 a head to house us. The staff conduct illegal room seasrches while the veterans are not present as the search is being conducted. Items are taken out of our rooms and not accounted for. I see food going out the door into POVs of the staff and these drug dealers living here that is supposed to be for us homeless veterans that are tru;ly trying to get on our feet the right way. Illegal computer systems monitoring through the wi-fi network that is supposed to be for us veterans to conduct our business with the VA. Why do I need AT&T EMR3 and SMR2 updates on my private cell phone that build profiles on our medical records? This is BS. We are being truly violated as far as Civil Rights and our Liberties. When I brought up the issue about room searches I was told I could leave. I feel lioke a prisoner here more than anything. I am not a criminal by any means. I am folled out of here when I leave and everywhere I go. For months prior to me coming here the POV of the director of this [lace sat infront of my mothers home two houses up the block on the opposite side of the street. Everyday this vehicle sat there. The director lives and hoiur and a half out of town. Many vehicles that have been following me for months set in this parking lot here aat the facility I reside in and set at the VA parking lot. Not to mention in the parking lot right next this facilioty at the County DCF office. Gang Stalking and Cyber Stalking are real people and to do this to veterans to shut them up about the wrong doings to us veterans byb the VA and the DOD is cruel and Unusual. Sokme one needs to investigate this.
Welcome to 3rd world America/Biden country…..it gets worse!!!thanks for your service…but they dont give a fuc!!
I spent 4 years in The Army (heavy Arty) 72-76 with no hearing protection and 2 years in the Air Force loading aircraft.The VA refuses to give me disability for hearing but gave me hearing aid.WoW
That’s the VA for you
Yeah you got that right, they don’t care.
You have a great day for telling the truth about it and what they stand for
See a good law firm CCK OUT OF RI. see their reviews. I went from turn after turn down o eighty percent and expect to reach a hundred percent. Don’t let the VA WIN! When you get a good law firm they stop fuc*ing with you.
I get 20%on my left knee and zip ask them to Seifert I need a knee replacement… I fell last month and fracture my lefthip and went to the hostipL an d now I have 3 screws in hip. They sent me to a doctor to heckemyleft knee and he just looked at my knee and did not touch my knee. I don’t know what they pay him it to much..’
I got steel plate And 4 screws in my pelves it happened while in the military back in the 70s no help to date they say it not serious enough
I injury my back and broke my foot. I am a Viet Nam veteran, I put in for my injury benefit, and had to appeal and still waiting on their answers, I have a friend that had agent orange burn half of his face and arm, and it took him 18 years to receive his 80 percent, a mount after receiving his benefit he died, M y second friend waited 21 years to get his benefit, he went to the v..a hospital and blow his head off, the next week his v.a pension came, BUT HE WERE DEAD, The Veteran Adiminstration do not give a dam about old veteran, just waiting on them to die, so when people tell me thank you for your service, I give them the middle finger
1st of all I’d like 2 say I’m very sorry 2 hear dat bout ur friends I really hate dat…. I feel ya bout ur back doe cause I’m sorta n dat boat…. I injured my back back n ’84 wen I got out & hv tried at least 3x 4 compensation but dis time wen dey deny me &,[we bout no dey will] I’m getting a lawyer whether it b through d military or not!!!! Wish Me Luck!!!! Any suggestions????
Don’t pay any lawyers up front
CCK OF RI LOOK THEM UP.
The VA is doing a 👍😃 job. They are the real Heroes. They deserve better treatment for the hard work they do. And for their dedication to the veterans well being.
Better Treatment, better Pay and work conditions more RESPECT as Healthcare Professionals, NOT as Bureacrats ?
I agree
I got out of the Army in 2012, after serving 22 years. I know that because of my Reserve time, that I can’t get retirement. However, situations arise, and I can’t get, or find a government grant to save my life!
The united government will give out billion upon billion dollars to other nation, They have given Ukraine billion of dollars for a war no American care about, and still sending more billion of dollars that come from the American Tax payer, and these nations do not have to pay this money back just free money, yet American property tax is gone through the roof the cities in America look like a nuclear bomb went off in them, million of American are living on the street in the dead of winter, but the U.S government look the other way 75 percent of homeless people are veteran, so much for respecting the veterans that fought for American Freedom, American government work for foreigner, and not for American
I was awarded dental care for a vehicle accident l had in 1984 finally in 2016 l showed them paperwork from our regional office for 5 years they still would not see me after doing some research l went to patients advocate the person looked at my paperwork asked what was the problem l explained my problem he couldn’t believe it thank goodness thst he actually care about veterans but overall the VA is not for the veterans
I served 6 yrs. as a Marine during Vietnam. Now that I’m 74 years old and have debilitating health. The VA only gives me 30%, won’t approve home health aide, can’t locate my records, and treats me like I don’t exist. But that’s not how I acted for 6 yrs. It’s appealing because I only thing I have received for the last 10 years is the run-around.
I truly believe leaving comments here is just a “Check the Block” to say they (VA) have done something to get feedback from us veterans. Served 24 plus years and served my country with honor. The least the VA could do is give us dependable and fair health care. Read the comments on here. We are sick and tired for the lack of care the VA offers to us veterans. I have been waiting for over 14 months for the VA to fix a broken molar (teeth) and also send my wound vac in the mail so that I can get my need surgery for my 3rd degree burns. The VA Community Health Care system is MISMANAGED!! Trying to get them on the phone is like trying to pull a Tiger’s Tooth. When I was active duty, we were treated with respect and dignity. Not that I am a veteran, I feel discarded like a piece of trash at the way-side.
My medical treatments such as my surgical ,and appointments ,and medications have been excellent ,.The worst service is the phone system . Nobody answers the phone .It’s been like that for years . This is only my opinion.
They have doctors in lake nona va that don’t need to be there one heart doctor my pc doctor sent me to him and he said I was not in need of heart doctor a dermatologist told me I didn’t have skin cancer and never got with in 3 feet of me the spots have now grow four times bigger these clowns need to be removed
Agree Must rather talk to a real person.
I definitely agree because in the VA in Amarillo,TX if the clerk doesn’t want to answer the phone they don’t.
I served for twenty years in the USAF (1966 to 1986) and served proudly. While serving I was involved in a terrible traffic accident while home on leave in 1967. At discharge in 86 I was given 10% disability for each knee (which weren’t injured in the car accident) and nothing at all for the other injuries I suffered because of the accident or during my twenty years of service. I finally received 20% disability for my jaw in 2019 but I feel I should have been being paid since my discharge 1 Oct 86.
NO! I have been waiting for 19 months for my 100% disability to be accepted for Prostate Cancer from the Vietnam War!!! VA is NOT paying for my treatment, Has NOT given me any money, ZERO!!! In the mean time I am using my health insurance and out of pocket money for treatment and have been since I was Diagnosed in October-November 2020. Last I heard was months ago. I had to contact them to ask about my claim. All I was told is that they were backlogged and didn’t know when they would have me in the system. My alternative treatment was authorized almost a year ago and I am still making monthly payments to Stanford for Prostate Cancer Treatment. I’ll probably be dead before the VA does anything. Prostate Cancer is service connected, yet the VA uses my health insurance to offset my visits and charges me for the difference. My health insurance is less than they charge me. They had me scheduled for more of what my doctor does for less money. I can get vaccines at CVS for free using my health insurance, but the VA charges me for it. So, I cancelled my last appointment with the VA and I am not going back until I start seeing some money, my prostate cancer is accepted and I am rated at the 100% I am authorized. These are some of the same reasons I left the VA in 1983. Here I am again. President Trump had improved things for Vets dramatically or so other Vets have told me. Not anymore! That seems to be the norm when the democrats are in power. I am a registered Nonpartisan and not affiliated with either political party…just sayin
Yes, VA awarded me 40 % disability ( shrapnel to chest & stomach ) after Vietnam . After several yrs of flash backs & bad memories , VA increased to 80% ( PTSD ) & their care has been excellent !!! Jack Harris
There mental health department is outstanding but the rest sucks bad and I’ll tell you why and here we go! First i was told that my service connected injuries “knees and back” was fine and that I just needed was something they called physical therapy and I’ll be just fine. Well guess what I had to have a total knee replacement. Strike 1 and my neck was fine also, well guess what? As I went to my outside doctor I needed to have a fusion in my neck, that’s strike 2. Now we go to the back. I had a burst fracture of T12 . Had the surgery done by my outside doctor. I had fallen on my ass and the pain began instantly began. Went to the VA and I’m just let you guess what I was told . Yep you guessed it, everything is ok. Well today I had the hardware replaced, and that makes it strike 3 . I’ll never ask for there physical help ever again. There mental health department gets a 5 star rating from me!
West Los Angeles VA administration is a joke. The chief has a policy of not talking to veterans. Many anti-veterans work just for a check. Could not care less about the veteran. Time to abolish the system. Been fighting an issue for over a year on denial of medical care and I’m 100%.
The va care is great other than taking care of the outside va care I still have 4 or 5 medical bills the va are responsible for on my credit report as for c&p they really stink they have habit of rejection without even looking at records of our dr we go to on regular basis I’ve been unemployed or unemployable since 2009 and been fighting them since 2012 no decision yet under appeal again because they don’t look they just reject to get their quota down which is so messed up as for va care the ppl there do a very great job
VA PART IS GREAT BUT WHEN YOU HAVE PROOF THAT AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON THEIR TIME AND WANT UR C&P. THEN ITS NOT. I REPEAT. NOT DOING. GOOD. AT ALL !!!!!! SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HOW WE ARE BEING TREATED WHEN THEY ARE STILL HAVING THEIR BIG PARTIES EVERY NIGHT AND EATING STEAK DINNERS !!!!!
The VA is during a great job providing quality care for its vets. I have been in the system since 1985. After two open-heart operations, five months of treatment for cancer, and an appendix operation, I can say without reservation that the VA does provide quality care to Vets. However, vets must cooperate with the VA regarding appointments and in-house service.
Glad to know you have gotten what you needed, however, not all V.A.’s are created equal. Mostly it depends on who and how in that v.a. in the administration is running things. The original idea of the V.A. is an awsome idea but there is a huge difference if the people in admin (from the director on down), are actually looking out for the veterans well being or if they are just there looking at it as a business job and use the needs of the veterans as an excuse to get funds to renovate their office spaces and business practices and deny veterans services and classes in order to save money that will help increase their year end bonuses.
In the v.a. I go to, is the feeling that veterans are less significant,
VA has done more than any other medical resource to keep me alive. as My Diabetic II condition was discovered in Feb. 2000 at VAMC in Seattle. Much has happened since that time. The providers were very patient with me while I learned to understand everything about progression of the disease and the necessary treatments. And they have been very beneficial in my other service connected injuries. All of this by President Trump as well as President Clinton and Senator John McCain during their times of administration. VA has continued to carry the burden of us Vets since the close of the S.E. Asian wars.
I am very thankful that I have made it this far, and have not any regrets about my military service then.
I have been a patient at a great VA and a patient at a lousy VA. For some reason the VA in Vegas is not able to keep good, caring and knowledgeable doctors at this facility! The doctors fitting this description leave and I swear their shoes are on fire they move so fast to get thee hell out of the VA. This leaves Vets with no specialists and other doctors waiting for the day they can retire from the VA. It takes 2-3 months to see an outside specialist. It takes almost that long to see a regular doctor in the VA…and then have service by that VA Doctor deny to treat you.
Have an honest to God Physician in charge of the VA Hospital! Accountants belong in the economic side of the house not, as the Hospital Head. Have an Administrator that IS NOT AFRAID TO MET WITH VETERANS’ to explain what is happening in that patient’s case/care.
Vets need dedicated, professional doctors to help Vets manage their care. We don’t need doctors hanging around the VA waiting to retire and critizing those doctors that really are looking for patient’s care.
My Husband is almost 100% disabled Vet and it took the Social worker 1 and half years to order a wheelchair. He has dementia and Parkinson’s due to agent orange that he got over in Vietnam and then he served in Desert Storm too. He received the highest award the Air Force gives during Dessert Storm by finding out ALL the filters in chemical mask had expired for ALL branches of services and then had them recalled thru the Pentagon and then reissued. I want him to be recognized for this now publicly before he totally loses his mind. Wish me luck with the current Administration. He has saved so many lives. The Major at the time had to stand up to so many 4 Stars. But, HE GOT THE JOB DONE!! I’D Like to see wives receive retirement pay after following their husband’s around all their careers too. Social security is not enough and having to pay into the system for 70% of husband’s pay is NOT FAIR!!
I AGREE WITH FREDA!
Used to be great until THE FUCKIN LEADER GOT CHANGED
.SHE S TRYING TO GET POINTS FOR SAVING MONEY AT THE VETRRANS EXPENCE. MY CARE AND MY CONCERNS DONT MATTER.. I AM 100 AND 10 PERCENT DISABLED. I HAD TO PURCH A SE MY WHEELCHAIR AND MY VAN .IYS OLD ..THEY WONT HELP ME. I QUALIFIED GOR HOUSING SDAPTATIONS .THEY PUT ME OFF 3YRS . STILL OMLY HAVE GRAB HANFLES AND SHOWER NOZZLE. DROPPED AT MY DOOR.. MY SON A RECON MARINE 18 YRS. CAME HOME FROM LAST DEPLOY AND SHOT HIMSELF .AT HIS FUNERAL I TOLD HOW HIS PTSD .killed him Not the enemy.. the enemy WAS THE LACK OF CARE BY THE VA.. THEY ABANDON HIM AND SO DID . HIS UNIT FOR LEAVING HIM BRHIND..I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.HE WAS .Y HERO MANY DEPLOYS TO IRAC.. PLEASE DO NOT THANK US FOR OUR SRRVICE..JUST FIX THE V.A. .OUR VETRRANS CURSE THE V.A. UPPER ESCHLONS IN THE V.A.WERE NEVER IN MILITARY THEY DONT KNOW WHO VETERANS ARE. WHAT THEY WENT AND ARE GOING THROUGH. WHEN SUICIDE SEEMS TO BE THE REMEDY
DONT TELL ME YOUR FIXING IT ..JUST YELL ME YOU ARE GGROSELY INCOMPEDENT AND DONT EVEN WANT TO HELP US.. HOW THE HELL DO YOU SLEEP AT NITE. GOD WONT FORGIVE YOU FOR TURNING YOUR BACKS ON US.
Excellent, comment my brother. I pray everything will get better for you. I’m a veteran of 25 years and the VA continues to deny my claims. I hope they feel the wrath soon.
I am currently fighting VA. I am still waiting for outcome. The injuries were doing the time I was 9n active duty. Once you leave the military you don’t matter anymore
I was independent, worked full time, exercised, volunteered, & lived a good life until the VA took over my healthcare when I moved to Pennsylvania. Within a year, I was 100% Disabled, unemployment, on social security disability & need help daily which costs me a lot of money. Because of their negligent medical care, I developed high blood pressure, severe depression, an autoimmune disease, kidney problems, & other health conditions that must be treated. I also developed a very large cyst that grew through my pallet because I was unable to sit in a dentist chair because of untreated pain. I could not go to the dentist for 4 years.
They could have just kept me on the meds I had taken for 18 years, but the VA chose to stop some meds, start new ones & ignore the medical records I gave them pertaining to my spinal cord damage, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia & 2 other incurable illnesses. The VA is more concerned about treating society’s social problems than Veteran’s health issues. They destroyed my health.
As a VET I motion for complete abolishment of the VA. Let’s us go to private Doctors and Hospitals. It will save billions.
The VA for the most part is a joke. Doctors don’t care, they don’t treat mostly anything, and they refuse to put you in for tests. I’ve been told by veteran reps that doctors are fired because they put people in for tests that give them the documentation to increase their percentage of disability which the VA doesn’t like because it gets money taken away from the bonus that the bigger wigs get. I understand you’re there to treat symptoms but with everything that vets are exposed to you don’t just treat symptoms send them for Tess and whatever you should get the best medical care similar to what congress gets because we actually served the country and for for the country Congress doesn’t fight for the country they don’t serve the country they serve themselves and their pockets.
You said a mouth full. They only send you for test not help you with getting the benefits you deserves,
26 years in army,still waiting for my appeal for 5 years and still have 73,000 vets ahead of me.
They do already A lot of Mine Are at private doctor’s offices are at hospitals. The last 4 out of 5 Has been private doctor’s office, are in the hospitas.
Send a negative comments to those facilities were there having those problems for the inspector general to take a look at and resolve With over 45 years of using the VA and Hawaii never had those kind of problems and now in Las Vegas don’t have those kind of problems either
I must be going to the wrong VA because I‘ve had the best of medical care ever since Mr. Trump got on their case and started firing people who weren’t doing their job.
When I call a clinic nobody answers! The mailbox is already full where I can’t leave a message. So I call patient advocate and same issues or rarely when I can leave a message nobody returns calls. The VA is all I have! And it is very unprofessional, unorganized, staff are lazy, and many are just riding the clock with a saddle and a bridle collecting paychecks for sitting on their azz doing absolutely nothing to help many Veterans. Most aggravating experience every time I have to drive 2 hrs one way for an appointment….
We know! Same problem in Houston. A few years ago I wrote Wilkie (who was head of the VA at the time) and Donald Trump – guess who answered but is no longer the president? I have a plan but wasn’t heard.
taking to long for appointments and follow up
I am a vet of 8 yrs and 6 mo and the va has helped me a lot.
My biggest complaint is with the Online system.
Usually I can see appointments and meds with no problem.
I am never able to see any graphs, charts films etc.
Recently they quit doing travel requests for you when you visit.
Unless I tell them that I need my eyes checked or hearing checked etc
no appointments happen for that.
They do schedule Cardiology and well care visits.
On the whole: I an fairly happy with them.
Phil J
The head neurosurgeon puts In an order to do neck injections. Jean of pain management Dr decides to cancel it saying he isn’t inclined to do it at this time. Tell me where that makes sense because Mri shows pinched nerve and my neck through shoulder and now half my arm. No I don’t think va is doing a good job. Most doctors are but some are not.
So far I haven’t had any recent problems with the VA. I was denied a disability
compension on my feet in 1999, but VA came back and corrected this claim. So I can’t say that they are doing a bad job, but for me they are making changes and that’s a very good thing.
I enlisted at 17 years old, and I went to Vietnam, I din’t know why we were fighting, but I gave it my utmost. When I came home, I was cursed by a dirty hari krishna dressed hippy, who then spit on my uniform. Two military cops ran over and informed me that they would arrest me and court martial me if I touched the civilian. I left the airport (San Francisco) in tears. I stayed in the service in order to stay away from the name callers. I shattered my arm in Europe, and was hospitalized in a civilian hospital for a month. I was then sent to my main battalion in Spain, and the doctor finally medivacced me back to the states. I ended up under a court martial for being five minutes late to quarters. I was medically discharged in ’77 and had to check in with the VA. I did so, but it was so chaotic that I chose to stay away until my elbow started locking up again, and I had to have surgery. By that time the VA had gone through changes and was working pretty good, so I got the help I needed. They continued to be pretty good at treating vets and I stayed with them. I was hurt in an accident in ’03, and had to have two surgeries on my arm. These didn’t turn out so well, and I was raised to 80% unemployable. In “06 I moved to Oklahoma, and checked in with the VA here, and they were doing a very good for vets, and I was happy at last. But over the past few years the quality has dropped into a deep pit, and now the service is lacking. Last year I had emergency dental work, and then went to the VA, and they refused to pay any part of it, and I was forced to take out a personal loan to pay the bill. I’ll be paying that bill off for the next five years. And right now my shoulder is causing me distress, and though my doctor understands how bad it hurts, she has no way to speed up the new slow process to get me the help I need. I’m older now, so I kind of figure they don’t want to bother with old vets who don’t have many years left. It depresses me to think that I’ve been tossed to the trash heap after all I did to protect this nation of ours, just so the new powers in office can destroy it like they have in under two years. I feel like crying every time I think about it, but maybe God will intervene and save us! God Bless my fellow vets, I hope you get better than what I got!
i was stationed in vietnam in 1966 and was loading agent orange on aircraft and seeing it sprayed all over. I was discharged in 1967 and was experience various stomach problems over the time. I went to the Va in florida in 2001 complaining of the same problems and they kept saying its not a real problem, I said it could be related to agent orange. Are you going to do a MRI or cat scan no that cost money. Finally in 2010 I went to a medical doctor after I received medicare. He sent me for a cat scan and called me 2 hours later and said you better see a surgeon you have a growth in your intestine. They removed a cancerous growth and the VA tells me that its not related to agent orange because its not no there list. The best one is they say they need my medical records from discharge in 1967, which were written on paper records an destroyed after 7 years. I will not go to the VA for treatment as far as i am concerned they tried to kill me. I now go to Moffitt cancer hospital for treatment for the last 12 years for cancer. The VA or military wants nothing to do with you after your discharge especially if you are trying to claim disability benefits. They keep denying so that you will quit applying or hire an attorney.
I moved to Las Vegas 5 years ago. I enrolled at the VA hospital. When I was told I would receive my medical treatment at a satellite clinics. I was thrilled to know that there was one less than a mile from my house. But when I contacted them they told me that my medical issues would be taken at a satellite clinic 60 minutes away from my house because the one closest to my house wasn’t excepting new patients. Since then I haven’t seen a doctor. I’m not going to drive an hour each way to get treated. I spoke to the main hospital at least 15 times and the clerks told me to deal with it.
Also during this inflation the VA hasn’t done squat to help Vets like myself that are 100% & unemployable that are barely making it every month, if they are that lucky!
I was on active duty for first Gulf war. I was told VA would take care of dental work after retirement. This did not happen. Now VA says I have to be 100% disabled to get work I need. I am at 60%. I meed thousands of dollars done. Can’t afford it.
Keep applying for benefits – it can take a long time but don’t give up!
You are correct Don. I sent my income paperwork 3 times and the lost it all 3 times and I am unable to even be cared for by the VA, It is a joke. I have been in healthcare management for 30 years and can’t get a job at the VA as they don’t really hire Vets for positions of leadership. Most of those they do don’t even have experience or are Americans.
Amen
This not fair to the VA healthcare people themselves because my experience is that most of the doctors nurses are doing their very best for what they have to work with I think they do a great job in what they are allowed to do I have a problem with the way Palo Alto Ca system is being run The civilian staff do nothing The floors are filthy and you see them leaning on their brooms and talk for 20 to 30 minutes Hey I got to go it’s lunch time There is no control They are to busy trying to kiss Bidens ass and do things the most fucked way that is possible When you have incompetent leadership you have people that don’t care because they see every new face try to reinvent the wheel and so instead of progress they fall back each change and the veterans suffer for it They have made local clinics That sounds great however they are not allowed to do anything If you have a problem you have to drive 84 miles one way for exam and then they will give you a date when to return It is not the doctor it is their fucked system The VA would much rather do things this way It is such a waste of tax dollars because it is a waste of talent of the clinics They would prefer to do their job
I have been in the VA for over 20 year’s. It doesn’t matter the president. The leadership has always done that, and the doctors, nurses and VETERAN’S have suffered. I have watched many great doctors, and nurses leave from exhaustion from their experience over the years at the LOS ANGELES VA. It’s not changing anytime soon. I have started to separate myself from the VA, so it didn’t take me down with it. That anger becomes all you focus on and really affects your health. “Energy goes where attention flows!”
Don’t give them your attention until it’s necessary. You’re fighting a losing battle. Stay strong!
Agreed!
Biden doesn’t work there foh Michael
My experience with off base approved VA healthcare is… don’t use it if you can help it. The VA, the Cares Program, or Optimum refuses to pay authorized treatment. As a result, my credit score takes a beating. My last bill will be a year old in July. I have such anger towards the VA for this and for medical care disregarded that I can t allow myself to think about it
Yes, I am sorry to hear this. I feel bad for the wife and the family, especially the veteran. This is why I would not let a VA doctor operate on me or examine me. The VA doctors knows that there is nothing that could be done to him no they don’t care. At the Clinic yesterday the VA has three patient advocate and all three go eat at the same time and then they go walking around the hospital grounds gone for about 2 1/2 hours just don’t care for the veterans. Please close the VA hospital and clinics.
Thanks
In 2014 my husband went in for a colonoscopy. The doctor came out and said they could not complete the procedure. He said there was a blockage. He sent him home with no explanation about what the blockage was. Four weeks later he collapsed. He was taken by ambulance to hospital. Va was not taking patients at night so we ended up at community. A cat scan was done. He had cancer that had gone down to his colon causing it to burst. He went to surgery. His body was covered with cancer and feces. If the VA doctor had done further tests he might have been able to survive with chemo anything before the colon burst. Why don’t the doctors follow up on things like a blockage? I wanted to sue the doctor for neglect? I am so upset that the last words I heard him say were
“Don’t worry honey everything will be okay”. They weren’t, he passed on January 30, 2014. To the man that said wives shouldn’t get anything he is so wrong. I fought for my benefits, they took my husband away from me and that left me destitute. I was a stay at home mom and wife. I earned what I got which barely makes up for what he had been making. I cannot work because of liver disease, diabetes and severe arthritis, also the trauma of losing him is more than I can bare.
Please explain to me why this doctor chose to ignore the blockage?
Surviving spouses get practically nothing so don’t judge tell you know what we as wives insured while they were fighting for our country. I was pregnant with our first child I did this on my own. He didn’t get notified she was born for almost a month. He saw her for the first time at 4 months. I am mad at the VA for him getting agent Orange, for him dying!
Since I found out about the VA benefits through another Vet I have been well taken care of.
This year there has been some problems, like lack of proper doctors or staff. It may be due to funding, but I hope it does not continue.
The online link to see ones appointments has not bee updated and at times it is incorrect.
I had been having MRI at VA facility for past few years, since there was a good doctor who could also deal with my pacemaker — This year have been assigned to and outside source.
I have fighting with the VA for 11 years now. My husband filed a claim in 2011. Supposedly it got died once,but I got no response. Now it has been sitting in the supreme court of the VA for three years and still no response.
I know the feeling been waiting since 2013 for them to make a decision on my claims and even went before a judge last September she sent it back now I wonder how many more years it’s going to be but they were real quick they gave me a 0 percent rating on my nose that got broken in the navy pretty sad
I know the feeling been waiting since 2013 for them to make a decision on my claims and even went before a judge last September she sent it back now I wonder how many more years it’s going to be .
They need to replace these civilian workers out of the VA and replace them with veterans and active duty military personnel. The civilian workers are so nasty in most of the VA hospitals, that one day, one of these civilian workers will probably end up injured by a War veteran who is not having a good day! What’s not told to civilian workers when they apply for a VA hospital job is that the veterans/War veterans were programmed to go into the military but “Was Not” de-programmed with they were released back out into society amongst civilian citizens! They should tread lightly! In addition and in my personal opinion, it seems that there are more spouses/wives on here looking for benefits more than the veterans themselves! You didn’t serve in the military and I feel that you shouldn’t be entitled to nothing! My late husband swore me down that half of my disability benefits belonged to him and I told him to “Show me “OUR DD-214” spouses get too carried away with business that I feel is their own after all, the spouses wasn’t fighting besides him/her in the trenches! 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
I agree I have c o p D and I used symbercortinhaler the VA took it away and replaced it with something cheaper that doesn’t work they sent me to a heart doctor outside of the VA and approved the visit I was getting chest pains the doctor wrote me a script the v a won’t pay for it I paid for it myself now they say they won’t give it to me there giving me something similar why wouldn’t they pay for medicine that helps me instead of giving me some cheap stuff fed up with the care
Your right, but they did have to put up with us. My opinion is they are entitled to it, couldn’t have done without her. Probably be dead by now.
I went to the emergency room on 2/2020 for my diabetes would not come down when I was seen by the Doctor, came in and asked why I was there told him my sugar was high. He instantly became agree and ask did I know what a the emergency room was for, then began to eat my pants off about diabetes was not an emergency and he was not treating me when I told him my pharmacy personal I talked to about my prescription told I should he then stated that whoever I was talking about should do there job and return to med school because they didn’t know shit about what she talking about and walked out without treating my high sugar. I called the head of the VA hospital and never heard anything back besides being called a lair since 2018 when I gave them all my medical records and they lost them. Know for a fact hunted nurse I gave them to she started I sit them down and then they where gone.
I would get ahold of the hospital administrator and report the doctor and the nurse that you gave the records to.
There is a hotline for vets to call the White House to report VA complaints. But I would call the ” Patient Advocate ” first to get resolution. . The Patient Advocate has 24 hours to 72 hours to respond. Also, you can email the ” Director of that VA. I had a family member spoken to inappropriately
during her hospital visit so I contacted the ” VA Director ” That Dr. personally called to apologize. I am a Vet and a VA employee. Most Veterans don’t know VA policies on Patient care and Staff conduct and VA staff who are rude and negligent need to be reported. The White House Hotline number is 855-948-2311.
I called a complaint in one morning and I received a call from the VA Patient Advocate flto address my concerns the same day.
Patient Advocate. Useless people. I went to emergency room for treatment after talking with my doctor. Doctor said go. VA declined payment saying it was not an emergency. Patient Advocate talked to Dr. And both concluded the VA board was wrong. It was resubmitted for VA to pay emergency visit. They came back and said it was approved. 3 years later they finally paid the bill. I came in every month to the Patient Advocate because it ruined my credit score that they were not paying the bill despite a letter from VA saying they were responsible. Took 3 years and every time I went into patient Advocate to see why it wasn’t paid, they reassured me it was getting paid. They made phone call after phone call to the main VA processing of Bay Pines and same answer, we’re paying it. 3 years later after threatening with an outside attorney because I wanted to buy a house and it was still on my credit report they finally paid it.
I called the White House VA and received a Case number and never hear from them for a follow up. A nurse at the Fort Pierce VA refused to give me a new mask. She told me what is wrong with the you are wearing. I went there for a COVID prior to my eye surgery.
When our country takes care of all the homeless veterans living on the STREET ! The hassle of getting a disability . Every veteran that was exposed to Agent Orange should be awarded with a 100% disability rating !
There are other problems that the government should investigate such as impotence among sexually active Vietnam GI’s
Not to take anything away from those that were awarded Purple Hearts, but there are thousands of us slowly dying from the effects of AGENT ORANGE. and no Purple Hearts. Come on what about us that are suffering from the war in Viet Nam? Forgotten again!
Same here and it takes forever to get a appt to see a Doctor or a dept
If this response is not read by the “brass.,” stop putting out this brainless accumulation of vets’ responses.
The VA which came to life in 1930, has not progressive as it should. For example, PTSD should have been cured decades ago. However, the VA has not the slightest idea about moving forward. Mental health issues are rampant and not solve for the health of millions of veterans throughout this country’s history. Without medications, I and many others will go to our graves without a day of peace. Literally, when one joins the U.S. military, he/she has given away everything that could have been a reality.
Do not kid yourself, the people who keep this country in of a dire state of misery are also the people who can stop this misery. It is not the President, he only has eight years; it is not Congress and yes some have long terms but not for life; it is not the least powerful entity in this country–SCOTUS; it is the folks in the Joint Chiefs of Staff and its non-military minions, i.e., the weapons industry, the fossil fuel industry, and every other entity that can get a dime from the American taxpayer. Yes, this country is ruled in part by the military complex. BECAUSE WAR MAKES MONEY!!!
We agree
My husband has severe PTSD, he came home from mosul in 06, and was severely damaged, it ruined our marriage and family life, when I filed for disability in 08-09 they dis not even look over his records, if they had they would have seen all the proof needed to award him with so much more than 1 50% rating, which has severely hurt us financially. When so many others are bringing in enough they don’t even have to work if they don’t want to, my husband does not have the ambition to better his career, he prefers to stay where he is at making a lot less than he could with his bachelor’s degree, but because of his total worry he did not want to take the 1 year to do a internship to be able to get his foot in the door anywhere he wanted, and now since he’s been looking into part time or paid internships over the last few years, there’s nothing out there for him. His head always takes over what is truly needed. While he was in school, our families told us while he does an internship they would help take care of us and our 2 sons. But he refused the offer, and skipped his internship. This is all from his PTSD from the military, and combat. He left and never came home the same. He was a very happy, positive, optimistic, loving man when we got married 1.5 years prior, when he came home, he was complete opposite. The VA has failed him and our family. He went to therapy, but the way they went about it, was ridiculous, and didn’t help him or our family in the least, he did this trying through the VA on his own for an entire year, and not one time did they help him get better, no one wants to even give him the medications necessary to help calm his mind. When he came home he was on Ativan, it helped him, but when he tried getting it again, not even the VA would give it to him. These vets need more than just crappy prescribed anti depressants. Even the anti depressants they gave him, did not help. They give the lowest of the low. Shame on the VA
We recently refined, well I did, he cannot handle doing anything. Even the lady who set up his disability hearing said most the veteran spouses do everything, because the veteran can not handle much. She told him do not feel your alone in having your wife help you, this is how just about every veteran is, and I’m even allowed to speak on his behalf, with him during his disability interview. The DAV told us last Thursday it would take 14-30 days for us to get a call to set up his disability interview, only in rare, rare circumstances has she heard of the veteran being contacted before 14 days, she said that happens only if the VA realized they screwed up big time, well in 2 days from her sending the stuff over to the VA, we got a call from QTC medical, 2 days! When I told her at the DAV, she was like mouth dropped surprised. And told me, with this, don’t you worry. You and your husband are going to come out of this very very well set up. And your family deserves this! If your veteran has not filed, file for them, go through the DAV, they will make sure of the best outcome for your self or your veteran.
The DAV told.me also if you file on your own, no assistance the VA only looks at very little of the records. Where with assistance through the DAV they are forced to go through every single page, every sentence. And the thing is everything my husband is filing for he has all the proof. And if the VA had done right by us when we first filed we would have gotten everything he deserved. However only since the 3M earplug faultness, the 3M company put money into the disability fund. And most veterans who served during the time of the failing of these earplugs aren’t going back and getting what they deserve from this. I was told 1 of 2 things are happening…if they wore these earplugs and were just in field training, they will get 50% disability rating, but if they were in combat/war during the time of the failing of these they will get 100% disability rating. If you served during the years of these go back for this rating, you deserve it. And this is separate from the hearing loss rating as well.
Hi I have been trying to get benefits for hearing loss for at least 10 to 15 years. The VA tells me yes you have hearing loss, yes it’s military related 25% in both ears, also 96% of the words you hear are incorrect but that is not enough to receive any benefits. It just keeps getting worse. These people are not related to the military and do not have hearing loss and don’t realize that it affects every aspect of your life. Being married, work, driving the list goes on but the VA doesn’t care.
I have to agree with Julie. I am a Vietnam veteren . I served 12 months in that war. Got a P/H and from the time I got home never need to visit a VA center. I continued to serve with the N/G and the USA RESERVES. For the total of 35 years between Active Duty, N/G and Reserves. I know now that I have PTSD Mental Heath problems. And the VA has tried to help me but nothing yet. I retierd with the Rank of CSM.
I think the doctors and thous that determines your eligibility are so full of themselves I wish the would field what I feel my breathing problems they had the to say my lung problem wasn’t service related it all in my records but I’m an old marine in my day the g day they didn’t even hint for us to see your Va they just keep it quiet they have done me a disservice my problem got worse as I got older so as for me thumbs down
I agree with you. As a wife of a deseased veteran I can testify to the uselessness of the VA. Lots of red tape. They don’t know the answers.to anything They are mostly a younger generation of civilians that dont even know of the Vietnam war. Don’t know beans about anything and then, want to blame everything on age. Yes some people have been lucky and I wonder who they know. Remember the West Point Blue Line…Good Luck. We were not..
In my experience I think some facilities are “better” than others based on personnel and medical equipment available at any given facility. I’m not making excuses for the VA because they have to perform! I have received both good care and not so good. If you get referred to the “private” sector for treatment it can be the same poor care as anywhere else. SADLY!
I am an Agent Orange Survivor.The VA health system,has been FANTASTIC to me,I have had 2 major operations,and have been hospitalized 4 different times.,(not counting the two hospitalizations,for the AO surgeryI I have NO complaints,sure ,sometimes I have to wait,but overall,The VA hospitals can’t be beat,
I’m sorry to say that I’m a veteran and I know I have been mistreated by the post I have served. I’m a soldier and I never went on sick call for any reason. I’m in excellent shape only 3/6 points await for 300 score on my PT test back to back each year, then I began bleeding from my penis and also represented my army post in a event encouraging civilians in of learning institutions called career day. My interior bleeding never was solved and they released me bleeding to this day I’m still bleeding
Go to a civilian Dr or ER. YOU need to have that checked.
We agree. Some no war time.
I’ve had nothing but excellent service by the VA for over 15 years. Perhaps I am the exception and not the rule..
I agree with you. With a few minor exceptions, I have nothing but good things to say about the staff at the Pgh.. PA facility.
I agree. Blessings to you.
America’s moral obligation to genuinely care for her defenders is being egregiously
violated, dismantled, at the National Home for Disabled Veterans at West Los Angeles, CA.
Veterans are dying as the result of land-use policy, influenced by non-veteran special interests, and mental meltdowns are commonplace because of the controversy that Secretary McDonough is facilitating.
The closure and privatization of Veterans assets, paid for by the taxpayers, is at its worst at this location, the Capitol of Veteran homelessness.
Contributors to this publication support this position but no sense of urgency exists in the Halls of Congress or at “Joe’s desk”. Lip service has been the order of the day while advocates have managed to hold their ground in opposition to UCLA. a private school, and big oil enjoy the land, including beachfront property, that was “permanently” deeded to be “maintained as a Home for Disabled Veterans”
If you are a homeless Veteran you are a Disabled Veteran.
The underlying truth is NIMBY neighborhoods refuse to acknowledge the principle represented by this uniquely deeded land asset.
Therein, lays a larger matter.
Is WLA the tip of an iceberg that, under the waterline, is part of a movement to change our founding principles?
“A nation that does not honor its Veterans will not long endure”
Abraham Lincoln
Furthermore,Veterans deserve care for a miriad of issues BEFORE WE ALLOW THIRD WORLD migrants get one cent after coming here legally or illegally! Those men and women coming home maimed blinded or missing limbs should have homes available available for them,if we can support countries that hate us then we can DAMN WELL TAKE CARE OF OUR DISABLED VETERANS!!!! Wake up AMERICA call or write to your Representatives or Senators to remember who THEY WORK FOR we don’t work for them! Unless SOCIALISM is OK with you, It’s not what I fought for!!!
Well said and so true!!
I applied for VRE program right after I recieved my disability rating g of 100%. Because I did not move fast enough or do what a very young idiot wanted me to do that she had assigned me to do, I, NOW, have been denied my benefits. All of this occurred during the pandemic as well as, this young idiot did not want to meet in person nor did she want to zoom. She also was aware at the time that I did not have access to a computer or a FAX machine. Moreover, when I informed her that I wanted to go to Universal Technical Institute for diesel mechanics, OH YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGBT THAT I WAS COMMITTING MURDER. My disability is not of her concern ONLY the training for which I am applying for. She is not my doctor nor my psychologist. She is in a role of career counseling, nothing more. It urks me to no end that the VA would like to say they are helping veterans, then hire people that have some type of common sense and at least are aware of what we have been through and don’t try to tell the veterans that we can’t do something, Because We will Go Out of ,OUR way to prove that ignorant lazy idiot differant.
Yes, I have applied for my husband, again orange deceased, and they denied me, I don’t understand how can you pay him said he had it when vocal cancer came, and we he died, now you tell me he”s not eligible.
See what I mean.? Government doesn’tcare. Big liars full of themselves.. Just vote for me!! Liars. Homosexuals. Wife beaters. Womanizer. Those are the people in control of our lives. Amèn
I’m sorry Mike to hear that,please don’t give up try try try again and again you must because you deserve your rating, Get your Congressman-Woman on the case they work for US not the VA!
While in Vietnam I was exposed to Agent Orange,it showed up in my medical records and I was never made aware! I found it in my records when I requested a full printout of my records. Don’t stop trying!
I hope you are getting the rating or ratings you deserve, you can get more than 1 rating. If you have not reapply for your benefits go through the DAV, the DAV usually only.goes upto 5 ratings max. But most veterans, I was told the average disability they bring in is 7,000-9,000 a month. Go for it if your not getting that.
I have been in pain for over 20 years and my VA Doctor tells me to eat mustard seeds. Do I really need to say more?
Got into argerment with pain doc that he was over medicating
Me. He cut me off cold turkey. Said how you like that now plus I’ll put you down as a
Morphine addict . now you’re screwed because you will never see a pain pill from the VA. I’m 100% permently disabled unemployable. . the VA won’t even look at my ailments 16 months and counting for an ortho eval. So much for serving my country that has now failed me and many more.
Go to the DAV, pain management Dr’s are total screw up, how dare they do that to you, you were speaking up for your health. I promise give me a couple years max, and I will be standing up for all pain patients, getting rid of all those horrible.drs. give them to prisons. Getting politics, out of.medicine, getting the government out, getting ins. Companies to take all their rules and whatnot shove them up their asses. I’ve been sick since I was 10 with severe endometriosis, it has run and ruined my. Life as well as my husband who is a veteran with severe PTSD, and together our family.lofe has been put through hell, he’s worked 2 jobs, min. Wage, now he is doing much better in the job he has been at for 6 years, getting his VA disability rating upped and adding to it. Thanks to the help from.the DAV. My own health, I have been put through the ringer from Dr’s, and medical facilities and hospitals, I am writing a book and it will not only pertain to my health, but everyone in the US and around the world. I have 1,000 followers just waiting for me to finish my book, and give them the thumbs up to rally for change in medicine, ins. Politics, lawsuits in medicine. We should have the best medical care in the world, but we don’t. Those who have better our country needs to learn from, and go even better than that country. I’m looking for as many people to stand with me, to change medicine for the better, for ever. Everyone deserves compassion, care, good treatment. And if those Dr’s can’t do that, then they lose their licenses to never practice medicine again. Such as that pain dr. Believe me, just give me a bit of time. And I will go for change in all of medicine. Remove the bad ruining it for everyone.
I’ve had nothing but great care at the Seattle VA, American Lake VA and the Puyallup VA Clinic. Just keep in mind, the VA is not National Health Care. If you don’t like the care you get at the VA go somewhere else. There is no mandate that you have to use the VA for your health care.
Michael do you really believe that? I had the “pleasure’ of being treated at American Lake for 5 years prior to changes that allowed us to use the private sector. I didn’t have the same experience as you!
You are correct the isn’t national healthcare,HOWEVER our veterans deserve the same healthcare that OUR elected “officials” receive don’t you think? Wake up America we are not sheep!
Medically speaking when I can get into see someone they are great, however the wait times are extremely long to get an appointment, I understand that this is because there are more veterans needing help than there are medical providers so the docs and nurses are overloaded. the area that I have the most trouble with is the non medical staff. They seem to be very slow and inefficient, case in point I had a sleep study done by an outside agency ordered by the VA because they did not have the staff to do it. This study was done in 2021 but when I went to check the records the results had not been posted to my records. When I* asked about this at my yearly checkup the only thing that they found was the original consult, so I went to the outside provider and got the results and then sent this to my VAj PC via secure messaging. Hope that it gets in put to my records now.
When I have tried to do my disability claims always wrong things written down,and they can’t find my service record books and my medical records, stuck with a pension that I am a Little gratefully for but it hurts me more than it helps me
The VA has. Left me behind by not assigning me a veterans advocate to help me do the right moves as far as my benefits of entitlement.😒😒
Yes, I have applied for my husband, again orange deceased, and they denied me, I don’t understand how can you pay him said he had it when vocal cancer came, and we he died, now you tell me he”s not eligible.
Go through the DAV for the help, you should be getting his disability benefits, I was told even if my husband passes I will continue to receive his disability until the day I pass.
What service I truly believe they should close the VA and let our medical doctor provide for us veterans. I am a Vietnam veteran I have cancer in both legs from agent orange and I am also a type 2 diabetic .and the VA does not help. I truly believe that the VA doesn’t have any knowledge of agent orange or the folks just don’t care about the veterans. Close the VA and let the medical care be accomplished by our medical doctors. Vietnam Veteran
Keep at it Jerry! The new PACT act is designed for veterans exactly like you and I know for a fact that they are trying to get the word out and have a program in mind.
Mike get your congressperson involved!
When my husband was alive he went to the VA for mental health and they sent him out of town, without my permission it’s taken me two days to find where he was, and I had to pay for transportation to get him back home from Lake Charles, Parish, I had to submit an invoice to VA for reimbursement for my payment never received its, and I was told if the patient just have VA insurance that they was responsible for the bill
I feel that the VA is doing an average job fulfilling it’s responsibility to the American Veteran. It would be nice for the VA to be more proactive in advising all Veterans of their rights and benefits instead of leaving them hanging to fend for themselves. I am a Viet Nam veteran and it took me 52 years to get my disability rating for Service Connected PTSD. I suffered for 52 years. If the VA was more proactive my life would have been mush better. Don’t place too much trust in the U.S. government for taking care of the victims that their war has created. All veterans should be made aware, by the Veterans Administration, of all benefits they are intitled to.
You are so very right. The VA told my husband and I that veterans didn’t suffer from any of those problems. He left his hearing there, and suffered with PTSD for so many years trying to kill me in his sleep so many times from his damn nightmares and I knew what they were about because he also talked about places in Nam while dreaming. I worried that he might succeed and go to prison for something he had no control over. And no help. He died of lung cancer – no doubt left from Nam. He was USMC and continued to serve our country for the next 24 years in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard. He spent most of his time at the front. We buried a pilot friend who got doused with Agent Orange from a bladder and he suffered terribly. And yet our country thinks we are taking care of our vets when they aren’t
Sue
I have been treated for prostrate cancer twice and given 100% compensation. Then after treatment they reduce it to 50% compensation stating I was cured. If I was cured how come I was treated twice and my PSA tests are on the climb again..
I am a type 2 diabetic with medication, nerve damage swelling legs every night feet always hurting and can’t stand for long period of time, feet always burning. The doctor that tested for nerve damage said it was bad, and being diabetic will make it difficult to fix. Put in a claim and get rejected because on has nothing to do with the other. Are they saying my doctor is a lying. The review board are not even military doctors, and what do they know about agent orange caused problems. They give you travel allowance and take a $6.00 deductible on your first 3 payments each month, why?
My question to you is does state have you totally disabled? I’m not sure but I think that matters.
Hello Frank…I’m not a doctor, but a lot of what your going through, well, I been there. I was and still am type 2 diabetic, just not as bad… I was on Lantus and Novolog, twice/day, my weight was 270/lbs… My weight worked upward for over 30 years and wouldn’t decrease no matter what I did. No diet, working out in the gym or anything else helped. When I was 65, a friend, about 3 years ago suggested I look into Bariatric Surgery… so I figured what do I have to lose. After the initial interview with the doctors at the Boston VA and passing all the tests they wanted me to take, they turn me down because they considered me too high of risk because of a heart attack 10 years earlier. Even though I had no trouble since. My VA cardiologist had given me a clean bill. When I explained it to my heart doctor he suggested I go outside the VA and find a bariatric surgeon that would give me a look and be willing to do it. It took 3 months to find one, but after she looked at my file, said yes, she didn’t see any problems. 2 months later the surgery was done. 70% of my stomach was gone and I just had to keep following my diet and still do to this day. I have lost 100/lbs, my waistline has gone down from 46 to 34… I had to get rid of just about every piece of clothing I had. I no longer take take any insulin and haven’t since just after the surgery… I am still taking some metformin, but I’m still slowly reducing those levels too. There are certain pills I have to take over the short time and some I have finished… I still have neuropathy in both my feet, but not as bad as they were. This surgery was my last hope… I know how your feeling and if I can help in any way I’d be more than happy to share my experiences with you… and I been told I listen pretty well too. This diabetic stuff can be beaten! Drop me a line anytime!!!
I love the doctor at VA I love ❤️ my they’ve taken care of me eye doctor all of them I have no problem with any of them 💜 love them all
The VA in Togus, Maine are outstanding… at least the ones I have dealt with. They don’t offer everything here, but don’t hesitate to send you outside to get help. And fortunately the outside doctors I been sent to have been good too!
I was rated 100% back in 2012. I was assigned to the warrior transition battalion at Fort Bragg NC and recieved this rating while there. I suffered a parachute accident and it resulted in 3 spine surgeries, Traumatic Brain Injury, permanent nerve damage. I was in a wheelchair for 18 months because of this, I still have nightmares to this day about the fall, I was also outsourced by the medical side of the military to an off post provider for mental health care and was diagnosed as bi-polar. The military refused to even look at my diagnosis from that provider even though it was being outsourced by them and Tricare paid for those visits. This diagnosis was not put into my military medical records. They had me on 22 medications at one time and I ended up addicted to pills. I was cut off of these medications cold turkey. 5 of these meds were pain killers and more were antipsychotics. I ended up self medicating with alcohol and marijuana to stop my anxiety and curb my nerve pain and my emotional pain of having my career come to a screeching halt. I almost committed suicide because of the depression and the fear of not being able to care for myself or my family. I came up dirty on a UA for marijuana. The Army tried taking me to courts martial and I was being threatened with 4 years in a military prison, a bad conduct discharge, and I would be branded as a convicted felon. The evidence the military used to take me to trial were 3 rehab ordered UAs. Total violation of AR 600-85 ASAP. The military actually tried to force me to go to my preliminary hearing without representation by legal counsel. I was forced to take a chapter 10 in lieu of courts martial and recieved an Other Than Honorable Discharge, I was a Sergeant at the time that had worked for the WTB as a company training and operations NCOIC, I obtained and Maintained a TS/SCI clearance, wrote continuity books at the brigade level, supported my soldiers as my oath as an NCO described, I have letters from my Commanders and Immediate command recommending me for Counterintelligence positions, letters stating how much of an asset I was to the Army and to the Brigade under which I served. My attorney in JAG told me that my case was the first case in the history of the military that a soldier was taken to courts martial with this type of evidence and under these circumstances. The WTB also violated their own policies for soldiers who had already received their ratings and signed their DA 199 accepting the proposal by the VA. I was denied open door policy with my Brigade Commander due to “conflict of interest”. I was badgered and my permanent profile was violated by the same Battalion that gave it to me. Forced manual labor while I am walking on a cane and barely doing that. I have seen many soldiers get lied to, lied on, and screwed out of their careers. When I stood up for them and put their welfare before my own, (Oath of the NCO) I was crucified for it. I was told that “I care about my soldiers to much and I needed to worry about myself instead”. WTF OVER!!!! I still to this day suffer pain and addiction. I have lost everything I worked for, house, vehicles, my relationships with my kids and my marriage of 28 years. All because the Army and the VA didn’t do the right thing. See I have two terms of service. The VA says that if you have more than one term of service and any of those terms of service were under honorable conditions You are entitled to your full benefits. Then why in the hell did they take my medical benefits just recently. I now get nothing and have gotten nothing for the last ten years. Except for a mouth full of rotting teeth because all of the dental work the Army did has failed. They knew this before my discharge. I also get a life long disability that my records say will only get worse. I can’t hold a job, I have been homeless, and I have been addicted to alcohol and meth up until recently. I still smoke pot for pain and anxiety. So what? I am not getting my mental health or medical care as I should be so I have to do something. I have been getting the run around on this from day one and 10 years later still have gotten no where except for more run around. My discharge was illegal and the practices of the VA are not accommodating by any means. I have had to get on Medicaid for health care and struggle with work and social anxiety. The fact that I will not be able to socialize in any work or relationship environment is in my records in black and white and honestly my life is shit. Who is gonna help me? Only Me. No one else is willing and this is me now after serving 7 years to this nation and serving honorably only to get fucked over by Obama’s answer to “what do we do with all of these soldiers coming back from the 30,000 troop insurgence we sent to Iraq? We have no jobs back in Garrison for them. So they fuck us over and they get to recoup all the big bonus money they gave out for enlisting. Chapters them for behavior problems and they get no benefits either. Yes we signed a contract voluntarily but they seem to forget that they made promises in that contract as well. I say class action lawsuit against the DoD and the VA all at once for those who they put out in this same fashion. I am not the only one this has happened to.
Dan my name is H given to me by US Army, birth name Howard. Come from military family, I’m 65 and things have changed over the years, I come from similar circumstances and there’s a lot of hatred amongst other soldiers, I spoke of a VA rep in Pa that bragged about beating a African American while a police officer in Con and I went off on him telling him he’s a soldier to help others and should be color blind to any race, as I was attempting to aquire help myself, he tossed evidence, had others refuse to help me, when visiting Colorado called VA there they said 2-3 week wait, I told my story they asked can I come next morning, i concurred and about 10 minutes later I get a call from Pa it’s that rep and he threatened to kill me, I never went to VA in Colorado but as soon as I got home I went to his office and said don’t let anything but fear stop you!! He said what and I stated I pinned you, he said I’ll see you soon, I said I’ll be waiting!! He never showed. Then after that one Veterans Day I attended a ceremony in the next county and spoke of real estate taxes and exemption for certain vets and during this was acknowledged by the tax collector with hatred, well after ceremony was approached by residents and told she knew by her reaction to your comments and watched people loose each other there homes and she just watched. When they took our pictures for the paper I was asked my name and I knew I mistakenly poked a hornets nest, when asked my name I stated the unknown soldier as was printed in the paper and about a month later a veteran killed everyone of those township officials at a meeting one night for taking his farm for real estate taxes. For some of us it never ends, ive gone through everything you described and more, but my family came back together by the grace of god I believe. Live well and you’ll be well!!! After speaking of a interrogation course I went through, it was years till I could remember the details, but being in a MI unit in Korea and having knowledge of what was going to be and not cooperating with interrogation personnel during coarse didn’t help my situation and resistance only brought water boarding and lifelong issues!! When challenged remember our oath to defend against all enemies both foreign and domestic, you may be considered a samataform disorder or worse, so remember it’s only a test don’t fail!!! Good luck Dan Godspeed brother ✌️❤️🙏😎 H here
I am so sorry this has happened to you. This is inhumane of the DOD, VA Government. You deserve everything to be over turned, and your benefits given to you. I wish I knew of a way to help you get all this fixed. God bless you, and may something good happen that things find a way to be overturned and given back to you. All I can say is find a way to fight for what you deserve. This is the fault of the DOD, VA, Government, Dr’s.
Have been trying
To get into The local VA because I was diagnosed by military Dr at camp rapid in Rapid city, SD and nobody can find the records. The Dr gave me a waver and I was able to get back into the Army natural Gaurd and retired with 21+ years in the Gaurd and now the say they can not find my records my hearing still getting and I have to keep buying hearing aid how do I try to get some help
VA Health Care has always done good by me. The Hosp. in West Haven is always busy . Staff is as attentive as they can be even with some I’ve observed not being so kind to the care givers. Doctors , nursing, orderlies are tops in my eyes. Give them the respect and cooperation they deserve.
Very satisfied with our clinic.
In Texas, We have clinics that are not part of the VA! They are rental medical people! We can not keep a doctor for any length! They quite frequently! They cannot give you an aspirin! But you can get a flu shot, but they didn’t have one for elderly people! You have to go to Walgreens to get one! Dallas VA is pretty good at taking care of Veterans! I have to drive 45 miles to get there! Overall, I think the real VA Hospitals give you good care here in Texas!
I m a traveling veteran, and I can honestly say it depends on what part of the country your in, through 2016-2020 it was getting a lot better, after that it’s back to the same old thing, shuffle you around till your just to darn tired of all the red tape and run around, I’ve found the southwest is the worst…
The reason that the service is bad, is we do not have enough military personnel to assist or have the time or knowledge to help. Often times you are left feeling that those, that do try and assist are only doing the job to get paid . And you are left with the feeling that they are in a hurry to get off the phone or send you anywhere so they do not have to help. You are left with the feeling that you are a burden and not given the respect we have desired for making our country what is is. No we are not perfect, but being one the youngest nations, having at one time fought against each other, to come as far as we have with GOG’s blessing is truly awesome. People do not understand America is nothing without the service our veteran’s have paid. People give more importance to entertainment and not understand where that the answer than we all need to break out in song dance or make a movie. There is just no respect!!!!
I have stood in line and have heard first hand the anger that the staff has in refusing to answer the phone. Also I have 3 fused discs in my neck, my symptom are back and have been waiting for months for an MRI to see if their is further damage. Now my doctor tells me that I must have blood work drawn before considering my MRI on my neck. Where do you get these so-called professionals ?
White River Junction, VT VA. The medical facility is great! It may take some time and calling to get them moving but they have been on target and helping me tremendously. I find the phone system is horrible and the VA for claims is just about impossible. I have been trying for almost 30 years now, since desert storm to get a disability. I ended up obtaining an attorney last month. Back to the VA hospital…..The best way I have been successful is to email my PCP through “my healthy VET” I get a response that day or at the most, the next day. A lot of veterans think highly of the WRJ, VT facility. There are veterans that drive all the way from MA, CT, NH, NY and ME due to they receive excellent treatment. Are there some flaws, of course, but they all mean well and are 100% supportive of the veterans-MEDICALLY!
I believe the VA is really trying but they don’t have the resources. Only one per cent of Americans are defending our country today. Only 8% of the U.S. have served.
Before we spend money on foreign aid or benefits for illegals or Saving the Whales or whatever, our country’s priority should be to provide for the needs of EVERY veteran. There should not be even ONE homeless vet. The VA needs to have the resources necessary to compete and attract the healthcare workers needed, the facilities, equipment and supplies to help veterans.
As a marine it brings tears to my eyes every time I remember Ira Hayes. He helped raise the flag on Iwo Jima for that iconic picture that has become the symbol of The Corps. Our country let that hero die in ditch! LET THERE BE NO MORE IRA HAYES’
Afternoon Mr. Ott and Name is Tony Platerio of Elko, Nevada and a Former United States Marine and Honorable Discharged and I have Two Uncle’s that we’re there with Ira Hayes and other Marines that Great Day in History and it’s Very Sad that Back then they didn’t call it PTSD & There was no help for Veterans back in WWII Or WWI. But our country can let immigrants here into USA and pay them and housing & They get Treated better than U.S. Veterans. I’m a Fifth Generation Western Shoshone Indian and Disabled Marine Veteran and Missing both Feet! I’ve been to Salt Lake City, Utah VA Hospital December 2021 and March 4, 2022 And Travel Pay is The Hold Up! None Yet and they Me! 425 days from getting Payed. Amazing! My Uncle’s Navajo Indians from Arizona Many Farms said America is Not The Same.
Good Day! It’s April 25, 2022 @ 02:27am and my comment about VA System if it’s working! System for Travel Pay is Crap and OLD SYSTEM WAS VERY GOOD! How could VA SYSTEM Change when it was GOING GOOD. The Person WHO CHANGED THIS SYSTEM Should be Fired and Face Federal Charges Put In JAIL. STILL WAITING ON TRAVEL PAY SINCE DECEMBER 4, 2021 AND WHAT A DAMM JOKE! I LIVE ON FIXED INCOME! $100 FOR ONE MONTH.
I’M A DISABLED MARINE VETERAN AND MISSING BOTH FEET.
hoorah I agree wholeheartedly. Instead we have ignored our veterans like so much trash. Not right.
They’re doing an average job since this Covid Plannedemic! The Mask Mandate in the facilities is ridiculous! They don’t work! The peoples attitude seems to have changed! The care was much better in my opinion before the WOKENESS entered the ADMINISTRATION!
It all depends on where you are, what State you are being serviced in. During the 12 years that I lived in Louisville, KY, the VAMC there was about average when it came to Medical needs but was doing a Great Job when it came to Mental Health needs. Their PTSD programs and support groups were great, but when I moved to the Atlanta, GA area, things went down hill very quickly. The attitude of the Staff, the slow appointment process and the all day waiting to see seen is just below what Veterans deserve. Atlanta is so bad that I decided to move all of my Medical and Mental Health treatment to the Augusta, GA VAMC which is much, much better. There is still a disconnect when it comes to Community Care with providing timely approvals for Referrals and actuate information for clinics outside the VA system, but overall Augusta is doing pretty good. If there is someone out there that has visited the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX VAMC, you may find it good in some areas and poor in others. During my stay with my Mother, it too me eight months to be seen by a VA Physician. None of the VAMCs run off of the same infrastructure. It is like that are independently own and operated. Now this is where the Department of Veterans Affairs need to step in and put every facility on the same page. So the question, “Is the VA Doing a Good Job Taking Care of Vets?” should be considered by location. Atlanta is not. Their service is below poor, but many across the Nation, like Augusta and Louisville are about average. You can’t lump every VA facility into one basket.
That a Bad question. V.A does a great job. It’s the Department of Veteran Affaire.. That the foot stop er..I been fighting 50 years for my rating…Digging into there Bonuses. 20 years they have said I was never in the Army ( RA). Only reserve Air-Force. So on and on. When a VA Dr say I see you problem and think I can operate .They move me to another DR. and It’s like Taboo. Second part The Ass Director said decades ago I never see a ratting. Yes I have it in my foot notes 1988-87 or so. For Helping my P.O.W Dad get a higher rating.
Agreed
I served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard for 8 years and got my honorable discharge 1988-1996 but because I was in the guard I don’t get help.
Exactly I love how they say not service connected like they were overseas with me
The exact same thing is happening too me
Veteran V.A. REPS is not fully trained to represent us. The ones that can help are the outside attorneys that charge you a percentage if you receive you get some compensation You have to keep up with the V.A. rules that can change at any time.
For the most part I get adequate care thru my current VA here in Texas and most folks at the VA are caring. I used to live in Arizona and had my care taken care of at the CBOC clinic in Henderson. I found that they were reasonably incompetent. I went a few more miles into Las Vegas the the VA Hospital. No problems there but I has an ENT doctor who seemed more concerned about himself then any Veterans. I was exceptionally happy with the Neurology Dept. at the North LV VA Hospital and the doctor and her nurse were the best I have ever dealt with.
Medically there doing a good job on myself. I’m a cancer agent orange patient. So far I’ve made a lot of progress and am on my way to some recovery. The job they’re doing poorly is going to outside Doctors, the approval for those services takes months. The question is WHY can’t the local V.A. Hospital make that decision I’ve been waiting for Dental work done and recommended by the V.A. Dental Dept for 3 months now. Other than that I get good Dr. care and medications.
I feel va reps think they have power to deny veterans there due benefits. My personal experience is a VA rep in Arizona who reuses to grant me a VA home loan benefits, due lack of searching the truth.
The VA is doing a great job giving me great care and time. I go to Anderson and Greenville South Carolina. The staff are friendly and takes the time to answer questions.
I go to the Minneapolis VA, medical is great, however the dental clinic is another story
You are absolutely correct why have dental I guess to deny veterans I’m very upset with them
So it is hard to get dental treatment?
At 86 years old I’m in excellent health and don’t use the VA for much. I would like to have a “thorough” exam once a year rather than a “you look good” appointment. I feel guilty being healthy when I see my buddies with no arms or legs and I appreciate that professional staff is hard to come by. I would also like to get my drugs from the VA and I have insurance that would reimburse the VA fore some of thewir expenses.
Tell me how I can help!!
David Sabre, LT USAF
We have found health care at the VA in Washington, DC and the Ft Belvoir Community Hospital very satisfactory… and the people more than fine.
Regardless of the subject there are always pros & cons. In today’s situation with the politically correct nonsense, handouts so people don’t have to find a job, the discrimination situation, I can go on all medical care facilities are hurting for staff personnel. For those who are not satisfied with the VA care, go on the outside and see what you will get! The VA is trying to get all facilities on the same track for medical care. I have found that the vet who complains about everything is the one that makes it a point to visit the VA daily for the most minor situations. The VA is not a babysitting service. These vets are taking up space and time from others who are in need of medical/dental care. The VA facility at Martinez, Travis AFB and Mather in northern California are superior in all respects. I’ve found out that for routine care I call a month in advance. For the complainers, do yourself a favor, stop whining and work with the system instead of against it!
In some areas I feel the VA is doing a very good job. My biggest complaint is the time to here back on a submitted claim to the VA. it has been 5 months and still no answer.
Many Vets are having a very difficult time due to the above problem. We need answers do not excuse.
Great that says how it in my opinion Scott &White is Miillitay. Is Great place for ant person in need and do have Veterans , work there also
Need to get rid of the rediculous and useless masks!!!!
Even the science says they are useless.
One can always go to the Emergency Room
for care. Stay in touch with your PCP and/or
use the internet portal.
Be patient. There are too many of us and not
enough Health Care workers to take care of us. They are doing their best. Be proactive, stop eating junk food, exercise, an drink plenty of Water. Stay away from sugar, alcohol, tobacco and harmful drugs. Talk to a nutritionist. You’d be surprised what you eat is bad for your health..
I have to fight Tooth and Nail to get care from the VA.
The only department in Atlanta, Ga, that answers their phones is the Eye Department.
Most of the time, I have to go thru the Patient Avacey program to get in touch with the Dental; office, then it is two months before I get an Appointment. It is also customary to wait two months between all Dental appointments.
The Orthopedic department is hard to get an appointment in. I fell and have broken a piece of my Knee cap. an X-ray was taken at the local VA Clinic. The Main Orthopedic Department told my Doctor that I should lose weight; the broken piece of my Knee Cap is still there.
Support for my PTSD stopped at the beginning of the Covid. I went to my local Vet Clinic, and They could not get me an appointment when I was there and would contact me by Phone. That was 3 hours ago; no call as of now. I have been given different telephones numbers, and rarely do I get ansers. I routinely drive to the VA Clinic to get service.
I have had no contact with the CPAP unit after Covid.
I live about 50 miles from the Atlanta VA Hospital and depend on VA Transportation. WE arrive at the
Hospital at the back 10 – 1030 and are told the bus leaves around 2 PM. I have to remind the staff that I am a Van rider and need to be done by 2. I fell rushed. one day, I was left behind and did not get home until about 9-930pm
I spend at least 3 – to 5 hours a day on the phone when I start calling the VA. I am tired and upset at the end of my contacts. I try to remain calm as I understand it is not the people on the other end of the phone. It is the system and administration to who the fault belongs. But at age 84 and at the end of hours trying to solve an issue with my health. I come away immensely frustrated.
As you can see, my experience with the VA System is less the what one would expect from their Health Care Provider.
I have rated 100% disability and am a Vietnam Veteran. I have had five knee operations.
no they aren’t .most veterans can’t even sign on to the VA .because they are told that we make too much money. When I was discharged back in 1968 I was told that I made too much money ,I didn’t even have a job after being discharged yet..It wasnt’ until after I had retired in 1998 that I qualified too group 8 if I had medical insurance.
I’m a Vietnam Vet and I put in a claim for my thyroid and was denied after they told me to put the claim in the doctor I saw on the outside said I had Grave’s disease but how did I get it I have agent orange in my in which caused for me to have the disease but they are saying since I was denied back in 2010 their decision stands I’m 73 years old and they can’t get my claim right I’m wondering why they sent me the paperwork to fill out and by the way no one in my family had Grave’s disease so you tell me where did I get it and they destroyed my thyroid and now I’m on medication for life now you tell me is this right
I find it very difficult to have a VA advocate assigned to help me navigate my needs and benefits that I am entitled to.. I desperately need help with getting my DD214 properly reworked, my health benefits,, PLEASE HELP ANYONE!!!
Mental Health clinic, I had my visit on video to my PTSD doctor and she told me at that time, she is leaving the practice and I would be reassigned another doctor at that time, that has been 4 months ago and have tried to call the clinic and they always told me that someone would call to assign another doctor, well, running out of my medication and still no doctor to have them refill them. Have no idea what is going to happen when I run out!!!!!!
The VA is losing the competition for workers. They can’t compete with the private sector for already scarce healthcare workers of ALL occupations. The fauci flu has done a lot of damage to the system.
Firing the unvaxed was far BEYOND shortsighted in fact, it borders on criminal.
I would have fire everyone of them
For myself I have had Fairly Swift accommodations for my existing problems, I was awarded a percentage of disability, I’m grateful. I applied a cream for p t s d, it was denied. I will pursue. You’re coming on being vaccinated or not and losing a position. Outrageous not understanding our right, scary that coming from our government.
My wife and I are both vets and have had some of the best care with the VA in Boise, Idaho. They are a caring and helpful facility.
After reading some of the comments left by others it is clear to me that those who feel Trump is anti-military are playing the liberal political card. This is what continues to keep our country divided. Will you ever let the Trump card go? We are all Americans. Lets try to work together.
Well said!
Right on point!!! 👍👍
I am a retired medical worker and I have been receiving VA medical care for over 20 years. Personally, I am satisfied with the care I have received. Thru my work I have traveled extensibility thru out the western parts of America and I will need to say that location does make a difference to the kind of care received. I have received care in Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, and Colorado. The care I received in Arizona was mediocre at best. But the care I received while in the other states was good. After President Trump was in office, the VA care I have received has greatly improved. I have had several surgeries and my VA pre and post surgical care has been very good. When I order prescriptions thru the VA Mail Order Pharmacy, I receive all medications within 10 days. Presently I live in Colorado Springs, and over all, I am satisfied with my VA medical care. I have a good Provider and I feel she really cares for me and my medical needs. As a whole I feel that physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide the best care. I feel they are more empathetic than the male medical professionals. But over all I dont have any real complaints. I do think the phone triage system sucks!!! I have waited over an hour just to finally talk to someone on the phone. But over all, I am happy with the actual VA medical care I have received.
I was very satisfied with VA healthcare until the last few years. I have not had a Primary Care Physician in over two years, instead a revolving door of physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners. And because they are constantly changing, there is no continuity of care. No one is really in charge of refilling my prescriptions, or renewing my ongoing skin cancer surgeries. (I’ve had two melanomas and countless basal cells so this is no idle matter.) I’m at least two years overdue for a colonscopy that had been ordered by my last PCP, but was on hold due to COVID and now there’s no one to order it or a facility within a reasonable distance. AND the VA billing system is nightmarish, with no idea what’s really owed or what’s been paid. The VA just seized my federal tax refund ($193.) over billing I’d never seen, that’s not reflected in any billing I’ve received, and with no advance warning or opportunity to dispute. No appeal, no recourse except the expense of filing a lawsuit.
You don’t have to be smart to know the VA has many, many problems providing medical services. The Vet is lied to and falsely quoted. I heard someone say I was pleased but no one ask ME if I were pleased.
Did the VA provide good services after I waited a year for an appointment and then had the appointment changed the day before to make me wait another month.
Did the VA provide good service when they provided a NEW doctor who had little to no knowledge about my problem but prescribed a treatment. A treatment two other doctors said should never be prescribed as a first treatment.
Some VA doctors are great but many more are under trained and not interested in the heqalth of the Vet.
I haven’t heard a word from the VA in 3-4 years. They don’t give a damn about us veterans! At least they don’t for me.
I had to call them to get blood withdrawn and a urine test after waiting for over 2 1/2 years for tests to be done. That was over a year ago and I haven’t heard a peep since then. The VA here in the Atlanta area is the worst in the country! Why can’t they take an interest in veterans and show they give a damn! I served in the United States Navy but the VA gets an “F” grade as far as I’m concerned. My name is Frank Gonzales, and my phone number is (770) 425-3132, which I answer 24 hours a day. I just want to see if they will call me! Thank you.
I feel that the VA is doing a fantastic job. They have always treated me with respect and cared for me when I needed their help. The Community Service office has provided me with care that has save me a large amount of money. They are swamped at this time but I have always heard back from them when I need their help. I have only talked to one Vet who has said that he does not like the VA and will not have anything to do with them. I feel that some of the problems may have to do with the attitude of the Vet. I always go to the clinic with a positive attitude and a smile on my face. All I can say is: Thank you Veterans Administration for all that you do for me and other Vets. I am sure that there are more Vets that appreciate what the VA does for them than those Vets that do not. Thank You for serving us.
The VA rated me 100%, I have received GREAT care from them since I retired in 1984..
Thats great but my husband has to wait 2-3 hrs to have his lab work with appointment. An hour to see a NP to see a specialist 3 months. This is unacceptable!! His meds are always late He has gone 2 months without life saving medication. He has bad arthritis and cant get the doctor to prescriy pain medication.
I was diagnosed with bone cancer and “Quote There is no cure! Here are some every expensive pills cut them in half. They will suppress the symptoms but is no cure. We are monitoring you so we will make appointments every three months”. Thanks! So now I have to get labs week before my appointments. Woopy thanks VA. I went to civilian Cancer treatment centers of America and they will not interfere with VA. VA IS USELESS
I retired in 2006 from the United States Navy. I received 100% disability in 2013 which included unemployability. I continued to work on the appeals that the VA continued to deny, but finally (because of my persistence) I was awarding the disability I deserved. I live in South Texas and I have experienced the best VA clinic in the United States. It is the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. They are caring, professional and extremely concerned about the welfare of the Veterans in the Rio Grande Valley. They will go out of their way to make sure every veteran is taken care of. Everyone in every position go beyond their job titles to make all the veterans feel special in their medical needs. Thank you to all the professional at the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System in Harlingen, Texas. They are second to none.
They are doing a poor job with my husband who served in the Navy 4 years. They postpone appointments constantly. He’d like to claim his hearing loss as a disability he’s had since then but doesn’t know who to call to claim. He keeps getting forwarded around to different VA workers but gets nothing accomplished. He feels since this wasn’t documented upon an honorable discharge, he’s not sure at 62 years old that this can be claimed.. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Go to the local Veterinarian administration and they will file for him
If he worked around loud noise in the performance of his duties he can be served in the Audio Department and it is s disability
.
Please contact your local Veteran Service Officer to have them help you file a claim. The Veteran’s Benefits Administration (VBA) is separate from the Veteran’s Health Administration (VHA) as is the Cemetery Benefits. They are 3 different organizations. Claims for disability go through the VBA. Your healthcare would go through the VHA. Please reach out the local service officer – they can help you file your claim.
Here in Seattle VA and all throught the PNW they have this thing called “passive aggressive” additude. They also make you jump through a hoops with that additude. They also are very arrogant and threat us vets as if they own us and they think they are better than us. They don’t treat as humans and don’t care. I had three Doctors who did not give me the proper respect and wanted me to jump through hoops to get care and life saving meds. One several cases I came very close to death because of their arrogance. You ask the Sentor here for help and it is like the police investgating the police nothing that I see with this works.. Then that just makes matters worst for you as a vet. They blacklist you and do even less for you when you complain. My health is at risk of death with a simple procedure because of this. I have PTSD and depressed all of the time I am almost ready. They make life, in my case, very hard to have a good life so I stopped going to the VA and don’t care any more. This is how they stop people like me and we all wait foe my end.
I have gave up on the va I served honorably from 1990-2006 i was envolved in many campains going where no one should ever go. In 2006 i was medicaly discharged. I am currently rated at 90% with 70% being PTSD. When I had a issue with ptsd there only solution was medication without even trying to find the ROOT cause of the problem. I soon began to have chest pains from the meds. I called to get an appointment with va but was put on a wait list for 5 months. During this time i went to a private doctor and was advised to see a cardiologist that was rated as one of the best in the nation. He advised i had an 80% blockage and needed imidiant surgery. I was taken to the Er so he could perform the surgery and va was notified for billing purposes there response was to place me in an ambulance and send me to the regional hospital 3 hrs away. I told the hospital no keep me here and i will pay for it if i have to. The Dotor preformed the surgery and on discharge told me ” you would not have made it to OKC for that surgery”. Since then i have tried to get VA appointments but they are at best three months out to schedule. I am still waiting for a test to be scheduled from 2018 for sleep apnia caused by nightmares. I also am supposed to have yesrly check ups in march but the last one was 2019 again due to scheduling.
Service is rediculously slow. Often a mix up.
Medicine they send the wrong meds.
Cancell appointments after waiting 4 months.
If it were a civilian hospital it would be on the news.
Although I and my spouse have had excellent care with the VA, I gave them an average rating based on what I have heard from other veterans. I wish I had a better platform in which to express the ups/downs of the VA experience. I thank God all of the time for being there for us.
Hi my name is Richard I retired in 2009 from the US Army right before I retired I had a shoulder with a torn rotator cuff they did one surgery but they didn’t repair the rotator cuff so they did another MRI and the technician found that I had an aneurysm on my lower aortic 3.5 cm. I retired got into the VA system complainted a doctor there hey this isn’t this so she had me do another MRI but for abdominal pain. The technician says oh there’s no aneurysm there’s nothing there we don’t see nothing. Bounce forward till 2020 The doctors that had been monitoring the aneurysm since 2009 repaired it in March but yet still the VA is saying oh you don’t have that and that did not happen when I’ve got medical proof.
I’ve found that the V.A. Doctors don’t take me serious when I have a complaint. Several times they have misdiagnosis me. 12 years ago I started complaining I couldn’t mow my yard without breaks every ten minutes, they said I have heart burn and treated me for that for 2 years and then we got a new P.A. that sent me for a stress test and low and behold….. I had a quad drewpolo by pass surgery with in weeks. I’m a diabetic and started getting pancreas attacks nitey this went on for 7-8 years and right before Christmas of 2017 I told my wife I’m not taking this medication any more, guess what my life changed over nite , I was down to 127 lbs and after I quit the medication, I couldn’t eat enough, never had another attack gained about 20lbs in 3 months. So I did a internet search on the drug Metformin and the first thing they said was causes PANCREATITIS and I had seen at least 8-10 VA doctors about this and not ONE connected the 2. So I suffered unGodly pain and suffering for years cause the Doctors didn’t do there JOB. They actually want to do surgery on my pancreas 2 different times but I never let them thank God. Next in line was my leg pains, I complained for about three years and the VA doctor told me it was diabetic nerve pain, so I went and talked to every diabetic I knew and not one had my kind of pain going on, Went back to the VA and told the Doctor that no one I know has this kind of pain from being a diabetic, He jump up outta his chair and yelled at me and said I”m not going to argue with you over this, well guess what with in the year my toes and foot turned black and now he had to listen to me, I had a blockage in my frigg’n leg for those 3 years . So they finally operated on my leg and things went great for about 4 months then I get a letter from the VA saying they have me scheduled for cataract eye surgery, so I go see the Surgeon for that and she says you need to talk to your VA doctors about taking you off your blood thinners before i can operated So I talked to the VA doctors and they say yes you can have it but you need to quit taking the blood thinners for 2 weeks before the surgery and get back on them as soon as you have it, SO I did what I was instructed to do and about 2 weeks later got a major blood clot in my leg. the Surgeon who operated on my leg months before was pissed that they would take me off the blood thinners so soon and guess what this lead to my first amputation of my right leg. weeks later when it became infected with ganggreen they remove the rest of my right leg. To this day the VA claims no responsibility for my lost of my leg when in fact they were directly responsible for it, If I had a real doctor instead of some 80 something year old fart maybe I could still walk with 2 legs. Some people say they never had a bad time with the VA while others say they were experiments for the VA doctors. All I can says is if I had real Doctors at the time I’d still be walking with 2 legs
I am a 35 years Vet, server from 1968 to 2003 in Vietnam called .for Desert Shield/Storm and E
Freedom/E Freedom. When I call my doctor at the VA, I”m told to leave name ,phone and last 4 of SSN they will call me back in 24 hours .but most time it 4 or more days. I live in a diff city then the INDY VA. When I call the travel office, sometime I can get a ride and sometime I have to cancel my appointment.. I think the VA at INDY is over work, they need more people. I had to use Medcare for some server and operation.
I feel very blessed to have health care at the Loma Linda VA and can’t say enough good things about the staff, quality of care or the genuine concern for veterans health both physical, mental and spiritual.
Thank you Loma Linda.
I have gone to the Charlotte VA, the Salisbury VA, both while living in North Carolina, in addition to now living in Texas, I am now going to the Dallas VA. What I have experienced in all of these so called Veterans institutions is the lack of caring for us as Veterans.. What I have noticed and experienced is we are treated more as an inconvenience than patient. We are not given the well deserved, not to mention, WELL earned respect given to a Soldier. We are rushed through visits and shoved out the door via the pharmacy to be seen in 3 to six months. Now don’t get me wrong there are some excellent, caring, nurturing and very attention to detail doctors, nurses, and receptionist, but are overshadowed by the many who are not.
I’ve been with the VA since 1998 & was 10% with a gunshot wound from Vietnam in 1967. I put a claim in for Diabetes and a Heart Condition but denied for my Heart but was denied for my Heart.as it was not one of the conditions from Diebeties. I was then put at 60%. I then got raised to 60% which I put in for Unemployable which I then was raised to 100% due to Unemployable. In 2ooo. Thanks all to the DAV for helping.. In 2009 I was raised to 100% due to my Heart Condition alone. I must say that for me the VA has been Excellent with all my issues. No appt problems and have been very Happy with all my Medical care.
I have been told since I do not have a service rated disability I can not use the VA. I am a retired from the armed forces. The VA needs to overhaul the system. Some VA hospitals are great others are bad from the comments I read. I have no faith in the VA.
As a Disabled Vietnam Military Veteran I go to the Beaver Dam VA Clinic in Wisconsin. Well in the last year or two MD Doctors like Gregory Shultz and the New Doctor will not be their anymore. The issue is You just started to know the MD Doctor and for some reason I feel the VA has issues to try to get them to retire., because the MD Doctor takes more time them alloted to see the Patient and the Doctor hears about it from the VA. I know this because as I sit their and listen to the Doctor bring up my VA Record talking to himself saying I wish this Computer would Boot up a little faster. I am going to hear about it because I an taking longer with the Patient. So all that is left are APNP’S to make an appointment with. AFTER GETTING USE TO YOUR MD DOCTOR AND HE KNOWS YOUR HEALTH RECORD YOU ARE LEFT WITH AN APNP TO DISCUSS HEALTH ISSUES. I was always taught to discuss my Health Issues with a MD Doctor.
I have been a disabled vet for over 50 years and I have never had a problem with the VA.
for the ;most part some people feel like the VA i s doing ok, well with my experience for getting my meds from the VA for free since i am 70 disabled, i had to go to my Congressman for help;, started back in July 2021, did what was told of me to do and as of today. i have one left NOT filled. totally dissatisfied with my VA clinic.
I think the V.A. is overwhelmed
They’re not accustomed to seeing the types of injuries that comes from a 2fronted war.
The PTSD for those returning still being investigated so as to HOW do you deal with it.
I am 100% service connected I have been dealing with the VA for a number of years. in 2008 my cousin a Vietnam era veteran went to the Sacramento VA Emergency room with severe chest pain and trouble breathing, when someone has these kinds of symptoms there suppose to be seen immediately. He was not after being there for several hours he looked through in where the nurse station is and saw several people screwing off around said station. he then proceeded to confront the people at the nursing station and they had him removed from the hospital. he died a month later of a heart attack. so as far as im concerned the Sacramento VA murdered him. The va has also screwed more than once with my health care more than once. but it wasn’t Sacramento it was the LV VA the Fallon medical clinic and the Lil rock va i have been dealing with the va on and off since 1985 The best va as far as my experience is in little rock the hospital on the hill . I will say the Va has improved allot during Donald Trumps time as President . however now i see its going back to its old ways now that he is out of office . if i had good insurance i would not use the VA the private sector is better by leaps and bounds.
The VA in American Lake WA is doing an outstanding job in optical clinic, however the quality of my eye glasses is not the best. The audio clinic is doing a poor job. And I commute 45 miles one way with a toll bridge . overall I thing the VA is doing well with room for improvement.
I cannot speak for any VA facility except the Robert J Dole VA Medical Facility in Wichita KS. I served 22 years and change as Active Duty Army (10 years) and Active Duty Kansas Air National Guard. My health care was assigned to the Robert J Dole 6 months prior to my retirement from the military, both the 22nd Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base and the VA did an excellent job providing for my health care needs, I retired in 2020 and have been provided excellent care from the VA since then, the staff is extremely helpful and everyone at the VA will immediately stop what they are doing if they see a veteran struggling in any way in the hallway or waiting room. I don’t know about any other VA facility but thank you to everyone at the Robert J Dole VA facility you make me feel safe and truly cared about…God bless all of you.
I served 71/2 years active and guard and can’t get medical or prescription privileges. Thanks for YOUR service!
The VA on whole is helpful for our VETS.
I have lived in 3 different areas of service to our VETS.
Philadelphia area, Illiana service area in Illinois and now The Temple Texas area.
All the areas do not provide the same services to the VETS. Dental, podiatry made shoes, foot care, ease of access to health care files.
By far the Illiana area was the best service and and the Springfield , Illinois clinic were wonderful.
I have had splendid service from the VA courteous and thorough 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Just want to add my 2 cents . I have complete trust and faith in our VA facilities. Thank you for being there for us .
I Feel I’ve Been Getting Great Top Notch Service att The VA here in Los Angeles California, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET “DENTAL” CARE??
WWll vet has to fight to get everything. Needs a hip replaced has to go to an out side doctor. In a lot of pain can’t get anything for it. They sent him to pain management made the pain worse. He is 94 would not abuse the pain drugs. They keep saying well your 94 what do you expect. To get an appointment it takes an act of congress.
Go to Houston texas the va hospital there is the best hip replacement in the country for veterans. Look it up it’s in the same avenues as the Football stadium.. call get registered in there system and off you go good luck
Everett l William’s
Fireman
I asked my Doctor for some Lunesta. He jumped back and said No Z Drugs. That condemnation. No Sleep disorder treatment available.! The Cure is worse than the insomnia.? I don’t buy that. I am glad to move on this year with Medicare Advantage Part A & B. Thank you Social Security. Have a blessed day.!
That is complete BS. I have had a sleeping disorder for years and am being treated. Go to another doctor or the patient liaison representative.
I submitted for ChampVA upon being awarded 100% disability
The only issue I have, as MOST do, I was awarded 100% in October 2021 after a lenthful wait
We are now into mid April 2022 and yet no word from Champ VA to submit benefits to my spouse ::
Otherwise all is well
They need to allow veterans to make appointments for the next day or so and not complain when we have to go to the emergency room just to get seen.
As a 75 year old 100% military disabled veteran , living, over 60 miles from the hampton virginia va. hospital, they demand that I travel a long ways to get my teeth pulled.. ! WHATS WRONG WITH THOSE people.
I’m a retired Army Veteran of 22 year’s in which I served in Combat during OEF/OIF and OND and I use several VA Hospitals and Clinics here in Missouri to include Columbia, Marshfield and Waynesville. All the VA Hospitals/Clinics for the most part are doing a great job caring for my needs as well as the needs of my spouse who served eight years in the Army which include service in Desert Shield/Storm and in Somalia during Operations Restore Hope/Continue Hope. We both think that the VA is doing well in most aspects of caring for. The only complaints that I have is with the folks in the Columbia VA that deal with Disability submissions/appeals. When I retired in 2013 I filed for an appeal sometime after I recieved my rating for my disability compensation and felt that I wasn’t properly valued as a Veteran and basically ignored for the pain that I still have. Also I filed a DD Form 215 and all supporting documentation to add a unit award to my military records that I received after retiring with the same people and I don’t know if they did it or nothing because the former Marine Sergeant that I dealt with blew me off and ignored my correspondence and inquiries about the subject and when I brought it up with other folks at the Columbia VA they either ignored me or changed the subject. However all of the Waynesville ,Marshfield and Columbia VA Doctors and Nurses bedside manner, professionalism, cander, committment and competence in their perspective fields are above and beyond reproach.
So far not to good
I’m a 73 fully disabled vet;. Here’s my story. I suffer from Agent Orange, had prostrate cancer and beat it without the VA’s help. I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety disorder and claustrophobia. I finally approached the VA around 2006. Treatment up until 2008 was great. In 2014 I asked for help with my PTSD, tec. Since I live in a rural area we tried teleconferencing. The first therapist was not even in my state. He quickly left and I was transferred to another. I went into the local VA facility and started a teleconference call. This therapist started out with the HIpaa regulations. This takes about 5 minutes normally. I found out very quickly that this one was a Obama headhunter. If you remember during his second term he stated that ALL vets were mentally unstable and should be disarmed. Plus, if they were religious, they must me a zealot. Need proof I can present it. I’m an ex LEO and Dept of State security. The red light went off. Questions of, do you have guns. Are you religious and, if so, how religious are you? This person was exactly what Obama wanted in the VA. Iied to every question. They were only worried about the last 2 weeks of my mental health.. In my mind I thought, I’ve had this for 47 years and, you’re only worried about the last 2 weeks.? Didn’t care what my vocations were or my past. What a way to setup someone. I came out to the car and my wife asked what happened because I was thoroughly shaken. My trust in the VA, what little there was, was completely gone. After taking a couple of weeks to think about this I emailed the VA headquarters in DC. I got a quick response back. from the VA in White City, Oregon. I finally found a VA therapist I could trust. His life was similar to mine. We got along great and I received the help I needed. Didn’t last but, about 18 months. The new head of the dept didn’t like him because he was a conservative. Politics runs strong within the VA. All went well until Biden took office. Now our local VA cannot keep a doctor for long, They change out about every few months. The staff is very cold and distant compared to 2008. Then you have the worthless mask mandate. I could not enter the building without one. I explained my situation and all I got was, “we take orders from a higher authority”. Needless to say, I will never step inside the Klamath Falls, OR facility again. Best I get is teleconferencing. White City has also succumbed to the inane mask mandate rules. It may have change but, they DO NOT accommodate vets with disabilities in the true sense. I’ve never been sick, never wore a mask(claustrophobia) and never vaxed either. Not a chance in hell.
I’ve experienced no continuity of care in this system. MPLS VA was great moved to Texas and I was in different world. Used community care doctors more than the VA. The same ones I used prior to going to VA for care.
Now I have moved to Ocala florida and have tried to info them through the mover site to no avail. It seems I need to call in or walk in to the local VA to get my records moved.
As some of the vets here, I to am a six time cancer survivor. Yet it’s not recognised by VA. I was actually changed to a level nine from a level 5 , because I made to much money when we sold property. Brother in-law is wealthier and is level 1. I don’t get how they rate your application. No consistency at all.
No complaints about the va in East Orange N J
Trying to kill my husband with prescribing medication to him WITHOUT READING HIS MEDICAL FILE!!!!!!
CALLING his physician and she does not call back. Called the Vet Admin in Washington DC and they transfer you back to your state VA! Meantime CRASHED SUGAR THREE TIMES IN TWO WEEKS THAT I HAD TO CALL 911 TO REVIVE HIM.
Still no call back from this quack with the VA. Like to tell my story to a news reporter. Fought for this country. Survived and now have to fight this battle here at home. When does this end?
This my exact point the Washington DC office needs to be closed down it serves no veterans or purpose all they do is threaten to drop your Disability rating and refer u back to your local VA which is ineffective and a big waste of chain of command.
Asking myself the same question as a New York Vet this Va in New York and Washington DC are the worst
As a 100% disabled Vet, the VA in Utah, Montana and Louisiana are just as bad. So glad I have TriCare for life and Medicare
Iam a vet ,I have a va doctor, I’ve been trying to get a appointment for a couple of years,,,each time, I get one set up,they cancel it ,they have done this ,3 times this year….what good is it,,,there is a lot more to the story…..not a enough time to explain….
I really don’t have any complaints. I am 72 years old………good health………..go in for the annual check-ups, etc. I have had a few problems through the years, (broken back….hernia surgery, etc but they have always been taken care of.
No comment.
Hello I think the VA system is great I’ve had the same doctor for 10 years and the same shrink for 11 and I have no complaints and it really upsets me to hear people complain about the VA because they’re great I go to the VA in Tampa Florida and I’m gonna keep going thank you and have a nice day Mike
Count yourself lucky and dont disrespect the rest of us as we arent lying about the VA! They suck in Lexington Kentucky and if u dont believe me the next time u need treatment check yourself in there brother!!
First I would like to say to all veterans that served I kindly thank you all I’m not a veteran but I am the spouse of a deceased veteran just wondering why the VA don’t help the living spouses?
They do you have to apply the right applications
Don’t waste your Time i tried to Get my Mom my Dads threw an Advocate and Faxed Everything they wanted , They Claim they lost three Times?
It’s just Bureaucratic Crap!
Our Government takes Care of Non Citizens and Others ,but their Own.
The folks here at Minneapolis V.A have taken extraordinary care of me. I am a 2 time cancer survivor.. They saved my life. We need to remember as patients that staff are usually meeting us at our worse. We are hurting, not well and looking for help. Thank you for being here for veterans. I am grateful for my medical treatment at Mpls.
I have been fighting the VA for almost 50 years I I found out that they rated me for PTSD and put me in a special category for they did not rape anything else and over the years anytime I put a claim in it was automatically tonight I have lawyers on it now and they have made some Headway but the VA here in California is as slow as molasses in the winter time I am currently homeless and don’t make enough each month in my disability since I cannot work anymore so I cannot afford an apartment I have been in and out of Veteran shelters but it seems most of the doctors I’ve talked to tries to dissuade me from filing the claims that I am trying to get through one is an employee ability because of my back injury while in the military they wrote it off as arthritis and said it’s not service-connected even though I had no back problems before the military but I was in a rollover accident in the military. I also have many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease which they never even inform me about I just recently found out that Parkinson’s is an accepted claim. The main problem is whenever I call for an appointment it’s usually 3 to 4 months out I was told yesterday that because my appointment was over 30 days that they were sending me to an outside doctor. I have been to doctors for my hearing which the VA said I was only 3% death and that was consistent with my age yet the outside Doctor Who checked me reported that I was 50% deaf in both ears. I filed a claim for tinnitus which the VA denied. I filed for unemployability due to the accident that I had the damage my lower spine that was also denied. I understand that there is a lot of veterans out there but come on folks let’s get real it should never take a year to get diagnosed and get your benefits even at the busiest hospital and doctors office it don’t take years to get rated, as one of the other people on here mentioned if you’re rich or a high-ranking officer you get in and you get out very fast you take get taken care of if you’re in listed good luck. As far as medication most of the stuff they give me is just about effective as eating a handful of dirt no medication I have ever taken from the VA has made one bit of difference I live in pain 24/7 and it has been that way since my accident in 1973 I worked a total of 33 years for the federal government and all of that in pain, there worse some days I was to the point of giving up on everything but I could not let my family down so I keep fighting and after all this time I’m still fighting
Wow this is real sad what we veterans gotta go through after service and the one’s holding our living away from us are merely Trustees with fiduciary obligation we all need to come together and get our 1099 A 1099 C and w-4 processing also class actions started this is unbearable and we are the Beneficiaries of this trust let’s take charge vets because the VA not upholding to there Fiduciary duties.
Honestly sick of having to beg for what’s I already served for got injured for the whole 9 yards it would be in the va best interest to give me and on and off ledger accounting of the account since it’s inception or a check or my annuity payment tired off the games with the New York VA
After numerous trying to get any benefits I have been refused. I spent 4 years away from family and holidays and been refused benefits they said I made too much money. I am retired and on a fixed budget. I have a service disability but still can’t get any health benefits!
New York VA is the worst New York veterans get treated like shit all day everyday and what’s really funny is the fact that we are BENEFICIARIES OF the Trust that they want to control and give us what they want when they want while funds is running through our off ledger accounts non stop. We the people need a VA reform for New York then speak to us.
Va, Congress needs to address the va disability Math. I’m 80% disabled another 10% does not add up to 90 it’s 83%.we are getting screwed by there math system.Why? So they don’t have to pay you . 80%plus 30% will get you 90% . Yes they help you but you have to fight for it. I was sprayed and betrayed!!vietnam! Wake up vets the math system screws you out of the correct amount you deserve.call your congress man let them know how it is.
I can only speak for myself, I am new to the VA, but so far I have no complaints they have done a very good job.
Arizona VA on Grand is great. No issues takes awhile to get a appointment but that’s normal. The pharmacy in Arizona is excellent always helpful and meds are delivered on time.
Not all veterans administration facilities are the same. Three facilities and Durham North Carolina and Salisbury North Carolina are better than any civilian Hospital anywhere else in the state. These people have saved my life and a Korean veteran friend of mine for over 50 years life also. He has helped him as he is 97 years old and got him a electric scooter and a Electric lift for his car at no charge. They are also installing a ramp to his porch so that he can get right up into the front door. Explore all your options if you want something from the VA you have to do a little bit of research. I have been in the system since 1972 and watched it improve slowly until Trump came along and gave it a huge boost
Hearing aids help could use attention. Have to send aids off to manufacture and wait 2 weeks for return
The VA has treated me extremely well. I have no complaints. Thank you for treating vets with courtesy and kindness.
The VA itself is doing a great job but some facilities are not so great. Some vets are denied their benefits by “comities” as opposed to being qualified for the benefit. This is a matter that needs to be looked into.
Big facts how there a trustee deny a beneficiary this needs attention at all Va
The VA has treated me very well also. I too do not have any complaints at this time.
I agree 100% with you. I’ve been under the care of the VA since 1986. Can’t say I’ve never had a complaint but they’ve been few and far between. But some VA facilities are better than others.
Been going to VA for 24 years. Their doing a great job 👏 👍
Wat the hell is the idoit in washington send VA doctors to Tex border for the law breakers on letting the Vets wait for care
I am saddened to hear about other Vets having problems with the VA.
I personally have had excellent care with them.
I recently had Radiation treatments for Cancer, and I’ve got to say the staff made it easier for an unpleasant situation. I got to meet other Vets going through the same procedure as I, God bless the veterans whom I met there.
Trump didn’t give a f*** about the VA or the veteran that served in the military and willing to give up their life which he never did what a draft dodger.
You need to remember to take your Zyprexa every day.
I feel the VA is not taking care of the veterans or their spouses,if the veteran dies the spouse is kicked out of the system when they turn 65. With a veteran being 100% disabled. I think that the spouse should be still taken care of in the system along with the vets. It puts a burden on that spouse to find new doctors new way of getting their medication. I just feel that our veterans and their families have kept this country free with a Veterans for us fighting for our freedom and their families behind to give them the support they need. BRENDA BROWN
The va has for spouses 2 Hospital’s that work The Demoines You can get on what they call team my wife was on team 5 and blue.. The other Va hospital is in Long Beech Both those hospitals take care of spouses My wife passed in 2017 but when we visited several years they did a real good job for her including Dental and eyes
Fireman
Everett l Williams
Great care with the exception of dental. Rhe clinic call me on a Saturday. I was busy and said I would need to check my calender. The person at the dental clinic said they would be there for 30 more minutes. I told them ok I’ll call on Monday. Monday I called and left a message. They returned my call on Tuesday. And the next appointment was 9 months later.
Thats terrible.
OFF AND ON ,I’VE BE TRYING ,TO GET HEARD , FOR ORANGE/AGENT , FOR ABOUT [2yrs with no luck] I’VE BEEN INTO DANA FIBER, THEY SAY I HAVE IT, STARTING MY SECOND BOUT OF TREATMENTS I AM COVERD W/ SORES NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. AIRCRAFT/ MECH, 5.YRS 11 MONTHS 17 DAYS
I have had excellent surgery at the VA . Knowing that it may not be the same throughout. They found my cancer, replaced both my hips, and helped me with PTSD. I entered the VA system after my son was in Desert Storm. He has not gone to the VA. Tho I talk about it. From Long Island. Now in Florida.
You are nuts. Trump is the family of draft dodgers. He cares absolutely nothing about ex service personal.
exactly i think the Houston VA is probable one of the best in the country been there for about 10 years now and going to have 2nd cataract surgery may 16 2022
first surgery went excellent and excellent care by them
He cares nothing about current soldiers either. Any Presidential Official who makes a statement saying that he knows more than the “Generals” and has no ZERO military background obviously has no respect for Service Members.
By the way I’m a older Vet. I love my country and will carry that Flag night and day through hell!
I hear all sorts of grumbling about the VA that I can not agree with. The VA has been very very good to me.
I was late for an appointment with the new doctor I was given do to the doctor I had retired. The traffic between my home in Vero Beach was very heavy all the way to West Palm Beach. I left my home in plenty of time to get to my appointment but didn’t count on the traffic. The past times I was at least 45 minutes to an hour. I sat and waited for an hour and a half before the doctor could see me. So I waited an additional 1 1/2 hours more than I should have. I was a hour late for my appointment but was told I wasn’t here on time and would need to reschedule.
Typical of the va…I am a veteran and it makes me sickThe way we were treated..We were willing to give your life for this country only to come back home and to be treated like shit apparently they forgot the sacrifices we need while we were gone
If you’re from a rich family you get treated quite differently the ones that need help can’t get the help how many thousands of veterans or living under bridges because they can’t get help from this fucking government they risked their lives for!!it really pathetic these rich assholes don’t care about us veterans we protected they’re rich asses and they could care less. They should be kissing our ass for keeping them safe and rich!!! But they don’t and won’t
My government hates and won’t help me
Try Fort Miley SF VAMC I worked at for 5 years. They gave excellent care to vets and we worked our butts off – often not getting over time for after hours calls we had to complete when a guy in his electric wheel chair was stuck on Powell Street and we had to call a DME Vendor to assist him after our office had closed. Each VA yes is different, even what is sold in it’s canteen service.
Make false statement, refuse proper medicine, false imprisonment and denied the right to vote. Call a racist police department that has robbed me on several occasions and most of all I own this property not the VA. Don’t have a warrant and then claim they have nothing to do about the situation!!
The VA is now known for taking away your personal weapons if they think a VET is looney, without a warrant sheriff’s Departments can come into your house and take your guns away.
I am very happy with VA services ever since Trump became President.
Trump didn’t give a f*** about the VA or the veteran that served in the military and willing to give up their life which he never did what a draft dodger.
Excellent comment!
Who do you think out sourced a lot of the load from the VA to privet care facility’s when he took office, taken a lot of the load off the VA so they could regroup and do a better job. Sure was not Biden..
I totally agree !!!!
My primary caregiver quit and I have not been assigned a primary caregiver for over 3 years the only Dr care I get it if I go to the emergency
CAN;T GET ANY BURIAL FUNDS FOR A VET.
JOSEPHINE GAMA-LOBO
I am so tired of going in and the doctor not really looking at me or hearing me.
The VA uses doctors from local University School of Medicine Training Programs. They cannot afford full time doctors for VET care. Write the doctor up if you feel your not getting service you need. I got a doctor fired at SF VAMC for wanting to get in my pants and for being critical about my religion. I wrote to VA central office in Washington, DC to get that doctor fired. He liked doing unnecessary prostate exams too!