Has anyone suffered from the Veterans Health Care Administration that resulted in the death of a loved one?

PO3 Candace Gracik — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 22:24:20 -0400

Has anyone suffered from the Veterans Health Care Administration that resulted severe complications or death?
Recently there has been a lot of discussions about the actions of the Veterans Hospital in Phoenix. What is your experience with the Veterans health Care administration? Do you have any illness that your physicians are neglecting? Have you experienced a wait time greater than 6 hours at an ER? Has the Veterans Administration denied to pay for your hospital bills with a service connected disability? Has the VA denied recommended care by an outside physician?
Just be honest the good and the bad about our system.

Response by SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL made Apr 25 at 2014 9:48 AM

SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 09:48:48 -0400

No one I'm aware has gone throough any of these situations. If you are going this, I'm sorry. This is horrible.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 6 at 2014 9:17 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Tue, 06 May 2014 21:17:37 -0400

Candace, if you need more assistance I am happy to try to help you. I am sorry that you are having to deal with this, but know that you are not alone.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made May 11 at 2014 2:48 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Sun, 11 May 2014 02:48:06 -0400

Phoenix isn't the only location where this monkey business has happened.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/08/us/va-san-antonio-allegation/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_us+%28RSS%3A+U.S.%29&utm_content=Netvibes

While I haven't died at the hands of the VA, I've had to endure incompetence, interminable waits and drive while medically-impaired. Nobody coming home from a war should have to put up with this kind of treatment. I wouldn't do this to a dog I didn't like.

VA scheduler in Texas claims waits for appointments were covered up - CNN.com

Clerks scheduling medical appointments for veterans were told to hide inordinately long wait times, a scheduler in San Antonio says.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 4:00 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 04:00:35 -0400

I will say that, as PO3 Gracik acknowledges, there are good and bad facilities depending on a number of factors, such as location, number of services, number of SMs seeking assistance v. capabilities, etc. And, I, too, have followed some of the disturbing news that is out there. I mean to take nothing away from those suffering or those impacted. However, I have utilized the VA services in Salisbury, NC and outpatient services in Charlotte, NC. Once I finally got *through* the phone registration process (insert major frustration here), the personnel and services at both locations have been exemplary, with minimal waiting for EKG, labs, x-ray, outpatient surgery, follow-up, pharmacy, etc. Wait times have typically been <30 minutes, and if procedures were unanticipated (x-ray, optical, etc.), it was a phone call by the referring staff while I waited, and an immediate walk down the hall, to be seen (again) within <30 minutes. (Now that I've shared that, everyone will be coming to Salisbury/Charlotte to receive services!) My only complaint with the Charlotte location is that they don't offer physical therapy... I would have to (and choose not to) drive 90 minutes to Salisbury for that.

These two sites are not near large installations, and perhaps that's why they are able to provide the level of service/care that they do. I believe that every SM is entitled to that level of care--I wish that everyone would receive it!

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made May 30 at 2014 1:11 PM

Sgt Randy Hill — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:11:41 -0400

Not me personally. My only gripe about VA is their current sleep study program that I need done and is taking forever. Every other medical service is fine.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 30 at 2014 3:27 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 30 May 2014 15:27:53 -0400

I have not, though my claim process is going on 3 years now, and that is common among my group of veteran friends. And that's with a VSO helping take care of the claim...still caught up somewhere!

Response by CPL Paul Burke made May 30 at 2014 8:51 PM

CPL Paul Burke — Fri, 30 May 2014 20:51:27 -0400

Im glad you brought this subject out in the open for me - My mother about 5 yrs ago lost her loved one because they had run out of their savings waiting for the VA to get the proper information - I personally think he should have been in the VAs care instead of a outside nursing home -he was a decorated NAVY vet of 12 yrs. service sorry for your hardships.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 9:42 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 21:42:27 -0400

PO3 Gracik

I cannot tell you how frustrated I am feeling to hear your husband has had to resort to having a congressman step in to get some attention to his condition. It angers me, and I'm sure other Veterans feel the same, to find out that senior leadership within the VA are using "tricks" to garner bonuses while Veterans are not getting care they deserve.

I cannot speak to your concerns - besides, doing so might interfere with the congressional assistance you are getting. However, here are a few things I tell every Veteran I meet that might be able to help them in gaining the help they need.

1. Find a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) and enlist the aid of that VSO's Service Officer to help you as an advocate. There are many out there so I won't belabor the issue of which to decide upon. Mine is the VFW. However, the VSO and the VSO's Service Officer serve two areas. The Service Officer helps you in the filing of your claim - sometimes literally sitting down in your home filling out paperwork with or for you. You will have to provide information and may have to drag out paperwork you have that the VA / Military Medical does not. Secondly, as your assigned advocate, you authorize that VSO to look at your VA file to ensure everything is in order PRIOR to the claim / appeal / re-appeal is submitted for decision - on the VA's side and YOURs. NOTE: You do NOT have to be a member of that organization to be assisted. If you find a VSO that refuses to be your advocate or assist you - kindly let me know and I'll see to it that someone asks some serious questions.

2. Stay involved. It's your claim. Don't take the VA's word as gospel. Get second opinions from outside doctors. If you don't know any doctors that will assist you in this - once again, contact your advocating VSO - ASK FOR HELP. When dealing with the VA, your ego needs to stop at the door. ASK FOR HELP from a VSO. Believe me, VSO's are experts at dealing with the VA and the paperwork.

3. Generally, you don't need a lawyer to deal with the VA. I know, I know...everybody wants to lawyer-up and sue. Just don't. I can't tell you how many Veterans spend time with lawyers and the lawyer doesn't do anymore than a VSO. Understand; I'm not saying a lawyer can't do the job - nor will the lawyer do a bad job. Use a lawyer when everything else fails and you're actually ready to go to court. Remember this - there's really no limit to the number of times you can appeal a decision by the VA.

4. Understand that the decision will take time - you may have to go to outside doctors for your needs until that decision is made. Many Veterans are eligible for care in the VA healthcare system without having to be a wounded Veteran. If you have difficulty getting registered in the VA system.....drumroll please - contact one of the many VSO's for help.

5. I realize what I've said may well have been attempted by any number of Veterans without success. If this is true - while I can't personally help everyone - please contact me. I will do my best to find a VSO that CAN help you. I'm just a simple country boy....but I have been known to knock on a few doors rather loudly.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 5:53 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 17:53:48 -0400

My dad was Killed by the Seattle V.A. Hospital.