Have you felt retaliation or being red-flagged from the VA for a complaint of healthcare, or filing either a disability or FTCA claim?

SPC Anthony Sturgis — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 07:16:04 -0400

The alleged practice of the VA to red flag and discriminate against those who complain of the healthcare and/or lack of healthcare and subsequently file a disability claim or FTCA claim get unfair treatment by VA...Has anyone experienced this type of behavior?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2021 9:00 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 09:00:49 -0400

Yes, one of my co-workers has and he recently just got a payout for it as well. Talk to a lawyer. The VA is rife with corruption. The kind where they work hard to not do any work.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 7 at 2021 9:36 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 09:36:12 -0400

A lot of anecdotical examples are out there but I have never had it done to me or a friend. But, the way the VA works, it wouldn't surprise me one bit. If it would happen to me I would get a really good lawyer and slam them.

Response by PFC Phillip Jones made Sep 7 at 2021 10:19 AM

PFC Phillip Jones — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:19:56 -0400

Many also have to be concerned about being retaliated against based on the nature of the illness or disability they may need treatment for when reporting to government-administered healthcare. Makes me miss the Veteran's Choice Program.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 7 at 2021 4:31 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 16:31:57 -0400

I have felt neglected and ignored when I was covered under the San Diego VA. They were awful. So many times I was just blown off or ignored when making certain requests or trying to get services. I don't think it was due to retaliation more than it was just negligence, apathy, poor leadership or lack of knowledge when it came to VA programs.

Response by SGT Erica Smith made Sep 8 at 2021 11:36 AM

SGT Erica Smith — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:36:10 -0400

I can’t even be seen. I called to make an appointment, transferred to someone else, transferred back to the original resin I called. They told me to go to the local VA in my city, there isn’t one in my city. Filed a complaint, called back, the same man hung up on me. A year later, still no appointment. The old clinic I went to before this one, I filed a complaint because they kept asking me who I brought it (assuming I could not possibly be a veteran myself). When I went in after that, the main desk made it a point to very condescendingly comment on my veteran status. So I believe they would do that. They are petty and ridiculous.

Response by PO2 Milton Torres made Feb 25 at 2022 11:04 AM

PO2 Milton Torres — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 11:04:51 -0500

I was deployed with the 2nd MARDIV during Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, when I got back I experienced joint swelling, aches, headaches like never before. Prior to that I was top class during all PT, the VA did give me a rating as they categorized it as rheumatoid arthritis, as I got older it got worst and I made a reclaim, which the VA came back and just labeled it as Fybromyalgia. Today, I have throat problems, tinittus and chronic headache that most likely were to living in the belly of an Assault Vehicle, inhaling diesel fuel, burning wells smoke and God knows what else. The VA is saying that I cannot make those claims since it has been over 10 years since I dettached. Any ideas or same situations out there?