Veterans, what is your experience with the VA?

SrA Andrea West — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:48:07 -0500

Full disclosure, I receive treatment at Fort Harrison VAMC and my experience there has been very good. I understand, however, that some veterans' experiences have been less than positive. What are your experiences with the VA and where do you receive service?

Response by SGT Kyle Taylor made Dec 9 at 2014 12:51 PM

SGT Kyle Taylor — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:51:54 -0500

Personal I haven't had the privilege of using the VA yet. My brother has medically retired and uses them a lot. He dosnt say anything bad about them and seems to be using them with no issues. Has his meds and anything else he needs. Just my .02 and I am here in KS

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 19 at 2015 11:11 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:11:14 -0500

I'm pretty bad about seeking treatment, but I opted for Tricare and have a military treatment facility nearby. The only time I experienced VA treatment facilities was for my Compensation claim. I've been recognized at a 40% rating and already received notification that my retirement check has been reduced, but haven't been notified from the VA that they will indeed be making up the difference as they are supposed to.
I'm hopeful for no hiccups in this process, otherwise, paying my rent could be an issue.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 19 at 2015 12:11 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:11:16 -0500

The VA is more than a medical service and I have had two experiences with it.

In the first case I applied for GI Bill benefits to supplement my income while learning a new career on the job. Yes, veterans could use their GI bill for OJT (maybe they still can). My employer filled out the forms and the benefits began almost immediately. Of course, that was about forty years ago.

About 30 years ago, I purchased a home using a GI loan. My application had been disapproved because the realtor made errors in the application. I fixed them, visited the VA offices in LA, and had my approval after a 15 minute wait and another 15 minutes in face time with the VA representative.

That was then.

This is now.

What's happened at the VA?

People are denied benefits.

Are the complaints all coming from people who were denied benefits because they simply didn't qualify?

That may explain some of it.

We read of corruption and secret waiting lists.

That can't be explained away. Something has happened.

I believe two things have happened.

Firstly, like the IRS, the VA may be weaponized to discomfort those who are opposed to the ideology that prevails in Washington. Veterans tend to be conservative. Their votes are not for sale like the unentitled who are selling theirs to incumbents and rewarded with entitlement programs.

Secondly, the staff at the VA, like all other bureaucracies, are members of public service unions. They weren't when I visited them and applied for benefits. The public service unions have sold their votes to the incumbents in exchange for generous wages and benefits, as well as retirement incomes that represent an unfunded liability that no amount of taxation can ever hope to pay. They have become self-serving. Their clients, us, the veterans, are nowhere on their radar.

Then again, I may be wrong...

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 19 at 2015 2:20 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:20:04 -0500

It takes forever to get recognized in the system, even longer to get appointments, and the disability compensation process feels like a criminal trial. But, when I am actually in VA centers they are very nice.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jan 19 at 2015 3:28 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:28:31 -0500

I have been using the VA for a little over a year. So far I have had no issues. I did however have to outsource and go to a civ chiropractor for a service related issue because the government doesn't do chiropractic. And dermatology is an incredible wait. I may have to go to a civ dr for that as well. Besides that, not too bad.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 3:43 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:43:20 -0500

I've had two views of the VA. One as a veteran I've used the VAMC for medical services (as little as possible, I maintain insurance so I don't have to). I've not had a truly bad experience but the OKC VAMC is a good facility and yet still manages to have poor services. If you go to the ER and you aren't bleeding out, you will be there all day in the waiting room.

Then I've seen it as a relative of a patient. My Mother is a 100% disabled vet. I once had to stand in front of some jackass at a desk for 5 minutes before he acknowledged my presence with a "yeah?" and a disgusted look for my presumption of interrupting him I suppose. I was trying to find out what they'd done with her after a surgery because all the departments either didn't have her or hadn't received her yet. She was in some limbo I guess. Anyway I've seen both good and bad there. Mostly the equipment is fine it's the personnel who are malfunctioning. They know it's not like your going to go next door with your business so they don't care, it won't affect their jobs anyway.

I am posting from my phone so apologies for any typos I won't be able to edit...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 3:53 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:53:47 -0500

I was separated directly following AIT at Ft. Sam Houston and had surgery due to that service-connected (non-comp) injury back in 1995. This was at the VA hospital in San Antonio. It was a pretty awful experience for me, but I healed up and ended up going into the Navy (where I ended up having a procedure to fix the injured area after an aggravation). Since getting out of the Navy, I've not needed any treatment. All of my experiences with the VA on the education side of things have been great (and I even worked with vet education in higher ed for a bit).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 7:28 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:28:43 -0500

Overton Brooks VAMC in Shreveport seems very good. I have been a couple of times and found that some vets are driving over from Dallas, TX.

Response by PO3 Michael James made May 12 at 2015 10:51 PM

PO3 Michael James — Tue, 12 May 2015 22:51:49 -0400

Contacted VA hospital, I needed test/monitoring of my Aorta Arch Aneurysm.. I was told by the VA that there would be a 6 month wait!! for an Aneurysm !!!, before I could even see a Doctor !! Needless to say I (because of excellent insurance) went to a well respected civilian Hospital, used the insurance to cover the medical costs.. Many other really Decent, Honorably Discharged Veterans may NOT have that luxury, not being able to afford civilian medical care, not wanting to loose their homes and leave their wife, and their children in the streets, they will neglect their health, try to save what they love, and unfortunately, they die before receiving the health care they need..

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 13 at 2015 12:06 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 13 May 2015 00:06:13 -0400

Response by SPC Angel Guma made May 13 at 2015 12:28 AM

SPC Angel Guma — Wed, 13 May 2015 00:28:35 -0400

It is what it is

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 12:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 00:31:08 -0400

My dad also used fort Harrison and I have never heard him complain about it. Only thing he doesn't like is even if he comes and visits me and is almost out of meds they won't refill until he's close to being out.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 7:08 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 07:08:09 -0400

My husband is a retired disabled veteran and he uses Walter Reed in Bethesda since we live in the D.C. metro. The procedures he's had done there are done with professionalism, but the follow up care are not. There are several of his doctors who could have better bedside manner, but I believe to be a problem in civilian medical field too. We plan to move to South Dakota in a few years so it'll be interesting to see the transition....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2015 9:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 May 2015 21:08:40 -0400

I am very lucky. I retired from the army and was transitioned to the VA with ease. I did appeal my VA percentage whish was not difficult and relinquished to my wishes.

Response by SPC Eddie Espejo made May 13 at 2015 11:01 PM

SPC Eddie Espejo — Wed, 13 May 2015 23:01:30 -0400

I need medical help and wont even go to them because I just dont trust them