What Myths Have You Heard About VA?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:25:47 -0400

“I make too much money.”

“I can’t use VA and private health care at the same time!”

“VA will drug test me!”

“If I call the Veterans Crisis Line, the cops will show up at my door.”

Have you heard these myths or others?

Tell us about it and comment below!

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Sep 22 at 2023 3:28 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:28:42 -0400

"VA will take my guns"
"Going to the VA will kill my career"

Response by CPT David Gowel made Sep 22 at 2023 3:35 PM

CPT David Gowel — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:35:49 -0400

"If I get a disability rating, it takes resources away from other veterans"

Response by SPC Max Waller made Sep 22 at 2023 5:21 PM

SPC Max Waller — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 17:21:07 -0400

a lot of my fellow veterans especially war and combat including my friends and those who attend Vet To Vet International at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, 16111 Plummer Street, North Hills, California 91343, phone [login to see] firmly believe that the u.S. Veterans Affairs Department employees and medical personnel mainly care about themselves especially the non veteran VA employees. the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center's Volunteer Service Department at building 22 being operated by veterans and non veterans are mediocre who practices favoritism with what seems to be with a meh demeanor. - the swimming pool at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center at building 23 was not repaired along with the swimming pool at building 200 that were sealed. the Veterans Affairs Department seems to be inconsistent.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 22 at 2023 10:44 PM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 22:44:15 -0400

"I can only get treatment for injuries that I received while in the service."

"The VA is antiquated, only has doctors that can't make it as civilians, and is made up of bureaucrats that are more interested in getting a paycheck for doing nothing."

"I can't apply for benefits because I should have done that 20 years ago."

Adding the following a few months later because of the misunderstanding that seems to be common about eligibility for VA healthcare: "I am only eligible for VA healthcare if I have a disability rating from the VA."

Response by SP6 Bill Gaines made Sep 23 at 2023 8:37 AM

SP6 Bill Gaines — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 08:37:38 -0400

I've been told that all disabled Vets qualified to enter military installations to shop at Post Exchanges, is this correct? Please clarify.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2023 10:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 10:23:18 -0400

Call the crises line and the cops do show up at your door.. No myth. Its fact

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 23 at 2023 1:28 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 13:28:52 -0400

"VA care is worse than private sector care"

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s1 [login to see] 7-2

Veterans Health Administration (VA) vs. Non-VA Healthcare Quality: A Systematic Review - Journal...

Background The Veterans Health Administration (VA) serves Veterans in the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. VA seeks to provide high quality of healthcare to Veterans, but due to the VA Choice and MISSION Acts, VA increasingly pays for care outside of its system in the community. This systematic review compares care provided in VA and non-VA settings, and includes published studies from 2015 to 2023, updating 2 prior systematic...

Response by LTC Hugo Lentze made Sep 25 at 2023 11:02 AM

LTC Hugo Lentze — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:02:58 -0400

If you have Tricare you can't use the VA for day-to-day to healthcare. I don't know if this is myth or fact.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Sep 27 at 2023 2:45 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:45:39 -0400

"You have to be off of active duty for at least five years before you can go to the VA for care."

"The V.A. is where you go to die"

Response by SP5 Peter Benac made Sep 27 at 2023 7:02 PM

SP5 Peter Benac — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:02:36 -0400

"VA won't give me the same medication that I can get outside the VA."

I get the same meds and at a far better price.

Jardiance:' outside $395 per month. VA. $15 for 3 months.

Response by PO2 Stephen Cline made Sep 27 at 2023 7:28 PM

PO2 Stephen Cline — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:28:18 -0400

The VA refused healthcare to veterans that can not wear a mask and no accommodations were granted to those veterans. Fact.

Response by SP5 Ray Bohn made Sep 27 at 2023 7:53 PM

SP5 Ray Bohn — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:53:52 -0400

All VA employees are Veterans.

Response by PO3 James Czerniak made Sep 27 at 2023 8:16 PM

PO3 James Czerniak — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:16:04 -0400

I enrolled in the VA in 1994. The VA was Tuskeegee, AL. One of the worst. I went once and faced racism and shytty treatment. Never went back. Used my civilian insurance. I have since moved to Oklahoma and found that from 1994 to now, nothing has changed. The OKC VA is useless. I enrolled, the lady was nice. Sent me a form to correct my birth year. It had a return address but no office to send it to. So I called and was hung up on twice. The 1st woman wanted me to bring her the form. I explained I lived 2 1/2hrs away so was unable to get it there anytime soon. I asked for an office symbol to send it to and she got mad and hung up. Called back and operator got mad at me and hung up. That was all within the 1st 2 weeks of enrolling. It looks like I'm just going to set this out. I'm to old to mess with these ungrateful POS

Response by Sgt Bill Hughes made Sep 27 at 2023 9:04 PM

Sgt Bill Hughes — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 21:04:42 -0400

I make too much money I as told twice in two different states.

Response by A1C James Perkins made Sep 27 at 2023 9:34 PM

A1C James Perkins — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 21:34:07 -0400

If your black you will get a job at the VA no matter how UNQUALIFIED you are for the position.

Response by MSgt Richard Lucero made Sep 27 at 2023 9:35 PM

MSgt Richard Lucero — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 21:35:18 -0400

VA doctors can prescribe THC

Response by A1C L. Wy made Sep 27 at 2023 11:44 PM

A1C L. Wy — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 23:44:14 -0400

The DVA will do everything they can not to honor a Vietnam Veteran's request for compensation. They will deny, delay, ignore, and pray that the Vietnam Veteran dies before they have to pay anything out.

Response by TSgt Michael Von Busch made Sep 28 at 2023 12:05 AM

TSgt Michael Von Busch — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:05:39 -0400

The VA is considering allowing prescription of medical marijuana.

Response by SrA Doug Zisa made Sep 28 at 2023 12:36 AM

SrA Doug Zisa — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:36:58 -0400

Not a myth story, but personal experiences. My service was from FEB 1965 to DEC 1968 with deployment to Viet Nam, Thailand, and Okinawa working on the flight line with C-130s and F4s. My civilian career included many years of unemployment with the absence of healthcare. I have required hearing aides since my early forty’s.

1. In SEP 2017 I purchased a 40 year old house requiring much maintenance with frequent trips to LOWES and Home Depot. By happenstance I heard that veterans could get a 10% discount by showing a veteran’s ID. So I went to a VA clinic to request a veteran’s ID. It was then, in late 2017 that I was informed by the Eligibility Officer that I was also eligible to receive VA medical care.

PROBLEM: It took 49 years for me to discover by happenstance that I was eligible for VA healthcare. Why was this benefit withheld from me all these years?

2. Also, by happenstance another veteran mentioned to me that I could get hearing aids from the VA. I was evaluated and issued hearing aids.

PROBLEM: The hearing disability was caused by all those years working on the flight-line without any warnings of potential hearing damage and without any ear protection. Over the following 40 years I spent thousands of dollars on hearing aids because the VA withheld the hearing aid benefit from me all those years.

3. About a year after receiving the hearing aides another veteran suggested I get evaluated for hearing disability. I was evaluated and awarded a 40% disability with a $700/month payment commencing on the date I applied for disability.

PROBLEM: The hearing disability was caused by my Air Force job 47 years previously. I asked for the disability benefit to be applicable to the time my hearing was damaged almost 50 years ago. I was denied.

Another event highlighting the callousness of the VA is when the VA denied to evaluate my hearing in the early 1970s. I went to college in Los Angeles following my discharge in DEC 1968. I noticed having difficulty hearing the lecturers. I went to a VA hospital in Los Angels to ask for a hearing test. When I did, I was bullied out of the building because I had no obvious visible injuries.

Response by CPL Paul Bunce made Sep 28 at 2023 2:55 AM

CPL Paul Bunce — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 02:55:17 -0400

"I make too much money", or "I have too many assets." If those are fake someone needs to tell the people who denied me enrollment for a couple of decades.

Response by LT Steven Sterry made Sep 28 at 2023 4:18 AM

LT Steven Sterry — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:18:13 -0400

It is pretty obvious from the comments that I read that there are many veterans who are very much dissatisfied with the experience and treatment that the VA provides them with. I am one of them. My experience with the VA is that it is one of the most unprofessional, uncaring, disorganized organizations that I have ever encountered. It is only because I have found a few people and some departments that truly care about their veterans, that I continue to use their services.

For example, in 2019, I was seen by a Long Beach podiatrist who, while cutting my toenails, decided to remove a callus from the bottom of my big toe. While doing so, he created a wound on the bottom of my foot that took more than three years to heal. When I tried to claim service connection because of his error, the VA denied that because they said that there was never an entry in my record that he ever removed a callus.

In April of this year, I had an appointment with the Podiatry wound care clinic at the VA Long Beach because a sore had developed on my right second toe. I have a service dog, and was told by the Department head, who was running the clinic, that he was allergic to dogs and would only treat me if I allowed somebody to handle my dog outside the examination room. I said OK. Before leaving, he told me that I would have to see another doctor the following month, which I agreed to.

When I attended my May appointment, there was a sign on the check-in window that said "No Service Dogs Allowed" in the examining rooms. When I protested and told him that his actions were bulls***, the Department head kicked me out of the clinic. It took two months of complaining before I was allowed to come back in WITH MY SERVICE DOG. In the meantime, I filed a civil rights complaint with the VA more than three months ago, and I have never received an answer.

Response by Dr Facts made Sep 28 at 2023 9:05 AM

Dr Facts — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:05:54 -0400

About "I make too much money", this is actually not a myth, if talking about eligibility for VA Health. It is my understanding that there are annual income thresholds that determine if the veteran has access to VA health.

Response by SP5 Brian West made Sep 28 at 2023 9:10 AM

SP5 Brian West — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:10:54 -0400

MY MEDICAL RECORDS ARE LOADED WITH FALSE STATEMENTS ABOUT ME. AND THATS A FACT.

Response by LCDR Jamal Amherst made Sep 28 at 2023 9:24 AM

LCDR Jamal Amherst — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:24:41 -0400

VA needs to end and be replaced with VA Medicare Cards so we can get our own healthcare that's better quality and more accountable.

Response by MSgt Markus Carter made Sep 28 at 2023 9:32 AM

MSgt Markus Carter — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:32:07 -0400

The VA is just waiting for all the Viet Nam vets to die from agent orange exposure before granting them benefits. We are their problem right now.

Response by SPC James Davison made Sep 28 at 2023 11:07 AM

SPC James Davison — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 11:07:37 -0400

Yes, when you have a blood panel they will see if you are a drug abuser whether you are with the VA or not.

Response by Cpl Tim Titsworth made Sep 28 at 2023 12:26 PM

Cpl Tim Titsworth — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:26:51 -0400

The VA DOES do drug testing. While I was using DFW facilities, the worst of the worst from what I've experienced from VA facilities, they tested me every time I came in. And the Ft Worth ops administrator lied to a Congressional inquiry, something I should have pursued but just got tired of fighting.
And the VA formulary is at LEAST a decade behind the times. The VA and I have talked about this before so I know it isn't going to change.

Response by CPL Emily Pike made Sep 28 at 2023 4:58 PM

CPL Emily Pike — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:58:28 -0400

Excuse me, but the "if I call the Veterans Crisis Line, the cops will show up at my door" is NOT a myth, it is a FACT. It happened to me. I was forcibly institutionalized for almost two weeks, even after swearing up and down that I was no longer a danger to myself after having called there crisis line and getting the help I called for, and talked to someone, but I was literally carried by three cops out of my door by force and then kept in an isolated room at the local hospital for over 100 hours receiving NO treatment and not allowed to speak to any doctor or patient advocate, and then taken forcibly by ambulance over seven hundred miles away to the nearest inpatient VA facility without any identification although I had begged them to get it for me and kept there until the ID was mailed to me, over a week later. This took place between April 29th, 2023, and May 11th, 2023. Do NOT call the crisis line or this could happen to you! I have not been able to get representation for this, and still live in constant fear after this has happened to me personally. Reach out if you need help, but not to 988, or the same could happen to you when you swear up and down you are not suicidal and will not hurt yourself, they will still take away your freedom for weeks possibly.

Response by PO3 Peter Paradissis made Sep 28 at 2023 5:59 PM

PO3 Peter Paradissis — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:59:30 -0400

It's not a myth, I called the VA to ask if I could use them, and I was asked if I made more than $31,000 a year, to which I replied that I made $52,000 and they said I made too much, and will have nothing to do with me. I am now 66 years old, retired, and making $2,064 a month on social security, I will just rely on my Medicare to take care of me which I pay into for Part B and a supplemental in case I need expensive drugs which I don't at this time, I am paying $112.51 a month for a supplemental I don't even use. My house payment is $1,600.00 a month alone, screw the VA, I have heard too many nightmares about them, I guess God has my six.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2023 6:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 18:27:23 -0400

let me explain to you why Veterans continue to take their lives.

The VA does not give a damn.

Example.
In the past week I lost my means of mobility for 4 days. Prosthetics would not even answer their phone or return messages. Without my scooter I not even get the trash to the dumpster let alone go shopping for food. On top of that my anti seizure meds the I had renewed then followed up on 2 weeks before I ran out and was being reassured my meds would be there, well they did not show up and I'm out of my meds. Of course they start looking for excuses to shift the blame to the patient.

The VA lacks the ability and desire to respond to its mobility impaired Veterans. They think people in wheelchairs and using scooters can do everything they can do. They do not have the slightest idea of the callousness their actions appear to their disabled Vets.

Response by CPO Bill Haarer made Sep 29 at 2023 10:15 AM

CPO Bill Haarer — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:15:58 -0400

"You can only be buried in a National Cemetery if you were KIA, died on active duty or retired from the military."

Any veteran who meets at least one of these criteria is also eligible.

The person qualifying for burial benefits is a Veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, or

The person qualifying for burial benefits is a service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training, or

The person qualifying for burial benefits is the spouse or surviving spouse of a Veteran (even if they remarried after the Veteran’s death), or

The person qualifying for burial benefits is the minor child of a Veteran (even if the Veteran died first) or, in some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a Veteran

More info
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/

Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery | Veterans Affairs

Veterans, service members, and some family members may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. Find out if you, or a person you’re planning a burial for, can get this benefit.

Response by LCpl Cornell Hill made Sep 29 at 2023 3:44 PM

LCpl Cornell Hill — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:44:11 -0400

The Doctors Will not document your sickness a they will deny your disability claim

Response by PO3 Terry Choate made Sep 29 at 2023 11:45 PM

PO3 Terry Choate — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 23:45:17 -0400

It is almost impossible to get my UPMC medical record and VA record on one sheet or website, without being a computer genius.

Response by TSgt Keith Flanagan made Oct 3 at 2023 1:07 PM

TSgt Keith Flanagan — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:07:01 -0400

That patient advocates only advocate for the staff.
Investigations are never pursued.
All complaints and concerns are found in favor of the doctor and staff.

Response by PO1 Guy Lewis made Oct 5 at 2023 4:10 PM

PO1 Guy Lewis — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:10:52 -0400

Reading through all of these post, I have come to the conclusion that most of what are being called myths to most of you are only myths because you have not personally experienced them yet. If you have not experienced them yet, count yourself lucky that you have been spared so far.

Response by SPC James Davison made Oct 6 at 2023 8:10 AM

SPC James Davison — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:10:30 -0400

These are essentially all myths. Drug tests are not set up as such but can show up if you abuse drugs. It is good they know you abuse drugs as this may--and likely will-- effect your health.

Response by PFC Ray Aquila made Oct 9 at 2023 12:44 AM

PFC Ray Aquila — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 00:44:58 -0400

I can't believe that CRAPOLA I am reading here. I have been using the VAMC Facilities for over 30 years. I like the majority of Veterans are still alive and kicking. VAMC didn't kill us. No Cops were sent to my residence. I was not poisoned. And whatever other NONSENSE posted here. After reading these posts. the only conclusion I have........WE HAVE A BUNCH KAREN'S/MALE KAREN'S.......
PRIMA DONNA'S.....Get your Attitudes Straight.

Response by SCPO Jeffrey Conz made Oct 12 at 2023 7:08 AM

SCPO Jeffrey Conz — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:08:54 -0400

They are true! I did once call the crisis line because my Dr. was out of town. I was upset since this was the 2nd screw up with my meds. Within 1/2 hour, cops, ambulance, and other veterans were there and wouldn’t stop until I went to the Hospital. I was lied too, had to stay in a room with my wife, who was furious, for 24 hours. When I told the Female Navy Dr. that this was a result of Her profession not following established procedures, She threatened to 302 me. I told her to go ahead and I would see her in court. Made me stay 24 and cut me loose. I HATE the VA!

Response by SrA Claretta Alston made Oct 12 at 2023 8:03 AM

SrA Claretta Alston — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:03:37 -0400

I make too much money

Response by SrA Claretta Alston made Oct 12 at 2023 8:26 AM

SrA Claretta Alston — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:26:07 -0400

I have Just read Quite a few Comments and I feel Compelled to give Comments on the VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware. I go to the Wilmington, Delaware VA for my Healthcare treatment, and I can Truthfully say that the Healthcare I receive there is the BEST that I have ever received. The Doctors, Physician Assistants & Nurses there are Very Knowledgeable, Professional, Respectful & Compassionate. My Doctors there make Sure that I get All of the different Tests, Appointments & Everything I need to become & Stay Healthy. They Schedule me for All of the Tests I need& their Follow-up Is Excellent. I am on something Called TeleHealth; that is where the Veteran Participate in Their Own Healthcare; and I Absolutely Love it. My VA Doctor Recommended it to me. To say the least I am Extremely Happy & Content with the Care that I receive at the Wilmington, Delaware VA Medical Center. I Most Highly Recommend them& I Must say that I have Attended More than a few VA Medical Centers. I Just Felt Compelled to let other Veterans Know about my VA Medical Center Experience. Thank All of You Veterans for Your Service and May the LORD bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2023 12:04 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:04:21 -0400

I've heard many myths, the most important ones relating to who is eligible for VA health care. If you have any service connected disability, you are eligible. Otherwise, if you served during certain years or were posted to certain locations -- this is set by Congress -- you are eliglbe. Ask the VA for current facts concerning years or locations.
Regarding "service connected" you CAN receive a "service connected disability rating of 0%" This doesn't sound like much, but it counts quite a bit. It's important to understand the value of the "service connected" notation -- they're saying the problem you have came from your active duty period.
Finally, no myth at all: actual experience. When I first retired in the late 1990's the VA health care was not worth it (IMHO). They had a mental understanding of "veteran" back then as an unemployed, widowed, WWII vet who needed a ride to and from the VA hospital, and who was content to sit at home all day and wait for home-delivery medications. Their default treatment was to hand out enough narcotics to deaden any pain whatsover. I said this to my primary care VA doc and he more or less agreed. It was tough to get scheduled, tough to maintain employment whill taking so many durgs, and I had to fight to get permission to pick up my Rx at the hospital (instead of home delivery). I'm glad to say those days are past. If your VA health care experiences stem from any time before 2010 and you are eligible, do yourself a favor and take a fresh look. It's still medicine by bureaucracy but the care I've been getting is good and there are some (not all!) truly fantastic dedicated folks working there. This applies to me for both service connected and general health care.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Oct 13 at 2023 8:06 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:06:24 -0400

When Someone Tells Me; "It's A VA Myth"
I Question If What They Told Me, "Is The Actual Myth".
My Brother Goes To The DAYTON, Ohio VA, And Is THRILLED With
All The Benefits & The Care He Gets.. I Go the Our Las Vegas VA,
And Wonder If I'm Being Used For Target Practice.~ I've Had Serious Errors Happen To Me,
Even Emergency Surgery Followed By About A MONTH Of Hospitalization
That Situation Nearly Caused My Death. I've Encountered Everything From A Mental Misdiagnosis For A Condition, When NOTHING Was Wrong With Me. To Inappropriate Medications For Conditions.
Even A Dermatology Situation ~~ I Went From, The VA To Southwest Medical, THEN Received Proper Diagnosis And Treatment....SO HAVE I HEARD ANY MYTHS? ~ From My Viewpoint I'd Have To Say:
"I Have NO IDEA"
AND AS IS SAID: "The Truth May Be Harder To Believe Than The Fiction"..

Response by PO3 B. Madden made Oct 15 at 2023 8:10 PM

PO3 B. Madden — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 20:10:24 -0400

I saw a negative national news story about the VA. For visuals they shot a VA hospital in black-and-white, slo-mo, and made it look like spy footage of the Kremlin.

Response by CAPT Michael Toleno made Oct 17 at 2023 5:08 PM

CAPT Michael Toleno — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 17:08:01 -0400

"You can't serve in the Reserve if you draw VA disability compensation" OR "If you draw VA disability compensation, you will make more money if you DON'T also serve in the Reserve."

I hope that most or all people here know that both statements are totally FALSE! Unless you are at a VERY high disability rating (in which case you may be medically prevented from serving) AND a very low rate of military pay, you will make more money for every drill and every day of active duty that you serve—not to mention retirement pay if you accrue 20 total years of service. I have seen military members make TERRIBLE career choices because they believed some variation of this lie, even when they were given all the facts. Fortunately, I also knew a few people who made the correct decision once they understood the reality.

The reality is that you only "lose" (i.e., don't get paid) an amount of disability pay at a rate of one day of disability pay (1/30 of the monthly rate) for every paid drill period and every day of active duty.

I served for over 20 years in the Reserve and over 30 years total. I drew disability compensation during almost all of my Reserve service.

Response by SrA Joseph Garrigan made Oct 17 at 2023 6:28 PM

SrA Joseph Garrigan — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 18:28:04 -0400

Considering there was a va recently got in trouble for illegally using 5150 (baker act) holds on vets who went for voluntary treatments that last one may not be a myth.

Also the va is definitely broken, denied a claim under pact act (you know the federal law) for a presumptive condition which met the standards to a T. Yea thats a fun one to fight them on still

Response by SFC Gene Garcia made Oct 20 at 2023 10:21 AM

SFC Gene Garcia — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:21:09 -0400

Some of these comments are hard to swallow. I have never had an issue with the VA. All of the others vets I know have never had an issue. I think it may be the attitude you choose when you approach the VA so pick a good one.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Oct 20 at 2023 10:40 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:40:52 -0400

WHY 100% SERVICE CONNECTED VETS ARE CHARGE OR BILLED AGAINST THEIR PRIMARY INSURANCE. AND IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO URGENT CARE YOU HAVE TO PAY OUT OF YOUR POCKET BECAUSE I AM NOT DRIVING 1 HR TO MY LOCAL VA FOR HELP. WTF.
THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.

IF I DID NOT HAVE MY OWN HEALTH INSURANCE WOULD I HAVE TO PAY MY OWN MEDICAL BILLS WHEN I GO TO THE VA?

Response by SPC Kenneth Deery made Oct 21 at 2023 1:15 PM

SPC Kenneth Deery — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:15:01 -0400

I can feel the spin in the question itself. Myth? The question should be "What myths have you confirmed to be true at the VA?

Response by PO2 Norma Bates made Oct 27 at 2023 6:46 PM

PO2 Norma Bates — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:46:18 -0400

All of these "myths" ARE 100% TRUTHS at Atlanta VA: (a) I have been told "I make too much money", (b) "I can't use VA and private health care at the same time", (c) "VA will drug test me" IS TRUE, and (d) "If I call the Veterans Crisis Line, the cops will show up at my door" IS TRUE.

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE... ATLANTA VA IS INCOMPETENT!!! The CULTURE at the ATL-VA is unlike ANYTHING I’ve ever experienced… NEGLIGENCE IS STATUS QUO!!

Response by PO2 Norma Bates made Oct 27 at 2023 8:03 PM

PO2 Norma Bates — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 20:03:30 -0400

These myths are "FACTS" at Atlanta VA...

All TRUTHS:
“I make too much money.” TRUE
“I can’t use VA and private health care at the same time!” TRUE
“VA will drug test me!” TRUE
“If I call the Veterans Crisis Line, the cops will show up at my door.” TRUE

The CULTURE at ATLANTA VA is unlike ANYTHING I’ve ever experienced… where NEGLIGENCE is status quo!!! INCOMPETENCE at its finest (completely unimaginable... couldn't get worse if they tried) because there's 'NO Accountability'. Congress is very aware of the issues.

Per ATL-VA treating physician, "ATLANTA VA IS RANKED #1 WORST VA IN THE COUNTRY".

Fake or Fact? Hmmmm
I've heard good stories about the VA in other states, and have no reason to doubt them. Honestly, anything would be better. The issue in ATLANTA is despicable.

Response by SN Lawrence Worthen made Nov 5 at 2023 8:29 AM

SN Lawrence Worthen — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 08:29:57 -0500

No myth, the VA has diagnosed me with military associated PTSD as I impatiently await a VA board decision for the past 3 years ( really 4 years) but my first submission, I left out or miss spelled something on the form rendering it null and void. Until I found by accident my very first Veteran Service Officer that properly filled out the forms and got my claim started. Then I was informed in October of 2023 that our government had poisoned us stationed on Guam with agent orange. The presumptives described my lifelong health issues to include hypertension since the young age of 34 up to the associated widow maker heart attack! Submitted seven months ago to yet, no avail!!! The VA seems to either be overwhelmed or due to a democrat administration, done care….

Response by SN Lawrence Worthen made Nov 5 at 2023 8:42 AM

SN Lawrence Worthen — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 08:42:39 -0500

The biggest myth I heard on our local news outfit stated that the VA is making strides in approvals as now it takes two weeks to a month for the board approvals! I’ve been awaiting roughly 4 years for a decision on the military associated PTSD that the VA has diagnosed me with! I’m sorry, but I am rapidly losing faith in our VA! It seems that death proceeds most VA approvals!

Response by CPL Theodore Moore made Nov 20 at 2023 1:43 PM

CPL Theodore Moore — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 13:43:08 -0500

The VA has provided me excellent care. Its one of the few intelligent things I have ever done.

Response by Sgt Paul Smith made Dec 10 at 2023 11:13 PM

Sgt Paul Smith — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:13:24 -0500

The VA will not prescribe any non-protocol medications like Ivermectin or Hydroxychloroquine even for non-VA pharmacy fills.

Response by Sgt Paul Smith made Dec 10 at 2023 11:22 PM

Sgt Paul Smith — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:22:29 -0500

Has anybody ever gotten a second opinion re. any medical diagnosis or treatment plan?

Response by SrA Bruce Banner made Dec 23 at 2023 7:56 PM

SrA Bruce Banner — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:56:48 -0500

“I can’t work if I’m 100% disabled.” Inaccurate. A veteran cannot work if they are rated 100% Individually Unemployable (IU) not Permanently and Totally (PT) disabled. Just can’t do anything substantial like construction work.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Jan 1 at 2024 8:59 AM

SPC Matt Ovaska — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:59:53 -0500

I went to the ER at Hunter Holmes (butcher shop) Va. Hosp. I could barely walk. They sent my to the hospital front desk a quarter mile away. They sent me back to the emergency room that now had a receptionist. and admitted me. The doctor was oriental and communicated with an interpreter. They found over 2000 unlicensed doctors working at VA hospitals. I could write a book. The sad reality of all those suicides every day of vets that need a little help.

Response by A1C Alton Herbest Jr. made Mar 22 at 2024 12:03 PM

A1C Alton Herbest Jr. — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:03:16 -0400

I make too much money is not a myth. I was denied benefits for this exact reason even though I served during the Vietnam War era when people were going to Canada to avoid the draft. I enlisted! Very disappointed in this one!