What Myths Have You Heard About VA?

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….

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.

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!!

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?

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

"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.

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.

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!

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.

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