Do you think the VA System is skewed? Is it fair or unfair?

2015-02-21T20:54:27-05:00

I personally feel that the OVERALL VA System is skewed! I see a lot of FRAUD and/or misdiagnosis of claims. Sometimes it so blatant that when I hear about people's claims and compensation it makes me sick. Does the VA follow up on people to see if they are faking? Just curious. Wondering how others feel? Comments?

Response by LCDR Gabriel Helms made Feb 21 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-02-21T21:40:10-05:00

I haven't seen any cases that I would consider fraudulent, however I don't meet many vets outside of a VA environment. The guys I do see in the VA (clinic/hospital) seem to have real problems though. From my experience in the Sacramento VA hospital, nobody who was faking it would bother. The wait list is insane. I've been on a wait list for primary care for about 3.5 years and pain management for about 3 years. As for neurology, my last visit was about 4.5 years ago when they said my constant migraines were due to the inoperable growth in my cerebellum. They said there was nothing they could do for me and won't schedule any more Neuro appointments for me. The big problem I see is that they don't have enough funding or staff to help people. If they would pay for civilian care, that would help a lot. As for the navy, the medical evaluation board refused to even open my medical record (I even have it on tape) and would only give me 10% as opposed to the VAs 90%. As such, I don't get TRICARE and have had to rely solely on my wife's medical insurance and still pay $15,000+ a year out of pocket. Turns out DOD policy is to deny benefits to anyone without problems that are obvious from looking at them. (According to a senior retired medical officer). Since all my problems are internal, I was denied. If the Navy gave me the retirement that all my neurologists say I deserve, Tricare would be an incredible savings. In my opinion, the services shouldn't be the ones giving the rating, since budgetary considerations are obviously the cause of service members being denied the retirement benefits they need.

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Feb 26 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-02-26T13:57:17-05:00

I think it all depends on where you go, like most things. I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming (still need to change my profile...) and the VA hospital he have out here is pretty good in my opinion. I have been a few times for different reasons and never really had issues (other than my latest post about my new PTSD stuffs).

I did think it was a little... fraudulent when my advocate (i think that is the right term) was asking me what all I had wrong that I should apply for. I think if I would have gone in with a band aid on my finger he would have assumed it was service connected and put it in my file! haha Though it does sound like others have had entirely 180 experiences.

I went in originally for the really annoying cough/clear my throat all the time thing and after reading some va article about burn pits thought it was worth a check up. After all is said and done I received 30% and not even for the original reason I went in, but at least it is now documented.

Like most things I think it relies more on the individual you are working with than the organization as a whole, though I will say that the entire environment of the facility usually follows a pattern...

Response by SGT Eric Flores made Nov 1 at 2016 8:21 PM

2016-11-01T20:21:38-04:00

I know this is an old post, but I strongly agree wit you PO1 William's. Unfortunately, they do not follow up, at last in my case it's a dead subject.