The VA: Where Veterans go for a 2nd chance to die for our country

[Bill]

Originally Posted by zeek

Wow....sorry some of you guys are having so much grief at the VA. Mine must be the exception to the rule then. The Biloxi VA is the best medical Ive ever had, and I always had great medical coverage before using the VA.

Ive been with the VA for about 10 years now. Ive had the same Dr's and same team since I started. The VA just did my open heart surgery/bypass. They even accommodated me when I asked to transfer to Nashville for the surgery to be near family. The Dr that did the surgery also does heart transplants so Id say he was pretty well qualified.

Im at 70% but going next month for a review due to my surgery. Hoping to get up to 100%.

My barber, now deceased, went to that VA for prostate cancer. He say he and his wife were treated VERY respectfully by everyone, even provided accommodations for his wife each time he was there. Seed radiation is what they did, and apparently the Houston VA didn't have that specialty.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

It's not just the Northern FL VA facilities, it's the entire VA healthcare system. I'm eligible for VA healthcare, but I'd go to a back alley unlicensed "Doctor" before I set foot in a VA medical facility again. NFW I'll ever use the VA healthcare system again.

Not really, Been using the Regional facility here in Albuquerque for 30 years now. Sure, I have had my share of issues over the years but less than 5% of the time overall. Usually administrative and I got it fixed.

I have been in every clinic along with 12 surgeries. Both hips replaced, Knees, both kidneys, my nuts, both eyes, Stomach & Elbow. I'm a regular in Audiology, Eyes, Ortho and Rheumatology.

Most of the problems I had either seen of read about end up being the Vet causing it. If anyone is waiting for the VA to make something happen, good luck. You need to make it happen.

Procedure wise, I could not ask for anyone better. Administrative always needs work

[Frankie the Fink]

My Dad (former Marine) broke his neck in a car crash in 1973 and was all but dead, the VA had a pre-eminent spinal cord surgeon operate on him in the VA center in Hampton, VA and, although a quadriplegic he lived another 30 years and regained enough mobility to live on his own....the first 4 years of his recovery were spent in that same VA hospital.

I'll always have a warm spot in my heart for the way he was treated....as our dirt poor family couldn't have done nearly so much for him.

[lrobe22]

Originally Posted by jw38

How the hell do you serve in the reserves for 8 years and not have 180 days of active duty? How many drill weekends and two-week summer camps did you miss?

I think it’s a Title 10 vs. Title 32 issue. As I remember, even though a Reserve guy and NG guy went to the same course or annual training, the Reserve guy is under federal orders while the NG is state. Those NG points don’t count towards any federal quals.

[lrobe22]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

This Northeast FL/Southeast GA VA program is absolutely crap. It's crap, I tell ya.

Since I've been here in 2012, I haven't seen the same doctor more than twice except for the Chinese guy who lied on my medical records (blatant lies that I was able to prove and get assigned to another doc closer to home).

I go to refill my meds, but my doctor needs to approve them. No biggie. But wait, my doc transferred to St. Augustine and again I haven't been assigned to another team. This is the 4th or 5th time I have been lost in the system since I have been here. Letters to Senators and Reps don't do shit, either. It's the same old-same old.

the only thing that has been hassle free here has been Vision and Dental because they are backed up for 6 months or more which gives me the option to use community Care and see non-VA doctors.

It's frustrating as hell.

/rant
/bitching&complaining (for now)

The VA is one of the reasons I saw no benefit to continue after the 10 year mark and go for 20.

[LisaJohn]

I’m sorry you are having to deal with this. It’s just plain wrong.

[sublime1996525]

Definitely sounds like a shitty experience. Have you reached out to the VA congressional liaison? They can help, if they are competent. The Salt Lake VA has been pretty good. It helps that most of our providers also work at the U of U hospital.

[Frankie the Fink]

I have an acquaintance that drives a '61 Corvette and works full time for Harris Corporation in Florida and is 100% disabled per the VA.

Sorry but I have a different definition of 100% disabled.

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by zeek

Wow....sorry some of you guys are having so much grief at the VA. Mine must be the exception to the rule then. The Biloxi VA is the best medical Ive ever had, and I always had great medical coverage before using the VA.

Ive been with the VA for about 10 years now. Ive had the same Dr's and same team since I started. The VA just did my open heart surgery/bypass. They even accommodated me when I asked to transfer to Nashville for the surgery to be near family. The Dr that did the surgery also does heart transplants so Id say he was pretty well qualified.

Im at 70% but going next month for a review due to my surgery. Hoping to get up to 100%.

The Long Beach V.A is better than some of the top California Hospitals. I've had surgery there, Dental, etc. I've had no problems with them.They've treated me well over the past. 50+ years.

[Don Rickles]

First dying at the VA, is not dying for your country.

Forgive my ignorance but I am very surprised to read this DJ.

From all I have read, the VA has GREATLY improved since the days of my families needs. I myself was unable to serve but my family has been a strong military one. Mostly US Navy. The horror stories I can remember being told from the 60's and 70's about the conditions treatment received were unforgettable. My Uncles straight out refused to go to the VA hospitals.

I thought it has all changed, I'd read the doctors were now well paid and HAPPILY employed. I read the conditions and supplies were all revampt and equal to public facilities.

Yeah this sucks hearing your woe....

Bottom right lower Grandfather

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

First dying at the VA, is not dying for your country.

Forgive my ignorance but I am very surprised to read this DJ.

From all I have read, the VA has GREATLY improved since the days of my families needs. I myself was unable to serve but my family has been a strong military one. Mostly US Navy. The horror stories I can remember being told from the 60's and 70's about the conditions treatment received were unforgettable. My Uncles straight out refused to go to the VA hospitals.

I thought it has all changed, I'd read the doctors were now well paid and HAPPILY employed. I read the conditions and supplies were all revampt and equal to public facilities.

Yeah this sucks hearing your woe....

Bottom right lower Grandfather

Here's something to think about concerning my rant/bitching/complaining:

If I'm getting shitty medical care like this, how many other people in this area are in the same boat with the same shitty treatment and might be worse off than I am? Think about the elderly vets who rely solely on the VA for care because they really can't afford anything else. I wonder how much worse some of the treatment or care actually is within this particular district.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Here's something to think about concerning my rant/bitching/complaining:

If I'm getting shitty medical care like this, how many other people in this area are in the same boat with the same shitty treatment and might be worse off than I am? Think about the elderly vets who rely solely on the VA for care because they really can't afford anything else. I wonder how much worse some of the treatment or care actually is within this particular district.

I really can’t answer any of that. Complaining on a Corvette forum, I don’t think will bring any resolution to you. I was simply stating things that I have read in the recent past, even from one member here explaining how great the care was given to them.

In respect for those that have served, I will refrain from being sarcastic in this particular thread!

Good luck!

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

I really can’t answer any of that. Complaining on a Corvette form I don’t think we’ll bring any resolution to you. I was simply stating things that I have read in the recent past, even from one member here explaining how great the care was given to them.

In respect for those that have served, I will refrain from being sarcastic in this particular thread!

Good luck!

Sarcasm is always welcome in the threads I start, so no issue there

Why not bring it up here? Maybe somebody here has had an experience similar to mine (or knows a friend of a friend like that) and may have a good way to resolve it. Lord knows contacting Senators and Reps didn't do anything to help....

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Sarcasm is always welcome in the threads I start, so no issue there

Why not bring it up here? Maybe somebody here has had an experience similar to mine (or knows a friend of a friend like that) and may have a good way to resolve it. Lord knows contacting Senators and Reps didn't do anything to help....

I agree perhaps someone else could help share. You’re a pretty squeaky wheel so I’m sure you get or will get attention.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Sarcasm is always welcome in the threads I start, so no issue there

Why not bring it up here? Maybe somebody here has had an experience similar to mine (or knows a friend of a friend like that) and may have a good way to resolve it. Lord knows contacting Senators and Reps didn't do anything to help....

I'm going to go out on a limb here but do you use Secure Messaging in the My HealthVet Website?

Its set up usually to the clinics you use, not the actual Dr and they will contact them for whatever you need. You may need to contact the facility person who takes care of the site to help get set up if the clinics are not on the list.

I use it weekly for one thing or another. Set upp appts, med refills and other bs. Saves a whole lot of aggravation

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-port...rtal-web/home#

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Why not bring it up here? Maybe somebody here has had an experience similar to mine (or knows a friend of a friend like that) and may have a good way to resolve it. Lord knows contacting Senators and Reps didn't do anything to help....

As I said earlier my experience at a couple of different VA hospitals has been as bad, or perhaps worse than, yours. I will never, EVER, make any attempt to get medical care of any kind at a VA hospital. I have no clue how to resolve those issues or get anyone in the fed gov at a high enough level to care. YMMV.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

I agree perhaps someone else could help share. You’re a pretty squeaky wheel so I’m sure you get or will get attention.

And shady as hell

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

I'm going to go out on a limb here but do you use Secure Messaging in the My HealthVet Website?

Its set up usually to the clinics you use, not the actual Dr and they will contact them for whatever you need. You may need to contact the facility person who takes care of the site to help get set up if the clinics are not on the list.

I use it weekly for one thing or another. Set upp appts, med refills and other bs

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-port...rtal-web/home#

I do use it, but they take forever to answer anything. My last question took two weeks to figure out who my interim doc is going to be and that I only get online appointments. And now they are asking for any records from outside doctors again. WTF? You should already have this stuff on file. I can see it in my Blue Button report. Competence at its best! Yay....

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Here's something to think about concerning my rant/bitching/complaining:

If I'm getting shitty medical care like this, how many other people in this area are in the same boat with the same shitty treatment and might be worse off than I am? Think about the elderly vets who rely solely on the VA for care because they really can't afford anything else. I wonder how much worse some of the treatment or care actually is within this particular district.

I'am sorry you're getting shitty care at your V.A. I'am gettin excellent care at mine.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

You should have seen the horrible medical care I witnessed after the battle of 1812.

Wow!