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Should us Veterans have any faith in the VA anymore?

Should vets trust the VA?

  • I'm a Vet-yes we should trust them

    Votes: 3 12.0%
  • I'm a Vet- No never trust them

    Votes: 8 32.0%
  • I'm not a vet-Yes vets should trust them

    Votes: 2 8.0%
  • i'm not a vet- No they shouldn't the country has failed them

    Votes: 5 20.0%
  • Other-Explain

    Votes: 7 28.0%

  • Total voters
    25

cpgrad08

American
DP Veteran
Joined
Jan 19, 2011
Messages
5,681
Reaction score
3,023
Location
WA
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Libertarian
Being a veteran of OEF. It been no secret to myself and my fellow vets the horrors of the VA. Heck it took three times before they would activate my Education benifits. One the times being that on their records I was a dishonorable discharge Vet just release from Ft. Leavenworth. Now with all the issues that just have risen with VA including the death of my fellow Brothers in arms. Should we Vets ever have any faith and trust in the VA ever again? and If no what would it take for the faith to be restored?
 
It depends. The VA can be very good or very bad. The worst I have experienced is Phoenix. Many of us have known something was fubar at Phoenix VA for a few years now. I transferred my care to Tucson to avoid having to deal with Phoenix. I did that before the fit hit the shan.

Tucson VA has been outstanding. I cannot say enough good things about the VA in Tucson. Sure, I have to drive to Tucson, but for the quality of patient care I get I don't mind.
 
Being a veteran of OEF. It been no secret to myself and my fellow vets the horrors of the VA. Heck it took three times before they would activate my Education benifits. One the times being that on their records I was a dishonorable discharge Vet just release from Ft. Leavenworth. Now with all the issues that just have risen with VA including the death of my fellow Brothers in arms. Should we Vets ever have any faith and trust in the VA ever again? and If no what would it take for the faith to be restored?

Where your health is concerned, you trust no one but yourself. No one. Not the doctor, not the VA system, not any system. If you have family, listen to them. Listen to your instincts. Do your own homework. No system is perfect. The VA isn't perfect (far from it); your local hospital isn't perfect (far from it); and neither is your doctor.
 
Where your health is concerned, you trust no one but yourself. No one. Not the doctor, not the VA system, not any system. If you have family, listen to them. Listen to your instincts. Do your own homework. No system is perfect. The VA isn't perfect (far from it); your local hospital isn't perfect (far from it); and neither is your doctor.

When it comes to my health unless a family member is a doctor I would listen to a doctor over health when it comes to health. I have some family members that try to talk people out of vaccines and anti-depressants
 
When it comes to my health unless a family member is a doctor I would listen to a doctor over health when it comes to health. I have some family members that try to talk people out of vaccines and anti-depressants

You don't get it. Good luck.
 
Being a veteran of OEF. It been no secret to myself and my fellow vets the horrors of the VA. Heck it took three times before they would activate my Education benifits. One the times being that on their records I was a dishonorable discharge Vet just release from Ft. Leavenworth. Now with all the issues that just have risen with VA including the death of my fellow Brothers in arms. Should we Vets ever have any faith and trust in the VA ever again? and If no what would it take for the faith to be restored?

The problem with the VA is getting into the system. Wait times for disabilities rulings sometimes takes years. Getting into the system to see a doctor can also take a long time. But once accepted, the treatment is good. The priority group listing:

Priority Group 1
Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more.
Veterans assigned a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability.

Priority Group 2
Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40%.

Priority Group 3
Veterans who are former POWs.
Veterans awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Veterans awarded the Medal of Honor.
Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20%.
Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation.”

Priority Group 4
Veterans receiving increased compensation or pension based on their need for regular Aid and Attendance or by reason of being permanently Housebound.
Veterans determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled.

Priority Group 5
Nonservice-connected Veterans and noncompensable Service-connected Veterans rated 0%, whose annual income and/or net worth are not greater than the VA financial thresholds.
Veterans receiving VA Pension benefits.
Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Priority Group 6
Compensable 0% Service-connected Veterans.
Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Project 112/SHAD participants.
Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.
Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, through November 11, 1998.
Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, as follows:
Veterans discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, for five years post discharge

Priority Group 7
Veterans with incomes below the geographic means test (GMT) income thresholds and who agree to pay the applicable copayment.

Priority Group 8
Veterans with gross household incomes above the VA national income threshold and the geographically-adjusted income threshold for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays

Now depending when you do receive your rating and what group you fall into, depending on the case load the VA clinic or hospital may not see or treat all groups.
 
Being a veteran of OEF. It been no secret to myself and my fellow vets the horrors of the VA. Heck it took three times before they would activate my Education benifits. One the times being that on their records I was a dishonorable discharge Vet just release from Ft. Leavenworth. Now with all the issues that just have risen with VA including the death of my fellow Brothers in arms. Should we Vets ever have any faith and trust in the VA ever again? and If no what would it take for the faith to be restored?

You never should have trusted the VA.

The VA is a government beauracracy and always have been. Most VA employees are not veterans. The first rule of any government beauracracy is to serve and protect the beauracracy.
 
Being a veteran of OEF. It been no secret to myself and my fellow vets the horrors of the VA. Heck it took three times before they would activate my Education benifits. One the times being that on their records I was a dishonorable discharge Vet just release from Ft. Leavenworth. Now with all the issues that just have risen with VA including the death of my fellow Brothers in arms. Should we Vets ever have any faith and trust in the VA ever again? and If no what would it take for the faith to be restored?

I've stated numerous times on this forum, going back way before the current scandal came to light, that I have private insurance and civilian doctors because of the VA and their lack of competence. I have never trusted the VA to anything for me; medical, other benefits or otherwise.

That organization has been useless for decades. Even way before Obama, even though it has gotten way worse since then.

Hell, Bush fired General Eric K. Shinseki from the Army for incompetence, and Obama made him the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for God's sake... WHY???
 
VA hospitals have differing levels of care, depending on the hospital itself. Not all VA hospitals are bad, anymore than they are all good. The Syracuse VA is top notch - best we've ever been to. The one in Birmingham is one of the worst.

To paint the entire VA healthcare system with that broad a brush isn't fair to the VA hospitals who actually do care about the veterans and their health care - and yes, they are out there.
 
I've stated numerous times on this forum, going back way before the current scandal came to light, that I have private insurance and civilian doctors because of the VA and their lack of competence. I have never trusted the VA to anything for me; medical, other benefits or otherwise. That organization has been useless for decades. Even way before Obama, even though it has gotten way worse since then. Hell, Bush fired General Eric K. Shinseki from the Army for incompetence, and Obama made him the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for God's sake... WHY???

Having seen the VA in action before Reagan took office- many of my relatives were WWII vets- I can say the VA medical system isn't for every vet. For the vast majority of us it is the equiv of medicare. Unless you have a high disability number your priority is low. My wife and I are both vets, we wouldn't think of not having private insurance- we both used our GI Bill, we would never think to try and make the VA our primary healthcare provider.

Hell, Shinseki spoke truth to BushII's political hacks about the number of troops needed to occupy Iraq after the invasion. Rummy and Wolfwhistle both made very strong rebuttals to the 38 year veteran's PROFESSIONAL assessment. He wasn't fired but retired after a year's notice that had been given PRIOR to the troop strength controversy... :roll:

Centcom commander Abizaid testified before congress General Shinseki's estimates of more troops was KET-rect.

What he did that raised my eyebrow was take the Ranger's beret and give it to every REMF, limp richard in the Army.
 
:shrug: The VA is just what you get when you have government healthcare. It's not a matter of trusting them or not, it's a matter of knowing what they are.
 
It's frightening what has been happening to our vets!
No, they should not trust the VA, vets need immediate changes to the system.
 
:shrug: The VA is just what you get when you have government healthcare. It's not a matter of trusting them or not, it's a matter of knowing what they are.

Perhaps, but then again all the politicians who are strutting before the press claiming veteran's care should be second to none seemed to have ZERO interest in that system until a news report surfaces... How many went to Walter Reed as the wounded soldiers started pouring back? How many ever visit their district's VA centers??? Talked to vets???? Hell sent any of the rather large staff they have to do any QC checks???

Congress is great at making huge battles over funding, great at half asses arguments against what ever program they don't like but totally asleep when it comes to knowing what happens in DC or their home district on subjects they claim should be the best for the 'men who risked their lives'.... :doh

Personally, and I don't take it too personally, grunts have a saying- "mind over matter" and "ain't nuttin but a thang", but seems to me this isn't a way to slam the ACA, but the ideologues in Congress who are more interested in their re-election, polls, lobbyists, and party fights for control than that crazy notion that representing their district means more than seeing how much money they can funnel back to their supporters.

Yeah, I know to politicians grunts are mind over matter- they don't mind and we don't matter.... well until they can try and use us to attack their rival.... :doh
 
You should question in government agency and rightly so.
 
I'm a Vietnam vet and I have the same trust in the VA that I have for any part of any government on this planet, including the USA, =Zero.




"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'." ~ Ronald Reagan
 
The VA has been inadequate for decades...but is now faced with the results of 2 wars and an increased attention to the Veterans of Viet Nam.

That no one has done anything about this fiasco is disgusting.
The lack of foresight is ridiculous.
The guilt should be crippling for EVERY politician...and Vets should be freakin' pissed, so should everyone else.
 
How about your wife, and/or your girlfriend?

If you can't trust them, you've made some bad decisions in your life.

I trust no one on the face of this earth.

Never have, doubt I ever will.

It seems naive to place your faith in anyone else but yourself. That does not mean you do not love others or look out for them.

But in terms of trusting that they will be there for me? I assume they will not and if I am pleasantly surprised - bonus.


If you agree or disagree with that - I really do not much care; no offense.


Good day.
 
Being a veteran of OEF. It been no secret to myself and my fellow vets the horrors of the VA. Heck it took three times before they would activate my Education benifits. One the times being that on their records I was a dishonorable discharge Vet just release from Ft. Leavenworth. Now with all the issues that just have risen with VA including the death of my fellow Brothers in arms. Should we Vets ever have any faith and trust in the VA ever again? and If no what would it take for the faith to be restored?

For some veterans, the VA is all they have or all they can get for medical care, which is usually cost free for some.

My personal experience with the VA has been good lately. Not so good a few years ago. I guess it would depend on which state or which CBOC clinic you receive care from.

This is my new CBOC, all of the staff are professionals and provide excellent care.

Kenosha480x330.jpg
 
The VA has been inadequate for decades...but is now faced with the results of 2 wars and an increased attention to the Veterans of Viet Nam.

That no one has done anything about this fiasco is disgusting.
The lack of foresight is ridiculous.
The guilt should be crippling for EVERY politician...and Vets should be freakin' pissed, so should everyone else.

Care at the VA must be slipping in different places. At my VA, combat vets are first in line for care, the way it should be.
 
Everyone I have personally known to deal with the VA has actually had few major problems with them.

My education benefits started pretty quickly with them (the only problem I had was getting the direct deposit started because I wasn't showing up in their system, but they just sent me checks). My husband has had delays when switching over (active to veteran) when it comes to his benefits, but delays happen.

My family members who have gone to VA hospitals have had the same care as in other places. Sure, it is a drive for them, but considering their medical issues, it is worth it. They have even gotten VocRehab.

I feel that people concentrate on any negative that happens within the VA system, and believe that the worst experiences we hear about are the normal for everyone. It isn't. Yes, there are problems that need to be fixed, but that is true for anything we use. And when it comes to healthcare, those problems do happen in the private sector.

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The key is to get your own information and be prepared, whether you are using VA or private insurance/benefits(?)/hospitals. And followup. If I called to get an appointment with a place, and didn't hear back for a while (as in a week or two), I would be following up, not just waiting for them. People can even make mistakes that could have them not get you an appointment, or you could have gotten someone who's learning and screwed it up, or you could have gotten an employee who's planning on quitting or it is their last day, and they simply don't care. All possible with private suppliers of medical care/insurance.
 
For some veterans, the VA is all they have or all they can get for medical care, which is usually cost free for some.

My personal experience with the VA has been good lately. Not so good a few years ago. I guess it would depend on which state or which CBOC clinic you receive care from.

This is my new CBOC, all of the staff are professionals and provide excellent care.

View attachment 67166907

Exactly. It all depends on where you go. Granted, the system is badly bent, but I don't know if I would go so far as to say that the entire VA system is in shambles, just because a well-known VA clinic, notorious for having problems, was.
 
I've stated numerous times on this forum, going back way before the current scandal came to light, that I have private insurance and civilian doctors because of the VA and their lack of competence. I have never trusted the VA to anything for me; medical, other benefits or otherwise.

That organization has been useless for decades. Even way before Obama, even though it has gotten way worse since then.

Hell, Bush fired General Eric K. Shinseki from the Army for incompetence, and Obama made him the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for God's sake... WHY???

Actually Shinseki retired after speaking out about how many troops were in Iraq. He was not fired.
 
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