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View Full Version : My Experience with the VA



William Hardy
08-13-14, 07:40 PM
With all the complaints about how vets are being treated, I have to once again say that my experience is just the opposite. Yesterday, August 12 I had a 11 AM appointment with a doctor in Podiatry. I was standing in line near the sign that said to check-in here when this guy comes along and says, "Who as an appointment in Podiatry?" I raised my hand and he said come with me. He asked me my name and told me to wait in this room. The guy next to me had a 10:45 appointment. At 10:45 I pointed to the sign that said they would do everything they could to get you in within 10 minutes of your appointment time. Just then a guy comes out and calls his name and about 2 minutes later they called mine. I go in an the young female doctor took off my shoes while she was telling me about what was on my last lab report. She gave my feet the once over and did a few quick tests and decided that surgery wasn't called for right now. She made a few quick entries into the computer and then told me to go straight to prosthesis where they would fit me for a special insert that would help keep my toes aligned correctly. When I got there, I waited about 5 minutes and a lady came out and took me to a room where she measured my feet. Not only do I get the inserts, but from now on I get a free pair of shoes and inserts every year. From there they sent me to x-ray. I waited about 5 minutes again and this lady x-ray tech came out and got me. She took 3 x-rays of each foot. From the time I walked in at 10:20, it took me about 1 hour to get all three appointments completed.

I don't know what everyone else is complaining about, but the Memphis VA Hospital was really outstanding. They even verified my next appointment in a couple of weeks. So far, I have been very satisfied with the service and the respect I received from the VA personnel from the Doctors to the janitors. Every time I stopped to look at the signs, someone stopped and asked if they could help me.

I am satisfied with my clinic in Jackson, TN and with the VA Hospital in Memphis.

I wish everyone had the same experience in their regions.

josephd
08-13-14, 09:11 PM
well as soon as you wait around for hours to be seen(and then end up just leaving) and then wait for almost 2 years for a disability claim you'll be singing a different tune.

I have been just going to a private practice for most of my little issues because I seriously feel like choking out half the people that work at the VA

Old Marine
08-14-14, 09:40 AM
With all the complaints about how vets are being treated, I have to once again say that my experience is just the opposite. Yesterday, August 12 I had a 11 AM appointment with a doctor in Podiatry. I was standing in line near the sign that said to check-in here when this guy comes along and says, "Who as an appointment in Podiatry?" I raised my hand and he said come with me. He asked me my name and told me to wait in this room. The guy next to me had a 10:45 appointment. At 10:45 I pointed to the sign that said they would do everything they could to get you in within 10 minutes of your appointment time. Just then a guy comes out and calls his name and about 2 minutes later they called mine. I go in an the young female doctor took off my shoes while she was telling me about what was on my last lab report. She gave my feet the once over and did a few quick tests and decided that surgery wasn't called for right now. She made a few quick entries into the computer and then told me to go straight to prosthesis where they would fit me for a special insert that would help keep my toes aligned correctly. When I got there, I waited about 5 minutes and a lady came out and took me to a room where she measured my feet. Not only do I get the inserts, but from now on I get a free pair of shoes and inserts every year. From there they sent me to x-ray. I waited about 5 minutes again and this lady x-ray tech came out and got me. She took 3 x-rays of each foot. From the time I walked in at 10:20, it took me about 1 hour to get all three appointments completed.

I don't know what everyone else is complaining about, but the Memphis VA Hospital was really outstanding. They even verified my next appointment in a couple of weeks. So far, I have been very satisfied with the service and the respect I received from the VA personnel from the Doctors to the janitors. Every time I stopped to look at the signs, someone stopped and asked if they could help me.

I am satisfied with my clinic in Jackson, TN and with the VA Hospital in Memphis.

I wish everyone had the same experience in their regions.



This same thing goes for the VA in Reno, Nv. I only go there for hearing aids and eye glasses, but every phase that I have been through is outstanding. The rest of my issues I am on Tri-care for Life and see civilian doctors.

jetdauwgg
08-14-14, 10:08 AM
well as soon as you wait around for hours to be seen(and then end up just leaving) and then wait for almost 2 years for a disability claim you'll be singing a different tune.

I have been just going to a private practice for most of my little issues because I seriously feel like choking out half the people that work at the VA
lol...

ParaTracker
08-14-14, 11:52 AM
Unfortunately, I one of the Few, the Proud, the Forgotten. I am a Camp LeJeune survivor who can't get the help I need. Here we are nearly 2 years after my symptoms began to show, a left breast mastectomy, losing my legs and arms to slow paralysis and can't even get seen. I have had to pay for it all out of my own pocket so far. But I am still fighting to get help.. maybe one day.

USMC 2571
08-14-14, 11:55 AM
The VA may have cases where they are outstanding, but there are an awful lot of complaints about them. I don't think it's fifty-fifty from what I'm hearing on the news, half being treated fine, the other half not----most of these VA stories are horrendous, like the one ParaTracker just posted.

29palms
08-14-14, 01:40 PM
Not much different on the outside in private insurance. They rape you over the coals hard. They rape insurance companies. Very broke system. I wish we'd go like Canada or Europe's system. What...

29palms
08-14-14, 01:45 PM
I do admit though, I get seen very quick during my appointments. That part is thorough. Anything to take your money and bill your insurance and take co-pay from me. That part is good. The care is good too. Great doctors. They keep you coming like clock work to get that good money while only seeing you for 10 minutes and order blood work. That part, no issue. Like I say. Anything to drain that insuarnce card

ameriken
08-14-14, 01:50 PM
Agree with 29palms on the state of private health care and the outrageous charges they levy on folks. What a scam these hospitals have going with each other. My Dad (83 and living in NYC) was...

29palms
08-14-14, 01:51 PM
I pay 40 bucks to see a specialist, and 25 dollars for regular co-pay doctor visits. That's just the co-pay. If anything needs to be done to me, gotta meet deductibles and thereafter its 90 percent they 10 percent me. But I remember taking my father to the VA here in Houston a couple of times, and I'll say this. From what I saw and for how long he waited for that free service, I'd much have rathered paid my deductible/co-pay and got seen as scheduled, right away than the hundreds of people there waiting to be seen. And then another crazy wait for the drugs. Ridiculous!! Like pay the money so I don't have to feel like choking the you know what out of those bump on a log employees in there.

FistFu68
08-15-14, 05:07 AM
Screw 1 Vet they Screw All Vets ! :iwo:

William Hardy
08-15-14, 08:09 AM
well as soon as you wait around for hours to be seen(and then end up just leaving) and then wait for almost 2 years for a disability claim you'll be singing a different tune.

I have been just going to a private practice for most of my little issues because I seriously feel like choking out half the people that work at the VA

I have a Marine friend across the street from me. A couple of years back he was laid-off and had a few health issues so after being out of the Corps for about 40 years, he went to the VA to see if he qualified for any medical help. They told him what he needed to do....filling out certain papers and getting copies of certain documents. It took him about a month and then he went back. All was in order and he qualified. He then was given a series of appointments and a few months later he got a letter telling him he needed to come in for another appointment. When he got there, they had him fill out an application for disability. After a few more months they came back and said his application for disability was approved at 100%. It seems that they acknowledged that his health problems could be linked to Agent Orange.

My VA visits have been great.

I have heard on the news about some vets who claim they have waited for months or years for VA to help them. Let me give you an example I posted before in another thread.

About two months ago I received a letter saying it was time to schedule my next annual checkup at my clinic in Jackson, TN. A couple of days later I happen to be in Jackson at the National Guard Armory getting my new ID card and I told my wife I was going to swing over and get that appointment made in person. I walked in and told the lady about the letter. She looked at me and said, "Can you come in tomorrow?" I couldn't. (There had been a cancellation) They gave me an appointment for about a month later. That night on the local news, they had this guy moaning and groaning about how the VA was screwing him over and he has waited for months and he still hasn't been seen. I call BS. I was there that day and I know that the person in question could have gotten an appointment because I did. So why does he have a problem?

Everyone I know that followed the steps is having a great experience in my region (VA Hospital out of Memphis, TN) My neighbor, myself, and all the guys I talked with in Memphis.

The people who are having problems are those that did not qualify for VA help because they did not provide the proper paperwork or did not follow the procedures. For example, the guy that was complaining cannot just walk into VA and say I want an appointment. First, you have to establish your VA account which means you have to have your DD214 to prove your veterans status. Then you have to report to a VA Regional Hospital for a general physical to determine your level of treatment. There is only so much they will do for me since I am not a qualified disabled veteran nor do I have at this time a service connected disability. I do qualify for routine treatment and emergency care. As time passes, the doctors can change my rating. Since I served in Vietnam I can claim an Agent Orange connected disability for many different symptoms. But that is in the future. Any medication prescribed by my VA doctor comes at a very reduced cost. I pay like $50 for the entire year. But back to this guy in the news. I say he probably was a veteran who had not done what he was supposed to do and was told he could not have an appointment so he went on a rant. I emailed the TV station and after that one broadcast, I have not seen any repeat of the complaint. I bet I was right.

I am not saying that those of you who are having problems are like this guy in the news, but I am saying that many of the rants you hear are from people who did not do what they were supposed to do to get seen. Then you have those of you that are located in an area where the administrators are doing a very poor job and they need to be strung up by their gonads. There is no excuse for poor treatment of the vets.

Since my personal experience in this ranting veteran encounter a couple of months ago, I have taken a second look at who is complaining and why. Sometimes it is your VA doing a poor job and sometime it is people/veterans who are trying to "cut in line" by not doing what needs to be done and getting put at the head of the line because they are acting like a spoiled child.

29palms
08-15-14, 09:12 AM
Willy, you're probably right. I just think that it depends on which VA you go to also. Some are just run better or not as overwhelmed as others. I couldn't believe the amount of people using the VA hospital in Houston. I couldn't even get a parking spot. I bet finding answers and asking questions to some of these employees must have been hair pulling. Can you imagine the old guys that suffer dementia or can't think straight for themeselves? That are single or living alone? Totally impersonal. No help there at all. They get lost in the shuffle. When I took the old man to the VA here in Houston, I just couldn't believe it. I told him to use his medicare and use the hospital right up the street, but like alot of vets, they'd rather have it free. You know, I don't qualify myself for the VA since active duty time is less than 24 months of active duty, but sometimes I wonder. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

FistFu68
08-15-14, 12:21 PM
Enjoy it while You can ive been w/The VA System since 1969 for Multiple GunShot Wounds Agent O exposure was Diagnosed my Specialist with Combat Fatigue back then.Am @ the VA Thunder Bird Clinic right now in Nurses Room Got a Mysterious Rash 11 months ago.Nurse is trying 2 look @ Rash w/Flashlight but guess what the Batteries in the Flashlight Are Dead No Chit that was 9:49 it's 10:13 been sitting in the Dark since while they do what they do why not just turn the Light Switch ON.If Your getting great Medical Care @ the VA great but with all these Techno Savvy Rocket Scientist I've seen a Rapid Decline in the VA Health Care System in My 45 years but I'm not Pi$$ed Im just a # Semper Fi

FistFu68
08-15-14, 12:37 PM
It's now 10:37 a Veteran that is Alot more Messed Up than Me could have been given this Time Kinda Catch My Drift :confused:

advanced
08-15-14, 12:53 PM
Last week I went to my medicare Dr. for my annual checkup. 1st time I've seen this Doc and he spent about a half hour with me and showed interest, unlike the va where I am also just a number. I told this doc the same things I had been telling my doc at the va for the past 2 years, but this doc listened 2 me and put me on the electro cardiogram machine. After he saw the printout he said I'm calling you an ambulance and you're going straight to the hospital. You have A-Fib.

I drove home and my wife carried me up to the "private" hospital where I spent the night a week ago Thursday. I was treated very well. They stopped my heart the next day and then kick started it back. I was going on 60% heart function and could have had boo koo blood clots, that's why the doc said this was an emergency. I'm feeling great once again, what a difference right after I woke up.

You see, at the va we are just a number and as such they just strung me along and I could have been 1 of those statistics that got killed off because of the va's lack of sufficient care. Thank God I took out that medicare insurance.

FistFu68
08-15-14, 02:31 PM
GodBless You Russ...Now on2 this VA Mess this ain't about Me it's beyond that 4 Every HonorablyDischarged Vet & Family there's alot of Incompetence of most Paper Shufflers that are Big Time sucking...

29palms
08-15-14, 04:58 PM
Last week I went to my medicare Dr. for my annual checkup. 1st time I've seen this Doc and he spent about a half hour with me and showed interest, unlike the va where I am also just a number. I told this doc the same things I had been telling my doc at the va for the past 2 years, but this doc listened 2 me and put me on the electro cardiogram machine. After he saw the printout he said I'm calling you an ambulance and you're going straight to the hospital. You have A-Fib.

I drove home and my wife carried me up to the "private" hospital where I spent the night a week ago Thursday. I was treated very well. They stopped my heart the next day and then kick started it back. I was going on 60% heart function and could have had boo koo blood clots, that's why the doc said this was an emergency. I'm feeling great once again, what a difference right after I woke up.

You see, at the va we are just a number and as such they just strung me along and I could have been 1 of those statistics that got killed off because of the va's lack of sufficient care. Thank God I took out that medicare insurance.

WOW. Good move. Sometimes those kinds of decisions make the difference. I think my doctor is over aggressive, and sometimes I think he makes a mountain ou of a mold, but I gotta admit, he's pretty dam good being pro-active..

USMC 2571
08-15-14, 09:36 PM
Real good move, Russ.....

advanced
08-16-14, 09:07 AM
Thanks y'all, I'm still here and more full of **** and vinegar than ever.

Baker1971
08-16-14, 09:07 AM
I have no complaints with the VA Healthcare system.
Top notch :thumbup:.

Glad to hear the great outcome Russ.

Everywhere you go you will find good doctors and not so good doctors.

Just like woman. Some are better than others.

FistFu68
08-16-14, 09:20 AM
Russ That's the Only Way they'd be able 2 take Ya out by Pencil Whipping Ya ;) yep yesterday w/VA I Calmly semi low Voice when that PHD Lady leaned over & asked whats bothering You 2 Day I looked @ Her & said Very Calmly but Stern YOUR FIRED Go Easy Adios~~~~~~~Stopped Up front picked a Federal ***** Chit filled it out All the Way UP 2 President! Put in 4 All Her Medical Stuff in my medical records Freedom of Information Act...Alot of Them don't get It Yet I don't Work 4 them they Work 4 Me Master Guns You hang in there Big Guy I put in a Good Word 4 ya Sempers :D

Baker1971
08-16-14, 09:33 AM
Thanks Jack :thumbup:

29palms
08-16-14, 01:05 PM
Thanks y'all, I'm still here and more full of **** and vinegar than ever.

We've noticed. I'd say from your mug, you seem to have all your hair nicely combed too like the Wolfman Jack. Lady killer you.

advanced
08-16-14, 01:39 PM
We've noticed. I'd say from your mug, you seem to have all your hair nicely combed too like the Wolfman Jack. Lady killer you.

Compliments, compliments, if I didn't know any better I'd swear you were going for some points.

Phantom Blooper
08-16-14, 04:09 PM
Suck Azz!

Baker1971
08-17-14, 08:52 AM
Russ is still #1 :)

advanced
08-17-14, 12:41 PM
Some of you new members might not know this, but in the old War Room, in all of recorded history, there has only been 1 triple triple triple asshoole asshoole asshoole. If you'd like I'll give you all awhile to guess which Marine here holds that cherished honor. An honor I might ad which has never been duplicated.

FistFu68
08-17-14, 12:49 PM
:d

advanced
08-17-14, 01:06 PM
Not fair Jack, I know you know.

FistFu68
08-17-14, 01:40 PM
King A$$Hole :confused:

advanced
08-17-14, 01:47 PM
Jack that's the wrong answer

Phantom Blooper
08-17-14, 03:30 PM
As good as you look....you better watch yourself....stumps might think you are Queen Azzhole!

29palms
08-17-14, 03:57 PM
Cut it out ladies. This forum is full of azzholes war room or not. Leading the pack is............ lets see, where do I start?

FistFu68
08-17-14, 05:05 PM
Your making Me F**King Blush LMFAO :devious: