Here we go again…
As the population of U.S. veterans becomes more diverse and vets’ needs, from employment to medical treatment, continue to evolve, the demographic remains among the most difficult to survey.
A subset of the general population, veterans are most easily reached en masse through Department of Veterans Affairs rolls. But that leaves approximately half of all veterans out, according to the Pentagon-linked Rand Corporation think tank.
Full article, HERE from Navy Times.
It seems like ‘we’ get a survey every couple of months from either the VA or .gov. And from what ‘we’ can see, our answers go nowhere. Agent Orange was one of, if not the biggest one. Those surveys went back to the 90s, and we finally got the PACT Act 2022 for ‘VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances‘… italics mine. So they snuck us in under the ‘other toxic substances’…
47 years later… And we’re losing Vietnam Vets at an average of something over 500/day. And yes, Agent Orange is definitely a contributory factor for those who served in country and in Thailand.
At least the Gulf War 1 and GWOT troops are getting treatment quicker!
But the reality is a lot of Vets have just given up on both the VA and .gov for any kind of care or help. I know I managed to talk at least two Vietnam vets into going to the VA and getting checked, and now both of them have over 50% disability, and one is getting treated by community care for skin cancer from Agent Orange.
If you know a vet, PLEASE get them to give the VA another chance, they deserve to have adequate care! Yes, I waited almost 20 years before I ever tried them, but honestly, I’ve been basically happy with the treatment and care I’ve gotten.
I agree to all the Veterans who might read this. Give the VA a chance. There are some hoops to jump through and the wait time can seem like it takes a long time. But the medical care is there for you. You can get help through service officers affiliated with service organizations like The American Legion, The VFW, The DAV or for post 911 vets The Wounded Warriors. These organizations are there to help and can make the transition to VA care less troubling.
There are two guys at my range that I will talk to. Both Vietnam Vets that do not think highly of the VA….
Any other suggestions for talking to them, please email or text me.
Once a Vet. gets established with the VA their primary care physician can prescribe medication at no cost to Vets. This alone can be a great savings especially with the rising cost of medications needed as we age. There are some hoops to jump through but its worth it.
Me mum was a doc at the VA.She could have made a lot more monies in private ect. but came from a military family and wanted to help,there are many folks in all jobs in VA that feel the same.
The bean counters can suck and any govt. org. will be a pain,but all vets give it a shot,you earned it/we all pay for the services so please use them.
You know that bit about it being hard to teach an elephant to tapdance? That’s kind of the way I feel about medical services at the VA.
This June, I realized I needed to get some hearing aids. I got a pretty quick appointment at the ear doctor, but the cost of the hearing aids was around $2500, and the fitting was extra, and my insurance didn’t cover any of that. No way could I afford that. Then I found out the VA would give me free hearing aids. The only drawback was that the initial appointment was in September, so two months out. Then, it was another seven weeks for the hearing aids to be shipped. I got them last week, they work great.
The elephant did what it could: great product, for free. But it still can’t tapdance (long scheduling time).
However, one area in which they DO seem to be pretty responsive is in the area of emergency psych services. Suicidal vets get a VA bed the same day they show up for assessment, and if the beds are full, they transport to a private psych facility.
Maybe the secret is to tell the admitting clerk that the condition for which you seek help is driving you to consider suicide. It’s like going to the emergency room because you cut your hand, and telling them you also have chest pains. Not entirely ethical, but it will get you at the head of the line for a treatment room.
Not that I have ever done that, mind you. That would be WRONG. Or something.
Hearing Aids: Been using since the early 90s. Retired 1/1/93 and began getting them from VA, always top of the line units. Been getting them from VA ever since, including a gizmo that connects to the TV. Wife asleep, I mute the TV and listen to it directly to the aids. Both of us love the feature.
Over the years have twice gone in for repair and was told I was eligible (I THINK 5 years?) for new pair, we’ll repair the old, you keep as spare, and here come new ones in 2 weeks.
TV to aids is via Bluetooth and reception is better and more crisp than my speakers. Afterall, the aids are tuned to me hearing profile — TV speakers are not.
Do not walk into the V.A. and claim to be suicidal to get to the front of the line , for jock itch or back issues or whatever. The old “threat to yourself or others” will stick with you for life . Once you start saying suicide at the V.A. , that whole patient/doctor privilege is out the door , and your form 4473 will be flagged for life . If you are suicidal do indeed seek help at the V.A. , No No Brother don’t say suicide at the V.A. to get an appointment sooner. I hope you were kidding in some way , cuz that is some shit advice, in addition you may just take an appt away from a vet who is at the end of his rope and desperately needs help, like Pronto Tonto.
1. Yes, I was attempting to make a funny, and also pointing out that the VA does an excellent job of providing mental health beds for veterans at risk to self. Sorry if my feeble attempt fell short.
2. I must also point out that seeking help for suicidal thoughts will NOT “flag your 4473 for life.” The pertinent line (question 21g) on the 4473 says:
“Have you ever been ADJUDICATED as a mental defective OR have you ever been COMMITTED to a mental institution?” (emphasis added) This explicitly does NOT apply to someone who voluntarily seeks help; it is written that way so as not to put a barrier to a veteran seeking assistance.
In the explanations for Question 21g is the statement:
“The term does not include a person in a mental institution for observation or a voluntary admission to a mental institution.”
Yeah okay ….go for it , self admit that you are a threat to yourself or others ,for no good reason , just cuz, and have it on your VA record , great idea. What was I thinking ? You’re right , I’m not a lawyer , thanks for setting me straight . LOL !!!
Happy Halloween !!
FWIW: My first-ever time at the VA hospital was for an annual physical. Doc said “When we’re done here, go upstairs and tell the mental health folks I told you to report to them.” I did so. Without even getting my name or knowing which Doc sent me, they said “We’re busy. Come back in six months.” Good thing I didn’t show up because I was desperate.
Tother side of the story. Twelve years active duty with VN deployment 65-66 1st Inf Div. Also much time overseas due to critical MOS. While I could have made the twenty, I got tired of serving under officers who were unwilling or afraid to stand behind NCOs in matters of discipline and leadership. After discharge investigated VA care. Long waits, distant facilities, snarley staff and full no cost employ insurance, I just couldn’t justify all the hoops. It may be better on the east coast but here in the forty mile between interstate exits west it just ain’t worth it.
I’ve never heard that about Vietnam vets at the VA , I always thought they were golden , and they earned that , No offense meant or implied. I too live in EastBF , and agree with the Snarly staff. It is about 50/50 at my VAMC and small CBOC . The staff either cares a lot or couldn’t give two shits . The turnover rate is surprising , I’ve had 6 Primary doctors in 12 years , including one for 6 months who was only doing video conferences , that was BS I told them call me when you get a doctor physically at the clinic , you can’t do real “doctoring” on a zoom call . I once confirmed an eye appt 5 times , 3 by phone automated call, 2 by in person call. On the 6th call , I got a little irate and expressed myself clearly that I was going to make the appt. and quit calling me . Upon going to the appt , they had me under close scrutiny , evidently the clerk got his feelings hurt and filed a complaint. They even had a cop follow me and my wife out , at some distance, “tailing” us to our vehicle . I popped down the tailgate of my truck and sat down asked the cop about it as he passed by and he just rolled his eyes and laughed and said “just doin my job” . I have many VA stories , OldNFO has told me after all my monkey encounter stories overseas “I am that one guy” . I guess I am .
My experience with the Denver VA was frustrating. Later, I relocated and came under the area served by the Cheyenne VA. That has been a much better experience. My main use is for prescription meds, a huge savings for me. Once a year I go in for an exam, which I term proving I’m still alive, and some physical therapy.
I have written elsewhere that my 100% disabled medic son’s death might not have happened if the Charlotte VA had been quicker to respond to his septic ankle. With a wife and five children, he was self medicating simply to keep working and he accidentally overdosed. Let me be clear. A man doesn’t buy his son a fishing pole in the afternoon and then take his own life that evening.
I wasn’t in the military, so I’ve never had a dealing with the VA. I do know some that have had dealings, and from what I’ve seen, the standards of each facility vary, and while some are very good, some facilities are not doing a good job. An old WW2 veteran that I knew that died a few years ago was treated like royalty by the VA.
“Surveys” are intended to give the appearance of action. Not to actually accomplish anything. Like Polling….where the goal is to FORM public opinion, not to measure it.
I can’t complain about the medical care I’ve received, but I’ll shout like hell about the rules the bureaucrats in the VA make the medicos follow in limiting the delivery of that care. What I’ve received has been great, BUT it hasn’t gone far enough thanks to the rules.
Also, it took me 2 years to get a vet to finally carry his ass to the VA. BUT, I had to do it via his wife. I pushed and pushed and pushed her and she pushed him. Finally, he went to the VA and began treatment. A year later she had the kids and they were divorced. Not sure how I am supposed to feel about all that and my role in it.
All- Thanks for your comments, and yes, there are good and bad ones, no question. Dallas sucks, OKC (where I go), has been excellent if slow. I agree that it just doesn’t work for everyone, but dammit, I hope folks at least try!
Also, got this from a friend- Spam call- I get spam calls in the office all the time phishing for info. This one had a concerning Caller ID. It claims it’s coming from VET AFFAIRS. The voice on the line is the recorded or AI “Hello?” pause “Are you there?” They hang up whether you say anything or not, but they are clearing farming for people that will pick up a call from that ID.
Madison, WI VA does a “town hall” on the phone with something like 1,500 vets all listening. When I got the invite, I thought it was stupid. Boy, was I wrong! It was informative and entertaining and lessened my feeling of isolation that a lot of vets have. It prompted me to go to a local VA clinic open house the next day. Hey, free food and a chance to hang with people who “get it”. Recommended.
After open heart surgery (covered by private insurance), my wife finally convinced me to go for VA coverage. Full medical through VA now. Good timing because I am losing my current job and insurance.