VA Medical Care

[Denvir Tire]

A few days ago in the politics thread, a comment regarding the state of care in the Veterans Administration Hospital system was made.
I would like to push back a bit.
The VA hospital in West Haven CT has delivered consistently good care for me and I'm grateful. Full disclosure, I've been a patient there for only a few years, and it's the only VA facility I've been to.

I'm sure there are poorly run VA facility"s, but my experience suggests not all.
If you've had good care from the VA, please share

 

[Red Leg]

A few days ago in the politics thread, a comment regarding the state of care in the Veterans Administration Hospital system was made.
I would like to push back a bit.
The VA hospital in West Haven CT has delivered consistently good care for me and I'm grateful. Full disclosure, I've been a patient there for only a few years, and it's the only VA facility I've been to.

I'm sure there are poorly run VA facility"s, but my experience suggests not all.
If you've had good care from the VA, please share

With the exception of the county Veterans Support Officer in competently working a long dormant disability claim, my only experiences with the VA system have been decidedly negative. On the other hand, Medicare combined with TRICARE for Life has proven a Godsend.

 

[ArmyAV8tor]

I also have nothing but good things to say about the James E VanZandt VA Medical center in Altoona, PA. I also echo Red Leg's sentiment regarding Medicare and TRICARE for Life.

 

[MS 9x56]

The VA had its problems in the 70’s to the 90’s. After desert storm a big push was initiated to upgrade and improve care. Very few veterans are complaining anymore.

 

[BnC 04]

I've been nothing but pleased with the care I've received at the Nashville VA. Granted I've only been there about 6-8 times but each time the service and care was very good in my opinion.

 

[Ridge Runner]

You asked for the good. I can give you both The Good: TVHS: Tennessee Valley Healthcare System: Nashville, TN. and The Bad: MHHS: Mountain Home Healthcare System: Johnson City, TN.

IIRC, Mountain Home V.A, Johnson City, TN where I initially started my claims was ranked as the worst in Tennessee and third worst in the nation. Having spent 2002-2014 or 2015 trying to get my V.A. rating, my hip replaced, lower back operated on, I stopped going to Mountain Home and am now going to Nashville V.A, Nashville, TN.

Due to Mountain Homes neglected to provide the needed operation to repair the damage to my lower back, and other medical care, the Nashville V.A. determined my back was now (in 2014 or 2015) unable to be operated on, leaving me with permanent back pain and has since moved up my spine with degenerative disk.

In 2014 or 2015, my first visit to the Nashville V.A., I had my rating in 2 weeks, first upgrade 10 days later, second upgrade 14 days later, third upgrade 3 or 4 months later, my hip replaced 14 months later. Initially my hip was scheduled within a year, but there were defects with the original mechanical replacement hip. Two or three years later I received my 100% Total and Complete disability rating.

 

[Hooknbullet2]

The Audie Murphy VA center in San Antonio, Texas has been doing a great job of helping my uncle for the last 10 years.

 

[Ridge Runner]

The VA had its problems in the 70’s to the 90’s. After desert storm a big push was initiated to upgrade and improve care. Very few veterans are complaining anymore.

I don't know about your area. But in Tennessee veterans are still complaining about the lack of V.A. healthcare.

I'll echo @Red Leg's thread, getting a V.A. claim processed through the V.A. system has a lot to due with the competency of area Veteran Service Officer (VSO). Some are good at filing claims while others are just good at collecting their paycheck.

 

[Taylorz1]

Ive worked for over 11 years for the VA as a physician. If I could get my care at the VA I would but am a civilian. There have been multiple studies showing that Veterans getting their care outside the VA are many times more likely to have unnecessary or not-indicated procedures.Sadly this is all $ driven. Also the outcomes are statistically better for index procedures done within the VA then outside. Ive had a number of patients see me and Ive told them I wouldn’t recommend a particular procedure then go and have the procedure done in the private sector. Invariably the outside physician tells the patient something to the effect that “the VA just didn’t want to take care of your problem”. The reality is really that the outside provider had boat payments to make. Another issue re bad press and the VA is that it will not aggressively counter false/inaccurate claims made by patients/detractors. In the private sector if a patient is inaccurately (or accurately) criticizing a hospital system they should be prepared for a letter from the hospital lawyer. That never happens at the VA and I can say, having been part of the investigation into some of the complaints, many highly publicized complaints made by patients were absolute fabrications. That said it isnt a perfect system- no system is. All VAs have a patient advocate in place to help patients with issues/grievances and I can say they do avidly advocate in the patients best interests. You wont find that in the private sector.

 

[RyanPalmer]

I think it had some growing pains with the influx of us GWOT folks. Seems to be much better than it was in ‘07.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Our South Texas VA hospital has given out very good health care, my Dr and team are awesome and I’ve got no complaints.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve found it really depends on the VA Hospital/Area and individual doctors or staff you get. The hospital @Denvir Tire mentions has been the best one I’ve been treated at and only one where I didn’t have negative experiences. I believe some of this has to do with their proximity to Yale and the number of Yale Docs who work/volunteer there.

Other VA Hospitals/Areas I’ve used
Providence, RI
Boston, MA
New Brunswick, NJ
Atlanta, GA
Columbus, GA
Nashville, TN
Jackson, MS
Birmingham, AL
Houston, TX
Waco, TX
San Antonio, TX
College Station, TX

 

[Jeff 907]

My experience at the Anchorage VA has been pretty positive. Retired 8 years ago and just had my forth surgery. Two of which were done on-base with a military orthopedic. Dr. Mead has been top notch.

The only knock I’d say is that the community care referrals have been bogged down at times. So scheduling care can be delayed.

 

[Muledeerchaser]

I was a RESIDENT at the VA Medical Center and the Oregon Health Care University in Portland, Oregon starting in 1987. The two Institutions are connected by a skybridge. I personally thought all the Doctors, Nurses and Staff were excellent caregivers. Most of the Physicians and Surgeons at the University were also Consultants at the VA.
A lot of the problems with the VA System is actually getting the care, not the care itself.
Maybe it is time to take care of American needs, and quit shipping money to Foreign Governments. It really is time for America First….

 

[wildwilderness]

I too have had good care at the Anchorage VA. Just minor stuff and preventative care has been easy.

My Dad has used the San Diego VA for 25+ years starting with a cancer diagnosis. He has no complaints and is still going strong (the 100% disability rating has definitely helped his retirement especially with his reserves retirement (tricare) and private 401k and Medicare he has virtually no healthcare costs)

 

[Altitude sickness]

I get my annual physical at the local VA clinic and always have great service. Anything more than that I Use TriCare and private sector so no complaints here. All positive

 

[SaintPanzer]

A lot of the problems with the VA System is actually getting the care, not the care itself.

This has absolutely been my experience.

 

[gearguywb]

I am going to civilian doctors instead of VA here in KC.

VA damn nearly killed me2 years ago. I was on a watch program for a heart issue. Testing annually at the VA Hospital. The cardiologist said as long as there were no changes in my test results all was good.

Fast forward a couple of years. I get tested in my birth month (Oct). Just like prior years, I dont hear from them so assume (dangerous) there are no changes.

I need the cardiologist the end of May for a letter that i need regarding CDL medical.

I walk into his office, he pulls up the test and says "0h shit". Not something you want to hear in that environment. Needless to say there was a significant change in the test results.

Long story short, I have lost faith in them (the VA). I call a local surgeon that I had been working with for some time on competitive shooting. He gives me a recommendation for a cardiologist and lets them know I will be calling.

I get in to see him the following day.

His advice "go home, sit n the couch. I will call you with the first available surgery date"

Thankfully it worked out, but a fairly concerning event that could have been avoided.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

If you are happy to wait over a year for anything to happen, never want to see the same doctor twice, and a seemingly endless supply of 800mg Motrin as well as numerous other failures, the VA may be for you.

Having said that, the Wichita Falls VA clinic has wonderful people (unlike any other one I have dealt with). However, they have about the same capabilities and logistics as an Infantry BN aid station. Anything beyond their ability requires a LONG wait and a trip to Lawton OK or Oklahoma City. That includes simple procedures such as hearing and eye exams. However, for most medical needs, we use Tricare.

I hope everyone else has a better experience.

Safe hunting

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Clinics at Great Falls, MT and Fargo, ND and Superior, WI have been great. The hospital in Minneapolis has been fantastic.