As the year winds down, we are taking a moment to reflect on the work that VA’s public servants have done in 2022 to fulfill our mission to serve Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors as well as they have served our country.
In our new report, “Serving America’s Veterans,” we lay out an overview of VA’s major accomplishments for Veterans in 2022, including:
- Providing more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before: Over the past two years, VA has delivered more care and benefits to more Veterans than ever before. As a part of that effort, VA has completed more than 7 million disability and pension claims for Veterans, an all-time VA record that broke the previous year’s record high by 12%. This resulted in Veterans receiving over $5.8 billion in retroactive awards and over $3 billion in monthly VA compensation awards (Fiscal 2022 statistics). VA also provided more than 100 million clinical encounters, with VA serving over 9 million patients. This included roughly 38 million in-person appointments and more than 14 million telehealth-telephone appointments.
- Expanding access to care and benefits for millions of toxic-exposed Veterans and survivors: VA has implemented the PACT Act, the largest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in decades. The initiative expands VA health care and benefits eligibility to generations of toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors. Veterans have already filed more than 200,000 PACT Act-related claims, and VA has screened more than 900,000 Veterans for toxic exposures. For more info, visit gov/PACT.
- Driving down Veteran homelessness: Veteran homelessness dropped by 11% since 2020, the biggest drop in more than five years. Additionally, VA is on track to provide permanent housing placements for more than 38,000 Veterans this calendar year.
- Fighting to end Veteran suicide: VA released its 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which showed that Veteran suicides decreased in 2020 for the second year in a row, and that fewer Veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006.
- Expanding caregiver support to Veterans of all eras: In October, VA expanded its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to include eligible Veterans and family caregivers of all eras.
- Provide lasting resting places at VA cemeteries: VA interred more than 140,000 Veterans and family members at VA cemeteries. VA is also now providing almost 94% of Veterans with access to burial sites within 75 miles of their home and has expanded its Veterans Legacy Memorial program to about 4.5 million Veterans—keeping Veterans’ stories alive long after they’re gone.
- Increasing Veteran trust in VA: The latest VA Trust Report showed that an overwhelming majority of VA’s customers trust VA (77.3%) and VA health care (89.9%), an increase from last year. Those figures are yet another byproduct of the steadfast commitment by VA’s dedicated employees. You can find quarterly updates of VA’s statistics right here.
VA also took steps in 2022 to:
- Launch a new crisis line number to connect Veterans to 24/7 support: 988, then press 1.
- Provide VA abortion access to Veterans and eligible dependents in cases of rape, incest and pregnancies that endanger the life or health of the pregnant Veteran.
- Harness technology to develop a new tool called “Rapid Ready for Decision,” which cuts Veterans’ wait times to receive disability benefits from months to minutes.
- Guarantee nearly 575,000 home loans.
- Field nearly 50 million calls to VA contact centers, including almost 700,000 to the Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
- Provide online access to VA services with VA.gov, which garnered over 120 million page views, including over 16 million on VA’s main news site: news.va.gov.
All of these statistics boil down to the one metric that matters most: Veterans’ lives saved or improved by the work VA public servants do every day.
There is still so much work to do in the coming years. But as Secretary McDonough often says, VA will continue to “fight like hell” for Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors and make sure VA provides them with the world class care and benefits that they deserve.
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I have been using the VA since 2008… in 1972 I went to the VA office in Newark NJ trying to get my educational benefits corrected. I told the service person I was suffering from severe headaches, sharp pains in my right ankle and right knee, and told them I was told I had sprained my ankle in the Air Force. I was told since I was not a combat veteran, no care would be available, unless the pain got so bad I couldnt walk. Years later it was determined by two outside Orthopedic Surgeons that both my ankles had been broken, and I had walked on them for 40 years. Even with all the evidence, Xrays and confirmations by DPM, Physical therapists.. it took the VA 6 years to finally grant disability for my ankles and my knees, but denied my claim for the damage to my neck and back.
While I have seen an improvement at Lyons NJ (especially when President Trump forced and investigation) after all the veterans died waiting for appointments. It is time to change VA math, which is designed to denegrate proof that shows a that additional symptoms are associated with your injuries, and then the VA states since they are part of the originally claim, they are not considered.
Finally we need more Doctors (M.D.’s) less D.O’s less NP and APN’s and more people who speak english clearly especially on the phone.
Good job ,
To whoever,
The VA is a scam and has NOT done great work !
My experience is with the VA at Martinsburg West Virginia and Fort DeTrick Frederick Maryland
The VA is a scam !
No not true
To whoever,
The VA is a scam and so is Wayne Booker
The VA is a scam !
To whoever,
There are no dentist services for vets
The Martinsburg West Virginia VA is a scam
The VA is a scam
Nurses do NOT give their correct names so they won’t be fired
Secure email only has a disclaimer to CYA and says don’t use your IPhone
The VA is a scam!
To whoever,
Secure email is broken and just a disclaimer is posted to CYA
A nurse told me at Fort DeTrick Frederick Maryland that they give fake names to not be fired
At Martinsburg West Virginia can have an operation and whatever is prescribed for pain will be charged to something else
The VA is a scam !
Let’s have less self-righteousness and hubris here. What most people, Veterans included, need to heal and thrive are real relationships between people who care. If there is one thing I have learned in four decades of government service, it is that Government and Bureaucracies do not, and cannot care. They are not a source of loving kindness, but instead are a false god that sucks up the resources of our nation and future.
At the VA, you still do not publish your phone numbers, nor answer the ones the most determined veterans manage to find.
You still do not answer e-mails or snail mails. You get computers to answer poorly, or to hide the messages from yourselves as you fail to answer at all.
You still mis-manage websites, and leave thousands and thousands of your veterans confused, unserved and angry, and you do it on purpose, hoping we’ll just give up on asking the government to keep its promises.
You still constantly recreate your systems while expecting veterans to relearn them each time by osmosis or by trial and error, if at all. They are designed to make your lives easier, not ours.
Like all of health care and social services, you still spend more on gatekeepers than on care providers. This is a part of your empire building, centered on making jobs for bureaucrats that vote for and contribute to the parties of the bureaucracies. The charitable theory for this is that if the VA can just shield the care-givers from the care-givees, the care-givers will stick around. But they trained for years to be care-givers because that is what they want to do. Free your people from their captors, which you’ll find in the mirror, not in the people who need care.
You still manage the VA so that the people entitled to care and benefits will die before their costs cut into your empire building efforts, and when you do splurge on healing or educating or housing a veteran, we cynically come to think that it is just so you have a public relations story for Congress.
You still spend our children’s tax dollars on palaces, rather than on civilian contractors that could provide the same services under existing roofs. The empire- edifice complex of our government is most breathtakingly visible in the VA, as it strives to build monuments to itself and to big government, placing them ever closer to the voters, and yet making them ever harder to get into. It reminds me of how Saddam Hussein built palaces for himself all over Iraq.
You still ask veterans to critique their doctors while being congenitally unable to ask veterans to critique the VA’s administrators, because you know that the administration is where the real problem lies. You just don’t want to acknowledge it, much less solve it.
You still hire computer programmers to build computer systems that proclaim that you care about people, because you don’t care enough about people to communicate with them person-to-person. For example, at the end of this comments section you ask for a “website.” I have no idea what you mean here, but your computer folks assume I know. Did anyone test this with veterans before you published it? When I took stab at it, the computer rejected it and replied with a pre-formatted statement that you want a “URL.” Does this mean you want me to list the address of the website where you might have posted this? I don’t know where that is in cyberspace, and am not going to go looking for it in order to make a comment. Or do you mean the website where I get my e-mail? You sent this self-generated report card (chutzpah!) to a lot of veterans, including me, as an e-mail. Would this have something to do with the
“(United States Army Medical Materiel Agency’s) Revolution in Logistics?” That is a definition I found when I looked for a definition for the acronym “URL,” along with twenty others.
You are the only folks I know who still make me wear a mask to walk in your door, no matter how senseless it is, because this is all about control freaks doing their thing to assert their petty power. Before the pandemic turned millions more of us into cranks, the VA was designing the template for other federal bureaucrats to follow. You don’t want to see our faces, because they are human ones, and what is worse, you don’t want people to see your faces because they are becoming inhuman ones.
Your report card is the work of a false God, worshipping itself.
I love the Saginaw MI, VA hospital. My primary care, mental health, nurses, and all staff are very professional and friendly. They saved my life.
I can say that I have had a few great providers at the VA Sepulveda in California. However, the majority of my experience with employees from administrative to providers has been lacking pretty severely. This is nothing new, my father and uncles had similar things to say upon returning from Vietnam. Top heavy with admin and management and no enough actual providers and a whole lot of whitewash. I think we deserve better but I have doubts that better will ever be achieved in any meaningful way.
Can’t understand why the age limit for an expedited claim review is set at 85 years of age when the life expectancy in the US is 78 years of age. I’m 78, have two separate reviews in the system, and wondering if the VA is actually waiting for me to die so they won’t have to deal with my claims any longer.
An Outstanding continued effort by the VA!!
Some of you talk about your great care – maybe that’s right where you live (although I don’t know what you are measuring against). But not here, as a “teaching” hospital. I either see mostly residents or even students. There’s almost never an attending to supervise, depending on the day and the clinic. You never get to even see the same resident – it’s however is “up next.” Also, residents don’t stay in a particular clinic for more than 60 days – I’ve had one give me a 60-day course of medication, and work out a plan for after that; when I return, she’s moved onto some other clinic. The guy I see is not even familiar with the plan; when I get him to read the notes, he agrees it’s a good plan – but then he says he’s got something he’d rather do, and abandons her plan.
I broke my leg, the closest ER was civilian. They gave me a big boot. I got into the VA a couple of weeks later; the orthopedic surgical resident told me I didn’t need to wear it. I had a foot problem, and the student in podiatry (only took 3 months to get in) gave me off-the-shelf orthotics that turned out to be wrong – when I called in to say it was hurting, they told me to just wear it longer. Took 14 months from the original visit to the overflow clinic until I had the custom orthotic. Another visit to podiatry – the student that time was unsure what to do. The supervisor she called in was a resident. He didn’t know what to do, and called in an attending. He said to give me a certain shot in a certain place, and even pointed it out. While the student was mixing the chemicals, the resident filled out some paperwork. Turns out they then forgot the exact spot for the injection, and they asked me… I told them to go ask the attending but they refused. In urology, after a bad episode with a kidney stone, over time I saw 4 residents, two physician assistants, and two nurses (one of the nurses knew more than all of the other people combined). Each one had a different idea of what to do. Once I had a skin biopsy, which developed an infection. I called in and told them I was seeing the symptoms on the paper they sent home with me – the resident on the phone said don’t worry about it. I went back to the clinic, and showed a nurse. She handed me off to another resident, who was unsure what to do. An attending just happened to be doing rounds with a bunch of students; when he stuck his head in, he told her of course I had an infection. Go to the ER with abdominal pains? See a resident specializing in dermatology. Several trips to the ER over several weeks, being diagnosed with things like heart attack and ulcers, and it turns out to be a gall stone attack (ultimately took 5 months to get surgery). Hurt my ribs, went to the ER. The resident won’t do any imaging. Instead I get a prescription for pain pills (which I didn’t want). I went to pharmacy, and when the pharmacy technician checked, she told me i would have a bad interaction with another med I take. I asked Shouldn’t the ER doc have known that? – the pharmacy tech said Oh yeah, it’s flagged in the system.
Think that’s all? Nope, but I think I’ve made my point…
The information you provided does not represent the type report card that allows for measurement of success against a standard. It appears to be mostly a list of topics that are key and important, but it tells the Veterans little about the level and proficiency of how goals were met.
Now, I know that this is well within the VA’s ability to do so, because the military has taught thousands on Strategies, Goals, Objectives, and its subsequent measurement.
So, on this attempt at a report card, I would have to say that VA has done great work, but it can’t be quantified fully. Only macro data statements have been made.
Very happy with the VA services in Oklahoma City, and VA in general. Everyone seems truly interested in helping veterans.
I am very satified with the V A Hospital at San Juan (Doctors. Nurses and the ons that work there) I do not Drive or have a car. If you could give us that service for a small fee it wl be better for US. Thanks for yur help.
our government takes better care of those crossing the border and invading our country than they do for the men and women who have made this country free.
Completely agree!!!
you are so right
Contacting VA assistance is still a nightmare! No one answers the phones! New buildings, new information: same customer service! Same problem for years. No supervisors to bring this problem to their attention!
I use the Houston VA and the Houston Regional office. I have never had better care outside the VA as I have had the last 22 years. I had the same primary care doctor for 18 years. She knew my family and even my dogs name. I had relatives that used the VA after WW2 and Korea. It was a different atmosphere prior to 1990 when they moved into a new building. Everyone goes out of their way to assist you and treat you cordially. That doesn’t mean every little thing is perfect all the time and neither is civilian healthcare. All my issues have been addressed. You need to be familiar with the SOPs and your responsibilities. It’s rare for someone to mention to me being mistreated at Houston VA Hospital. That wasn’t the case in the 50s,60s,70, early 80s. The primary clinics set up was a giant improvement.
One they forgot to mention was the varying level of service from VA Medical center to another and in some cases substandard as in Omaha to Colorado VA Medical Center even before the new one was built. Some high ranking people at Omaha have no desire to meet the level of Denver let alone exceed Colorado
I would give VA a 0
In the year 2020 I needed help and the V.A. CRISIS LINE was there for me and a very special LPN that kept me from killing myself. Any Vet who needs help the V.A. will be their.
I was rejected by the VA for exposure to Agent Orange because I was stationed in Thailand rather than in Vietnam. Will there be an opportunity now to reinvest that proposal…now that Agent Orange is well known to be used, not only in Thailand, but elsewhere in SE Asia?
I urge Congress & Senate not to put out issues that’s impossible to impose concerning claims speed up processing time from month to minutes, who are you trying to fool?
n.d. VA is the best.
Here in Western New York the VA does a great job. We have several Medical Centers within 100 miles and a clinic in our small village. All of the care my 140% disabled Viet Nam veteran husband receives is outstanding. He is followed in cardiology, podiatry, nephrology, infectious disease, dermatology, dentistry, pain management, pharmacy, and–of course–his wonderful primary physician.
If your care is substandard, let your Congressperson and Senators know. Get on a first name basis with your VA social worker and your primary provider’s receptionist and nurse. Follow up on any paperwork that is in limbo. (Do it at least every 2 weeks.) Ask if they need more information. Do something positive to make things better. Change takes work. Be a courteous–but squeaky–wheel. Care is available. But you may have to fight for it.
Continue with the good customer service.
I am so impressed by all of my medical
Treatments. I just want you guys to know how much we appreciate your care..
Why have I not received any travel the last 4 times I’ve filled out a travel voucher?
Sorry my claim from 1997 has been denied & denied upon appeal. Lost records on the part of the USAF left my radiation claim for Thyroid cancer denied. Had follow up evidence and was still denied. Lost faith in the system which relies on DENY, DENY until I die.
VA personal security sucks, there is nothing like va releasing peoples security information to everyone in the va system. not only that va is a personal information gatherer. VA has been hacked and will get hacked again and every one in the va system is vulnerable. Why don’t the VA stop gathering personal information being release to the public.
Yes I was permanently injured in the army in 1991 it took me almost 30 years to start receiving my benefits I am 100% disabled from my injuries in the army in 1991 and I’m only receiving a 20% disability rating I feel like I am being taken advantage of I’join the military because I was a proud American citizen wanting to fight for my country I had a good job and we were at war I joined to fight for my country I was injured and I deserve my full benefits.
High approval ratings based on them surveys sent out to only veterans they know will give a high rating. My 100% disabled veteran husband used to get a yearly survey from Togus Maine VA hospital. He was RED BOXED and discriminated against that started in 2008. Since, 2008, he has not received a single satisfaction survey. So, if the VA only sends the surveys to veterans they know are satisfied is what gives them a rating that is not accurate and is biased. Also, my husband’s pending compensation claim has been put aside and left undecided now for years after he refused to take the expedited route to his pending claim that has non-VA as likely as not medical reports from two different neurologists yet the VA can just sit on this claim indefinitely. My fear is they are waiting for him to die and will never address the fact he is 100% service connected and not 90% as he now is claimed to be. As his caregiver, I have been continually denied access to any support services period. Always told Togus has no Caregiver Support programs when their website states otherwise. That is discrimination and nobody that should gives a rat’s ___. No privacy either. I have to let them know who I am to enter this comment. I bet nothing good becomes of it.
Contact you state Senator to Congress skip you US Representative.
Love the VA for their excellent, comprehensive health care provided to this Veteran. I’ve had several of the same doctors since 2010. I feel fortunate to receive this high quality health care.
Phone calls not answered, trying to find out if Atomic bomb vets are included in the new Pact-Act. I’m one of those exposed to Radiation, 1957 Camp desert Rock NV. The test was Operation Plumbob May 1957. Not much help for those who were exposed.
ANY HELP OUT THERE!
Harold G. Reposa, US Marine Corps
THIS REPORT IS NONSENSE! I am a 69 year old Totally and Permanently disabled veteran. I cannot get more than ONE APPOINTMENT A YEAR with my PCP. That is NOT progress, it’s regression in healthcare from just two years ago! This is primarily because my PCP has assigned to him, almost 1,100 patients! He is the 5th PCP I have had in 7 years!!! They all quit because of the workload and noncompetitive pay.
The VA can post all the politically correct rubbish they want to, about how much they have improved care, but the Veterans know their care has become progressively worse over the past 20 years and that is ground truth.
Instead of some senior SES or Appointed civilian at the VA providing an erroneous, or at best naive report, why don’t the Veterans provide an annual report? I think the VA would be astonished at the disparity between their report and the veterans’!
Have I engaged my advocates about this? Yes, but they work for the hospital administrator, NOT for the veterans. They should have a state, regional and national Advocacy chain of command to which they report, outside the hospital. Until this happens, hospital advocates will not ‘bite the hand that feeds them’ vice working exclusively and aggressively for improving care for the veterans!!!
Notwithstanding all of the above comments, when I actually get in to see my PCP, the majority of the employees in the VA healthcare facilities are exceptionally professional, courteous and helpful.
I am truly grateful for care and professional innovative treatment I receive my all my VA Primary Care and Specialty Care Teams since 2005. This is the date I started getting all my care from the VA.
I was also funded my retirement home with a VA loan this year.
I just can’t say thank you enough for all great service VA provides!
Respectfully Car B Shaffer, retired Army
As a veteran I want to think the VA of North Dakota and the VA office of Bismarck. PA Jackie Leingang is the most compassionate, caring practitioner I have experienced in the VA system. She not only consistently provides excellent care, follows up personal after testing, she listens when you just need to unload the burdens we veterans carry. As a veteran suffering from Gulf War illness the Bismarck VA is ensuring that I get care at the VA and at the local level. I know that not all VA are not created equally but the VA of North Dakota is an excellent example of what could be through out the VA system.
Great inprovements VA Drive-on !
At the time of my wife’s burial(she and I were both vets) there were no spaces in Indianapolis. We subsequently decided on burials at Ft Logan National Cemetery where we have family. We were unable to obtain any Vet caregiver assistance for her during her six year downward spiral due to altzheimers/covid. My Vet care has been greatly improved through the opening of te Brownsburg, IN clinic !
I was stationed overseas in Augsburg,GERMANY and on on June 9,1981, I got back to the barracks and a male soldier was on duty all night for CQ but was break so he said he had something to show me in his room so I walked with him while I was going to my room and I looked in his room and he had his tv ? on with pornography on it and I turned and looked at him and told him to f—— himself and I walked to my room and changed out of my uniform and then I went to bed and then I woke up in the hospital ? ……So then I applied for VA for my Service Connecetd Disability/HeadTrama and they only go back to the time I filed not to the time I became disabled hit in the head with an 8lb. Colbestone and raped in my barracks the same barracks that same soldier did his duty CQ. I was stationed at the USACC BARRACKS AT FORT SHERIDAN and HOW BOUT FIGHT LIKE HELL TO PROTECT YOUR FEMALE SOLDIERS WHILE THEY ARE OVERSEAS BACK IN THE NINETEEN EIGHTHS
I too had a TBI struck with an ax in head in 1989 and I was lost for many years however I to believe we should be back paid to the date of the accident
You have to staff more people answering the phones at the Dallas hospital. It takes days to get through to specific departments. Its unbeleviable!!!
Very complete and satisfying year. Appreciate all VA has done for me.
If a balanced report card were provided it would strengthen your objective (informing us what you do for us).
The service is so poor it’s unbelievable. Try nearly any va phone, no one answers. Try checking in for an appointment, but you have to wait until the employee completes their personal cell phone call.
VA needs to provide veterans with 100% paid dental care.
As with many other comments I also am not thrilled with the VA medical services (especially those in Hampton Roads) and have absolutely no trust in them. They couldn’t find my records half the time, took forever to make appointments and then made comments when I asked to be sent downtown, asked me repeatedly for information that had already been given to them, and many, many, many more issues. Issues also include being told they have several computer programs for veterans medical information that do not interact with each other so unless the provider or person helping looks everywhere often they don’t have all the information so could cause a medical problem for the veteran. They also then want to re-do evaluations/checks or say there weren’t prior ones done when there were. I felt it was so terrible that I’ve spoken to the Veterans Experience office numerous times about things with no changes evident. I recently requested a change to Richmond (even though I have to pay to travel further) because the Hampton facility is that bad. I feel for many who only use the VA hospital system out of need and am looking forward to turning 65 so I can use a local doctor with Tricare.
VA has been there for me in multiple medical and mental situations as a combat veteran… I also worked for the VA and found it helped me helping my fellow veterans… thanks for the opportunity I’m now 82 and appreciate the VA…thanks to all and Happy New Year.
I woke up from a surgery and I knew something was wrong the VA said nothing was wrong it took a year just to get my ear to heal I was falling and hurting myself I tried for three years to get help from the Va I filed for temporary disability since the problem was service connected the doctor said I could have went to work the next day I tried to get help from the VA again I was sent to see the crazy doctor and told it was all in my head I needed to go back to work and get over it that’s when I lost my business I went to see a specialist in a civilian hospital he said he could help me with a cochlear implant but when he took a MRI he was mad at me for not telling him I had no cochlear nerve but then he realized I didn’t know I went back to the hospital I tried to talk to somebody about it but nobody would talk to me about it not even the person that in charge of the hospital so nobody at the VA really cares about us I’m a retired combat veteran I always thought the government and the VA cared I was wrong nobody cared or tried to help me just talked down to me
Prostectics in East Orange, FAILED. My Doctor requested that I, get a walk out shower installed and after submitting all the paper work and photo’s to them, they returned it to me and gave me a dead-line to re-submit the paper work that would be itemized of how much does the cost of a screw or nail cost. let alone the material for the total job, being that I choose to go with a bid between 3 contractors, I chose the 1, at 5600.00 vs the 1’s asking for 10,000.00 or more. I never made the dead-line cause they gave me a week from the time I recieved the paper work back & the contractor was out of state at the time. And this isn’t the 1st time I had a Problem with this Department in East Orange.
To the doctor individually the department head as well as the VA Director, of the med center where this occurred at individually s patient experience glias on officer that overseas the patient advocate. You Also should file a formal complaint with the state medical board and ask the doctor that discovered the error about his findings and what should been done the botched operation.
The one thing that would help veterans is to return the easiness of claiming travel claims and other expenses to the way it was. The numerous steps it takes now is almost not worth it. 1/2 the travel we make for appointments or to the VA Facilities are not even on the record and to put it on is VERY DIFFICULT.
God Bless the VA and the men and women who do the work.
I thank the VA for all they do for me. They treat me with good care and respect
Keep up the good work.
THANK YOU!!!!
I’m still quite sure I’ll be dead before the VÀ processes my claims or gets me a complete physical exam by the VÀ.
Trying to get thru to anyone by phone is the most demoralizing thing I have to do. I listen to endless recordings and input my info over and over till I’m yelling at the phone and breaking things and talking to myself and answering myself as well. Then I get so angry, I get nothing else done the rest of the day.
In the past couple months I went thru a number of exam appointments. I wasn’t impressed with any of them. When I called Compensation and benefits a month or so later to check on any progress,, I was told the examiners haven’t even sent a report to anyone yet. Of course, as poorly as the interview went, I didn’t really expect anything would ever happen anyway.
I started my claim/s 30 years ago and just this year was awarded 20%. Somehow, I don’t believe I’ll last another 30 years to get to 2nd base.
Unlike my other four brothers who never saw combat, I’m the failing, disabled one.
For those Veterans who feel unrecognized, I say keep fighting the good fight. The VA is trying harder these days to take care of you – they really are! I work for the VA, and I want to make sure all my fellow comrades get the treatments they deserve! Please step forward to be recognized! Make sure if you need help with claims – please get them done correctly it will make things smoother and faster. Get a VA primary care doctor assigned to you, and you will get your appointments taken care of as soon as possible. But remember, there are a lot of us Veterans out here, so you might not get an appointment tomorrow, but you will get one, I promise you that.
I cannot say everything written in this article is true.
My health care at the VA in New Orleans has been Great, for many years, but there is one problem that I can’t be silent about.
I understand that this problem is Not limited to the VA. The CDC and DEA have prevented Doctors from treating chronic pain, from the way they were taught in medical school. The CDC and DEA have recently attempted to explain that Doctors misunderstood the “guidance” that they put out, concerning opioids for treatment of pain. I have known outstanding Doctors, outside of the VA that were destroyed by the DEA, because they continued to treat pain. I suffer from Chronic pain, and I can tell you that OTC medications and off label use medications don’t work for pain. I’ve never been a drug addict, so I find it insulting for anyone to imply that 3 bottles of pain medication per Year would make me a drug addict, so I don’t deserve treatment for my pain. I know that suicide is up among Veterans, and lack of pain treatment is a major cause, because untreated pain really lowers quality of life. I hope that the person reading this, isn’t just some administrator that never dealt with untreated pain, and the resulting quality of life issues. I wonder if the VA will pressure the politicians to fix this problem that continues to ruin quality of life and cost more lives every day. Please feel free to contact me on this issue, if you care.
I have had very good experiences at the VA hospital in Richmond. Also dealing with the VA about my compensation l had nothing but a good experience.
all amazing keep up the amazing work your doing for us vets a blessing to all of us especally me
Thank you for serving The Veterans
I was an FTA soldier after my first enlistment (1961-1964) and wanted nothing to do with the United States Army or government then, I re-enlisted for another three years (1965-1968) went to Berlin, Germany, Vietnam and then ETS’d in the states in my home state and still thought of not depending on the government for anything, until I went to work at a veterans homeless shelter as a Case Manager. It was there I found the VA and through working with my veteran clients decided to try the VA for my own health care coverage – I have never regretted it – and continue to this day seeing my PCP and the VA Specialists for other issues. I cannot give enough praise to my caretakers at my local VA for their consideration, knowledge and the excellent heath care I have received and look forward to being around for a lot longer now than when I was not in the care of the VA.
PS: I have regretted getting out and came to the conclusion that the best days of my life were in the United States Army. Thank You.
My experiences with the VA is all about the staff.
It isn’t the administration that makes the VAMC so special, it’s the Hospital staff’s exemplary care, from the doctors, nurses, receptionists, call center, kitchen staff, house keeping, etc.
Whenever I go to the Prov VAMC, I’m treated with respect, & kindness. Everyone genuinely cares about the Veterans. I always feel proud to be a veteran when I’m there. It feels like family.
My brother is a homeless combat veteran with PTSD, his disability benefits were delayed and delayed, so he had to resort to theft to survive living on the streets. He is also an addict. He has struggled for 14 years or more and getting very little help from the VA. He tried rehab thru the VA years ago (twice), but it was no help. I wish there was a better program for homeless vets.
If a 100% Vet dies before he has 10Yrs.in say only five yrs. at a 100% his wife should receive at least half of his 100% benefit.
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The system may works well in different areas but, how about I file claims and said ” yes the information is on file ” but no diagnosis. So why go to the V A and waste my time while the primary doctor at the va is not doing the job. If I go to an outside doctor I’ll get what I need to substantiate my case.
How about throwing your weight behind fully funding Concurrent Receipt. It was passed almost 20 years ago with a proviso to fund in increments until all disabled vets were covered. Never proceeded beyond the initial funding for over 50% disability. It is time the rest of us get our due.
Many thanks for being there for all who need you! You have certainly helped me over the years and many other veterans who served from WWII to currently. I am very thankful. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Sincerely,
Dianne
I am very happy with my VA in Spokane they do the best the can and I appreciate all they do.
The worst thing I have encountered was trying to get an appointment for anything. It can take from 2 to 6 months to get any appointment. Thank goodness I am in fair health and have a decent private insurance to use as my primary care because I had to have a cardiac triple bypass. If I had to wait for an appointment for the VA when I first felt something unusual in my chest, I would have had a heart attack or be dead.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE STAFF ST VA CLINIC MARTINEZ,CA
During the year 2022 my experience is that pharmacy has slowed to an acceptable level.
Same year travel allowance process has apparently ceased? I applied for travel allowance on my appointment on January 6,2020. I have received zero compensation from multiple appointments during the year.
I’ve been very happy with the Seattle and American Lake VA’s. The doctors and nurses have been very professional and very friendly. I’m 72 years old and my doctor is the best doctor I’ve ever had. I’m very satisfied with the VA here.
I give VA a vote of confidence in the way they treat us all the time. When someone complains it drives me up a wall they are very caring and thoughtful to ever get they come in contact. Yes sometimes people are just having bad day. Thank you for all you do for us.
Proud to say I am pleased with the VA service I receive. Patience and understanding are important considering their workload and staffing. Be kind and receive consideration and support in return
I love the VA. The greatest organization ever.
The VA Hospital here in Tucson, AZ is wonderful. I have been treated there for severable problems including Valley Fever. The Doctor treating me for this terrible infection was my Hero. I have had several problems (I am 88) and have always been treated kindly with respect .
Helping what veterans. I know a lot of veterans including me that get turned down more than helped. It seems nothing is military related any more. I spend 20 years in the Marine Corp and my knees were turned down because the C & P exam Dr who had no military experience said it was just old age and not military related. I guess running all the time to maintain the physical condition required by the Marine Corp, the marching and 20-mile condition hikes we did in the grunt units, rifle ranges don’t count either since a nonmilitary Dr said so. I’m filing for a higher review but don’t expect anything because I hear the Va Secretary and the workers get a performance bonus for doing a great job, is this for turning down veterans and saving money for the few they help. I also ask for a mental help appointment. What a joke that was. I was also denied sleep apnea since I never reported that I snored or jumped in my sleep while on active duty from 1971 to 1991. Sorry I wasn’t a Dr and knew better. I was issued a cpap machine by my nonmilitary Dr and refused by the military. Now, they are not giving a rating for sleep apnea since I was given a cpap machine. I know plenty of other vets in our area are not getting and benefits also. So where is the help we hear so much about.
VA care for veterans is absolutely ridiculous. I read this report and wonder who all these are that have been helped. I’ve never talked to one veteran that had been helped. Interesting to read all these comments. We seem to ask be in the same boat…no help.
Fortunately I can get my medications thru the VA. It takes a good 3 weeks for them to arrive by USPS. Consequently most often I’m running out and that’s dangerous for life saving meds. Why can’t we be treated like every other American citizen. Give us an insurance card that can be presented for medical care and prescriptions.
I like everything about VA care except the prescription process for renewing (not refilling) a prescription. It seems to take forever and I often run out after multiple calls and secure messages.
Thanks VA!
how come sevice connected tenitus is only 10% but “bi lateral hearing loss” is 0% and they are related to my hearing ability. (unless about totaly deaf, not coverd)
Always great service and care by very very professional caregivers. A sincere thanks and gratitude for the VA.
Thank you for what you did; however, yes, you still have a lot of work to do.
I appreciate what the VA does for me and I thank you
Filed a claim in July,2021 for hypothyroidism that is listed as a presumptive on the agent orange list. I was diagnosed more then 20 years ago and get my medicine from the VA. It took them a year to tell me I had a disability and would receive 0% disability because They looked at my VA records for 1 year and said everything is fine because it is controlled. Well, it is not under control, my medicine gets regulated every so often because it is not under control. I am going to file an appeal because, the people who looked at my record, didn’t see all the problems hypothyroidism causes.
The VA’ commitment to the Veterabs it serves is obvious, and palpable. I receive care at the Sayre, Pennsylvania OPC. My “team”c composed of my primary care physician (PCP), several nurses, a social worker, and multiple support and staff personnel have made me feel safe. They have treated my health issues promptly and with concern. I can never repay their friendship, kindness, and professionalism. I have no Medicaid, no Medicare, and no private insurance. Dental remains an issue that must be addressed via community care however. Thank God for the VA, and it’s invaluable employees.
I have struggled with PTSD from a Rape that occurred in 1976 for 46 years! Now.My anxiety and depression have gotten worse over the years even though I have been in therapy many years now. VA is trying to help but it has done so much damage to my life, family and friends!!
Twice the VA was suppose to get ahold of me to reschedule a appointment that they cancelled, and I haven’t heard a word back from them I do believe this is the worse year I have had with them when you see a Doctor and they ask ya what else can they do to help ya with a problem you have it don’t tell me much about the Doctors that are working with ya if I knew what else to do I wouldn’t be going to them
The VA system has come a long way since 1970 when I became a civilian again. Since 2005 when I got started on my journey, HST VA in Columbia,Mo showed me how a Veteran operated how veterans were to be treated. Now living in Florida I’ve been introduced Viera Clinic and I am convinced of the high quality of care! Thank you so much!
I have been trying for 2 months now to get strips for my blood machine to check my sugar…still haven’t received crap
I give Roseburg, Oregon’s VA Health Clinic an F except for Dr. Mary in the Urgent Care Department. I have never experienced so many RUDE and UNCARING employees in all of my life. My oldest son goes there and he is a disabled Army Veteran. He lives with me and I have gone with him on many an occasion and witnessed their rude and thoughtless behavior many times. It is appalling how they treat the Veteran’s of Douglas County (and beyond) at this facility.
It’s a shame that our local leadership lies about what our records indicate.
The only way to get this veteran to trust again is a meeting with the new director.
Otherwise trust will not be restored.
Thanks for all you have done. But, we still have not heard from the VA about our appeal in almost 3 years.
I am an 85 year old homeless, disabled veteran with a 60% rating. I have been trying for years to get an increase and for years my problems have been getting worst.
I think the heart less people on the Appeals Board need to be replaced by people who were veterans. I was looking for a place to live for the past 5 years. I get lots of phone numbers to call. When I call, I get more phone numbers to call and this goes on and on. I was called once back in August about a room at the Veteran Haven North a house build especially for veterans. I filled out a 15 page application and sent in all of my medical information and military papers. I visited the place and was interviewed by several people. When I returned home I had packed all of my stuff, ready to move. The place is insane. It is located on the very top of a mountain in New Jersey. On the way up the road it is like a ski slope. There is nothing going up the road which is about 4 miles up. A few days after I got home I received a call, stating that I had been accepted and to please sent the Covid card. I waited and waited, nothing. So, I contacted the Veteran Haven South home and was told they had room for me and to wait for a call for a telephone interview. After the interview the woman told me to wait and that someone will call me. I was called and a different person told me FLAT OUT you would not be getting a room at the home because you have a conviction (from41 years ago). I was pissed off. They have a motto like we all had in the military. “LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.” well I told them to change their motto to: “LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND UNLESS HE HAS A CONVICTION.” They can all go to hell. Now, my next move with be back to S.E. Asia a free society. They can keep it. Sometimes, I think that I am sorry I served.
I would like to say this, I get all these emails and see some VA adds about how the VA is making changes to better assist veterans in submitting claims to either increase their VA benefits or to start receiving VA benefits. Well the process has not change at all since I first retired and submitted my first claim. Currently I have submitted a claim and the process still remains as difficult today as it was over 10 years ago when I submitted my first claim. Then when you call the VA 1-800 number for a status on your claim or to find out more detail on why you got denied, the VA representatives make the veteran feel like you are bothering them or like they are tired of their job. They are very rude and they give you short answers just to hang up n the veteran and move on to the next call. Also, I have called the VA center and have received different answers from VA reps to the same question. I can never get the same answer twice, its always a different answer to my question. The VA really needs to work on hiring the correct people to represent them!!!
How about “fighting like hell” to recognize the existence of 21st century weapons and their impact on the health of veterans.
Moderation? What about free speech? “We don’t need no stinkin’ moderation”.
[Editor: Just this morning, I’ve deleted over 450 overnight spam comments, referred one commenter to the Veterans Crisis Line, removed an SSN and DOB from another comment, and de-linked the websites from several other legit commenters who may be trying to use this space to sell or advertise products that we/VA can’t endorse or check out.]
Thanks for all the VA does for veterans. But….not all veterans. I don’t know how many that you don’t help but I am one of them. I was on active duty from June 1957 until June 1968. I will be 89 next month. The VA provides me hearing aids and that is all. No physicals. No medicine. So everytime I see your ads it upsets me.
Just moved to Oregon. No help here for this vet. So . Help all vetd.
My husband received care in Bend, Oregon, at the VA Center. I think the VA Clinic in Portland is very large.
I spent the entire year of 2022 waiting for an appointment.
Helping what veterans. I know a lot of veterans including me that get turned down more than helped. It seems nothing is military related any more. I spend 20 years in the Marine Corp and my knees were turned down because the C & P exam Dr who had no military experience said it was just old age and not military related. I guess running all the time to maintain the physical condition required by the Marine Corp, the marching and 20-mile condition hikes we did in the grunt units, rifle ranges don’t count either since a nonmilitary Dr said so. I’m filing for a higher review but don’t expect anything because I hear the Va Secretary and the workers get a performance bonus for doing a great job, is this for turning down veterans and saving money for the few they help. I also ask for a mental help appointment. What a joke that was.
Phoenix VA cannot possibly get this high of an approval rating. Then again, the surveys are poorly designed with the intent to get the answers you are looking to get. If you ever instituted a mystery patient program, you would find out more about the problems with your service deliveries than your current measuring systems
I agree wholeheartedly and feel that way about the Calif. VA specifically PAHCS in Northern Ca. I am the spouse of a veteran in a CLC unit. As long as you are complying, everything is OK but the minute you have a complaint you are hard-pressed to get a response from anybody. Good luck trying to go through a chain of command like they ask you to do(for instance the veterans care team or a patient advocate)it is ridiculous. If they/physicians do respond and don’t agree with your complaint or observations, well that’s a whole other issue. They seem to forget whom it is they work for, the veteran ,not the other way around.
I have run across many VA staff who are very well educated and have what it takes in that respect but very few have the listening skills or have what it takes to actually connect with that veteran or caregiver, have a conversation with them to find out what the real issues are, and where it is they could improve. All the stuff they say, and do looks good on paper, however, behind the scenes not so much.
My husband passed in August this year and my VA spouse benefit dropped drastically to where I can’t survive on it. He served in Vietnam and was exsposed to Agent Orange and he died from repercussions from this deadly spray. I feel like they should give surviving spouses better paying benefits so they can survive. It was a drastic cut in my income. Thank you
i to am a “vietnam vet” even though i an an “era” vet. my neighbors widow has the same problem as you do. he sercumed to his disabilities from the navy as well. she got cut in half of what income she gets and not doing well tpo keep bills paid. i however am still trying to get the V.A. to recognize my “breathing problems” relating to my asbestoes exposure as i was a “boiler tech”.
How many veteran claims have been successfully processed through Harness Technology. We, veterans extend our most sincere thanks to all VA staff for their hard work and effort on behalf of all veteraans.
In defense of our VA the one in Columbus ohio, they are of the most caring group of folks i have ever encountered . My husband is not well, n has Parkinson’s n number other illnesses, in everyone we encounter at Columbus VA has went beyond to
Help us an when i say us that means me to the spouse. Thank you to everyone i have encountered at columbus an Newark VA. Thank you with all my heart.
This is a political bunch of bs. I’m a 62 year old navy veteran diagnosed with a service connected disability of 0% in 1983 and 40 years later and 5 back surgeries ( that the va paid for) think I can hold down a full time job with no help with pain meds. I’m an addict. Thank you United States of America.
I’m glad the VA is nothing like it was when I was discharged. I was lied to, deceived, had all my MTRS withheld for 45 years, preventing me from getting any C & P that myself and my dependents deserved. I should have been medically discharged at 100% disability and the Army and DVA knew it, but intentionally deceived me to “DEPRIVE ME OF ALL C & P” as long as possible. My oldest son is dead because if this deception. I was treated like dirt by the VA, until I finally got my hospital records from Vietnam in 2015/16, and Service Connection, but my son needed help that he never got. The VA is better than it was in 1983 when I actually filed, but it intentionally withheld my MTRS and still is to this day, to still prevent justice. It is better, but still deceiving me and my dependents because no one there wants to see justice PREVAIL!!! Why? Money???
I would love to talk with Sec McDonough about the comprehensive care program and it’s failure to so many, specifically my wife’s application. There are way to many decision makers that find it easier to say DECLINED rather than give a just evaluation. They have forgotten or ignored the fact that they work for the veteran rather than as a Govt rep denying CC claims. Another big problem is so many of those in the CC progran decision makers don’t understand the parameters. I have called the WHITE house and gotten immediate response, just recently was called by a CC worker after having my case declined that said I should see my primary care doctor for an evaluation./ physical. There is no provision for a physical evaluation and it’s based on what my wife or I say in the application and what they might find in med records that are mostly incomplete. Most of the reports from my civilian doctors are not part of my VA records, the civilian doctors and their staff are overwhelmed and don’t respond to requests for med records and our VA staff also overwhelmed with what has to be scanned into their records so just trashed. CC will not do a comp evaluation and have declined the application submitted by my wife 02/16. I would like to talk with someone and see what they based the declined status.
As a veteran that has been refused compensation for my hearing loss. That I have had diagnosed with since 1974. Three years after serving in combat in 1970, in Vietnam. Based on grounds it’s not service connected, according to the VA. I really don’t have much faith that the VA really cares.