Army Veteran Keith Dotts took time off work to drive up to Coatesville VA for his initial consultation appointment with his new primary care team, but there was a problem with his appointment.
The 26-year Veteran was regretting his choice to give VA health care a chance. But that wouldn’t last long. The nurse manager came out, listened to Dotts explain his frustration and went to see what they could do.
Dotts, who has multiple service-connected health conditions, was invited back to see his newly assigned primary care physician Dr. Arun Sirohi, who has worked at VA for 33 years.
“He went through my entire history, really checked me from head to toe,” Dotts explained.
“It makes sense to go through their background.”
Sirohi spent over two hours thoroughly reviewing Dotts’ records and asking questions during his initial consultation.
“It makes sense for any provider to take a proper history, go through their background. That’s what I’ve always done. Anybody who comes here wants to be treated the same way. We have very complex patients. I rarely see anyone who has just one or two issues. They are not here to just be handed a prescription. They want to be treated for the real cause of their situation,” Sirohi said.
At the end of the appointment, Sirohi scheduled Dotts for labs and bloodwork, along with a follow up appointment to go over the results.
Dotts (pictured above) has no regrets over choosing VA health care. “By the end of the appointment, I said ‘Doc, thank you. This has been a great experience. I’ll see you in 30 days.’ I’ve not had a bad visit with him since and I’ve seen him four times,” he shared.
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Veteran and social worker Gordon Roberts received the Medal of Honor for “Gallantry in Action” in Vietnam.
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This is a flat out lie, as some of us have major problems getting ther VA care we need and are entitled to, He is probly a POST 911 Vet, so he will get everything so he makes a good referance that VA can us as they keep lying about things!!
I enjoyed Veteran Scott’s article! I, also, have had excellent care from my primary care provider at the Aurora Veterans Center in Colorado. My doctor is very caring person; and has been very professional in handling my health issues. The pharmacy staff is also very courteous; and my prescriptions by telephone has been extremely efficient. I received prompt experts and my mail order process is fast and I received my medications a few days after my orders. I am so very lucky to receive Veterans care by all the medical staff. Joe C. Espinoza, Vietnam veteran. Thanks to all the staff that has helped me in all my veteran’s who have helped me!
I’d like to experience what all these other guys have, but I keep getting turned down because I‘m told my income is too great. My household income (my wife and me together) in 2022 was just a little over $30,000. According to what I’ve read, with that meager income I should be eligible for VA medical benefits. Is it because I was drafted that they won’t approve me?
My experience with the VA is completely consistent with Mr. Dotts’. VA healthcare has been great. Once I signed up, they did a thorough physical and identified all of my medical needs. I’ve used DeBakey in Houston. It’s the best overall health care I’ve received, and I’ve had the best private insurance. That’s hard to accomplish in such a huge medical center. I’ve been using the VA for over 10 yrs now. Their followup has been extraordinary. I couldn’t be more appreciative.
I can see why this is not a customer support page for comments. The experience described herein is more like a “dream scenario”! I notice the “26 year Veteran” is an officer. Maybe that makes a difference? The primary care physician has been with the VA 33 years. Maybe that makes a difference? Not sure what the patient / Dr. ratio is in Coatesville Virginia? At my clinic, Murrieta CA, there is one provider serving 10,000 veterans. If I see my primary care one time a year I am fortunate. I certainly do not believe the experience of the Selected Veteran is the norm; at least not where I live.
I use VA care for hearing aids, eyeglasses, pharmacy, and podiatry. That has been a good experience for me. Rest of my medical needs are through Tricare for Life and their network, VA in Houston is 31 miles away from home, trying years ago to get local referrals was a nightmare.
My experience has been different as I look back over all the years with the VA. It started out just like the person in this story. I was lucky to have a doctor, and one for many years, then he retired. Thats when my experience started to change. My next doctor lied to my face right from the start, so I walked away from him. My third doctor also retired. Now, I’m seen by a nurse practitioner. Not a doctor! My level of care has been kicked to the side of the road. My experience has gone down hill since.
where do you get VA care in Germany
Top notch care from the Springfield, MO VA !! Much appreciated ! :-)
I’ve been going to the VA since 1995 AND have never had a complete physical, ever. My current doctor does provide great care but other clinics not so much, AFIB, never seen a heart doctor, spinal stimulator, hadn’t been scheduled for the pain clinic in over 20 years and the stimulator no longer works. Lost several teeth due to delayed appointments, that’s a service that needs to allow us to receive outside services, dental is always behind and overbooked. My back is a wreck, VA just beat around the bush, had to have care and surgery outside the VA to fuse my spine. Some locations are fantastic, many of my friends brag about the VA in their hometowns, sadly I can’t. Both knees, gone. A life long friend is paying someone for care he is entitled to at the VA in Columbia, every time he went to the VA for a scheduled appointment, he saw a different doctor, some just clueless or rude.
The VA is here to serve those who served and have been injured, to provide quality medical services, I know that there are some outstanding VA hospitals throughout the country, I have shipmates that are seen at those hospitals and love it. Just wish we had this kind of care where I live. Thankfully I do have other options, many of my fellow veterans don’t, should not be this way. All VA’s should provide quality care to all qualified veterans at the same level of service, period.
VA health care varies wildly from site to site. I had a MRI six weeks ago, followed by an X-ray and in spite of complaints, have received no doctor’s appt. to discuss results and/or treatment options for a dodgy hip. Portland is very good, so is the clinic in Salem Oregon. Other clinics – Newport for one – are less than stellar and rotate doctors through with virtually no one but nurses on duty. Referrals are a mess and communication between hospitals, the VA and even between different factions of the VA, are a mess as well. As a 30 Year + professional Firefighter, I thank God that the government didn’t run our department, or many fires would still be burning! Accountability – missing in government!
My experience with the VA has been very good. My primary care physicians listen to me and follow up. Example – On a regular appointment with my PC I was asked if there were any concerns. I told the Doctor I was having some abdominal pain. 8 years before this appointment I had a ruptured appendix and she was concerned there could be something else going on. A CT was done and revealed a malignant mass on my kidney. Her follow up and concern potentially saved my life.
The pharmacy has always been outstanding and the nurses have been terrific.
Don’t be afraid to be your own advocate!
I always try to be polite and thank the staff for everything they do for the Vets.
There will always be issues and I’ve had a couple, but don’t be afraid to ask questions (even if they are awkward)….
Va has taken care of my medical needs extremely well, I am totally satisfied with my VA care
I have been usibg the VA for 13+ years have been very happy with the care I’ve recieved
Will you write an article about how I wish I had other options than the VA.
I am also well satisfied with all my VA Health Care. I have been with the VA system now since 2013. All the services from Primary Care to dental to orthopedics, and endocrinology. All the services have been top-notch. Over the years I have had several surgeries and other treatments with great care given by all involved at the VA system here in North Carolina from Fayetteville to Durham.
My experience with the VA health care system continues to be outstanding (28yrs).
I truly believe the VA saved my life.
When I qualified for Medicare I declined. The woman I talked with at Medicare laughed and told me this was the first time anyone had declined coverage. She said I would have to sign a document and return!
Have a nce day.
My experiences have been quite different, although I left the Army as a captain. Last summer I was declared “deceased” by the Dept of Veteran Affairs, involuntarily reassigned to a clinic in Alabama although I live in Northern Virginia. Although I had an appointment with my primary care physician in June, ALL of my prescriptions were cancelled/expired in December forcing me to pursue prescriptions through a civilian physician, due to the long wait times for appointments. By the way, I am a retired member of the Senior Executive Service, so I know how it “should” work. I’m lucky enough to have private care through INOVA health. Although I’ve been treated this bad, I have other options. What about those who do not? This is horrible!
I carefully read the article here pertaining to the what appears to have been the the kind of care ALL Veterans deserve but here in Washington State Negro female senior vets does receive the kind of care from the Women’s Clinic at AmLk. I AM able to overhear general conversation from American Negro female Veterans I don’t know personally in general conversion talk about the lack of care received and bias felt “this primary care Dr” at that VA in Virginia appears to being doing something very different pertaining to “vet care” would his being a Caucasian male have anything to do with this, my care as a American Negro female Veteran has been opposite to this spoken of or least not the realm of what happened the second time my norm has been what I feel is discriminatory unethical unprofessional health Iniquity which is not what the VA Mission Statement promises ALL veterans. The VA needs to address the discrimination in healthcare throughout the VA system.
I am an 81 yo Air Force Veteran. ( 1961-65 ) & lived a very full life. At 65 yo, I went on Medicare & immediately had my left hip replaced. At age 73, I had my left knee replaced. After a year, that knee was infected, had to be removed & I endured a 10 week program for eliminating my infection, with IV induced antibiotics ( zaptomycin ). This was done by the Portland VA Hospital thru Community Care. Quite successful, I may add. That was in 2018 or thereabouts. Since then, I have stopped my Medicare & continued on with my Veteran’s health plan, as I found the care & concern of the VA to be astonishingly efficient. Then in late 2021 the medical staff of the VA discovered that I had severe Cancer(s) of my Prostate & Bladder. My case was considered by a Tumor Board & they took the initiative to have me go through an 8 week Chemo & Radiation treatment ( in concert with OHSU for the Radiation part ) for all of July & August 2022. That December, I was told my Cancers were in remission & til now, that diagnosis hasn’t changed. Thank GOD.
At present, I also have lung deterioration & am being treated for that , as well.
I truly have so much GRATITUDE for my Doctors, Nurses, schedulers & all others I have interacted with, over the years. I feel as tho I could be a spokesperson for how well the VA Hospital system far outshines any civilian Hospital that I have encountered.
I have been using the Veteran’s Health Care service since 1998. Not one time have I regretted my decision. My husband a Vietnam Veteran it took a bit longer; due to reasons of his own. He began using the Veterans Health Care in 2007, (I believe or close), and he has had no regrets with his decision either.
I WAS NOT PLEASED THIS VISIT -MY HOSPITAL STAY SEEMED TO GET YOU OUT QUICKLY THAN CURE. VAWH. DR MEASELEY IS VERY GOOD, DR. NORONHA;ANITA MARIA WAS VERY RUDE. I HOPE WE BOTH WILL LET GOD AMEND .ALBERT PERNSLEYJR
Having been a clinical pharmacy provider for 9.5yrs this is NOT typical for a first appt. First appts are generally only ONE hour with a new provider; NOT two hours. Primary care providers do not generally schedule a 1 month follow appt just for lab results. This guy is lucky.
Vets reading this story may be frustrated that they this is is the way it SHOULD BE. VA GUIDELINES are 1 HOUR for first appointments and generally follow ups at 1 month not done unless medically indicated. Providers are actually penalized for 2 hour appointments since low number of appointment per day is considered “less productive” from a bean counter prospective and will reflect badly on their annual performance review.
I am happy for this Veteran. I hope this article does not mislead Veterans that all appointments can be as long as 2 hours; because they are never scheduled for more than an hour at first appointment; then for primary care only 30 minutes at follow up unless there are specific criteria. VA providers are only given a limited amount of time and are under tremendous pressure to stay within those time constraints. Not seeing the specified number of patients per day hurts their annual performance reviews and also decreases the number of Veterans they are available to see per day.
It’s a crap shoot ,not all VA health care is the same. My friend in Tucson gives his VA health care to be top notch! Here in North Texas you take your chances. Need I say more?
Luckliy this vet isn’t part of CAVHS. It takes months to get urgent referrals and then when you get it it’s not for the right thing. I hope he doesn’t get the long hold times to have the line disconnect after 22 minutes (twice) then get a rep who, without warning, cold transfers me to an operator. These types of scenerios are what I deal with every week with the VA. Everybody wants to say it isn’t there job and there is no follow up. I’m still young so I’ve learned how to work certain things in the system but I feel bad for elderly vets or ones not able to handle matters on their own. It makes me sad to think of how many must be out there just forgotton about.
Spirited story, thanks for sharing
The care that I have received @ the Memphis VA Med Center has been nothing but top notch.
I’m glad that this veteran is happy with his VA health care. He is lucky. My experiences with the VA are not as good. First of all, I do appreciate the things that the VA has done for me over the approximately 9+ years that I joined the VA healthcare network. Initially when I joined the VA, I was assigned to a doctor and was happy with the care that I received from him. After about a year, I was handed off to a nurse Practioner as my VA healthcare provider. Things went downhill from there. Usually, I only use the VA for my medications, because I use traditional Medicare and a Medicare Supplement for the vast majority of my healthcare needs. In order to remain in the VA healthcare system, I am required to have an annual visit with my N.P. Unfortunately, these annual visits always turn out to be a confrontational meeting because if I try to ask any questions, she gets angry and defensive and walks quickly out of the room. I have considered requesting a different caregiver, but wonder if I do, if it would negatively impact my being in the VA health system, or if I were to be assigned to a different caregiver if things would be even worse than they are now.
one of the lucky ones
I am a son of wwII veterans can I avail health care?
My father died in 1985 of CVA, cardiovascular arrist Thrombosis, pneumonia from 1980 up his death .this service connected not rate at VA Manila on that year can I receive this health care program under Pact act.?
Sir I am also suffering of hearing lost from 7 Year old in 1971 up to now I am unmarried before 18 and members of veterans house hold from 1971 up to The death of veterans in 1985 continue up to death of my mother in 2002.
Sir,
What VA health insurance I can avail? On fit of my situation?
Army Spec 4 Nam vet ~ I kick myself for putting off going to the VA for years, I finally got tired of getting the run around with my health care, and did a walk in at the local VA, they had me check in at the ER and was wheeled up to the fourth floor and never left ’till they performed many in-house tests and surgery! Their follow up has also been great!
I wish that I could say the same. I had a recent experience at the VA that has made me very concerned about receiving proper health care. I have no trust in them any longer. It’s not just my own experience, the stories that I hear from some elderly, disabled veterans is very concerning.
I totally agree with experience I had from my first visit with my new primary doctor with the VA. I had so many people tell me to go with the VA heath care. I was wondering why the nurse and the doctor went into such detail from the day I joined the military all the way through my entire life, military and civilian. This is where I totally realized how my experiences from early military were still playing out in my life today. Now, I am addressing all those issues and working through them. I look forward to resolving those long term issues and building the physical, emotional, and spiritual life that I want. It has been tough working through, it but I feel I have turned the corner. I appreciate the care that was given from my first visit and continue to have with the VA.
This is not anywhere near what VA dictates to their doctors, 15 minutes at the most come on VA tell the real truth!
I have the very same experience with my primary care manager here in New Jersey. The problem is is he’s the only doctor and that CBOC and is way overworked. I don’t know how he does as well as he does with all the work he has to do
Maybe the first Doctor to read his medical file and my Doctor had never already read My Files and nothing about what is going on. Had to ask them to read it and come back later.
I am also grateful for Dr Sirohi and his primary care team. As a 60% disabled VN war veteran, my drugs and many tests are ‘covered’ and are not available to me through my non-VA medical plan.