VA Secretary Doug Collins outlined key accomplishments at VA during the first 30 days of the Trump administration, emphasizing the department’s commitment to prioritizing Veterans.
“The Veteran is back first at the VA,” Collins stated. “We’re putting the Veteran first in everything we do.”
A key change includes eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reallocating $14 million toward Veterans’ health care and caregiver programs. Additionally, the department has identified and redirected $98 million to further support health care benefits for Veterans.
VA has also revised its flag policy, now exclusively flying the American flag and the POW/MIA flag at its facilities. “For all of us who served in uniform, that American flag…it’s what unites us,” Collins said.
Efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse are also underway. The department has assigned employees to scrutinize contracts, ensuring funds are spent efficiently. As a result, $178,000 previously allocated for Politico newsletters has been redirected to Veterans.
“30 days in, Donald Trump hasn’t let up. Guess what? We haven’t let up here at the VA either.” Collins concluded.
For more updates on VA policies and initiatives, visit news.va.gov.
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VA and the Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) invites cities, towns, and non-profit groups across the country to join us in showing appreciation for Veterans by applying to hold VA-recognized regional Veterans Day observances.
VA and the Veterans Day National Committee are now accepting entries for the 2025 Veterans Day Poster Contest. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on May 2, 2025.
Secretary Doug Collins announces VA’s shift to in-person work, ensuring a smooth transition while prioritizing service to Veterans.
It’s giving 1940’s Germany. Just straight shameful!
I do not like the new system of everyone going to one center and having complete control of my account – passwords, phone number, SS number, everything to track me and my lifes movements – your employees have no idea what they are doing to begin with – 0 none of them are computer wizards so you have an outside business doing this crap – i want my “My Healthvet” back within full operating condition period!!!
You wanna fix it easy. Start at the top. All the executive assistants and associate chiefs need to go. Cut down on the meetings and focus on hiring more direct care staff. Let go of the upper management and you would save more than you can imagine!!!
you need to fix the healthcare website. it was great , now it is a chore to use. multiple signins, text to confirm, login.gov is a waste.
Im data mining all I can to prove this out. Arguing with everyone I can to
include the CDC ALS registry.
But, the math says veterans are dying of ALS at a rate of 3 to 5 a day nation wide
in VA care. How can that be. Ive heard nothing of this. This cant just be a hidden
fact folks. But, the DOD study shows 21,599 from 2000 to 2020. They die within
3 years of diagnosis. So by 2023 that entire number is dead. That is a minimum
of 2.7 a day, with surges by season and circumstance. Then the NIH Oklahoma
study with its 26 times projection of the general population of Oklahoma.
Im begging the CDC to dig deeper, we talk weekly. Start pulling these numbers
into the system. But, DOD and VA are aware of them already. Not sharing them.
Something is very wrong here. From 2006 to 2018 something really went wrong.
There will be a study published this year on all this.
NO politics – until politics targets veterans. Then we fight.
Rallies in all state capitols to highlight VETERANS FIRST.
Friday March 14, all state houses. Add your voice.
Thank you, this is all wonderful news, our Veterans deserve to be heard , supported and respected! My husband was in Vietnam and loves America!
We love President Trump!
Janet Gale
Too bad they don’t respect vets and veteran workers. Violating both’s civil rights and their actions need to be overturned in court!
Who taught you to be a man Collins? Andrew tate?. Can we get a non donald trump cuckhold to do the business of the american veteran? This guy must have went to trump university to learn those shit spinning skills. Shame on you spineless little men. Guess don was right. We are all suckers and losers, for ever believing you could make a country work when half it’s citizens are utterly fuckin retarded and morally bankrupt. One side trades there principals for comfort, that’s your side Collins. Worst VA secretary in history. GFY
no the d*ckhead with Biden was
A FRICKEN MEN!
This guy is a liar. Notice they turned off comments on the YT video. They are full steam going to gut the system then say the only way to save it is to privatize it with a corporation who will profit off it while the taxpayers pay for the liability and veterans get screwed. They have been attempting this for years. Hiring freezes, budgets, and now the mentally deficient antics of Elon Musk firing veterans.
DEI, rainbow flags, and hateful COMMIES are still everywhere in the VA.
There never were rainbow flags there, DEI is all of us, and you can define the word, “commie.”
This VA Secretary is a sellout he needs to resign immediately, how can any veteran support getting rid of DEI? Veterans are DEI. He needs to resign now.
If you are veterans, know what veterans need, the one is for dental, the one in Fresno ca, the criteria to see a dental, you can changed to have all veterans can be seen, for veterans under 99% can’t be see, as the secretary of V A , so please change. Thank you
Let me say that I get seen in the Florida VA system – Tallahassee, Lake City, Gainesville – and I am exceedingly happy with my care and treatment. The FL VA Health Care System is Exceptional!
HOWEVER,,, my son is MIStreated through the Alaska VA System. He was involved in a Fatal accident 12 years ago — HE was supposed to be the fatality. He has injuries – that to this days – have NOT been treated and several injuries that have been repeatedly MIS-Treated.
HE NEEDS AN ADVOCATE!!!
Doug Collins appears to believe that the average veteran actually supports Trump’s fake campaign to improve efficiency at the VA. You may be able to fool all of the people some of the time, but you can certainly fool all of the Trump supporters, all of the time. Doug has offered all of his enthusiastic support to Donald Trump. Consequently, he’s been chosen to sell us whatever Donald Trump wants him to…
no reply’s to comments ?
My hope is that Pete Hegseth will eliminate all wasteful military spending, especially for things like the $2 Billion battle ships, issue plagued F35, outdated combat strategies, pet projects like replacing the beloved AR15 with a rifle thats 4x more expensive and a pistol with safety issues, etc., and pass some of those savings onto veteran care and benefits. The VA also needs to streamline the dissability claims process and crack down on private practice fraud which is wrought with overcharging. This only reduces available funding to those who deserve it. Also, I’m shocked to read so much derranged hate on this comment section. Do you all suffer from TDS?
Everything you just said was stupid and if we all suffer from TDS, we need the VA to help us with TDS the curious for DJT and all his cronies to resign, they are firing more veterans than deporting criminal illegal aliens unacceptable. Unacceptable. They’re all sellout. I need to go all they doing is repeating Trump‘s talking points. We are now hated throughout the world because of DJT. No such thing as TDS! Dump Trump
Who taught you to be a man Collins? Andrew tate?. Can we get a non donald trump cuckhold to do the business of the american veteran? This guy must have went to trump university to learn those shit spinning skills. Shame on you spineless little men. Guess don was right. We are all suckers and losers, for ever believing you could make a country work when half it’s citizens are utterly fuckin retarded and morally bankrupt. One side trades there principals for comfort, that’s your side Collins. Worst VA secretary in history. GFY
And Jethro Collins was worthless in Congress too.
23 year veteran of the USAF. I will believe it when I see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For whatever reasons, this VA Secretary Doug Collins video location
wont let me post. Been trying since day 1. Moderator at this location
really has it in for me. No profanity, no religious of political remarks,
Ive been fairly polite compared to some that have gotten through. So
going to try again here:
——————————————————————————–
In 2000, DOD and VA conspired to drive off grass roots groups. We used
to be invited to Pentagon briefs. But, with the creation of Deployment
Health – only members of the military family alliance that were chartered
by Congress were allowed to attend any more. Service groups were fine
with this. Less disruptions. Less to compete with. DOD cuts us off.
By 2002, DOD slowly started to also cut off the service groups from certain
events as well. Limiting access to information. By 2003, all were distracted
with OIF OEF.
2004, Deployment Health did all it could to pad, and hide any medical problems
surfacing from Afghanistan, Iraq. West Nile Virus, Acinetobacter Baumannii,
Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, and IED as well as EOD injury issues.
By 2005, VA no longer allowed grass roots upstairs to meet with staff. Only
service groups. Service groups were fine with this. IOM / NIH began cutting off
grassroots and service groups from its workshops.
By 2010, VA started driving away the service groups. Not briefing them on
certain things. As did DOD. Sec of VA Eric Shinseki had grudge matches with
anyone publishing news or materials he didnt approve. Then he resigned
in disgrace.
By 2012 VA and DOD actively started removing advocates from committees
and functions. Started rigging VA committees with internal ringers that would
not publish, seeking out congress, or rock the boat. Media started writing less
and less veteran stories.
2016 would be the last serious batch of veteran related congressional hearings.
Congress no longer wanted the service groups and limited them to there
budget proposals in the spring. After this, it was mostly OEF and OIF till the
PACT act became necessary.
2021 came along, Covid let VA and DOD keep every one at bay. Limit meetings
to video conference. Stopped answering phones. Now media is on board and
no longer writing veterans stories. Cutting VSOs out as well. Google started
blocking any websites that said anything harsh about VA and DOD.
2024, VA started removing public comments from its meetings and ignored
any still up. VA stopped writing anyone outside of VA that wasnt part of
the inner circle. Openly opposing the service groups. No one was welcome
upstairs and the dont have to answer phones, email.
2025, Trump and Elon step in to take advantage of this vacuum to gut most
agencies, and with VA disregard for veterans – there is no loyalty. So no job
is secure and everyone is threatened. Your public comments here are largely
angry veterans spewing at you with no loyalty. You may have a few ringers
on the inside still supporting you, yes men, its not enough to stop the wave
of cuts coming. because there is no unification across the boards.
This all started with DODs need to hide in plain sight, and lump all wars into
the Deployment Health catch all. Make everything generic. Seems like now is
the time to team up with all sides, eras, and the service groups like it was
before DOD undermined all this. Strength in numbers. Now is a good time
to post a public voting format within VA of what its veterans want. Instead
of telling them what they want.
Keep the current path, it all ends in chaos. Stop insulting people, keep things
simple – and just provide the service you supposed to minus the games. At
least with this purge at VA, you will unite people alright – an angry mob that
you betrayed protesting in unison in front of your doors. The elitist days of
snobs looking down on the public is about to unravel. More of the same
and worse failed. Each angry vet created is for a lifetime, and dont think they
just plan to keep taking this. Millions betrayed, Im so thrilled Im not you.
This is all a smokescreen. Doug Collin’s is just another unqualified crony, to place a positive spin on the continuing misinformed.
Why are they firing Veterans in VA? 15% unemployed Veterans and Employees around 140,000 … this New Administration is not pro Veteran..some jobs are not required to be at a VA office like phone answering jobs they are not Factory Workers …
There is so much negativity and TDS in here, and that is the problem. I am sure this Comment area was made for us to bring up “real” issues we are having and real complaints or compliments about OUR health care for US and our fellow veterans. Where was all this outcry about people being fired for not taking the JAB. Complete Silence when many Veterans and Active Duty military members lost their jobs for no reason, as came out after the fact. As a Veteran, I was advocating for me, for them, and for all (military and civilian) the ones supporting our Veterans, our first responders, small businesses, anyone who didn’t want that poison put in their body the the “WHO” had to change the definition of a vaccine to call it a “vaccine” but again now I am side tracked as well. We advocate for all of our Veterans, brothers and sisters in arms. We deserve our earned benefits of being taken care of as we signed a contract that we would support and defend and also in there was the obligation of being taken care of as well. So please try to be civil, every election we have leaders we love, leaders we hate, we had it in the military, we didn’t whine about it, we carried on with the mission. So please, join me, advocate for our veterans and for the care that was earned and bring up actual issues, recommendations to fix these issues. We have all been to our VA hospitals and seen they are understaffed in certain areas, but these are specific areas. That doesn’t mean that there are not too many people in other positions that truly are not “mission essential” to ensure that we are getting the greatest care that we can get. You can’t move a heart specialist to do eye surgery because you have too many in one area and not enough in another. Let these investigations happen and play out, guessing at the outcome or what “the media” tells you is not going to help. The “NEWS” is no longer what it once was. It is all business now, and the finding ways to upset Americans is the norm now. Not the truth. Why? Because it gets ratings and ratings means $$$$$$ so Again, I beg you for myself and every Veteran out there, come together on here, make your voices clear about what problems we are finding, what things are going great at your VA, What ideas you have to make things better for US. I won’t say what VA Hospital I go to, but I have been very well taken care of, mentally and physically. And Like most Veterans, We want to be fixed, the military broke it, they need to fix it. It is in our contract. We don’t want pills with all the bad side effects, (if you have been treated as long as I have been, you know what I am talking about, extreme weight gain, headaches, nightmares, and other) I will sign off with this. I have been and will continue advocating for you and all Veterans, every day, as I have been doing since I retired after 25 years Serving in the Army, I won’t stop until I have no breath in me. Join me!
Hogwash!! The plan to cut thousands of jobs at the VA came from an internal VA memo. If you really want to save money fire Musk and his teem of “goosestepping” goons.
Great ideal Mr Collins letting the Va personal having input as to what is recommended as Gov. Waste.
You’re so full of it. We already know about your plan to cut over 70k jobs from an already understaffed agency. That’s not putting veterans first.
I trust a Trump fluffer to tell the truth about the same as I trust a two dollar Rolex watch to be genuine.
First he will smile in your face, tell you he cares about us veterans, and he is just trying to minimize waste and make things more efficient. But, mark my words, this guy will screw us in the end.
I’m just wondering when the USA will start giving out VA more hours in home health care . I do home health and take care of a veteran and his hours got decreased and he needs the help . And we r their to help them stay in their home and he DNT get a lot of hours each day and I think him and all veterans deserve more help than they get .
Stop dishonoring us with this bullshit. Why are we even seeing that evil bastard’s name here?
He hates the military. He hates US Veterans. He’s a full on coward. We know this to be true by his multiple acts of draft dodging. We know he has no honor, no integrity, and that his one and only loyalty is to himself and his own damn gains. He’s serving Putin’s wish list for, his own damn gains.
So cut the shit. You mean to do harm. You intend to pull the rug from under us. You’ve no intention what-so-ever at serving us.
Beat it.
Doug Collins has made incredible strides in his first 30 days. His focus on improving health care for veterans is truly commendable. Many veterans still face challenges in accessing the care they need, so it is encouraging to see real improvements. Hopefully this policy will continue to grow and have a positive impact on more people. Are there any new programs coming soon to support this?
LMAO are we paying people to comment? Because this is the dumbest thing I’ve read, uh ever. 83000+ people losing their jobs and that’s supposed to help a vet? How? Use your brain.
I hope the “get used to it” comment comes back to haunt you for what you are doing to our Veterans. Horrible egos.
I approve of what DOGE is doing! Please eliminate the useless Community Care! While you are at it, why not just eliminate all benefits to all non-service connections! They should not use Federal resources. Have them get their own private insurance or pay for their own Medicare.
You’re a moron. Just because something isn’t useful to you doesn’t mean it isn’t useful to others. And they should cover everything for veterans. You break it you buy it.
Hey blue falcon. Please choke on a tiny orange D. They send our kids to be slaughtered and their brothers and sisters to watch for their pissing contests, but hey when they’re done fuck them right? You’re trash!
We need real reform at the VA clinic in Fort Worth Tx . When you call main number and ask to be trasferred to another department the phone rings and rings and no one ever answers. This VA employs mostly black people, not sure why, but they do not do their job. When you go there most of the time they are standing aroung talking to other workers. You must root out the people who do not work just as DOGE is doing in the government and hire people who will work. Our veterans deserve the best care possible and I hope you will make sure they receive it. My husband goes to this clinic and we are tired of laziness and lack of caring for our vets! Make the VA great again!!
If that’s the case, you replace the workers not fire them, you’re racist and you sound like you’re a hateful white woman with a Mexican last name, you sell out this VA secretary needs to go. He is not pro veteran. He supports a regime that fires veterans and smiles in your face when they do it you need to rethink your life.
And here’s a racist! Congrats on being able to just come on this here internet and announce that you’re a shitty person.
Snake oil. Don’t underestimate the capabilities of the troops to smell BS. Do us a favor and resign.
I do home health and I take care of a veteran and hopefully Mr Collins can do something about them not getting the care that they need my client hours got taken away from him and he needs more hours than what he gets . We are there to help them stay in their homes and give them the care they need so hopefully the healthcare for the veterans and the home Care will get changed for more vets will be able to get more help than what they actually get right now thank you and God bless you all so wonder why
Mr Collins is canceling contracts and trying to break the VA so that Mr tRump can privatize it and sell it to his billionaire buddies. Mr. Collins will make sure that Veterans like your client die early so that the savings in care and benefits can be paid to the broligarchy. Get used to it.
Why does Oregon have more homeless veterans than any other state
If it wasn’t for Community Care the VA would be drowning. 30 years as an RN in hospital across the nation and using the VA as a patient I’ve seen so much under the radar corruption and defrauding Veterans. Almost every Community Care authorization is a fight which I’ve become good at but don’t like. Overkill in advocating for yourself has become the norm preparing your arguments like a lawyer to get from point A to B.
Community Care needs to be taken over by a separate professional contractor with separate funding from Congress with no strings attached to the V A other than communication all electronic. No more ancient fax machines and the worst phone systems in the country. Their own policies with pure transparency to flip the script with power in the hands of Veterans not VA employee Unions/Collectives. Veteran oversight and external audits.
Quality outcomes, on boarding of quality providers that are streamlined.
Up to date tech that is user friendly for providers and Veterans.
No more VA under the radar sabotaging Community Care.
Setting an example of best modern healthcare model in the world not a museum of healthcare.
Real integration between providers with useful collaboration tools that providers will be motivated to use.
This model will be so good Veterans will vote with their feet and the VA will wither on its own then clinics can and hospitals can be leased out or sold to professional providers with high standards constantly monitored.
Providers will be paid competitive rates but they will have to perform and there will be real unbiased scientific surveys to get Veterans input as well as tracer analysis following random patients through their care. Healthcare effectiveness data scientists constantly monitoring with policies and processes that can be adjusted on the fly again with transparency and Veteran oversight yet managed by the best professionals.
Employee accountability where bad actors are sent packing. Anti corruption audits using the best technology.
Veterans will be called what they want to be called rule number 1 in human relations. No more Veteran Smith default. Independent Veteran advocates that have access but are contractors. No more VA apologists.
I apologize in advance to those VA employees who are true advocates and give great care but as a whole this organization needs revolutionary change yesterday.
The VA could chose to drastically change if this is employed saving clinics that are high performing and for areas where they are the only option but VA control over Community Care.
No more squandering of Billions of dollars so VA employees enjoy the gravy train and corrupt execs giving themselves bonuses while Veterans feel like POW’s living in fear of getting labeled disruptive for advocating for themselves with VA police having the highest record of police brutality.
Prisoners have more rights.
I hope DOGE reads this and Elon.
Your healthcare shouldn’t give you PTSD. We can rename it
VETERAN CENTRIC
It will constantly evolve and set a standard for the rest of the country where Patient Centric comes before profits rewarding innovators and those that find inefficiencies and ineffective processes driven by science that keeps up with solid research.
Clearly written policies that Veterans access easily. Ultra transparency.
If a program is working it will be encouraged through the whole network of providers.
Providers that mistreat patients will be dropped like a hot potato if they don’t make corrections.
This example can replace the outdated over inflated expensive healthcare models with insurance companies calling the shots adding inflated administrative costs to healthcare that is maddening.
Healthcare should be a right in a country wealthy as the U S and for the public good. Outdated Medical Models will be a thing of the past. The mind a body are one and holistic care is effective and efficient.
Psychiatric Care as it exists will be written about in the history books. This is how they cared for patients then as students shake their heads. No more obsessive emphasis on psychotropic meds with insurance companies and pharma calling the shots.
Meds will be a tool among many. Psychiatrists will be consultants not team leads. Emphasis on real supports.
We are behind in the world of mental healthcare.
TBC………….
Well said!
Thank you so much for your concise description of the issues with VA healthcare. I work for a VSO in a rural county in Oregon where it is inconvenient and sometimes impossible for our Veteran’s to travel 2+ hours to get medical care especially during the winter. Trying to get community care can be an effort in frustration & futility. Your statement, “Almost every Community Care authorization is a fight…” reflects EXACTLY what our rural county Veteran’s go through just to get the care they need. Then, once they get treated, the medical professionals that treated them often have to wait for months to get paid. I think that you provided an excellent resolution to this issue and I HOPE that the new VA administration will take it seriously.
Douglas,
Because of you and trump/musk the morale at the VA is terrible and that is bound to have an affect on the care of veterans. You should be ashamed! You are no leader, you are just a follower of trump/musk! God help our veterans.
Well guys
I’ve appreciated & learned from most of the posts here. Both pros & cons. Thank you for that. We all have had good & bad with VA and deserve to tell our stories & struggles.
But it is getting toxic in this thread
A few continue to contribute nothing but name calling. And we don’t deserve that either.
Time for me to leave this thread.
Good luck & don’t quit voicing your concerns – you deserve that too
Douglas,
We all know that you are out to destroy the VA Healthcare System as we know it. The VA Healthcare System is the best healthcare system in the world! I was a VA employee for over 37 years and what you and trump/musk are doing is outrageous and cruel. I myself continue to use the VA for primary and specialty care and the employees remain the best. They are competent and compassion and committed to care for veterans. You are desperate to throw veterans into private sector health and we all know how private healthcare is failing. You, as a chaplain, should be ashamed but instead you just go along with this terrible flow! God help America and god help our veterans.
Make no mistake. They are coming for our healthcare through privatization so that their ultra wealthy friends can make a buck off of vets. This has been a project of their for years. These rapacious ghouls can never have enough, so they must come for any public good and turn it into profit for themselves. Then they’re coming for our benefits. If you have a mental health disability, say goodbye to your benefits. Community Care sucks. I’ve always received much better care at the VA itself. They do not care about vets! Where’s the proof? 17 of us kill ourselves everyday in this country. We have vets sleeping all over these streets. Those in power do not care. Hands off VA!
Although I suspect nobody from the VA ever reads these comments, I’ll try posting this one more time in the hope that the new administration will finally address a long standing concern. Thousands of veterans lost their promised and earned educational benefits under the Vietnam Era G.I. Bill back in 1989. Those of us who are still alive are STILL waiting for the VA, Congress, and now this administration to fulfill the promises made to us at enlistment. Many of us got out of the service too late to use these benefits before they expired. (There was no mention of an expiration date when we enlisted.) To my knowledge, Senator McCain attempted to address this issue years ago, but to no avail. My Congressman, John Carter R-TX, is currently looking into this, but I suspect he is facing an up hill battle, as I’m sure no one wants to admit to the shortchanging of the vets they are supposed to be helping. We earned these promised benefits, we fulfilled our commitments to the country, and we expect to be compensated accordingly. Thank you.
I have been a patient at San Diego VA for 15 years and l have had not but the best care. I’m treated with respect and my medical needs have always been met. Politicizing Veterans care is a mistake as is trying to privatize care why layoff veterans who are doing a good job and do you know the DEI includes disabled veterans the ignorance of the new administration is shocking and remember you reap what you sell and I hope that you don’t mess with the system. These employees are dedicated public servants, and it’s unfair to demonize civil servants shame on people who do that US Army veteran Vietnam thank you
DEI is a cancer in any and every government organization. If you are a private citizen and own a business in America you have the right to hire anyone you want with discrimination which is exactly what DEI is. In no way should the United States government get involved in such buffoonery.
DEI is a cancer in any and every government organization. If you are a private citizen and own a business in America you have the right to hire anyone you want without discrimination which is exactly what DEI is. In no way should the United States government get involved in such buffoonery.
I’m eager to see the VA improve under the current administration.
I had the worse experience having to get dental care through the VA in the last couple of years.
I was provided with bad information concerning the process forcing me to make snap decisions concerning the order of surgeries undergone in order to not be stuck on a waiting list for anquarter of a year.
The surgeon refused to perform the extractions I needed in 1 sitting causing me to have to wait months between major surgeries.
I had to recoeve an aveoplasty that again had to take place in multiple phases between. The upper jaw surgery for said ended up being the single most painful experience I’ve ever undergone.
The local anesthesia failed by some 80% only a bit of the left side of my jaw was properly nunb before they started cutting me open.
Felt every slice, the grinding down of my jaw bone, every stitch. The sound of that drill is forever burned into my mind. I had to place myself into a meditative state to ensure I sat still as long as possible to ensure the process didn’t drag on a second longer.
I don’t trust the Virginia facilities surgeon or dentist tonwork on me anymore. Especially since they punctured my sinus cavity and just quietly left it hoping I wouldn’t eventually notice. An issue I still haven’t trusted them enough to treat after a year.
My hope was that I’d eventually be able to smile with a decent set of dentures but the mess they gave me was so incompetently made that that It caused excruciating pain to wear them.
It”s important that you remember what I endured with that surgery. That I have a very high pain tolerance so when I say those dentures were too painful I mean it. The things looked like a set of melted Legos to boot.
They denied me Community care, and rejected me for dental implants despite the fact they could not get the dentures to function in a way where they didn’t immediately fall out with the smallest movement stabbing meningitis the gums.
The VA fails to understand the link between ptsd/depression and dental decline and when I tried to defend myself ensuring I got proper treatment they tried to act like they were the ones being attacked.
They only served to significantly magnify my ptsd/depression. I tried to make their dentures work but it was too painful an ordeal to keep up with.
I’ve gone over a year so far with nothing teeth whatsoever, I don’t barely leave the house anymore and I don’t trust the VA enough to go to them for other serious issues I need looked at.
It especially left me infuriated that they said I would not even be considered for dental implants because of the state my teeth were in when I was finally able to be seen by their office.
I had to go years without any form of de tal service and they never properly questioned me on how my issue got as bad as it was. They just decided essentually that, well your just a dirt bag so why should we give you a new set of teeth you won’t take care of.
Not seeing the years of suffering I’d undergone trying to take care of them only for them to deteriorate anyway alongsode my declining mental condition state.
I need serious work done still but I know that so long as that surgeon and dentist work there I won’t ever receive the work I need.
Even some of the nurses there just had a demeaning attitude towards me that just saw me giving up on trying to interact with anyone in that facility.
I pray that the new administration fixes the major issues going on in the VA and ensure they actually have a budget to do the work people need and not just look for shifty ways to deny us service so they wont have to pay for it.
I’m glad to see that they will soon be hiring on merit again. I don’t even want to imagine how many other veterans just gave up trying to fight to get the care they needed under this system and quietly died alone untreated.
The decline I witnessed under the previous administration in the VA was palpable. I’m hopeful things will improve but I don’t know when/if it’s even worth attempting to go back yet.
I read all the opinions of everyone, and feel sorry for the ones that are so negative.
Doesn’t really matter who is president anymore. Complaining doesn’t make it better.
The ones that praise this one need to realize what the past one did for veterans. The past one signed into law the Pact Act. It has helped many of us, and still will help us if the present one doesn’t sign another bill eliminating it.
This one has been bad mouthing, firing people because of their color of skin, separating men and women, deporting people because they came into American to live a good life and bring new talents. Just because men, women, and children are not white doesn’t mean anyone has the right to treat them like he has. Many have suffered and died for no reason. That is not making American better, We are all the same, we bleed, we cry. and we die. I served our country along side of many, I call my brothers and sisters. And damn proud of all of them.
Yes I’m disabled from where and what I did, and have been waiting on my claim to be approved, but the VA has provided means and help so I can at least live.
We all need to realize that God is in control. It doesn’t mater who is president they will answer for their actions.
I’m thankful to our Lord, more times than one for saving my life.
Many people and their families are hurting because of actions of the one that was voted into office, and also the one none of us voted for. So guess we all have to live with it, until its said this is enough.
Jerry
I have a POC for you if you need help with your claim?
Take care brother
So I’m glad you agree that DEI is hiring people based on skin color which is unconstitutional.
You’re a troll Citro. Nobody hires upon race alone, stupe.
2 of my comments have not been posted???
It is so extremely sad to read the name calling to people simply telling there stories or struggles
Can’t we disagree without calling names
Come on!
$178 million referring to Politico was over inflated. When in fact All federal agencies combined spent $8.2 million last year on Politico Pro for such trade papers on subscriptions for example to E&E, an energy and environment publication. There are more but you get the idea
This amount is backed up by reading the actual contracts and past Congressional budgets
Politico never received USAID funds… nor any subsidiaries. Again verified in contracts & congressional budgets . I submit budget requests every year.
Also a fact from my position as a manager at Va:
Fact: Hiring freeze at VA for years
Fact: VA has been short staffed for years
Fact: over 1,000 workers have been laid off and more expected.
The VA is already short- handed. This reduction in workers will mean that it will take longer times to get appointments, and longer times to get health care! It will take longer for pharmacists to fill a prescription and longer time to mail it out to the Veteran.
I personally know that one VA CMO at our location has already accepted a job at the civilian University Hospital. People are scared
I work here & it took me 6 months to get appointment for a specialist
It is clear, if you have less workers in a already short staff system, it will take longer to get the jobs done!
VA is not perfect. It does an outstanding job with the resources Congress gives VA. Me & other staff love helping veterans
I agree there is waste that should be eliminated. But these half truths is not doing anyone any good & not giving this secretary much credibility especially for the days to come
The country is so divided, we may never agree and that’s okay.
I do not wish to be negative or argumentative, but my point is to simply say to research what is being told. If your research backs up the statement-great.
This is affecting all of our lives & health. I never want to see any veteran lose anything
Good luck to all
Thank you Mr Secretary. Now would be an excellent time to review the countless websites of the VA and consolidate as many as practical. Very thankful for the US Flag and MIA Flay action!
The amount of half truths at best and lies at worst is evident in Collin’s communications. Merely saying it doesn’t make it true. One is the statement of $178 million in Politico news – the amount is inflated & it goes for trade papers.
Collin’s has proven in the very 1st communication with veterans that he has not alleviated veterans fears & worries but proven he can’t be trusted
Sharon, watch it again, he says $178,000. It says the same thing in the print above.
Thank God for Donald Trump and taking our country back. God bless America, land that I love
Really? Taking it back from who? The racist tone can’t be hidden. Do not worry there will be nothing left when this clowns are done
Shame on you.
I’ve been reading other comments and I’m ashamed of the language used and the disrespect given our president newly in office. I’ve suffered more than 30 years and have been given a list of diagnoses and NO ONE bothered to tell me!! I’ve been working full time and getting drunk and careless with my life because I haven’t received care for my PTSD, MST, OCD, anxiety and depression. Three years ago a VA therapist told me I absolutely couldn’t work anymore. The VA gave me a diagnosis of Unemployable. Who’s paying my bills? Who’s providing food and shelter? Who buys my clothes? Groceries? Not the VA. Not the VA. I believe President Donald Trump loves America and Americans. I believe he knows Jesus. I believe he’ll do his very best for us, because if I didn’t believe in God and if I didn’t have faith and hope I’d give up like many of my sisters and brothers. To them I say, anything worth dying for is also worth living for. I’ve been waiting three years for help. I’ve been waiting more than 30 years to get my mind right. I’ve been waiting three years, since I stopped working, for help, assistance, someone to give support. I no longer have a job or a home.
I’m in a similar state of being. The incredibly bad dental treatment I got has seen to it that I don’t leave the house anymore if at all possible.
Praying the VA gets a major overhaul under Trump. Has been great seeing a leader who takes action and is working diligently to remove the fraud waste and abuse plaguing our government.
I know it will take time but I’m still holding on to my hope that we will see great things brought to those most in need.
I know you all are hurting and tired of waiting for what you deserve but give Mr Collins a chance. He’s only been in the job 30 days and as you know all too well there are a lot of things that need fixing.
Well the VA completed processing a record amount of claims (almost double) than 2023 in from oct 2024 to February so not his accomplishment, in 30 days with this traitor we have been demoralized, villainized and denigrated, in 30 days with this clown, we have lost physicians, nurses, researches, mental health, appointments have been canceled, transportation for veterans in need, housing for homeless veterans. His lack of spine has costed the VA money that could have been used towards something else to allow employees that are not in patient care to continue working remote. Do you know that a desk is around $500 now multiply that by 60 then by the number of facilities. Their stupid 5 bullet email cost millions in OT.
But sure he cares
DEI? Hesgeth had no qualifications and he’s hired. Drub abuser Kennedy has no qualifications and he’s hired. Musk has no qualifications to run a government and he’s hired. Those sound like DEI to be. Bring the people back who you fired so they can help vets. I’ve been waiting two years in my claim but yeah firing people will help.
A lot of negative comments in the comments , DEI is a scam on the American people an i am happy its gone. A big reason for some reported issues has been the prior administration desire to satisfy the DEI groups an creating jobs for them that they are not qualified to do. The results are in the comments ,bad care ,no care etc. The VA will need time ,estimated about 2 years to revamp an repair the damage done by SCAM programs etc. Its sad that the vets themselves are paying the price for mismanagement,an some or many will die . So lets work together an FIX IT ,its a price to pay but the prior system was a potential death sentence, Allowing millions of illegal entry into our country an giving them free money, homes ,health care ,education etc has robbed Americans an our own health care system. Welcome DOGE, its here for you unless you are one of the those stealing ,go to jail. fyi
Yeah seeing a lot of bad faith actors in here trying to keep the VA in the abysmal state it was under the prior administration.
I want surgeons and dentists I can trust to do the job right and not just people hired to fulfill check boxes.
Tho the VA is also rife with medical staff who are essentially the bottom of the barrel working in a field that protects the. from malpractice.
Praying we see more good things brought to this failing system under proper leadership.
yeah, you’ve done nothing but make the VA worse off to line the pockets of president Elon. Oligarchy stinks.
It would be nice to able to use outside hospitals for tests
Just more of the usual crap from a guy whose never been in harms way. US 52 683 206
Wow, what a meaningless list of absolute bootlicking bullshit.
Doug, u forgot to mention yr firing of 1000 VA employees including Vets. You also forgot to highlight your advocacy of cutting VA benefits and blaming the media for the bad press this created for you.
Oh and I have a question: since you so proudly have eliminated D.E.I. initiatives…does this now mean that women and people of color and that gay and trans people will no longer be allowed in VA facilities unless we disguise ourselves as white men? Will Women’s Clinics be closed? Since I’m pretty sure you’d consider that a “woke” and unnecessary expense? I can’t wait to see what other “accomplishments” you have in store for us.
That’s hilarious actually. Removing DEI should NOT be considered an accomplishment. It’s disgusting.
The military is revising or pulling training of woman airman and sexual harassment.
What a slap in the face to women and people of color. The healthcare isn’t even great.
ALOT of that money better be funneled into programs to help for MST and give woman a higher rated disability for it, if you’re taking away sexual assault training.
All you’ve accomplished is compromising Veteran care via irresponsible and incomprehensible cuts at the direction of an unelected immigrant. You should be ashamed. If there is a Hell, I will surely see you there you traitor.
I hope I don’t double this comment on you, but when I first tried to leave it, it disappeared on me and didn’t show up in the feed. I notice that you have a lot of complaints about various V.A. facilities. Let me offer a positive story. The V.A. Medical Center at Martinsburg, WV, is top-notch. I tell everybody to get their V.A. care there. The nutritionist, primary care physician, cardiologist, eye doctor, radiological and nuclear medicine specialists, all great. In 15 years I’ve never had a bad experience yet, other than some long lines and waiting for appointments. But they care about us, and it really shows.
Thank you! I see you’re taking a lot of flak. To be expected. I’ll pray for you. Do us good. :)
Thank you!
OK LIST YOUR SERVICE AND YRS SO IF YOU WERE WAITING STILL THEN WOULD IT MATTER THEN STAND UP BE A REAL AMERICAN CORRECT THE INCORRECT GOD AND US USA
ARE WAITING FOR THE UPDATE
BE THAT GUY
North Carolina VA clinic in Kernersville, NC should be investigated. Pilot Mountain clinic is overrun with dei. The pa in that clinic allows her liberal politics to dictate who receives health care and who doesn’t.
ok great jey you missed something to to dc va and find 286 unpaid still wai waiting for pkg ffom 1978 these statrd with 402 now only 286 still waiting were promised 1022 to be paid everything has been clompleley waitin for grade level to ok to pass to paroll with back py and monthly so last guyshowed up stayed a day w went back to chicago so now feb was the month gien so have someone of common sense to do this joblast may when the buget was approval pa was but didnt so wait for ele3ction ok ever day more interest pai piling up so aprrove these claims asap befoe the returning vets alot of work alot of time after many years finally all compleye so get those special people made it h the package o stop saying wetake care of our not all just some this should have been FIRST ok you ,moved the flags so all vets know there is a incorrect trumps people know not all kmow next time see a vet ask have you been properly taken care mmany have it almost feels like being punised for doing your special job 741540 owand making it back home same sinking feeling returning from nam and signs as baby killers memoriestrans open info well you where slelceted as good and effoencoent shpw us also everyone go to therapy dept and get scooters ele wheels chairs and other helpful equip all new in ck with your rep also if havent recvd passcode that was from the last guy showed up to work pay me club member gone really gone so this newest guy will you work out how many days at work trump will get this notice so will joey an and pete and all ss fbi are served and learned from my hubby still waiting please refrain from excuses think first from the greater of common sense yelp her kieth k ever well aware and those reirired guys who worked for all vets thanks you thank now we still wait seal team 4 sealt eam6 carried mc ann not once but twice POW and alot other actions some know
dodge look at this jd vance ohio ky where most military from just complete this task .the memories have been made into movies no income recvd from that it hard to hear well we take care of our vets well no and least not yet. this is the fifth or no 6 ince this project started no one pays me to care for the vet ok no increase of pY NO ROOM AT vet home well need mor 1978 to 2025 is a long wait EVERY VET CK AND UPDATE YOU ,AY BE MISSING SOMETING god bless you all
one more thing i was in kiss fl met a homeless vet he as famil the dont care anyway he is a true hero his job chooper to body bag in na returning back use for all family to have closure what good man his name is james everyone pray his getts help there is no proprer eason fromhim to be without he served and as fogotten i beileve in gods plan so i am ok you are ok sorry errors puddy fingers and 69rubynkygmail.com yes i am nky
Wow, $178K saved from Politico. You should be proud. What about the thousands who have lost their jobs due to this Trump/Musk nonsense. Get a pair, resist, and support our vets snd the folks who care for them. They deserve no less…
None of these is an accomplishment. What you’re ALL doing is and will continue to negatively impact veterans, including those that comprise 30% of the federal workforce. DEI programs include veterans preference, so we know just how disingenuous you and your colleagues are.
Despicable
You haven’t done a damn thing to actually help veterans.
Hey stupid! Collins just got the job. About giving him time to accomplish the mission. You liberals are the prime reason the entire country is so jacked up. Took you morons 12 out of the last 16 years to destroy America.
LOL. Good luck in the future to you, Mr. Dipsh-t.
Nice comment. How did ‘disappointed’ become a liberal, and how did he/she get the country jacked up? And let’s calm down and see who is going to destroy this country.
I have a candidate in mind…?
You’ve done nothing to help veterans and everything to hurt them.
I am a 100% disabled veteran and am being denied access to care at VA Medical Center, Biloxi MS. I have been without care for over two months. This is in direct conflict with your statement above.
Let me help you.
In my first 30 days, I have managed to make president Musk happy by firing crucial staff from the already understaff VA. But I was put in position by the administration to be a “yes, Sir” individual. I have also lied about fraud and abuse to comply with my orders.
I remove staff that is crucial for the veterans like the ones that assist finding housing for homeless vets, I fired all tech supply at a facility so there is nobody to bring the instruments to the doctors and nurses to do their jobs, I have also allowed to have the cards to 1 dollar making the VAs unable to pay for gas to transport veterans that need it. I also didn’t mention Alyssa Ray Shoop which committed suicide, not as a result of a mental health crisis but as a result of the current administration trying to erase her existence .
This only to ensure the VA looks even worst so it can be privatized and my friends can profit from it.
I also, have made sure to comply with project 2025 and make life of my employees miserable, although, you underestimate than unlike you we care about the most important people our VETERANS.
Spoken like a true snowflake liberal Baboon.
Once again, offering nothing but name calling
You seem to have the same response throughout your postings.
How old are you? Why is your only response to those you disagree with is to call them names
Honest questions, is someone paying you for your posts,
You make any kind of civil discussion impossible & sound like a 6 grader
Tell me you are part of the Lower 12% IQ without telling me.
Are you a child than when in disagreement can only react by attacking and name calling?
Is he paying you? (Highly doubt it)
Are you able to put a smart sentence together for a debate?
You are here defending these people and they do not care about you. Because if you haven’t noticed everything is worst and your food stamps might be cut.
I’m reading some of these comments and I’m shocked. Biden didn’t give a damn about us. Now we actually have an administration trying to support us and you’re crapping all over them. Open your eyes. For the first time we are seeing some transparency. Embrace it.
First Sensible comment i have seen! I can’t even see anyone outside the VA under Biden Admin. I got soooo much done under Trump the last go around. I am a woman, and the army destroyed my knees. Bone on Bone and you can HEAR the grinding. You know what the Biden Admin offered…? Acupuncture! Is that a joke? I NEED knee surgery and i hope the extra funds will go a long way in getting me one. And DEI? I was treated so good under the Trump admin as a woman. Found cancer, got a hysterectomy from a woman’s hospital and plenty of help from the headache clinic for migraines. Under Biden…nothing. Tylenol. Constant appointment cancelations and started charging me for my meds.
You hit the nail right on the head
You guys are the most racist and unintelligent people i have had the desency of researching I hope all of you die
Seems like the woke Va Cboc in Fredericksburg Va is having a hard time finding a portrait of the new president and the SoVA . They refuse to hang a photo of them . Still have the plexiglass up to make it harder for the hearing impaired !
I like what is being done. However, fast tracking needs to be done getting medical supplies and mobile device to the vet. Example.. my husband waited over a year to get his wheelchair. We are now on another long wait for this new chair. It is really broken for vets to get what they need.
Unfortunately, he will keep waiting with the actions this guy is taking to make his bosses happy.
Do the world a favor and shut the f… up clown!
Aww you are a true snowflake. Did you little ego got hurt? Did your parents not love you?
Your only resource is to start name calling people when you disagree instead of having a smart debate.
It’s all good they like them just like you… the lower 12% IQ, research it, if you can spell.
You forgot to mention the additional 1400 employees you laid off, bringing the total to 2400 casualties among the people who serving our needs. I would like to know what your approval rate for veterans claims is. You say you got 300,000 new positions approved but who the heck would work for you if they are going to have to deal with this hostile work environment. Trump is a draft dogger, and Musk aint even an American. Why would they give a hoot about vets. They are Russian assets.
Do you make the same argument about all of the liberal members of Congress who are not actual American born citizens??? Yeah, didn’t think so. Typical hypocritical clown.
All you are doing is screwing over veterans and federal employees. Go ahead and keep firing people and there won’t be enough people left to take care of veterans. I work in Community Care and we are already short-staffed and can’t keep up. Veterans complain about how long it takes to get an appt well guess what? It isn’t our fault. We don’t have the staff or resources to keep up with the demand. All you are doing is running this country into the ground and pissing off our allies. How can a president create a new dept and give a non-elected person unrestricted permissions? What about the checks and balances system that is supposed to keep one person, branch, or party from having too much power? Our govt has become the laughing stock of the world and the common people are the ones paying the price and suffering. I say make politicians show 5 things they did last week for the American people.
Please help I was approved for aid and attendant. Caregiver is still going on it has been over a year. I NEED HELP my husband is a 100 % veteran I need some one to stop the games. This is not how you treat a disable veteran he tried to kill himself last year this is how we take care of veterans …Lord help, what about those veterans who have e no one
I am so sorry. unfortunately this guy will make things even harder for you to obtain the help. He has a different agenda.
Where did the $98 million that was identified and redirected come from?
Exactly right. It is a fact that VA has been short staffed long before Biden. It is a fact VA has had hiring freeze for years, again before Biden.
Congress has underfunded VA for years. Look at each congressional budget in past years to see what VA had been appropriated.
After the conflicts these past 2 decades, millions of soldiers have been added to the VA system.
VA cannot literally accommodate a growing Veteran force on the money they are given, on the staff they cannot hire.
Come on – These problems have been with us long before the past 4 years. Long before the word DEI was ever heard of.
So fix the problems.
Is firing people going to fix anything . Is a hiring freeze going to fix anything. Is getting rid of probationary employees going to fix anything. A lot of veterans themselves & active duty spouses are probationary employees. Is the remaining VA staff taking up the slack of those fired going to fix anything.
Less staff means an already short staffed system will not get jobs done any faster.
So forgive me for not giving Collin’s a chance. His actions so far in his short time on the job tells me his actions doesn’t match his talk.
I am a 78 year old Navy veteran that served with my commander of Anti-Submarine Warfare on the island of Okinawa.
1968-1969 the two years I served at Naha and the air bases, the air traffic with troops, supplies and weapons of war going to and from Vietnam was a daily happening.
I was discharged January 1970.
From that day to today my life, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer of the head and neck, a stroke that left my left side not function as it should, and not being able to eat normal. Cancer of the neck left me not being able to swallow food or liquids normally without it going into my lungs, and aspiration phenomena in both lungs.
I Filed a claim September 2022, after president Biden signed to Pact Act. Today it still sits with the higher level review team. The DOD, Veterans Affairs, and our Government will not admit that Agent Orange, nerve gas left over from WWII, and all the other weapons used during the Vietnam War were outside the base were we served.
I have proved, furnished pictures of Operation Red Hat, the operation that President Nixon had the removal all of what was there taken to Johnston Atoll, the island in the Pacific that was the dumping grounds for the chemical agents of the war.
Still the government will not admit that nothing was stored on Okinawa,
I have attended numerous doctor visits with Veterans Evaluations Services and QTC doctors. They have acknowledge my condition but the higher level has not approved or denied my claim.
Okinawa was a very big part of the Vietnam War, we were there and many have died and many of us are still alive and live with what has happened.
It would be a very nice for our government to recognize the veterans that served during the Vietnam war other than on the soil of Vietnam, and follow the laws of the Pact Act.
Sir, Do you really believe that eliminating personal at VA hospitals will improve health care? We personally know doctors who work at VA hospitals. They have received letters encouraging them to resign. This past weekend they received the same letter all other federal employees did, requiring them to list what they did last week. They have to respond by tonight or else lose their job. Eliminating personal will not improve health care.
It seems like since you are the head of the VA, you should be the person in charge of hiring and firing.
So how does forcing the workers who staff the suicide hotline out if their home offices into space that the VA must now pay for help vets and the VA?
How does randomly firing new VA employees help the VA?
Looking for you to step up and defy this idiot, President. I for one do not see myself as a sucker or a loser for volunteering for the US army and proudly serving in in the 1st Infantry division in Viet Nam. Please resist.
If any of you commenters looked up the background of this clown, you wouldn’t waste your time thinking he cares what you say. If Trump makes a sharp turn, Collins is gonna have a broken nose. He is a member of cult 45 all the way.
In addition, he’s a chaplain! Anyone remember his snarky social media post, when Justice Ruth Ginsberg died? This clown only care about doing his master’s bidding. He’s not qualified to be anything but a toady; just like all of Trump’s flunkies.
Apparently you’re just stupid. You continue to drink the liberal koolaid. Embarrassment to the uniform.
The boss is nothing but a troll and stupid enough to assume anybody who disagrees with Collins / current administration are liberals drinking koolaid. No facts to back up anything he is saying either.
Really? Are we not the suckers and losers our president called us? I didn’t get that apology. Grow a spine.
Yeah, really. Liberal POS!
Paul Wayne Horvat
(redacted)
Orlando, Florida 32828
February 19, 2025
The Honorable Doug Collins
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
Subject: The Need for Reform in the VA Disability Rating System
Dear Secretary Collins,
First, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Your leadership presents a vital opportunity to address longstanding issues within the VA, particularly the complex and often frustrating disability rating system.
As a disabled veteran who has navigated the VA’s system firsthand, I can attest to the inefficiencies and inconsistencies that many veterans face. The current combined ratings formula—where individual disability percentages are not simply added together but instead applied in a descending order of remaining “functionality”—creates confusion and often results in ratings that do not accurately reflect the true impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.
Moreover, the system fails to adequately consider the cumulative effect of multiple disabilities on a veteran’s daily life and employability. Many veterans find themselves unable to work due to their conditions, yet they do not meet the strict criteria for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because of arbitrary percentage thresholds. The extra-schedular rating process, which should allow for exceptions, is rarely granted and lacks transparency.
To create a system that is fairer, more transparent, and more reflective of veterans’ actual limitations, I urge the VA to consider the following reforms:
1. Simplify the Ratings System – Instead of the current complex formula, adopt a straightforward model where disabilities are added together to provide a clearer and more accurate total rating.
2. Improve Consideration of Multiple Disabilities – Veterans with several service-connected conditions should receive ratings that reflect how these conditions interact and compound one another.
3. Expand Access to TDIU – The VA should lower the barriers to TDIU by removing rigid percentage requirements and instead focusing on functional limitations in determining whether a veteran can sustain employment.
4. Increase Transparency in Decision-Making – The VA should provide clearer explanations on rating decisions and extra-schedular determinations, ensuring veterans understand how their claims are evaluated and what evidence is required for appeals.
5. Implement a More Veteran-Centric Approach – The system should prioritize the real-world impact of disabilities over rigid bureaucratic formulas, ensuring that veterans are compensated appropriately for the service-connected impairments affecting their quality of life.
Our veterans have already sacrificed for this country; they should not have to continue fighting for the benefits they have earned. I respectfully urge you to prioritize this issue and work toward a more just, simple, and effective rating system that truly serves those who served.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss these concerns further and provide insights based on my personal experiences. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Paul Wayne Horvat
Disabled Vetetan
Finally, a man that possesses a functioning brain. Congratulations sir!
Sounds great! Simplifying is definitely needed.
Community care and The Dental in Raleigh Durham has been so bad to me it should be criminal. Over a year to be seen by dental Clinic and Community Care is just as bad. Someone needs to get in there and clean up all the dead weight there.
Amen brother! Kernersville VA is as bad or worse. Filled with dei hires. They sit on their fat a$$ and talk about how sorry white people are. While playing on their phones.
You are fucking disgusting.
Firing thousands of high performing VETERANS from the VA??
Do no claim to our veterans first.
I think the time to solve Va claims is totally un called for it takes years to get claim results no answers from Va
Wish they would streamline community care to help the veterans. It is a nightmare
Please please look at it
My husband is a vet with many medical issues, he’s having to wait 3 plus months for appointments, I think there should be a better system. In the meantime you hope nothing else happens. Sad to treat people that.
I have been trying to get a upgrade on discharge. And been getting slow played by state agencies and they try to guilt trip me. I do believe that itisn’t the frist time. Plus trying to get any info from them is like pulling eye teeth.
In my situation, I will be needing help in a couple of ways by the end of this year. And the VA benfits that I might receive, just might help me to live in the apartment.
How bout we focus on getting verlts that are waiting on LENGHTY DECISIONS FOR APPROVAL PROCESSES. For instance the Army board of discharge review takes WAY TO LONG for their decisions to go through. Some have stated over 36 months. There has to be a better way for you allcto make these procedures go quicker and smoother cause right now the DMV and IRS are moving faster than those clowns. Put vets first by expediting those kinds of processes. Being a vet myself who is waiting for my discharge upgrade due to PTSD, it is nerve racking. There isn’t any sort of website where you can track progress or anything that I know of. You can email them. And get ignored. DO VETS A FAVOR AND ASK US WJAT WE NEED AND QUIT ASSUMING YOU KNOW. Thank you, at least consider it.
Savings is great. I’m just not sure how it’s possible to get rid of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Don’t all disabled veterans meet that definition?
YES! You are exactly right. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion makes sure that there are accessible services for disabled vets who are patients and employees.
Yes, they do
Some genuine give a shit from medical staff would be helpful as well. Example. I was prescribed meds for neuropathy. Side effect, lost my teeth . Recommendation from my primary care doc, “learn to like soup.”
Would love to see the Director address the policy of the former Director of not allowing any Religious materials to be placed in V A. Medical centers for the public to see.
I agree. Those materials were meaningful and helpful.
Veterans care about jobs, health, and quality of life. Everything VA sec said didn’t point to anything substantial . You save money, did that hire more mental health providers? Are there shorter wait times to file a claim or see a doctor. Are there new VA facilities or contracts to build
Hey stupid! Took biden 4 years to jack up the VA. How bout giving Collins more than 4 minutes to fix it. A$$ clown.
It actually ran better under last administration. Collins has not done shit
My VA Docter and Nurse are obvious DEI hires. What do I do now.
Why are my benefits being cut? 3 times I have called va holiness. 2 times lost in transfers 1 time hung up on. Thanks for all the concern.
Hi Doug. How much of this saved money is now being burned today, February 24th, 2025, because you did not have the courage to tell the VA healthcare system to disregard an email sent from an outside source? A person who is not elected, appointed or in any way associated with the VA? How many hours will be wasted responding to a self written report card? How many employees will not be able to do their training today? How many excluded hours will be racked up? And most importantly, HOW MANY CLAIMS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED AND HOW MANY VETERANS WILL NOT BE SEEN FOR HEALTHCARE?
Your cowardice has been noted by the everyone.
How dare you, as a veteran, act like you have your peers’ best interests first when you allow this nonsense?
Get it together, sir. It’s embarrassing.
My office had two meetings and the managers spent two hours drafting a response for us to have something to work with since our jobs are repetitive and we don’t know what is considered an accomplishment. Then, once they gave us their draft, we had to draft our own from that. Took me fifteen minutes. So 3.25 hours for a stupid email that no one knows what they’ll do with the responses. Ridiculous. My quantity and quality of work is monitored daily weekly and monthly. I can quantify what I do in the office versus at home. I can assure you that most of us are working as hard as we can. The pack act pushed millions of claims into the system, and lots of new hires, which don’t make a great combination, that everyone that I know and work with is dedicated to their mission. Most of us are Vets ourselves who contend with the VA and it’s nonsense.
What is truly embarrassing is the fact that an idiot like you was ever allowed to wear the uniform of a United states military member. Gotta be a liberal POS baboon!
No Thelma is the hero here . She served her country well. No vet would ever say what you did to another vet.
You are the embarrassing one & obvious you have never worn a uniform on your back
you’re truly an embarrassment and I don’t see what Thelma said as being embarrassing. I’m sure you never wore the uniform yourself, are a paid troll, or just mentally retarded. Coming on here calling people names whenever you aren’t reading (probably can’t even read) their posts.
Too many vets are subject to layoff re rescinding work at home rules, many of whom are over 50 percent disability. The scheduling system, in particular, will be dysfunctional for well over a year. The thought that they can be brought back into largely no longer existing office space and handed a laptop is ludicrous. Va has repurposed those spaces. IT WON’T WORK! How do you help veterans by laying off veterans, the best, most dedicated of your staff.
When is an investigation going to be done about the injustices I have been forced to carry for 34 years. Accountability starts at the top. Meanwhile I still suffer as those real criminals continue to reep rewards and benefits like kings. I still try to prove innocence of something I didn’t do and those records have been destroyed but the VA and government as whole does not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt anything and due process only matters when their hands are caught in the cookie jar. I say this so the whole world knows the United States Army DESERTED me March 7,1991 under Declaration of Desert Storm commiting International War and Humanitarian Law Crimes. I will never forget and every day this Injustice is covered up I am a day closer to the Relief I deserve and Exposing the real criminals. Not one agency of Government has ever stepped up to assist me quiet the opposite they have been allowed to destroy records illegally blocking me from Justice and Innocence. I will never quit or give up because I’m an American Soldier and a Veteran. One day will come when you will answer to me and this Nation for the treatment I have received without Cause.
Booooooooooooooooooooo. Tell us something tangible. My appointments have been pushed and phone calls unanswered. How will our care improve? What will our care look like? Leave politics and meaningless restrictions no one asked for.
How does a sycophant move into a post and tell us all lies. You say you found money and yet diminish our industry with terror tactics of the very people we fought to keep of our politics.How dare you insult our intelligence sir.
Why don’t they enforce the Supreme Court ruling about the benefit of the doubt law?
I used to visit my Dad Walter Kolopajlo, a WWII Vet, at the VA Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. It was a somber place, with not many people around, or many nurses on his floor. I wonder what we can do to make these places a happer place. But I think that his care was good. He recoverd and went home..
When congress or theoffice of budget proposes cutting costs it is always on the backs of the veterans. Haven ‘t we done enough for are country you all should try living on my monthly disability check . Trust me it’s no way near 174k a year
Any changes in benefits for non service connected Pension veterans totally Disabled, Living on Prayers Forgive my request I’m truly grateful to the VA.
Breaking News !
There is a major Frauds, Scandals, Corruptions and Conspiracies of VA Loan and home purchase in California, that needs to be addressed by US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Military Veterans issues in Stockton, California.
Extreme Very Urgent Matters!
I am respectfully a US Army Honorable Military Veteran ?
For more information, Please Contact Me
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Great news we love the VA .They take good care of us.Alway kind and when necessary out sources our care for surgery dental mental health.we can call a nurse for help.Some need cloths food .Work to prevent suicide . medicine.Home health care.Make home safe teach safety walking .Great abuse help for alcohol smoking drugs .Thank u
My husband is a100% disabled Vietnam vet. He now sadly no longer is in my care at home.
He is 78yrs old. Suffers from Dementia, diabetes. I sense he is receiving the best care available
at Castle Point in Wappingers Falls NY.
Al knows who I am and recognizes our two daughters. We are fortunate as we are able to visit frequently.
We actually visit with every veteran who we can engage with. It’s an honor to meet truly brave Vets and those who care for them.
The staff are made up of true believers of “The Golden Rule.”
When you are on YouTube why do you turn the comments off?
I like it really much. It was great perfect
VA notified my family on 12/27/2024 of my death, yet I am among the living.
Since, I have taken all steps required to have my smaii disability pension reinstated but the process still brings no remedy.
Your consideratio to right this wrong is appreciated.
DEI is not the problem, it is not affirmative action. All it means is to treat all with respect. Trump/musk/vance turned that into a bad word, but destroying the framework of our government to get ride of DEI is plane STUPID. So much so that it is a lie, a license to steal.
These people need to clearly state where we are going? I wonder?
I’m appalled at your grandstanding and proliferation of half-truths. VA services are for ALL who honorably served. The VA image has suffered for decades as being unwelcoming to minorities and women, yet military recruitment ensured increasing percentages of both.
Now you’re saying diversity doesn’t matter. That doesn’t place a significant portion of Veterans first.
Get your act together! You are a man of God as a chaplain. Your treatment of VA employees is abominable! How can they serve Veterans when they’re being jerked around and demoralized by weekly threats of termination?
In 1976, while in boot camp, I witnessed a boot pusher slam a black recruit into a locker and scream racial slurs at him. Throughout much of my time in boot camp, I was subject to various physical punishments after refusing a boot pusher’s continual sexual advances. While minority groups in the military may not be subject to this kind of blatant abuse any more, discrimination appears to be making a strong come back. Approximately 36% of the active force are racial minorities and 19.8% are women. Will they have fair opportunities for promotions and assignments under the reign of Trump, Musk, Hegseth, and the new department heads? Not likely. Their playbook is to broadly vilify DEI programs as the opposite of merit-based employment. The recent firing and reassignments of high-ranking minority officers and “chainsaw firings” of civil servants in the name of merit-based employment and efficiency is a farce and smokescreen.
Promotions should be merit based, only. Newsflash for you Margaret, 74% of all combat casualties in all American fought wars are white males. How bout minorities doing their fair share. Join an MOS that actually fights in combat.
She can’t. She’s not allowed to anymore! Why is your only response to those you disagree with is to call them morons and liars. Do you have nothing substantial to dispute their assertions with?
It’s funny that you would cheer getting rid of DEI[A], considering that most of the veterans that you serve would fall under the Accessibility part of DEIA.
The VA is just as bad as it always was. I’m not convinced that they will change a thing that actually helps Veterans suffering with PTSD and TBI from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It takes over a month to get an appointment at the VA and if you do you are lucky if you actually get help. It’s honestly sad and pathetic that the VA and DOD lie about everything including the care that they provide.
Benjamin Reid
United States Marine Corps
Medically Retired Staff Sergeant
As long as liberals are allowed to occupy (not win) the oval office. Nothing in America will improve for Actual Americans. But illegal immigrants and foreign countries will always benefit.
Elon isn’t associated with liberal administration but he’s an illegal that’s prospering. Hmmm? ?
It’s About Time ! Thank You !
I’m curious about the recent vote about the PACT Act. There were more votes not supporting it than those who do. So is the PACT Act going away?
$178,000 allocated to Politico is a lie. That amount trump, as usual, is elevated
When in fact All federal agencies combined spent $8.2 million last year on Politico Pro for such trade papers on subscriptions to E&E, an energy and environment publication. There are more but you get the idea
You are spreading lies & propaganda to justify your political ends
Karen, you’re a moron. Lying moron at that.
How old are you? Why is your only response to those you disagree with is to call them morons and liars. Do you have nothing substantial to dispute my claims with? or can you just not have an intelligent conversation?
I have had conversations with others with different opinions that has made me rethink my position . But not with you.
You make any kind of civil discussion impossible & sound like a 6 grader
Her name is “Sharon” not “Karen” you illiterate failure and child.
Doug, please stop insulting our intelligence. The veteran is back first at the VA? I’ve always received exceptional care at the VA. The only difference I’ve noticed during your first 30 days is the patriots working at the VA have become stressed and demoralized because they don’t know if they’ll have a job tomorrow. You mention eliminating DEI as if you’re proud of it. Tell me how eliminating a program that was custom built for and utilized by veterans help veterans. Doublespeak. The new flag policy? Excluding a group you don’t like does not help me with my TBI. The Politico subscription was a smart purchase many professionals use for information that increases productivity and efficiency. In conclusion, you have not been able to present even one tangible accomplishment which serves veterans. Try harder or get out of the way.
Pora? Definitely a liberal hack. AKA a pathological liar.
There you go again . Nothing substantial to say but calling names.
First off, you’re announcing that the Veteran’s Administration is going to help veterans. Everybody already knows that. So, your plan to help people, you’re excluding people Trump doesn’t like, you’re going to fly the American flag (duh) and you’re eliminating any information that isn’t right-wing enough. This helps us how?
DEI’s goals and principles are already covered in EEO, AA, ADA, DOL, SBA and other agencies, policies and CFRs related to equality & fairness. That is Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, American Disabilities Act/Rehabilitation Act, Dept of Labor. Small Business Administration, etc. Lookup their Missions on their websites and compare to DEI. Redundant training, information, and a separate agency for this new term, made no sense. (I’m a former Federal Govt Employee that retired in 2023 with 37 years, so I know what I’m writing here is true.
Very happy Mr Collins has headed up the VA. I hope some changes will help 2 Navy buddies who both suffer from possible Ship related illnesses as currently neither recieve what I feel is in depth analysis. But regardless Mr Collons is a very good person for us Vets!
Does the VA Secretary actually think we are buying this 30 day savings nonsense from Musk. I hear nothing specific except firing people. This flag initiative is clownish, talk to POTUS about his disrespect for our men in uniform. Stop disrespecting the country and our military.
Brown, have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re definitely the poster child for stupidity. Did you just finish smoking crack with your hero, hunter biden???
Um…… why did the VA fire my Doc? Is that going to make health care better?
Doug …. you have said that that no medical staff have been let go but you are lying to us veterans
Why have I waited almost a year and still haven’t heard anything about my Emergency Neurosurgery Surgery Referral. I have filed multiple complaints with my patient advocate, who never got back to me. I broke my back and neck serving my country. I don’t want to hear about your BS firings and how they are going to help me ..Just FUCKING HELP ME!!!!!
You’ve waited over a year because of biden. Why don’t you ask biden that question. Everyone on this site, a liberal baboon???
No just you
Daniel loop or Dan service in the Viet.
Nam soldier.he was here service
Planes here engines planes he die
Nothing is on his Tombstone, where are you served at or his services and therefore Air Force? Please help him put something on this channel show. Don’t worry ifp pay for that. You didn’t get no 21 guns to lose. It’s grave and downhill Spencer Indiana.
When will the veterans of the Canal Zone finally get recognized for their exposure to Agent Orange. We’re suffering and dieing and the VA refuses to care.
VA Leadership need to learn the regulations. A female Veteran showed up to a CBOC at Pensacola Florida for Behavioral Health Services and was sent away to a Civilian inpatient hospital and now the VA is stating they won’t cover the cost.
Thanks for supporting us all of us
VA SHOULD SPEARHEAD A DRIVE TO GIVE THE KOREAN WAR MORE MEDIA EXPOSURE. 30,000 GOLD STAR MOTHERS HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR LAST 70 + YEARSBILL LITTELL
CHICAGOBILLYANG@ATT.NET
Great idea. Highlight our Korean vets who are still with us, while we can.
I would believe that this new leadership helps the VA do more except for the fact that 1000 VA staff were eliminated only to discover that some had to be rehired. This new leadership is just blowing smoke!
How about more American doctors and less Middle Eastern doctors that seem to look down on us and making it easier to report incompetent and rude personnel who could care less about the veterans.
Amen brother! The VA hire those POS because they will work for pennys and at the same time, prescribe meds to kill Veterans.
Flags flown don’t harm anyone, Your White washing DEI, helped all colors of American Service, members not just the color TRUMP wants. Quit being scared of a Felon .
Spoken like a true blm/antifa asshole. Stupid one at that.
We are still having problems with the VA in Georgetown Delaware in Joe Biden’s back yard! Our therapy group would like to meet with Mr. Doug Collins to discuss the problems we are having ! We would welcome him anytime! Jerome Butler Seaford Delaware! Contact Georgetown va for contact information!
Love it. You cant see it but i sending a proper salute to this organization.
If we are curtailing DEI, why are we still having a Black History Month?
Some one tell Dougie that many “GAY”(?) Americans served in the Military and in wars. You don’t have to be “Straight” to die for your country (or white either). They are more respected by me than any “Draft Dodger” with an invisible heel spur and no x-ray proof, yet can play 18 holes of golf & NOT even limp. Remember the WW1 saying “I GOT YOUR BACK”. Who has yours? Definitely NOT Mr. T.
Delaware is Last in VA funding. Why Dems figured they did need the votes as the state was always in the bag Last in healthcare facilities vs Veterans Lowest in compensation and pension for widows Black Veterans hurt the most Call me for details 302 569 5595
Day of the layoffs I volunteered at VA Shreveport. I have 3yrs in Recovery from addictions. I see ways to privatize some VA services making more affordable and working towards a totally self supporting Recovery Industry as a whole.
Getting ready to leave for the VA Hospital. I’m a retired soldier, disabled veteran, and a VA Volunteer.
I thought we always fly the American flag at VA hospital. And the VA staff have always treated veterans with respect and quality care. Sounds like Trump stuff, taking credit for something that’s already happenning.
Apparently you have never been to the Kernersville VA in North Carolina. Total dei shit-show. Worse care ever witnessed.
Any veteran can ‘opt out’ of VA healthcare. No one forces the veterans to use the VA’s healthcare services. A Vet can find a private industry physician locally that might better meet their needs.
You’re a bigot and can’t help yourself.
Still waiting on my claim. Almost 7 months waiting on my cancer claim.
Admin. Staffing at my local VA care center has employée not performing functions.Receptist observved on celle phone
You have also managed to cut benefits and put thousands of Vets out of work
No benefits have been cut for Veterans you lying POS liberal baboon!
Mr.Collins Sir My name is Raymond Brunet a Vietnam Veteran and a Disabled Veteran at only 80% and now am waiting on all claims filed to get to the 100% rating from being contaminated by Agent Orange while serving in the US Air Force in UDORN Air Force Base UDORN Thailand North East Thailand. Because of Agent Orange I came down with many illnesses 2 Heart Attacks 3 days apart in Dec.2006. 2 Two major Strokes one in Aug. 2018 and the other in October 2018 A triple Bypass Open Heart Surgery six and half hours with many many problems. Hearing Loss 40 % rating part of the 80% rating also neuropathy back problems Head aches Sleep Apnea Spots on my Lungs Depression Anxiety and Mental Health problems. Please I need Help.
Sounds like you haven’t done shit then!
Where is this money going “back to veterans?” Does it include compensation for the Veterans who got purged when 1000 VA employees got let go. Yeah. Donald Trump hasn’t let up taking away our benefits.
You are a pathological liar and a liberal POS troll. No Veteran has lost any benefits.
My VA care at the Grand Junction, Colorado Veterans facility has been outstanding for the past eight years. I have NEVER had to jump through any hoops nor has it ever been difficult to get an appointment with any VA provider. The medical care that I have received from my VA doctors, along with ALL the support staff, have been superior and very supportive of my needs. Please Do NOT mess with my health care. Steve Pierce, Cedaredge, Colorado
I go to va in Colombia sc never had a problem since I started in 2010
You’re very lucky. Stay away from the NC VA.