Veterans: An annual physical could save your life

I just finished reading the article, “Veterans: An annual physical could save your life”, in which was the statement, “VA is dedicated to helping Veterans maintain their health and screen for various health risks through proper preventative care”. I almost laughed except I was so shocked that I couldn’t do anything more than shake my head in dismay.

I have been a patient at the Atlanta VAMC for 20 years now and have received maybe four or five actual annual physicals during that time, and I cannot even remember the last time I actually received a physical. It’s been that long ago! Every year I am scheduled for what I can only suppose is meant to be a physical, but each year I walk out wondering why the VA healthcare system doesn’t give physicals. Each time the doctors just sit there looking at my chart, ask me if I need any refills on my meds and then send me on my way. No examination at all. So imagine my surprise when I see this article being published as if the VA actually gives physicals to Veterans.

Of course, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. About three or four years ago my regular primary care doctor left the VA to go into private practice so I was assigned a new Primary Care doctor. When I went to him, not only was it hard to understand what he was saying because his accent was so thick, he couldn’t understand what me and my wife were trying to tell him either. Then, the unimaginable happened! This doctor said to us, and this is verbatim what he said, “I AM A TERRORIST AND I KILL VETERANS”!!!! At first we were so shocked we didn’t know what to do but then realty set in and I told my wife let’s get out of here. We went straight to the Patient Advocates office and filed a formal complaint against him and asked to be assigned a new Primary Care doctor because I told them that I will never go back to that “supposed” doctor again. Well, that started a very long journey that was a total nightmare. I went for 17 MONTHS WITHOUT A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR! I fought for 17 long months just trying to get a new Primary Care assigned to me. Nobody cared though and nobody listened. I finally had to march into the head administrator’s office and demand that someone help me, only to be assigned to a small clinic outside of the main Atlanta VAMC, that when I went to my first appointment they wouldn’t see me and then assigned me back to someone else back at the main Atlanta VA where I already was! And what was the outcome of all this? Nothing! That very same doctor, who told me to my face that he “was a terrorist” and that he “kills Veterans” is still working there to this day!!

So, please forgive me if I find this article not only laughable, but also shameful. I have tried my best to write this in a respectful manner and not let my emotions be involved, but to even suggest that Veterans actually receive annual physicals is almost too much to process right now. I don’t know what the rest of this country’s VAMC’s do, but I can tell you from my experience that the Atlanta VA does not follow this at all.

The VA in Tulsa Oklahoma the behavioral health has a doctor that barely speaks English and almost killed me three times that hospital Muskogee is a death trap. Want to fix that and build a new VA hospital in Tulsa the one in Muskogee was built for Tulsa was even founded in the oil and have to take a 40 minute bus ride a stogie and then wait and wait and wait why don’t you get a hold of senator inhofe and build one a VA hospital in Tulsa Oklahoma you’ll get more votes doing that then dropping bombs. Brooks

I am 78 and I have been going to the VA for two years. I have been treated much better than I was prior by the clev. Clinc. provider. They started charging a facility charge of 105.00 for office charge, beside the regular office visit. They double book, I have waited up to an hour past my time for appointment. I can honestly say that I have nothing but good things to say about my treatment, at the VA hospital in Cleveland And Parma Ohio.

I AM A RETIRED 100% DISABLED VETERAN. CAN I GO TO A CIVILIAN DOCTOR FOR A COMPLETE PHYSICAL EXAM UNDER TRICARE FOR LIFE AND MEDICARE COMBINED?

You’d better not rely on the VA testing for proper diagnosis and treatment. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and had a prostatectomy in February 2009. I had no connection with the VA and had labs done by my private PCP 3 months, 6 months, and a year after surgery with nearly undetectable PSA readings. Then a VA clinic opened near my home and I relied solely on the VA for labs. In June 2016 I filed a claim related to prostate cancer. In December I had a C&P exam and the physician stated I was in remission and I was awarded 10% disability for residual effects of surgery. Two months later the VA informed me my PSA was ” a little high”. That was 6.0. Feeling something was very wrong I researched rising PSA after prostatectomy. I learned if a postprostatectomy patient has PSA exceeding 0.2 there is recurring cancer. I check my lab history. MY PSA began to more than double each year in 2011. In 2013 my PSA was 0.335. A competent physician would have recognized recurring cancer and referred me to a urologist for treatment. When I had my C&P exam my PSA was 4.0.
I saw a private urologist in May 2017, was diagnosed with recurring cancer and awarded 100%. Then the battle began. The VA denied a request for reconsideration of the 2016 decision. When my congressman became involved VA responses were evasive and deceptive. After an appeal and a Supplemental Evidence claim this year and a C&P exam by a private physician that reviewed my lab history the VA admitted I had recurring cancer since 2013 but could only back the effective date back to my June 2016 claim. I filed a complaint with the Tennessee Medical Board against the physician that performed the 2016 C&P exam. They have contacted me and there is an ongoing investigation.
In 2013 I sought treatment when I was experiencing short blackouts. The neurologist in Evansville, IN sent me to Marion, IL for testing. After the test I was told to do a followup with the neurologist. An appointment was set for 3 weeks later. A few days before that appointment the VA called and canceled the appointment and made one for 60 days later. During that time I was due to renew my DOT physical for my CDL. Not knowing the cause of blackouts I stopped driving and did not go for the physical. Because I went 60 days without renewing the physical I had to give up my CDL after 40 years of driving. I didn’t experience any more blackouts so I never went back to the neurologist. In 2016 when I started seeing a private PCP because of lack of confidence with the VA the doctor obtained and reviewed my VA files. I was told the tests at Marion showed I had a partially blocked carotid artery. My blackouts were the result of me turning my head to the right causing further blockage. The blackouts had stopped because I was taking increased cholesterol medicine, I wasn’t turning my head that far after I stopped driving, and not sitting in a truck all day I was more active and had better circulation. Marion should have notified my provider at my local clinic and when the VA neurologist wasn’t available I should have been referred to a private neurologist. It’s very likely I could have been treated in time to keep my CDl.

I think the term Annual Physical is a little misleading. I’m a over 65 year old vet that has been with the VA for less than two years. Prior to VA health care I had yearly Annual Physicals paid by Medicare. On my last visit with my VA Primary I asked about scheduling for an annual physical and she said that the new guidlines don’t cover this anymore?