VA Medical Care

[Ridge Runner]

There were no Primary Care providers in the VA system in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. It took about a year to finally get transferred to Community Cares. Community Cares called and left a message and I returned their calls until the referral expired and had to then start the process over. Once I got the referral started they passed me bogus doctors to call and schedule appointments with who were not part of the VA system. My referral expired. Started over. Same problem and just plodded along with Tricare for a while. I filed complaint after complaint and then finally received a date about 4 months out. I attended the visit and the doctor was of Eastern European decent, poor English, and truly seemed unsure how to do her job. I walked out of the appointment and never went back.

Hampton VA Medical Center leadership under fire after investigation reveals 'widespread failures'

The Inspector General report revealed "mismanaged surgical privileging actions and deficient surgical service quality management processes" at the Hampton VA.

www.13newsnow.com

Sounds like Mountain Home V.A. several years ago. Enough complaints to Senator Phil Roe, who is also a licensed medical doctor, along with being our state Senator and was on the Veterans Senate Sub Committee, made multiple visits to the Mountain Home V.A replacing various administrators, and other employees to improve veteran healthcare at the Mountain Home V.A.M.H..

Veterans can check their V.A. hospital rating by asking Google: what is the _________ V.A. hospital (rating) or (ranked) in the (state) or (nationally)?

I was surprised to find Mountain Home has gone from one of the worst to number 4 in the top 25 V.A. hospitals in the last couple of decades.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Man it agitates me alot to hear my fellow vets have to fight and fight for their earned benefits, thats GOV.com I do believe Trumps first presidency he upended the VA some and made it where they could be fired for reasonable incompetency etc. I know during his term everyone at the Salt lake Va was on it and happy to please,

if you want really agitated try hearing about that infantry guy who’s getting denied because you were at one of the remote PB’s and the only person to document your stuff was 19, and y’all thought your issues were minor compared to your buddies. Now let him sit in the VA office hearing about aviation mechanics, or cooks, rated at 70, 90 or 100% when he was in Fallujah or Sangin. I have a now VERY close friend (different branches, and didn’t know him super well at the time) who was dealt with this and days from making a permanent choice to a temporary problem because of it. By complete luck I ran into him in a parking lot where he’d been living in his truck. I pulled him off the street, put him up for 12mo rent free (7 of which I’d already moved out of state), got him a job, helped him get everything filed, and appealed.

I’ve personally met and served with a bunch of guys like this. Struggling to get rated or the rating they need bc they were somewhere remote and didn’t get every paper cut, headache, diarrhea episode, or mortar attack documented. I know an SMU guy that got out early in GWOT it happened too.

Edited/Adding: not trying to say anyone doesn’t deserve the rating they have/had. @Red Leg highlights it great when he mentioned his struggles as an O8 and how he thought about the junior enlisted guy dealing with it who might’ve only done 1 enlistment but did 2 or 3 deployments in that time and likely only had a squad/platoon, or maybe company level medical staff.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Yes/no. The VA CAN re-evaluate you for your claims within 10 years. They normally do it every 2-5 (ask me how I know) they have to propose the new rating decrease (or increase) and give an opportunity to appeal before it’s finalized and have to notify you. There are exception to this (rating came from a medical retirement, loss of limb, etc).

Where you’re a little mixed is the ratings. it might be because yours was hypothetical but the claims you had don’t and would never equal 150% giving a max 100% P&T due to the VA math. If we take your example 60% back, 20%x2 knees, 15%x2 ears, 20% hip isn’t 150% with a max rating of 100%. The errors are, you can’t have increments of 5 so we’ll say ears are 20ea, the combined rating is actually only 86% that rounds up to 90% for compensation payment. Above 96% doesn’t round to 100 you need to hit or exceed. And if you’re 90% and try to get there with 10% conditions I think it takes 15 or 16 to get the final 10% because it’s 10% or 10% then 10% of 9% and so on

The way VA math works is biggest to smallest … so 60% for back, then take 20% (rating) of the remaining 40% for the r. Knee and the rating is now 68%, then 20% of the remaining 32% giving a combined rating of 74% and 20% of 26 giving a 78% and 20% of the 22 giving an 84% and 20% of 16 giving a 86% rating that in the final rounds up to 90% and so on down the line. Now you’re also forgetting that there’s a bilateral factor of 2.5% if both joints have the same issues and a secondary factor if a joint is connected due to issues with another joint.

Ultimately we’re splitting hairs on a few things like the difference between healthcare and disability compensation or the percentages. You’ve got a much better grasp of the VA system than most.

Correct. V.A. math is asinine. I was just trying to keep the math simple. And to alert Veterans: 1. not to be surprised if (or when) they are notified of a reduction in their disability percentage, 2. What veterans need to do to get their disability percentage to their previous rating.

I should have included after 10 years from date of 100% rating the rating can't be downgraded. And as you so noted does not include vets with amputees, New PACT Act, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), certain other diseases and/or injuries.

Thanks, I'm not familiar with Tricare for life, is that a full retirement benefit, or a regional thing Im on Tricare west and it is a problem to deal with them, so I try and go direct to the VA emergency if it is necessary. Congratulations on the upgrade to 100% .My son currently serving on his 18th year, was in Irag and Afgan around the burning trash pits , and I told him to get everything documented AS COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE.

Although a bit late for those discharged or about to be discharged/retire. For those currently in the military active duty, guard, reserve regardless of branch of service.

@cwpayton is spot on 100%. Regardless of whether an illness or injury is minor or relatively superficial Get the illness or injury recorded in your medical records!! For the long term when you need the documentation for applying for V.A. disability benefits for more serious illness(es) or injury(ies).

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Correct. V.A. math is asinine. I was just trying to keep the math simple. And to alert Veterans: 1. not to be surprised if (or when) they are notified of a reduction in their disability percentage, 2. What veterans need to do to get their disability percentage to their previous rating.

I should have included after 10 years from date of 100% rating the rating can't be downgraded. And as you so noted does not include vets with amputees, New PACT Act, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), certain other diseases and/or injuries.



Although a bit late for those discharged or about to be discharged/retire. For those currently in the military active duty, guard, reserve regardless of branch of service.

@cwpayton is spot on 100%. Regardless of whether an illness or injury is minor or relatively superficial Get the illness or injury recorded in your medical records!! For the long term when you need the documentation for applying for V.A. disability benefits for more serious illness(es) or injury(ies).

I swear the VA created common core math ….. however once you understand it, it’s easier to follow, regardless if you agree or don’t agree.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I swear the VA created common core math ….. however once you understand it, it’s easier to follow, regardless if you agree or don’t agree.

I'll say it again and again the V.A. math Sucks!! Unfortunately, I do understand the V.A. math and I don't agree with it. Because it's all about the government to pacify veterans, when they are eventually and actually, although begrudgingly (by our government), approved for compensation for service connected illnesses and injuries while in service to our country.

Politically and financially, Our government is "set in concrete" that it's better (economically) for the government to pay, one time death benefits, than to pay years in/for "Broken Toys" compensation to surviving vets for their injuries/illnesses sustained in war/ "combat action(s)"; and currently "domestic contamination(s)", ie. Hawaii, Camp Lejeune, and other "hazardous conditions/contaminations" at other locations.

 

[dlmac]

Thanks, I'm not familiar with Tricare for life, is that a full retirement benefit, or a regional thing Im on Tricare west and it is a problem to deal with them, so I try and go direct to the VA emergency if it is necessary. Congratulations on the upgrade to 100% .My son currently serving on his 18th year, was in Irag and Afgan around the burning trash pits , and I told him to get everything documented AS COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE.

When my wife retired, the military had her complete everything on the computer before retiring. If it hurts or was hurt get it looked at by the military before retiring. Keep your personal copy of your medical records. Wish I had done all this before I had retired.

 

[Red Leg]

if you want really agitated try hearing about that infantry guy who’s getting denied because you were at one of the remote PB’s and the only person to document your stuff was 19, and y’all thought your issues were minor compared to your buddies. Now let him sit in the VA office hearing about aviation mechanics, or cooks, rated at 70, 90 or 100% when he was in Fallujah or Sangin. I have a now VERY close friend (different branches, and didn’t know him super well at the time) who was dealt with this and days from making a permanent choice to a temporary problem because of it. By complete luck I ran into him in a parking lot where he’d been living in his truck. I pulled him off the street, put him up for 12mo rent free (7 of which I’d already moved out of state), got him a job, helped him get everything filed, and appealed.

I’ve personally met and served with a bunch of guys like this. Struggling to get rated or the rating they need bc they were somewhere remote and didn’t get every paper cut, headache, diarrhea episode, or mortar attack documented. I know an SMU guy that got out early in GWOT it happened too.

Edited/Adding: not trying to say anyone doesn’t deserve the rating they have/had. @Red Leg highlights it great when he mentioned his struggles as an O8 and how he thought about the junior enlisted guy dealing with it who might’ve only done 1 enlistment but did 2 or 3 deployments in that time and likely only had a squad/platoon, or maybe company level medical staff.

Good on you.

Believe it or not, a similar thing happens to officers, particularly combat arms officers, in the decades long competition for command selection. One simply cannot afford to have a chronic health issue. When I had back or shoulder issues, I would see my unit PA, or battalion/brigade surgeon in order to get a muscle relaxant and 800 mg Motrin to insure there would be no record of treatment. When I retired, though they noted a number of things as service related, the only thing that was actually granted was 10% for tinnitus and 10% for lumbar.

What would eventually break the dam for me and a lot of other veterans was the presumptive disability list due to Burn Pits and Particulate Matter Exposure. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pdf In other words, should you have any of the listed issues, they are already presumed service related if you served in Southwest Asia.

Again, a VSO has the expertise and mission to put these issues in the correct format and be your advocate to get them before a review board.

 

[dlmac]

Good on you.

Believe it or not, a similar thing happens to officers, particularly combat arms officers, in the decades long competition for command selection. One simply cannot afford to have a chronic health issue. When I had back or shoulder issues, I would see my unit PA, or battalion/brigade surgeon in order to get a muscle relaxant and 800 mg Motrin to insure there would be no record of treatment. When I retired, though they noted a number of things as service related, the only thing that was actually granted was 10% for tinnitus and 10% for lumbar.

What would eventually break the dam for me and a lot of other veterans was the presumptive disability list due to Burn Pits and Particulate Matter Exposure. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pdf In other words, should you have any of the listed issues, they are already presumed service related if you served in Southwest Asia.

Again, a VSO has the expertise and mission to put these issues in the correct format and be your advocate to get them before a review board.

There a lot more vets than I expected on AH. That is great and we all like guns and things that go boom!

 

[Denvir Tire]

Good on you.

Believe it or not, a similar thing happens to officers, particularly combat arms officers, in the decades long competition for command selection. One simply cannot afford to have a chronic health issue. When I had back or shoulder issues, I would see my unit PA, or battalion/brigade surgeon in order to get a muscle relaxant and 800 mg Motrin to insure there would be no record of treatment. When I retired, though they noted a number of things as service related, the only thing that was actually granted was 10% for tinnitus and 10% for lumbar.

What would eventually break the dam for me and a lot of other veterans was the presumptive disability list due to Burn Pits and Particulate Matter Exposure. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pdf In other words, should you have any of the listed issues, they are already presumed service related if you served in Southwest Asia.

Again, a VSO has the expertise and mission to put these issues in the correct format and be your advocate to get them before a review board.

I can attest this happens more than one thinks. I enjoyed a terrible PLF in jump school at Fort Benning, early 80's. I was prior service, attempting to get into SF, so any injury at this point was real trouble.
Another student was able to provide, "Pain Meds", to anyone who needed them and I got my wings.
Now of course, there is no record of any injury to my back and I'm living with broken lumbar #5.
Oh, and I flunked the swim test for SF and ended up in Korea.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Question: I am a US Army veteran, 1990s, with an honorable discharge certificate. Age: late-50s and good health. I qualify for VA medical benefits but never use them. (I think I went twice to the VA after discharge from active duty to get the medical card.)

What should I do with the VA and also signing up for mandatory medicare benefits when I hit 65? Thanks, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Question: I am a US Army veteran, 1990s, with an honorable discharge certificate. Age: late-50s and good health. I qualify for VA medical benefits but never use them. (I think I went twice to the VA after discharge from active duty to get the medical card.)

What should I do with the VA and also signing up for mandatory medicare benefits when I hit 65? Thanks, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

I can’t comment on the Medicare but VA wise I’d suggest first reaching out to your local VA Clinic. See if you’re still registered as a patient in their system. If not ask about getting registered/reactivated and being assigned a VA Primary Care Physician. I’d start with just the basic annual physical even if you have a civilian PCP just so you’re in the system and active when you retire.

I believe you can also register online now, but I’ve found the staff at the local clinics tend to be more helpful especially in person.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Question: I am a US Army veteran, 1990s, with an honorable discharge certificate. Age: late-50s and good health. I qualify for VA medical benefits but never use them. (I think I went twice to the VA after discharge from active duty to get the medical card.)

What should I do with the VA and also signing up for mandatory medicare benefits when I hit 65? Thanks, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

In Good Health is ambiguous.
We're you ever: injured, sick, inKorea,Camp Lejeune, Hawaii, in a war/conflict area, etc.

1. Non apparent symptoms can appear as one ages. It's important to find a good VSO to help file your claims to avoid/lessen the "It's just you're getting older", syndrome or trying to prove a military connection vs "it could be related to your past civilian employment" by any V.A. physician.

You will any all information from your personnel file and medical records to calibrate your claim(s). Your VSO can assist.

2. You definitely want to sign up for Medicare, just Part A, it's what workers pay for and it's no out of pocket cost. As for other parts of Medicare it depends, but once a vet is rated 100% then Medicare supplements can be dropped. As we have been discussing it depends on how good or bad the V.A Healthcare is in the vats area, and how far the vet is willing to travel to get quality V.A. healthcare.

Medicare and/or other health insurance can help with co-pays until claims are successfully process/granted and the 100% rating is acquired.

The way it works: let's say the vet get sick and a claim hasn't been approved yet. The V.A. will file a claim with the vet's primary insurance company. If the primary insurance company doesn't fully cover the cost, then the vet may be required to pay any amount above what the primary insurance doesn't cover.

State by State, so check your state's insurance laws.

If the vet has a secondary health insurance company then a claim can be filed with the secondary insurance company, which would further reduce or totally eliminate any out of pocket expenses by the vet.

If possible, have the attending physician to provide a statement the illness or injury was aggravated due to illness, injury, conditions sustained during military service.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I can’t comment on the Medicare but VA wise I’d suggest first reaching out to your local VA Clinic. See if you’re still registered as a patient in their system. If not ask about getting registered/reactivated and being assigned a VA Primary Care Physician. I’d start with just the basic annual physical even if you have a civilian PCP just so you’re in the system and active when you retire.

I believe you can also register online now, but I’ve found the staff at the local clinics tend to be more helpful especially in person.

@TheGrayRider, as @Mtn_Infantry pointed out this would be your first step.

My thread would be steps 2 and 3.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@TheGrayRider, as @Mtn_Infantry pointed out this would be your first step.

My thread would be steps 2 and 3.

@TheGrayRider its also going to depend on which priority group you fall to within the VA Health Care System.

Even if you’re in one of the later categories, get linked up with a PCP and into the system, then take @Ridge Runner advice if you have service related issues that are documented in your military records, and work with a VSO to see if you can get them connected with a rating to try and elevate your priority group unless you have a PH or POW status then you can get seen on those alone.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Thanks for the information and recommendations. I will schedule an appointment at the VA to update my status in the near future. Sounds overwhelming, nonetheless. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks for the information and recommendations. I will schedule an appointment at the VA to update my status in the near future. Sounds overwhelming, nonetheless. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

I hear that a lot, in various terms, "Sounds overwhelming....". Comparatively speaking and not the best analogy, Think of as planning a first African safari, aka the V.A., without any assistance. Then meet an outfitter/PH, aka VSO, join a forum AH, aka American Legion and/or VFW, to learn more. Do the due diligence, aka vent the VSO; collect, copy, fill out claim form(s), etc etc.. Now on the hunt, aka in the system.

Just don't expect to be on safari, aka have a 50% or higher V.A. rating in 1 or 2 years. Unless a combat, burn pit, or other currently expedited "program".

 

[coreydb]

The VA is a socialist healthcare system, but then so is the military healthcare system. I retired from the Army in 2004 after a 33 year career and had a plethora of problems. My VA experience was limited to back surgery and I experienced both the best and the poor (not bad). The surgeon was absolutely the best and my appointment wait time was about the same as a civilian hospital. The poor were ALL my follow up appointments. I waited waited a couple hours just to be seen and there was a different doctor every time. This may sound frivolous, but the VA was 4 hours away. Yes, times changed significantly, and though the annual Federal budget ultimately determines efficiency, the rest I believe, is corporate culture. I'm 100% disabled and still am reluctant to go into the VA system; but that's just me.

 

[cwpayton]

Maybe someone should rename this thread or add to it for a veterans forum Im glad there are so many of us out here. just a thot.

 

[Boone66]

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

In the early nineties, Oregon VA at Portland was a mess, the receptionist and nurses treated you like a walking meat bag. The doctors were pretty good though

 

[Boone66]

I personally would never do that.

That's exactly what I did, in 2008. VA has taken pretty good care of me since then.