Exposed: How The Va Red-flags 'disruptive' Vets

[Barberian]

I have questions about the reliability of this article. I went to the homepage at the bottom of the article www.creators.com and the site is a collection of "stuff". I researched the authors name and it came up with some notable references - author of a NY Times best seller, and wikipedia seemed to like her. So, I tend to believe the article, but I'm cautious about it.

Link Removed

I posted in another thread about being paranoid of being on "lists", this is one of the lists I don't want to be flagged on.

 

[Deleted member 43454]

If your not on a watch list by now. You're doing something wrong.
Not saying that means doing anything illegal. But what I mean is, right now the enemy seems to be those who are informed and educated. A dumbed down populace asks no questions and requires hand outs to sustain. Focus on this, focus on that, redirect your attention here as I check mate.
I just spread information pertaining to combat veterans. If they harm me, well it will come back around for them and maybe I can rest peacefully.

 

[atilla]

I'm sure i'm on some list, or several. The VA and the government are shitting their pants right now because they are being exposed for what they really are. I personally don't think they give two shits about any of the vets they treat. If you are a vet and receiving good medical care or therapy, I'm happy for you, but this entire administration needs a flaming gasoline enema. Of course they label pissed off vets as disruptive, one more reason to deny treatment....saving the company money. I was finished with the VA in 2005, but i'm so pissed at them I'm seriously considering going back, and becoming one of the most "disruptive" asshole grunt shit vets I can possibly be without getting arrested. They can put that on their f*cking list. f*cking assholes. I need a joint and a beer!

 

[Deleted member 43454]

I'm paranoid as f*ck. But list or not, if I give into that fear I am defeated.

 

[JarHed]

In time everyone will be 'flagged by the VA'. If you don't make a scene you're not going to get the care and services that you need. And again, that's what they spend 'our' money on rather than patient care. I can understand if a person is a threat to him/herself or others and demonstrates that overtly in a VA hospital or center that that person needs care not to wind up on some f*cked up list. Ya' know I've been dealing with the VA for more than 40 years and although there have been some changes the basic mindset is still the same. I feel sorry for everyone that has to deal with this. It's never ending. I could tell some stories that people would think that I've made up about my experiences there.

One thing to keep in mind; all these things cause vets to decide against going to and using the facilities that were created for the sole purpose of helping us.

 

[Barberian]

[self edit] This first paragraph is the last one I wrote. I hope this makes sense. My mind is... borderline unstable and I can't concentrate worth a crap. Reality is difficult to keep track of, and there are times I have to focus to see if I'm in reality or fantasy. I haven't been this bad in a long, long time. I've been off meds for many months except for Tramadol (pain killer) as needed (couple times a week) and Mirtazapine as needed for pain/sleep. I think it's time to take a small vacation from here, this site isn't bothering me much, but I don't want to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. I've been working on this post for over an hour now.

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I'm a mixed bag. On one hand I stand up for my rights and those of veterans. On the other hand I'm paranoid as shit. on the rollercoaster of paranoia and anxiety, I'm pretty high right now. Next week, next month, I doubt I will be this bad. Yesterday I had an appointment with my VA rehabilitation counselor. I didn't sleep the night before it worth a crap and had nightmares all night. Yesterday afternoon, after the appointment I layed down for a nap and slept off and on until almost noon today. The whole night was nightmares again. This last week my anxiety and paranoia has been building because of the appointment. This has almost ruined me and I've been thinking of going into the VA psych ward for "rebalancing". I doubt I will because all they do is max me on meds, watch me for a few days, then kick me to a curb. Most of the day/night I'm stable, but I have short fits of instability. It's still on my mind though every time I start to crack, which is many times a day, sometimes an hour.

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I know this is an ever occurring thing. I've posted many articles about the VA and a few of the old timers mention it's nothing new. I encourage the old timers to post, because it shows a long term trend. I know there are many who read here who don't post - many ghost members. I'll still post articles I find that are disturbing, and I encourage anyone to post their experiences as well. I've read many articles I haven't posted because they say pretty much the same thing as other posts I've made. I don't want to beat a dead horse into unrecognizable mush. I will post something if it covers something I haven't posted about before or recently. Maybe someday, someone, the magic someone, will make a commitment, or comment that actually, permanently, magically changes this nightmare we live with. I know it's a dream, but it's better to be hopeful than give in to the despair.

 

[Grizzly]

Well said.

Its funny the nightmare of the VA. As a teen I could remember my grandpa and uncles (WWII) vets talking cynically about the horrors of the VA.

Then when I got out, tried to use them without luck I honestly expected it. I was too ignorant to realize i had any entitlement.

Now, i wonder. How much better could my life be today had I got the help I needed then. How much more successful? How much more productive? Most importantly how much happier?

It infuriates me. That we have to fight this.

 

[atilla]

Well done Bar. Im in the same boat as you Grizz. I dont have any words right now about how pissed I am at the VA, and at myself, but , well said Bar and Grizzly.

 

[OldDoorGunner]

I have talked with a few that work at the VA, good people. We got around to list........was told they thought there were some. My answer to that was.....Are they so f*cking dumb (at the top) that they don't think that us combat veterans can have our own list??? It's my guess that you younger veterans scare the shit out of them!!!! How long will the veterans let the VA kill (murder) veterans, give them piss poor medical and not be held accountable for it???

J R

 

[JarHed]

Hey Bar

I hope you will eventually get the treatment and help that you're looking for. No one should have to suffer without the sense that there can be a better time ahead. We all have our crosses to bare, so to speak, but you're not alone. Do what you need to do. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to just talk. I always find your articles and what you post timely.

The VA will probably always be like it is, there may be some small improvements but we'll always have to fight for what we want and need. Good, bad or indifferent it's the way it is. I've had two great doctors in all the time I've been at the VA. My psychologist, who is one of them, is leaving to work with a group that will help train both the DOD and Mental Health professionals that will work with returning vets with PTSD. I'm very sad to see her go, she saved my life. But she'll help other to help us. She's someone that will help change the world for vets like us, an amazing person. Eventually, she will be back at the VA as she likes working directly with us vets. So, there are some out there, I would hope everyone could have the kind of experience and help that I received from her through the VA.

Semper Fi

Jar

 

[Deleted member 43454]

I too wanna be careful with how I reply here. Much respect Barbarian. On a positive note. Reinforcements are here. And we have more to come. The knowledge you all have in dealing with this shit for so many years is vital. Your voices and opinions need to be heard. All I'm saying.

 

[JarHed]

We all will have some similar and some differing experiences with the VA. I do know that I've learned that if you go in looking for a fight, you're gonna' find one. But that's pretty much the same in anything. I always suggest, know what you need, make a list of questions, try to find someone there that actually wants to help you, try to remain calm. The last one can be the hardest. I do know that in any situation if you start with yelling and cursing no one is going to listen to anything you're saying. It doesn't mean being a door mat but it does mean finding the people you really need to talk to to get the job done. I wasn't always like this, it took a long time to realize that I had to work within the framework that's there if I want to achieve my goals. Did a lot of yelling and cursing and it didn't help in the long run. It's no different or better in the private healthcare world either, been there with the shit as well.

It still makes my head spin off it's axis but I'm able to get through it now, I couldn't do that before. You have to put aside all the things that you 'think' they should be doing and deal with what it is that they actually do. You can get the care you need, require and deserve. Like many things; make a plan and work that plan. When needed adjust it to compensate for changes. And if all else fails, good luck as everyone can use a bit of that as well.

Semper Fi

Jar