r/VeteransAffairs

I think long term, that’s this administration’s dream. Especially with opening up so much speciality care to community care.

I think once the data is in and it shows veterans prefer community care, they’ll say, “Hey, veterans prefer their care in the community, is there really a need for VA hospitals and clinics?”

I think they’d first close inpatient services and then eventually close speciality clinics and finally primary care. Obviously would have to provide some sort of veterans insurance equivalent to Medicare or the like. What do you all think? As a provider here, I wouldn’t be surprised at all but who really knows.

So I had a stroke almost six years ago and moved in with my parents. I have been recovered for awhile now with only minor disability. I walk with only a service dog and have some difficulty with my right hand, but I make things work surprisingly well, and I'm very proud that I do everything that I need to do without any help from anyone. My mom was having caregivers come in if she left on vacation, but I made them stop coming today. But my mom gets $2k/month that she basically throws in her own personal account. That just seems not right and it's definitely not needed anymore, especially seeing as I bought a house recently and I'm preparing to move. So long story short, what do I do as far as getting that allowance taken away?

I recently had surgery through CCN and have been going to physical therapy via CCN as well.

For some reason the VA only authorized 6 visits even though CCN approved 15. I’ve finished my 6 visits and my physical therapist has submitted multiple requests for authorization for more visits with no response.

I called CCN and they told me those approvals come from my primary care team so I need to call them. I have called my primary care and left messages 3 times. Each time the representative tells me I will receive a response in 24 business hours. it’s been three weeks and I haven’t gotten a response and I still don’t have approval for more PT.

I’m wondering who do I contact to escalate this so I can finish my PT? Thanks for any help.

For all of those who have already responded, thanks for the advice. I will contact the patient advocate at my clinic on Monday. I will also contact CCN but I don't expect they will be able to do anything. At one point when I was dealing with another matter I was told by them that even if they authorize something it has to get approved by the VA.

Hmmmmm... Surprised to say the... By County. By Age. By Rating

Hi, I am a veteran with a 70% disability rating. I am currently receiving health insurance through my work which is a local government in Arizona. I got married last year and we are planning on having children at some point in the near future.

My questions are:

Do I qualify for free health insurance through the VA?

If I have VA health insurance, do I have to use the VA hospital in my city or can I use some of the other ones?

Does my wife qualify for ChampVA with my 70% or does it require 100?

If she did get ChampVA and we did end up having children, would she have to give birth at the VA hospital?

How good are these insurances and if you have them have you had any issues?

That's all I have for now, thanks in advance!

(Sorry if weird format on mobile and new to Reddit) You know the number you have to hear about every time you call your local clinic? “If you’re having suicidal thoughts press 7 to connect to the Veteran’s Crisis Line”

**Also for relevance, I worked as a 911 operator in a large city for a while and was on the other end of the phone many times helping people in crisis so I get it**

So anyways… I was recently prescribed 10mg RX Adderall and last night I had a really serious “crash” in which I started to disassociate completely and was literally going crazy (racing panicked thoughts, flashbacks, delirium) and I did the only thing I know to do in a situation like this… Grab Phone. Call 988. Talk to person. (Yes that was the extent of my mental ability at the time)

When the person answered, I was panicked and all I sort of remember is yelling on the phone “I AM FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW AND HAVING INTENSE FLASHBACKS AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE I AM AT!?” And “I THINK I AM HAVIGN A REACTION TO MY MEDICATION” **Remember I am in an active crisis and having one of the worst panics attacks and having active disassociative flashbacks**

The guy on the other end of the line gets mad at me for yelling and doesn’t even attempt to actually calm me down like a professional working in a crisis center would do. You know “sir I know you’re really afraid right now, but can you try taking some deep breaths and get yourself to calm down a little bit so I can understand you and help?“
You know things that actually help someone in crisis and having a panic attack calm down.

The guy then proceeds to argue with me when I tell him I can’t just “stop yelling at you” I’m freaking the fuck out. Hints why I called 988?! So I just proceed to tell him over and over “transfer me to someone else please” while he continues to get angry with me (I guess he wasn’t happy I asked to be transferred but I’m not safe and this isn’t time to be polite) I know they can transfer, I’ve been transferred before when I called in the past (the person wasn’t bad just not the right vibe for me)

So what did I do in the midst of my crisis? I HUNG UP. Which is the last fucking thing anyone working in a crisis center wants when someone calls.

Luckily, I was together enough to immediately call back and connected with a wonderful woman who also transferred me up to the supervisor to file a formal complaint. I then filed a formal complaint through the VA and this morning I called my Congressman to file another complaint with him. (Hint to vets, call your congressman with serious complains about the VA. They love taking opps to help vets out for their PR. So take advantage of the politics they grift veterans so grift ‘em back)

Does it seem a bit dramatic to file three formal complaints on one employee? Not when the situation last night couldn’t have ended with another veteran suicide. I have lost TOO MANY fucking brothers to suicide. And I’m on a warpath after what happened last night.

What if that guy was who answered the night my battle buddy from basic killed himself? He needs to be fired ASAP.

Regardless, I got in contact with my PA and I am safe for right now.

Also, please never be discouraged to call 988 in crisis because of others experience. I’ve had to call that number many times and usually they do a great job. Please please please if you aren’t feeling safe call someone!

TLDR: I called the Veteran’s Crisis Line last night while in a VERY serious panic attack and the person on the other end got mad at me and started to argue with me for having said panic attack. I hung up.

Hello brothers and sisters first off happy almost 4th of July to this beautiful country

Here is my gripe: I am currently a SC vet for PTSD and I am suffering from some physical symptoms as well like involuntary movements (I have about 30-40 of these small episodes per day among other symptoms).

The VA sent me to a Neuropsych and he diagnosed me with Functional Neurological Disorder which he attributed directly to my PTSD. So naturally I am claiming it secondary to PTSD, usually I work with VES but this time I was assigned to LSGS.

I was given two C&P exams one "Neuro CNS & Neuromuscular Disease" which was in person on 5/29 and the second was a Psych DBQ on 6/2.

I go to attended the in person one with the relevant paperwork in hand notes from my Neuropsych doctor linking my issues to my SC PTSD as well as my MRI results the doctor even saw my tics first hand. I answered all his questions and he finished the exam and we parted ways.

I attend the second part of the exam where I am explaining to a very sympathetic looking Psy.D asking me about my social and occupational limitations as per my FND and PTSD. That C&P was great I am feeling confident about both.

However they've been sitting in the "Completed" section for about 33 days now. I spoke with both providers who conducted my C&P exams and they both told me they uploaded the DBQ's in the first week of June.

I've been trying to get answers from the call center but they refuse to give me any information other than a generic we are moving as quickly as you can. After 2 weeks of hearing that I began to ask for a manager where the reps have straight up said "No" and then they hang up on me.

Now being day 33 I reported them to the VA for their behavior and the DBQ delay, I am contemplating sending a complaint to the OIG but I am not sure.

Have any of you had these issues with LSGS?

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR HEALTH
June 30, 2026
** **
Fellow Veterans Health Administration employees,
Today, I submitted to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Douglas A. Collins my resignation as the tenth Under Secretary for Health, effective July 6, 2026. I did so with deep gratitude and a sense of accomplishment.
Federal service has been the defining thread of my life since I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1984. Over more than 4 decades in active and reserve military positions -- and in numerous civilian and military roles across the Department of the Air Force, the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Veterans Affairs, and on Capitol Hill -- it has been my privilege to serve this country in ways I could not have imagined as a young Airman. That journey brought me to this Administration on the beachhead and landing teams in its earliest days, then as Senior Advisor to the Secretary, and ultimately, to my confirmation as Under Secretary for Health, leading the largest integrated health care system in the Nation on behalf of more than nine million Veterans.
I am proud of what we have accomplished together. The most vital resource we have within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is its people. It has been my honor to lead these professional civil servants. We successfully relaunched the Electronic Health Record Modernization program, putting it back on a credible path after years of uncertainty. It was an honor to deliver care to my Veteran brothers and sisters while designing and leading the largest reorganization of the VHA in over 30 years. The framework for this reorganization will better serve Veterans for decades to come. The VHA team has made meaningful improvements in patient wait times across the system, and we redesigned and released new Requests for Proposals for Community Care contracts, positioning VHA to deliver more responsive, more accountable care in partnership with the private sector. Plus, we have moved the President’s agenda forward to end homelessness for Veterans by setting the foundation for the National Center for Warrior Independence on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus. 
These were not small undertakings, and I am confident in the foundation we have built. Each of these initiatives is now on a strong and sustainable trajectory, carried forward by the talented team I have had the honor of leading. In the spirit of President George Washington upon his retirement from public life, I am persuaded that, with these initiatives now firmly on track, you will not disapprove my determination to retire from public service. 
It has been the honor of my career to support the Nation’s Veterans.  As I close this chapter, I look forward to focusing on my family and my health, and to continuing to support this Administration’s mission from the private sector.
Thank you for the trust you placed in me and the opportunity to have served alongside you.
 
John J. Bartrum, JD, MBA, Maj Gen (ret), USAF
Under Secretary for Health
 
PLEASE PRODUCE LOCALLY FOR ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT ROUTINELY ACCESS EMAIL DUE TO THEIR SPECIALTIES.  

I was going through my visit summaries and realize that my mental health doctor has been writing that I am doing well.

What I really said is “I am doing okay.”

Doc: How are you?
Me: Im okay

Doc writes: patient is doing well, no complaints of depression.

Just wanted to share to describe how you really feel.

As veterans we don’t like to talk about our feelings and tend to just say “Im okay” then move on with life.

I was granted sc for gerd but in a separate claim was denied for OSA and Asthma. Currently treated for both and using Cpap machine and have moderate asthma proven with a current PFT. What should be my next step?

I recently filed for an increase on my MH condition along with a schedule change from secondary condition to primary condition in the same claim. I had an extremely positive C&p where the examiner was extremely detailed and I provided ample evidence to support the claim. I just got a decision letter today where they continued my rating at 30% (no increase) and they did not mention the schedule change secondary to primary anywhere on the decision letter.. so I have no idea if it’s currently listed as a secondary or primary condition. To top all of that off, they changed my effective date to June 1st, (today). instead of almost 4 years ago which is what it was originally…. what is going on…..

I have been approved for VRE. I should be starting my masters this August. However, I would really like to be a firefighter (recent development) and began applying. What would happen if I landed a job this year while I was using VRE?

Thank you.

I transferred my GI Bill Benefits to my son who will be pursuing a music education degree. He is required to have an Alto Saxophone. will the GI Bill cover that and how will I make that happen?

How does one get to see their primary doctor when they are booked out for 6 months. It’s not an emergency but what if I find it concerning, can’t go to the ER, can’t just go to urgent care they will tell you to see your primary. UGH.

Has anyone had EDRP and switched jobs to a non-EDRP position? I know they will prorate your time in your original EDRP position. I am curious how they calculate the prorated amount. Do they calculate by the day, week, month?

I had an interview at the VA two weeks ago for a RN position on a substance abuse unit. I have 7 years experience with mental health and substance abuse. I also have two board certifications. I am a board certified psychiatric and mental health nurse and a certified addictions registered nurse. I have applied for several jobs at this VA over the last year. I have been referred for 5 jobs and interviewed for two. This is the second interview I have had. I did not get offered the first job I interviewed for

This time after I was done answering the questions during the interview. The interview became informal and the nurse manager began explaining how the unit works. She was telling me how the unit is capped at 42 due to being short staffed. She was explaining that they are expediting hiring due to the short staffing. She also tried to sell me on the position explaining how flexible they are with scheduling. The manager mentinoed that she remembered me from a previous job I applied for a year ago. They asked me to turn my references in before the interview

All in all it seems like the interview went well. I am highly qualified for the position and I know I answered the questions well on the interview. It has been two weeks since the interview. None of my refences have been contacted and I have not heard anything yet. At first I really thought I had got the job with everything considered, but at this point I am not sure. What is the average time between having an interview and getting a TJO.

So I’m here in Tampa attending and competing in my first VA GAG and I wanted share what a great experience it’s been so far.

The GAG is an adaptive sports competition for vets who are 55 and older, who also are enrolled in VA healthcare.

There are large number of events ranging from air pistol and rifle shooting, archery, track and field events, swimming, powerlifting, basketball and volleyball, etc.

Vets from all over the country come to participate and compete in both ambulatory and non-ambulatory divisions, as well as competitions for veterans who are visually impaired.

I’ve met some incredible veterans here so far and I’ve been amazed and inspired by how some of them have been able to adapt to their disabilities and still engage in activities and sport.

I find it particularly interesting to see so many veterans who are amputees, blind, paraplegic, burn survivors, and those with more “invisible” disabilities who have learned to compensate for their limitations and still thrive and compete in adaptive sports.

I think it’s so wonderful that the VA has invested in this endeavor, and while here I found out they’ve been doing it for 40 years.

I find myself very inspired to see veterans ranging from 55 to over 90 years old, who are pushing themselves, and the limits of their disabilities to still stay involved in sporting activities, and also to create a welcoming environment brimming with the camaraderie that many of us had while we were in the military.

I would encourage veterans with disabilities to seriously consider looking into this program, as well as getting involved in the whole health program that has a significant footprint in the GAG.

It allows us to get out of being a patient and instead be a competitor and athlete and to test out our limitations and boundaries in a variety of different sporting activities.

It stands and stark contrast to what happens to so many veterans, where they think they can’t do anything because they have a back or knee injury, PTSD, etc., or because they take medication’s that are linked to weight gain or other problematic side effects, and think there’s nothing they can do about it.

Here is the link for those who might be interested in participating at some point in their life:

https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-golden-age-games/

And here is the link for the whole health program:

https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/

hey guys, i’m in a weird situation. If i use my GI Bill online only for a year (ik i don’t get full bah), can i switch to VR&E after a year when i move. I already used some of my GI Bill on a tech school that didn’t work out so i don’t wanna run out of GI Bill before i can finish a 4 year degree. thanks for the help. i’m med retired and 70% va btw.

I am not suicidal at all. Quite the opposite but dealing with extreme existential mental health things that it's debilitating. My appointments are so far out...how do you guys deal with this? I borderline want to get checked in a place to immediately get meds but can't due to my wife expecting in about 2 months and having a child.

Why is the VA like this? Why is Healthcare like this? Care in the community for my regular therapy is 3 weeks since the referral got put in