Veteran Health Data Survey

Survey Sunday: Can VA Be Trusted With Veteran Health Care Data?

Veteran Health Data Survey

The Department of Veterans Affairs is a serial offender of violating privacy laws designed to protect veteran protected health information.

Each year, VA is caught violating common standards designed to protect patient records and private information. Compounding this, VA regularly provides access to patient records for research purposes to private industry. Private industry then profits off the research.

Most recently, I have highlighted the example of Flow Health Inc, a for-profit company desperate to access veteran genomic data from the Million Veteran Project. Even after being denied access last December by now Secretary David Shulkin, Flow Health hired a lobbying firm run by Trump campaign leader Corey Lewandowski.

Flow Health Inc Examples

Lewandowski recently founded a lobbying firm Avenue Strategies. The lobbying firm has hired at least two other Trump operatives. Its only customer to date is none other than Flow Health Inc., a medical research company operating in San Francisco, California, but not registered in the state.

How is that for draining the swamp?

VA Health Data Survey

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99 Comments

  1. Hey, Muddah Fukker Veterans, da VA no stay wit or keep up wit me, cuz da call me da, ‘https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsIqEq9OFxE’

    I thought I’d take you down memory lane with my all time favorite Southern Rock Bank [even though I’m a Yankee]. Go back with me in Rock-n-Roll history, and enjoy one of the best rocking songs ever performed. Who’s it by, no one else than, The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band formally from Jacksonville, Florida. And back then, they said that this Garage Band would never make it. Bull shit. And for you younger Vets, go ahead and cut and paste the link, then enter it in the URL box, and rock the fuk out to a late 70’s song. One, two, three, . . . hit it!

  2. @Namnibor – You’ve the right to be upset about this matter. I only wish for you and your family that your father would be as precise as the Christians were according to the scriptures in the Old Testament. My best for you and your family. Sorry, no advice from me, but tread light, look all ways, and move forward in life finding those sweet things that mean the most, and gives relief.

  3. Ben,

    Sorry but the survey means nothing. I say this because I doubt you actually get a good sampling from the Veteran community. Personally, I don’t want the VA taking anything of mine and giving it away, but I also don’t want the VA alone to benefit from me either. If they are taking my stuff, then share it with the world so all can benefit….

    To the other VA bashing remarks.. I just think if you don’t trust your doctors then you should find another way to get medical care, or request a new doctor. I myself have always been weary of VA doctors especially those that don’t speak English as a first language. Darn, the VA will hire anyone that says they have been to Medical School. I got a doctor the other day who’s English was so hard to understand because of her Berma accent that I just refused to be treated by her. But being reasonable not all VA personnel are dirt bags. I have had good doctors, and terrible doctors, good nurses, and terrible nurses, and come across mostly terrible administrative personal.

    If I don’t trust a doctor I ask for another, If that doesn’t work I will used Fort Hood, or go into the Private sector. I will never trust a VA employed doctor to do a fair C/P evaluation nor will most agree that the condition evaluated is service connected. ( I just paid $1500 for an IMO… that tells you how much I trust these guys.)

    Anyway that is how I see things

    1. @Rick b – Only wish that other Veterans could do the same with out jeopardizing their household. We’re all not in the same financial boat.

    2. @Rick b – – – Were that financially possible, a lot of vets would be doing just that.

      What do you say to the veteran who TRULY is 100% disabled, but the VA will not recognize them as such because their minds cannot handle “becoming instant lawyers” and dealing with all the administrative bullshit the VA Teams of clerical workers throw at a single individual? And because of VA Policy, they are not allowed lawyers right out of the gate to help? System totally rigged against the veteran from Day One.

      Meantime, their are plenty vets who have lied in order to get their 100%. Used to ride bikes with a guy many years ago, who told a story in group that he was a POW in Nam – – – but managed to escape. Special Forces Army. He left Hawaii back around ’98 – ’99 and moved to California.

      Got busted by a newsie during the Laughlin River Run in the early 2000’s. Was actually an Admin Clerk. Chuck and Mary Schontag (sp?) had him listed (with documents posted) on their Heroes and Villains website for a few years until they were forced to remove it.

      Yet, he still collects the big bucks, and many who are TRULY IN NEED go unheeded and unanswered.

  4. Okay, completely off-topic:

    Anyone have experience being a 100% Compensated Disabled Veteran in which you have a family member that’s going to leave bank stock or such in their Last Will, and how to deal with this when it takes place as far would it affect my VA compensation in any way?
    I do not wish to even think about going to a VSO’s office and ask this because it will bring all kinds of swamp creatures to the surface and I trust no one.
    Oh, and my dad has an actual will but only told my brother and I key pieces and pretty much told us to deal with it…so my mother will have to deal with this as well as sons…however, my dad is of the unfortunate old school thought and part of his fanatical religious Old Testament beliefs, that a woman (my mother) should never have farmland or stocks in their names…this is oh so weird time and just trying to see if other Vets have dealt with an inheritance while being a compensated disabled vet or steer my brain to what I should look at.
    Oh, my father refused to put things in a Trust and he pretty much left things rather nebulous, and rather than spending his time making this right, in his mind it’s done, so even though my dad is not without his faculties, in home hospice, he rather talk about the angels he constantly hears singing.
    Trying to avoid attorneys and the VA from screwing me and my brother.
    Thanks and sorry if jumbled, as I am jumbled a bit today.

    1. @namnibor: I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You can collect a union pention, your VA conpensation, SSDI, and a retirement all together, so I don’t see how an inheritence would effect you compensation. Me no lawyer though. lawyerlynn? Ben? Lem?

  5. The VA is Government run medicine, like Cuba, the Soviet Union, like England, they give you what they want to at their speed! If you have a problem it might take almost 50 years to pretend to solve- like our Vietnam Vets!!! Dissolve the VA except for small clinics and allow the Vets to go to the doc locally! Do it tomorrow by proclamation and that will cut the budget by billions! “Victory”

  6. Sorry for the mistake; Question 2 had the less NO responses than the other questions. Please feel free to evaluate my response, and to add your own interpretation. There are no better ways to evaluate what research data means, then to ask others what they have extrapolated from the results.

  7. If y’all missed my reply to Ben’s Question, here it is again:
    A resounding “FUCK NO!”

  8. There are many VA agents out there that are truly trying to help the veterans and their spouses. Those that are in a position of authority, taking more than their share of the pie and royally screwing the veterans and their spouses SHOULD BE TRIED AS TRADERS, held accountable for their actions. If the Veterans Administration were to be moved under the MILITARY, we would not have this problem. The people currently running the administration most likely have NEVER served in the military and simply do NOT understand how the military works. They cannot be trusted because they are exceedingly GREEDY and do not care about protecting the military personnel that fought for their sorry asses to have the positions and wealth they currently enjoy.

    1. @Rabentaz – Agreed, can’t trust VA Executives and Upper Management. I don’t know about getting US Military involved to take care of the GREEDY ASS WIPES. Good suggestion though, but these people will fight like hell to keep their power, bonuses, and fun.

      1. UCMJ is the ultimate VA kryptonite…it’s 99.9999999% pure-form accountability. UCMJ to the VA is what a silver bullet is to a werewolf, or a sack of garlic to a vampire…exact same response.

        The answer is: An exorcism of the AFGE from VA is required. That’s where the cancer is concentrated and it requires a lancing with a chainsaw. 🙂

        Good Morning, ANutterVet. Taking things one day at a time.

      2. @Namnibor – Good to hear from you, and that things are going smoothly. I was stood up last night by cj, and missed Disgruntled Veteran by a couple of minutes. Been examining the tally of Ben’s poll, a response will follow in a bit. Plus, I’m contacting the VA to inform them not to use my DNA in ANY type of research without my prior authorization. Suggest other Veterans to do so if they feel led too.

    2. @Raventaz: Sorry Raventaz, if you think the Military is any better, you best get that head of yours examined for a TBI. The military is just as, if not MORE corupt than the VA. How could you EVER think otherwise? I mean really, how bout all those rape convictions? How about denying active duty suicide epidemic even exsisted? How bout Senator McCains trial for murder? Yeah right the military isn’t no beaming light of honor like you think it is? Ever hear of LT. William Calley? no couruption there huh? The military thinks it is above the damn law, just as bad as the damn VA does……..Where do you think they learned it from? The military IS, WAS, and ALWAYS WILL BE, a damn CLUSTER-FUCK ON ICE.

  9. @Disgruntled Veteran – OK, God bless you and your family. Goin back to sleep. I wish that I could feel a trade wind. Miss it!

  10. @cj – OK, I caused the train this time. Have a good night, God bless you and your family. Anyone else still online? Speak up, don’t be shy, please list your last four, and I’ll write some more.

  11. @cj – Wife and I been crashing on my hospital bed all day watching movies on SHO and STARZ. Comcast had some sort of WATCHATHON this past week. A gimmick. We’re going to try to set up the ROKU this week, since I’ve been homebound. Stupid dumbass plots on many shows today aren’t worth a dam watching or getting into.

  12. @cj – How R U tonight? Sorry to hear about you fingers not working, sounds like you’ve got the same problem, like me, in your mind too. What ever is left of that thing. LOL

    1. @ANutterVet: You beat me to the punch, Read comment above. Hope your not in too much pain tonight. I can’t keep my eyes open gotta go.

    1. @ANutterVet” I am here, also surfing. Not typing much, my fingers not moving so great today.

    2. @ANutterVet: Nutter, I keep nodding off. Will catch you guys tomorrow. Been a long day. goodnight.

    3. @ANutterVet – – – Here and Surfing. Answering posts from e-mail feed.

      1. @DV – I just missed you, I traveled above to see other posts before seeing your comment.

  13. @Lily, you have every reason to be aware. Not paranoid. Totally sounds like something the VA would do. If you fail at rehab, it’s ok.

  14. I’m going to the vet center so the VAMC can’t see my therapy records. Right now I’m suspicious of my new counselor. During our first appointment he said “we here at the vet center are trying to get vets off disability “. I told him I have a hard time working as a security guard because I need frequent unauthorized breaks at random times to do yoga breathing to handle my stress. Now he’s trying to push me into voc rehab when I told him I was service connected with PTSD. I think he’s trying to screw me since he would be the one writing me a approval letter to clear me for voc rehab. He could write I’m not showing symptoms of PTSD and the voc rehab would send it to the VARO. Then the VARO could try and cut my benefits.

  15. As both a military retiree and disabled veteran; having also grown up as a military dependent, now using the military for my primary healthcare my entire life. The BEST way to sum all of this up from other perspectives, the way I see it is by ALL comparison it would be unconstitutional if not outright illegal to do this to any military dependents and/or retirees or any civilian/anyone using this system for their healthcare without giving any legal consent under the many patients rights laws.

  16. If I said it Once, I’ve said it a Googolplexian times, no. That’s a bigly amount of times.

    1. “Bigly” is an extremely relative number cj. A great number of my relatives are generally assigned that label. Weebles wobble and they don’t fall down and neither do my cousins, aunt, and uncles all up in North Idaho!

      Meanwhile…later tonight, heard from outside my room; “Put down the rifle Cousin Joe! It’s just a damn joke!”….

      1. @Dennis. This is my new word phrase, as it was used upon me by a VA higher up. “I concur”
        Just wondering also, do you have a place to let those pups of yours run? They gotta be a sight to see.

    2. @CJ – – – Love it! Have not seen that word used in any comment before! Although, we do use it routinely in some math challenges I am involved with.

      It is a 1 followed by one-hundred zeros prior to the decimal point. Also known as “ShitloadAZeros”.

      1. @Disgruntled Veteran: LOL, “it is a one followed by 100 Zero’s” That sound just like the employee line at the VA showing up for work in the morning. No offense to the number 1 or o. Plenty of offense to the VA employees.

      2. The only number that I can really envision like that is the square root of negative one. Why, just the other day, as I was finalizing the normalization of the second quadratic equation needed to bake my chocolate cake, I realized that if I apllied the square root of negative one, that the cake would turn out fluffy.

        …and the naysayers in class said we would never use that kind of math in practical matters! Pshaw!

      3. @Dennis – – – (Light slap on your arm as I drop to my knees holding my guts as I laugh my fool head off) – – – Cake? I always figured you more as the type to bake a Pi. 3.14 of them.

        Semper Fi.

      4. @cj @DV @Dennis – While in college, I was always liked the number 10-81 power = sexvigintillion. I donno why, I guess it had a ring to it or something. I had an Executive Director in a place of employment whom many employees use to call Virginer instead of Virginia. Wait, is there any correlation here?

      5. @DV – OK smartie, here you go, 3.14159
        265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097494459230781640628620899862803482534211706798214808651328230664709384460955058223172535940812848111745028410270193852110555964462294895493038196442881097566593344612847564823378678316527120190914564856692346034861045432664821339360726024914127372458700660631558817488152092096282925409171536436789259036001133053054882046652138414695194151160943305727036575959195309218611738193261179310511854807446237996274956735188575272489122793818301194912983367336244065664308602139494639522473719070217986094370277053921717629317675238467481846766940513200056812714526356082778577134275778960917363717872146844090122495343014654958537105079227968925892354201995611212902196086403441815981362977477130996051870721134999999837297804995105973173281609631859502445945534690830264252230825334468503526193118817101000313783875288658753320838142061717766914730359825349042875546873115956286388235378759375195778185778053217122680661300192787661119590921642019, phew that’s all I can remember, my head is clogged up from a sinus congestion. LOL

      6. @cj – – – Now THAT is funny. Always thought of Googolplex as just a number, never quite equated it to VA employees. Now you just KNOW who I’ll be thinking of whenever I have to go to the VA, and see them either shuffling in (slowly) to go to work – – or exiting (BuffarillaTunaBeast Herd Stampede) at quitting time.

      7. @ANutterVet – – – Not bad for a mucous-filled head. You only misplaced one 7. Wanna hint? Two digits away from being a 7-11. LOL!

      8. @Disgruntled Veteran – You wun funny bugga! Like me, I went and reviewed the numbers. Then went back to your post and caught it. Laughing at self.

  17. @Ben, decent survey but we all knew what the results would be from the veteran community.

    i’m curious since it was brought up about special interests benefiting those particular powerful interests listed, which by the way, i don’t see any pro(tect)-veteran special interests joining the lobbying parties to protect veterans… the curiosity is this: are there any M.E. pharms co’s that have contracts with VA benefiting on the backs/suffering of American mil personnel? you know, these current perpetual “wars” that seemingly will last forever producing more and more injured/disease veterans.

    in a world with less greed & actual accountability, maybe some of this research would actually help veterans who volunteer their data. but evidence over the years displays a lack of VA willingness to correctly diagnose veterans thus limiting ratings/benefits throws up a wall of distrust, and rightly so, that i doubt will ever be fixed…hasn’t yet, in how many decades? so why would any veteran give up any rights or med data to VA to sell off?

    the movie “tank 432”, not one i would recommend as its not very well made & dull, but, with regards to this blog thread, the story line hits home a bit. like @naminbor’s mentioning the “Resident Evil” movie plot. same sort of thing.

    we veterans keep asking what can be done, all we know for now, is nothing we have tried so far has worked.

    guess for now, we don’t have to ask why no one in congress has done anything of much to fix this problem.

  18. How can anyone trust the VA to get anything done right? It’s not in the AFGE’s interest. The administration is too busy coming up with ways to con Congress, and spending another twenty five million on keeping the taxpayers ignorant. I’m about done with the VA.

    1. Jo3n,
      You said it all!!! Congress needs to get their act together and move the Veterans Administration under the military where it belongs.

      1. Are you^^^^ SERIOUS!? Military or government is exactly the same, because they are allied and part of the same veteran hating monster! Give us medical vouchers, and let us go anywhere we want! Fuck those filthy ass and super corrupt unions, and the same goes for the V.A.! If they can spend trillions yearly fighting unjustified wars all over the planet, they can EASILY afford the roughly 100 billion yearly that it would cost to let every veteran in the country seek and access complete private medical and mental health care!

      2. @Rick Lipary: Thank you, another Veteran NOT blinded by the corupt military. LIke they have accountability for ANYTHING is laughable at best. I agree with you 100%

  19. The government will use vets health information to harm them more. Next thing you know vets will be chipped like animals. They will be say it’s to help us but it will be to harm us. You will get a reduction letter from the VA that says “You’re GPS chip shows you were slouching all year while watching TV so your back must be better. We’re reducing you from 60% to 20%”.

  20. One more question: How many that voted yes are familiar with or at least watched in-depth close-up documentaries on the efficiency of a meatpacking plant?

    Like cattle to slaughter, any of us are, if we don’t question authority. The question is basically always the same when it’s the VA: Really? What The Fuck, VA?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    RAND Corp. concurs with the ‘What The Fuck?’, as those are the words every new lab assistant exclaims

    when they see what they have used Veteran DNA for. ‘Resident Evil: VA Style’. RAND recommends retraining the zombie to not curse.

  21. Ben. I thoroughly read every post that I receive. For the most part, I also thoroughly understand what it is you are writing about and totally agree with your views.

    Just when I feel things cannot get any worse, you then post something that is worse.

    I have to present this question to you, knowing full well it may be a question that you cannot answer. If so, I understand.

    With everything you have presented to us veterans and all that read your posts,
    what is it that can be done to force Congress or “someone, somebody” to stop the VA from the many injustices that continue to be brought to the forefront?

    You can continue to investigate and report the numerous violations the VA keeps getting away with. But again, when or how will that end? Sorry, that was a second question.

    I spent five years in Nam ~ Jan 65 – Dec 69, running night and other patrols. Oct 26, 2016 I was diagnosed with cancer of one kidney and thyroid cancer, related to Agent Orange. Many other health problems.

    Ten plus years of denials and lies from the VA but I finally won my own claim for which I am now rated 100% with SMC pay.

    What the VA has done and continues to do has to stop. I just want to see those responsible for all the laws that have been broken, brought to justice.

    Personally, I see nothing being done to stop the VA. If there is even a glimmer of hope to that process, can we proceed?

  22. Survey Says: Hell NO to FLOW HELLTH.

    Weasel ass rat bastards!

    What OTHER backroom deals took place in that awkward timeframe in which McDonald thought he was remaining and the week after that?
    Was that when the Caligula like orgy took place with Veteran’s again in the sacrificial blood?

  23. No Veteran’s Crisis Line Shall Go Unanswered Act!? MORE word games. Most will get something cold, impersonal, lacking in feelings, mercy, and compassion, and with no knowledge.The others will get recordings and robo responses!

    1. Last time I called the VCL, I got the ROBO – – – said they would call back. They did. Three months later.

      Since I have seen how seriously they take things – – – next time I am “in crisis” – – – who the fuck knows?

      One thing I do know – – – I will not be calling their number.

      Thank goodness for my Vet Friends on this Board. @ANutterVet – – – Last time we spoke on the phone . . .
      Tanks, Brah. YOU made the difference.

      1. @Disgruntled Veteran – Anytime you wanna talk, you call. In emergency distress, you call at any time, I don’t care what time that it is. If its early in the morning when you call, I may take a few minutes to wake up, but I’ll be there for you Bruddah.

      2. @Disgruntled Veteran: DV, same goes for me, you call anytime you wish, I don’t care what time it is. I will get my number to you.

      3. @ANutterVet @cj – – – Same policy applies to you. ANutter, already got you programmed into my phone. As you know, I do not answer calls unless I know who I will be speaking with first. Voicemail takes care of that. I never give a rip about the time as well. Would ALWAYS prefer to lose a bit of sleep, than lose a brother or sister. And I may be a bit grouchy until I get that first BIG SLUG of coffee into me. But I will be there.

      4. @DV – @cj and I already have this agreement. In this manner, we can have someone available in different Time Zones. I mean it, at any time if and when things get a bit ruff, you Brothers, please, don’t ever hesitate in calling me. Wife agrees, so no shame.

      5. @DV @cj – Hopefully we won’t have to call due to a bad day or night, but its quite comforting knowing that there isn’t a possibility of getting a ROBO answer like the VA, ass wipes.

  24. I think for me that good spiritual health is pretty simple. For me it means that when I am alone and completely square with myself about things that I “believe” I either do have all the answers I really need to get by in the world and continue existing, or I do not.

    I have oft stated a firm belief that it is the spiritual health of veterans that leads us into destruction, despair, and grief, because I don’t think it is possible for us to stop seeking answers and sometimes in the absence of any other answer, the most insane option is all we have left to select from.

    I believe that meddling in the blueprint of life is not, has not, nor ever will be necessary for me to achieve spiritual health and it is nearly outside of my creative ability to envision any other man who makes claim that fiddling with God’s blueprint completes them spiritually. I believe that if I am patient enough with the universe that in time it will reveal to me just how my body will unravel and deteriorate and I have a hard time guessing at the benefit of learning of this beforehand.

    So really my answers of “no” do not portray my true and honest beliefs about what I think about VA handling my genetic data. My “no” answers can all be boiled down to answering the one single pole question of, “Do you think that humans should be doing this?”

  25. Wow! What a joke. Better health care by sharing Veterans private healthcare information? I’m not sold on this matter. Why? I can’t even get medication that gives me relief. Why? The VA Pharmaceutical Comptroller or whom ever purchases medication for the VA’s Pharmaceutical Formulary, contracts with companies that sell cheap generics that don’t provide pain relief. In other words, Veterans deserve Brand Name medications when Generics don’t work. I’ve been continually informing my PCP that I need a Brand Name medication.

    The PCP’s don’t give a dam if the medication works or not. The PCP done their job by prescribing a Generic Medication that the FDA has approved. That’s all the VA cares about. Then it is the Veteran that has to suffer when a medication doesn’t work. Give me a brake, the VA isn’t fooling me.

    Shootz, I was given a script for a 5% Lidocaine Patch for muscle spasms, and the patch wouldn’t even stick to my skin as it is supposed to do. Then I tried the patch on my wife [ooh, ooh, that’s illegal], and the same thing happened; it didn’t adhere to her skin. There are Ineffective Quality Control Measures for determining the effectiveness of VA’s Pharmaceuticals, and you think I trust them with my Private Medical Information? I don’t think so Bro. Don’t be fooled by those[VA Executives and Top Honchos that has a responsibility of taking care of Veterans.

    Lack of VA Accountability, lack of VA Quality Control, and a lack VA of Trust. What more can I say. Geesh, I was taught that if they aren’t for you, then they are against you. Why make it so confusing when the VA has a bad track record of taking care of Veterans in the first place. It is the VA’s responsibility to take of Veterans. It is as simple as that.

    1. Totally agree with the “new packaging” of the 5% Lidocaine patches they do not work anymore smaller thickness eat but sadly do not stick like they should or have in the past this is Mylan Company responsible for this!

      With the VA selling or not properly taking care of my DNA by the MVP no way will I do it intianally that does not mean the VA will take our blood when doing blood test and have some go that direction in the future either!
      VA breaks HIPPA Laws all the time and no punishment and we the veterans are to expect it be any less with our personal DNA! oh HELL NO!

      1. @Jane – I even tried using a little ingenuity, by taking some one sided clear adhesive tape provided by the VA. I put the patch on, then added the tape, and my body heat warmed up the adhesive material on the tape, therefore, causing the tape not to stick. My, my, can’t win for nothing. This is why I stated that the VA’s Quality Control is lacking. What a joke. Not funny, it still hurts.

      2. @Jane – I forgot to mention, that I shared with a Private Sector Nurse about the 5% Lidocaine Patch not sticking. The Nurse retired from the VA, and the spouse was a Veteran as well. Because of financial issues, the spouse receives medical care from the VA too. After I told the Nurse about the patch, the Nurse was kind enough to drop off a patch that not only sticks to my skin, but it also works. The Pharmaceutical Company that distributes the patch is called, Actavis Pharma, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054.

      3. I have used the Lidocaine ointment USP 5%, have the VA provide the latix/plastic gloves to properly help put the Lidocaine onitment on especially in places where the Lidocaine Patches will not work properly! I too have used the adhesive tape no go falls off especially when twist or turning picking things up cleaning the house or when sweating nothing like say play softball or other sports LOL.
        txs @ANutterVet on patches that still stay on! doubt my VA will get it though 🙁

    2. Or, how about the (alleged) medications VHA’s use which are STILL in the “testing stages”!

      My answer to Ben’s Question is a resounding – “FUCK NO!”

  26. Great poll. We’re either awfully jaded, or right .. or both. A couple of the questions should have a “conditional” option. I’d actually be OK with someone using this large of a database. Especially at the genomic level. However, not without my permission, which, I would only give if I knew the purpose of the research – and I had access to the results. Or, if I or other researchers could use the data as well, just in case we think we’re being poisoned by our dear beloved gubmint.

    1. We all ready know we have been poisoned, I look at my wife in the terrible state she is in and and I know they poisoned her to. She is Okinawian oh but wait OA was never on the island i just cant figure out how the c123s were loaded with AO heading to NAM at Kadena Air Base without AO ever being on Okinawa?

      I know this is military intelligence at it’s finest but I cannot understand how our government can tell this tale. Their lies like lies are starting to unravel.

  27. The VA Is For The VA! If ever there was a case to bring Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law (RICO) charges against a organizations Leadership it would be the Senior Executive Service (SES) and the General Schedule 15’s that manage the Department of Veteran Affairs. Notice I did not say the appointed Politicians, they end up being corrupted by the SES and 15’s in the course of their appointments. The second case for RICO would be the Union Officials from each organizations representing Veteran Affairs employees. Beyond the simple fact that Unions do not hold the power to strike against the Federal Government, where did they ever get the power to prevent firings. Between the Corrupt Senior Management with their scandal after scandal and the Unions which allow drug dealers, armed robbers, child molesters, murders, rapist, thief’s, and so many more that are to extensive to list the mission and veterans take a back seat. Now to the trust issue we bring in the potential of VA employees making private dollars on the backs of Veterans and their health information. How many VA SES, VA Doctors, and VA Researchers are making money out the back door by joining private corporations that are coming through the front door looking for the very same data they are sworn to protect. When you clean a house you Identify all areas that need to be cleaned, you clean it, identify how it is getting dirty, correct the problems of how it is getting dirty, train the staff to ensure it stays clean, and punish or terminate any employees that are found to violate the rules. Protecting Senior People is nothing new and certainly the VA did not invent it, we only have to look to people like Hillary Clinton, or our senior military officers, Congress men and women, and US Senators. Hillary has broken so many laws for so long and has never been held accountable that she has made a new class of Legal Defense, “The Hillary Defense”. You cannot Prosecute me for violation of Classified Standards because you did not prosecute Hillary for worse offenses. Or we have Generals who commit the very same crimes as junior officers and enlisted who evade prosecution and often retire with full benefits. The very same officers who have presided over Court Marshals of others for the very same crimes they committed themselves. Congress is such a ripe low hanging fruit on this topic, Maxine Waters, Diane Feinstein, and so many others from both sides of the isle have been investigated for corruption it is ridiculous. Waters tried to get government contracts for her husbands firm, Feinstein tried to get the San Francisco Presidio reclassified from a National Historic Preservation site, and Treasure Island reclassified and rezoned so her developer husband could turn it into new mansions for San Francisco’s elite. Who can forget Alcee Hastings the federal Judge who was impeached by Congress and removed from the Federal Bench only to be elected to congress, and it appears he is at it again. Congress is investigating him for fraud, it appears he has hired his mistress to the top congressional salary in his Florida Office. No Veteran can win in this system/

  28. This is from US Rep Phil Roe MD..TN.

    Congressman Phil Roe, M.D. – Representing the 1st District of Tennessee
    Website | About Phil | First District | Constituent Services | Newsroom | Issues | Legislation | Contact Me

    Addressing Veterans Crisis Line Shortcomings

    When a man or woman in our armed forces takes their oath to support and defend the Constitution of our country, our country in turn makes a promise to them, first made by President Lincoln, to take care of them when they return from duty as they transition back into civilian life. The men and women who keep this country safe deserve the best care we have to offer. It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, which is why I am committed to ensuring our veterans are served with the respect and dignity they deserve.

    There are few issues more important than our efforts to help our veterans who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the most comprehensive analysis of veteran suicide data to-date, and found that the risk of suicide was 21 percent higher for veterans than it was for non-veterans. According to VA’s own data, 20 veterans commit suicide each day. Because of this mental health crisis, VA has established a hotline, the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), that should be providing 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to veterans.

    This week, I chaired a Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing to address serious shortcomings that have been uncovered with the VCL. Over the last year, VCL has been the subject of two major investigations by the VA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). These investigations have found serious management, organizational and quality deficiencies in virtually every facet of VCL’s operations. The OIG found that many calls to the VCL were sent to back-up call centers, and the monitoring system the VCL provided lacked accountability. After further investigation into VCL, investigators found that some call center operators failed to meet their call wait time goals, neglected to monitor the quality of the text message service, failed to adequately respond to a veteran caller with urgent needs and did not train or oversee certain staff members appropriately. This is unacceptable.

    In November 2016, I was proud to support legislation introduced by my friend and colleague Rep. David Young (R-IA), H.R. 5392, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act, which was signed into law. This law required VA to institute a quality management plan and produce a plan that ensures no calls from veterans go unanswered. In our hearing, we heard from the VA that the number of calls which are routed to backup call centers has been drastically decreased and the VA has opened an additional call center in Atlanta, Georgia to ensure all calls are being answered by a trained professional. While these are steps in the right direction, we also heard that there are other recommendations to improve the VCL that have not been implemented yet, so there is still work to be done.

    As an Army veteran, I feel deeply connected to this issue. I saw firsthand how our returning service members were treated at the end of Vietnam. Both the visible and invisible wounds of service members are real and deep-seeded, and both should be treated seriously. In my first term in Congress, I was proud to join Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), who is now the VA Committee’s Ranking Member, to form the Invisible Wounds Caucus. This caucus is a bipartisan Congressional caucus formed to bring awareness to the men and women who are suffering from the invisible wounds of mental and other emotional trauma. As a nation, we must do a better job identifying mental illness and providing adequate mental health care for our returning service members.

    To address the devastating issue of veterans’ suicide, we must raise awareness of and advocate for treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and other wounds that are often invisible using VA and private resources. I look forward to continue pushing for changes to the way the VA treats veterans with invisible wounds, and will continue to support measures to improve mental health and suicide prevention programs in this country.

    As always, feel free to contact my office if I can be of assistance to you or your family.

    1. Howard, it is not just the lack of a “call center responsiveness”. From personal experience I can tell you the biggest problem is not being able to get a lock up, neurobehavioral ward bed when you need one.

      That is not the problem of the contractor at the call center. That is the lack of responsiveness by the VA Medical Centers. And that deficiency is the greater problem. Not having a place to refer the crisis patient. Perhaps too much is being spent on a contract for a call center that isn’t being monitored and held accountable and not enough on delivery of patient care. Privatization for services doesn’t save money. It wastes money for non delivered services and negative results.

      Write your representative on the committee and the members of the caucus. I will and I will tell them of my personal experience.

    2. The VA senate veterans committee is very interesting to watch and informative. The problem seems to be that the VA mind set is to evade answering the committee’s questions directly and honestly. I believe that the top VA officials are pre counseled by VA Attorneys.

      Say as little as possible, be evasive and do not blame any certain person or employee or plead the 5th. Miller was a very good chairman and would not take any crap from them and cut them no slack. The VA plays Musical chairs and change job positions, so often that it always ends up when asked who was responsible they can say ” I don’t know, It was not me.

      I suggest any veteran whom has been harmed or has a complaint about VA employee’s should write a letter to the Secretary. That way his office can not say they were not advised. This would also let his office see for themselves what veterans think about how they are being treated or not treated.

      Suicides I believe happen because veterans suffering from PTSD or TBI, Apply for disability in order to be treated and 99% are sent denial letters and this means they can not obtain treatment and or they just give up and figure they don’t care.

      They did this to me and thousands of veterans that served in the 60’s and early 70’s and veterans think ok now what do I do ? They throw up their hands how do I find another solider that witnessed me getting hurt or how know who they were. The VA puts the Burden on the Veterans that have no clue what to do and give up. Duty to assist as required by Law, has been thrown out the window.

      In my case the fire was in May of 73 and I was discharged in Oct 73. See where I was lied to, not just me many other veterans were told this and it not be true. They should investigate why this is happening and the suicide numbers would come way down.

      But the VBA seems to have been told to deny, deny and deny, until they stop filing or kill themselves. The only way I found out is after hiring an attorney that was not suffering from PTSD or a Traumatic Brain injury and magically the records were retrieved right out the Ashes.

      It must have taken the VA a very long time to put them all back together, with no smoke damage.

  29. These people write all sorts of crap about veterans, True or not, there are so many involved they don’t review the chart for information or if they do they put their own two cents or add what they want. Changing one word, makes a hell of a lot of difference.

    They will not make any corrections. It takes an Act of Congress and they won’t help either, so the VA can say anything they want to about how they feel about the veterans and not stay within parameter’s of what should be written. There should be standards and VA employee’s should not be able to write what ever they want.

    Example : Mr. Gallegos is a Black male. Not even close. They commit slander daily in the official chart.

  30. To the best of my knowledge, the VA doesn’t conduct any research on it’s own. They rely on other government agencies (CDC, etc.) and private industry. As far as I’m concerned, as long as no personal information is disclosed along with the data and veterans health care is improved by the results of this sharing of data – in other words, we profit from it as well – I don’t see where any conflict is indicated.
    Health Care is a big issue. And it is big business.
    Research should be big and the results should be even bigger.

    1. Hi Robert…Guess you never heard of the Genome project? How about the VA doctor that developed a Hepatitis vaccine on VA time using VA faciities and then sold it to a pharmaceutical company for millions and the VA received no compensation…Then the pharm co. sold the vaccine back to the VA for use on Vets at a HUGE price…

      1. james says i am looking at the last check they wrote me for my blood test THE check is from HOUSTON VA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, INC. FOR TEN DOLLARS A years worth of blood test I got 50 dollars but that is fifty dollars more than I got for the other test I ” volunteered for “. ONE good thing that hep c medicine they were testing works ..IT WORKS real well this post to be continued when I quite hurting.

      2. don, wanted to ask you how you feel about veterans assembling in Washington by the thousands to express our concerns. How can we go about getting the word out and who could be our speaker. I believe many veterans on this site, your site would volunteer to assist with phone calls or what ever needs to be done.

      3. @james gallegos: I am with you if we ever get this organized. I am sorry I don’t have the capacity to organize something like this. I can however be there.

      4. Many of us are in your same shoes. I just think it strange that Veterans are not doing this. It seems we are the only group that has not come forward and expressed our concerns to the whole nation. I just don’t understand that we can join to fight in wars, but will not stand up for ourselves or others.

        The squeaky wheel gets the grease, they say.

    2. Robert,

      Can you define what “personal information” means, if your complete genetic makeup does not fall into that category?

    3. @Robert Snyder: DNA is not just for Jurassic Jumbo Theme Parks anymore. Silly Rabbit.

    4. @Robert Snyder – You’re naïve Brother, don’t be fooled by your caring and loving VA. For your own health and welfare, wake up Veteran.

    5. Robert,

      First time you have read posts and comments here? If so, Welcome Aboard.
      Hang around, these good folks will increase your knowledge tremendously.

      If not – – – then you are either a TROLL or living under a ROCK!

      FIX THE BROKEN VA:

      1. Fire all the Lazy No Good Workers. Fire EVERY single AFGE/SES Employee.
      2. Sell off all the VA facilities.
      3. Issue all veterans a card that allows them to choose their own doctors that they can TRUST.
      4. US Government will PAY those doctors promptly for the care they give veterans.
      5. ELIMINATE the “Federal Protection” Umbrella for incompetent QUACKS that the VA sends to other states other than their own. Gonna practice in Hawaii? You need to be LICENSED in Hawaii.

    6. @Robert Snyder – I forgot to mention, if you’re a true Brother, a love one of a Veteran, or friend, or caregiver, or you’re truly interested in Veteran issues, then welcome aboard. If not, then leave. I don’t have to mention Politicians too much, they hardly come on board to even say hello, and try to get to know us, the Misfits.

  31. I have the perspective of a former V.A. employee AND a V.A. patient. Veterans have ZERO privacy within the V.A.! I am 100% service connected, and even WE have to sign off on at least 20 parties that are allowed to access even our most sensitive medical records data. In the same physical and electronic forms, it states that once we give permission to these many parties, they then have carte blanche to assign rights to anyone they choose! Translated, veterans have ZERO privacy rights! I have friends who work and volunteer at the Sioux Falls V.A. Medical Center. When I see them in the halls, how am I supposed to know what they know about my medical issues, or who else they may have told, and so on!?

    1. I’ve had them at the Manhattan RO, and called S.U.N.Y. College at Old Westbury, and told/warned they about me and my back ground in civilian life which had nothing too do with my military career in any form… Then there was those people at Womack Hospital, on Fort Bragg. Denied my permission for dental implants at said hospital but, {stating that we don’t do out source veterans too this hospital dental for treatment of any kind}, but they turned around and gave up my college educational, an military background too a civilian contactor whom was working on the base at the time. He need someone with a security installment background with the knowledge of CCTV’s, and access control installation,{Bio, Facial, voice} splicing wire, software installation, motion detectors which concise of Inferred, and Microwave… The list goes on but these people from NYC too the State of North Carolina, has a very bad habit of just giving other’s what they want with the proper government forms being signed… “Just any old form seem too do just fine when they want to harm someone, or keep you/us from getting something outside the VA-system…. Trust them, man I stop doing that way back in the 1990s’ when my Unit and I returned from that two week war/shooting match!!!

      1. write a letter to the secretary of veterans affairs and send a copy to the senate committee chairman in Washington. Veterans must let these two entities know how each of us are being treated or mistreated. We must never stop trying to help ourselves, other veterans and those becoming veterans.

        VA employee’s must be held accountable and they can not fix something they know nothing about, letters from us. Name names of employees who have harmed us in one way or the other. They can be fired per new law.

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