IG Los Angeles VA Wait List

Los Angeles VA: IG Report Says Almost 100 Veterans Died On Wait List

IG Los Angeles VA Wait List

A new IG report shows almost 100 veterans died while waiting for appointments or waiting for tests they never received.

And like all things IG, the supposed watchdog stops short of concluding those veterans “died as a result of delayed consults.” Of course, could anyone really know the delay itself would be the cause of death?

Of course not. The cause of the death is generally the disease or injury and using VA logic on accountability, America will never know exactly what happened because VA does not want us to know… and that is justice in our modern society.

According to CBS:

“He had an enlarged prostate and they just kept saying it’s not a problem you know, whatever, and then, it started to get worse,” Susan says.

He was scheduled to see a specialist in May 2013, but she says that didn’t happen.

“She said, ‘No, you’re here just for a consult. You have to understand people have cancer and he doesn’t,'” Susan Hoffman says. “I think we were there for 15 minutes.”

Four months later, Hoffman was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer.

Dr. Christian Head is a surgeon at the Los Angeles VA. He says 140,000 patient consults were deliberately deleted.

“The number of patients waiting for care, the deletion of consults, and the wait list were much more significant here than at Phoenix,” Head says.

“I first noticed an unusual number of patients who are presenting with delay in diagnosis, meaning that they present into the system, they disappeared for a number of years and then they presented late with advanced cancers. Those consults were being deleted, literally removed from the system,” Head says.

Allen Hoffman died a year and a half after he was diagnosed. The VA has settled out of court with his widow.

“Was there any doubt in your mind that they were responsible for your husband’s death?” Villarreal asked.

“Definitely they were,” Susan Hoffman says.

The VA would not comment about Hoffman’s case or Head’s allegations, but Los Angeles’ hospital director admits the problems in the report are serious.

So what do you think? In the courtroom of public opinion, what do you believe taxpayers think happened inside the dark halls of criminal VA facilities nationwide?

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/los-angeles-veterans-affairs-hospital-patients-died-waiting-for-care/

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66 Comments

  1. The VA hospital in Temple Texas. Lost my records five years ago. They have admitted they lost them. Just before an Agent Orange rating exam. I have since gained the help of three agencies trying to help me. A VA office in Montana. VSO officer in Rusk Texas,a mental health agency in Rosenburg Tx. No one can get an answer.

    I have filled out every form required. But some how they all seem to get lost. The VSO officer sent them my DD214 and all the forms. The VA sent him back an email requesting a copy of my 214. As they could not verify my service. My health continues to fail while the VA keeps putting me off. I guess they are hoping I will die. More bonus money for them.

    1. Billy Shafer, There are steps to take when forms are “lost” by VA but I don’t have those details, maybe another Veteran will repost what you should do or you can read through a zillon comments to find the instructions. I’ve read them on here but can’t remember the details.

      Statements have been made by VA officials that compensating veterans IS expensive. VA reviews, collects & ignores documented health conditions from being exposed to Agent Orange, their motto is: Delay, Deny, Wait till they die. VA is also known to destroy, loose, never receive forms. I would not put my trust in a VSO unless you want nothing to be done. Be Well.
      Article that may be of interest:
      “https://www.propublica.org/article/long-list-of-agent-orange-decisions-awaits-va-in-2017”

  2. 07/04/2017

    Dear Benjamin Krause,

    After 4 years of this “scandal” there should be no wait lists anywhere in the World for American Soldiers.

    There are no excuses for these deaths [“murders”/”homicides”].

    Judging what Patrick Henry had stated about England —matches the VA Administration.

    “Give me liberty or give me death.”

    Well—you got death.

    It is time that all Veterans look at this issue as did Patrick Henry 241 years ago.

    Sincerely,

    Don Karg

  3. I just noticed I got this email w/ a link to watch. You do not need facebook, click not now when the whit e box comes up
    “https://www.facebook.com/JudicialWatch/videos/10155080053021943/”
    On this edition of On Watch, Judicial Watch Director of Investigations Chris Farrell answered YOUR questions via Facebook Live about two Judicial Watch investigations; Governor Chris Christie’s effort to extort $300 million from an insurance company for an addiction program, and JW’s second lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which seeks information regarding non-veteran use of prime real estate in West Los Angeles set aside nearly 130 years ago to serve as a home for disabled veterans.

  4. One more thing about Bowlman, whatever the elf said, Who was the influence from for POTUS to choose him. Could be a source of bad information. Well, obviously is. There’s an odor emanating here. Maybe more than just one puke here living off unknowing taxpayers. Give em hell…

  5. I don’t see the Government running out of money. That’s where it’s at. Sad day for Veterans. @Seymore, no words can do you justice. It’s like they been planning this a long time. Let’s see how it goes. Does Shithead ignore or does he cover(?) It up, if possible. And we live to fight another day.

    1. I don’t know what will happen since the USA is 20 trillion in debt, but something has to change. When the belt tightening comes you can bet vets are first on their list of cuts.

      1. And I read just the other day that the IRS collects 13 trillion a year…Wonder where all that money is disappearing to

  6. It breaks the heart to see the brave die at the incompetance of the VA. One day were going to have a revolution in this country. People can only take so much madness before something gives. What will be the spark of this uprising? I think it will be when the government doesn’t have the money to take care of those who sacrificed for its existance.

    1. Right, the government is too busy giving money to certain countries and
      illegal aliens. And seeing how they can reduce our compensation.
      I don’t know about this bean counter dr shulkin?

  7. Seymore,
    Here’s an update on the “Lavoy Finicun murder”!
    From: Favor Zolna
    Dated: 28 June 2017
    Titled;
    “FBI Agent Indicted In Shooting Death, Of Rancher Lavoy Finicun!”

    Seems the agents involved tried to cover-up their fuck up of murdering Lavoy Finicun. The sheriff’s office wasn’t playing along with the feds!
    So, the agent was charged with “lying under oath” during the investigation. And according to Gabor, “Obstruction!”
    Some kind of bullshit from the federal agency!

  8. Hey Elf,

    The CNN thing is really something ain’t it. I mean retracting and firing three people. Not the first time for CNN though.

    Just ask Thomas G. Bowman I am sure he can remember “Operation Tailwind”. Took a whole squadron of planes to spray enough whitewash to cover that up.

    “U.S. Military Used Nerve Gas to Kill Vietnam War Defectors, Report Says”
    Probe: Operation was allegedly OKd by Nixon administration and CIA. Pentagon says it has no evidence of such a tactic.
    June 08, 1998|From Associated Press
    “https://articles.latimes.com/1998/jun/08/news/mn-57863”

    I can see why Scott Nelms and Sky Pilot didn’t want people digging into Bowman’s past.

    1. Seymore,
      I got a sneaky suspicion there’s lots more “dirt” on Bowman than anyone can find.
      I think from now on his new “Nickname” should be
      “Bowel Movement Bowman”!
      Because he’s full of shit!
      We’re going to have to take our enemies to task, I do believe!

      1. @Elf – – – Things at the VA will either get better, or the clusterfuck will become more tragic/funny. We now have the Team of Shithead Shulkin and Bowel Movement Bowman on the stage.

        Wonder if they will perform at the “Comedy Club” in the not too distant future?

    2. Tommy g sure put together a great counter offensive to the reports. Within one month all the braches of the service who were involved had reports on his desk including the CIA.

      Although he was facing an uphill battle with the Air forces records showing that not only had they locked and loaded GB-15 (Sarin Gas) for the mission, but that GB-15 had been used nearly 2,000 in Vietnam. But through an amazing display of whitewash ingenuity they claimed it was a computer error due to a card being improperly punched. But that the card was only improperly punched for a period between 1970 and 1973. Then the card corrected it self.

      1. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE REVIEW OF ALLEGATIONS
        CONCERNING “OPERATION TAILWIND”
        JULY 21, 1998
        “https://www.dod.gov/pubs/tailwind.html”

        M2 PRESSWIRE-23 July 1998-U.S. DOD: DoD news briefing (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

        * Operation TAILWIND

        Colonel Tom Bowman, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, also a Judge Advocate General

        Excerpt from briefing text:

        Colonel Bowman: When you have the opportunity to review in the reading room the volumes that relate to the service reports you will obviously come across the Joint Staff report. In that report there are certain documents that have redactions. We’re not aware of any repository of documents as it relates to TAILWIND that exists elsewhere that are subject to a FOIA request, not yet having been acted on.

        So as far as we know, what we have in our basic report plus the services’ reports in their tabs is the history of TAILWIND as we have it in documented form.

        Q: Can you give the reasons behind some of the redactions in the documents in the reading room?

        Colonel Bowman: As it relates to certain of the redactions, I think the question will have to be addressed to the Central Intelligence Agency. They in turn can deal with the whole issue as to why something may or may not have been redacted. We can’t comment on it.

        Q: Can we get your full name, Colonel?

        Colonel Bowman: Colonel Thomas G. Bowman, B-O-W-M-A-N.

    3. CNN Settles Lawsuit With Operation Tailwind Producer: [FINAL Edition] de Moraes, Lisa. The Washington Post; Washington, D.C.[Washington, D.C]08 June 2001: C.07.

      “The announcement of the settlement came three years to the day after CNN telecast the report on OperationTailwindto premiere its newsmagazine “NewsStand.”

      When military experts disputed the claim that lethal nerve gas was used on a Laotian village in 1970 as part of a mission to kill American defectors, the cable news network retracted the story, saying it could not verify its accuracy.

      In July 1998, longtime CNN producer Smith and his colleague April Oliver were fired. Oliver settled her suit against CNN last year. The story’s on-air reporter, Peter Arnett, was reprimanded; he later left CNN.

      Smith’s suit for defamation and wrongful termination claimed that “CNN management decided that the Tailwind report, about a covert operation 30 years ago, was not worth jeopardizing its valuable and lucrative contacts with senior military and Pentagon officials.”

      1. Several more excerpts from the news briefing by Colonel Tom Bowman, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, also a Judge Advocate General; and Lee Strickland who was the information and privacy coordinator at the Central Intelligence Agency, Mr. Brad Carson, our White House Fellow July 1998.
        U.S. DOD: DoD news briefing: [1] M2 Presswire; Coventry[Coventry]23 July 1998: 1

        “Q: General Singlaub had called on CNN to say that the operation did not take place. Not only that CNN found no evidence to support its report. Where do you come down on that? Going beyond the narrow wording of finding no evidence to back up the CNN/Time allegation, whether any may exist.

        Under Secretary de Leon: Give me that question again.”

        “Under Secretary de Leon: Let’s take the allegation that sarin gas was used. When you look at all of the materials from the five separate investigations, what do you see? You see that the munition never left Okinawa. That the people on the flight line in Thailand, the base where the A-1s came from, they knew what they were loading, it was CS gas. Some of the senior logisticians had been trained in sarin, they knew how that munition was to be handled. They were very clear that the munition was not there at the base.”

      2. Elf did you notice the Thailand, and Scott Nelms statements yesterday.

        Quoting Scott Nelms yesterdays statement. “I am a Thai Vet, the group that is not even recognized by congress to have been exposed to herbicides. He has spent a lot of time with me and getting e mails and info from me about the inequities of the Thai vets and herbicides.”

      3. Q: On the database, it’s my understanding that there was an initial run requesting references to the weapon CBU-15 which is the sarin nerve gas, that initially you came up with a large number of weapon systems, of reported use of that, but you decided it was some sort of data input error. Can you explain what happened there?

        Mr. Davidson: Sure. The actual search we did was ask for what weaponry, actually the question I was just asked, what weaponry was on the A-1Es. When it comes back, it comes back in a raw data form, meaning a numeric form. There is a key code book that you look at to find out what that actually means.

        In the particular look-up that we had, we had multiple hits, 2,000 hits on item 415. If you go back to the NARA and look at the guide book they had received when they received the documents from JCS in the middle ’70s, 215 is recorded as SU-15, or CBU-15. That translates to sarin gas.

        Q: How many hits in the computer database?

        Mr. Davidson: Two thousand hits.

        Q: Wouldn’t that…

        Mr. Davidson: Remember what we’re looking at because I’m going to have to go back and explain it to you. When you take the data directly from the computer and compare it against the guidebook that you have that’s with it, you end up with 2,000 showing that there’s 415s and that guidebook says 415 is CBU-15. Okay?

        Q: Wouldn’t that indicate that CBU-15 had been used 2,000 times?

        Mr. Davidson: Immediately. That’s why we went back and said there’s something wrong.

        In addition to saying CBU-15 it also said “anti-materiel”. CBU-15 has never been identified as anti-materiel. That caused us to go back and look at the record and see what was the problem in the data that we were receiving. By going back and finding key books — not necessarily changing the data. The database stays the same. But you go back and pick up the key book for 1970 and you run that same basis and you look for 415, the item that’s showing up in the database. 415 is actually CBU-14, an anti-materiel bomb. What we think happened is sometime between 1972 and 1974, when they transcribed the new key book, they got the wrong data.

        Q: Your own computer records indicated that CBU-15, which is sarin gas loaded munitions, was used more than 2,000 times. Your own records indicated that.

        Mr. Davidson: No. What the records indicate is item 415 was used 2,000 times. The guide and the key book used to translate that, which was created in 1972, was the only one that translated it to CBU-15. All guides prior to that time, including the one used during the time that we’re talking shows it as being CBU-14, an anti-personnel weapons.”

      4. Note the horse hockey with wording in the questions and answers posted above.

        “In addition to saying CBU-15 it also said “anti-materiel”. CBU-15 has never been identified as anti-materiel.”

        “But you go back and pick up the key book for 1970 and you run that same basis and you look for 415, the item that’s showing up in the database. 415 is actually **CBU-14, an anti-materiel bomb**.”

        “415 was used 2,000 times. The guide and the key book used to translate that, which was created in 1972, was the only one that translated it to CBU-15. All guides prior to that time, including the one used during the time that we’re talking shows it as being **CBU-14, an anti-personnel weapons**”

        Notice he claims at different points that CBU–14 is a anti-personnel weapon and also claims that CBU–14 is an anti-materiel weapon.

        When the facts are it says they used CBU–15 which is an Anti-personnel weapon

  9. If I were in a position, I’d take a healthy shit. Following far behind . . . (phew . . .)

    1. RAND Corporation on shit and the VA and VAOIG: The shitheads at the VA’s newborns must surely then be called ‘turdlers’ since they come from the swamp. RAND recommends massive enema to correct this imbalance of PH in USA.

  10. It is a fucking crime for the VA’s corruption to continue. Our Body of Elected Officials have no pass to not solve the issues inside the VA. By not holding the VA accountable, then VA Officials will feel even more that they can get away with matters. Veterans lives are at stake. It is a dam disgrace in how the VA’s behavior has been.

    For decades VA has treated Veterans for pain, PTSD, TBI, or other debilitating medical conditions that can and will cause a disability. Everyone is going to react, in one way or another, differently from someone else when they’re exposed to the same thing. Same way with medicine. Some people will respond differently compared to others. The VA illegally takes advantage of this and violates Veterans to the extreme by almost solely relying on Evidence / Experience-Based Medicine (EBM).

    A Veteran is NOT their own. The VA doesn’t think of you being YOU. You’re a number, a stat. Those with any influence or power to change the VA’s behavior, well, they don’t think of you as being YOU either. Your a VOTE. Not a Veteran. No, you don’t have a conscious. How can you when you’re not YOU.

    Oh, by the way, “thank you for your service.” See ya. Life moves on. What plot is the Veteran buried at?

  11. Was the VA OIG set up to protect the VA, or the Veterans? I hate saying this, but, who is the VA OIG supposed to report to? What good is the VA OIG if they have to report to the SES, or anyone else in the VA? I’d say the AG, but he’s useless. The VA just isn’t working. Too many dead Veterans.

  12. If the OIG can verify that that many consults were deleted, they can surely find out who deleted them and why. This is a catastrophic healthcare failure that warrants a criminal investigation. You can bet if your local private hospital did this, the state attorney general would definitely investigate this rather than draft a semi-harshly worded memo. Doesn’t state law come into play where va hospitals are located? This is so sad…

    1. VA loves to claim that all their locations are Federal Property, and claim it always trumps State Laws…unless it’s convenient for the VA to actually honor State Laws where it benefits the VA. See how thick the crap is?

  13. @James Clement, I’ve read your solution several times. I don’t believe that solution will ever be considered with what Veterans have for leadership in the VA. But, it’s the best solution I’ve read. Each post here leaves me more questions than answers. When will this crap stop? Not until….we stop them. I could be more supportive, if it wasn’t that every day Veterans are dying because of the VA. When is Shithead going to address these daily atrocities? Most likely never, or just bullshit answers. Sick of them….

    1. @Jo3n – – – Thank You. I was taught from a young age in the military to use the 3F approach in dealing with problems:

      1. Find a workable solution quickly.
      2. Fix the problem with the workable solution rapidly and efficiently.
      3. Fuckin’ bitch, moan, and laugh after the first two F’s are taken care of.

      Served me well while on active duty. What I did not account for while running through the jungle and sailing the bounding main was that those Americans who promised to have my back – – – wouldn’t. All those “Our nation is grateful” and “America thanks you for ensuring our safety, and recognizes your sacrifice” were all just so much B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T for the politicians to spew. They promised – – – and by proxy – – – our whole nation promised that we would be taken care of.

      Bilge Water! L-I-A-R-S, every one of them. I truly wish I had the answer to your questions. I don’t. I wonder many of the same things you do.

      Every time someone speaks the words “Thank You for your service” to me, my Veteran Inner Monologue screams the words “I really want to punch this asshole in the balls (or tits, if female) right now. How fucking insulting! Most of our fellow citizens are “Cant’s”.

      Can’t be bothered to do a bit of research on what really goes on with the VA.

      Can’t be bothered to make a phone call, or write a letter to their elected representatives about how shoddily veterans are treated compared to illegal immigrants.

      Can’t be bothered to pay attention to the world around them. Got to focus on that smartphone screen, lest they miss the (sale, game, movie, e-mail) that is so important . . . Smartphones used unwisely make for dumb people.

      This nation has its priorities so screwed up that it is not funny. We are ALL sick of bullshit. Veterans more than most.

      The biggest single line of bullshit? “America. Leader of the Free world”. Leader my ass! By any metric used to measure Quality of Life – – – America usually doe not even rank in the top ten.

      Hope we all find our answers. Never give up. That is the only way the assholes can beat you. Keep fighting the good fight!

      Disgruntled Veteran
      1973 – 1976 USMC
      1978 – 1993 USN
      Wounded Warrior

  14. No delays in Health Care in Japan. Also longer quality of life and highest per capital centenarians and super centenarians.

    When it comes to saving life, time is of the essence. Take it from a combat corpsman. The field hospitals don’t wait to see if you qualify for care no matter how minor the injury or disease.

  15. This is a little off subject, yet, gives everyone a glimpse into the corruption within our government.
    Titled;
    “Exclusive: Widow of Lavoy Finicun Tells ALL!”
    Dated: 27 June 2017
    By: Millie Weaver reporting from “InfoWars”

    If y’all are unaware of what happened to Lavoy Finicun, let me just say it like it happened – “An Unarmed American Citizen was gunned down, in front of his daughter, by State and Federal Agents!”
    This incident occurred up in Oregon a few months ago. Lavoy and other, (unarmed), PATRIOTS were on their way to discuss what was taking place there! It concerns the illegal take-over of personal property by the federal agency – known as the “Bureau of Land Management!”
    Lavoy exited his vehicle, which had been run off the road into a snow bank, where he was shot numerous times!
    Watch what happened that terrible day!

    1. Crazy elf ….I followed that whole thing right from the start. just plain murder.. [Lavoy Finicun]..just plain murder….that’s why when namnibor mentioned the EPA I replied with the BLM also being a bunch of crooks….The feds own more land or should I should say steal, Yea they offer the farmer some money for it, but if they don’t want to sell it, they send in CRIME INC. the FBI and other three letter agencies to run you off..most of the land has a lot of gold, silver, uranium,……They just want to sell it further down the road when everyone is zzzzzzzzzzzz’ing to one of their cronies, with a nice kickback of course…. That’s why old man BUSH passed that bill everything is for sale ….Nothing but fucking crooks……Just look at KILLEREY and uranium one a RUSSIAN company

      1. “https://govbanknotes.wordpress.com/2016/05/15/us-inc-f-b-i-is-a-corporate-protection-racket”

        Our government isn’t just corrupt though. Indeed, the primary function of

        government at the moment is to protect status quo criminals from the public, not the other way around. This is why the rich and powerful are never held to account, which is in turn why it continues to get worse and worse. A key gatekeeper in this whole scheme against the citizenry is the FBI.

        Time and time again throughout U.S. history, you see the FBI working to undermine the public’s freedom in order to protect whatever racket their status quo masters happen to be running at the time. There are countless examples, but I’ll list a few that I’ve covered, spanning the last 50 years to the present:

        “Disturbing Claim – FBI Interrogated Former Senator for Wanting “28 Pages” Declassified”

        “Apple Vows to Defend Its Customers as the FBI Launches a War on Privacy and Security”

        “Read the Letter That Turned Folk Icon Pete Seeger Into an FBI Target”

        “Parents Beware – The FBI is Launching Program to Recruit High School Kids”

        “American Justice – FBI Lab Overstated Forensic Hair Matches in 95% of Cases, Including 32 Death Sentences”

        “FBI Documents Show Plot to Kill Occupy Leaders If “Deemed Necessary” – Yet Details Are Kept From the Public…Why?”

        “The Full Letter Written by the FBI to Martin Luther King Has Been Revealed”

        The list goes on and on, but you get the point. The FBI doesn’t work to protect the public. That just Hollywood and primetime television spin. Its true function is to protect government and its rich and powerful patrons from the public.

  16. The administrators are all too busy figuring how & how much they can hustle for their next ‘above & beyond’ performance bonus.

    1. They probably get “badges” akin to boy & girl scouts, for such endeavors and if it takes some Vets lives, the ‘badge’ is made from hammered-out dental fillings from the deceased.

      Grim, I know. In a mood.

      1. namnibor,
        Since reading what “Shithead Shulkin” and other asswipes have been up to since he took over the Secretary’s job, it’s put me into a bad frame of mind!
        I’d hate to have an appointment in the next few days!
        ALL these VA reprobates are in violation of the laws set down by Congress. Why they’re NOT being prosecuted is amazing!

  17. From: “Military.com/daily news”
    Dated: 28 June 2017 | By Hope Yen
    Titled:
    “Major Veterans’ Groups Voice Concern Over Senate Health Bill”

    It’s got a lot of information in it, which includes veterans healthcare. “Shithead Shulkin” also gives his input on our healthcare and the “Choice Program”!
    A “must read” for everyone!

  18. Just have to point out that those deaths all happen in the span of 1 year. They died between October 2014 and August 2015. Also that in Allen Hoffman’s case his cancer was diagnosed 4 months after his consult but we don’t know how long he had to wait for the initial consult.

    1. Wonder what the average number of murders per year was before they blew the whistle on the Wait List.

      What maybe 250 a year or more?

  19. What happened to Susan Hoffman’s husband is basically the same thing that happened to my “brother” “Hangman”!
    One of the “symptoms” of pancreatic cancer is similar to diabetes. So, instead of further testing him for other reasons on those symptoms, the VHA at Daytona Beach, Fl. did nothing.
    I watched my “brother” fade away to nothing! He died in great PAIN! It was hard to watch him, as it was hard to watch his wife deal with everything the VA wasn’t doing to help him!
    And, this asswipe director, at the Los Angeles hospital, has the unmitigated gall to say; quote: “…problems in the report are serious!” Unquote.
    “Serious” my ass! It was down right administrative corruption, medical malpractice and incompetent murder of Susan’s husband! That’s why the VA had to “settle” a law suit!

    Here’s an idea. How about that new “second in command”, Thomas Bowman, take it upon himself to start filing charges against any and all medical (so-called) professionals at VA, who has committed agriegious and atrocious acts against veterans!
    All he has to do is take the paperwork, say of Mr. Hoffman, to the DOJ – they in turn convene a grand jury – and indict all the person’s responsible for Mr Hoffman’s death!
    That could be one place to start!

    1. One of my AF buddy’s was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, every time he goes to the VA they ask ” So whats wrong with you”? He always answer’s “You have my records and the computer what dose it say?” or “Can’t you read?” He is so fed up with the VA Bullshit he stopped going and goes to a civilian doctor. PSA Tests are not as accurate as once thought. I guess his spouse (an AF Veteran also) should plan a funeral.

  20. is it of any value to write articles such as this when nothing happens as result? Would it not be better to send a letter to POTUS regarding this issue.
    I believe millions of letters to the WH would have an impact. I write letters to my representatives all the time regarding shortcomings.

    1. Well, now you have the information to bark at the POTUS with a letter, with what Ben has provided with the story. This blog is very effective in providing information on scandals that otherwise *never ever* make the mainstream news or otherwise…so, I would think this blog is quite effective. Results we need? Not yet, but it’s better than being meek and passive and just allowing the VA to run over us with sharpened cleats on.

      Nothing, **NOTHING** will change until the AFGE is BANISHED from the VA and Taxpayer’s Teats.

    2. This blog IS the letter to POTUS. Just take a peek at who has logged on here in the past at various times. Sending a letter is holding your hand up. Blogging as Ben does is using a megaphone.

  21. That is why the IG got roasted. They wont say it is not medical malpractice, but sua sponte will say nothing happened. Another IG fairytale as usual. Linda Halliday looked like a Boss Hogg’s wife during those hearings.
    I big fat inflatable manatee. And Missal Head will do no better because you have the same doctor in charge of the healthcare inspection. You need a law that is passed that requires a subject matter expert within the IG office that can conclude medical malpractice. It wont resolve the problem, but you will weed out the intention harm factor significantly.

    1. @CorpsmanUp! – – – Hang a big roger on that one, Doc. Linda Halliday DID look like she would fit right into “The Dukes of Hazzard”. She also sounds ignorant as hell when she speaks. Flotsam that needs to be jettisoned . . .

      I see your Situational Triage skills have been kept right up to date.

  22. I will say it again: FIRE *every* VAOIG and replace with a VA Whistleblower that’s been harassed or even fired by the VA. The VAOIG are nothing but a massive fog machine but in this case, it’s not the stage lead-up presentation for Golden Earring’s ‘The Twilight Zone’…no, the VAOIG blows foggy smoke to obscure the facts and only makes recommendations.
    VAOIG reminds me of current TV commercials for ‘LIFELOCK’ Identity Theft Protection, where in the commercials they show a man in a dentist’s chair wide mouth open and what appears to be a dentist and his assistant over him in the chair…the Dentist says, “You have a mouth full of really bad cavities, but it’s time for lunch”….the man in pain and in dentist’s chair with mouth propped open with dental stuff manages to ask, “Aren’t you going to FIX IT?”….the ‘Dentist’ and ‘Assistant’ both laugh and say, “We are not actual dentists…no…we ONLY MONITOR FOR *problems*, you need to go to an actual DENTIST for your problem!!”
    Yeah, the VAOIG only MONITORS problems but does absolutely nothing to FIX them and the recommendations get rolled-up into something to snort drugs off a conference room table at end of day at your local VA.
    Does ANYONE ELSE SEE this SHAM of VAOIG?

    The other scenario of “LIFELOCK” commercials, using same dialogue but scenario is a security guard in a bank actively being robbed….telling the bank’s patrons taking cover on floor that, “I’m not an ACTUAL security guard, I ONLY MONITOR for potential bank robberies…there’s a robbery, better call someone that can so something…”

    You now get the message. Now my simple question of: Where’s the teeth in VAOIG? Sharks with falsies. Nothing but a massive foggy smokescreen.

    “The Twilight Zone”, by Golden Earring:

    “Somewhere in a lonely hotel room there’s a guy
    Starting to realize that eternal fate has turned its back on him
    It’s two A.M.

    It’s two A.M. (It’s two A.M.)
    Fear is gone (fear is gone)
    I’m sitting here waiting
    The Gun still warm (the gun still warm)
    Maybe my connection is tired of taking chances

    Yeah, there’s a storm on the loose
    Sirens in my head
    Wrapped up in silence, all circuits are dead
    Cannot decode, my whole life spins into a frenzy

    Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone
    Place is a madhouse, feels like being cold
    My beacon’s been moved under moon and star
    Where am I to go now that I’ve gone too far? (Oh oh oh)

    Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone
    Place is a madhouse, feels like being alone
    My beacon’s been moved under moon and star
    Where am I to go now that I’ve gone too far?

    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone

    I’m fallin’ down a spiral, destination unknown
    Double crossed messenger, all alone
    Can’t get no connection, can’t get through
    Where are you?

    Well the night weighs heavy on his guilty mind
    This far from the borderline
    When the hitman comes
    He knows damn well he has been cheated

    And he says
    Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone
    Place is a madhouse, feels like being cold
    My beacon’s been moved under moon and star
    Where am I to go now that I’ve gone too far? (Oh oh oh)

    Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone
    Place is a madhouse, feels like being alone
    My beacon’s been moved under moon and star
    Where am I to go now that I’ve gone too far?

    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone

    Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone
    Place is a madhouse, feels like being cold
    My beacon’s been moved under moon and star
    Where am I to go now that I’ve gone too far? (Oh oh oh)

    Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone
    Place is a madhouse, feels like being alone
    My beacon’s been moved under moon and star
    Where am I to go now that I’ve gone too far?

    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    So you will come to know
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone
    When the bullet hits the bone”

    1. @Nam – – – That song pretty much describes MY PTSD and night terrors to a T. Not that the VA has a clue. Or gives a damn. That song brings back LOTS of memories.

      1. @James Clement- – – Yes, that song in particular is almost a soundtrack for the evil anxiety side of my PTSD, with just a dash of depression for flavor. 🙂

        However, I use listening and playing music to fight and ease those same demons…full circle. Lots of memories. However, I have only great memories of that song. Each cover band I had been in past, we always played that…(keyboards here) I play with nobody these days, aside from my massive cat. 🙂

      2. @Nam – – – Well, I understand the music, but must confess my ignorance about cats. I have two doglets that are amusing to live with. I do enjoy getting into a small Asian kitty every so often . . . but I digress . . .

        What type and weight would be considered a massive cat?

      3. Maine Coon Mix and 27 LBS of solid cat muscle. My cat is larger than most small dogs. I also love dogs but dogs are most often not allowed when you rent or lease and since they permitted cats, he’s been my “therapeutic cat counselor” now for few months shy of ten years since a wee kitten…and yes, he was also the runt of that litter…I love runts. I consider myself the runt of the litter as well.

        Cat’s Rule!

      4. namnibor ….I also love my runts, they have the most unique personalities. I am up to 3 runt dogs and 1 runt cat which is named RUNT-TIS….LOL

      5. @Nam – – – I am glad you and that cat help each other out. Had to google “Maine Coon Cat” as have never seen one. From some of the photos – – – – they DO look massive. I can tolerate cats, just never felt any affection for them.

        Did not get my first dog until the age of 42. My old Latte’ (mixed Lab/Canardly about 40 lbs) really helped with my PTSD. I so miss her. But now I’ve got Grundoon and Kalubbles lookin after me. My rented apartment ain’t the best – – – but it does allow them, and my landlord is a good guy. All that matters to me is that I can have my dogs with me.

  23. To connect to yesterday’s article, Bowman, the nominated Deputy Secretary wants to get rid of maternity and CANCER treatment in favor of private care.

    I wonder if that simply means the VA will soon just not even do any cancer screenings and by the time you *may* find out and are referred to the REAL medical world, it’s going to be too late. Death by deception, delay, lies, and hope you all die. The VA mantra.

    This is not sustainable, Dr. Shulkin. Nor is yours and your piggy’s indifference.

    1. namnibor,,,,,Ohoooo They do the screening most of the time, but they say nothing is wrong with you until your stage 4 and then they might do something…I have known to many people complaining they don’t feel right and the answer is, your blood work looks fine..but if your cholesterol if 5 points high, would you like something for that, fuck no. how about something for my red blood cells, answer, nothing They go to a different hospital and its stage 4..and too bad, there all dead now, Yea we care, fucking ass wipes
      The VA is nothing more than a employment farm….That’s why you guy’s that don’t feel good and the VA witch doctor Tell’s you your blood work looks good, Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere….latter guys I have a appointment with a witch doctor this A.M

      1. I download the pathology and imaging reports. Then I start looking up new stuff. The information is there. I learned a long time ago that the system isn’t really set up for doctors to “get back to you” – VA or private…

  24. The Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics create the waitlists nationwide to protect negligent doctors who do not want to see Veterans or adequately treat them. A doctor/provider could not neglect their patients in the manner that the va doctors treat the Veterans. They would loose their license for negligence and could not keep their doors open because of their poor clinical productivity.

    I worked in a clinic in a va mental health care line. At this facility the average workload of a outpatient psychiatrist was to see two Veterans a week. This poor clinical performance and negligence was not an isolated incident. Many clinics at vamc’s had same failing performance. Oh, and the vaoig could care less about the manipulation of the scheduling system by these doctors and administration people. They create the waitlists and no authority will correct this failing system.

  25. Good article, Ben.

    So Allen Hoffman went from not having Cancer to Stage IV Prostate Cancer in just a matter of a few months. That is a pretty fast growth rate. His Gleason score must have quite literally been off the charts.

    In general, prostate cancer actually has a very high survival rate – one of the highest among all types of cancers. Because prostate cancer is often a slow moving disease, the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will actually pass away from an unrelated cause.

    According to the American Cancer Society, the relative 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%. The relative 10-year survival rate is 98%. The 15-year relative survival rate is 91%. Relative survival rate means the percentage of patients who live [x] amount of years after their initial diagnosis.

    Keep in mind, however, that because the compiled list figures are of cancers diagnosed up to 15 years ago, patients may have an even greater chance of survival than these indicate due to advances in prostate cancer treatment technology.

    CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THE VAOIG WOULD PREFER TO REMAIN HIDDEN FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC VIEW . . .

    I believe it is WAY PAST TIME to begin to FIX THE DAMN BROKEN VA:

    1. Recognize the problems inherent in the VA are SYSTEM-WIDE, not just limited to a few locations.

    2. Fire all the Lazy No Good Workers. Fire EVERY single AFGE/SES Employee.

    3. Sell off all the VA facilities. Alternatively, they may be converted into housing for homeless veterans.

    4. Issue all veterans a card that allows them to choose their own doctors within their community that they can TRUST.

    5. The United States Government will PAY those doctors promptly (Within 45 days) for the care they provide veterans.

    6. ELIMINATE the “Federal Protection” Umbrella for incompetent QUACKS that the VA sends to other states to practice other than their own. Going to practice in Hawaii? You need to be LICENSED in Hawaii. Same applies to all other states.

    7. Any claim a veteran submits that requires more than 90 days to adjudicate, is automatically found to be in favor of the veteran. If a claim filed by a veteran is found to be a false one designed to scam the system, the VA will have to prove in civil court that a false claim was intentionally submitted.

    8. All veterans will be allowed to seek/retain the services of a Veterans Rights Attorney from their first initial contact with the VA.

    9. No AFGE, nor any other Labor Union business will be allowed to take place in any Federal Workplace. Conducting Union Business during working hours will be STRICTLY PROHIBITED, and will be STRICTLY ENFORCED. Should any government employee be found violating this provision, it will result in IMMEDIATE LIFETIME DISMISSAL FROM ANY/ALL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT.

    10. Attorneys for appeal will be retained at the former employee’s PERSONAL expense. U. S. Taxpayer’s will not be subject to payment of legal bills for incompetent personnel with regards to Governmental Employment.

    POTUS Reagan broke up PATCO in the ’80’s. Time for POTUS Trump to break up the AFGE. Most of our current Congress Critters do NOT have Veterans Interests at heart. Perhaps their replacements will. VOTE OUT all these WORTHLESS INCUMBENTS.

    Give their replacement’s one term to take care of Veterans who put aside their own personal lives to answer this nation’s call when she needed them.

    If they cannot MUSTER THE STONES to do it properly – – – vote their worthless asses out as well. Party should NOT MATTER. What SHOULD MATTER is their VOTING RECORDS ON VETERANS ISSUES.

    NO Combat Veteran should be surprised when the next McVeigh or Congressional Baseball Team Incident occurs. Bound to happen. Just a matter of time . . .

    We have now reached the next accelerative phase of our country falling apart. Country before Party. Principles before Personalities. Always.

    Want to REALLY get the VA fixed? The next SecVA needs to be a former Enlisted Man with a few serious axes to grind against the VA and the AFGE. Apparently these West Point graduates and Shithead Civvies can’t cut the mustard . . .

    Maybe a SINCERELY MOTIVATED Gunnery Sergeant or Chief Petty Officer CAN.

    Disgruntled Veteran
    1973 – 1976 USMC
    1978 – 1993 USN
    Wounded Warrior
    Honolulu, Hawaii

  26. ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿

  27. @Raptor Eagle: You getting this? These are your slimy ass buddies and yourself, that allows this to happen, not ex-military leeches, you fucking VAOIG piece of shit. I’ll send you a shiny new bullet for free, if you use it blow your fucking Veteran hating brains out.

    1. @cj – – – My JANAP 119 Callsign Book outdated. Who is Raptor Eagle?

      1. @James Clement: Raptor Eagle, commented on the previous article, and is obviously VAOIG, called veterans ex-military leeches that live of the system and his organization works to put those fraud veterans behind bars.

      2. @cj – – – Roger that. Have to go reread a few articles and associated comments. Have not been “following” by e-mail for a bit. PersSit looking up. Not out of woods yet. Chance I may be in California late July/early Aug.

        Need a day where I can sit at the computer and blast a blind mailing list with detailed SITREP. Hopefully within the next day or so. Specific ideas. Just NO time. I’ll give up 25% of my bennies in exchange for 12 more hours in a day, LOL!

      3. @James Clement: that is great news!!!! Let me know on email. Also did you ever get wire installed?

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