Veterans Affairs Secretary

Veterans Affairs Secretary Admits VA Is ‘Adversarial’ For Veterans

Veterans Affairs Secretary

In a landmark statement, Veterans Affairs secretary David Shulkin, MD, admitted the process of securing veterans benefits is “adversarial” for veterans.

To my knowledge, this is the first time any VA chief has admitted the agency treats veterans in an adversarial way during the benefits process, and that the adversarial treatment is costing taxpayers a lot of money in bureaucratic work done in error.

In a speech at the National Press Club on Monday, Shulkin told the crowd he wants a full review of all veterans benefits programs to reduce administrative costs.

“We have to make simpler benefits determinations,” VA secretary David Shulkin said at the National Press Club. “We’re spending too much on administrative costs, and we have to let veterans know what they can expect.”

“They shouldn’t have to constantly be refiling claims to get what they deserve,” Shulkin added, also confirming the benefits process is “adversarial.”

.@SecShulkin .@DeptVetAffairs thanks for calling spade a spade, VA is 'ADVERSARIAL' Click to Tweet

Background On Adversarial VA System

Veterans, support organizations, and attorneys have long claimed VA treats veterans as adversaries when adjudicating veterans benefits. While VA enjoys public perception that it is pro-claimant, the agency has deprived veterans of a right to sue VA in district court over benefits problems.

Instead, veterans are deprived of discovery, cross-examining witnesses, and other legal strategies all other Americans enjoy in practically every other legal process. At the core of these deprivations is the false assertion VA is uniquely pro-claimant.

With Shulkin’s admission, maybe the tide may be changing, not only within VA but also outside the agency when addressing these problems.

All Is Not Rosy For Elderly Veterans Benefits

During his speech, Shulkin did give indication to suspicions that he may be going after benefits presently enjoyed by elderly veterans if those disabilities are tied to “age-related issues.”

RELATED: VA Secretly Working Deal To Cut Vets Benefits

“This is not about taking away benefits from veterans,” he said. “This is about making benefits work better for veterans and transforming the Department of Veterans Affairs to do better for years and for generations for future veterans.”

But Shulkin did remind the public of his concern over benefits for elderly veterans to instead emphasize “service-connection for disabilities, so we aren’t compensating veterans for age-related issues.”

RELATED: VSOs Throwing Elderly Veterans Under Bus

When Shulkin assumed control of the agency, he immediately gave indications to the veteran community of his intent to reduce elderly veterans benefits for those receiving Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits past the age of 65.

After blowback from veterans, the public, and elderly veterans, Shulkin promised he would not reduce these benefits, but his statements Monday show maintained focus in this area.

However, a renewed focus and reduction of elderly veterans benefits for those receiving TDIU would result in many elderly veterans going without.

One argument in support of eliminated TDIU benefits for elderly veterans is that these veterans are double dipping from Social Security and should not be allowed to also receive TDIU. Yet, many elderly veterans receiving TDIU were disabled at an young age and did not pay into Social Security meaning that benefit is not available.

Veterans Affairs Unusually Honest Week

This week has proven to be an usually frank week for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The same day Shulkin spoke, Columbia VA Regional Office director Leanne Weldon spoke before a rotary club near her facility. She warned veterans against protecting their appellate rights in favor of claims options that ultimately reduce overall payouts when they disagree with an agency decision or denial. Favorable claims require the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) arm of Veterans Affairs make monetary payouts to veterans.

Due to bureaucratic mistakes and bureaucratic backlogs, Weldon advocated for denied disabled veterans to surrender their rights in favor of quicker solutions that conveniently reduce benefits payouts over the long run.

For the past two years, veterans organizations have informed attorneys that the agency was instructing them to steer veterans into filing new claims or to request to reopen claims instead of protecting their appellate rights with an appeal. But these advocates lacked concrete proof the agency was engaged in the duplicitous and unethical strategy.

Weldon is the first high level VA official to openly admit the agency is encouraging veterans give up their rights in favor of other less costly solutions due to agency malfeasance and mistakes.

According to Shulkin, “adversarial” VA policies and protocol have created a bureaucratic burden to taxpayers he hopes to reduce. Meanwhile, those within the bureaucracy push solutions that further reduce longterm lump sum payouts.

Combined, both strategies discussed by Shulkin and Weldon this week stand to reduce VA’s overall budgetary footprint.

Source: https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2017/11/07/va-secretary-wants-full-review-of-veterans-benefits-programs/

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89 Comments

  1. 11/09/2017

    Dear Benjamin Krause,

    The Honorable Shulkin Secretary of Veterans Affairs letter Re: VA mistakes “an old story” dated 02/28/2017—9 months later—Wow!

    After a description of a large part of the problem I stated:

    David, these guys are not stupid, it is your ass, not mine.

    President Trump stated today, “Our veterans have delivered for this Nation –- and now we must deliver for them.”

    Thank you for your work and your future efforts.

    Benjamin maybe it takes time for the words to sink in [Hold on its only two days away from Veterans Day—this could be just a Disney Moment].

    Sincerely,

    Don Karg

  2. ON PBS, this last week, for the VA problems, showed that for all the vets needing care up until the mid 21st century would cost 1 TRILLION dollars.

    1. This morning on RT news about burn pits, etc., there are over a hundred thousand ill and dying vets just since the Bush clan, military/bankers complex for wars. According to one vet in a class action law suit against the VA. (As I understood it.) That if they okayed and passed all the various disabled complaints, accrued health care costs, put them all in the system… by suffering and ignored veterans, that it would immediately bankrupt/bust VA financial systems. So that alone sums up their need for long wait times to give vets access to proper health care and hoping we all die before we get the proper care we need. Especially those in more recent conflicts.

      What did it take for Agent Orange sufferers, forty or so years to be heard and accepted. And after so many had to suffer and die first, not a tear or apology from the government or the stinking VA or staff.

  3. Vets are so suprised at the VA telling the truth for a change, that they dont believe Shulkin, even when he does speak the truth. Of course, Im “from Missouri” and will wait and see.
    Since Vets have been lied to so many times, we view even potentially positive changes as the VA out to get us, and for very good reasons: In the past, when VA said they were making positive changes, to help Vets, we rightfully ran for cover.
    If this is the start of Va telling us the truth, Im for it. Im so tired of the VA always telling us what they think we want to hear, only to actually do the opposite.

  4. Hope people are able to watch RT news today, or presently while they are discussing burn pits and other exposures causing harm and death to vets. Really hard stuff to watch.

  5. I believe that if any other Head or Secretary of another Agency it would make Head lines and the FBI or our Justice Department would be Demanding an investigation into this type of behavior from the very people in trusted to care for all our veterans.

    Believe the main News stations CNN, CBS or other Media if we can keep the saying in the News maybe the Justice Department can not ignore this injustice against people that have taken it upon themselves to defend this country and treat them as not even Human.

    These types of people that would treat a veteran in this manner must be arrested and Federal charges against any VA employee that is involved from top to bottom.

    Getting the Justice Department involved Many VA Employees will spill the Beans. That’s how to get the whole story. I am sorry that VA employees could let another person deny any veteran Treatment just because they want a Yearly Bonus or who knows maybe they will find many of them have turned Dark and really approved Many Veterans claims, but sent them denial letters !

    And the monies syphoned off into their personnel bank account ?

    Time for a Complete Federal Investigation into the VBA and all VA facilities and finely clean up the VA so Veterans can live in peace and enjoy life. They deserve it !

  6. @Benjamin Krause – – – Hey Ben, I have a question that maybe many are wondering about; “since Shulkin admitted that the VA has been treating Veterans, are there any legal grounds for civil suit based on adversarial?

    @Ben, please reply. This inquiring mind wants to know. Thanks. – – – Nutter.

  7. If what Shulkin admitted today on CBS’s Morning News, doesn’t change things for the better at the VA, or if none of our honored Elected pukes don’t stand-up, and hold the VA accountable, so that the illegal activities can cease in the VA, then we can surely hold our Elected Officials, Committee members, or overseers VA overseers.

    Almost in every employment environment in this Country, there’s some sort of scam, scheme, bullshit, or whatever time consuming, wasteful behavior, or some sort of theft. This stuff is happening in many places of employment, Especially when their are more than 50 employees. And, you know exactly what I’m talking about. So tell us about it, OK?

    If you eat rice, there’s a sweetened Sake (Japanese Beer), that is sweetened, and is put usually over white rice. Try it, you may like it, like I like it. – – – Nutter.

  8. With Shulkin’s admittance, do you think that the current inside VA operational procedures are running properly and smoothly? With this disgraceful atmosphere of the VA being an adversary of Veterans, is disgusting. No mercy on my end, until I hear that the latest Veterans being treated at VA facilities are singing a new song. I can only imagine all of the clichés, and groups of buddy systems, that sure is a working environment for favoritism, bullying, and mobbing. Commenter, can you see this?

  9. The art today of Shulkin looked like he was at the Wimbledon beverage vendor trying to explain what the hell a beer growler was while he held up about three hundred people in line wanting pints.

    just saying…

    1. Nah, pretty sure he’s intoxicated on the life-force of Veterans, much like that classic early Jim Henson movie, ‘The Dark Crystal’, where:
      “Another planet, another time. 1000 years ago the mysterious Dark Crystal was damaged by one of the Urskeks and an age of chaos has began! The evil race of grotesque birdlike lizards the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. (evolution brought us the VA Crows) Meanwhile the orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of the peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal which gives the Skesis their power and restore the balance of the universe.”

      1. I think I saw that one or read the book. Doesn’t it end with Jen finding the shard from the dark crystal and it turns out to be the key to locking down all VA Health Care Facilities with the Skeksis (AFGE Members) inside to feast and on and rule themselves.

        While Urskeks (Veterans) are finally free from the curse and then allowed to pursue private Health Care?

    2. Maybe the beer growler but if you look closer you might see it looks more like he is doing his Dr. David Houlihan impression. Those eyes and the laid back stance with the mouth looking like he is slurring his words.

      He looks like he has been sampling a few of the VA Pharma line of Fuc-It-All tablet form. From that ever available VA pharmacy.

      1. Oh and can’t forget how he is holding his right hand out like Spud did in the movie Trainspotting the night he was so messed up he shit the bed.

  10. Here’s how I think. WTF has happened to bring Shulkin to the point of admitting that VA employees have been adversarial to Veterans? It has been going on for decades, and he didn’t know beforehand? He knew. And, from my own experience, observations, and research, then I say to myself, there’s also a problem in the medical sectors of the VA.

    And since Shulkin knows about the claims side, are you telling me he doesn’t know about the shit going on in the med side of the VA? No, come on, think about what I wrote. In all logic, Shulkin knows that the med side is fucked up. He knew all along. Who they trying to fool? Ass wipes. And, I’m not apologizing for thinking. Bottom line, it’s still a, FUCK YOU VA. Thank you. – – – Nutter.

  11. Notice 2 All – – – Since Shulkin admitted something negative about the VA, now is the time to post your frustrations and mention you disputes, or complaints about the VA in all you current, and more, Social Media Outlets. “Shitty” already mentioned the claims problem on National MSM. Take advantage of this by posting every where. By doing blasting the VA all over online, who knows, someone may take interest, get pissed, and also have the means of doing something about it. So, if you’re participating in Social Media, this a PRIME TIME to SPEAK OUT. What say you? – – – Nutter.

  12. nod dro 793 days (26 months) in st pete florida…still waiting..all i get from the va is normal wait is 377 days….lol

    1. i also have a nod dro for smc a&a that a va pcp filled out that is waiting for iu nod dro claim to get done that is 793 days…..also had a qtc exam for inc done that was added to nod dro….Adversarial is a under statement……..i am 80% cmt(pn) camp lejeune water hazard..not worked sense 1991…been on s.s. sense 1994 for my cmt (pn)….1978-1982…usmc….1984 was told i had cmt(pn)…..a long time for the truth…but the va red tape is a joke……

    1. ONLY if we were on fire occupying a VA employee’s parking space close to facility…then they would all collectively piss and probably shit enough to complete the job of killing us via suffocation, while saving an employee’s parking space from being blemished.

      1. @namnibor roger that; I’m with @cj-shut’ em down. Thanks-for some transparency—-Dianna,

  13. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\\̵ says:

    Later Gators -!ii!-

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\\̵ says:

      NO that is not me pointing a gun at myself, this new format is not allowing the entire ascii to print, it should look like this:

      cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿

      scwewy wabbit format.

      1. One last thing:

        @Jo3n, if your out there and reading this, hope all is well, if we don’t see you before the holidays, then hope you have a great holiday season and a very Happy New Year.

  14. I’m just wondering, how well is the VA performing compared to the Private Sector Standards, in delivering claim and medical services to a group or segment of society (Veterans).

    I think Shithead “Shitty” Shulkin, knows that in the very near future, that the same statement he admitted too, that someone maybe already thinking about letting the cat(s) out of the bag. Shulkin knew that this information “HAD” a big probability of coming out.

    In this manner, by “Shitty” admitting the VA claims services aren’t worth shit, that if someone “CLEARLY” demonstrates, and exposes the VA for their adversarial actions towards, and against Veterans (VA’s adversarial behavior), that by “Shitty” bringing this problem out “FIRST,” and that it’s out in the MSM News Networks, that Shithead “Shitty” Shulkin now won’t be seen as a problem in managing the VA.

    Do you think there is a possibility that “Shitty” will resign, or will he be terminated because of what he admitted. After all, “Shitty” brought this out on his own watch over the VA. Or, do you think that he’ll be seen as someone to fix this problem that he admitted too. Don’t know what may happen in the near future pertaining to the VA.

    And, I’m still staying strong pertaining to my opinion, that the VA’s medical side is just, or worse than the claim side? No offense to anyone, but like you, I’d be hoping that the VA would recognize that there’re many areas in the VA that needs reformed or reorganized to benefit Veterans. VA can’t figure out the simple things that go wrong, and its their business to know in the first place.

    I’m filling my vaporizer up with some freshly cured healthy sweet smellin densely trichome glazed potpourri kolas, and then relax for a tad. Overall, the VA is still a dangerous Agency, to depend on, or to assist you in your legal rights of beneficiaries (claims), or for medical care.

    The VA make’s it so confusing for Veterans. Let’s keep the pressure on the VA to admit that it’s messed up on the med side of the VA too. – – – Nutter.

  15. Not understanding this new format, I posted a comment with a link in quotation marks, and it is awaiting approval. I thought putting the link in quotation marks was how we got our comment to post like any other comment.

    1. @cj – – – The last time that I did this it worked the same as you described. Don’t know why it happened to you. – – – Nutter.

  16. Who gives a damn about what this arsehat “SAYS” about the VA. Talk is cheap. Fix it and STFU!!!

  17. Ho Lee Fook. Shithead Shulkin has just taken the first small step to show some real leadership at the VA. Leadership that speaks truth publicly about how bad things have really gotten.

    Never thought I would live to see the day! Maybe having a Code Blue here, LOL, but keep the engorged Purple Team the hell away from me, please.

    Now that he has admitted it, what does he plan to do to quickly correct the situation in a veteran friendly manner?

    I’m betting not much – – – if anything at all.

    1. Oh please, this VA publicity stunt is just trying to deflect the truth of all the negative press. It ain’t a step in no direction.

      1. “Now that he has admitted it, what does he plan to do to quickly correct the situation in a veteran friendly manner?

        I’m betting not much – – – if anything at all.”

        Not sarcasm recognize when read it you?

        We ALL know the VA is FUBAR. Has been for decades. And it will not be fixed in my remaining lifetime.

        But this plan – – – were it implemented, would be a most excellent start.

      2. Fookin’ Neuropathy. Here is the plan:

        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 to the VBA that requires more than 90 days to adjudicate, is automatically found to be in favor of the veteran. If a VBA 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 or dishonest personnel with regards to Governmental Employment.

      3. “[…3. Sell off all the VA facilities. Alternatively, they may be converted into housing for homeless veterans….]”
        May I suggest to keep the option open to utilize those buildings to house the criminals at the VA as to not risk potential of infection of the private medical sector…like a virus? They already look like asylums for most part. Waste not, want not.

      4. Just because of the VA’s wicked past, don’t hold no hearings, woop em good, lock em up with the Clintons and Obomberites. Take key, melt down. – – – Nutter.

    2. The ‘Abominable Snowman’ also did “One Step In Front Of The Other”…and the VA is just as frosty.

  18. So what happens to Vets whose service connected condition prevented them from saving a ton of cash for retirement? Its not like the VA is paying Disabled Vets salaries comparable to what they would have made had they not been disabled. Not only should Disabled Vets be recompensed for those conditions, but also the consequences that those conditions cause, like the inability to put away enough to retire on due to service connected disabilities.

  19. If they want to reduce taxpayers burden, they should treat providers the same way that providers are treated in the real world. Shuffle the MD to another state instead of fire them. Hid the evidence of wrongdoing. No criminal prosecution for negligence. No admission of guilt by the offending MD, who gets to go on at public expense killing other veterans…There is no Public trust in the VA after learning this stuff goes on…the public should be pissed…as well as veterans.

    I mean, how would anyone feel if they found out that the MD the VA assigned to treat them had been moved after they killed 5 people in another state? But then again, the VA doesnt inform us about this stuff…like they should.

  20. Just going to toss this lame brained idea out there.

    If the damn VA cannot decide within 90 days, the initial claim, the appeal, or any other process after, then the benefit of the doubt goes to the Veteran.

    Just because the damn VA cannot get it’s shit together, is no excuse to injure the Veterans further by delaying any needed care.

    Now read this Shil-kin and “lil” Cox.

    IN PARTICULAR,

    THAT MEANS YOU INSTANTLY PROVIDE THE CARE NEEDED TO ANY VETERAN IN CRISIS, NO MATTER THE TIME OF DAY, OR DURING WHAT DAMN HOLIDAY.

    NO FUCKING EXCUSES!!!!!

    LIKE:

    THE QUACKS ARE OUT QUACKING
    WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH LAZY ASS QUACKS
    THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM DUE TO THE FACT THE QUACKS ARE USING THE BEDS TO BREED, MORE UGLY FUCKING DUCKLINGS.

    You get the idea….

  21. So Shulkin finally admits that the VAs “duty to assist” has been bullshit all along…like many veterans already found out the hard way.

    His comments about benefits and elderly veterans are also bullshit. Yes, he mentions reducing administrative costs in the VA, but there are a hell of a lot more ways for the VA to get a handle on their budget before reducing veterans benefits. They can reduce the auto denial and refile claims problem. They can get rid of 127 full time interior designers and have their facility manager do that job. They can track equipment, property and vehicles more closely reducing theft. They can track medications and how they get them to veterans also reducing theft. They can stop massive crony contracts like to a politically connected PR firm whose sole purpose is to cover someone’s ass. They can fire incompetent, corrupt hacks in a timely manner. They can stop their general counsel from screwing up so many firing cases. They can get an IG that does their job. They can hold accountable those who refuse to do their job. All of that and more without even looking at veterans benefits first, like they always do.

    If they implement their plan to reduce age related benefits, these hacks will run with it and cut vets benefits regardless of medical opinion. I can see arthritis, disease related diabetes, eyesight, hearing and several other conditions that the VA will claim are age related, and ignore how those problems might not be present at all if there was not a service connected injury.

    I could also see TBI and PTSD issues being reduced or eliminated because of the VA claiming they are age related dementia.

    It doesn’t matter what the law will be. The VA will screw vets any way possible.

  22. no matter what they do or who is doing it, if it’s a government employee that is in the labor union, it will get screwed up

    1. Peter, It really doesn’t matter if they’re union members or not!
      Remember Graves and Rubens! They weren’t union members! Yet, they got away with screwing taxpayers AND veterans big time! Then that asswipe director in D.C. who was just let go. He wasn’t union.
      There’s plenty of examples of the “nonunion” asswipes fucking over veterans nationwide!

      1. makes one wonder were the orders come from. Just don’t see those hacks acting on their own

      2. They react and act in unison like schools of fish or gazelles being taunted by tigers on the Serengeti Plains.

      3. I would bet a box of ding-dongs that those two were once legion to AFGE before they graduated to status of upper management SES, or it’s true hidden meaning, “Super Engorged Shysters”.

      4. I feel that the VA has a short between the Head Sets. I tried to get into the VA for over 40+ years and had get my congress man to help. I would try and on the deceission tree it asked if I had Vietnam service metal I answered no and they would put me on waiting list. My service in SE Asia was called the Secret war and no records were available and all the VA had to do is read my dd214 as it showed that I was in Spec. Ops and had the expeditionary metal. I had to get a lawyer and I did all the resur for him and when it was settled he took 20% I have been put on choice program and don’t go to the VA

  23. AWESOME SAUCE: “93-year-old World War II vet scores upset election win”

    “TINTON FALLS, N.J. — A 93-year-old World War II veteran upset an incumbent New Jersey mayor who was seeking a second term.

    Vito Perillo defeated Tinton Falls Mayor Gerald Turning in the nonpartisan municipal race Tuesday.

    Perillo tells the Asbury Park Press he wore out two pairs of shoes campaigning door-to-door.

    The U.S. Navy veteran decided to run following a pair of whistleblower lawsuits involving the police department that cost the borough a reported $1.1 million in settlements. Turning was the borough police chief from 2004 to 2011 and was also the borough administrator from 2010 to 2014.”
    “https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/93-year-old-world-war-ii-vet-scores-upset-election-win/ar-BBEIHOZ?ocid=ientp”

  24. I keep telling @realdonaldtrump that the Choice Program is a slush fund. I don’t know what else to do. The VA isn’t a great Organization for our Veterans because it’s a Government Program to make money off the taxpayers to give to the bottom of the barrel Doctors and Administration. Its a single payer Insurance Organization. When CIGNA first came around in the ’80’s some people thought it was great because of the prices compared to AETNA. I stuck with AETNA because it allowed me to see my own family doctor. CIGNA only allowed you third rate doctors that did whatever the company you were working for allowed them to do.
    Now the private sector has ACA. The only ones who like it are either making money off of it, or those who get it for free. They will be down to a single payer soon. Government funded programs are the worst ones. The Government makes money while those receiving the program isn’t getting the excellent care they deserve.

  25. From: “military.com/daily news”
    Titled;
    “VA May Expand List of Ailments for Agent Orange Coverage: Shulkin”
    Dated: 7 November 2017
    “Military.com” | by Richard Sisk

    More bullshit from “Shithead Shulkin”!

    1. This is the VA being passive-aggressive. Think ‘Lucy’ from ‘Peanuts’, yanking the football *just before* ‘Charlie Brown’ attempts to kick the football a 10,000th time, expecting a different outcome. I smell a trap.

  26. ON “CBS This Morning” **right now** VA Sec. Shulkin is talking about the VA and ‘bad paper discharge’ of TX massacre shooter and more. Seems to me Shulkin is now making his “Rainbow Tour” in a huge BA Public Relations SPIN to assure all Americans the VA is still fucking fantastic…for AFGE Feral Gov’t Welfare Works Program. Not so much for those they serve indifference ice cold in a hypodermic needle. The also seems to want “bad paper discharge Vets”…more allocated $$$ if more heads can be in the count then placed on a long wait list and forgotten.

    1. Then “Shithead Shulkin” can say, “See what we’re doing to help ALL veterans”, even those with “bad paper discharges”! “GIVE ME MORE MONEY!” My VA employees need to be given more monies for bonuses!
      If Congress fails to give me MORE TAXPAYERS MONIES by December 1st, I’ll shut down ALL the hospitals! Remember that bullshit threat last year?!

    2. I was listening to SecShulkin on “CBS This Morning” and had to run to my office to work on “Correction of Military Records”. The double speak coming out of his mouth so early in the morning was believable and sets the tone for the rest of the Veteran Organizations (VHA/VBA). Please, treat our veterans with bad paper discharges—this is a very good example of poor health care outcomes. I understand the “you can lead a horse to water theory”; however, down here in South Georgia we have lost too many good men and women too soon without proper compensation for their service to our country and the family’s sacrifice.

      1. @Mary Dianna DiBenedetto – – – Bad papers, yes, it happened a lot during Nam. Another area to check is the Military Separation Codes on the Veterans DD214. Not many know about the manipulation of the codes. – – – Nutter.

      2. @ANutterVet——-The codes are intriguing —-thank you—–I have them in my file. I have the majority of corrections for vets after 2001. It another hat covering as a clinical veteran legal liaison…blah….I miss Shinseki…………

      3. veteran legal liaison ? what do you do and for whom. Can you be of any type of help veterans that have been harmed by VA employees ? or do you have contact with Secretary Shulkin ?

        If you have contact with secretary Shulkin I could use help getting a message to him about a class 6 felony committed by a disgruntled VA Manager.

  27. I’m on the ax for the age related disability. I’m better now than I was at 30. I had 32 years of unemployability before receiving the correct treatment for my seizures. So now they’ll want to take away my TDIU. Are they going to give me back those 32 years I could have been earning a retirement?

    1. Lem, in one word, “NO!”
      WHY, because the VA doesn’t give a shit about you or any vet!

    2. Right. My husband is t&p IU. If they take this away
      We will not be able to live and I will not be able to pay Dr bills or for my medicine which some cost over 900 dollars a month which I get in the mail from Champ Va. I told my husband we would have to get a divorce cause that’s the only way I would be able to afford my medicine. Sorry to say he started crying. Prayers this doesn’t happen.

      1. TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) It will hit my wife also. If we drop Part D & C (haven’t yet because we are locked until Dec 1) Whoops? Need to do that right away and then we’ll be in your boat. But My TDIU may go back to 1987 and be locked by the 20 year rule unless they remove that for “aging”.

      2. If this happen, I believe the VA is saying if the veteran received TDIU because they retired and receive it for non service connected disabilities

        But I may be wrong but if your husband was determined TDIU before age 65, then this should not apply. Best thing to do is call the Regional Office and ask what does this mean to veterans.

        Say myself I was given 100% service connected, permeant and total and Unemployable, for all most 15 years. I will be 65 and I am still the same person and have the same disability, so how can they state I don’t need the help anymore.

        If a veteran was given TDIU before age 65, I believe have nothing to worry about and the VSO’s job is to fight for the veterans. That’s another idea call your DAV or American Legion and ask them what they are doing about it.

        Hope that helps a little.

      3. @Melvia taylor:Melvia, two things,

        One: go to “goodrx.com” I get most of my meds through there for much less than the va charges me.

        Two: for expensive meds go directly to the manufacturers website, and fill out the patient drug assistance form, they provide one of my 600 dollar per month meds for free.

        The va only gives you 30 days worth of meds, and if you have to pay a co-pay of 15 dollars per script that can cost mucho buckaroo’s, if you use goodrx and have your private doctor write you a script for 90 days most cases your only paying 10 to 30 backaroo’s, that is a significant savings. Hope this helps.

  28. Did anyone see that PBS special on the VA the other night? Although it was sometimes “Pro” VA, mostly it was “Anti” VA! At least that’s was my opinion!
    I caught one specific thing “Shithead Shulkin” touted, it was; “Whenever a scandal breaks in the news medias, money is thrown at it [VA]!” (I do believe that’s a pretty close quote!) Maybe IF “Shithead Shulkin” was to find a way to hire professional healthcare and administrative help, he wouldn’t need to be in the position of having scandal after scandal after scandal after scandal! Thereby needing more monies being “thrown at VA” constantly!
    As far as taking disabilities/compensations away from elderly veterans. In my opinion, “Shithead Shulkin” is more than likely going to FUCK OVER ALL veterans, possibly in the near future! At least he’ll try!
    Another thing that pisses me off, is as what namnibor stated about the VHA side of the VA! They ARE, in my opinion, MORE “adversarial” than the administrative side. Like namnibor said, I’ll wait until ALL veterans declare the VHA having excellent healthcare BEFORE I trust anyone at the VA!

    Until then; “FUCK THE VA!” They’ve fucked over millions of veterans since their inception! The VA does not deserve our respect until they show us respect!

    1. Correction,
      Replace namnibor’s name with “ANutterVet’s” name!
      Actually, put the names of ALL vets who’ve been Fucked by the VA on my comment!
      Sorry “Nutter”, not fully awake yet!

    2. “The VA: The Human Cost Of War”, aired Nov., 2017 on PBS: “https://www.pbs.org/program/va-human-cost-war/” WARNING: This program could be an antagonist to your PTSD and health in-general because it’s about the failed asshole agency called the VA:

      1. namnibor, I actually had to leave the living room after about 10 minutes of viewing. The wife watched the whole thing!
        By the time it ended, she was pissed!

      2. I am still pissed. That program made me tearfully antagonistic and adversarial towards the VA the more I watched towards completion. GET PISSED, Veterans! Watch this and get mad as hell and even if you are getting great VA care, please consider the plight of the rest of the 99% not getting even marginally good care. Get mad as hell!

    3. Just finished, I like the idea at the end, “TRUTH IN ADVERTISING”, post the wait times and all other Veteran centric BS the Veteran will endure, at the entrance to all recruiting offices.

      I would add, send an entire brochure home with each person thinking of enlisting, that contains all the problems they will face when they are no longer active duty.

      Each page of this brochure would have to be signed and dated, and the last 10 pages would be an entrance test to prove you really did read what was in the brochure. You get a failing grade you go home and do not pass go. You get a passing grade? Then you are well informed.

      1. Oh, one more test should be formulated for any and all politicians, before they can hold any public office, with one simple question:

        Do you solemnly swear to stand by your Veterans, to provide the needed health care no matter the cost, to honor and cherish the memory of those who have fallen, to fight for those Veterans who can no longer fight for themselves, to treat with respect the families of those Veterans at all times, to be publicly hung by the neck until dead if your damn answer is NO?

        Oh hell……………………..let’s just start building the gallows, and watch how fast things sort themselves out!!!! “And Shit”

  29. ‘Adversarial’- 1. A person, group or force that opposes or attacks; opponent, enemy or foe.
    2. An opponent in a contest (hungry, hungry hippos)
    3. The adversary; The Devil; Satan.
    4. Involving adversaries; plaintiff/defendant.

    ‘Antagonist’- One who in hostile spirit opposes another in struggle. I am suggesting that Sec. Shulkin is only partly correct, as one has to include the entire medical/VHA side of VA as adversarial/hostile/antagonist towards Veterans and furthermore, they are passive-aggressive antagonistic assholes. There.

  30. Of course they are going to deny the elderly the benefits. The strategy is to “delay and deny to 65” . Sammy Hagar said it once, “I can’t drive 55”
    That little faggot is a douchebag and is being deceptive about the real issue that age will mask a number of problems, because it is a co-morbid problem witbin itself.
    There are no markers that would indicate age related illnesses are stand alone issues.
    That is like me going to sick call when I was in my twenties telling “Doc, my titties hurt”.
    The corpsman would say get the fuck out of here, take some motrin. Compared to now, the VA would not even know how to triage an old man showing up with titty problems.
    The same titty complaint that he described in the military.
    That is flawed logic Mr. Secretary, you big ole Greg Brady look alike, liverwust sandwich eating, douchebag , buffalo wildwing, Johnny Isaakson, sausage sandwich eating, big fat bitch!

    There, Had to say that! ??????????

  31. Not good enough for me. IMO the Medical Side of the VA is adversarial to Veterans as well. There’re too many Vets telling their horrible Medical Experience on this site alone. It’s more than a suspicion that the Medical side is messed up.

    Sooner or later, someone is going to say something about the Medical side. There’s bound to be discussions about the Medical side of the VA.

    New VA Motto; “We’ll go half way with you, and then let you go unassisted.”

    And, then someone will remind me of the glass that is half full. True, but where’s there’s one, there most likely is more. “Now what should the VA leadership do?” Resign.

    They’ve been fucking around for way too long. They’ll let the cats out of the bag a little at a time. Old trick. So much for precision, because I don’t see it. The only time that I’ll speak that the VA Medical Care is excellent, is when every one else is saying it. – – – Nutter.

    1. True about that Nutter. They could greatly improve care by listening to vets about what works and implementing that throughout the VA.

      All it takes is for their Primary Care teams to start functioning as teams as they were supposed to.

      Years ago when I was going to the OKC VA, EVERY SINGLE TIME, no matter if the appointment was in the same clinic, I would see a different doctor, and my medical file was nowhere to be found. I started asking where my file was at check-in so I could go get it so the doctor had it during the appointment. It didn’t help much, but it stopped the bullshit excuses.

      When I moved to WI and started going to the Madison VA, I was assigned to a Primary Care team. It was the first I had heard if it. No matter what the problem, the primary care doctor made the referral, and then followed up with the results as needed. If a referral to another clinic was needed, the PCP did it and then followed up with the results. They had certain specialists as members of the team, and it worked damn good. There were still problems, but the primary care doctor took care of them, and quickly.

      I moved to Colorado, and while I am assigned to a Primary care “team”, it is one doctor and there is zero follow-up on anything.

      The VA could save a huge amount of money by getting these teams working properly so proper care is provided in a timely manner, and not waiting until a veterans condition gets worse and more expensive to treat. There would be no wasted appointments, tests or procedures where the results are ignored because each doctor has a “not my job” attitude.

      1. @91Veteran – – – You hit it, the VA can’t micro manage Veterans med care. I’m now YELLING this to my PCP. Don’t know where this is heading, but I tell you this, I’m not going to stop complaining, and challenging the VA with their out right fuck ups. Stupid shits.- – – Nutter.

      2. I’m about to the point where I can’t even try to have a decent conversation or dialog with anyone connected to politics, health care, or any form of corruption to censorship anymore. Between dealing with the pains, brain-farts, loss of wit, loss for words, high stress causing instant metabolic or physical crashes, memory crashes, trying to talk to lying lefties, activist, etc., but I’m not shutting up either like I am told to do. Or that’s expected of me. Sad to think so many freaks out there love to see us get to this point in life, in our older ages.

        Indiana prosecutors club/org had a meeting a couple of days ago and they reported they’d never agree to pot for pain or anything else they deemed as stepping stones to heroin use or addictions. But seemingly we are expected to booze it up at home or local vet club or commit suicide is fine with them.

        Physical therapist putting up ads on TV stating they can cure chronic pain issues with constant therapy of their choice. Which is just more shit for profits. Especially while I’ve been told to do my exorcises at home at my pace since ‘their’ way wasn’t working for me. I also had to quit classes, told by Phys therapist to stop, since I couldn’t do a complete hour long class doing Tai Chi for the elderly, for arthritis, or chronic pain issues. Doing simple stuff I’d sweet like a pig, joints would pop out, spinal disks too, etc. So I bought the high dollar tapes and do that along with other things at home too when I can.

        It’s not only the VA or gubbermint wanting to micro-manage our lives. Seems every damn thing or group out there wants us to live/think/believe their way, even with force, or by shunning by the happy globalist villages we may live in.

        We, I, have had to deal with civilian care doing what the VA has done, or following their methods of treatment like using PCPs. Then sending us all over the place to see more specialist cause they want their own testing done and the PCPs aren’t allowed to do what they went to med school for. Claiming they could do the procedure right there and now, but by hospital or clinic rules they have to send up out to “their specialist.” Instead they have to spread the money around to benefit the entire medical cabal/regimes money games. Socialist styled medicine and collective punishment for all, or for some of us dissenters. And the sheep fall for this crap like sitting in chronic pain waiting rooms for meds for up to six freaking hours. The sheep think this is being needed and showing respect or quality patient care. My big fat ass.

        For some decency, decent medical care, for some truth and exposing vast amounts of corruption we deal with all kinds of activist, public relations firms that are hired by medical schools, the VA, cities, government, etc., to make them all look good while covering up a multitude of wrongs, deaths, and mis-treatment. No complaining or negative comments allowed in Indiana. It may hurt the image of the state, libtard colleges, Chambers of Commerce, or towns that image/facade is everything. It can really take a toll while we alone have to take them all on or keep track of it all. We are supposed to pretend to be happy, happy, happy in our globalist corrupt commie villages and all is great. Just what the VA demands we do also. They/locals also have the rogue cops, judges, and a whole network of evil to do their best to shut us up or harass us to no end.

        Seems if we piss off just one person at a local VA CBOC you piss them all off especially if they are females. Since most of them train through the major VA hospitals/med schools the word spreads throughout the state about you, or that you dared to question some VA or contractor staff about some wrong they did. Then it flows out into the civilian world by the various unions, activist, politicians – their lefty staff, and to all their family members, to local politicians, lying media, the college kiddies, the college Greek clubs to the Free Masons and on it goes. To the point we have no recourse to deal with it all while those in the White House, Congress, Indiana politicians/authorities, et al, just want us to shut up and go away and die. I have managed to piss off about every anti-veteran, anti-American, anti-freedom, lefty, corrupt, neocon, Hollywood loving group out here.

        I would love for a investigator bring a lie detector test here and allow me to formulate the questions. Then challenge some of those mentioned above to do the same. At the same time the state, the VA, unions, hospital activist staff, local media, medical boards, cowardly vet groups, politicians, the whole sheebang be under scrutiny and investigations from all angles. And to cease any and all censoring/harassing/threatening towards us. That includes laws preventing us from going to local town meetings or courts and recording the process on our own. But such exposure is not wanted where corruption is as rampant as it is in Indiana…and pays well.

        Try to have a good day all.

      3. *IF* the VA were to implement a “Veteran Stakeholder Suggestion Box” (VSSB), the VA would only use that to grow their naughty or nice list the Disruptive Behavior Committee keeps all year long and they would give each suggestion a proper lump of something that’s not quite coal.

      4. @Namniobor – – – Did you drop your comment into the VSSB? If not, you really should. They might be able to put a spin on it, and then twist up the story, and make some of their own truths up, the ones that don’t make sense to us. – – – Nutter.

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