VA Suicide Iowa City

No Vacancy: IG Says VA Rejected Suicidal Veteran Before Suicide

VA Suicide Iowa City

VA OIG confirmed allegations that one VA psychiatrist refused to admit a suicidal veteran hours before he committed suicide.

Why?

The inpatient unit was full.

Had VA not failed to follow certain protocol prior to the suicide, the psychiatrist may not have rejected the veteran’s request but instead admitted him right away.

How is it that despite hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars allocated to suicide prevention, tons of public scrutiny, and numerous protocol improvements, is VA still getting it wrong?

IG Investigation Of Suicidal Veteran

The facility in question is the Iowa City VA Medical Center. The IG investigation determined the agency provided Ketchum with inadequate services but stopped short at finding that the deficiencies caused the suicide.

In July 2016, veteran Brandon Ketchum asked a VA psychiatrist to admit him for inpatient care but the psychiatrist refused. Early into the appointment, the veteran then became distraught and left the facility. Hours later, he was dead from an apparent suicide.

According to IG, “It is difficult to determine the degree, if any, to which these shortcomings contributed to the patient’s death by suicide.” Had VA properly evaluated the veterans psychosocial struggles, that knowledge may have altered the course of care.

The Iowa City facility failed to adhere to VHA policies on no-shows, treatment planning, and the use of principal MH providers. But again, IG stopped short of concluded these failures contributed materially to the suicide much less refusing to admit the veteran when the veteran asked hours before the suicide.

Lawmaker Statement

IG investigated the suicide at the behest of lawmakers that pressured the agency to look into the matter.

Iowa Senators Grassley and Ernst, Wisconsin Senator Johnson, and Iowa Representative Loebsack released the following statement about the findings in the review:

This case is a tragic example of why we must do better for our veterans. It also illustrates the importance of having independent watchdogs at federal agencies. Inspectors general review agency work and point out problems that need to be fixed and ensure that policies and procedures in place are adequate. In this case, the inspector general report made four recommendations to improve mental health treatment for veterans going forward, but could not determine if these shortcomings impacted Brandon’s care. With an average of 20 veterans committing suicide a day, the VA must do everything in its power to extend help before it is too late. When it comes to caring for these brave men and women, there is no room for error. We expect the VA to implement the recommendations thoroughly and carefully, and we intend to make sure the VA does so. The VA should go beyond the recommendations if necessary. We all have to work as hard as possible to make sure all veterans receive the care they need and deserve.

Anyone interested in the course of treatment and protocol VA is supposed to follow for suicidal ideations and suicide prevention should reach this IG report closely.

It does provide a great deal of insight into what should happen.

Source: https://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-16-04535-329.pdf

Similar Posts

195 Comments

  1. I came across this when looking up the flying D…Never heard of the stuff.
    Troopers seize
    approximately
    $48,987
    worth of Khat in Wyandot
    County
    traffic stop
    UPPER SANDUSKY

    Khat is a
    flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The
    leaves, twigs and shoots of the Khat shrub are chewed like tobacco and is considered a
    controlled substance……..IT must be good for u if its illegal…LOL
    “https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/media/2017/17-093.pdf”

  2. Weekend Body Count from Chiraq 27 wounded 3 killed.

    Also from Chiraq shooting rates fell by 39% in some areas.

    The low number of shootings and fall in the crime rate are likely connected to several recent busts by the Feds shutting down the Drug Highway from Mexico to the Midwest at a point before the major distribution hub in Chicago. Also the major bust of the drug warehouse used by the dealers.

    ******************************
    The VA way when applied to policing.

    “Fired and rehired: Hundreds of officers fired for misconduct returned to policing”
    Kimbriell Kelly, Wesley Lowery and Steven Rich Washington Post
    August 6, 2017, 12:04 AM
    “https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/”

    “Since 2006, the nation’s largest police departments have fired at least 1,881 officers for misconduct that betrayed the public’s trust, from cheating on overtime to unjustified shootings. But The Washington Post has found that departments have been forced to reinstate more than 450 officers after appeals required by union contracts.

    Most of the officers regained their jobs when police chiefs were overruled by arbitrators, typically lawyers hired to review the process. In many cases, the underlying misconduct was undisputed, but arbitrators often concluded that the firings were unjustified because departments had been too harsh, missed deadlines, lacked sufficient evidence or failed to interview witnesses.”

    “A San Antonio police officer caught on a dash cam challenging a handcuffed man to fight him for the chance to be released was reinstated in February. In D.C., an officer convicted of sexually abusing a young woman in his patrol car was ordered returned to the force in 2015. And in Boston, an officer was returned to work in 2012 despite being accused of lying, drunkenness and driving a suspected gunman from the scene of a nightclub killing.

    The chiefs say the appeals process leaves little margin for error. Yet police agencies sometimes sabotage their own attempts to shed troubled officers by making procedural mistakes. The result is that police chiefs have booted hundreds of officers they have deemed unfit to be in their ranks, only to be compelled to take them back and send them back to the streets with guns and badges.”

    “NYPD Cops Launch Boycott Against Dunkin’ Donuts”
    Kerry Picket Daily Caller 8:06 AM 08/07/2017
    “https://dailycaller.com/2017/08/07/nypd-cops-launch-boycott-against-dunkin-donuts/”

    Cops without donuts. Might be a good time to avoid NY City.

    1. Cops without doughnuts…OHIO has a flying doughnut on the the door of the state highway patrol cars they would never boycott a dunkin-doughnuts or any other shop besides it would cost them to much to repaint there cars
      “https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=OIP.ZDftbDneR6VZ61Fq6sa7WgEsEd&pid=15.1&rs=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=122&h=117″…LOL
      As for NY no more free Be’s for u guys

      1. That would be a “Buckeye Donut”, official donut of all Fraternal Order Police.

  3. Franklin D. Roosevelt tells all, before he dies. Incredible!
    “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ_j2vm5ZRQ”
    The best 44 min u will ever listen to

  4. From: “military.com/daily news”
    Dated: 5 August 2017
    Titled;
    “Court Deals Major Blow to Veterans Suing Over Burn Pits”

    “Special to McClatchy Washington Bureau | by: Patricia Like!

    The attorneys plan to continue to fight!

    1. A federal judge has dismissed a major lawsuit against a defense contractor by veterans and their family members over burn pit operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that plaintiffs said caused them chronic and sometimes deadly respiratory diseases and cancer.

      In the decision, U.S. District Court Judge Roger W. Titus wrote that the company, KBR, could not be held liable for what was essentially a military decision to use burn pits for waste disposal. Titus said holding the Pentagon responsible was outside of his jurisdiction.
      Titus said in his decision that he had no doubt that “many of (plaintiffs) have been harmed, at least, by some extent by the use of open burn pits or by the water they drank in Iraq or Afghanistan.” But, he added, the military recognized there were certain health risks associated with the use of burn pits but balanced those risks against the greater risk of harm to military personnel if another method of waste management — such as removing trash to an off-base landfill or shipping it elsewhere — was used.

      1. THE BENEFITS OUT WAY THE SIDE AFFECTS, JUST ASK YOUR QUACK HE’LL TELL U THE SAME

      2. And with ALL that SAND…it’s a fucking desert!!! Why the need to burn it in first place? Just be like cats in a huge litterbox and bury the toxic turds in the sand. Done.

      3. How right u are, but that would not kill enough VET’S they always have more than one purpose for their MADNESS.

  5. @Don Karg, Every thing they’re supposed to do, they do the opposite. Thanks for that. Problem with me is, I have no clue as to what the VA is supposed to do. I’m not sure what the opposite of what they want to do wouldn’t be what I want. Don, a wee bit too philosophic for this old Veteran. Always good to hear from you.

  6. 08/06/2017

    Dear Benjamin Krause,

    Everything they [The VA] is supposed to do—they do the opposite.

    This is not by accident.

    Trump so far has turned that thought around—to turn Congress and the Senate around will be the difficult task—-since the “central bankers” are in control.

    Me—Not the People—is what has been going on for far too long.

    Look at Wells Fargo and the other Bankers concealing their fees illegally.

    Hope the Phoenix man [Coleman] will help on the task force.

    Good work, keep the pressure on!!!!

    Sincerely,

    Don Karg

  7. We, as Veterans, need to recruit who, and where we can. I’m seeing more stories of negative impact on the VA lately than I’ve seen in some time. I’m praying the new Veterans have the support both physically and mentally and in a timely manner. I just don’t see how. If new Veterans are going to the same quacks I’m seeing, then this saga WILL drag on….and on…. We need to reach out to everyone. My grandchildren are depending on us. I didn’t plan on saying that.

    1. Jo3n I do not want to wish it on any sons/daughters but I Wish it was Not My Son taking experimental PTSD drugs. He’s his own man & I have warned him but still he’s joined in the study.

      1. NiteWish…You need to send your son a copy of The Tuskegee experiment the one Seymore mentioned I read it years ago but the shit is still going on to this day, That might change his mind

  8. I was listening to a radio show I haven’t heard before, “weekend with Joe Pags” or similarly named. Shill-kin was a guest, Shill-kin claimed every Veterans has a “choice” card. I emailed Joe Pag and informed him that Shill-kin is a liar, and to visit “disabledveterans.org to see what Veterans really think about the VA, and Shill-kin, and the AFGE. Joe Pags stated “his father is/was a Veteran, just an FYI. Maybe he will read all of your comments, and start to understand the gravity of the situation……………maybe not.

  9. @SeymoreKlearly, you said in talking about VA suing Wells Fargo, the suit was for monies the VA, and Veterans who’ve been overcharged. Being the VA won, can the Veterans who overpaid sue? Will VA refund monies acquired in the suit to Veterans who were overcharged?

    1. The VA would likely turn the situation around onto the Veteran and the VA will then claim the Veteran is not able to handle their finances, thus a VA appointed Fiduciary to “manage” the Vet’s money…code for siphon.

      If you give these bastards a few kernels of corn they will take the entire turd. Yep, talking about life’s shit sandwiches. 🙂

    2. Jo3n,

      Given we are talking about the VA you can be sure that no Veteran will benefit from this decision. The money that is supposed to be collected by the VA will never be collected and Wells Fargo will appeal the amount and as always in the past will get away with it scot free.

      But the judgment amount will vanish from the VA budget and be used to pay bonuses and court cost to the VA Attorneys leaving a little left for the VA to misplace into bonuses for SES employees and their, so-called, non-profits.

      As for the Veterans who lost their homes or were way overcharged. They will never see a dime of any judgment. Their credit ratings destroyed and the same VA attorneys who won the case will now be finding ways to wring further money out of the Veterans.

      1. Seymore,
        Just like when veterans won the Agent Orange law suit back in the early 1980’s. IF memory serves me right, I don’t think any veteran actually received anything!

      2. There was a pay out to veterans who were in treatment for anything for 1 year. So a lot of veterans joined PTSD groups in 1984-1985 to get in on the pay out. I didn’t apply for the pay out because I didn’t consider my exposure “poisoning” the way many in the groups I attended for PTSD through 1994 had been. Several hours in clothing without a change that had been sprayed and no chance to flush with water. I jumped in the Cua Viet river to flush immediately in 1967 during Prairie I or II.

        I don’t know what the pay out was but it was enough to load up the Los Angeles PTSD groups with plenty of claimers.

      3. VA Attorneys will gobble it up and call it billable hours, AFGE will gobble sloppy seconds while the VSO’s will gobble anything that does not gobble them first. THAT could be considered a Gobbled Circle Jerk. (GCJ) (it’s even a mouthful reduced to -3- letters) 🙂

        Morning, Crazy elf!

      4. Buy or Refi with $0 Down: Qualified borrowers can use the VA Loan to buy or refinance a home with $0 down, never pay PMI and can get financing up to $424,100. Find Lenders Now

      5. Elf,

        You mean back when Tom Daschle was elected to Congress in Nov 1982 By running on a strong promise to Veteran he would fight for our rights and the proper handling ot the Agent Orange issue. He then won and took office in Jan of 1983. Here is a article about his representation for Veterans published in June of 1983 connecting Agent Orange to the problems everyone exposed had problems with.

        ***********

        “’78 STUDY TIES DIOXIN TO IMMUNOLOGICAL DISORDERS”
        Mike Feinsilber, Associated Press, Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
        June 3, 1983

        British medical research, unpublished but known to the U.S. government for two years, establishes the “missing link” that ties the chemical dioxin to a host of diseases, a congressman said yesterday.

        Rep. Tom Daschle (D., S. D.) said the study, conducted in 1978, “comes as close to a smoking gun as we’re ever going to find” to connect dioxin to the wide variety of dissimilar ailments which Vietnam veterans attribute to their exposure to Agent Orange, which contained the chemical.

        Daschle said the research, conducted in 1978 by Dr. A. Milford Ward of the Royal Hallanshire Hospital in Sheffield, England, showed that exposure to dioxin could damage the body’s immunological system, making the exposed person vulnerable to a large number of diseases.

        The congressman said that both the Dow Chemical Co., which manufactured Agent Orange, and the Protection Agency had been aware of the findings since 1980, but that neither had done anything to alert government health agencies to their significance.

        The study was provided by Dow to the EPA on Nov. 14, 1980, in the course of public hearings on restricting the use of 2,4,5-T, a herbicide contained in Agent Orange and once widely used in this country to control weeds. Most of its uses have been banned. At Dow Chemical headquarters in Midland, Mich., spokesman Rich Long said, ”We don’t consider the Ward study to have any scientific significance.”

        He said Ward studied English workers who had been exposed to a large amount of dioxin – far larger than combatants in Vietnam came into contact with. “The immensity of the exposure makes the study irrelevant to the Agent Orange controversy,” Long said.

        Dioxin, the most toxic chemical ever synthesized by man, has become a concern in communities from Oregon to New York. It has been found in 31 locales in Missouri, leading to the decision to buy out the town of Times Beach; it caused the abandonment of the Love Canal area of Niagara Falls, N.Y., and many other communities have reported health problems they fear are linked to the substance.

        Many Vietnam veterans have complained of a broad range of disorders, including cancers, liver and kidney problems, nerve problems, vision and hearing impairments, birth defects in their children, sexual dysfunctions, personality changes and skin rashes.

        Daschle was accompanied by Dr. Joseph K. Prince, chief EPA immunotoxicologist in the agency’s Chicago office, who called the Ward study ”definitive” and said it corroborated his own, still-unpublished research on 47 railroad workers exposed to dioxin when a tanker car overturned in 1979. He said he found that 65 percent of the workers had suffered damage to their immunological systems.

        Daschle said the study was given to him last week by a woman who, he said, asked not to be identified but who was aware of his attempts in Congress to compel the Veterans Administration to pay disability compensation to veterans suffering from some diseases in which he said the link with Agent Orange was beyond dispute.

      6. Elf an additional article on the subject also published in June of 1983. Certainly shows that they New York Times was publishing fake news even back then trying to discredit the study and Senator Daschle.

        STUDY LINKS DIOXIN TO IMMUNE FAILURE
        By STUART TAYLOR Jr., Special to the New York Times
        Published: June 3, 1983

        “https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/03/us/study-links-dioxin-to-immune-failure.html”

  10. I am tired of All these stooges in every part of OUR political system and all these Business Executives stealing, getting caught, and saying that, ” I am sorry, it’s time to move on “, and none of them do the time one would if they forgot to pay a parking ticket. There’s a term in recovery that fits these stooges. ” Self will run riot. ” Way too many are out of control, and no reason to do right. Hell, steal a billion, pay back a million. Why is the VA getting back monies Veteran’s paid out in buying a home? One thing I am sure of, and that’s there is no way POTUS can drain this swamp. It’s overcrowded.

  11. On that Veteran of the day, I was thinking about one of many of y’all who have knowledge of the VA. For instance, Namnibor, Crazy elf, Seymore, ANutterVet, Lem, Dennis, 91Veteran, Cj, Old Marine, or Ben. I believe each one of you, and others could qualify for this great VA honor. Perhaps it was a bad idea.

  12. Fact worth knowing:

    In Los Angeles County alone, the total number of registered voters stands at 144% of the total number of residents of legal voting age.

    Guess we know how Polosi and Waters stay in office.

    __________________
    “Judicial Watch Warns Calif. to Clean Voter Registration Lists”
    August 5, 2017
    “https://www.oann.com/judicial-watch-warns-calif-to-clean-voter-registration-lists/”

    1. I’m still on the rolls in CA though I haven’t been at the registered address for many years and haven’t filed a CA tax return in over 30 years. That doesn’t mean I’m submitting a fraudulent vote. It just means the CA Regestrars offices have no auditing method for cleaning the roles of voters who have left the state.

      No, I didn’t vote illegally for Pelosi or anyone else. So do an investigation of the people who showed up at the polls to vote. Why make the state pay for an audited clean up unless you can actually prove some voter fraud. FAKE NEWS DUDE

      1. investigate vote by mail fraud. One of our ballots this year was stolen from the out going mail box. I haven’t been to an actual poll to vote since like never.

      2. Hey Flem,

        Just to be clear the state is responsible for cleaning up the Voter Registration roles because it is the Law.

        “The National Voter Registration Act Of 1993 (NVRA)”
        “https://www.justice.gov/crt/national-voter-registration-act-1993-nvra”

        Also there is a difference between inactive voters and active voters.

        The voters involved with the statement “In Los Angeles County alone, the total number of registered voters stands at 144% of the total number of residents of legal voting age.” is about active Voters that were registered to vote in the last presidential election.

        “Judicial Watch Warns California to Clean Voter Registration Lists or Face Federal Lawsuit”
        AUGUST 04, 2017
        “https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-warns-california-clean-voter-registration-lists-face-federal-lawsuit/”

        As for you calling me “FAKE NEWS DUDE”. You have been nothing but a troll since you started posting on this site. Oh and Hillary lost Flem melt and get over it!!!

      3. Seymore, in todays Calif Central Valley newspaper it said they are now voter registration 16 & 17 yrs olds so that they are ‘ready’ to vote at 18.

      4. @Seymore Klearly – – – I’ll bet there is a high correlation laying out areas with large Immigrant localities and voter fraud. Large population in Kennett Square, PA where many white cap mushroom businesses are located. My Grand Mother’s family sells mushroom spores to these businesses. Immigrant population has exploded in that area since the late 70’s early 80’s. HP hired many legal Immigrants. At the same time, HP was sponsoring and hiring Vietnamese. I was a New Employee Trainer in Gas Chromatography Department at the time. – – – Nutter.

      5. NiteWish,

        The requirement for some one to register to vote in California is that they be at least 18 on the election day. So registering some one that is younger that 18 now who will be 18 and eligible to vote in a 2020 election is legal. I wonder if they have them register for selective service at the same time?

        From the wording of the Judicial Watch letter to California Secretary of State it is clear they are only talking bout eligible Voters. So the Teens who are registered at this time would not be included in any of the calculations. Given they may be registered to vote but are not yet 18 and are considered ineligible to vote.

        JW Letter to California Secretary of State
        “https://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/NVRA-letter-CA-August-2017-1.pdf”

        Judicial Watch is very active in a number of states right now concerning voting issues and a number of other matters infecting our government.

        Every one should visit their site at “https://www.judicialwatch.org/”

      6. Here is an article by Judicial Watch about some of the work they are currently involved with in additional states to clean up the bogus voter roles in those states.

        “Judicial Watch Warns 11 States to Clean Voter Registration Lists or Face Federal Lawsuit”
        APRIL 11, 2017
        “https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-warns-11-states-clean-voter-registration-lists-face-federal-lawsuit/”

        “(Washington, DC) — Judicial Watch today announced it has sent notice-of-violation letters threatening to sue 11 states having counties in which the number of registered voters exceeds the number of voting-age citizens, as calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011-2015 American Community Survey. According to the letters, this is “strong circumstantial evidence that these … counties are not conducting reasonable voter registration record maintenance as mandated under the [National Voter Registration Act] NVRA.” Both the NVRA and the federal Help America Vote Act require states to take reasonable steps to maintain accurate voting rolls.

        The 11 states are: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Tennessee. The states have 90 days after receiving the letters to address the problem and provide Judicial Watch documentation showing that they have conducted a “statewide effort to conduct a program that reasonably ensures the lists of eligible voters are accurate.” Judicial Watch informed the states that should they fail to take action to correct violations of Section 8 of the NVRA, it would file suit.

        Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act requires states to make a reasonable effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from official lists due to “the death of the registrant” or “a change in the residence of the registrant,” and requires states to ensure noncitizens are not registered to vote.

        Based on its review of Election Assistance Commission (EAC) data, and more recent U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey and the states’ voter registration records, Judicial Watch found the following counties have more total registered voters than the citizen voting age (18) population:

        Alabama: Choctaw, Conecuh, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Washington, Wilcox.

        Florida: Clay, Flagler, Okaloosa, Osceola, Santa Rosa, St. Johns.

        Georgia: Bryan, Columbia, DeKalb, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Lee, Marion, McIntosh, Oconee.

        Illinois: Alexander, Bureau, Cass, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin, Henderson, Jefferson, Jersey, Massac, McHenry, Mercer, Monroe, Pulaski, Rock Island, Sangamon, Scott, Union, Wabash, Washington, White.

        Iowa: Scott, Johnson.

        Kentucky: Anderson, Bath, Boone, Breathitt, Caldwell, Carlisle, Cumberland, Fulton, Gallatin, Greenup, Hancock, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Livingston, Magoffin, McCracken, Menifee, Mercer, Monroe, Oldham, Powell, Russell, Scott, Spencer, Trigg, Trimble, Wolfe, Woodford.

        Maryland: Montgomery.

        New Jersey: Essex, Somerset.

        New York: Nassau.

        North Carolina: Buncombe, Camden, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Dare, Durham, Guilford, Madison, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Orange, Union, Watauga, Yancey.

        Tennessee: Williamson.

        ********************************

        So Flem go take a handful of FukItAlls then go lay down by your dish and wait for the call for your other job as Billy B. The Gay porn studio fluffer boy who specializes as a anal linguist.

        ********************************

  13. Wife said, “Illegal immigrants, NAFTA, and now robots. Where are all the jobs going?”

  14. @Lem- Thanks, but I’m aware of State Bars. Problem is that many Medical Malpractice Attorneys that fight the VA, are only looking for clear cut, obvious, and easy to win cases to take on. Less time to pursue a case, equals bigger, and less costly for the barrister (lawyer) to take on (i.e. negligent surgery error, many witnesses in a case against the VA [an advantage that I have]).

    Payouts are up in the damages awarded per cases that are won, but less cases are taken on because of the complexity, time, and how hard it is to file against the VA compared to the Private Sector. Different legal ballgames against Federal Government and Private Sector.

    So far, I have an Agency in California looking for me, and it is extremely time consuming. I’m looking for a qualified and experienced attorney, a bulldog, with a sense (no misspelling) of smell like a bear (based on receptors in olfactory organ and system), and hopefully has a big grudge against the VA. Here is a recent article about what I stated in previous paragraph;

    “https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-malpractice-lawsuits-fewer-claims-succeed-payouts-rise/”

    The process of locating and securing an attorney is a time consuming matter. I’m right in the middle of this process, and I can tell you that at times, this is frustrating in bouncing around, and telling your story over and over. I’m in the process of making a incident time line, since my particular case isn’t one via a botched surgery. That’s the way the Medical Malpractice Legal Beagle Game is played in today’s society. Plus, you’ve got to be concerned with the Stature of Limitations (State Laws don’t apply here).

    To All – – – I want to thank each and every one for your help, supplying me with encouragement, advice, and support, with my battle against the VAMC in Wilmington (medical center located in the Small Town of Elsmere, Delaware). The locals in this Delaware area call Elsmere, El Smear. – – – Thanks. Nutter.

    1. I know. I’m going through the process myself. Fortunately I have a 8 year back payment coming from a BVA decision so I’ll no longer have to rely on the attorney who is uncertain of the outcome. Also I’m going to write a “GoFundMe” page explaining the need.

      Perhaps we could work together. What is your issue? Mine is failure to treat a TBI properly based on deceptive practices and a suborned deceptive temporal lobe study. I also have the bogus Cerebral Malaria study used in the 1998 House Sub Committee for Veterans Benefits.

      If your case ties in at all, send me the issues: “[email protected]

      It is easier to get a Class Action started than go it alone.

    2. If you join my case, in Wyoming there are no caps and a more favorable veteran’s outlook by potential jurors. You can file in the state where it happened or the state you can get an attorney or have some other justification for filing in a U S District Court.

      1. @Lem – – – Lem, to much to discuss on Ben’s blog. We need to talk to better discuss the matter. My health has been deteriorating. This has been an ongoing lack of proper treatment, and lack of support. I’m currently working on a timeline of events.

        I even have a visiting Nurse that reports to my VA PCP to no avail. PCP shows no concern, don’t probe me with questions either. And, she knows that I’m a Biologist. You got me, I don’t understand where she is coming from. Actually, I feel like I’m a stat, data, or number to them. Post your email, and I’ll reply with my full contact information.

        Repost of article; “https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-malpractice-lawsuits-fewer-claims-succeed-payouts-rise/” – – – Thanks, Nutter.

      2. @Lem – – – I think our issue my be a “lack of treatment and follow up.” Don’t know??? – – – Nutter.

  15. Wells Fargo settles veterans loans lawsuit for $108M
    By Danielle Haynes UPI Aug. 4, 2017

    “Aug. 4 (UPI) — Wells Fargo on Friday agreed to pay the U.S. government $108 million to settle a lawsuit that it overcharged veterans under a federal mortgage-refinancing program.

    The whistleblower lawsuit was filed by Georgia mortgage brokers Victor Bibby and Brian Donnelly in 2006, who sought to recoup money the government — and taxpayers — lost when those loans went into default. The loans were made under a Department of Veterans Affairs program.”

    “Wells Fargo denies it defrauded veterans by overcharging them and the government by hiding what it was doing.

    In 2011, the bank settled a similar class-action lawsuit in Georgia alleging misconduct in refinancing VA-backed loans.

    “More than six years ago, when questions about fees on Veterans Administration refinance loans were raised, we resolved those concerns by improving our internal controls and made compensation available to VA customers who closed a refinance before that time,” said Tim Sloan, Wells Fargo’s chief executive officer. “Settling this longstanding lawsuit allows us to put the matter behind us and continue to focus on serving customers and rebuilding trust with our stakeholders. We are committed to serving the financial health and well-being of veterans, and we will continue to honor that commitment now and in the future.”

    Article at: “https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/08/04/Wells-Fargo-settles-veterans-loans-lawsuit-for-108M/1691501876613/”

    1. Those same Wells-Fargo asswipes just recently had to also cough-up another large multi-million$ for all those fake ghost accounts their employees were encouraged to do by their supervisors and syphon $$ from millions of account holders…that # of affected accounts was found this past week alone updated to many more hundreds of Million$ in syphoned funds…and the even more messed-up thing is they continued this fraudulent practices even AFTER taxpayers bailed them and all the big banks out….they came right back to stick their dicks back in without even losing a stroke in rhythm…and now the story opens-up to the Veteran’s mortgages affected…this is MUCH larger than what is being reported am guessing.

      1. In 2003 my son was ‘forced’ to open an acct with Wells-Fargo before going into boot camp. After camp he canceled the acct.

  16. W&M launches program to train legal advocates for veterans
    By Jaime Welch-Donahue, W&M News – August 5, 2017

    “William & Mary Law School will offer an online certificate program beginning this month that is designed for anyone who wants to become a knowledgeable and effective advocate for veterans and service members seeking disability compensation benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Faculty of the school’s Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic created the self-paced, fully online program for veterans, attorneys, veteran service officers, transitional personnel, family members, and caregivers. Successful completion of the program will lead to a non-degree Certificate in Military and Veterans Health, Policy and Advocacy (MVHPA).

    “We are excited to be taking our training in veterans advocacy beyond the Law School walls, making it available nationwide to assist in veteran reintegration and receipt of benefits,” said Professor Patricia Roberts, Vice Dean and Clinical Professor of Law, Co-Director of the Puller Clinic, and Director of Clinical Programs.

    By completing the coursework, Roberts said, “participants will receive intensive training in veterans benefits law, gain skill in persuasive advocacy, acquire an in-depth understanding of the claims, separations, and discharge processes, and learn more about the psychological challenges faced by veterans and service members.”

    To obtain the certificate, enrollees will successfully complete four courses over two to four eight-week terms beginning August 21. Subsequent start dates will occur in October, January and March.”

    Full article at: “https://wydaily.com/2017/08/05/wm-launches-program-to-train-legal-advocates-for-veterans-nws/”

    “In 2015, the clinic created Military Mondays, an ongoing and successful outreach effort that provides free advice and counsel to veterans and service members which was piloted at a Williamsburg Starbucks in partnership with Starbucks Armed Services Network.

    Military Mondays is offered or is in development by law schools and legal service organizations at more than two dozen Starbucks’ locations around the country.”

    Sounds a-bit scammy to me.

    1. Kimberly graves and Diana rubbins going to teach the class for the VA.

      Give all the wrong information to the class.

      That’s easy Deny, Deny, Deny, Die !

      1. @James Gallegos – – – Yes. I would LOVE to see the course material for that. At least 6 books totaling 2500+ pages. All to say “This is the legally approved way to “Delay, Deny, Cause the veteran to Die . . .”

        I’ll bet it is Chapter 31 approved, though.

      2. Wonder if the VA will pay veterans to take the course, all veterans not just some.

        Maybe they can buy the book and carry it around like the bible at the VA, the va employees would call you a lier and say those people don’t know what they are talking about.

      3. I think they would do it just to “redirect” most of the Chapter 31 money into VA associate and employees bonuses. This definitely sounds like a scam.

  17. “UGA law school clinic to help veterans”
    By Lee Shearer OnlineAthens Posted August 5, 2017

    “The University of Georgia School of Law plans to launch a clinic devoted to the legal needs of veterans, especially those who received denials or deferrals for veteran benefits.

    A lead gift from Columbus plaintiff’s lawyer James E. Butler Jr. will partially fund the clinic, with help from Butler’s law partner, Joel Wooten, and three other Columbus lawyers — Kenneth Henson Jr., Sanders Griffith II and Pete Robinson. All but Robinson are UGA Law graduates; Robinson graduated from Mercer University’s law school.”

    “Butler dedicated his gift to the memory of his late father, Lt. Comdr. James E. Butler Sr., a World War II Navy fighter pilot. Butler liked the idea of the clinic not only because it will help veterans, but because it will help train lawyers in helping.

    The Veterans Legal Services Clinic will provide first-rate service training for UGA law students, as well as providing much-needed services to veterans and lawyers who represent veterans, according to UGA School of Law Dean Bo Rutledge.”

    “Law school associate dean Alexander Scherr came to UGA School of Law with the idea in early 2015, Rutledge said. After that, a 28-member committee led by law professor Randy Beck shaped a full proposal for the clinic. The group included lawyers, service providers and mental health professionals who work with veterans, advocates and judges.

    Set to begin in summer of 2018, the clinic will be headed by a director who will act as a managing attorney, overseeing law students working directly with veterans or their dependents.

    The center will also be a “center of excellence” so that independent lawyers might get assistance on cases in their own communities, such as model pleadings, or sharing experiences “so a particular lawyer won’t have to start from scratch,” Rutledge said.”

    Full article at: “https://onlineathens.com/local-news/2017-08-05/uga-law-school-clinic-help-veterans”

  18. “‘They promised me this wouldn’t happen’: Wife wants answers after Marine vet’s OD death at Brockton VA”
    By Tom Relihan The Enterprise Posted Aug 5, 2017 at 2:34 PM

    “Marine Corps veteran Hank Brandon Lee was found unresponsive in his room and was later pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Medical Center on March 4. He had overdosed on fentanyl, a powerful synthetic painkiller, according to his death certificate. Now, his widow wants answers.

    BROCKTON – Jamie-Lee Hasted had just hung up the phone after a conversation with her husband, retired Marine Lance Cpl. Hank Brandon Lee, and headed out to mail him a package of family photographs.

    He would need them, she thought, because he was nearly 1,500 miles away from his home in Saucier, Mississippi, in the Brockton Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s psychiatric unit being treated for severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

    Later that day, she sent him a message on Facebook, but received no response.

    “You going to call me anytime today or are you sleeping again!” she wrote.”

    “Then, on March 4, she received a phone call from the hospital’s staff: Lee had been found unresponsive in his room and was later pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Medical Center. The father of three young children had overdosed on fentanyl, a powerful synthetic painkiller, according to his death certificate.

    How did the Mississippi Marine Corps veteran obtain and overdose on the drug under the VA’s watch?

    Hasted said during an interview Saturday that she still doesn’t know five months later.

    “They promised me this wouldn’t happen. I understand the issue, but he was on lockdown, and they’re supposed to protect him from harming others and from harming himself,” she told The Enterprise in an interview Saturday. “They made me believe that’s what they were going to do, and they didn’t.”

    Pallas Wahl, a spokesperson for the VA, said Saturday that it is still not known how Lee acquired the drugs.

    “Sadly, Lance Cpl. Lee was a victim of the opioid epidemic that kills nearly six people daily in Massachusetts,” Wahl said. “Lance Cpl. Lee suffered a fatal overdose of fentanyl while a patient at the Brockton campus. Fentanyl was not prescribed to any patient within our inpatient psychiatry unit, and Lance Cpl. Lee had no personal visitors during his inpatient psychiatry stay.”

    Lee’s autopsy report and medical records obtained by The Enterprise show that he struggled with a history of substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.

    He served seven tours in Afghanistan as a mortarman, where he was injured by an improvised explosive device. The incident left him designated 100 percent disabled.

    Hasted said that before she met him and before he began seeking help for his condition from the VA after his first suicide attempt, Lee had been using drugs and alcohol heavily to cope with the anxiety, depression and hallucinations that came along with it.

    His medical records show that he had various drugs in his system when he was transferred from a local civilian hospital to the VA, which hospital records note he denied using and was believed to have consumed during a blackout period during the prior two days. He had blacked out before and ended up in Ohio years prior, he told doctors.”

    Much more to this article at: “https://www.enterprisenews.com/news/20170805/they-promised-me-this-wouldnt-happen-wife-wants-answers-after-marine-vets-od-death-at-brockton-va”

    1. We can not believe anything the VA says when it comes to matters as what happened.

      I have to tell this story, I was sent from Colorado to Sheridan vamc for ptsd program.

      I had just had surgery for a blocked bowel and was bleeding, so they sent me to the doctor on duty.

      While in the office the doctor received a call from the Denver VA, advising him that they had an emergency psy admission and needed to transfer him to Sheridan.

      The MoD, told the Denver VA ” listen can this wait until the Am, I have had you know one of those day’s. You know what I mean !!!!

      When he finished the telephone conversation, he told me to drop them and bend over. He had to do a rectal examination.

      Anyone that has ever had one done, know they insert the finger and slowly go arround to check for abnormalities.

      Well, this doctor shoved his finger up my Butt hard and when I flinched, he said what’s the matter did that hurt !

      I looked at him and told him hell ya it hurt, he then rimmed inside my ass really hard and fast.

      Then he pulled it out and said yup, you have blood and maybe a hemmorid or you have a Fisher. Asked him what’s a Fisher, he said a Fisher is a tear.

      I thought if I have a tear, you tore it. I could not believe that he did what he did, I was very upset how he spoke on the phone and then doing this to me.

      I went to report him to the director, many time’s, she was never in. One day I went to the office and the chief of staff was in his office, I asked the Secretary if I could speak with him.

      At that point the chief of staff, Ran out of the office and about 5 minutes later another guy came in and asked what I wanted, I asked if he was the chief of staff, he stated yes for the medical section.

      Took me into a room and I asked him if he heard what happened to me, yes I did, he replied and was Red as a beet. (mad)

      Told me the doctor you are speaking about is one of our best doctor’s and it’s ridiculous what you are accusing of !

      This guy was so pissed and glaring at me, that I felt I was in danger. Due to this and me being in another state and no way to go home, I said maybe I made a mistake just to get out of the office.

      I still had 6 weeks of treatment and no way to get home, I went to the Chaplin and told him what happened.

      I told him, if something should happen to me, you will know why it happened.

      I said I was there for ptsd, but I was there for alcohol and substance abuse. When I had completed this program, two weeks later I was to be readmitted to the ptsd program.

      When it was time for me to go home, I was told no you are not going home, we are going to put you in the homeless shelter for 2 week’s.

      I thought why would they not send me home and then I return. Then I thought, what they want to do is keep me here and me be killed and the VA blame someone outside the VA for killing me.

      I told them you know what I am 100% disabled and authorized travel to and from my house.

      They made me promise I would return in two weeks, after how I was treated, I told my treatment team in colorado and told them about this and was told if you fear for your life you do not have to return to Sheridan.

      Phew. !

      1. @James Gallegos – – – Any GOOD physician would know, if they suspected a hemorrhoid, or an anal fissure, that he would have inserted his baby finger (lucky you didn’t get a thumb with these ass holes). Seriously, the quack should of entered your highnee (spelling) very slowly. I’d punch his fucking lights out someway. A damn jerk. – – – Nutter.

      2. Fortunately, I have never experienced that type of rectal examination. Sorry that you did. Had a veteran buddy who was a ranked kick-boxer back in 1997 knock a doctor out for something very similar. At least that it is what he told me after I bailed him out.

        Over here, disruptive veterans arrested by the VA sheriffs – – – are turned over to either State Sheriff’s or HPD for processing/incarceration.

        When it went to court a few months later, there was second-source imaging evidence from a private doctor that exonerated my buddy. Judge chewed his ass- – – then threw out the charges with a stiff verbal warning.

        Something like that ever happens to me – – – being “disruptive” will be the last thing on my mind. Killing the sonofabitch that did it will happen before I become “disruptive”.

  19. “After family outcry, sick vet gets room at VA hospital”
    By Evan Allen and Felicia Gans Globe Staff August 05, 2017

    “A sick Navy veteran in desperate need of specialized care in Boston spent days in limbo in a hospital in Bangor, his family says, after the US Department of Veteran Affairs said it would only cover treatment at the medical center in West Roxbury — but that he could not go there, because no bed was available.

    Heather Donald said it left her father, David White, with two choices: Wait for a bed to open up, or pay out of pocket to travel to Massachusetts General Hospital, where infectious disease specialists could fight the rapid-spreading bacterial disease affecting his lungs.

    Donald posted about her situation on Facebook Friday, and the Globe got in touch with her Saturday. After inquiries from the media, a spokeswoman from the VA medical center in West Roxbury said White would be transported Saturday to the West Roxbury campus.”

    Full article at: “https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/08/05/navy-veteran-from-fights-for-bed-west-roxbury-his-family-waits-desperate-for-answers/gTxreuuWw5RClAsAmjw6yN/story.html”

  20. For 13 years after I got out of the military I should have been 100% disabled by the VA for PTSD and a physical disability. I was rejected because they said I didn’t give a stressor and they had no medical records. I’m kind of thankful after hearing all the horror stories of the VAMC. It took me those 13 years to develop some techniques to control my symptoms. When I went to the VA this year for treatment I find it wholly inadequate. The treatment fails to treat the physical side effects of stress. Without working on the physical side effects of stress there is little that can be done to control PTSD. Medications do work for some but my genetics test says that they don’t work for me.

    1. If the VA has denied your claim for ptsd and you can not find an attorney, you may want to contact Kennett carpenter out of Topeka Kansas and tell them I refered you to him.

      If this attorney takes your case, I know you will win.

  21. To All – Scams that are around. Be informed, check them out;

    “https://mentalfloss.com/article/503107/7-internet-scams-even-smartest-people-fall”

  22. I truly believe that we should( all of y’all ), choose one of you, for Veteran of the Day. They ask you questions, and they write up the interview. This is VA propaganda at it’s best. It would be nice to have local reporter recording the award. Then, hit em with your best shot. I was wrong earlier when I said year, it’s Veteran of the Day.

    1. @Jo3n – – – I nominate you to be Veteran of the Day. You number one. Then declare War on the Skanky Skunks at the VA. Give em hell. We’re behind you. Please eat Beano before you munch down on those bean burritos. LoL – – – Nutter.

      1. @Namnibor – – – Do you have an organic solution for @Jo3n’s gas build-up? Send a big jolt to Jo3n. – – – Nutter.

      2. Our lovely FBI is letting ISS fund their war on the backs of our seniors because they don’t have time to deal with the scams because of pressing “terrorist” activities.

        The next bomber is being funded by our seniors.

  23. @Crazy elf – – – Found this, didn’t know if you seen it, or if this applies to you. – – – Nutter.

    “https://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398573”

  24. In the VA paper, they say W. Virginia VA has cure for prostate cancer. Is everyone supposed to go there? Wonder how many Veterans lost their ass in that cure? VA paper also has a Veteran of the Year. Who voted, or picked this Veteran. Do we vote/pick the AFGE employee of the Year? Honestly, this site has some Veterans who qualify for Veteran of the Year. Why not Ben? I forgot, Ben may be guilty of disruptive posts, sorry Ben. The old Veterans friendly VA, at work and making sure that the Veterans are the disruptive ones. Our lives mean nothing to the VA upper management. That’s disruptive behavior in itself.

    1. About that pending proposed VA cure for prostate cancer…just as the Hep C Cure had some unexpected little side effects of activating dormant Hep B in patients coinfected, the W. Virginia VA prostate cure will later in the wild found to have the nasty unexpected side effect of causing a large anus/rectum to grow right in the center of Veteran’s foreheads and the VA’s ‘fix’ for that will be gabapentin in large suppository form-factor shaped like a fist. 🙂

      Really, just who would want to trust the VA to not be a royal pain in the ass with something like prostate cancer? It was/is odd enough that the VA seems to still be salivating at the bit to perform sex reassignment surgeries on a still in limbo new policy from POTUS on transgenders in military and eventual VA care.
      Assholes to elbows, I’d try my luck with a real Haitian Witch Dr. that’s unemployed and needs some zombie dust for her chillan. 🙂

    2. My Son was scheduled at the VA at the Denver VA at 8pm last night for a sleep study.

      Arrived early the doors to the hospital were locked, he called the clinic over and over, no reply from the tech.

      Finely got a hold of the tech, 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment and the tech told him that he was late and had to reschedule the appt.

      My Son told him what do u mean, I was here the hospital doors were locked and I just drove 3 hours here !

      Tech to my Son, well you have to go to the ER and see them to see if they can board you for tonight.

      The emergency room personal told my Son, that they were going to call the technician back to complete the sleep study.
      .that the tech is, was required to call my Son to find out if he was coming to the VA.

      Son, told me the tech was to return to complete the sleep study. Me knowing how disgruntled va employees will claim a veteran was disruptive, when the veterans make them mad.

      I told my Son, do not say anything to the technician about what happened. For him to get the name of the person who tried to help him to get the tech back.

      Told him, I don’t trust those employees.

      This a.m. my Wife told me the tech refused to complete the sleep study and that the VA put him up in a hotel and will have the sleep study tonight.

      I bet if this technician would have returned, he would have made up a story that my Son, had been disruptive.

      I told my Son to report this technician to the director. Told him to get the name of the employee who tried to get the technician to come back and complete the sleep study.

      When he speaks with the director to start of with wanting to thank the employee that tried to help and then tell the director what happened.

      I know the director’s response will be, I’m sorry this happened to you, the VA really cares about veterans and will look into it !

      NOT!!!!!

      Secretary Shulkin’s office will hear about this from me and my Son.

      Great job Denver VA, you deserve the rating you received as being worse than the Phoenix VA !

      Southeastern Colorado VA rated as low as you can be rated.

      Care my Butt !

      1. James G., just terrible people, what they’ve done to you & now your son.
        Never forget that when you make a phone call & hear EXCUSE ME, LET ME PUT YOU ON ‘HOLD’ FOR A SECOND… they are checking into your record for FLAGS. Be well you & yours

      2. His name is James also, don’t know if they still show a flag on my record’s, he does not.

        This just maybe another example how the VA could care less about veterans, even when they have to travel 200 miles.

        My Son recorded everything, I am not going to mess with the Denver director or any of their staff.

        Why should I they were rated worse than Phoenix. I’m going to write Secretary Shulkin and let him handle it.

        I, we already know they will blow us off and not do a dam thing to fix it, B.S. pouring out their mouth.

        This is just more proof for me to prove my case and yes they may have looked at the records and thought it was me and wanted to punish me further.

        These jerks all the way up to the top are responsible for the so called disruptive committee.

        They have no business punishing veterans period, they are not our judiciary system and must get out of that business.

        You know this guy had a date and said I’ll just not answer this guys phone calls and tell my boss he was late and that all I have to do, be there in 5 !

      3. James G, Perhaps he should also do as others have suggested to send an email to his PC with details on what happened to him with this failed appt just so that its in his record in his own words not their words.

        Whats really a nitemare is I was given Propofol[conscious sedation] to put the chest tube in & you dream on that stuff. I was in a bright white room standing in front of a sign that read DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. My thought was I must have died & this is my personnel hell…..

  25. I think if you look up, “disruptive ” I am sure there is a definition that fits how Veterans feel, and I know I would love to be more disruptive than I have been. Perhaps I’ll enter a Veterans definition, in Wikipedia. Then, quote it. @Dennis, thanks

      1. @James Gallegos – – – Here’s an older article on Ben’s site. I know what disruptive means, but the VA’s standards are hogwash; VA Rat Basturds. – – – Nutter.

        “https://www.disabledveterans.org/2014/08/06/illegal-va-complaints-strategy-against-veterans-exposed/”

      2. You know Ben knows and the VA knows, yet they continue to punish veterans, when it’s the employees doing the disruptive behavior.

        I have asked that any veteran that has been reported to write to Secretary Shulkin and send copies to congress the senate committee on veterans affairs.

        If enough veterans write a compliant to Shulkin’s office something has to be done.

  26. I’m furious that a distraught vet in desperation / worked up the courage to seek help, was denied help tat may have prevented a future suicide (at least bought some time). Who is in charge of this?!?!?!?

    1. Higher management and the doctor. If they did something wrong and a veteran complains, who is going to win !

      Hint, not the veterans. So the VA can do what ever they want to veterans and no one is there for the veterans.

      Besides the disruptive committee to punish veterans for saying anything.

      Camera’s must be installed so there is no more he said, she said.

      I would feel so much safer if I knew my meeting were recorded, to dam many employees smarting off to veterans in hopes of pissing them off, so the employees can r report them as being disruptive.

      Don’t think it happens, anyone that thinks other wise is blind.

      Not saying you are, just that some people believe veterans deserve to be punished.

      The doctor and management is the cause.

  27. Let’s review the AFGE’s official motto;

    “To Do For All That Which No One Can Do For Oneself”.

    This is their creed. If you can make heads or tails of ttis bullshit, please post something, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t the same sort of gibberish the VA dishes out in different formats. Now you may be wondering, where did good ol Dennis get this phrase? I got it on Wikipedia. Wikipedia is cool because anyone can update any page. So if you know a lot about say, the AFGE, then you can go onto Wikipedia and enter what you know. Good idea, right?

    It turns out that Wikipedia has automated computer programs to “help” the reader decide what kind of person may have posted a particular item! Yep! Who knew? Let me post an example of just one phrase “flagged” by Wikipedia regarding entries made (ostensibly) by the good folks at AFGE;

    “AFGE has played a crucial role [according to whom?] in the struggle for women’s rights and civil rights…” In this sentence do you see the brackets that say “according to whom?” This is actually a link that you can click to see what Wikipedia thinks about this AFGE claim;

    From Wikipedia; “Weasel words are words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated.”

    From the very foundation of the AFGE the weasels have been busy. Very busy.

    1. I added my own edit. You can read it under “other” on Wikipedia page regarding AFGE.

      “AFGE represents employees of The Department Of Veterans Affairs, known to be the most corrupt agency America has known.”

      Hehe. Not a vague reference at all, right? Now it is historical fact because everything on Wikipedia is true except weasel words, right? Now….on to the VA Wikipedia page!!! I FEEL A MAJOR EDIT to that page coming on! Spread the word like manure on a crop and hope the buds come in large, dank, and skunky! Semper Fi!

      1. If the AFGE are considered utilizing “weasel words” then it’s more likely that not that the Wiki for any Veteran Service Org. (VSO) would be using “piggy words”, which would likely mean:
        “Piggy words and phrases are words that ride the Weasel words for emphasis and always perfectly mirror the Weasel words, no matter how many Veterans were killed by their malfeasant master’s uttering them, and is equally vague or ambiguous claim has been communicated.”

        Greater question: Can weasels and piggy’s mate to produce peaggels?

      2. @Dennis – – – Just checked Wikipedia. OOH-RAH!

        Semper Fi, Sir. I will be taking some liberty with Wikipedia after I DD Mau the islands this coming week.

        Brilliant!

      3. @Dennis – – – Can you post the link to the page you created? Thanks. – – – Nutter.

      4. @Dennis – – – I found it. Fantastic entry under Other; “AFGE represents employees of The Department Of Veterans Affairs, known to be the most corrupt agency America has known.” Woo hoo.

        Here’s link to where Dennis adds his remark; “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Federation_of_Government_Employees”

      5. Dennis your edit has been removed….Proof that the silent followers are NOT veterans but rat ass employees
        “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Federation_of_Government_Employees”

  28. Today is Saturday, 5 August 2017. I wonder what VA’s “DUMP” will be for veterans?

  29. Trump’s Five Year Moratorium on Childhood Vaccines and Destruction of Pharma Control of Media

    Help the petition reach its goal, share with others:

    URL: “https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/trumps-five-year-moratorium-childhood-vaccines-and-destruction-pharma-control-media”

  30. While reading about Veterans suicides, I saw a name; John D. Daigh, acting undersecretary for health services, he’s supposed to investigate ALL Veterans suicides. How can one man investigate twenty plus suicides a day? Perhaps if Ben could ask him really nice, he could give Ben an idea as to how he investigates all these suicides. At least, give Ben an accurate account. Supposedly, that’s his job.

  31. Here is a haiku poem that demonstrates my experience on the VA Iowa City Psych ward (9th Floor) (yes, its true!).

    An old cranky psych nurse…
    Nurse’s hang out on Facebook and WWW.
    Patient’s argue over timing of meds.

    You see???

    1. NO ACCOUNTABILITY + NO ETHICS = Creates a environment for Corruption. Happens all the time when greed gets in the way. – – – Nutter.

  32. @Caregiver of a Veteran, I am always aware of the politics that goes with the job. The, friendly people at the VA, keep it a stressful job. Their ever-changing laws and regulations truly wear a good person down. Thank you for your service.

  33. All we are getting is new things to object to. I’m confused as to what is law, and the new rules the VA is implementing. The VA still is not following the Laws Congress keeps issuing. The VA misinterprates, to the VA’s benefits and changes them laws before we understand them. Then, VA is still not being held accountable. What VA shows people is a joke. All these bad things happen in the VA, and most of the employees fired are not part of our problems. Shulkin is sneaky and conniving. He’s in there for himself, he has nothing to do with Veterans. Haven’t enough Vietnam Veterans shown the VA all the ailments, or conditions caused by agent Orange? Why is the VA deciding? VA shouldn’t be labeling causes of agent Orange. They lie. Remember, it’s not about Veterans, it’s about them.

  34. Untouchables….The entire VA system and its Secretary Shulk, VA OIG, Congress and their useless GAO, Unions and their Cox, VSOs and their nazi hats, All of the federal departments and agencies….
    They want us DEAD.

  35. If the VA OIG can not bring itself to make the OBVIOUS statements of GUILT then it needs to be split off from the VA and re-assigned under an enforcement agency. Maybe if the OIG for the VA was under DoJ they wouldn’t be so eager to white wash every investigation where the VA is CLEARLY at fault or look the other way at every senior manager screwing de-frauding veterans of the care and benefits OWED THEM.

      1. @James Gallegos – – – Maybe because it is a takeoff of this J. Clapper? NOT the same guy!

        “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clapper”

  36. Mostly y’all said it but someone needs to get out there and start firing the whole Damn Department and hire some people that give a chit. Some of us Vets are crazy but all of us can shoot a straight line. Yalll need to get off this kill or be killed kick stop waiting for us to die, before we decide to take things into our own hands, this is why we need CHOICE PROGRAM. AT LEAST CIVILIAN DOCTORS WON’T KILL US CAUSE THEY CAN BE SUED. And we get better health care. If it wasn’t for Choice I would already be dead waiting for the VA to decide when I needed Aortic Surgery. The civilian doc wrote the need for emergency surgery and got it done. So thanx VA. My surgeon said I should live another 30 years so I can haunt you live.

    1. Problem is you have a higher standard of proof with a civilian physician than with a VA physician. That is why the VA wants you to go Choice. They are losing too many suits for compensation of disabilities incurred from treatment. It eats up bonus money.

      1. @Lem – – – Know of at Bull Dog attorneys that are Malpractice Attorney’s against the VA? Can you post any references per your above comment? Thanks. – – -Nutter.

    2. That is a good one, hell no I won’t go, I’m going to stick around and give u a taste of your own medicine !

      That should be a poster for national suicide month, hell no I won’t go, so forget it VA !

      Not today, not today ! You can not get rid of me that easy. !

      Nice one ! Your the type we need on this site, we are growing bigger and bigger disabled veterans. Org

  37. I am not sure if someone mentioned this above, so I apologize if I missed it. I would report this incident and psychiatrist to the Iowa Board of Medicine. Let that agency conduct an investigation and draw conclusions. Maybe I’m wrong, but if you have a patient experiencing suicidal thoughts, how in the hell do you release them? There was no bed in the entire hospital, or just on the MH floor? In the surrounding area?

    More veterans need to file complaints with their state’s Board of Medicine, or similar agencies. Just my thoughts.

    1. Welcome, they should not let any veteran go without treatment, but no beds is an excuse for year’s.

      The VA does have the option of admitting veteran to act non va facility and I believe this should have been done in this case.

      One must remember that a lot of the VA employees have worked for the VA for many year’s.

      They get the idea in their head that they can do what ever they want to do and no one will tell them different.

      Its the good ol boy system. The VA has veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and post traumatic brain injury and are very sensitive some times and may get mad.

      They are not doing this on purpose, it’s part of their disability and the VA should know this.

      But too often the veterans will have their disability act up and the veterans disability kicks in and they may act up.

      In stead of using the skills of a professional to try and calm the veterans down and find out what the problem is !

      Instead the VA, has adopted the technic of not trying to use those skills and opted to report these veterans as being disruptive and call the VA police.

      Then the veterans still do not get care, what they do get is a letter telling the veterans they have been deemed a threat to VA employees.

      And from now on they are to report to the VA police anytime they come into the facility.

      Their official medical records are coded for disruptive behavior and then every employee, see’s this flag and the veterans are treated like criminals.

      They are shunned and employees will treat them as a threat. The VA will then tell those veterans ” if the VA ever hears that you are reported again as being disruptive, you will have federal charges placed upon you, you will be arrested and you will be banished from all VA care.

      So, veterans that act up because of their service connected disability, the VA punishes them through the disruptive committee.

      The VA requires per regulations to write down or document any disruptive behavior.

      Problem is thousands of veterans are being reported disruptive and did nothing more than complain about an employee or tell an employee they are going to report them.

      The VA has become or thinks they have the right to punish veterans at will ! No hearing, no way to disprove the allegations.

      You are guilty, not innocent until proven guilty !

      What they are doing effects the veterans and many have committed suicide because of this.

      VA will twist the story and injoy seeing those veterans suffer and will pick on those veterans until they can no longer take it and since they have no one to go to, they do what many employees want them to do Die.

      Its been very effective so far and no one cares. Sad but true !

      The VA could admit they can not even place you at the VA, but if a employees reports you, that’s all that is needed.

      Hearsay is proof enough, wonder why veterans want choice.?

      1. Denver VA admitted me to a local hospital, Lutheran Medical. It was far worse than the VA. An out the door policy in 3 days ready or not. Didn’t have time to adjust to medication change. Developed Stevens Johnson syndrome. Almost went to the Denver Post’s (newspaper) office with a pint, some pills and a plastic bag. Didn’t have writing material or time to write it up. Must be an excuse because the writing material would have been available the same way as the pint as I look back on the befuddled plan. Buy it at a store?

        So I doubt that option would have worked for this suicide victim. It was mass transit at a cost of over $6,000.00 to the VA. A money factory for Lutheran and nothing more.

      2. If you did not spend those 3 days as an inpatient, would you be alive today to tell me.?

        Same thing with Parkview, it’s better to be with people or patients that are going through the same thing.

        Not those crazy civilians. ! Lol

        La junta

      3. lock up ward. 6 doctors. 2 on every shift. plus nursing staff. Only bed available to me in Denver. Took 7 hours for the VA staff to find it.

        It was primarily a drug detox facility. But I didn’t need detox because I don’t do drugs or alcohol. Just needed a cool off period so I wouldn’t go berserk.

      4. Some times that’s what we need. The VA knows they need more beds for ptsd patients.

        No reason for this to be their excuse, that’s all it is An excuse.

        Planning, is not their thing.

      5. It is not beds. There are plenty. Just not enough physicians to cover them. The Directors can’t keep their staff because they keep insisting they go against the Hippocratic oath to do no wrong. Especially in recordation of observations. Took 34 years for me to diagnosed as having partial and complex partial seizures. The VA even suborned a study with false conclusions from Yale University Medical School in exchange for the School’s use of VA telemetry (continuous brain studies electronically–EEGs) units that caused denial and treatment of temporal lobe seizures.

        The study was picked up by medical text books in the mid 1990s and remained the “fact” until finally disproven in 2012. There is still one medical text book with the misinformation from that study in the Medical Libraries and in publication.

    2. @Tom, you are exactly correct. They did not provide medical treatment to save this Veterans life. This Veteran was in crisis, the va could have used choice and put him in a crisis unit in the private sector until he became stable on medications and received help so he could make better choices in his life. This is such a grievous state of affairs on how the va chose not to help this individual. We know that the va does not adequately care for mental health veterans and when they become in crisis, this is how we loose our fellow brother and sister veterans.

  38. Veteran – – – A person who at one point in their life wrote a blank check for an amount “up to, and including my life” to the United States of America. THAT is Honor. There exist far too many people in this nation who have not the slightest clue of what that means, or entails.

    America – – – “Thanks for your Service! Sorry you’re homeless. Hope things get better! Off to the mall now, got to catch the sale . . .”

    Veterans Administration – – – “We are working really hard to help veterans fulfill their Honor. 22 veteran deaths daily. Working to raise those numbers for America . . . ”

    Worthless Fucking Asshats.

  39. @Seymore Klearly – Do you know how I can recover a password for a local admin account, that enables one to log in to use laptop? I’m stuck. Thanks. – – – Nutter

    1. “If you forget your Windows admin password, try this”
      All is not lost. You just have to wiggle the lock on the virtual back door.
      “https://www.pcworld.com/article/2988539/windows/if-you-forget-your-windows-admin-password-try-this.html”

      If this doesn’t help let me know there are other ways. Just need to know which version of windows you are using.

      1. @Seymore Klearly – – – This is a time that I wished that I’d taken windows classes in college, but I was too busy doing research, writing papers, and giving dissertations. I’m not using a Microsoft account like the presenter is using in this video.

        I use and log in through Windows 10 OS program. Being that I’m so busy with VA stuffs, do you happen to know a very good and trust worthy FREE program for novices? Or, a low cost retail product for novices? Or, another way that is for a Windows simpleton to use with ease? LoL

        This feels like I lost my wallet or keys. I normally write all passwords down. All others are fine and accounted for. I must of got sidetracked about something when Windows prompted me to change the password. Seymore, I do (and have always), appreciated your help. Many thanks. – – – Nutter.

      2. While there are a number of ways a person can hack the system. I believe the best way is to follow the Microsoft support team’s recommendation to reset Windows 10. Although this method will erase any stored data you may have on the laptop and remove any programs you have already installed on the system.

        It will give you a fresh start with the system and any programs you may wish to reinstall you can.

        See: “Reset your Windows 10 local account password”
        At: “https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028457/windows-reset-your-windows-10-local-account-password”

        If you forgot your Microsoft account password, follow these steps.

        If you don’t have a Microsoft account and forgot your local account password, you can’t recover it. Instead, you’ll need to reset your PC.

        Warning: Following these steps will remove all of your data, programs, and settings.

        1. Start your PC and select the Power  icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the lock screen.

        2. While holding down the Shift key, select Restart.

        3. On the Boot options menu, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything.

        4. Your PC will restart and will reset itself.

      3. @Seymore Klearly – – – Are you saying that ALL those programs online to either restore, reset, or to hack your pc, are not good to use? If I’m correct in what I think, is that even though if I found a reputable program (or there is none), that there still would be trash on my pc that could cause problems down the line?

        I hear what you’re saying in your post, but this is a tall order (I know, I should of wrote down my password as soon as I changed it). I got tired up, forgot to write it down, then forgot the password. That’s the Native American and Polish clashing in me. LoL

        I have to lay on my right side, because my laptop is on a chair. When laying on my right side for long periods, my right arm and leg goes numb due to muscle atrophy (artery, vein, and nerve effected by pressure), and I get these like-migraines (actually musculoskeletal pressure and tension) in my neck, and it flares up the back of my head, to my forehead. Its very painful and debilitating.

        Seymore, dag nab, a big job ahead, and don’t know if the risks for more pain outweighs me doing this repair myself. You get the gist. Let me know if I’m on mark with my contents in the first and second paragraph. Thank you so much. – – – Nutter.

      4. @ANutterVet – – – Ouch! Big job there. When you reset your PC, you will lose everything that you have put into it. All programs, apps, etc will have to be reinstalled, and all your data will have to be re-input.

        As Seymore says though – – – in your case (with what you have shared publicly) that method seems to be the best way. I know it will be a major pain in the ass.

        Once you have done it though, you may prevent ever having to do it again by following the procedures contained in this article as soon as you have your basic Win10 installation completed, and your local accounts set up.

        Good luck on getting it completed.

        “https://www.notebookreview.com/howto/how-to-create-a-windows-10-password-reset-disk/”

  40. Refuse to leave, make them call the VA Police and contact the VA Director., and tell them what you are experiencing, even if you spend time in jail they are going to know you need help, and not to be jail.

    1. Your being disruptive and just earned yourself a flag and now you are a threat to VA employees.

      Now it’s our turn to teach you to not do as we say and this will be for the rest of your life !

      If you don’t like it kill yourself !

      That’s the VA way, proven over and over, remember VA police carry guns and if they shoot and kill you for acting up too bad.

      The VA more excuses than Carter has liver pills.

  41. I think the Deceased, made the VA and the rest of Government a Big (ultimate) favor!
    It is EXACTLY what they want from us ! To get suicidal and get rid of us!
    I am not gonna “Make them the Favor”!
    MSG VAM

    1. This really makes me mad, I don’t understand why so many people believe what VA is saying about suicidal veterans.

      Many veterans have sought treatment and only told sorry no room, now go away or belittle them.

      The VA reported him as a disruptive veteran and we know how that helps. This illegal disruptive committee must be disbanded.
      .
      They have to business or authority to act as our judiciary system, they are doing more harm, than help.

      Veterans are just taking time away from employees to their breaks, hungry hippo game.

      Same old song and dance.

      Put employees in jail, then they will get the message ! Don’t skirt around the problem, hold these employees accountable.

      No more B.S. tell the dam truth for once !

      God rest you sole young man, you will not be forgotten and veterans will not forget how you were treated or not treated.

      This young man, was me 40 year’s ago and the VA denied me care and I also tried to commit suicide.

      For the grace of God did I not succeed. I would have missed out on all of my children and now their children.

      I shed a tear. !

  42. ATTN. ALL HANDS:; GRAB your Vaseline and bend over/ it’s another day at the V.A. THANK all of you for your comments, I was going to list individually the names of the post that caught my attn. but they all did today. YA’LL HAVE A GOOD DAY. I’m headed to the garden !!!

    1. Yes, just as you stated “it’s another day at the V.A.” Now, I can imagine it with a tune like the song “Another Day In Paradise” from long ago. Wonder if they can hear it, also? Shame on them…all of them that pretend nothing’s wrong here!

    2. The VA even has some extra course ground glass they will add to that Vaseline for a little friction for our pleasure principle.

  43. Very sad!!!!! The Hampton VA did this to mine when he kept going in to steal a min. W/ the DOM or called. They kept pushing him n off claiming there were “no beds available” so they kept sending him back home. This went on for (on & off) 4mos. Before they finally had a bed available for him. I know that ALOT of Veterans are needing attn. But to say there’s no room then send them home?! WTF??!! FIND ROOM!! Another facility or whereever where they can get the help that they’re needing NOW!!!!! It took everything I could to keep him from becoming another statistic & FINALLY got him in!!!!!! THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE NOW!!!!! (& yes I know a few other Veterans who were pushed off & struggling)

    1. @Caregiver of a Veteran: Caregiver, your making too much sense, the va regularly wastes billions of dollars on bad art, over budgeted construction, bonuses, theft of property,and outrageous salaries. You would indeed think they could find money to purchase more beds, and find the space to utilize them.

      I think maybe a few, or more than a few, Veterans Caregivers, should be utilized in the form of a committee of some type, that has powers given to them by the President, to exact change from the VA.

      Caregivers face an entirely different set of issues, mostly hidden from the world. Who else but those like yourself are better equipped to fulfill the needs of Veterans that we don’t usually hear about? In typical fashion, I am sure the VA’s way is “out of sight out of mind”, this too needs to be fixed. Thank you for the care you provide, it is priceless, PRICELESS.

    2. Get a copy of those records and see what was said, when they seen him.

      Be prepared to get mad !

      They probably blamed the veteran, what they write is not always the way it happened.

      Veteran did not express suicidal thoughts and has no plan to kill himself, veteran agrees to go home.

      What is said and what they write is sometimes way different. A lot of times they make the veterans sound like they are faking and have other motives for seeking treatment.

      Milingers, faking, homeless needs a place to stay.

      When beds are full the VA sends patients to private hospitals, until a bed is found, sometimes to a different state.

      Sometimes the doctors are tired, hungover and do not follow through, to much trouble (work)

  44. More on the continuing criminal enterprise known as the Veterans Heath Care system. Last year Gilead made nearly $3 billion marketing the Hep C cure mostly to the VA. Their course of treatment costing around $94,500 per patient.

    Just approved by the FDA is a new drug named Mavyret produced by AbbVie. Mavyret’s list price without insurance will be $26,400 for eight weeks’ treatment. About 1/4 the cost of Gileads more dangerous product.

    No doubt the price is reduced for person who have insurance to about half of the price for patients without insurance paying full price. Putting the price at less than 15% of the cost of the Gilead drug.

    It is unknown at this time what type of contract the VA holds with Gilead but you can bet it is binding and Veterans will not be able to get the cheaper safer drug made by AbbVie.

    Sources:

    “FDA News Release
    FDA approves Mavyret for Hepatitis C
    August 3, 2017
    “https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm570038.htm”

    “FDA OKs new drug to treat all forms of hepatitis C”
    By linda a. johnson, ap health writer
    Aug 3, 2017, 5:53 PM
    “https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/fda-oks-drug-treat-forms-hepatitis-49019076”

    1. Just to remind everyone that $3 billion was taken from the Veteran’s Choice program to fund treating Veterans with Hep C with the Gilead drug. But then the VA also began sending all Veterans being treated for Hep C through the Veteran’s Choice program to further drain the $13 Billion Congress appropriated for the Program.

      Given the recent legislation adding an additional $2 billion to cover the Veteran Choice program for 6 months while hiding attachments to the legislation to also add funding for build to lease of 26 more VA Clinics and on Campus Research Facilities at Universities controlling VAMCs.

      Appropriate Song for Veterans “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNo4sAK7eKQ”

      1. ON an UP NOTE re: Pig Pharma; that sleezeball sleestack Martin Skrirelli that jacked-up drugs prices insanely, a couple times and laughed at the courts…well, he just got indicted for fraud and convicted. Let’s see if the shit sticks.

        Where this sleezeball sticks is where every crooked VA employee should also be stored.

        That Martin Sleestack Skirielli (sp?) should be given a rare disease in which in order for him to get his daily dose of the antidote while in his prison cell, he has to suck on the left nipple of a pregnant orangutan that’s been injected with the antidote. 🙂

        Too rough? Nah…am pretty sure when they dig further, they will find the VA’s tendrils in sleestack’s vitae.

  45. The VA is a nation with in the United state’s and they have their owns laws and law enforcement.

    All others must face a real judge and jury, not the VA, do something wrong and you must answer for it.

    Not the VA, they have a licence to kill, no problem. Just don’t do it again ! Ok

    Veteran’s seeking help, news tell stories and Shulkin, admits the problem and were working on it.

      1. Skid row be betta. Reality is if all due diligence was to go into effect. There would have to be mass firings. So for a systemic cancer they have to apply time for new and equalize the riddance of old.

      2. Sorry for the typo, should have been “start” not “star” as in “start finding directors in the parking lots with a bullet in their head.”

    1. There was this dentist from VA in reserves deployed to Afghanistan. He came back uninjured But they said he never would come out of his office and finally left. I guess he never should told troops he worked at VA.

      1. @SWOosh,
        Well, many veterans here have been contacting “active duty personnel” around the world. They are being informed about how the Veterans Administration fucks over their brothers and sisters back here “in the World!”
        Maybe it’s time to see some – “Friendly Fire!”

  46. I do believe everyone has covered this issue at length!
    The OIG investigators are nothing more than “VA piglets”, NOT putting the blame onto where the blame should lie! They’re nothing more than VA co-conspirators in a corrupt failing VHA and VBA!

    And, IF veterans didn’t have more to worry about. Check out the news from:
    ___________________

    From:
    “The Military Advantage Blog”
    via: “Military.com/Daily News”
    Titled:

    “VA to Decide on New Agent Orange Ailments by Nov. 1”

    Posted by: Tom Philpott Aug. 3, 2017

    In the article, it is revealed “Liar Shithead Shulkin” DOES NOT have to decide anything by any date, (paraphrasing)!
    There’s already a push against any and all “presumptive ailments” Vietnam Veterans suffer from, when it comes to Agent Orange!

    1. THAT would be the purpose of the bolted-down deck chair of VBA Agent Orange Denier Thomas Murphy on the V.A. Titanic. The VA is wiping their collective asses with proven science.

      I think we need a lot more poop canons than previously assumed.

    2. The VA – and America – will do what they’ve always done – study the shit out of it until everyone affected is dead.

  47. Here is the timeline for just what VA is. Ben speaks of insight. Do we really need an OIG report to tell us ANYTHING that this timeline does not?

    1921 — Congress creates the Veterans Bureau to administer assistance to World War I veterans. Nine years later under a cloud of scandal & corruption.
    1930 — The Veterans Administration is created.
    1932 — Thousands of World War I veterans and their families march on Washington to demand payment of promised war bonuses.
    1945 — President Harry Truman accepts the resignation of VA Administrator Frank Hines after a series of news reports detailing shoddy care in VA-run hospitals.
    1946 — citing an ongoing lack of facilities, and troubles faced by hundreds of thousands of veterans in getting services and a proposal to limit access to services for some combat VSO’s demand VA head resign.
    1947 — A government commission uncovers enormous waste, duplication and inadequate care in the VA system.
    1955 — A government commission finds waste and poor care in the VA system.
    1972 — Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic interrupts Richard Nixon’s GOP presidential nomination acceptance speech, saying, “I’m a Vietnam veteran. I gave America my all, and the leaders of this government threw me and others away to rot in their VA hospitals.”
    1974 — President Richard Nixon announces an investigation into VA operations. The American Medical Association said vets should be treated in private hospitals
    1976 — A GAO investigation into Denver’s VA, and New Orleans VA hospitals finds shortcomings in patient care, including veterans whose surgical dressings are rarely changed.
    1982 — VA director Robert Nimmo, who once described symptoms of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam war as little more than “teenage acne,” resigns. Nimmo used VA money for use of a chauffeured car and an expensive office redecorating project, according to a 1983 GAO investigation.
    1984 — Congress discovers that VA officials had diverted or refused to spend more than $40 million that Congress approved to help Vietnam veterans.
    1986 — The VA’s Inspector General’s office finds 93 physicians working for the agency have sanctions against their medical
    1989 — President Ronald Reagan elevated the Veterans Administration to Cabinet Status.
    1991 — VA’s North Chicago hospital conducted unnecessary surgery. The agency later takes responsibility for the deaths of eight patients.
    1999 — VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center was caught for failing to get consent from some patients before conducting research involving them.
    2000 — The GAO finds “substantial problems” with the VA’s handling of research trials involving human subjects.
    2005 — VA’s Salisbury, North Carolina, caught significantly deficient in care. One veteran who sought treatment for a toenail injury died of heart failure after doctors failed to follow standard practices.
    2007 — VA officials received bonuses of up to $33,000.
    2009 — 10,000 veterans were exposed to potential viral infections due to poorly disinfected equipment at VA in three states. Thirty-seven tested positive for two forms of hepatitis and six tested positive for HIV.
    2011 — Nine Ohio veterans test positive for hepatitis after routine dental work at a VA clinic in Dayton, Ohio.
    2011 — An outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease begins at the VA hospital in Oakland, Pennsylvania. VA records showed evidence of widespread contamination of the facility dating back to 2007. Several die.
    2013 — The former director of Veteran Affairs facilities in Ohio, William Montague, is indicted on charges he took bribes and kickbacks.

    1. Nice short list, let’s not forget this attention grabbing headline: Published January 29, 2008

      Investigators Suspects Substandard Care Led to 19 Deaths at Illinois VA Hospital
      “https://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/01/29/investigators-suspects-substandard-care-led-to-1-deaths-at-illinois-va-hospital.html”

      1. What did the VAOIG do with this director? oh yes nobody prosecuted many dead Veterans and the whack a mole says………………………new Las Vegas director…….way to go DOJ…..

      1. Exactly they are not hearing all. Put the word out. I see grocery bags of food in commissary from government employees. Close by a VAMC. This is a matter of national security the VAMC best wake the fuck up. Military will get less than average so so

    2. Thanks Dennis! Very informative!
      Everybody, (especially the Veterans) should know this History)
      MSG VAM

    3. 1991 “unnecessary surgeries”? Brain surgery? Yale University Medical School neurosurgery experiments gone bad?

      “https://epilepsy.yale.edu/about/history/1980.aspx”
      “https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995886/”

    4. Dennis,
      In 1922 or 1923, President Hoover was caught strangling the head of the Veterans Bureau, his long time poker buddy, over; a.) “…a 99 year lease he made with a floor wax company.” And, b.) Monies he received in kickbacks!”
      In my opinion, I think President Hoover was pissed!
      This “incident” is recorded in the Library of Congress!
      Maybe President Trump should take a hint from this!!!

    5. One important fact you may wish to add to the timeline. The Tuskegee Veterans Administration Medical Center began in 1923 as an old soldiers’ home in Tuskegee, Alabama. It was originally called the Tuskegee Home, part of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers system.

      The home-hospital, eventually 27 buildings, was developed next to the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute campus (now Tuskegee University) on 464 acres (188 ha), with 300 acres of the property donated by the Institute.

      Its medical purpose was to provide long-term care for the 300,000 African-American veterans in the segregated South from World War I.

      In 1930 the Veterans Administration was created, and the hospital center was put under its authority becoming the first VAMC. Also in 1930, Dr. Eugene Heriot Dibble, Jr began recruiting for the Tuskegee Syphilis Trials.

      Dr. Eugene Heriot Dibble, Jr. served as assistant medical director at the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital until 1923 until he was appointed Surgeon-in-Chief of the Veterans Administration Hospital at Tuskegee with a military rank of Colonel. In 1925, he was named Medical Director of the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital for the first time. Then in 1936, he was named Manager and Medical Director at the VA Hospital at Tuskegee. He then returned as Medical Director of the John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital in 1946 and was in that position in 1962 at the time of the award ceremony that memorialized his career and that memorialization provided this information about him.

      All while he was the director of the Tuskegee Syphilis Trials.

      The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male, also known as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study or Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was an infamous clinical study conducted between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service. The purpose of this study was to observe the natural progression of untreated syphilis in rural African-American men in Alabama under the guise of receiving free health care from the United States government.

      The Public Health Service started working on this study in 1932, in collaboration with Tuskegee University, a historically black college in Alabama. Investigators enrolled in the study a total of 600 impoverished, African American sharecroppers from Macon County, Alabama. Of these men, 399 had previously contracted syphilis before the study began, and 201[2] did not have the disease. The men were given free medical care, meals, and free burial insurance for participating in the study. After funding for treatment was lost, the study was continued without informing the men they would never be treated. None of the men infected were ever told they had the disease, and none were treated with penicillin even after the antibiotic was proven to successfully treat syphilis. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the men were told they were being treated for “bad blood”, a local term for various illnesses that include syphilis, anemia, and fatigue.

      The 40-year study was controversial for reasons related to ethical standards. Researchers knowingly failed to treat patients appropriately after the 1940s validation of penicillin was found as an effective cure for the disease they were studying. Revelation in 1972 of study failures by a whistleblower led to major changes in U.S. law and regulation on the protection of participants in clinical studies. Now studies require informed consent, communication of diagnosis, and accurate reporting of test results.

      By 1947, penicillin had become the standard treatment for syphilis. Choices available to the doctors involved in the study might have included treating all syphilitic subjects and closing the study, or splitting off a control group for testing with penicillin. Instead, the Tuskegee scientists continued the study without treating any participants; they withheld penicillin and information about it from the patients. In addition, scientists prevented participants from accessing syphilis treatment programs available to other residents in the area. The study continued, under numerous US Public Health Service supervisors, until 1972, when a leak to the press resulted in its termination on November 16 of that year. The victims of the study, all African American, included numerous men who died of syphilis, 40 wives who contracted the disease, and 19 children born with congenital syphilis.

      *******************

      That free Government health care isn’t so free after all.

      1. Since it’s inception the Veterans health care facility became the model of all Veterans health care facilities in which the facility was attached to an area University with Veterans being used in research and for training at those universities. The US Public Health Service not only condoned but utilized the practice.

        One of the other Doctors involved in the study was John Charles Cutler was a senior surgeon, and the acting chief of the venereal disease program in the United States Public Health Service. He is noted for being involved in several controversial and unethical medical studies of syphilis including the Sing Sing, Guatemala and the Tuskegee syphilis experiments.

        Cutler oversaw the Terre Haute prison experiments and the syphilis experiments in Guatemala in the 1940s, during which doctors deliberately infected an estimated 1500 Guatemalans, including orphans as young as nine, soldiers, prisoners and mental patients with syphilis without the informed consent of the subjects

        In 1954, Cutler was in charge of experiments at Sing Sing prison to see if a vaccine made from the killed syphilis bacterium, would protect prisoners against infection when he later exposed them to the bacterium.

        Cutler became assistant surgeon general in 1958 for the United States while he was still involved with the ongoing Tuskegee syphilis experiment.

        In 1967 Cutler was appointed professor of international health at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also served as chairman of the department of health administration and acting dean of the Graduate School of Public Health in 1968–1969. That also was while he was still involved with the Tuskegee Syphilis experiment.

        Cuter was involved right up until the end when a whistle blower spoke out in Congressional hearings about the ongoing study which ended that day. November 9th 1972.

        In “The Deadly Deception”, the 1993 Nova documentary about the Tuskegee experiments, Cutler states, “It was important that they were supposedly untreated, and it would be undesirable to go ahead and use large amounts of penicillin to treat the disease, because you’d interfere with the study.”

        These were the men who designed the VAMC systems across the United States.

  48. RAND Corp. Concludes: The VA OIG only MONITORS for problems, but never identifies ANY problem properly in which it could be found to hold the VA accountable and liable for inaction. Never.

    RAND Corp. Recommends the VA OIG utilize sharper false teeth that make it APPEAR that the foxes guarding the VA henhouses are not really fond of chickens. (cooked or partially cooked chicken)

    Hey Benjamin! How about appointing every VA Whistleblower to replace every VA OIG? The VA OIG have proven time and time again to be completely impotent.

    VA OIG- VA Officially Impotent Gangbangers.

    1. Don’t know about the name you choose Namnibor, “VA OIG- VA Officially Impotent Gangbangers”. Might be more approximately named “VA OIG- VA Officially Impotent Circle Jerk Pivotal Personnel”. Their job description includes authoring the illusions of accountability while solely protecting the VA.

      1. They do lots of veteran prosecution It is a coin flip if one can rely on VAMC for anything. It’s peaceful to stay far away.

    2. Imagine if the country’s emergency 911 system operated as lackadaisically as the VA OIG. The cemetery and funeral businesses would be THRIVING with the sheer number of ignored calls resulting in many deaths, a bit way VA spends it’s Veteran Suicide Prevention budget.
      I am betting that if only the VA could DOUBLE their Suicide Prevention Budget, they could increase that daily Veteran Suicide Number to 44.

      At the VAOIG, we see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil of the mighty V.A. Titanic. Flying Monkeys Approved.

      1. THANK YOU!!!

        If a civilian threatens suicide, your average hospital would place them on a 72 hour stay/hold to evaluate their mental health and either release them, send them for treatment, etc.

        So, why can’t the VA perform such a simple task? Even “if” they had no room, they had a responsibility to send him to an emergency room to get that 72 hr hold/evaluation.

        The family of this veteran should sue the VA for this death.

        I don’t know how these criminals at the VA sleep at night.

    3. @namnibor: “VA OIG- VA Officially Impotent Gangbangers.”

      An extremely accurate description, wholly mackerel, your spot on!!!!

    4. namnibor:; GOOD IDEA, replace the oig’s with whistleblowers at least it would be different. HELL it couldn’t hurt,at least it would be doing something because they are not going to disrupt their benefits/bonuses/pay/ the proverbial cart! WE can TRUST them to do nothing to improve the SYSTEM. I am going to shut up now because the more I think about it the worse mood I get in and I need to work in my garden, in a good mood .F— the V.A. MANAGMENT. YA’LL HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!!!!

  49. The VAOIG is the responsible party for this Veterans death, it is THEY who look the other way, it is THEY, who cover up crimes, and that is how this shit happens in the first place.

    It is also the DOJ who is at fault, for leaving it up to the VAOIG to do THEIR work, it is the DOJ’s job to prosecute these assholes not the VAOIG, but they don’t do they? Murderers every single one of them, and it is not an average of 20 per day, it is well over twice that amount. STOP THE DAMN LIES!!!!!!!!

      1. Department of Veterans Affairs
        VHA DIRECTIVE 2010

        05
        3
        Veterans Health Administration
        Washington, DC 20420
        December 3, 2010
        PATIENT RECORD FLAGS
        1. PURPOSE:
        This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive outlines policy and
        guidance for the proper use of Patient Record Flags (PRF) to enhance safety for patients,
        employees, and visitors.
        2. BACKGROUND
        a.
        VHA is committed to a safety program that is systems based and focused on prevention,
        not on punishment or retribution. Preventative m
        ethods that target root causes
        are favored

        “https://nebula.wsimg.com/c9bc7ae4826801e52781e2e19d539d60?AccessKeyId=1FBD76F67BF87C8DD859&disposition=0&alloworigin=1”

  50. There are ZERO beds in the entire State Of Oregon available (as has been the case for at least four years) for ANY inpatient mental health care. Period.

    Once Obama tugged the magic socialist medicine strings a multitude of folks who need help suddenly could afford it. In Oregon this filled EVERY SINGLE bed for transient inpatient care in the entire state. When I melted down years back after gulping down the prescribed VA cocktail (7 different drugs, of which I now take zero of them), I was taken to the local mental hospital ward. They waited for 4 hours to see if a bed ANYWHERE in Oregon would open. They finally told me that my only option was to transfer to the VA ward 60 miles away which is NOT a treatment facility.

    According to the lead rat scum dirt bag doctor in charge of the VA mental ward, when I challenged him on appeal regarding the barbaric conditions provided to all vets on his ward, his official response was, “This is a holding facility, not a treatment facility.” The civilian mental health worker who spoke with me as I compared the two facilities said he had interned at the VA ward. His exact words, “It was like stepping into a medievel prison. I couldn’t believe (he said) that patient were still treated that way. I couldn’t believe those places still existed.”

    So here is how it goes in Eugene and this is set in stone; VA identifies you as suicidal. Police come and place you in handcuffs and transport you to the center of town. At the center of town, the civilian hospital tells you that they are full, but possibly one bed might open up 110 miles away on the coast…just wait… After four hours in a tiny room, they then come in and tell you the only option is to transferr to the “holding facility” at VA 60 miles away, because no beds opened up.

    When you agree, VA pays a gazillion dollars to have medical transport take uou from Eugene to Roseburg Oregon. VA will inform the ambulance company you are a Catagory One Violent Patient if so flagged and there will be extra security (you will become a criminal by treatment). Once in Roseburg’s chamber of horrors you are given yet more drugs until you are stupified and calm. When you can stand at the med window and not flinch from the random screaming and outbreaks from a ZERO air conditioned third story ward with no open windows, then they deem you are stabilized.

    Then you are released out the front door – 60 miles away from your home. If you haven’t got a friend to call to get a ride, stick your thumb out on I5. Somebody is bound to pick you up in your ward cloths and ride you 60 miles from were they took you from.

    VA’s ENTIRE excuse upon appeals for a myriad of archaic and barbaric treatments was simply, “There are no beds available in Oregon for inpatient treatment.” On my last visit, a fellow patient with a tatoo of anatomically correct female genitals placed between his eyes like the Eye of Shiva explained to me that VA had terminated his medications too as a result of a flag so he took a boulder and threw it threw the plate glass of the Chevron Station, then sat inside until the police came and got him. The ONLY way my troubled combat vet friend had to gain afmittance and get the drugs he needed was to commit a crime and force the police to take him and drop him at their doorstep. They released him the next day, but at least he had prescriptions to stabilize. His outlook is bleak when VA is his only option. This is the honor America bestowed upon a hardened combat vet.

    Ben, haven’t you honestly wondered why so many vets suicide? It is NOT simple incompetance which the VA clings to – it is because they spend BILLIONS on things other than beds in a REAL treatment facility. Instead they take what the police drop off, give you a sand filled cot (so you cant throw it) to sleep on in an open room of eight beds, then kick your ass onto the street in the morning with a hearty, “Thank you for your service!”, as the door slams shut on your ass in a town far away from your own home.

    America fails the mentally ill vets because of ALL THE PLACES in the world that needs to offer treatment, VA only offers a “holding facility”. Of all the times when compassion is almost exclusively the only indicated treatment, the vet finds himself in a cold, heartless, and brutal place of zero hope, caring, or kindness. Just cold hearted overweight orderlies fresh from high school playing Candy Crunch on their cell phones who treat the patients like pond scum.

    To start treatment, just smash in the local gas station picture window and sit inside and the police will make sure VA will not refuse to take you, because begging them for treatment or drugs just doesn’t work. The crisis is enormous.

    1. Dennis, you describe it so well that I can picture the insanity of being declared stabilized exactly as you wrote it…”and not flinch… from the random screaming and outbreaks… then they deem you are stabilized.” This is the stuff movies are made of, reminding me somewhat of that older movie “One flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” except this isn’t make-believe, but the true crisis of what can happen before our very eyes. Then, one gets to go home, maybe, if can catch that ride, or be more SOL. This should be an indictment of the establishment that perpetuates this insanity, which includes VA treatment or non-treatment of vets in need of some real help, but first, they’d have to listen.

      Recently, a family member approaches his VA psych. provider opening up a discussion of his impending thoughts and requesting to be evaluated for possible inpatient to the psych. ward. Doc’s response, according to the vet…”no need for that…you don’t “look” that bad.” WTH ever?! One needs to “look” or behave like a raving maniac to open up the discussion of what is it that is causing that distressing feeling of asking if needing to be admitted? So, is he just another number and if he ends up dead at his own hand, will it be another one of those…”well, he should have said something…should have asked for help?” Yeah, then, cover their own butts by not even “mentioning” in the medical file that the vet brought this up. Are they frigging kidding me with their “help?”! Wow, just wow, we’ll just move on to “next!”

      1. In order to ensure veterans are getting proper care, every employee must be required to wear cameras.

        Plus a camera in every area, big signs posted through out the facility, advising anyone entering the facility is being recorded..

        I know someone will say, what even in the bathroom. No ! The VA will site privacy concerns, that does not fly !
        If everyone knows it’s being recorded there should be no problem…

        Cameras are every where anyway, they are afraid of being caught !

        Too dam bad, how about doing ur job and then u have nothing to worry about.
        .put up a camera, save a veteran !

      2. @James

        LOLZ!!! In regards to “privacy” on a VA mental ward…..

        There is NO bodily function that you need to perform on a routine basis that is not completely open to scrutiny by the overweight hot dog eating, twinkee face stuffing government employees that go to a mental ward to get paid money.

        Toilets are in the open. Showers too. You are watched in your bed. You are watched out of bed. You are watched alone. You are watched in you have visitors. You are supervised with a comb and toothbrush. You are allowed shoes, but no shoestrings. You are allowed to look outside through metal bars, but not go outside – VA mental patients have no local, state, or federal rights to any time outdoors so it is not offered. Even serial killers in lock down get a few minutes a day outside during confinement, but sick vets have not yet earned that much respect in America. Doesn’t the union even require fresh air breaks of its own brotherhood? hmmmmm…..

        My friend, you are absolutely right in that an agency that was born corrupt SHOULD NEVER be left alone to care for ANYONE in inpatient mental healthcare and God Almighty knows what good cameras would do to stop the ongoing horrific treatment, but it HAS ZERO to do with “patient” privacy.

        The union would not allow it. At VA the union doesn’t “come first”. In our government the union “is” VA and brother there aint NO union on planet Earth that would ever allow its own brotherhood to be recorded at work. “Truth” is not a tool that gets pulled out of a union toolbox and cameras are nasty about revealing the truth.

      3. Hell with the union, camera’s are the answer and the union should imbrace this, as it will assist when a VA employee is falsely accused.

        People would feel safer if they know someone besides God is watching over them.

        They have camera’s now, but not where they need to be, if an employee or veteran does something and it’s recorded that’s real proof and not hearsay.

        These camera’s are every where, the police use them and almost every store. No one should be able to hide.

        Only the criminals need to worry ! By the way sessions said only Bad people smoke weed. !!!

        That little weasel’s mind is so weak a joint would freek him out, because he is already paranoid ! Lol

  51. The IG reports are nothing but tabloid news papers and have zero meaning uf they keep conviently fall short of confirming malpractice and direct links to something that will put the government at fault.
    These reports are so that DOJ will not certify indemnification in court.
    There should be a way to file a 42 1983 claim against the OIG for false misrepresetations in at least some of these reports, because it may be the reason why they hide them or issue a “no records” response when you FOIA some records.
    Does anyone know the correct Office to file any claim against the OOH?
    Thanks in advance.

    1. If you are referring to a complaint because of a FOIA or Privacy Act violation then the site hhs dot gov. Keep in mind that you have a statutory six months time frame to file from the time you became aware of the violation.

      Here is the kicker…. even when the violation is FULLY substantiated (as was the one I filed) the most severe “punishment” that HHS will mete out was what they did for me; “…we have provided technical support to (VA) regarding compliance with (FOIA and Privacy Act)”. If they do not find in your favor, they will simply say so but promise that if any future information regarding any violation is brought to their attention that they will review the case. Yeah, right. (Dear Vet, Go fuck yourself. Sincerely, Uncle Sam)

      Did you know that in the entire history of FOIA and the Privacy Act that despite severe potential monetary penalties authorized by those laws that not ONE SINGLE DIME has EVER been levied as a fine against any VA employee? Out of THOUSANDS of substantiated allegations and violations of veteran privacy and willful failure to perform obligations under those Acts that not one single penalty against any VA dirt bag has ever been issued in a nation of hundreds of millions of folks in our entire history as a nation. Not a single one.

      1. Proof from my Sunday morning Wikipedia rampage. This is from Wikipedias VA page;

        “In the latest Center for Effective Government analysis of 15 federal agencies which receive the most Freedom of Information Act (United States) (FOIA) requests, published in 2015 (using 2012 and 2013 data, the most recent years available), the VA earned a D by scoring 64 out of a possible 100 points, i.e. did not earn a satisfactory overall grade.[29]”

        I have already began adding edits to the VA entry on Wikipedia. Truth and references/links to corruption. The VA entry already gained an entry to AFGE but more is coming soon…. bwahahaahaaaahaaaa. The entire tone of the page can be changed one sentence here and one sentence there – each brush stroke helping to paint the real picture.

        Trust me when I claim I am pretty good at doing this. Why? Because I enjoy my revenge like a good T bone steak – I savor each bite. I am VERY good at eating T bone steak…

    2. VA DEATHCARE DOESENT GIVE A RATS ASS ABOUT DEAD VETS ITS ALL ABOUT THE BONOUS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$MORE DEAD VETS THE BIGGER BONOUS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$VETS DONT BE PENDEJOES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      1. Sadly this comment is probably more true than not. As far as veteran suicides go, and I am fortunate I have never needed that kind of help but I know men who are no longer with us and those who feel that way! When you call a VA telephone number, you are programmed to push buttons for what language you speak what department you want if it’s a 911 emergency, hang up and call another number it goes on for sometimes minutes. Then you hear something to the effect of if you were thinking of hurting yourself or committing suicide, please call one 800 blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. You know quite honestly, by the time you get to who you want help from you may have pulled the trigger! The VA pays their doctors extra money not to practice medicine! The VA is a business, it is no different than the United States Postal Service, the majority of people speak on the phones to their girlfriends or boyfriends, or file their fingernails. It’s not time to change the VA, time was 50 years ago when it could’ve been fixed. The time is you go in and fire thousands of people, and you re-hire new people that take an oath that basically says we can lose our jobs if we don’t perform. Postal workers now have GPS on them so they can tell where they are at all times. The problem, is again your medical doctors, who may be from another country other than the United States, who do not speak English fluently and with all due respect F’s up your paperwork. They will not give prescriptions that are needed and if you have a prescription it sometimes goes to the opposite coast to be mailed back to you via 2 day delivery that may take 10 days by UPS.

        I commanded troops in the army, I could walk through paperwork discharges medical appointments and emergencies in minutes because I went to the person in charge and in a way made them (usually) put down a cup of coffee and get the job done. It’s time somebody with that kind of authority like a retired colonel or general went into the VA and started firing people but in public, let the veterans see the action, it’s the vets that need the reassurance, not the Union protested employees. No paid punishment time, terminate and have a VA police officer escort them out, in front of the Vets.

      2. You are right again my friend, I wish I could give you a bigger mountain top to yell it from….

Comments are closed.