to my friends of AudiogoN,

@whatjd,  I am a retired social worker and don’t know about the VA system, but as others have stated, there are people to help advocate in your behalf.  There are Social Services staff at the VA, and there should be Ombudsman staff (ours was through the local Senior Citizens agency; I don’t know if VA has their own as well), and the local TV stations sometimes have reporters that handle community complaint stories.  And then your elected representatives.

I have dealt with folks that wanted to continue living as they were doing for years, but decline in their physical health and/or mental faculties made that unsafe for them.  Sometimes they couldn’t have the arrangement they wanted, but they still have options, and those options should be explored with you.  To the extent that advocates can help you to find a safe, pleasant living situation, they should try.  I hope that things can work out for you so that the change is not so painful. Please keep us informed.

Hey, lots of heroic doctors in the VA system.  I’ve worked with them. Veterans have some of the best free healthcare you can get.  The brass at the VA on the other hand... The post office analogy becomes more apt.

Sorry to hear of your situation.  As others have stated above, contact the offices of your state’s two Senators, your Representative in DC, the ombudsman service at the VA, the President.  Send emails to people within the RNC; use this election year to your advantage.
I was a VA primary care physician.  Started at a big, new and beautiful OPC in The Villages, FL.  It was gratifying to work with our country’s veterans.  Unfortunately, two big problems quickly became evident.  I could provide top notch primary care, but far too often I’d hit a brick wall when I tried to get my patients the clinically indicated speciality medical care.  Dermatology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, Audiology, Optometry and others I could get as long as I proved that the medical attention was warranted, which any competent doc could do.  But Orthopedic Surgery and Pain Management, among others, were not to be had (this was before opioid abuse became epidemic).  I experienced Catch-22 each and every time I pursued these paths.  The second problem was the “deadwood” primary care docs who were doctors by title only.  It was a crapshoot for the Vets; you could end up with a compassionate physician or one who was there for the benefits.  Unlike the civilian world, there was no standard of care to be met.  And our Vets can’t (at least then) do anything about it.  Your buddy could be receiving excellent care while you, being seen in the office right next door, wouldn’t get crap (actually, you would get crapcare).  I couldn’t stomach it.  10 months later I was back practicing civilian medicine; I haven’t looked back.
Please excuse my departure from audiophilia; reading of this situation really hit a nerve.

Vinylandtubes - As I said earlier this is disturbing... Until now my experiences have been good but at the same time I have heard the stories even before I was in the system of bad experiences. Reading what you said it all makes more sense.

To much of the VA is politically motivated, and the Vets suffer. Someone new comes in and they want to make a change for their own personal reasons. Or we have what you have described.

Whatjd - I said it earlier but I suggest again that you explore your options and contact your State and other elected officials, I know Vets who have done this and got their issue resolved.

Will

Whatjd - Thank you for your service.  Many good suggestions above, I'm hoping someone will listen.

I've had exactly one experience with the VA back in the 70's, was a freakin' nightmare. I'll never go back.  

All the best to you.

Regards, barts