re: Any vets been to the VA lately?

Shoulder arthritis. I had the option to use a local physical therapist which I took. VA handles some things and some things go through civilian organizations. Basically pretty happy with the VA but my latest doctor is not as good as the previous doctor. Of course, my previous VA doctor was ex-Vietnam War doctor and was top quality.

Has the VA cared in decades?

I’ve been, strangely they never even asked me. I get a ton of emails about it thought.

Somewhat off topic, but deals with VA! I visited my local VA pharmacy today to pick up a script! Stopped at help desk on my way out! I asked the clerk if I could get an antibody test! I was informed VA does not administer this test! Curiosity has bugged me since I was told this! Why would the VA refuse to do antibodies test? Scared that my immune system has done what it was designed to do since I had the covid 6 weeks ago? Also, I am of the age that I am supposed to be dead due to the virus! I tested positive on a Wednesday, slept all Wednesday night in my home and was cutting grass Thursday afternoon!

Maybe your test was bunk? That’s one reason why I refuse to get tested, anywhere.

Update

Went to apt and was in and out. Got new meds and did labs. They asked if I’ve been tested, told them I have never been tested for Covid. Asked if I wanted shot and I declined. Both RN and PA eluded that they haven’t had the shot. Got same day script for meds and went to cvs after. Took 6 vials of blood and urine sample. Will probably check healthEVet on Friday to look at labs. Had to wear mask, no biggie.

They are installing mad teleheslth technology while I was there, usually it’s been via phone but they now have monitors and cameras in rooms.

I’ve been doing telemedicine with them for what seems like 2 years now. It doesn’t really bother me tbh except the medicine coming by USPS is getting slower and slower.

My experience, at least at the NOLA VA, has always been good. My doctor is great, not at just being a doctor, but taking a genuine interest in my well being.

I was having some breathing issues post-corona, had to walk in due to my breathing getting worse and Doc prescribed me essentially a Z pack/steroids which helped. No chest Xray. Well once I was through the round of meds breathing started acting up again so I walked in again and this time they set me up for chest xrays and took my stats. Saw my PCP (who I also know and my wife knows his family) walking through and he barely even checked up even after I told him I needed to see him badly and I was getting to the point of respiratory distress (pulse ox showed 98% but clearly visible distress), said I could set something up for tomorrow because he was leaving. Well I noticed the Director's card at the Xray check in window and showed his cell number on it. After not being seen by any Dr that day, just the nurse who stated all of my stats looked great, I decided to call the Director's number on the card.
If anyone has called the BR/Nola automated system his voice is very distinct, and I'll be damned if he didn't answer his cell. After my explanation he stated he would look into it, with me thinking sure thing. Got a call an hour later from the Chief physician I am assuming, who set up an appointment the next morning first thing and got me checked out and set up with their pulmonary specialist at the same time.

While I felt that the level of care I received was minimum prior to that, I was extremely surprised that he took my call and the follow up that came with it. All that to say that as bad as it was they got me squared away immediately, just took a little fire and gasoline. That was essentially the only time I ever had any issues when dealing with the VA.