Have years of VA employees' surveys benefitted the Veterans?

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:38:49 -0400

A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY

Introduction/Kickoff Letter for the 2015 VA All Employee Survey

We all want Veterans to be proud of VA and feel that VA is an ally actively working in their best interests. The only way we can achieve success, however, is if all 360,000 of us take responsibility for changing the organization. That means looking for opportunities to improve your skills, committing to the I CARE values every day, and finding ways to better serve Veterans. It also means giving VA your unfiltered, honest input and feedback on what is working and what needs to be improved.

As VA employees, you know better than anyone the issues that affect your ability to deliver high-quality services to Veterans--and that is exactly what I need to understand.

In August, you will have one of the year’s most important opportunities to provide that feedback. The All Employee Survey will begin on August 10, 2015, and I ask you to take time out of your busy schedules to complete the survey. Your responses will help us determine the changes we must make to empower you to provide the best possible service to Veterans.

Please look for an email with a link to the survey during the second week of August and complete it as soon as possible, but no later than August 31, 2015. Completing the survey is voluntary, and all information that you provide about your job and yourself will be treated confidentially. Survey results will be summarized so that there is no identifiable information.

I ask you to provide your most thoughtful and considered responses on the survey. Now, more than ever, we need to hear your voice and the voices of all employees.

VA will take action based on your feedback. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Robert A. McDonald

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 11 at 2015 1:12 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:12:57 -0400

Perhaps we should send out a survey to the 600 or so that are on waiting lists here in TN.
http://wjhl.com/2015/08/10/local-va-administrator-says-he-hopes-to-eliminate-wait-list-by-january/

How much did we allocate to add staff and general funding to the VA. It is disgraceful that there has been a single VA employee that lost their job due this travesty.

Local VA administrator says he hopes to eliminate wait list by January

MOUNTAIN HOME, TN (WJHL)- There are now more than 600 veterans waiting for care in the Mountain Home VA system. After an investigation revealed a national VA wait list scandal in May of last year, ...

Response by PO1 Don Mac Intyre made Aug 11 at 2015 1:22 PM

PO1 Don Mac Intyre — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:22:42 -0400

Simple answer: No. if the VA wants to improve service why is an advocate needed to weave through all the red tape?

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made Aug 11 at 2015 1:32 PM

SGT Loren Hammons — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:32:53 -0400

After sitting here for 1hr and a half waiting on a Doctor to do the right thing and order the consult with required x-rays I am going to say that the VA is a failure and the Healthcare system itself is corrupted.

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made Aug 11 at 2015 1:34 PM

SGT Loren Hammons — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:34:01 -0400

Concerned Veterans for America working toward holding VA accounfable.

Response by PO1 Ron Clark made Aug 11 at 2015 2:26 PM

PO1 Ron Clark — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:26:36 -0400

I think that it gives the agency some credibility as to seeing where the VA is at on some issues and trying to correct it's course, however, as for benefitting the Veteran, I know that change takes some time and some thought and most times it takes change too long to be implemented to really benefit the Vet with the need at the same moment and I question who is giving the issues of the day the "thought"!

Response by Pvt Bill Oneilkl made Aug 11 at 2015 2:27 PM

Pvt Bill Oneilkl — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:27:06 -0400

Another survey? Most VA employees will pay lip service to it. The problems as usual is an overwhelmed VA Healthcare system. With an increasing aging veteran population and more severely wounded veterans. There needs to be more front line personnel, doctors, nurses, therapists, and pharmacists and less bureaucrats

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Aug 11 at 2015 4:47 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:47:39 -0400

They are joking right? Take a survey for what reason? 360,000 employees and probably only 1% are worth a dam and care more than 2 shakes of a rat tail.
I'm sure we all know how the surveys will turn out if answered by the current employees. They are all happy as a pig rolling in slop and the only thing needing improvement is their pay.

Response by SFC Ralph Dunlap made Aug 11 at 2015 5:51 PM

SFC Ralph Dunlap — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:51:40 -0400

It is a waste of paper, time, postage nobody cares what your answer or opinion is.

Response by CW4 Keith Simpson made Aug 11 at 2015 6:43 PM

CW4 Keith Simpson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:43:05 -0400

I'm very disappointed with the whole VA disability process. I have a broken back in two places and a broken neck, both injured while in Iraq. When retiring, I went through the one physical and it was initially a good experience. After receiving my initial disability award, my condition with my back continued to worsen. I also had sleep problems as well as some moderate PTSD. When I filled a supplemental claim, the VA Spector told me that my pain and lack of quality of life had nothing to do with how much disability I should be awarded. So no matter how much pain I'm in every day, taking pain killers, the VA says too bad. I'm going into another surgery in a week and I'm sure the next answer will be exactly the same. I see people walking around with 100% disability with nothing really wrong with them but because they have friends in the VA that know how to work the system, they are rewarded while I follow the rules and get the short stick. I think the VA is just a huge govt jobs program and they really don't care about the individuals who are really suffering.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 11 at 2015 6:57 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:57:49 -0400

Surveys often are smoke screens to hide problems. The best thing would be to remake the VA as a whole

Response by SSG Joe Barry made Aug 11 at 2015 7:08 PM

SSG Joe Barry — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:08:24 -0400

I work for the VA. What you need to remember is that surveys only ask the questions or allow the responses that management wants to hear. My department has regularly identified our biggest problem/impediment to doing our jobs as upper management. The response? "Formulate an action plan to rectify our identified deficiencies." Right!

Response by CPO Penny Brackin made Aug 11 at 2015 7:08 PM

CPO Penny Brackin — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:08:27 -0400

Response by SFC Robert Wheeler made Aug 11 at 2015 7:20 PM

SFC Robert Wheeler — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:20:12 -0400

Meh...that's like asking your kids to rate their own behavior.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 11 at 2015 8:15 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 20:15:54 -0400

I think such surveys are a waste of time, paper, money and resources. Designed for check a box instead of essay answers so statistics can be skewed in what ever way the surveyor wants. I get survey requests. I don't even look at them because I feel that my input would be just another square checked and nothing of any value will come of it. I am a squeaky wheel at my VA in Kansas and as a result, am getting some excellent care and the docs that were worse than useless..may I say deadly, have been fired, retired and put out to pasture. So, tongue in cheek, of course I think that what the VA needs to fix it is more paper.....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 11 at 2015 8:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 20:40:24 -0400

I have never taken a VA survey, but I assume they want a picture of the past and not necessarily to look into the future.

Response by PO2 Justin Fretag made Aug 11 at 2015 9:01 PM

PO2 Justin Fretag — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:01:15 -0400

The VA and the current leadership have fired one, that's one person in the VA...
Before we fill out one more damn survey, let's see the "Leadership" fire those we've all heard about in the news, then the ones that didn't make the major news outlets, then all of those who are working on their "Union" jobs instead of the needs of all of us.
Actions speak louder than words... we need to see some action, not delay with another survey!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 11 at 2015 9:51 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:51:52 -0400

How about digging into their asses and telling them to stop the pussy footing and treat Veterans with respect, and provide the benefits they earned. Fire the ones that hesitate to say "Yes Sir!".

Response by PO1 Michael Lee made Aug 11 at 2015 10:29 PM

PO1 Michael Lee — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:29:15 -0400

To start your pcp need to be the one that does the c & p exam not a person working to denied your claim. These people have no idea of what is really going on with veterans and their health. Until the veterans affairs really show they are making changes no one will believe in them. One thing I have to say the the secretary is trying, I called his cell phone about how my claim was improperly handled and his office got right on it, thanks Mr. Secretary job well done.

Response by Cpl Theodore K. Ottman made Aug 12 at 2015 3:48 AM

Cpl Theodore K. Ottman — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 03:48:08 -0400

Around a year ago it was discovered that 40 Veterans died while on a VA healthcare waiting list in Phoenix. The level of negligence for something like that to happen is astounding and in my opinion, criminal. I guarantee this scandal wasn't limited to the Phoenix area and the actual death toll was/is much higher. Unfortunately, the American people weren't too concerned with the horrific ordeal many of our Vets and their families were dealing with. As far as they're concerned, they did their part to help our Vets when they slapped a SUPPORT THE TROOPS magnet on their car. The media doesn't cover stories the people aren't interested in, so this scandal disappeared after a few days. Its been nearly a year since that scandal went public and ONLY 1 VA employee lost his job because of it. This is a societal issue and everyone is partly to blame. If the civilian population held the gov and themselves accountable for making sure our Vets receive the modest assistance they're promised, then and only then will the VA run as it should. Sadly, that will never happen and the Veteran population is tiny, meaning we don't have the numbers to help or hurt politicians during election time. It's never been easier to sweep Veterans under the rug. Anyone who thinks I'm an ungrateful, negative, complainer, needs to look into this personally. Start by looking at Veteran unemployment and the services offered to Vets to help them find employment. Everyone (The VA, Dept of Labor, politicians, etc) who claims to help vets with employment uses the same formula. Build a solid resume, then create a USAjobs account, attend interview workshops and job fairs. AND THATS IT!!!!!!!!!!!! It's cheap and only requires 1 or 2 employees. I live just north of NYC and my regions VA just added another Veteran Employment Counselor. Now we have 2. In one of the most populated areas in the country, we have only 2!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Welfare and food stamps have increased 700% in the past 5-6 years, but the VA operates on a shoestring budget and can only afford 2 Veteran Employment Counselors?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! It's designed to do just enough to appear like Vets are receiving help. And whether it's the VA, the Dept of labor, or a politician who offers vets help with employment, they all flaunt it like they're our saving grace. That's all I got folks. Ramble much??? Yes, I absolutely did.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 12 at 2015 3:09 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:09:54 -0400

I am on the list for VA IG Reports. They tell you everything you need to know. However, they will not accept input from the service person.

Response by PO2 Taylor Lapham made Aug 13 at 2015 11:01 AM

PO2 Taylor Lapham — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:01:51 -0400

I live in a remote area and the VA sent me a Veterans Choice Card so I could get an appointment with a local doctor.
After waiting on hold for 28 minutes I hung up and emailed my congressman. Two days later I received a call from the VA to make a appointment.

I'm sure that you all have noticed when waiting at the VA that a lot of the VA employes stop and have a general conversation about there vacation or whatever personnel things they did while we wait.
They used to have a sign on the wall that said "If you have been waiting for 15 minutes" please go to the front destroy and tell the attendant . Those signs have since been removed.

When you go to X-ray to report in don't ever walk over the wait line on the floor or the attendant gets pissed off and makes you wait longer.

While visiting my son in Wisconsin I went to Tomah to get a flue shot. I was never asked fo show my VA ID. When I asked why, the nurse said she only had one person who wasn't a Veteran.
How would she know if she never checked for ID?

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Aug 13 at 2015 2:23 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 14:23:20 -0400

The Soldier has to remain vigilant in his/her affairs, despite what the VA may offer or say.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 12:37 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:37:13 -0400

Immediately I would have to say no considering the current state of affairs at the VA. However, perhaps things could have been a great deal worse.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 12:49 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:49:40 -0400

Immediately I would have to say no considering the current state of affairs at the VA. However, perhaps things could have been a great deal worse.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:53 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 01:53:02 -0400

If the VA Secretary need to survey his people, all 360K, then I think he should start with himself first. Then straight down the ladder to each of his Under Secretaries, Region Directors, VA Regional Officers, VA Health Care, National Cemetery and so on. Don't get me wrong but the VA did these surveys about two decades ago and nothing came out of it. Period. VA Secretary, Your people are not communicating correctly to the veterans on what they are entitled to. Now I have to Challenge the VA's VR&E program because they don't know their own laws and regulations simply because I need to get back in the game with the VA since I left it 5 years ago helping veterans obtain their benefits that they are entitled to due to my own disabilities. S/F JK

Response by SCPO Edward Verkin made Aug 21 at 2015 12:43 PM

SCPO Edward Verkin — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:43:16 -0400

The question is who gets to fill the survey out? The criminals working for the VA or those of us fighting the government system for years on end.

Response by HN Israel Soto Alicea made Aug 21 at 2015 5:56 PM

HN Israel Soto Alicea — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 17:56:03 -0400

With so many veteran social issues around we need to create a non governmental organizations build by veterans for veterans. i feel it is more empowerment amongst veterans that is needed more than to update and improve the Dept of VA. And for the record the VA is a civilian organizations bestowed the responsibility of caring for our veterans since the early 1920s.