No way VA

The right to smoke ends when it interferes to my right to fresh air, if someone can't wait a few hours then they have bigger problems.
It's still idiotic, designated smoking areas where everyone else never goes are always better than property smoking bans, every time. You know why? because when they ban it from the property entirely, then people resort to doing stupid shit. Like going to the end of the driveway to smoke. So if you're walking in on foot... you end up crossing paths with smokers, that would
have NEVER BEEN THERE if it wasn't for the f***ing ban. I work at a place that just did this. 3 years ago the smokers were invisible. (there was a place in the back of the main building underneath an overhang where 95% of them went, that you wouldn't know was there otherwise. ) Now anyone driving or walking by will encounter them on the street outside the facility. [rofl] Bravo anti smoking crusaders!!!! great job!!!!! [rofl]

Full on property/campus wide smoking bans are just virtue signaling garbage. They never exist "because people complained about the smoke" they exist because it made some pious a**h***
feel good about themselves or something.
 
The right to smoke ends when it interferes to my right to fresh air, if someone can't wait a few hours then they have bigger problems.
Ya, like severe PTSD, missing limbs, sub standard care and the most corrupt government agency we have...those are thier bigger problems and there are plenty more of them. You would have a completely different outlook if it was your loved one living at a VA facility. And please go Green.
 
Me too. Signed up for VA healthcare when I retired last year. Doc looked through all my files......recommended I file for some disability claims. I didn't even ask......didn't even have intentions of filing.....she told me I should and set me up with a claims rep. Went to 3 Dr apts they made for me......3 months after filing I was rated at 40% for 2 different issues. Easy.

I use the VA for all my healthcare.....no complaints. Apts are scheduled quickly.....my medications are all free and mailed right to my house.
You’ve been in the system a year??...stick around for awhile, you will see the lunacy of the VA. I’ve been dealing with them for over 20 years.
 
You’ve been in the system a year??...stick around for awhile, you will see the lunacy of the VA. I’ve been dealing with them for over 20 years.
Retired after 25 years last year. Signed up for VA medical yes. All I can go by is my personal experience. So far it's been good. I actually like my primary care doc. She's the one that recommended I file a claim and I knew nothing about how to file.
 
Retired after 25 years last year. Signed up for VA medical yes. All I can go by is my personal experience. So far it's been good. I actually like my primary care doc. She's the one that recommended I file a claim and I knew nothing about how to file.
It’s definitely gotten better under Trump. I will say this...keep going to your appointments because the VA can and will reduce your benefits if you are not seeking treatment. They will think u have been magically cured. Thank you for your Service!
 
It's still idiotic, designated smoking areas where everyone else never goes are always better than property smoking bans, every time. You know why? because when they ban it from the property entirely, then people resort to doing stupid shit. Like going to the end of the driveway to smoke. So if you're walking in on foot... you end up crossing paths with smokers, that would
have NEVER BEEN THERE if it wasn't for the f***ing ban. I work at a place that just did this. 3 years ago the smokers were invisible. (there was a place in the back of the main building underneath an overhang where 95% of them went, that you wouldn't know was there otherwise. ) Now anyone driving or walking by will encounter them on the street outside the facility. [rofl] Bravo anti smoking crusaders!!!! great job!!!!! [rofl]

Full on property/campus wide smoking bans are just virtue signaling garbage. They never exist "because people complained about the smoke" they exist because it made some pious a**h***
feel good about themselves or something.
Let’s ban smoking in public but have designated shoot up areas for heroine...🤔
 
It’s definitely gotten better under Trump. I will say this...keep going to your appointments because the VA can and will reduce your benefits if you are not seeking treatment. They will think u have been magically cured. Thank you for your Service!
Same to you.

I had my annual physical back in December.......same doc that told me I should file a claim......she's a good doc. I'm still having some problems and she asked me to come back in 3 months to re evaluate and will always go. Best part is the sattelite clinic I use is 1/2 mile from where I work .....I go during lunch. So far the VA has been pretty good to me. The only negative I guess is that specialists are either at Jamaica plain or Bedford......that requires at least a half day out of work but I don't mind. I usually just take the whole day and when Im done I find something to fill the rest of the day.
 
Retired after 25 years last year. Signed up for VA medical yes. All I can go by is my personal experience. So far it's been good. I actually like my primary care doc. She's the one that recommended I file a claim and I knew nothing about how to file.
If that's 25 years military why are you screwing around with VA and not Home | TRICARE
 
Same to you.

I had my annual physical back in December.......same doc that told me I should file a claim......she's a good doc. I'm still having some problems and she asked me to come back in 3 months to re evaluate and will always go. Best part is the sattelite clinic I use is 1/2 mile from where I work .....I go during lunch. So far the VA has been pretty good to me. The only negative I guess is that specialists are either at Jamaica plain or Bedford......that requires at least a half day out of work but I don't mind. I usually just take the whole day and when Im done I find something to fill the rest of the day.
Stay the hell away from Bedford! Trust me, I used to work there. JP is the best in our area.
 
Stay the hell away from Bedford! Trust me, I used to work there. JP is the best in our area.
I was told the only sleep study specialist was at Bedford. Didn't have a choice. Good experience though. Sleep apnea sucks....but....I walked out of there with a CPAP machine for free......my civilian insurance wanted me to pay $1100 for it.

I'm sure eventually I'll run into a bad experience with the VA but so far I am happy with them as my primary provider.
 
Its bullshit.

I have no problem with the facilities going smoke free for employees as a term of employment, because employees are free to leave and get a job else where. Vets who get their care from the VA are promised that care as a term of their service. They should be accommodated and not forced to go stand in a snow bank across the street from the facility.

I served 4+ years in the 70's. I was never promised anything beyond my service except 10 years for the GI bill which I didn't use. To my knowledge no one was promised medical care beyond your enlistment unless it was for a service related issue. Personally after smoking for 30 years and having quit about 15 ago I don't want to smell it, breath it or deal with it any more than I did when we had to police everyones butts during basic.
 
I served 4+ years in the 70's. I was never promised anything beyond my service except 10 years for the GI bill which I didn't use. To my knowledge no one was promised medical care beyond your enlistment unless it was for a service related issue. Personally after smoking for 30 years and having quit about 15 ago I don't want to smell it, breath it or deal with it any more than I did when we had to police everyones butts during basic.
Yes and no on the free medical.

All service connected medical issues are treated by the VA for free.

I have service connected problems.....and those are treated free. I also chose the VA as my primary medical care provider for all my medical......the non service connected issues I pay a copay on (the amount of the copay you pay is determined by gross annual income) but......the VA bills my private insurance for the copay.....so I basically have free health care.

Also.....if your a disabled vet......at 50% rating or higher all your medical is covered 100% wether it's service connected issues or not. I'm at 40% rating so I get the co pay plan described above.
 
As a veterans service officer and rated I am well aware, the point is none of that was promised, or guaranteed when you signed up. The Va is not perfect but it has come a long way.
 
As a veterans service officer and rated I am well aware, the point is none of that was promised, or guaranteed when you signed up. The Va is not perfect but it has come a long way.
I will admit I am a new retiree so don't know the "bad old days" of the VA. I'm happy to say my experiences using VA healthcare have all been positive.
 
After retiring from the military, I have no more desire to stand in line and wait for substandard crap anymore. I’ve steadfastly refused to sign up with them for years.
Maybe I’ll go now just to light up. What’s the worst yet can do?
 
After retiring from the military, I have no more desire to stand in line and wait for substandard crap anymore. I’ve steadfastly refused to sign up with them for years.
Maybe I’ll go now just to light up. What’s the worst yet can do?

Beat you up and arrest you. And unfortunately I'm being serious.
 
I have been receiving medical/clinical care from both JP and Bedford, I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience. They are very polite, they will listen to any and all your issues and concerns. You can set up all your appointments on line, refill your scripts on line. Over the years I have moved all my private care over to VA care. In the private care system I always felt like a number, get you in get you out so they can get the next billable patient in the door. I am also a Hospice and No Vet Dies Alone Volunteer so I am a quasi employee working with VA staff in the background. My observation is that they are very dedicated and caring individuals. They always wear a smile and do everything they possibly can to make our dying Veterans as comfortable as possible.
Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Oh, awesome! I refuse to get a REAL-ID, so I'm not allowed in U.S. Courts.
That's OK you non-conformist, old-school, patriot. They'll still let you in with your passport.
BTW, you can also just pay the CVN by mail, it's just a civil fine, so you can skip going to the Federal Bldg.
See! It's all about choices! LIVE FREE!
 
I used to smoke. In boot camp, they issued smokers a carton of their brand. Like someone else said, our C-Rats had a 4 pack of cigs in them. Back then, you were odd if you didn`t smoke. I quit a few times, the last time was 13 years ago. I never look down on them, or give anyone a hard time about lighting up, just not in my house or truck.
The military made a lot of these guys into the daily smokers they are. I see nothing wrong with the smoke shacks.
 
I used to smoke. In boot camp, they issued smokers a carton of their brand. Like someone else said, our C-Rats had a 4 pack of cigs in them. Back then, you were odd if you didn`t smoke. I quit a few times, the last time was 13 years ago. I never look down on them, or give anyone a hard time about lighting up, just not in my house or truck.
The military made a lot of these guys into the daily smokers they are. I see nothing wrong with the smoke shacks.
The army doesn't give em away anymore but they make it easy. On deployments the mobile px trailers sell dip for $1.75 a tin. It's cheaper than drinking coffee for crying out loud.
 
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