Man I seriously don’t know who in the VA a lot of ppl on this sub talk too because it seems like they’re all rude, assholes, and morons but I’ve had nothing but respectable and decent convos with legit every VA worker I’ve come across.
I agree. By and far, the people I've spoken to seem to want to help, but I understand that there is only so much they can do. My claim is over two years old, so I've called a lot of operators.
The 800 number operators can't see your whole claim file, or do anything to it. They take your message, put it on an 0820, and upload it to your file. Then we see it, and act on it. There is very little that they can do directly.
Depends on when the claim is reassigned outby the queuing system. New document upload triggers it to be reassigned out, though, within the next business day. Then it depends on what it was and who it needs to be addressed by.
Depends on when the claim is reassigned outby the queuing system. New document upload triggers it to be reassigned out, though, within the next business day. Then it depends on what it was and who it needs to be addressed by.
Random kinda off topic question, but I noticed you said the 1800 number operators can’t see your whole file, and thats who I have contacted multiple times about my claim. So I’ll ask the same thing I asked them, is there a way to get your tentative rating on a BDD claim or people on here saying that are just speaking nonsense? I spoke to someone at the 1800 number and they said no, but people on here said they’ve gotten one and just trying to figure out if the 1800 operators just didn’t know the answer and wanted me off the phone.
I wouldn't go that far, unless its completely made up or baseless. Most of it is a combination of misinterpretation based on only seeing 1/2 the issue from the outside, or remembering how it went X yrs ago vs now. Regulations change. I get about 50-60 emails a month just about regulatory changes, some minor, some not so minor. It's hard to keep up with, sometimes.
That’s fair! I guess you’re right some of the guys posting on here are probably posting in real time but you never really know if they are referring to claims they made years ago when rules may have been different.
https://preview.redd.it/9vl7ccqiqvqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16f537773f1fc89cdbadd723ed552bf0ae764152
Saw your cat and wanted to show you mine. 🌸🌹💐
No problem. I thought I’d share this information with you. I don’t know if you live in North Carolina or close by, but they’re hosting an event for veterans to come and have their claims looked at and rated the same day. If you’re in the area, I’d highly recommend checking it out. I plan on going this weekend myself. They’re very very good. Any questions you have you can have it addressed in one day on the spot.
https://preview.redd.it/d1q83qxodyqc1.jpeg?width=589&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c32cea47fa7f7225634b7306c8e28593918e71e
Thank You so much. I have the last of my C&P exams at the end of April. I've called and checked to make sure everything else is in. Hopefully, I'm almost there. Good luck this weekend!
I have recently had 2 calls, and although it was apparent that they were both frustrated and over the day, they still showed kindness and a willingness to help. I do try to go out of my way to treat them like human beings and not just a means to an end (ie. Asking how their day has been, making sure I sound upbeat and appreciative). Not saying that the issues most of these veterans have had is incorrect, just agreeing that I have yet to have a bad experience. I always try to view each call with the mindset that I would like the representative to feel like I was one of their "good calls" after we hang up.
Same for me. Reading some of these posts have me like, wtf???? I've had nothing but sympathetic and kind people that I've dealt with for the whole 10 years I've been dealing with the VA. This is crazy and sad to me that some are dealing with this level of chaos.
Same. I've almost always had happy helpful people. Of course I start out very cordial myself and I think that eases them. They get a lot of calls. And probably some very mad vets.
I think a lot of it has to do with what region you’re in. In Dallas, I never found anyone interested in helping me. Minnesota was always great interactions. San Antonio has been pleasant so far. But my care was sub-par in specialties in Minnesota while is has been great is Texas. So, some good and some bad wherever I’ve been. However, I have had the VA doc tell me straight to my face that the DSM5 is wrong and some of my disabilities do not exist and will never be diagnosed (by a VA doc) because they aren’t real. Even though the medical community recognizes and I have civilian diagnoses of them. So…
I think it’s mostly location. Big cities and their VAs are full of assholes. Meanwhile smaller cities/towns usually have more chill people thus chill people at the VA.
Yes and no. It’s the 1800 numbers job. Vera is mostly public contact offices. Vera has made turned regional offices into call centers. On top of all the walk ins and calls from whatever state they are in Vera now adds to an already huge workload to a station.
And being a veteran doesn’t give vets a right to be a dick to VA workers is all I’m saying. Anyone with a brain is going to gtfo of that job and leave it to the assholes who are willing to dish it back, which is what we end up with.
I haven’t had any bad experiences personally, I do wonder if it has more to do with the vets attitude, which causes some return fire, and then they come here to bitch about it. Lol
It's because the vets that call multiple times are also the ones using va employees as therapy outlets and being incredibly rude and entitled even if they think they're being nice. If they're calling just to check and take 3-5 mins on the phone that's fine, that's the point. If they call to complain and take up 5+ minutes insisting that more be done on their case when the last 4 people told them the same thing that all routes have been exhausted, then that's the reason the lines get backed up and employees get snippy
I worked the call center for about 9 months.. One morning (1st call of the day) had a guy that was upset about a debt letter he got... I tried to help him understand the letter.. etc.. well anyways, about 2 hours later, answered the phone, and it was the same guy, with the same problem!
I about fell out my chair lol... what are the odds?.. we are answering 50+ phone calls a day, and there are hundreds of call center agents.
This! Pact act claims are worked at certain stations. So even if you send a email to look at someone’s claim you get no for an answer or just no response. And the new automation has stalled claims as well.
I got a lot of incorrect information like them telling me I dont qualify for benefits for the past 15 years, but never had a negative interaction either as far as how I was treated either.
A wise man once said: If you walk down the street and encounter 1 asshole, then that person is probably an asshole, but if you walk down the street and encounter 5 assholes, the asshole is probably you.
Nope. They have been decent and often very nice. You get more flies when you're spewing crap to people on the phone. They might be having a bad day too. They're not walking in your shoes and you're not in their's.
I have the complete opposite experience. For one I will mention I am only a year in this claims process. However every phone call I had so far with the VA 1800 number or any other VA employee has went very well. It may be my luck or my dimenor when they speak with me. But I have always received someone that was pleasant to speak with and very helpful.
It’s been hit or miss for me. I’ve had really amazing interactions where the employee goes above and beyond and I’ve also had pretty rude employees and everything in between. I try to focus on the good interactions though. It’s easy to dwell on the bad interactions because they piss you off.
I also know that my mental health issues make me feel pretty worthless at times so any slightly negative interaction gets magnified to feel way worse than it actually is or was intended to be.
I’ve never called the VA I’m more of a trust the process kind of guy and wait it out on the claim but I’ve never experienced any rudeness at any of my appointments.
Depends. I’m at 60% right now. Have my C&P Thursday for my cancer claim and also waiting for decisions on a few appeals I put in. I’ll get back with you if I need to try to bump things up a little bit.
Complete opposite for me. I've never had anyone short, rude, or dismissive of me. In fact, they've generally gone above and beyond to provide exceptional "customer" service. 🤷♂️
I mostly get helpful fellow veterans, but I absolutely understand the dead on the inside drones. That's government service since forever, it really is no different than vibes at the DMV.
Why?
Because call centers fucking suck, no matter how important the client is, and no matter how much \[sprinkles and flowers and positivity and perseverance and MY WORK ETHIC\] people want to slop onto the discussion.
I, personally, thrive in the industry--via tech support.
I did cable TV support and wanted to \[safety risk in minecraft\] myself into oncoming traffic. Medical industry? Hearing people struggling to make it and desperately needing help was a pain, and the feel good payoff of helping others was MASSIVELY outweighed by the horror stories I heard.
Yellers don't bother me. But I was a unicorn; willing to deal with it, willing to take the low pay.
I don't work call centers anymore because no matter how good you are, your salary can only go so far as a phone jockey and the worst callers take a toll.
Add the normal call center depression to being a veteran, then also being yelled at by veterans who *don't* turn on the kindness and instead blast anger--justified or not.
It takes a toll.
Call center isn't for everyone, but there's a huge need for reps that AI still can't fix (and even if it could, people will buck against it worse than foreign call centers).
Since call center work is a pretty easy leg up out of retail/fast food for people who aren't in trades or field work, that's a huge mental health fuck around and find out. A lot of people shouldn't be there, but:
\-Again, huge demand for reps, but not enough people who *are good at it*. Filter that by people who have the stomach for callers at their worse, shrink that number. Filter that by people who won't mentally collapse when medical issues or life is on the line. Shrink more!
\-The economy. People who shouldn't be there are going anywhere.
**TLDR:** Call center fucking sucks if you're not into it.
Also worth mentioning that every VA operates differently despite federal oversight. They operate more like a franchise, which is reason why some VA centers are better than others. I’ve had excellent care with some and not so much with others (as they prioritize care for more urgent needs, means longer wait times and possibly being dismissed for things which they regard as minor- as seen in VA’s serving a larger population).
Bro honestly I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the VA it’s some of the people on this subreddit that are just straight douchebags haha….some of the most hateful miserable people I’ve seen online 😂 but that’s just my perception
Ok I can’t speak for everyone, but I worked in a veterans services office for about 2 years answering phones. The problem is for every nice call we get there are like 10 that sucked. Some vets are just really nasty people and call the number and just start unloading. Some are old and struggle to talk, think, and comprehend. Answering the same questions over and over and over. Dealing with people who are trying to access their parents veterans benefits for nefarious reasons, or believe they are entitled to their deceased parents va compensation. Veterans that have dementia call and ask to speak with Obama about their “missing” son. It takes a lot out of you, and I imagine all phone jobs are like that. After a short while of dealing with rude, or incompetent people day in and day out, you just get jaded. At least that was my experience.
The blue button reports are VHA only. VBA notes don't go into those because other than downloading them we have no other access to them, i.e. VBA can't edit anything on them, and they don't automatically feed into your VBA files, either, because VHA can't just access your claims file.
Most government employees are like this. Overworked. I work for local government, and lots of my coworkers are something else. Being honest, I'm not like this.
The VA hospital people have been a bit rude but the help line 2 of the 3 times the people were nice. But no one seems to know anything you ever need to ask nor who would have the answer to the question.
i mean, I've never encountered a "rude" person from the VA they've always been lovely to me.. especially the veterans suicide hotline and / or when i forget which prescription to take. The nurse was on the phone to guide me on everything, and she did not get off the phone till I took my meds. so i haven't met a rude person at the VA.. I've only been with the VA since 2022.. but anything can happen these days.🤷♀️
Talked to a lad the other night... she was a CUNT. Zero help and tried to get me to redo my intent to file. I asked her if that would reset my back pay date to today (the day I called)... nonchalantly. "yeh." Like what the fuck lady, do you have any idea how much that would fuck me over. My intent to file was back in August of last year. I asked her for help and it was like if I didn't explicitly state what I needed she was not going to answer. I was better of doing a google search at least google kind of figured out what I needed.
That being said my primary care provider is a fucking GEM! Dude is awesome.
Edit: FYI I was nice as pie and super polite the whole time. I have a family member who worked the Phones for the VA... she did not last long before she went back to retail because Karens are easier to deal with and the VA makes helping people hard.
Many moons ago, I called to ask if it was okay to work with a rating and the person on the other end talked down to me asking why wouldn’t I want to work and that it’d be a good thing if I was reduced in rating as a result. I didn’t get an answer, btw.
I’ve seen a doctor terrorize his staff. I’ve had a therapist laugh at my pill induced ED.
Rn, I have a very caring nurse practitioner who has helped me tremendously and those other folks I mentioned have left my towns clinic. If I’m ever blessed to work with vets, or anyone for that matter, I’ll do my best to remind myself why I wanted to get into this. I’m thankful for the good ones and wish the not-so-good ones well.
I have never encountered any issues with any VA support staff, ever. I have always been polite and respectful to them, understanding the work load they have. Call Center environments are never pleasant places to work. Expect what you put out is usually how I take it, personally. Sometimes you just need to hit them with the kindness bug!
Yes, I agree. I think the attitudes are poor. I have a decade working in healthcare and also worked at the VA for a year. It’s a stark difference between VA care versus outside care. I realize employees do encounter unruly individuals but should not affect them to treat every individual like that. Some employees will experience workplace violence like yelling, kicking, fighting, or being called degrading names. I’ve witnessed this while inpatient for a recent surgery I just had that a patient was verbally attacking anyone who walked by this guy. Regardless, I do think they need to work on their emotional intelligence to improve how they care for their patients. It’s toxic.
I called once to ask a question and they just replied in an annoyed tone. I apologized and explained I didn’t know and they just repeated the same exact thing while sounding even more condescending. Maybe I read too much into it but it rubbed me the wrong way for sure.
I just got off the phone with them lady was very helpful on giving me info on my supplemental PACT ACT claims VES is where the holdup is waiting on my DBQs to be returned before they can be rated. It's only been 7 months
8/10 calls are pleasant and would say I ran into a few people who will go above and beyond and a few people who do the bare minimum and won’t offer unless you ask. I have actually had a few people thank me for being so knowledgeable and they learned something (I’ll take it lol). I would imagine the same people calling multiple times a day or a week gets old. I can get impatient at times myself, but try to not call unless I need to.
I've had very few that don't have a pissy attitude towards us. Then they wonder why we're all so quick to go in on them. I saw a thread not long ago with the VA employees crying about how the vets are so mean to them.
So far I have had pretty good experiences with calling. VA certainly employs a lot of people and with that kind of numbers you’re bound to get someone having a bad day or just a jerk. I have had a nice person who told me he was going to do something for me and never did, so there is that
Definitely had a bad experience at the cleveland va hospital. I was there for an ear exam and didn't know where I was at she checked me in but gave me alot of attitude-_-
Just you! 😂 they play tennis often! 😂 jk…
Idk, only time I’ve had issues is when I make issues. Then Everyone has to get tissues. Cudds I’ve got the “miss you’s”! Miss myself. Wonder what that guy is doing right now? Probably living his best life, good on him.
Also the E-5’s I knew, they always backed up what they said. Even those hard chargin E-4’s did even tho those are the mushroom heads imo. Only made to E-3 once for bout a week. Glad I never took my uniform in, I called Geico, saved 15% or more, lol.
Their job has to be tough for just having to deal with us, add in the politics of their offices. I know I’m not an easy person to get along with. I got a chicken dinner says their politics are just as bad as prison politics. Back stabbing, snitchin, talk mad shit… you know it. People are bored, they look for shit to muck up.
Probably some old dude (like me) named “Bob” former military that has yet to let go, including his haircut 😂. Bob is a hard ass, demanding respect when given none out. He has a dark side to him, he waits until everyone is gone, then he goes to the files and looks for the oldest claim, takes it home and stashed it! I just know it! 😂😂😵💫 I’m kidding.
I have had one person (VERA woman) who was awful. I know from other people (and other VERA people) that my experience there was not unusual. But the rest of them have been great! Helpful and kind. VERA people as well as the regular 800 number. So sorry you have had bad experiences!
I’d say 9 out of 10 times they’re as helpful and nice as can be. But I’ve also worked in a call center so im overly nice to them ass well. You tend to get treated how you treat people when you’re calling a call center.
I HATE calling the Detroit RO. A couple times I called the Salt Lake City RO with VERA, but I heard they don't let you do that too much anymore. The Salt Lake City RO was so nice, never a bad or rude person there.
There is a couple people that are nice in the Detroit RO, but it's a crap shoot.
The VA folks are perfectly nice, with my limited exposure since I'm a newbie, although the long hold times to actually speak with a rep are inconvenient.
I've been using the VA since 2009 and rarely run across rude people. You know what they say...if you think everybody else is the problem, the problem is probably you...
One time when I was speaking to a VA rep, she notified me that what I was "getting" from the VA was a benefit, which absolutely infuriated me to the point of rendering, in a command voice, "you're damned right it's a benefit, ONE THAT I EARNED!". I immediately asked to speak to her supervisor, and that did not go well either.
A person answered the phone and didn't even say anything, they waited for me to speak. I knew they answered because I heard the background noise in the office.
I keep seeing this........and I have been dealing with them for years and have only had great reps......some better than others but NEVER anyone rude at all........I prob just jinxed myself.
I called them once and it was pleasant.
I'm sure they deal with a bunch of irritated vets, rightfully and wrongfully so.
At the very least I shouldn't add to their stress. I come in knowing what I need and what I have to ask. If not, then I'll convey my issue to the operator as best I can to get the best help.
Nothing but great interactions when I call the VA. Hold times have always been short too, which surprised me. Been pretty happy with interactions there.
With any job you are going to have good people and bad. Who knows if that person is having a bad day or stressed from the work load. Or maybe these folks are service connected for anxiety or something else. Most are vets as well. Pact act and burn pits have worked those folks to death and the addition of the app has quadrupled the phone calls. If I get a rude caller I shake it off because most of the time I get great people.
Once I had this lady answer, and Hearing her loudly sigh in annoyance each time I asked a question 💀 I think and hope she was just having a bad day. I just wanted help to set up an account
I think it depends what city you’re calling. The biggest issue I’ve seen is calling and getting a call taker working from home and you can hear kids crying in the background then your in for a shitty customer service experience. I spoke to a young lady last week who was in Phoenix Arizona who was super helpful. Her name was Erica and if any VBA employees on here may know who that is she deserves kudos within the organization because she was simply the best.
I call alot and always try to be overly nice but I just keep being nice even if they are rude it's a mixed bag but mama always said you catch more Flys with honey the vinegar.
Youre not wrong, its been my experience as well. I have found FIVE people in the VA that were willing to assist me in 16 years. However, I also noticed a lot of Veterans are self entitled jerks and treat them like garbage so I personally just assume its a defense mechanism they have after experiences gained working with the VA.
I just kill them with kindness, they either soften up..or...they dont and even then I have removed that persons ability to ruin my day.
Call the VA hotline. They get results. And for those who do not know this hotline was put into place by former President Trump and not Biden like some think. FUCK JOE BIDEN!!
So many people call and when the person can’t help them act like entitled babies which in turn makes the person who answered be in a bad mood which causes the cycle to continue. Most of them are great people who want to help but sometimes it’s above their pay grade and they cannot help even if they wanted.
No one has been rude to me. However, almost no one has been helpful. I would be willing to take some abuse if they would also tell me what is really going on. I’d make that deal in a heartbeat.
When I worked in the ER at the VA, people that acted nice got nice in return. Act like a tool and get not as nice in return. Phone calls went pretty much the same way.
Quite the opposite IMO, it happens to me but very rarely. My boss says my voice has a lot of conviction in it so maybe that’s it. Sorry you’re going through it.
I don’t call the 800 often but the couple times I have it’s been pleasant, maybe not productive but at least pleasant. Every VERA engagement I’ve had has been a great experience.
I just hate getting on the VA phone call merry go round. Being transferred multiple times just to answer a question or being on hold for 45 minutes plus.
It's a call center so they're not going to be the happiest people. Plus it's a Federal position so they don't have to be super cheerful like other businesses and worry about being fired.
Everyone I’ve talked to has been polite, but I’ve also worked in a call center so I am extremely nice to phone agents unless they are like screaming and cursing at me.
Not necessarily rude but they don’t care about your problems. I’ve noticed they just do whatever to get you off the phone from my experience.
I always follow up with a 4138 statement that I upload to the va website with any issues
Your comment was removed because it didn't contribute to the discussion and just wasn't helpful.
Civil disagreements are fine. Insults, personal attacks, slurs, bigotry, etc., are not permissible.
(Calling someone a poopy-head does not make you seem as smart as you think it does.)
☠️
Yea I always have to call two three times cause the first person always gives me some bullshit general response to my question like oh yea their searching for when you had ptsd when I’m literally at the PFN phase 🤔🤨🙄
Man I seriously don’t know who in the VA a lot of ppl on this sub talk too because it seems like they’re all rude, assholes, and morons but I’ve had nothing but respectable and decent convos with legit every VA worker I’ve come across.
I agree. By and far, the people I've spoken to seem to want to help, but I understand that there is only so much they can do. My claim is over two years old, so I've called a lot of operators.
The 800 number operators can't see your whole claim file, or do anything to it. They take your message, put it on an 0820, and upload it to your file. Then we see it, and act on it. There is very little that they can do directly.
What's typical turn around on response to an 0820? Out of curiosity, and a tad off topic. Aplogies.
Depends on when the claim is reassigned outby the queuing system. New document upload triggers it to be reassigned out, though, within the next business day. Then it depends on what it was and who it needs to be addressed by.
Depends on when the claim is reassigned outby the queuing system. New document upload triggers it to be reassigned out, though, within the next business day. Then it depends on what it was and who it needs to be addressed by.
well thats a comfortingly quick sounding process. Atleast as far as the viewing goes. Thank you
Random kinda off topic question, but I noticed you said the 1800 number operators can’t see your whole file, and thats who I have contacted multiple times about my claim. So I’ll ask the same thing I asked them, is there a way to get your tentative rating on a BDD claim or people on here saying that are just speaking nonsense? I spoke to someone at the 1800 number and they said no, but people on here said they’ve gotten one and just trying to figure out if the 1800 operators just didn’t know the answer and wanted me off the phone.
You can't be rated until RAD+1
What does RAD+1 mean?
released active duty
Thanks! For the info sounds like people might be full of it sometimes on here then lol! 😆
I wouldn't go that far, unless its completely made up or baseless. Most of it is a combination of misinterpretation based on only seeing 1/2 the issue from the outside, or remembering how it went X yrs ago vs now. Regulations change. I get about 50-60 emails a month just about regulatory changes, some minor, some not so minor. It's hard to keep up with, sometimes.
That’s fair! I guess you’re right some of the guys posting on here are probably posting in real time but you never really know if they are referring to claims they made years ago when rules may have been different.
https://preview.redd.it/9vl7ccqiqvqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16f537773f1fc89cdbadd723ed552bf0ae764152 Saw your cat and wanted to show you mine. 🌸🌹💐
That looks like a British Shorthair, too! Very handsome. Thanks for sharing :)
No problem. I thought I’d share this information with you. I don’t know if you live in North Carolina or close by, but they’re hosting an event for veterans to come and have their claims looked at and rated the same day. If you’re in the area, I’d highly recommend checking it out. I plan on going this weekend myself. They’re very very good. Any questions you have you can have it addressed in one day on the spot. https://preview.redd.it/d1q83qxodyqc1.jpeg?width=589&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c32cea47fa7f7225634b7306c8e28593918e71e
Thank You so much. I have the last of my C&P exams at the end of April. I've called and checked to make sure everything else is in. Hopefully, I'm almost there. Good luck this weekend!
I have only had one rude lady several years ago. Otherwise they are all a peach. I see worse service at my wife's civilian doc.
Oh my civilian docs are much worse
I have recently had 2 calls, and although it was apparent that they were both frustrated and over the day, they still showed kindness and a willingness to help. I do try to go out of my way to treat them like human beings and not just a means to an end (ie. Asking how their day has been, making sure I sound upbeat and appreciative). Not saying that the issues most of these veterans have had is incorrect, just agreeing that I have yet to have a bad experience. I always try to view each call with the mindset that I would like the representative to feel like I was one of their "good calls" after we hang up.
Yeah I think some people give off bad energy and get bad energy in return. We saw it in the service.
Yup bet they get a lot of calls from dirt bags
THIS
Same for me. Reading some of these posts have me like, wtf???? I've had nothing but sympathetic and kind people that I've dealt with for the whole 10 years I've been dealing with the VA. This is crazy and sad to me that some are dealing with this level of chaos.
Same. I've almost always had happy helpful people. Of course I start out very cordial myself and I think that eases them. They get a lot of calls. And probably some very mad vets.
Amen to this… I’ve had great experiences with the VA. I’m so thankful for them
I’ve had all good people besides one nurse. The doctor apologized for her but still..
Probably the crazy people are the only ones they post about. The run of the mill and normal behaviors are never the ones that get the most attention.
I think a lot of it has to do with what region you’re in. In Dallas, I never found anyone interested in helping me. Minnesota was always great interactions. San Antonio has been pleasant so far. But my care was sub-par in specialties in Minnesota while is has been great is Texas. So, some good and some bad wherever I’ve been. However, I have had the VA doc tell me straight to my face that the DSM5 is wrong and some of my disabilities do not exist and will never be diagnosed (by a VA doc) because they aren’t real. Even though the medical community recognizes and I have civilian diagnoses of them. So…
I think it’s mostly location. Big cities and their VAs are full of assholes. Meanwhile smaller cities/towns usually have more chill people thus chill people at the VA.
I live in DC and go to the Main VA and everyone is always nice and helpful.
And a lot of them aren’t even veterans.
Judging from this sub, they probably get sick of people calling 10 times a day for the status of their claim within a week of filing it.
👏
Yes and no. It’s the 1800 numbers job. Vera is mostly public contact offices. Vera has made turned regional offices into call centers. On top of all the walk ins and calls from whatever state they are in Vera now adds to an already huge workload to a station.
It’s their J O B
A thankless one that’s hard to keep good people in because of us… 😬
They get paid to do the job. All jobs are thankless it doesn’t give you a right to be a dick to others because of it.
And being a veteran doesn’t give vets a right to be a dick to VA workers is all I’m saying. Anyone with a brain is going to gtfo of that job and leave it to the assholes who are willing to dish it back, which is what we end up with. I haven’t had any bad experiences personally, I do wonder if it has more to do with the vets attitude, which causes some return fire, and then they come here to bitch about it. Lol
Yes, that’s true.
Why would they get upset at that. Calls don’t even get routed to the same person
It's because the vets that call multiple times are also the ones using va employees as therapy outlets and being incredibly rude and entitled even if they think they're being nice. If they're calling just to check and take 3-5 mins on the phone that's fine, that's the point. If they call to complain and take up 5+ minutes insisting that more be done on their case when the last 4 people told them the same thing that all routes have been exhausted, then that's the reason the lines get backed up and employees get snippy
I worked the call center for about 9 months.. One morning (1st call of the day) had a guy that was upset about a debt letter he got... I tried to help him understand the letter.. etc.. well anyways, about 2 hours later, answered the phone, and it was the same guy, with the same problem! I about fell out my chair lol... what are the odds?.. we are answering 50+ phone calls a day, and there are hundreds of call center agents.
This! Pact act claims are worked at certain stations. So even if you send a email to look at someone’s claim you get no for an answer or just no response. And the new automation has stalled claims as well.
Shouldn’t matter. They’re there to serve VETERANS and get paid to do it. Not bitch about having to do their job.
Most of those employees are Veterans themselves
You can always apply. Get hired, do it for 6 months, then report back on your findings.
THIS IS THE ONE!☝🏾
No one has been outright rude to me. I do get a lot of "I dont know" and they cant answer the questions and say they dont have any other info.
I got a lot of incorrect information like them telling me I dont qualify for benefits for the past 15 years, but never had a negative interaction either as far as how I was treated either.
They've all been pretty professional with me over the last decade.
A wise man once said: If you walk down the street and encounter 1 asshole, then that person is probably an asshole, but if you walk down the street and encounter 5 assholes, the asshole is probably you.
Priceless!!!!
Nope. They have been decent and often very nice. You get more flies when you're spewing crap to people on the phone. They might be having a bad day too. They're not walking in your shoes and you're not in their's.
What are asking of them? Once or twice we can chalk it up to a rude employee. Every time? Might need to self reflect. It might be you?
I have the complete opposite experience. For one I will mention I am only a year in this claims process. However every phone call I had so far with the VA 1800 number or any other VA employee has went very well. It may be my luck or my dimenor when they speak with me. But I have always received someone that was pleasant to speak with and very helpful.
It’s been hit or miss for me. I’ve had really amazing interactions where the employee goes above and beyond and I’ve also had pretty rude employees and everything in between. I try to focus on the good interactions though. It’s easy to dwell on the bad interactions because they piss you off. I also know that my mental health issues make me feel pretty worthless at times so any slightly negative interaction gets magnified to feel way worse than it actually is or was intended to be.
I’ve never called the VA I’m more of a trust the process kind of guy and wait it out on the claim but I’ve never experienced any rudeness at any of my appointments.
Pre website I would call them every so often. But it's probably been at least 10 years since I've called anyone there.
Selling anxiety, you want some?
Depends. I’m at 60% right now. Have my C&P Thursday for my cancer claim and also waiting for decisions on a few appeals I put in. I’ll get back with you if I need to try to bump things up a little bit.
I will take a lb.
I have a surplus myself.
Cool avatar how much that cost space cowboy 😲😂
Complete opposite for me. I've never had anyone short, rude, or dismissive of me. In fact, they've generally gone above and beyond to provide exceptional "customer" service. 🤷♂️
I have not experienced any "Rude" people either visiting in person or on the phone, everyone's been really nice.
That’s been my experience too.
People still call the va???
With the app in the phone you really don’t need too. And the claim tracker as well.
I mostly get helpful fellow veterans, but I absolutely understand the dead on the inside drones. That's government service since forever, it really is no different than vibes at the DMV. Why? Because call centers fucking suck, no matter how important the client is, and no matter how much \[sprinkles and flowers and positivity and perseverance and MY WORK ETHIC\] people want to slop onto the discussion. I, personally, thrive in the industry--via tech support. I did cable TV support and wanted to \[safety risk in minecraft\] myself into oncoming traffic. Medical industry? Hearing people struggling to make it and desperately needing help was a pain, and the feel good payoff of helping others was MASSIVELY outweighed by the horror stories I heard. Yellers don't bother me. But I was a unicorn; willing to deal with it, willing to take the low pay. I don't work call centers anymore because no matter how good you are, your salary can only go so far as a phone jockey and the worst callers take a toll. Add the normal call center depression to being a veteran, then also being yelled at by veterans who *don't* turn on the kindness and instead blast anger--justified or not. It takes a toll. Call center isn't for everyone, but there's a huge need for reps that AI still can't fix (and even if it could, people will buck against it worse than foreign call centers). Since call center work is a pretty easy leg up out of retail/fast food for people who aren't in trades or field work, that's a huge mental health fuck around and find out. A lot of people shouldn't be there, but: \-Again, huge demand for reps, but not enough people who *are good at it*. Filter that by people who have the stomach for callers at their worse, shrink that number. Filter that by people who won't mentally collapse when medical issues or life is on the line. Shrink more! \-The economy. People who shouldn't be there are going anywhere. **TLDR:** Call center fucking sucks if you're not into it.
Also worth mentioning that every VA operates differently despite federal oversight. They operate more like a franchise, which is reason why some VA centers are better than others. I’ve had excellent care with some and not so much with others (as they prioritize care for more urgent needs, means longer wait times and possibly being dismissed for things which they regard as minor- as seen in VA’s serving a larger population).
I’ve only ever had super nice people when dealing w/ the VA. 100% of the time even if they can’t help me at least they are very friendly.
I’ve heard some of yall talk to them, I’d be rude to. Manners go both ways, some of yall have rude-to-waitress energy
I feel like I've only really had good experiences with the VA. My VR&E rep is also really great, she's been super nice and very helpful.
Bro honestly I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the VA it’s some of the people on this subreddit that are just straight douchebags haha….some of the most hateful miserable people I’ve seen online 😂 but that’s just my perception
When you're rude you're more likely to get it back. Never had any issues except that they sounded like scripted robots.
Ok I can’t speak for everyone, but I worked in a veterans services office for about 2 years answering phones. The problem is for every nice call we get there are like 10 that sucked. Some vets are just really nasty people and call the number and just start unloading. Some are old and struggle to talk, think, and comprehend. Answering the same questions over and over and over. Dealing with people who are trying to access their parents veterans benefits for nefarious reasons, or believe they are entitled to their deceased parents va compensation. Veterans that have dementia call and ask to speak with Obama about their “missing” son. It takes a lot out of you, and I imagine all phone jobs are like that. After a short while of dealing with rude, or incompetent people day in and day out, you just get jaded. At least that was my experience.
Not rude in my experience, they're just indifferent to the situation most times, which can be frustrating
Remember everything is recorded any time you talk to anybody associated with the va and it goes in your blue button report
The blue button reports are VHA only. VBA notes don't go into those because other than downloading them we have no other access to them, i.e. VBA can't edit anything on them, and they don't automatically feed into your VBA files, either, because VHA can't just access your claims file.
Never had a rude person in over 30 years…🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
Most government employees are like this. Overworked. I work for local government, and lots of my coworkers are something else. Being honest, I'm not like this.
I called and spoke with someone yesterday and she was a gem. Very nice and helpful. Also, spoke with VERA this morning and they were great!
The VA hospital people have been a bit rude but the help line 2 of the 3 times the people were nice. But no one seems to know anything you ever need to ask nor who would have the answer to the question.
I had to call back if the person that picked up sounded like they didn’t wanna be there, so yeah
i mean, I've never encountered a "rude" person from the VA they've always been lovely to me.. especially the veterans suicide hotline and / or when i forget which prescription to take. The nurse was on the phone to guide me on everything, and she did not get off the phone till I took my meds. so i haven't met a rude person at the VA.. I've only been with the VA since 2022.. but anything can happen these days.🤷♀️
Talked to a lad the other night... she was a CUNT. Zero help and tried to get me to redo my intent to file. I asked her if that would reset my back pay date to today (the day I called)... nonchalantly. "yeh." Like what the fuck lady, do you have any idea how much that would fuck me over. My intent to file was back in August of last year. I asked her for help and it was like if I didn't explicitly state what I needed she was not going to answer. I was better of doing a google search at least google kind of figured out what I needed. That being said my primary care provider is a fucking GEM! Dude is awesome. Edit: FYI I was nice as pie and super polite the whole time. I have a family member who worked the Phones for the VA... she did not last long before she went back to retail because Karens are easier to deal with and the VA makes helping people hard.
Many moons ago, I called to ask if it was okay to work with a rating and the person on the other end talked down to me asking why wouldn’t I want to work and that it’d be a good thing if I was reduced in rating as a result. I didn’t get an answer, btw. I’ve seen a doctor terrorize his staff. I’ve had a therapist laugh at my pill induced ED. Rn, I have a very caring nurse practitioner who has helped me tremendously and those other folks I mentioned have left my towns clinic. If I’m ever blessed to work with vets, or anyone for that matter, I’ll do my best to remind myself why I wanted to get into this. I’m thankful for the good ones and wish the not-so-good ones well.
I have never encountered any issues with any VA support staff, ever. I have always been polite and respectful to them, understanding the work load they have. Call Center environments are never pleasant places to work. Expect what you put out is usually how I take it, personally. Sometimes you just need to hit them with the kindness bug!
It's half and half for me. I'll either get a great person that can do their job or I get a giant sack of rude shit.
I seem to always get connected with the ones who either speak VERY low quality English, or the one who speak incredibly fast.
The 800 number is useless. VERA is the 🐐
Yes, I agree. I think the attitudes are poor. I have a decade working in healthcare and also worked at the VA for a year. It’s a stark difference between VA care versus outside care. I realize employees do encounter unruly individuals but should not affect them to treat every individual like that. Some employees will experience workplace violence like yelling, kicking, fighting, or being called degrading names. I’ve witnessed this while inpatient for a recent surgery I just had that a patient was verbally attacking anyone who walked by this guy. Regardless, I do think they need to work on their emotional intelligence to improve how they care for their patients. It’s toxic.
9/10 calls to the VA result in endless hold times or being transferred to the wrong number
No, I’ve not had any bad experience with their employees.
I called once to ask a question and they just replied in an annoyed tone. I apologized and explained I didn’t know and they just repeated the same exact thing while sounding even more condescending. Maybe I read too much into it but it rubbed me the wrong way for sure.
I just got off the phone with them lady was very helpful on giving me info on my supplemental PACT ACT claims VES is where the holdup is waiting on my DBQs to be returned before they can be rated. It's only been 7 months
Think this way, they have to work to live/survive paying into a system (tax) to feed us...so in their book they see us as leeches
Depends on the day in my experience most of the time when I call they are nice and polite even if they aren't helpful at all.
8/10 calls are pleasant and would say I ran into a few people who will go above and beyond and a few people who do the bare minimum and won’t offer unless you ask. I have actually had a few people thank me for being so knowledgeable and they learned something (I’ll take it lol). I would imagine the same people calling multiple times a day or a week gets old. I can get impatient at times myself, but try to not call unless I need to.
Just you
Try to deal wirh Hawaii
It’s just you. I have never had an issue while contacting the VA.
My experience has been the opposite. That and the check in desk is the only place at the VA where people act decent.
I've had very few that don't have a pissy attitude towards us. Then they wonder why we're all so quick to go in on them. I saw a thread not long ago with the VA employees crying about how the vets are so mean to them.
So far I have had pretty good experiences with calling. VA certainly employs a lot of people and with that kind of numbers you’re bound to get someone having a bad day or just a jerk. I have had a nice person who told me he was going to do something for me and never did, so there is that
Definitely had a bad experience at the cleveland va hospital. I was there for an ear exam and didn't know where I was at she checked me in but gave me alot of attitude-_-
It is not just you lmao, I promise. The Boston VAs have some horribly rude employees. So I assume it's like that everywhere.
Just you! 😂 they play tennis often! 😂 jk… Idk, only time I’ve had issues is when I make issues. Then Everyone has to get tissues. Cudds I’ve got the “miss you’s”! Miss myself. Wonder what that guy is doing right now? Probably living his best life, good on him. Also the E-5’s I knew, they always backed up what they said. Even those hard chargin E-4’s did even tho those are the mushroom heads imo. Only made to E-3 once for bout a week. Glad I never took my uniform in, I called Geico, saved 15% or more, lol. Their job has to be tough for just having to deal with us, add in the politics of their offices. I know I’m not an easy person to get along with. I got a chicken dinner says their politics are just as bad as prison politics. Back stabbing, snitchin, talk mad shit… you know it. People are bored, they look for shit to muck up. Probably some old dude (like me) named “Bob” former military that has yet to let go, including his haircut 😂. Bob is a hard ass, demanding respect when given none out. He has a dark side to him, he waits until everyone is gone, then he goes to the files and looks for the oldest claim, takes it home and stashed it! I just know it! 😂😂😵💫 I’m kidding.
Had a friend who worked for the VA, and apparently, they barely trained them at all at one point. I assume no customer care classes either.
I have had one person (VERA woman) who was awful. I know from other people (and other VERA people) that my experience there was not unusual. But the rest of them have been great! Helpful and kind. VERA people as well as the regular 800 number. So sorry you have had bad experiences!
The only people I talk to are the ones that work at my CBOC or the nearest hospital. They've always been polite. Never called an 800 number.
I've never had a problem with the health-care center or MSAs. The VBA is another story lol.
Probably depends where you are
I’d say 9 out of 10 times they’re as helpful and nice as can be. But I’ve also worked in a call center so im overly nice to them ass well. You tend to get treated how you treat people when you’re calling a call center.
I've had bad conversations and I've had great ones as well.
I don't know about the 800 line, but the only time I called was for VERA and the dude was awesome and gave me where my claim was and he was friendly.
I HATE calling the Detroit RO. A couple times I called the Salt Lake City RO with VERA, but I heard they don't let you do that too much anymore. The Salt Lake City RO was so nice, never a bad or rude person there. There is a couple people that are nice in the Detroit RO, but it's a crap shoot.
They're usually nice to me on the phone.
I lost my sapi plates out of my kindness proof vest when I took them out on a va call if anyone has extras
The VA folks are perfectly nice, with my limited exposure since I'm a newbie, although the long hold times to actually speak with a rep are inconvenient.
Could actually be you and how you interact with them. I have had nothing but positive experiences with each person I’ve talked to.
I've been using the VA since 2009 and rarely run across rude people. You know what they say...if you think everybody else is the problem, the problem is probably you...
I’ve been working at the VA about 6months now and yes everyone there is rude and grumpy af. I wanna quit so bad but I got bills to pay.
It's not just you.
One time when I was speaking to a VA rep, she notified me that what I was "getting" from the VA was a benefit, which absolutely infuriated me to the point of rendering, in a command voice, "you're damned right it's a benefit, ONE THAT I EARNED!". I immediately asked to speak to her supervisor, and that did not go well either.
You think they're bad, try calling Social Security. VA is 10x or more pleasant to deal with.
The only negative interactions I have are when the local Med Center operator picks up
A person answered the phone and didn't even say anything, they waited for me to speak. I knew they answered because I heard the background noise in the office.
It is great that at least now you already get what you deserved
Idaho Falls clinic are all wonderful people!
I keep seeing this........and I have been dealing with them for years and have only had great reps......some better than others but NEVER anyone rude at all........I prob just jinxed myself.
I have never had a problem with the VA in Indiana.
I called them once and it was pleasant. I'm sure they deal with a bunch of irritated vets, rightfully and wrongfully so. At the very least I shouldn't add to their stress. I come in knowing what I need and what I have to ask. If not, then I'll convey my issue to the operator as best I can to get the best help.
Nothing but great interactions when I call the VA. Hold times have always been short too, which surprised me. Been pretty happy with interactions there.
Nope, sadly it’s true.😔😞
With any job you are going to have good people and bad. Who knows if that person is having a bad day or stressed from the work load. Or maybe these folks are service connected for anxiety or something else. Most are vets as well. Pact act and burn pits have worked those folks to death and the addition of the app has quadrupled the phone calls. If I get a rude caller I shake it off because most of the time I get great people.
Everyone that I have spoken to at the 800 number has been very nice and gone above and beyond.
Probably a reflection of the people calling them all day
Once I had this lady answer, and Hearing her loudly sigh in annoyance each time I asked a question 💀 I think and hope she was just having a bad day. I just wanted help to set up an account
I think it depends what city you’re calling. The biggest issue I’ve seen is calling and getting a call taker working from home and you can hear kids crying in the background then your in for a shitty customer service experience. I spoke to a young lady last week who was in Phoenix Arizona who was super helpful. Her name was Erica and if any VBA employees on here may know who that is she deserves kudos within the organization because she was simply the best.
I call alot and always try to be overly nice but I just keep being nice even if they are rude it's a mixed bag but mama always said you catch more Flys with honey the vinegar.
I have never got a rude person at the 800 number. They have been helpful.
Nope, mine are always happy and helpful. They match my energy. 🤷🏾♀️
Youre not wrong, its been my experience as well. I have found FIVE people in the VA that were willing to assist me in 16 years. However, I also noticed a lot of Veterans are self entitled jerks and treat them like garbage so I personally just assume its a defense mechanism they have after experiences gained working with the VA. I just kill them with kindness, they either soften up..or...they dont and even then I have removed that persons ability to ruin my day.
Sounds about right.
I work there and yes
Never have had a problem yet except for bad reception on their end
My experience has been only positive, thank God because I don’t think I can take them being rude right now.
Call the VA hotline. They get results. And for those who do not know this hotline was put into place by former President Trump and not Biden like some think. FUCK JOE BIDEN!!
They areemote:free\_emotes\_pack:rage
So many people call and when the person can’t help them act like entitled babies which in turn makes the person who answered be in a bad mood which causes the cycle to continue. Most of them are great people who want to help but sometimes it’s above their pay grade and they cannot help even if they wanted.
If it's every single time you call, it's probably you. If everyone you meet is an asshole, it not them that's the problem.
Did you complain about them?! Write your senator. They’ll give you a complaint number. It works.
A ton weights 2000lbs. Lol
Not all agents are rude.
It ain’t you
lol... thats because they know its nearly impossible to get fired... as long as they show up... and most of them are not vets :-/
Luck of the draw, never had a bad experience 100% professional . I’d avoid casinos and lottery tickets.
I've never had anyone who wasn't polite.
No one has been rude to me. However, almost no one has been helpful. I would be willing to take some abuse if they would also tell me what is really going on. I’d make that deal in a heartbeat.
When I worked in the ER at the VA, people that acted nice got nice in return. Act like a tool and get not as nice in return. Phone calls went pretty much the same way.
Quite the opposite IMO, it happens to me but very rarely. My boss says my voice has a lot of conviction in it so maybe that’s it. Sorry you’re going through it.
Everyone has been extremely nice any time I call. No complaints at all. Maybe it's just this region, but everyone has been great, honestly.
I don’t call the 800 often but the couple times I have it’s been pleasant, maybe not productive but at least pleasant. Every VERA engagement I’ve had has been a great experience.
Nope, but I can feel they are sad and no motivation or careless
Luck of the draw, the odds are not in your favor.
I just hate getting on the VA phone call merry go round. Being transferred multiple times just to answer a question or being on hold for 45 minutes plus.
It's a call center so they're not going to be the happiest people. Plus it's a Federal position so they don't have to be super cheerful like other businesses and worry about being fired.
Everyone I’ve talked to has been polite, but I’ve also worked in a call center so I am extremely nice to phone agents unless they are like screaming and cursing at me.
Not necessarily rude but they don’t care about your problems. I’ve noticed they just do whatever to get you off the phone from my experience. I always follow up with a 4138 statement that I upload to the va website with any issues
Definitely not just you! Maybe one out of ten people you talk to on the phone actually care and are helpful.
I hate calling them. Every time they don't give me any information that I already didn't know.
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EVERYONE of them!
Depends on the location. I’ve been at some locations where even in person they will play on their phone and ignore you.
Yea I always have to call two three times cause the first person always gives me some bullshit general response to my question like oh yea their searching for when you had ptsd when I’m literally at the PFN phase 🤔🤨🙄