Early feedback from our ongoing survey indicates San Diegans are mixed in how they feel local services accommodate our veterans and feel that medical care is falling short.
Many respondents to an NBC 7 questionnaire include negative and positive comments in their express feedback.
Recent positive comments include: "The Education benefits application process was easy and the service is quick. Staffs are also knowledgeable in answering questions and make good referrals for questions that are not their scope."
“Women's services have been great and the VA home loan helped me to become a homeowner as a single 27 year old woman in a hostile housing market,” a comment posted on June 16 read. “I am now using my GI Bill to attend school and the monthly stipend has helped me tremendously.”
The responses were compiled as part of NBC 7's newly launched Listen to Our Veterans initiative. Respondents were asked what's good and not so good in the categories of medical care, civilian transition, and other veteran benefits.
If you are a Veteran, or the family member of a Veteran, you can submit your responses here. Please share this article with any friends or family who may be interested in participating.
After medical care, the counseling and education assistance program was the next most commented on, with a more positive response for educational assistance but negative for counseling.
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Some respondents did praise veteran services in San Diego, touting the short wait times for appointments, the friendliness of the staff and health care physicians.
But “not so good” comments indicated the opposite reaction to wait times for veteran services.
Respondents stated they were waiting hours to receive services in the ER due to a lack of doctors and staff. While some commented that it took months to even get the care they needed.
"It's hard to say anything good about Veteran treatment," one respondent said. "I waited two months after an initial complaint of shoulder pain, just for an MRI. Two months after, the MRI shows I have a complete tear on my rotator cuff. I am still looking to wait another six months before I can even see the orthopedic surgeon."
Another respondent said: “It seems like the goal is ‘how fast can we get you off the phone or out of our office.’”
Overall, responses did show that job related challenges for veterans were a common theme.
Responses to the question “would you recommend veteran services” received 30 percent who gave it a poor rating, compared to 17 percent who said it was outstanding.
NBC 7 launched the Listen to Our Veterans Project on Memorial Day with partners Donovan’s Steak and Chop House and HundredX’s Expresit, as well as veterans organizations across San Diego County, including Support the Enlisted Project and the Armed Forces YMCA.
The goal of the project is to give veterans and other interested parties an opportunity to share their experiences with veteran services in San Diego.
The Listen to Our Veterans Project will run through July 4.
The results of the project will be aggregated and published with an objective to provide content and useful insights surrounding veteran services.
