Noteboom The Law Firm

Fayetteville VA Slammed Despite Low Classification

October 5, 2010 - The Fayetteville, NC Department of Veterans affairs (VA) Medical Center (FVAMC) put up very impressive numbers in the first 6 months of 2010 - they treated almost 4,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. By comparison, that is more veterans than all the other VA medical centers in North Carolina, Richmond, Hampton, and Salem, Va. as well as Beckley, W. Va, combined. Further, in the entire mid-Atlantic region, the FVAMC carried the 3rd largest caseload. At the same time, the Fayetteville VA medical center has fewer caseworkers than most other VA medical centers. 

Given their proximity to Fort Bragg, NC, it only makes sense the FVAMC's caseload will continue to grow. The active-duty mental health system is already at capacity. Over the last year, Fort Bragg was forced to send over 1,500 soldiers to private medical facilities because they could not be seen in what the VA considered a timely manner.

The FVAMC is classified at the lowest possible level in the VA medical care system; a level III facility. They are given that rating because their ability to perform medical and surgical procedures is very limited. When more involved procedures are needed, veterans are sent to other VA hospitals. There are no current plans to upgrade the FVAMC at any time in the immediate future.

The FVAMC is overrun with problems. There are too many cases with too many veterans with too many needs and not enough resources to handle everything. The FVAMC has 4 case managers designated to help Iraq and Afghanistan vets. That's about 1,000 veterans per case worker as it stands now. Every other VA clinic in North Carolina has fewer veterans and more case workers.

The FVAMC needs more money from Congress in order to provide the level of service veterans deserve. Some believe there is a contentious relationship between the FVAMC and VA leadership. Combined with a history of poor management, the FVAMC certainly has its share of problems. If any VA medical clinic should be doing it right, it should be one next door to a major Army base. Meanwhile, it is the veterans who rely on the FVAMC who suffer as a result of these budget and personnel issues.