We have a VA hospital where I live and a medical school and public hospital. They use VA as a teaching hospital just like they do the public hospital. Our vets at the least deserve real drs and not those that are still in training.

Unfortunately, injured veterans present with such unusual injuries of all kinds, they do offer doctors the opportunity to see things they would never get to see in a 'regular' hospital.

I know it sucks, but those are the facts. As long as soldiers are getting such serious injuries, they will have doctors following them around to learn from them.

I do agree that they need to get a decent amount of pain killers. Especially if they are going to be the subject of study.

Its not that they are being used as a teaching tool. It is the poor quality of care that drs that are still in the education process give. These aren't drs that have the knowledge and benefit of having practiced medicine for years.

What irks me is that suddenly decreasing by a huge percentage or stopping the opiate is not standard of care in medicine.

That's the trouble with the VA. They just do what they want.

Years ago in my nursing career we had a VA doc come on staff. The kinds of crap he did--well, let's just say he was a danger to his patients.

I feel sad for the soldiers.

The VA is really messed up here in MN. Some get good care while many more don't. And the VA home is about the same or worse.

This topic hits near to my heart and it's so hard to watch the men I know who fought for our country and were injured only to suffer more than anyone who was on the other end of their guns.

From those suffering with the ill effects of agent orange to this new load of BS.

In my opinion this all stems from the Feds who run the FDA and control congress who controls the VA system. Our returning soldiers are suffering in every way possible and no one gives a a damn.

If opioids are that horrible, like they are making them out to be, why are so many people successful and living their lives by taking them? There will be more mortality with removing it because pain is a bigger contributer to suicide than what depression ever will be.

Now our soldiers are left to figure things out by themselves. This is so messed up! My heart goes out to all of our soldiers!

My best friend Tom next door is a Vet and he is truly blessed that the VA hospitals in our County treat them extremely good, they are able to get appointments to be seen quickly, and I have watched Tom go through some serious medical conditions but thanks to his faith and the doctors talent, he came out cancer free. I really hate hearing how many of our Vets are treated all around the country. It's despicable and unacceptable. Hugs GB