I'm retired Air Force and use both the VA and Medicare Advantage (with Tricare For Life as secondary). There are times when I can get seen by a private general practitioner much more quickly than with the VA. The VA is primarily for hearing aids, CPAP and other service related care. My VA and civilian general practitioner bump notes and I get my meds from the VA.
The Atlanta VAMC is frustrating. The care provided is great. It's the administrative staff and "gate keepers" that can be frustrating. The Community Based Outreach Clinics can be very good. And they're starting to build more satellite specialty clinics which keeps you out of Atlanta.
I agree. Two cataract surgeries. Hearing aids , other treatments . Dental issues. The main VA center on Clairmont is just overwhelmed tho . The only thing I can complain about is the Doctor I’m assigned to at the West Cobb Clinic can barely speak English and is scatter brained , I think he is ADD ! They are building a big new clinic on Cobb Pkwy in West Marietta. I’m a 160% disabled Vietnam vet .