Charlotte Veteran To VA: Why Should I Trust You With Anything

Charlotte, NC– A veteran is calling on the Charlotte VA Health Care Center to fix what she calls appalling treatment.

While some veterans receive great service, others contact WCCB Charlotte with concerns.

Gold stripes are on Sheila Miner’s Navy uniform for a reason. “I never took back my oath. Never,” said Miner.

Miner served 17 years in the Navy. Her son has done two tours in Iraq.

She has won countless awards and had many injuries.

She says Charlotte’s VA Health Care Center fails.

“If I can’t trust them to give me the correct medicine, which they have given me wrong medicine, why should I trust you with anything?” said Miner.
She says Charlotte VA also:

Sent heart medication to a New York pharmacy, put her in an all men’s therapy group and she says no doctor could see her Monday for mental health.

Although, the VA says if a veteran has a mental health crisis, they can be seen that day. “I said I was in crisis yesterday,” said Miner.

Today, she says staff called her to offer her video chat therapy.

Staff tells WCCB Charlotte it will work specifically with Miner to fix any problems.
Miner says no.

“I am the one who stands up and says no no no you won’t do that. What about the young soldier who gets out tomorrow? What about the old man who can’t manage all of his conditions?” said Miner.

Senator Thom Tillis is part of the Armed Services Committee.

His spokesperson says new VA Secrety Robert Wilkie could be the answer.

Representative Robert Pittenger says the new law giving directors more power to fire problem staff will also help.

Miner wants care managers.

“We are broken. You broke us. We broke for a purpose. All we want you to do is take care of us,” said Miner.

The VA sent me a statement saying in part: “”We want Veterans to know we care – we want to be partners in making their healthcare the best healthcare possible. If a Veteran experienced frustrations in the past, or even recently, we want them to come back for their next appointment and tell us they had a bad experience, so we can try to give them a healthcare experience worthy of their service to our nation.”

Here is a list of contacts the VA gave in regards to Charlotte walk-in/same day clinics:
-Substance Abuse Services
2nd floor Mental Health
Monday-Friday: 10am to 12pm
-Mental Health Services (if currently connected to Mental Health provider)
2nd floor Mental Health
Monday-Friday: 8am to 3:45pm
-Primary Care/Mental Health Integration (if not connected to Mental Health provider)
Marshall Park Clinic- 2nd floor
-Primary Care Services
Established patient: Walk into assigned primary care clinic to be triaged
Non-established patient: Walk into Onslow Beach Immediate Access- 1st floor