My assessment is pretty much based upon personal experience confirmed by many conversations with other vets.
And thank you for your service friend!
I spend a good bit of time volunteering at the VA in Lebanon, PA.
The people who work there at the Lebanon VAMC are second to none!
But there are a few who control the purse strings who are really pains in the rear ends. They think it’s more important to make themselves look good keeping a small bottom line in their departments, rather than follow their motto - “Veterans First!”