A relative of mine was retired Air Force and he used the VA health system for 30 years until he went into a nursing home and began receiving treatment at a private hospital which was close to the nursing home. The VA facility was many miles away.
I have a VA facility within 35 miles, but refuse to go there. My FIL uses it and is not really happy with the treatment he is getting. I don't want to go there and seek a disability claim and HAVE to use it as a primary care facility in the future.