“marching for Gay Rights in the ‘60s and 70s”
I don’t remember anybody marching for gay rights during that period.
“I’ve had hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of health coverage through the VA at no “out of pocket” expense to me.”
You must have had some serious service related injury’s.
Once you qualify for treatment for a disability, you get all medical problems treated whether they are “Service Connected” or not. I’ve had a couple of heart arteriograms and a stent installed.