[america-rules]

The problem with getting care outside the VA is when it comes to getting or keeping disability. The VA treats any treatment outside the VA as if it didn't happen thus the 3-5 year backlogs for Vets to get rated.

They will also drop or lower your disability if they think you don't have the disability anymore. If your disability rating gets lowered you lose pay and/or benefits etc..

I have Tricare and a private insurance but still use the VA because I want everything on their official record.

If I have an emergency I use Tricare at a real hospital so I get treatment from real ER doctors.

[america-rules]

FYI if you have Tricare and go to the VA they will bill Tricare.

[Taxman]

I am quite sure that there are smart people out there who can figure out a way to get the bureaucracy and the unions out of the VA, and probably provide better care for Vets, to boot.

The question is, do they have the ‘nads to do it?