I went to the barber shop last month. A veteran (say early 30’s) is in the chair while I’m waiting and he’s talking to the owner, who’s a former Marine. He got out of the service four years ago. He went to the VA once about a year after he was discharged for a chest cold and got a physical at the time. They never told him in person or via mail that annual physicals we’re required to ensure coverage. Fast forward to this year. He’s having some knee pain and suddenly it got worse. He called the VA and said he would likely need a referral. They said that he hadn’t come in for a physical and therefore he couldn’t be referred, because he had lost his primary care physician. So, he asks to schedule a physical with a new physician and they said the earliest appointment was six weeks. Disgraceful.
This is why I posted here last week when everyone was saying to give us healthcare at civilian doctors. The VA keeps tabs on our disabilities and if they think you no longer have the disability they reduce your rating and pay. I’ve seen many WWII and Nam vets at the VA Hosp I go to arguing with the staff many times about this.