Here it is, PA News giving you the front seat view of all the action -
We didn't expect the operation to be wholly focused on the letter of the law. That wouldn't make any sense. Instead, we see administrators pointing to bullshit, fostering their ability to say they don't have the resources to tackle unemployment, chronic illness, and homelessness among veterans. They point the fingers at veterans, themselves, and doctors who also think of VA as another government cash cow.
The commotion looks like this: A veteran has the right to claim an illness said to be related to service, to which he or she is entitled to health care, employment assistance, or compensation if the health condition is worthy of compensation (cannot be treated and causes an impediment to earning a living). At any time, doctors have the power to refuse a diagnosis or service-connection, leading the benefits examiner to raise a flag and insist that the veteran is making it up again. VA encourages these veterans to write their congressmen, so the VA issue can receive more public requests for bouquets. We can almost be certain that these events occur when the veteran really needs assistance and demands it, to improve the certainty of the stink rose.
From here, it looks like congress picks up on the corruption sash, but instead of taking them away, begins to hand it out it the form of scandals for the media to pick up. Backlogs, wait times, bonuses, and malfeasance within the system. However, the show must go on as the public hangs on to the thought that these veterans are gaming the system (and not the other way around).
The tears come from both sides, as this approach to government health care discounts the reality that veterans are actually coming in with service-related ailments that prevent them from finding work. But in the larger political economy, ladies and gentlemen, while inequality may be inefficient for all, it creates more power for the VA insiders. Who else has the authority to decide the true nature of the problem than the people who earn their paychecks staying on top of the paperwork? I'll say, it ain't the service members in general, guys and gals, although there are a number of these folks who are veterans and have signed on to tackle this beast.
Hold your applause. Watch them bask in the corruption, and take every penny they can from the veterans who have earned it. Try not to think of VA as a pool of snakes, although I think we all could admit it is quite the ugly show.