Is the VA Listening? Vets Say They’re Still Waiting, Still Frustrated
Despite billions in funding and promises of reform, many veterans — especially those with disabilities — are still hitting the same wall when it comes to the Department of Veterans Affairs:
Silence. Delays Disconnection.
From endless wait times to confusing referral systems and unreturned calls, the VA is facing growing backlash from the very people it’s meant to serve. And veterans are getting loud.
What Veterans Are Saying …
A new Military.com survey published in late June found a sobering trend: widespread dissatisfaction with how the VA communicates, handles appointments, and processes specialty care. Among the most common complaints:
- Delayed referrals to specialists — some taking months
- No callbacks or follow-ups after leaving messages
- Appointments rescheduled or canceled without notice
- Limited availability of mental health services and rehab support
- Frustration with third-party contractors for community care referrals
For disabled veterans, whose needs often include chronic pain, PTSD, mobility issues, or neurological conditions, these barriers are more than annoying — they’re potentially life-altering.
Why This Is Bigger Than Inconvenience
When a disabled vet can’t get timely care, the results can snowball quickly:
- Worsening of physical or mental health
- Increased reliance on emergency rooms
- Missed diagnoses or delayed treatment
- Erosion of trust in the system
- Higher risk of isolation, depression, or suicide
“It’s not just the wait — it’s the feeling that no one’s on the other end of the phone.”
~ Michael L., Army veteran with spinal cord injuries
What’s Going Wrong?
The issues aren’t entirely new — but they’ve become more urgent as the VA leans on third-party contractors to fulfill the demands of the Mission Act, which allows veterans to seek private care when VA services aren’t available nearby or soon enough.
While this was meant to increase flexibility, the result has often been:
- Lost paperwork between systems
- Unclear responsibility for follow-up
- Veterans stuck in limbo, waiting for confirmation or scheduling
In theory, the Mission Act is a win. In practice, it’s proving uneven — especially for disabled veterans juggling complex or urgent care needs.
What Veterans Can Do Right Now
While long-term reform is still needed, here are a few practical steps disabled veterans can take:
- Request a VA Patient Advocate: Every VA medical center has one — and their job is to help you navigate the mess. Ask for them by name.
- Use MyHealtheVet or the VA App: Secure messaging can sometimes get faster replies than phone calls.
- Keep documentation: Save appointment notices, referral letters, and missed call logs. These can help escalate issues if needed.
- Contact your Congressional office: Many reps have a veteran liaison who can help push for resolution — especially in cases of delayed or denied care.
- Speak out: Share your experience with local VSOs, online forums, or public hearings. Numbers move the needle.
A Note to the VA (If You’re Listening) …
Veterans — especially disabled veterans — aren’t asking for VIP treatment. They’re asking for respect, response, and reliability.
When a veteran makes the effort to seek care, they deserve to be met with action, not a black hole. When they call, someone should answer. When they need help, someone should help.
That’s not a luxury. That’s a promise made and long overdue to be kept.
Final Thoughts — Unseen And Unheard …
Veterans fought battles so the rest of us wouldn’t have to. But too many are now fighting just to be seen and heard by their own healthcare system.
If the VA is serious about reform, the first step isn’t another report — it’s a call back. A human voice. A real schedule. A system that works for veterans, not around them.
Because silence isn’t just frustrating — it’s dangerous.
