Washington, D.C. — Today’s world is a difficult place to exist. We are faced with never-ending wars that create daily casualties. When our fighting men and women come home injured, they expect the care that was promised them, but that’s almost never the case.
It is estimated that over 350,000 veterans are waiting for medical care by the VA Health system. A system that has recently taken fire for veterans dying while waiting for care. They have even been found to throw veterans’ claims in the trash without looking at them.
Is this how we treat those that stood and fought for our country?
One such veteran, Rob Gershwin, is an Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Veteran. He is 35 and now out of the Army. Rob has been in the care of the VA since 2005 for post-traumatic stress disorder. He is still being treated today, but receives bills in the mail threatening to withhold services. Rob submitted his claim three years ago, it still has not been processed.
Many veterans are in Rob’s position. Many have simply given up hope. Rob told The Fazzler that he still has other body injuries, but he cannot afford the treatment. He also knows the claim may never be processed, so why try? He simply lives with the pain everyday.
22 service members and veterans commit suicide everyday, and the VA wonders why.
