I've been a disabled veteran for over 35 years. I have received treatment at several facilities in several states. A lot of veterans, just like citizens, pay for their VA healthcare. 
Lets also remember veterans pledged to give their life, if ordered, no matter what we believed was right. 
I seldom encounter a provider that believes the VA is able to properly provide healthcare to veterans, especially in the so called "specialty clinics".  Most providers seldom turn away from their computer monitor and actually look at me during an appointment. Based on the VA's released statistics, (which we all know are not verified or potentially falsefied) many veterans die prematurely or commit suicide. Maybe it's why statistics indicate that most veterans never seek the care they are eligible for. (Less than half of the over 20 million surviving veterans are being cared for by the VA) 
God help us if the rest of the eligible veterans were also waiting to be treated.