Because none of these "veterans" are veterans, that's how.

Just another angle, if an investigator were to run FOIA requests for DD214s on these bums, about ninety percent wouldn't have any. The rest would be a mix of dishonorable and general discharges with very little time served.

Missing a finger? If that * were* a service-related disability he wouldn't have to panhandle.

As strapped as it is, the VA still has programs that assist *actual* homeless veterans. The facility on the southeast corner of Benson and C used to be the VA domicillary, where homeless vets received room, board, classes, and job placement. Of course even then none of them were exemplary servicemen, as folks with their stuff together seem to be able to keep it together after separation from service. 

Funny how many think a bum with a sign is automatically telling the truth. Most of the bums you see have criminal records going back to their youth, are sex offenders or mentally ill.