User's response illustrates what is both good and bad about the VA-- 
The good is, there are many benefits Vets can receive, especially if their problems  are service connected and they are capable of connecting with the VA.. (In fact I'm appreciative of the care I've received there.)

The bad is, they have to get connected to the VA, and for many reasons, including mental illness, many Vets are unable to do this.  User just discounts this as, "it's likely this man is refusing taxpayer help..."   What IF this man's problems are PTSD, service  connected, and he's just not able to deal with the VA bureaucracy without Vet-sensitive support?  Do we just write him off?
I believe this is why we Oregonians  recently voted to hire non-VA staff to help Vets negotiate their path in to the System.