Things To Do While You Wait For The VA (Department of Veteran Affairs)

This is not an autobiographical account. I wrote it a while back after working with older Vets fighting for benefits and care. It's the system that's broken not the people in it.

I sit and I wait
I've filed my claim;
I ask all the right questions
but the answer is the same.
"Just be patient," they say with a smile,
"We'll be with you soon,
just as soon as we find your file."

So I sit in my chair
until the close of day
then limp to my car
parked too far away.

My next appointment is scheduled
The Doc will be there, I'm sure
my records in hand
and a plan for my cure.

Now the time has come,
I pull on my pants
gather all of my info
and do my hopeful dance.
I get a call on my phone
my appointment has changed,
Just wait and they'll call back
with a new date arranged.

What do I do while I wait fort the VA,
taking their time
day after day?
I could go to a movie, see the summer's best flicks
Take the dog in the woods
then search him for ticks
Then I could see the leaves change
like they do every Fall
complain about my neighbor
and his new garden wall.
I can sing Christmas carols
with folks from the church
then watch the snow melt
from my old leather perch.
I can see the flowers bloom 
with the early Spring rains
Try not to think about the VA,
or blowing out my brains.
The Summer heat will return
like it does every year,
my knees will still hurt
and at night I'll still fear;
but I'm holding out hope
I won't wait much longer
each day I sit here
hasn't made me any stronger.

Wait? What's this? A letter in the mail,
excitedly I open it and look inside
but a glance at the print
and I almost died.
My claim was rejected --
it appears that my injuries
don't seem to be service connected.

Reviews

[Norman 223]

A powerful indictment of a robotic assessment system that is prevalent in this country as well. . A few "successful" abusers have resulted many genuine cases being rejected by non-medical assessors.

[Norman 223]

A powerful indictment of a robotic assessment system that is prevalent in this country as well. . A few "successful" abusers have resulted many genuine cases being rejected by non-medical assessors.