WASHINGTON — Army Sergeant Jeremy Barnhart says anyone wanting to know what it is like to deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs can get a clue from the FedEx packages that land on the front porch of his San Antonio home.
They tell him when to show up for mental health assessments that help determine his benefits eligibility. If the time conflicts with his college classes, a VA benefit helping him prepare for a new career, he cannot change the appointment by phone, he said. He can only call to say it will not work, and wait for another package giving him his new time.
Comments
The FedEx packages that land on Mr. Barnhart front porch are not VA appointments. They are appointments made by the VA for private independent consultation with outside doctors and clinics. Consequently the VA has little or no control over those appointments.