You would be amazed what would happen if you went to get in that line you mentioned. Those new vets...some missing limbs and some in wheelchairs...would make sure you got in line in front of them if they knew you were a "new guy" or a Vietnam-era vet, etc. They're very good about looking out for each other and have an immense respect for "old warriors." By and large they are an amazing bunch of young men and women. And they'd be the first to tell you to get to the VA...and they don't mind the extra wait. So much for that idea.

You should also know that service-connectedness is no longer defined as "caused by service in the armed forces," but as "caused or aggravated by..." This change came several years ago and is retroactive. Another thing you should know is that your type of conditions are among the most common injuries young troops...troops in their 20s...are being medically discharged for today. Riding in mine-resistant vehicles and living in 100 lbs of body armor and combat gear most of their lives for the past 10 years has crippled an entire generation of our Army and Marine Corps. Unbelievable numbers of them have degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis of the spine, neck, and knees...while still in their 20s! So the understanding of what causes and aggravates (triggers early onset) these orthopedic disabilities at the VA has advanced by light years in the past decade. So has their ability to treat them. On the other hand, they're still the VA. It's still all about exhausting their impulse to deny things and say no to stuff and make excuses for not doing what they're supposed to do before it works the way it is supposed to work. It is still all about them trying to figure out how to get you to go away and you making them realize that you aren't going away until they do the right thing. It's one of the worst bureaucracies in the whole federal government. But it beats having no healthcare and no benefits by a LONG shot! And sitting in the waiting room with some other vets I have actually met some pretty good fishing buddies.