First of all Sir-- thank you for your service . Second there is just no excuse for the experience you had with the VA long ago and apparently many Vets are dealing with today .
Sadly you are 100% correct the Gvt can not run anything effiecienty or effectively perhaps the exception is our MIlitary and again perhaps not . Somehow the VA should be privatized or our Vets should get a medical plan that allows them to be treated by any Dr. anywhere of their choosing .