That's a good question.
Let me just say that there are some very good individuals with Veterans Affairs. I have to say that. I've had that experience. I've also had experiences with people that have been terrible. A lack of a quality assurance program and a lack of the ability for the veterans to be able to provide feedback means that the system will never ever change.
It's a huge issue for all our veterans. Trust is a huge issue for all of our veterans. The idea that their word is being disbelieved or the fact that they're having to provide excessive evidence to support their position, again, creates a lot of angst, a lot of anxiety and a lot of irritability. This can come out as verbal aggression, etc. About 49% or 50% of people, our veterans with PTSD, will lose their relationship as a result of their symptomatology, the stress that's there constantly. The stress that's put on the caregiver.... Imagine feeling responsible for the person you love so much but not having the power to change anything. It's the absolute worst position to be in—huge responsibility and no power to change it.
The thing is that Veterans Affairs exists because our veterans have served the country. We're actually the employers of Veterans Affairs, but we're not seen that way. We're seen as being dependent. We're disempowered, and the delays and unnecessary denials are having a very tragic effect on family members, caregivers and the veterans themselves. We're going to lose a lot of people if it doesn't change.