AFAICT, none of the ailments mentioned would be service-connected, therefore I don't see how the VA should be expected to foot the bill. I do know from helping my uncle that a lot of VA medical benefits are means tested.
I am not sure where I said thet should be covered by VA benefits. I did however show where VA treatment seems arbitrary.
My dad, honorably discharged. diagnosed diabetic ~2 years after discharge. never requested any VA benefits till diagnosed with prostate cancer, and then only to see if benefits were available considering his younger brothers experiences.
My uncle, honorably discharged. diagnosed diabetic ~4 years after service. receives VA treatment from everything down to common cold.
Me, medically discharged due to diabetes discovered during med exam related to requested transfer (upon return from middle east) from artillery to sniper training. <-- was too damn cocky and wide eyed to take the comm duty I qualified for out of Paris Island. If I hadn't requested the transfer, I probably woulda completed my hitch without the discharge.
What is it about military service that seems to engender a sense of permanent entitlement?
I am not sure were this came from, but I believe in everyone being treated equal. I have never applied for VA bennies, but did encourage my dad to as he had taken early retirement due to sensitivity to heavy metals (most likely (according to several Dr's) due to his time in the Med in the Navy and his electronics duty assignment.)
I hold a high deal of respect for my father. Joined the Navy at 17 (straight A's all through HS) in order to not have to work in the coal mines. Sent part of his pay home to his family the entire time in the Navy, and for many years after. Was highly regarded enough to serve on the Honor Guard at Arlington the day Pres. Kennedy laid to rest the body of the Unknown Soldier. Worked hard all his life, and never asked for a thing. Then to see him and my mom having financial difficulties due to escalating health care costs, livable life long diseases with little to no insurance help (He has maintained insurance on his own since the early retirement (eligible for SS at 62, choose to work till 67, only to have the metals sensitivity force him to retire at 65)). He only dropped that insurance when the premiums went over $1000 a month (due to the Castlemans diagnosis).
I am not so sure I agree that every serviceman / servicewoman should receive free medical care for the remainder of ther life, just as State (here in NC) and Federal legislators should not receive free, super premium medical insurance for the rest of their lives.
Most all military serve due to a sense of duty to the country. These politicians seem to serve as a duty to themselves.