ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — More than 130,000 veterans call Northwest Florida home. Many veterans have said getting cases processed through the VA is sometimes tough and time-consuming.
Congressman Jimmy Patronis installed billboards urging veterans to call his office for assistance. But some of those veterans say they haven’t been able to get through to someone or they’re waiting for someone to return their call.
WEAR News called the number Wednesday afternoon and spoke to someone over the phone almost immediately.
Patronis said they’re working on processing as many cases as they can, but some veterans say they’re becoming impatient.
John Fure’s service to the country has cost him a lot.
“I got diagnosed with bladder cancer from service connected to the burn pits in Iraq,” Army veteran John Fure said. “I lost my bladder last March, along with a bunch of other stuff. Last December, I lost a kidney.”
Fure served in the Army for 24 years. He was granted temporary 100% disability from the VA, but he’s now fighting to get that permanent.
“I called people that have billboards out,” Fure said. “I’ve asked them for a little bit of assistance.”
Fure said he’s talking about these billboards that were put up by Patronis. He said he called the number multiple times, left a voicemail and never got a response.
Other veterans have said the same thing. Patronis also addressed the concerns in Washington.
“We have closed and handled more than 600 cases and serviced their constituents needs since that office has been open,” Patronis said.
Patronis’ office says working through the VA on their end can also take some time.
The VA website said it takes about 10 business days for a claim to initially process. It then takes about an average of 76 days for a veteran to receive an answer.
Patronis added his office is not only working to process cases they are currently receiving, but also cases from before he was in office.
“We did not have an office in Pensacola, prior with the previous administration,” said Patronis. “But we’ve got one now and it was important for me to have one in the biggest city in the district.”
Fure and other veterans WEAR News spoke to say the VA needs to do better in processing claims quicker.
“If the VA is not helping the service members and our elected officials aren’t pointing us in the right direction, saying they can help or anything to that effect,” said Fure. “It’s no good for the service members.”
A spokesperson for Patronis got back to WEAR News saying they will be reaching out to Mr. Fure to get him moving in the system.
Navigating the VA can be a difficult and cumbersome process, and we’re here to help. Since being in office, the Congressman has resolved over 650 cases and if you’re in need of assistance, please visit jimmyhelpsva.com so we can assist in expediting your claim. President Trump has been a staunch supporter of our veterans, and Congressman Patronis has been working with Secretary Collins to help streamline services, cut red tape, and deliver services faster to our heroes who served our nation. We’re also working on legislation that delivers real results for our veterans, including the Major Richard Star Act to expand benefits for our wounded warriors, and the Veterans Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act to help ease the burden on families during one of life’s most difficult moments.
Patronis encourages all vets to use the website and call his office for assistance.