"It's important for us to communicate with our veterans, so that they understand what we're doing to work their claims as well as to hear their concerns,” says Kathy Malin, Acting Director, VA Regional Office.
About 50 veterans and some of their spouses showed up for Monday's town hall meeting in Reno.
Concerns range from access to dental care to paperwork.
And consistency between the veterans health and veterans benefits administrations.
"I think they understand our points of view, now. So, they can start doing their research and helping us better,” says Army veteran Bill Maltman
Navy Veteran Rick Shuster adds, "We might just have a fighting chance that we'll be able to take care of our veterans, and that's important to me. I have three veteran sons. One of them is 100% disabled."
Reno's VA Regional Office has more than 100 employees working about 20 hours of mandatory overtime every month.
Most of them are veterans.
Officials say their backlog of claims has been reduced by almost 60%.
Veterans says it's important to have a strong VA system.
Not just for them but for the newest generation to serve our country.
Army veteran Alan Gelon says. "I'm not in the VA health system. I qualify for Medicare. I just don't feel I should take up the space for these kids coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq."
Gelon says he thinks the VA is overtaxed and underfunded but is doing the best it can, under the circumstances.
Another town hall meeting is set for next week at the VA Medical Center.
