I think every one is aware of the issues, it comes from being a government agency and under public scrutiny. Yes they have issues, but they also try to correct them, which is why Secretary Bob is now running the show. He was a replacement for the one in charge during the Phoenix scandal.
You just keep reading the news and while you are are it look for the "Good things the VA does" section. Oh wait, there isn't one because it doesn't make the news.
Yes the VA has issues but they are working on them. But with such a huge bureaucracy it doesn't seem like it. Sec. Bob has pushed a lot of good things through. VA research is on the leading edge of Spinal Cord Injury Care, TBI Care and has a huge mental health program. They have taken health care to the Vets through the use of Rural Health Clinics, Clinics away from the nearest VA hospital and many VA hospitals have a mobile clinic to reach even more Vets in their home towns. Don't want to use the VA, fine, live more than 40 miles away, there is a program called Choice 40 for these people to use to get care in the community paid by the VA. It isn't a perfect program but it is more than any civilian hospital or provider would even think of doing.
Go hang out at you local VA, ask what the people there think of the place, maybe you will see the other side of the coin. Not only are Vets appreciative of their care they enjoy the ability to be seen/socialize with other Vets and are often treated by a Vet. It does make a difference.
Or you can keep hanging onto every negative thing you have heard about the VA from the media and/or anecdotal sources , not from your personal experience, and continue to think it is an agency that needs to be bashed.
Your call.
bob
https://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/