MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Southern California-based veterans with service-related injuries can look forward to shorter waiting times and faster callbacks when dealing with local Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, according to a new directive issued by VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi.

The directive orders VA medical facilities nationwide to give priority access to qualifying veterans seeking appointments for treatment.

Those vets are guaranteed appointments within 30 days of visiting a VA treatment facility for inpatient or outpatient care. Otherwise, the appointment will be scheduled at another VA facility or at a contracted private outlet.

There were 274,135 veterans in the San Diego area as of Oct. 1, 2003. But only 44,977 local vets are enrolled in the VA San Diego Healthcare System, according to Cindy Butler, the system's public affairs officer. The system includes more than 25 million veterans nationwide.

California has 11 VA medical centers, 28 outpatient clinics and 23 community-based outpatient clinics, as well as 15 vet centers, according to the California Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
The directive covers hospitalization and outpatient care. Veterans seeking health care for injuries not related to a service-connected disability may not be eligible.
"Any vet can come in and apply for VA health care," said Butler. "However, if someone comes in who does not have any service-related injuries, they may not be eligible for health care."

Before the directive took effect, only veterans rated at 50 percent disability or more were granted priority access to health care. Priority access now applies to all veterans injured on duty.

The directive won"t affect the way the San Diego office does business, said Al Padilla, public affairs officer for the VA San Diego Benefits Office. Nonetheless, veterans injured in recent conflicts will go to the head of the line, he said.

"All of the disability claims that come through this office are service-related, so there is no difference in priority there," he said. "However, the Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom vets that come in this office for disability claims take a higher precedence over other claims."

The last Marine casualty to come through Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital arrived in September or October, said Petty Officer 1st Class Amy J. Chapman, Navy/Marine Corps liaison, Operating Forces, Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital.

Returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan are not the only veterans pleased about the new directive. Donald Bailey, a retired Army first sergeant, Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, is glad VA priority is being expanded.

"Those with injuries should be able to get quicker treatment," said Bailey. "That's real good news that these guys with injuries are getting the help they need."
For more information regarding the new directive, as well as services provided by the San Diego VA Healthcare System, call (858) 552-8585, or visit the Department of Veterans Administration Web site at www.va.gov.

E-mail Cpl. Agostini at AgostiniLR@pendleton.usmc.mil