Veteran struggles against corrupt VA and Congressman

Kahanu McCoy, better known on YouTube as the voice behind A Veterans Affair Media, is a figure who has become emblematic of a larger struggle faced by many veterans in the United States. His videos document the frustrations, challenges, and obstacles that he has encountered while seeking help from the very institutions meant to support him. Specifically, Kahanu’s battle with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and his attempts to secure the care he desperately needs for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) paint a harrowing picture of bureaucratic failure.

McCoy’s story is deeply personal and heartfelt, but it also reflects the struggles of countless veterans across the nation. His condition, a TBI sustained during his time in the Army, is life-threatening. It affects not only his physical health but his mental well-being. Yet, despite his service to his country, McCoy has faced denial after denial from the VA—an organization established to provide assistance to people just like him.

A veteran’s battle with Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the so-called “invisible injuries” of war. It doesn’t manifest in obvious ways like physical wounds, but it has devastating effects. For many veterans like Kahanu, the impact of TBI can be debilitating. It impacts memory, decision-making, emotional regulation, and can even contribute to chronic pain and other physical symptoms. Living with TBI is a daily struggle.

“It’s hard because my memory is mostly affected. I can’t remember many things so I use my phone to record so I can go back later,” says McCoy. 

Kahanu has been fighting to get the treatment he desperately needs. However, despite being diagnosed with this life-threatening condition, the VA has repeatedly denied him care. This refusal has not only left him without the support he needs, but it has also contributed to a growing sense of isolation and frustration—a feeling that many veterans are all too familiar with.

What makes Kahanu’s case particularly tragic is the additional hostility he has faced from the VA. He reports being followed when he visits VA property, a form of harassment that adds insult to injury. Instead of receiving the care and compassion he deserves, Kahanu feels watched and persecuted by the very organization meant to help him.

According to McCoy, “Security is alerted that I have an appointment. As soon as I walk through the door I’m followed.”

Congressman Ami Bera’s involvement—or lack thereof

Kahanu’s fight with the VA has pushed him to seek help from his elected representatives. In theory, Congress is supposed to provide oversight of federal agencies like the VA. Representatives are supposed to advocate for their constituents, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks. Unfortunately, Kahanu’s experience with his congressman, Ami Bera, has been less than helpful.

Congressman Bera, a Democrat representing Sacramento, has built his political career on promises of advocating for veterans and ensuring they receive the benefits they deserve. But when Kahanu turned to Bera for help, he found only closed doors.

According to Kahanu, despite multiple attempts to contact Bera’s office, he was unable to receive the assistance he needed. His pleas for help, which included seeking support for his denied VA claims, were met with silence. As Kahanu’s frustrations grew, so too did his sense that the system wasn’t just failing him—it was actively working against him.

The failed protest

In his desperation, Kahanu decided to take action. Feeling abandoned by the VA and denied help by Congressman Bera, he sought to make his voice heard in a more public way. Kahanu planned a peaceful protest outside a government building, hoping to draw attention to his plight and the broader issues facing veterans.

However, even this act of protest was thwarted. When Kahanu arrived at the building, he was met by government security officials who denied him the right to protest. Whether this was an attempt to suppress his message or simply bureaucratic overreach, the result was the same: Kahanu was once again silenced.

For a veteran who has given so much to his country, the inability to peacefully protest is a cruel irony. Kahanu’s voice, already ignored by the VA and his Congressman, was now being stifled in a public forum. His story underscores a troubling reality—when veterans speak out about the problems they face, they are often met with resistance rather than support.

The larger issue at hand

Kahanu McCoy’s story is not just the tale of one man’s struggle. It is reflective of a much larger issue within the VA and the way the country treats its veterans. There are countless stories similar to Kahanu’s—veterans who have been denied care, ignored by their representatives, and left to fend for themselves.

The VA has long been criticized for its inefficiencies, long wait times, and denial of care. While reforms have been promised and even attempted over the years, the reality for many veterans remains grim. Kahanu’s experience of being followed and harassed by VA personnel is a stark reminder that these issues are not just bureaucratic—they are deeply personal and affect veterans’ day-to-day lives.

Moreover, the lack of response from Congressman Ami Bera’s office adds another layer of frustration to this story. Elected officials are meant to be the voice of their constituents, especially those in vulnerable populations like veterans. By not stepping in to help Kahanu navigate the complex and often unyielding VA system, Bera’s office has failed one of its most basic responsibilities.

A father’s struggle

Kahanu McCoy is not just a veteran; he is also a father. His struggles with the VA and his Congressman do not only impact him—they affect his family as well. The uncertainty surrounding his health and the lack of care he has received add a tremendous amount of stress to his life, which inevitably impacts those around him.

Being a father while battling a condition like TBI is already a monumental challenge. But doing so while being denied basic care by the VA makes it nearly impossible. Kahanu’s frustration isn’t just about the care he’s not receiving—it’s about what that lack of care means for his ability to be there for his family.

Moving forward

Despite the many setbacks, Kahanu McCoy continues to fight. His YouTube channel, A Veterans Affair Media, is an outlet for him to share his experiences and connect with other veterans who are going through similar struggles. Through his videos, Kahanu raises awareness about the challenges veterans face when dealing with the VA, and he continues to push for accountability.

Kahanu’s story is a powerful reminder of the ongoing need for reform in the VA system. While there are no easy solutions, the first step is acknowledging that the system is broken and that veterans like Kahanu deserve better. The country owes a debt to its veterans, and that debt must be paid not just in words, but in action.

Until real change is made, Kahanu McCoy’s fight will continue. For now, his voice remains a vital one in the ongoing struggle for veterans’ rights, and his determination serves as a beacon of hope for others facing similar battles. His story is far from over, but one thing is clear: Kahanu will not stop fighting for the care he deserves.

Michael Arthur is a writer and “Veteran Nation” show host for NRN. He’s an Afghanistan Veteran and Marine Corps enlisted-to-officer mustang. After leaving active duty 2015, Arthur has remained active in several veterans organizations in his local community.

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