Central PA Combat Veteran DENIED Medication – VA RED TAPE
May 18, 2025
FAFO Media
Harrisburg, PA — Amid ongoing concerns about veteran care nationwide, one local hero’s story underscores the persistent frustrations faced by many veterans navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.
FAFO Media interviewed a fully disabled combat veteran from Central PA, a former Marine who served 14 years between the Marine Corps and Navy, recently found himself caught in a web of bureaucratic red tape and mismanagement just to get the treatment he needs for a persistent skin condition. His ordeal sheds light on the larger struggles many veterans face when seeking timely, effective medical care.
The veteran first sought help at the Lebanon VA Medical Center for an itchy rash that was initially diagnosed as psoriasis. Despite multiple topical treatments and wrapping his legs in Saran wrap, his condition did not improve. Frustrated with VA’s approach, he turned to a private healthcare provider through his civilian employer, where a correct diagnosis was confirmed, and a prescription for the injectable medication Cosentyx was issued. The result was immediate relief, and the veteran experienced freedom from the painful, irritating skin condition for nearly two years.
However, when his insurance coverage changed and the treatment was no longer covered, his symptoms returned. He attempted to resume treatment through the VA, but his experience became increasingly frustrating. Residing over 50 miles from the Lebanon VA, he was advised he could seek community care and was referred to a local specialist. Despite a review of his medical history pointing to the effectiveness of Cosentyx, the VA healthcare system initially declined authorization for the treatment, citing procedural barriers.
Susan Osborne, a Registered Nurse at Lebanon VA Medical Center, has been acting as a liaison for the veteran, assigned to advocate for his urgent needs. Unfortunately, efforts to secure VA funding for the treatment have been hampered by bureaucratic delays and a lack of recognition of his previous treatment success. The community care provider flagged the veteran’s ongoing suffering and urged VA approval for the specific medication, but their request was denied, ignoring critical medical history and current health status. The veteran has gone without the proven to work treatment for nearly 150 days.
The veteran’s struggles are compounded by his service background. He served two branches of the military, including combat deployment in Iraq, where he sustained a traumatic brain injury from a grenade blast and rocket-propelled grenade attack. Despite his sacrifices, he now faces hurdles in obtaining the care owed to him for his service.
This story echoes a broader concern: It’s too common for our veterans to encounter misdiagnoses, substandard treatment, and impossible bureaucratic barriers at the very institutions designed to serve them. Many veterans believe they deserve a system that is responsive, compassionate, and capable of providing prompt, effective care—not drawn-out battles between advocacy and administration.
As this veteran continues his fight for proper treatment, advocates hope his story will spark a renewed push for reform within the VA healthcare system—affirming that those who served—and continue to serve—deserve nothing less.
