PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) – Gerry Hecht, a 94-year-old veteran in Phoenix, says he can’t get the care he needs after his claim has been denied by Veterans Affairs.
Once an officer in the Navy, Hecht served in a combat area in Korea on the USS Duncan.
Now, he said he can’t walk, needs an oxygen tank and the only person taking care of him daily is his 88-year-old wife, who has her own medical troubles.
“You have two aging people here. Not one but two, and we have to rely on each other and that’s difficult when you get to be well up in years,” Hecht said.
Every month, he said his kids must fly back to care for their parents.
“His health problems are impacting her health problems. He needs help getting up out of his chair. Now, my mom has a horrible back because she’s having to help him up every day,” his son, Dave Hecht, said.
To help with Gerry Hecht’s growing need and medical costs, he said he recently applied to the VA for an electric wheelchair and respite.
However, the Hecht family have needed to pay out of pocket for everything because his claim was denied by the VA.
“We requested just the basic services, and the VA came back and said we need this paperwork and this paperwork. Finally, everything was submitted but the response was thanks for his service. He makes too much money,” Dave Hecht said.
Gerry Hecht said the only money he receives is from his Social Security which is about $2,200 a month. But between his medical costs and other monthly expenses, it isn’t enough to help.
Now, he and his family said they are left with growing bills and growing health problems with no one to help.
“America is supposed to be the land of the big promise. Let’s not forget the big promise to our veterans,” Gerry Hecht said.
A spokesperson for the Phoenix Veteran Affairs shared the following response regarding the situation:
“Phoenix VA Health Care System is committed to providing high-quality, timely care to the Veterans we serve – and we’ll never settle for anything less. While we cannot discuss the specifics of any Veteran’s care without written consent, we are looking into this matter urgently and will take any appropriate action to address these concerns.”
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