Hi Buck - forget about the VA, I fought them hard for 4 years (got media help, congress-critter and senator involved, the whole works) - the faster you give up on them or die, the happier they are.

That being said, my $0.02 is to ease off the drinking and find yourself a good therapist. Have you tried the "Give an Hour" website? Also I find Vietnam combat veterans are really great to talk to, they know all about the VA games and they really understand about combat, deployment, idiot civilians, etc - usually you find them at the VFW.