CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After Andrew Leggins married the love of his life in June this year, he was faced with a problem: His wife needed health insurance. But what should have been a simple task for the VA turned into six months of repeated phone calls and roundabout conversations, leaving his wife’s health at risk.

Leggins, a military veteran and Clarksville resident, had been growing increasingly frustrated as he waited for the Department of Veterans Affairs to add his wife to his benefits. In June, he submitted paperwork to the VA and sent health insurance documents to CHAMPVA, as he is ineligible for TRICARE due to his permanent disability and other factors. Despite multiple 30-day follow-up phone calls, he continued to face issues.

“I just hit another 30-day window on Nov. 23,” he said. “My main concern is I have made them aware this entire time that my wife has two medical conditions. She has severe scoliosis, and Hashimoto’s thyroid disease. She takes medications every day. I told them my wife is on borrowed time.”

Dangerous delays in care

Along with daily medications, Leggins’ wife is supposed to get monthly blood tests. Last month, the couple had to pay $300 out of pocket for a blood test, and they are hoping to be OK without them. “It was $300. $300 every month while I am trying to keep us above water,” said Leggins.

In the past month, Leggins said, his wife’s condition has gotten worse and she would run out of her medication in December. “Her hands are ice cold; it’s not an exaggeration, it is painfully cold to touch her hands,” he said.

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In January 2025, Leggins wife had been scheduled to get surgery for her spine, which has gotten worse by five degrees in the last year. The surgery was postponed due to the lack of health insurance, and their doctor will not speak to them until the new insurance kicks in. Leggins has had to apply for private health insurance, which he said is not only expensive but does not go into effect until Jan. 12.

Seeking solutions, hitting dead ends

Desperate for an answer, Leggins said he has reached out to the Montgomery County Veterans Services Organization, Congressman Mark Green’s office, and congressional liaison officers. None were able to break through the red tape.

When he reached out to the VA Crisis Hotline, Leggins was sent a reply that his inquiries were under review, and, once reviewed, they will move to the “work phase.” An email to Leggins said, “We appreciate your patience. Please feel free to contact the National Call Center for periodic updates.”

“I just want the VA to get their act together,” Leggins said. “This whole thing has been delayed so much. Everything keeps getting pushed further and further out. … I’ve heard people wait two years before getting approved by the VA.”

Questions from media followed by sudden approval

Clarksville Now reached out to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for comment, but they have not yet responded. However, one day after Clarksville Now contacted the VA, Leggins received a phone call from the VA adding his wife to CHAMPVA Benefits. A representative from the Office of Media Relations also contacted Leggins to discuss the situation.

“It blows my mind getting stonewalled for several months and you were you able to get them to move in two days. I’m mind-blown and I really appreciate it,” Leggins said. “I’m just so happy she can actually start receiving care in a few days when her card comes in.”

He said people shouldn’t be afraid to push the VA to get the benefits they’ve earned. “They say, ‘Don’t awake the sleeping bear.’ But there’s 3 million veterans. Really, the VA should be scared of pissing off all these veterans,” he said.

For more

The Montgomery County VSO has had a great deal of success helping veterans with their benefits. Call them at 931-553-5173, email vetsvc@mcgtn.net, visit them at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 405, or visit the Montgomery County VSO website.

Veterans needing help are also encouraged to call the White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311. Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

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