Quote Originally Posted by Richard View Post

We are both veterans,but served in a time of military budget cuts,so no VA.
Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs are two entirely different cabinet-level departments. Military budget cuts do not affect the VA. They are wholly and distinctly separate with separate budgets.

Also, eligibility criteria for VA health care services don't depend on when you served. If you were on active duty, served at least two years [[unless you were medically discharged for a service-connected reason), and received anything other than a dishonorable discharge, you are eligible to enroll for VA health care services.

https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp

To suggest that you weren't eligible for VA health care despite being a veteran because of "military budget cuts" is a demonstrably false statement. You either meet the eligibility criteria...or you don't.