Shannon, 
While I rarely agree with your politically I would say this is a great article. The 22 a day is a low number that the VA admits was way too low of an estimate. As a Service Connected Disabled Veteran who also has to navigate the maze of mid level managers at the VA I understand the frustration your friend has been stuck in. They push medication and that's it, more than one of my fellow Veterans has been placed into a drug induced stupor by the VA only to have them ultimately lose the battle and a one of the "22 a day". The VA is a joke, in Anchorage it is tolerable. In 14 years of dealing with them there is 1 person who I trust and has gone over and above for me with my files. I hope your friend finds a support group off Veterans who can help him.