After leaving the military in 2006, Joel received a reenlistment code (RE1A) with hopes of returning to a different branch someday. When he attempted to reenlist and went to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) for required evaluations, the doctors conducting his screeningrefused to give him the medical clearance he needed, despite his reenlistment code.  

This denial prompted Joel to apply for disability through the VA. He first applied in 2006 and says he waited, “for months, and months, and months, to that back” before receiving a 60% disability rating in 2007. He reapplied in 2015 and received an 80% rating, and finally recently received a full 100% disability rating. Even with the highest rating possible, Joel and his wife, Beth (Bethany) Extine, say they are still being turned away from other important VA amenities.  

In early 2025, Joel applied to have Beth recognized as his official “Caregiver,” which would award them monetary benefits and accommodations to support their daily lives. They were denied and have since struggled to find assistance with reapplying or appealing the decision.

Joel and Beth say they have repeatedly tried contacting the proper VA employees, only to be turned away or transferred endlessly, with no resolution in sight. They feel their case is not being given proper attention, or that they can’t even speak to anyone able to help. Both stated they have noticed a downward trend since the current administration took office.  

On July 7, 2025, according to news.va.gov, the Department of Veterans Affairs “announced it’s on pace to reduce total VA staff by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025, eliminating the need for a large-scale reduction-in-force.” The same source reported that between January 1-June 1, 2025, the VA had already cut 17,000 employees.

Beth and Joel say they directly feel the effects. Beth believes the employee reduction has “contributed to the lack of care because there’s less employees to answer the phone so your wait time is substantially longer, if you can even get through.” 

Joel adds, “One day I might just spend a minute on hold, the next day I’m spending like 30 minutes on hold trying to get through. And then I do get through, and you can’t get anywhere with the people.” 

As a veteran rated 100% disabled, Joel hopes to find relief through eventual caregiver approval. However, he and Beth believe that, with the current administration and its reductions, that help feels increasingly out of reach.