Get Marty: VA Apologizes To Disabled Vet For Not Returning His Phone Calls
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local Korean War veteran tried for nearly two months to get a phone call from the Veterans Administration and couldn't. That's when he knew he had to Get Marty.
"Nobody answers a phone. A simple thing," says 80-year-old Ron Lyle.
Lyle, who contracted polio in 1954 during the Korean War is disabled. As part of a special VA grant program Lyle qualified for a nearly $5,000 grant. He was going to use the money to hire a contractor to put special handrails in his shower.
"I got approval for the money, and then nothing, not a word from the VA," says Lyle.
For nearly two months, Lyle couldn't get anyone at the VA to return his phone calls. That was a real problem.
"Well, I paid the contractor $2,500. Money out of my own account," says Lyle.
That's when KDKA got involved.
We reached out to the VA. Within a day, we received a statement from the VA: "It has taken much longer than usual to return Mr. Lyle's phone calls and we are actively working to improve our turnaround time. We apologize if there was any confusion."
Within 24-hours of that email, folks at the VA called Lyle and apologized.
Also, the contractor was paid and Lyle got his bathroom fixed the way he wanted it to be.
If you'd like Marty to help you solve your problem, email him at GetMarty@kdka.com.
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