An Orange County veteran diagnosed with terminal colon cancer said he was given just months to live.
But after serving for more than 30 years, he said the Veterans Association denied him pain medication that he needs to make it through the day.
The problem is being blamed on a paperwork mistake.
Leroy Brugonone said even though he’s fought in war, he had no way to prepare for the fight with the VA.
“I’m just like a number, not a countryman. I’ve fought lots of battles. Not like this,” he said.
Doctors told Brugonone no surgery or chemo will save his life.
“I pray to God I can live one more day,” Brugonone said.
He said the only thing he can do now is live comfortably. It takes several pain medicines to get him through the day. But now he says he can’t get them anymore.
Brugonone said the VA told him last week that he was denied because he missed too many appointments.
He said he missed them because he didn’t know when they were.
The paperwork the VA mailed him for the appointments didn’t have the date and time filled in. He said when he tried to explain, he couldn’t get anyone to listen.
“It’s my error. It’s my fault for not having a correct say on it. It’s my fault for not looking at it more closely. They are saying it’s not their fault,” Brugonone said.
If history is any indication, a resolution could take some time and doctors gave him six months to live.
VA officials said they couldn’t discuss Brugonone’s case.
Neither the Orlando VA nor the VA in Washington, D.C., could answer questions about why he can’t get his medicine, but said they are looking into the complaint and they don’t have a timetable on when Brugonone could get answers.
