Chronic pain is of particular concern because it can cause other problems.  Here are some thoughts: Take your documentation, and deliver it to the VA where your husband seeks care.  Seek out the pain clinic AND your primary care physician. If you’re distant from the facility, call to speak with the Patient Advocate at that VA.  If you can’t find help, contact the National VA Patient Advocate, Keith Pierce (keith.pierce@va.gov). The VA Choice program must respond to you:  http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ .  If you haven’t received a response please call the Legion representative near you, as they are taking to heart the Choice card response and championing the cause. (www.Legion.org). The point is to touch all the expected chain of command as you move your needs upward. Help is available from the COUNTY Veteran Service Officer where you live:  input your zipcode and contact them www.nacvso.org.  Same with your STATE Department of Veteran Affairs. There are many programs not otherwise available and big VA would be unaware of most of them. Finally, if there is serious pain and no one answers your calls, emails, or provides you help, you can contact the VA Crisis Line or Military OneSource and they will then send a message to the provider to call you back.  You’re in a challenging spot with the expense borne by you to get him care privately, and waiting for reimbursement.  We are not benefits specialists and it’s critical to find a VSO to assist you.  We have found that the STATE is often faster, and will respond to their constituents.