Sen. Richard Blumenthal is helping a Bridgeport veteran who says he was denied access to basic medical care.

Jay Budahazy, 68, was born in Bridgeport and joined the Marine Corps two days after his 17th birthday, and a few days later was off to fight in Vietnam. Budahazy says he has served in hundreds of combat missions.

That’s why he was shocked at how hard it has been to get medical treatment after he suffered a simple arm injury. He says he had to wait 26 months to get surgery on his shoulder following an injury three years ago. 

"I think it's terrible. It's disgusting ... it's despicable," says Budahazy. "Listen to the veterans when they come in and give them the help that they need."

Blumenthal says inefficiencies in the VA hospital system are nothing new and must be corrected.

"There's no excuse for delay," says Blumenthal. "I'm gonna look into what can be done to make sure that at the West Haven facility treatment is provided when the veteran needs it, not at some indefinite point in the future."

"We have contacted this veteran directly to discuss his concerns," says John Callahan, deputy medical center director of VA Connecticut Healthcare System. "This veteran is satisfied with continuing our conversation and we look forward to working with him to resolve his concerns."