A Huntington veteran of the war in Iraq says he's among the thousands of soldiers who are neglected by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Army National Guard Sergeant Stanford Mendenhall sustained a cracked vertebrae and serious bone problems while serving in Iraq. However, he says VA doctors failed to correctly diagnose his problems. Mendenhall says excessive red tape and bureaucracy prevent veterans from receiving proper medical care from the federal government.

Meanwhile, Northport VA representatives say they've established special units for soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suffolk VA officials also say they constantly ask veterans to allow them to advocate on their behalf and fill out their paperwork.

Due to his injuries, Mendenhall had to retire from his mail carrier job. He will head to West Point for special medical treatment soon.

Related Information: Wounded Warrior Project